The bag hit the table, making a pleasant metallic clang sound. But the leader of the Paperclip mercenaries stopped touching it. He raised his glass and laughed like a real drunkard. "What is gold?" said Balthazar. "Sincerity cannot be measured by money, my dear new friend."
This actually makes sense. Most adventurers will turn against each other and plot betrayal for money, but these common problems rarely happen to the Paperclip Mercenary Group. There is a merchant guild behind them, and they are based in the closed fog elf kingdom of Faftanna. It is rumored that merchants make huge profits from everything they sell there... I don't know whether the news is true or not, but the fact is obvious. Uriel looked at the magic lamps on the rafters. It was said that the nobles of San Carlos were willing to exchange magic potions for them. It doesn't take much sensitivity for customers to see that these mercenaries are not short of money.
Fortunately, he didn't just bring money. Intelligence and "clairvoyance" made the negotiation smooth, and Uriel finally felt a little like a member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Balthazar, the mercenary leader of Paperclip, lives up to his name and likes to drink. It is said that he has dwarf blood in his ancestors. This is not really a feature. Most adventurers drink alcohol, and a few prefer addictive tobacco and alchemical creations - the mercenary never worries about his health, he only worries that no one will listen to his bragging. So the bar is always crowded and smoky. What makes Balthazar different from most adventurers is that wherever he goes, there will be a suitable occasion. Once the paperclip mercenaries leave, the elementalist sells the house to the locals. Usually mortals.
This is the second characteristic of the Paperclip Mercenary. Uriel thought to himself. In other words, it is an advantage. Mysterious creatures are proud of being extraordinary and are never willing to lower themselves to the company of mortals. Especially large-scale adventurer teams, they are probably considered a mysterious organization, so they try to follow the actions of the mysterious fulcrum. Only scattered adventurers interact with mortals. But this is for civilians. If the person negotiating with is a respectable nobleman, the adventurer has to put his tail between his legs and put on a good face. Speaking of these people, Balthazar mocks them as weather beacons on the roof.
"We are war mercenaries, not street gangsters. Every time our employer asks us to defeat the enemy and defend the town, do we have to ask to deal with mysterious creatures? Gods above, the enemy often has no choice."
Balthazar signed an employment agreement with Uriel as he spoke. The next enemy chosen by the apprentice for them will be the Gaia Church that controls Monian Toros. But they were at ease. Physician Cleia was counting the pearl coltsfoot and pointing at York. Sita frowned, her eyes looking like she was seeing the God of Death. Zhuoer was cutting beef on the edge of the table and overheard the poet bragging about his glorious deeds in the Cangzhi Forest, showing a strange smile. He was probably waiting for Saudi Arabia to finish speaking before he opened his mouth to reveal it. They were surrounded by wine glasses, smoke, music, firelight and laughter.
With business settled, Balthazar began to talk about his brothers and the Gem Merchant Guild. "You should send the pearls directly to me." The mercenary leader said with regret, "I dare say that half of the jewelry merchants in Moniantoros don't know the goods, especially the seafood gems. They use the most layman's experience to estimate the goods." It’s worth it. I hurriedly asked my colleagues about the market price, and then collected the glass as seawater crystal.”
The guy raised his hand again, and Uriel had to clink glasses with him. He had never drank more alcohol than he had in this month. This is true both in dreams and in reality. Fortunately, Balthazar was not the "victor" Veronca, otherwise the apprentice would have to change the drink no matter what. "It seems that the genuine products will be sold at a low price." He said, "Even Galizio knows the goods better than them."
"The 'Pirate' only knows marine gems. Besides, he probably can't even tell the difference between stone and agate."
"Maybe there are exceptions." Uriel took out a shiny silver badge. It was only the size of two knuckles, with a smooth back and a ring of thorns, a cross and seven stars carved with colored gemstones on the front. Even a layman could see it. It can be seen that its skills are superb and exquisite. "How much is it worth, sir?"
Balthazar did not take the badge, but only glanced down. "What is this... the Holy Knight? No, the Knights of Silver Song, it's them right - the badge of the Knight of Silver Song? The craftsmanship is quite good. Unfortunately, I have never seen the real thing. Only the families of those famous knights may preserve the real thing. But they won’t sell their treasures! No way.” He put down the glass and squinted his eyes to examine it carefully. "The gem seems to be real, and the pattern is beautifully arranged. The craftsman who made it must be a fan of the Knights of Silver Song. Cleia? Bring me something to sober up."
The female doctor picked two magical plants and threw them into the cup, causing bubbles to appear in the wine. The wine in this bar is dedicated to mysterious creatures that Uriel has only seen in Blumnot. But there’s no surprise there, Abbi Gold can do anything.
