A Strange Commission

"Information?"

Li Lin toed the wine cup in his hand, the mead inside showing a dim radiance in the reflection of the firelight.

"If it is something I know, then I will do my best."

"Well then, let me ask you, since you have entered the Mist Forest, you should be able to see those millennium ruins, have there been any incidents there recently?"

Li Lin stopped toying with the wine cup; although Angela was still fighting with the food in front of her, she had already begun to prepare herself secretly.

"What do you mean by incidents?"

"Such as flashes, thunder, or strange sounds..."

This man was completely unaware that he had already stepped one foot into a coffin, and still went on asking.

"No."

Li Lin pondered slightly, then shook his head.

"We have not discovered any strange movements."

As he spoke, a very apologetic smile appeared on his face.

"Sorry, I wasn't able to help much."

"It's nothing, it's nothing. Since that's the case, that's even better."

The big man laughed heartily, waved his hand, and then turned around to face his companions.

"All right, little ones, you heard it all, that ghost place is still the same as before. Let's clean up here and get ready to go back and report!"

"But, boss..."

The little thief sitting beside the man hesitated, but still spoke up.

"After all, we haven't seen it with our own eyes. Just based on what these people say, do you really believe..."

"What's there to believe or not believe?"

The man was obviously somewhat dissatisfied with the little thief's caution.

"We come to this ghost place once every five years, and don't we always get the same information? Besides, that ghost place is so dangerous, what if it's like last time, we walk in and almost get lost and can't come out? We almost died inside last time, aren't we the same this time? That ghost place is no holiday resort!"

Hearing this, the little thief obediently shut his mouth, picked up the wine cup beside him, and began to drink. After all, the man in front of him was not to be trifled with, and he was only someone who did odd jobs. Besides, coming to the Mist Forest this time, he had already prepared himself to face all kinds of danger in various ways. Although none of them were people who clung to life and feared death, they were mercenaries after all. If they could avoid dying... then it was better not to die.

And Li Lin, who had taken in every word of their conversation, grew suspicious at this moment. They had to come once every five years? Every time they came, they had to inquire about the condition of the capital of the Magic Empire? What was this for?

"May I ask what kind of commission you all received?"

"It's not really a big deal."

The man shrugged, drained the remaining fine wine in his cup, and then casually tossed the cup onto the table.

"It's just to have us come here and check out the situation of the ruined city, and report back if there are any strange things. Although the mission is not simple, the money they give is quite a lot..."

In the process of conversing with the big man, Li Lin gradually learned the reason. As early as when this mercenary group was first established, it had received support from a certain mysterious noble. You must know that a newly born mercenary group faces many dangers: not just beasts, thieves, and competition among peers, equipment and money are also very important. Yet this mysterious noble, for some unknown reason, gave a lot of help to this newly formed mercenary group, providing them with money and equipment. The only requirement was that this mercenary group must travel to the capital of the Magic Empire once every three years to inspect the situation there and report any unusual movements to him. If they violated the agreement, they would no longer receive assistance in the future.

As the funded parties, this group of mercenaries were not stupid. The Mist Forest was indeed dangerous for budding adventurers, but for experienced adventurers, it was not much of a problem. As long as one was not stupid to the extreme, walking in and walking back out was still doable. These mercenaries had been getting by this way for nearly ten years; although their influence gradually grew, they always worked hard to complete this mission conscientiously. Of course, the client did not demand that they actually enter the ruins of the Magic Empire, just letting them take a look from the outside and go back to report was also acceptable.

Naturally, such a commission also had various loopholes. After all, this kind of mission was vague and untraceable; even if they just went out for a casual stroll and came back to say the mission was completed, there was no solid evidence to check. However, although mercenaries were barbarian, they still knew how to show gratitude. That mysterious client was the benefactor who allowed them to grow, and such a commission, no matter how long it had to be carried out, had to continue.

Yet, although the mercenaries had executed this mission several times already, not a single person knew who the mysterious client actually was-male or female, not even his height, weight, or build. Every time, they wrote their reports into letters and placed them at a designated location, and one day later, gold coins and other equipment as remuneration would appear inside the mercenary guild hall. Although some curious mercenaries wanted to sneakily observe how these things and books appeared, very strangely, they seemed completely unaware of how these items arrived. It was as if in the blink of an eye, they suddenly materialized right there.

A mysterious noble, paying such persistent attention to the capital of the Magic Empire?

