"Pfft!" Laing smiled brilliantly, "Mister Hadrian can't possibly think that giving me two insignificant slaves will make us friends, right? Then my friendship is really cheap. "
"It's a fair competition in the auction house. Since Mister Hadrian insists on competing with me, then I'll just give it to him. But let's forget about becoming friends. I don't need friends who scam their own people for the sake of being in the limelight." Laing waved his hand and prepared to leave.
"No, no, no! Mister Hadrian really wants to be friends with you! " The butler hurriedly stopped Laing and bowed again, "We know that these cheap slaves won't be able to move Mister Laing, but … what if we add a dark elf?"
This time, Laing stopped in his tracks, "Dark elf?"
"Yes, I'll put it simply. Mister Hadrian is determined to get the dark elf this time! And this dark elf will be a witness to the friendship between Mister Hadrian and Mister Laing! This afternoon, we will send the dark elf and the other slaves to Mister Laing! "The butler continued," We hope that Mister Laing will do us the honour! Everything we do is to obtain Mister Laing's attention and friendship! We have no ill intentions! "
Laing's interest was piqued.
That dark elf had obviously attracted the attention of many merchants and nobles. They were giving him face by saying that they would let him have the dark elf. After all, they had all seen his strength and ferocity, and they wouldn't be willing to offend him over such a small matter.
However, Hadrian's Luigi Merchant Group was different. If this merchant from the south wanted to buy the dark elf, he would have to kill his way out.
Hadrian would have to spend an astonishing amount of money.
"Buying that dark elf will cost at least a few thousand gold coins, just to make a good impression on me. Is it worth it?" Laing laughed.
"It's worth it! Because we all believe that Mister Laing is worth that price! "The butler said very seriously.
This time, Laing really felt Hadrian's sincerity. After the accumulated unhappiness and anger were reversed, he began to be curious about Hadrian's intentions.
He knew that this could be a carefully planned scheme by Hadrian, hoping to get his attention. However, under such circumstances, someone was willing to spend money like water just to buy a chance to make friends. This kind of implicit flattery was hard to refuse.
"Alright then, the place I'm staying at … When you deliver the things in the afternoon, just tell the guards that you're here to deliver them to me, and they'll let you in. Also … if you really want to deliver them, just send the girl named Miranda over. As for the other two, there's no need for that. There are too many people in the house." Laing finally nodded under the ecstatic gaze of the butler.
There were only two servant rooms on the first floor. Although it could be squeezed, Laing felt that he still had to give Emilia some personal space. Among the three slaves, Miranda's quality was the best, so she was fine.
"And that Dark Elf! We'll send it over as well! "The butler immediately added.
"Interesting. Let's see how Mr. Hadrian does it."
… …
In the afternoon, 53 Amber Avenue.
"The auction in the morning is really lively." Laing changed into a set of light clothes and sat by the warm fireplace to read a book. In the end, Laing went back to the auction in the morning to witness the entire auction of the dark elf. Surrounded by countless merchants and nobles in Marlin Castle, Hadrian bought the dark elf for nearly ten times the starting price. "12,000 gold marks. This is the most expensive slave sold in recent years."
"What a sky-high price!" Emilia changed into a maid's outfit and sat opposite Laing. The girl originally wanted to continue working, but Laing gestured for her to sit down and chat with him.
The improved maid outfit had more decorations and patterns. The length of the skirt had also changed from the previous floor-length to about five centimeters below the knees, revealing the girl's beautiful calves in white stockings and black short boots.
"Is the multi-purpose room on the third floor ready?" Laing asked.
"It's ready, Mr. Laing." Emilia nodded.
"Are you used to living here?"
"It's very comfortable. Thank you, Mr. Laing!"
Outside the window, the snow continued to fall, but the room was as warm as spring. Laing and Emilia asked and answered questions, and the girl could feel Laing's concern and respect for her. Thinking of the fear she had since coming to Marlin Castle and the peace and comfort she had under Laing's protection, Emilia only felt that it would be better if these days could continue forever.
But if I want to continue forever, then wouldn't I … Thinking of this, the little maid's face turned red again.