Balthazar drank a whole glass of red wine, burped loudly, and exhaled a medicinal aroma. Now he was fully awake. Uriel watched as the mercenary leader took out a palm-sized magnifying glass from his breast pocket and carefully picked up the badge. "The cross in the center? If this is authentic, it should belong to the Templars."
The apprentice remained calm. "Do you mean the Paladin, my lord?"
"No. There are many legends about the Knights of Silver Song. The most reliable rumor is that they merged with the Judgment Agency and became the composition of the Holy Council of Glory. During the Ancestors period, the knight legion system originated from the Aurenia Empire, and Alanwo in the south Imitate them to ban the rampant associations in the country." He knocked on the table with the handle of the magnifying glass, "Therefore, the knights organizations that Knox is famous for today actually all originated from Aurenia. And almost all human mysterious knights are related to It is related to the Knights of Silver Song, even the Cross Knights of the Silent School. Unexpectedly? The Cross Knights of the Church were once a branch of the Knights of Silver Song. Oh, don’t think I am just talking! Scholars who study the Knights of Silver Song and the 'Victors' There are many, but a few truly understand the secrets. Fife Tanner is one of them."
"It's really surprising."
"I don't think you have any at all." Balthazar shook his head, "Don't doubt it. In fact, the badges of the Silver Song Knights are indeed not exactly the same. I think there must be records in your tower."
"More than just records?" Croita keeps the knight's badge once worn by the 'victor'," the ring wrote proudly.
"This badge is different from your collection, isn't it?" The shiny silver jewelry reflected on his fingertips. The mercenary leader took out a new tool from his pocket, but Uriel couldn't tell what it was.
There really is a difference in the 'Cross Pattern'. "On the 'Victor's' badge, the three gods have equal status. This is the emblem of the Templar Knights. The mysterious knight of the Mercury Templar...
"That's it." Balthazar sprinkled a little purple powder on the badge, "Look. No matter its origin, the material of this thing is definitely genuine... genuine gems and precious metals. Look." He came closer. , the apprentice could only see the back of his head. "Incomparable miniature. Where did you get it? 'Pirate' Galizio can't steal that kind of thing."
"Coincidence, sir, just a coincidence. How to confirm its origin? Is there any way?"
"Maybe there will be appraisers from the guild. But I haven't seen the Silver Song Knight's badge." The mercenary leader blew away the powder and a puff of smoke rose from the table. "I suggest you consult them. The badge of the Silver Song Knight has great historical value, far more valuable than its own raw materials and craftsmanship. For some people, it is almost priceless. Think about it, a Silver Song How many abbeys will the knight’s descendants pay for it?”
"The descendants of Silver Song Knight should keep the knight badge of their ancestors."
"A thousand years have passed, Uriel. Descendants of heroes cannot fully inherit the glory of their ancestors. Many nobles have become extinct and have become commoners. The mysterious realm does not care about the survival of mortal families. They disappeared in a thousand Years have passed. Knox is not at peace. There is always a new war to replace the War of Dawn. I am not sure whether this is good or bad. My brothers and I have to rely on it to make a living."
Uriel took the badge. "Fortunately, I don't have to rely on it for food."
"You won't sell it, Uriel?"
"No." After all, this is not my thing. Uriel's fingers touched the cross pattern, and the carving was cold and smooth, with no scratches. "Not for sale. It's someone's treasure. It's priceless."
The mercenary leader raised his eyebrows: "Do you know its owner? Did he sell it to you?"
"No." I kept it for him. "When I return to the tower, I will return it to its original owner."
The reception didn't last long. Uriel and his companions are in desperate need of rest. Balthazar discussed with him the mystery and numbers of Danlaw's nightingales to formulate countermeasures. Uriel warns him of the dangers of Tedonaradu. This nightingale leader has never planned a large-scale war, but he is very good at small games in the alley. War mercenaries may be able to deal with familiar enemies, but not necessarily assassins.
"You'll get your money's worth, friend," Balthazar assured. "My brothers are professionals. You've met Aldin, haven't you? He's a reliable adventurer, and so are his companions."
Uriel hoped that his assurances matched his confidence. The Scroll of Oath gives an affirmative answer, however it is judged based on the subjective consciousness of the subject. I thought I could handle it... In the final analysis, he believed too much in the prophet's predictions.
While resting in the room, Sauron the Ring came to disturb people's dreams. "Where did you get that?"
"What the hell?" The apprentice was so sleepy that he couldn't open his eyes. He didn't even want to go to the dream. "Turn off the lights."
"The emblem of the Silver Song Knight." You found it from the nightingale"
"No." Uriel suddenly woke up when he mentioned the badge. "Well, we can't completely deny it... He is indeed a nightingale. Wise Mr. Gessen, I can tell you that I brought this thing from a dream into reality." The badge and parchment were attached to the inside of the pocket. "It's a key."
"What key?" 』
"The key to the protagonist of the dream. It is the anchor of his soul."