Li Lin slightly furrowed his brows. He had already discovered that these mercenaries almost all carried various magical weapons and equipment. The edge of the battleaxe carried by the leading big man faintly exuded a red glow, which was obviously enchanted with a fire attribute. And the thief's dagger did not reflect the slightest glint of light even in this dim tavern, as black as the dead of night.

To Li Lin, this kind of enchanted weapon was very normal. After all, during the era of the Magic Empire, shops selling magical weapons were everywhere, and these things were just common, dime-a-dozen goods. But... times had changed, after all.

"Mina, Fina, in the current continent, are magical weapons very easy to acquire?"

"Not easy, Master."

Mina shook her head. She had just eaten a piece of thoroughly cooked beef and ended up almost feeling sick enough to vomit. If Angela's eyes hadn't been staring right at her, she probably wouldn't have been able to swallow that piece of food which should have been a delicacy to her, but now had almost turned into poison and books. Because of this, her expression was still somewhat painful when she answered Li Lin's question.

"Magical weapons are not easy to purchase. After all, the quantity is small, and the price is high..."

Explaining this, she turned her gaze back to her own plate. Now that steak, which should have been delicious and appetizing, looked to her like the most agonizing poison.

Moving his fingers, Li Lin sensed the energy contained in these people's weapons. That was right—these were genuine magical weapons, and moreover, they used the craftsmanship of the Magic Empire period. Could it be that that person was related to the Magic Empire? Or had he set his sights on the lost knowledge and wealth of the Magic Empire?

No matter which it was, it seemed necessary to have a good talk with that person. Although these mercenaries were not clear about it, just listening to their account allowed Li Lin to know that the other party was definitely a mage, and a very formidable mage at that.

However, no matter how formidable the mage was, it was impossible to break into the Necromantic Barrier he had cast. Li Lin was quite confident of this point.

Still, what was the point of wasting money and time like this? Could he be waiting for the Necromantic Barrier to disappear? Impossible; it had existed for a thousand years, and it was entirely possible for it to exist for another thousand years. Patience-even he himself did not possess such patience and confidence to wait for this barrier to vanish.

However, Li Lin could roughly guess the reason for the other party's interest in the Magic Empire. It was filled with all sorts of magical treasures and even ancient spell chants; no matter what one obtained, to a mage, it signified immense power.

Still, this investment compared to that meager return was far too disproportionate.

After finishing dinner, Li Lin returned to his room to rest, but soon, he no longer had the time to ponder the subsequent problems.

"Ugh... Master..."

Angela tightly embraced Li Lin's torso, feeling the thick, foreign object madly ramming against her body. Wave after wave of pleasure made her somewhat dizzy. The girl's petite, soft body, matched with her temptation-filled groans, created a huge contrast that also made Li Lin exceptionally moved. Although both of them were no longer experiencing this for the first time, the Vampire Species's lustful techniques still allowed Li Lin to enjoy extreme pleasure. Silver-white long hair scattered about like an angel's wings—an unfaceable sanctity and soul-captivating temptation, a piteous innocence and madness that despised everything. This transgressive pleasure was not only a physical enjoyment, but a mental one as well.

Angela's petite body suddenly stiffened, and she opened her mouth wide, but failed to cry out, until Li Lin finished venting inside her body, which finally allowed the vampire to let out a deep breath.

"How does it feel?"

Holding Angela's young body in his arms, Li Lin inquired with ill intentions. Several years had already passed since they first met, and Li Lin had also grown from a youth into a young man. Yet Angela remained in that appearance of a young girl undergoing growth. Fortunately, this was in another world; otherwise, Li Lin would inevitably have been branded with the label of a "loli-con".

Of course, for Li Lin, women were better off being a bit young.

At least on the surface, it appeared that way.

"Hah..."

Angela did not immediately answer Li Lin's question, but instead closed her eyes, enjoying the lingering pleasure coming from within her body. She placed her hand on her lower abdomen, feeling the warmth remaining inside her body.

"This concubine has always wondered why those vampire species always like to engage in dissolute behaviors; now this concubine finally understands..."

"It feels good, right?"

Li Lin stroked Angela's long hair, feeling her small hand roam downward mischievously once again.

"Planning to go for another round?"

"How could one round be enough, Master?"

A small hand gently touched the hot, thick collection of desires beneath Li Lin, and Angela revealed a lewd, innocent smile.

"This concubine wants many more times. After all, the night is still long, isn't it?"