"Emilia, you are my maid in name, but I've never treated you as my maid. Not to mention your knowledge and understanding of High Gothic, just your strength alone is definitely not bad, am I right?" Laing looked at Emilia with a smile. "You are at least a low-level elite rogue, right?"
"I'm a mid-level elite rogue who has advanced to a master of disguise, Mr. Laing." Emilia told the truth. "But please don't tell anyone."
"You always surprise me, Emilia. Don't worry, you are just my maid …" Laing was halfway through his words when there was a knock on the door, so he motioned for Emilia to open the door.
There was a short and hurried sound of footsteps. Emilia peeked outside and then whispered, "Who is it?"
"Hello! I'm Hadrian from Tyrell. I'm very grateful to Mr. Laing for giving me this opportunity. I've brought the gift for Mr. Laing. Can you open the door? "At the door, a tall middle-aged man gently took off his hat, and his attitude was very sincere.
So the door opened.
A tall and handsome man walked in. He was dressed in luxurious silk clothes, and every detail of his body had been sufficiently decorated. The overly luxurious clothes piled up on his body seemed very out of place, giving a strange sense of incongruity and a sense of amusement.
From this, it could be seen that he was not a real noble, because one generation could raise a nouveau riche, and three generations could raise a noble. The real noble temperament was accumulated over time and constantly tempered.
It was obvious that this person was Hadrian.
"Hello, Mr. Hadrian!" Mr. Hadrian! "Clayon stood up. He had to show basic courtesy." Nice to meet you! "
In the morning, this rich merchant from the southern kingdom first promised to give him the Dark Elf, and then fought the entire House of Lords and House of Marlin alone. This behavior left a deep impression on Laing. Perhaps in everyone's eyes, this guy was a complete idiot, but as the person who benefited from it, Laing did not think so.
"It's a great honor to meet you! Mr. Laing! I've heard of your great name for a long time! The champion who defeated thousands of barbarians alone, exposed the dark secrets of the Aesthetic Society, and killed the champion of Blood God. I've always been an admirer of yours. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to meet you. "Hadrian hurriedly reached out to shake Laing's hand.
"Ha! When a merchant spends more than ten thousand gold marks just to see me, I have no reason to refuse his request." Laing's tone was somewhat sarcastic and incomprehensible. He motioned for Hadrian to sit down, and Emilia served two cups of hot milk. As for the slaves and his followers, they were not so lucky. They waited at the entrance of the mansion in the snow.
"Thank you." Hadrian gently sat opposite Laing, holding the hot milk with both hands. He said somewhat impatiently, "I just want to gain your friendship."
"Don't be in such a hurry. It's rare for us to have some free time, and I don't have anything to do. You can take your time. There's no need to keep emphasizing this." Laing could see that this guy was very eager to clarify his intentions, so he motioned for Hadrian to not be in a hurry and speak slowly.
"Thank you very much!" Hadrian was overjoyed to see that Laing wasn't in a hurry. This rich merchant from the southern kingdoms paused for a moment and sorted out his words before smiling bitterly. "I admit that I was a little impulsive back then, Mr. Laing."
"You also know that you were impulsive? At that time, you were almost facing all the merchants and merchants from the upper and lower houses. Everyone could see that you were determined to get that dark elf, so they kept raising the price maliciously. If it weren't for you, that dark elf would've been sold for six thousand gold marks at most, but you spent twelve thousand gold marks. "Laing smiled." You were too obvious. "
"But I wanted to fight for that! Mr. Laing, I want them to understand. I want those arrogant fellows to know that even southern merchants don't lose to them in terms of wealth and strength! "Hadrian said indignantly. It was obvious that he had accumulated a lot of resentment and anger.
After chatting for a while, Laing gradually understood why this merchant from the southern kingdoms would suddenly go crazy and bid against him like a madman, then spend several times the price to buy that dark elf as a gift. Hadrian's actions couldn't be said to be stupid. That was twelve thousand gold coins, an astonishing amount of money. Even in Marlin Castle, there weren't many merchants who could take out that much money in one go.
Even if he wanted to befriend Laing, he shouldn't have used such an extreme method. If Laing was a hot-tempered person, he might've blacklisted him. This method was a gamble, and it was too stupid.
But Hadrian was going all out. He had been suppressed for too long ever since he came to Marlin Castle.
This super rich merchant from the southern kingdoms had encountered a lot of trouble ever since he came to Marlin Castle.
He was never able to integrate into the upper class, and he was never treated equally. Because he was from the southern kingdoms, the merchants and nobles of Marlin Castle had always treated him like a monkey. Not only did he waste his money on a few business deals, but his business partners also made things difficult for him. The guilds slacked off all day and kept asking him to increase their benefits. Everyone treated him like a big fool.
Moreover, the nobles' words were always full of arrogance and disdain. Many merchants didn't even bother to call him by his name, always calling him a southerner.
The merchants were attacked again and again, and the guards' attitude was also very bad.
Hadrian had had enough. He knew what he had to do.
"Uh … So you spent twelve thousand gold coins just to complain to me about the injustice you've suffered? Hmm … I have to say that I'm not a good listener. " Laing didn't know whether to laugh or cry at Hadrian's outburst. He did have a good reputation in Marlin Castle, but if he wanted to help Hadrian open up the situation, then forget it. People gave him face because of his strength, but that was only for himself.
Did Hadrian really think that he could integrate into the upper class of Marlin Castle just because he was friends with him?
"It's not about that, Mr. Laing. I'm here to ask for your help!" Hadrian took out a scroll of parchment from his spatial ring. "Mister Leon, take a look. This is an ore vein that I purchased a few days ago. This ore vein is located in the depths of Marlin Castle's mining area."
"Hmm, let me see." Laing took the parchment. He found that the vein was quite far from Marlin Castle. It was about fifteen kilometers away. "What happened?"
"This is a mithril vein. I was introduced to it by someone and spent a lot of money to buy and mine it. But when I sent people to mine it, I found out that there was a problem." Hadrian's face turned green. "Ever since I started mining this vein, there have been many cases of miners going missing and going crazy. It's obvious that there's a problem with this vein. I've been deceived again."
"Hmm, you obviously need to organize patrols and guards. There must be something wrong with the vein." Laing nodded and gave the most basic judgment.
"That's what I did, but it didn't work because … the patrols and guards didn't encounter any monsters." Hadrian shook his head in distress. His beautifully combed mustache seemed to bend even more. "The patrols … only found some small animals. Even the miners could easily deal with these small animals."
"Oh? And then? "Laing wondered if it was some monster, robber, or malicious harasser.
"But the situation of the miners got worse. Many of them went crazy or talked nonsense. No one could hear what they were saying. Some of them even mutated. I tried many methods, but it was useless. Hadrian finally said, "So, I thought of you, Mr. Lane. Please give me a hand!"
"Then what do I get?" Clayon nodded. Now, he was serious about what he wanted to say.
"Mister Laing, if you can help me solve the problem of this mithril vein, I'll give you eighty percent of the ownership of this vein!" Hadrian offered a shocking price. Laing's jaw dropped.
Laing had taken a look. The mithril vein was worth at least thirty thousand gold marks. Eighty percent of the ownership was worth twenty-four thousand gold marks. Even if the cost was deducted, it would still be close to twenty thousand gold marks!
What was Hadrian trying to do?
"I just want to fight for my dignity! I just want to tell everyone! The merchants of the southern kingdoms are no worse than those of the Empire! Money is worthless. What's truly valuable is the things that can't be bought with money! " Hadrian gritted his teeth, his face flushed with emotion. He clenched his fists. "We can make the churches fair. Mister Laing, are you willing to help me?"
Laing thought for a while and finally nodded. "Then I'll be more than happy to help you."
"That's great!" Hadrian cheered. He suddenly realized something, so he shouted towards the outside.
"Quick, bring Mister Laing's gift!"
Amidst the servant's response and Amelia's curious gaze, two people were pulled into the room. They were the adorable daughter of a bankrupt knight, Miranda, and a tall and slender dark elf with waist-long black hair and wheat-colored skin … Dark Elf.
Beautiful … So beautiful. Even though Laing had seen the dark elf's appearance before, he couldn't help but be stunned.
She was really beautiful.
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