Why are all your skill bars full of weird moves?

The servant's gaze lingered on Ula and Mia, his tone questioning.

"Before you all comment on my young master, would it be convenient to tell us about his background?"

Listening to the other party's sarcastic tone, Gauss understood that while magic was important in this world, bloodline and family background often made people stand taller than power.

My gaze shifted slightly, and I saw Ula raise her head slightly, saying in a very proud tone:

"The Loz family of Maple Leaf City".

The servant's expression stiffened slightly.

That wasn't all; Ura pointed at Mia with her fingertip.

"This is the youngest daughter of Duke Philmore of the Duchy of Philmore, within the Kingdom of Odin."

When Mia was called out, her cat ears drooped, and she grabbed Ula's robe and shook it gently, her tone slightly uneasy.

"Don't talk about me like that..."

Upon hearing this, Grant's arrogant expression gradually softened. He turned his gaze to the three women, then looked at Gauss, his lips slightly parted, unable to close them for a long time.

The Loz family controls the mining rights to the magic mines of the Kingdom of Odin, as well as the three major mage towers. The Duchy of Philmore... is the wealthiest fiefdom in the southeastern part of the Kingdom of Odin, and it boasts the most terrifying "Wings of Freedom" knightly order. Duke Philmore himself is a relative of the royal family by marriage.

The young man before them was dressed in a manner that did not resemble that of a nobleman, yet he was surrounded and followed by two top nobles, not to mention that he could make a necromancer withdraw his magic.

"My apologies," Grant said, bowing slightly to Gauss and placing his right hand on his chest in a second bow. "May I ask your name?"

"Gauss".

"Mr. Gauss, I have no intention of making enemies of any of you. On the contrary, I feel that our meeting today is a matter of fate. If you don't mind, I would be happy to be your friend."

Gauss did not answer, but looked at the burly man who was slumped in his seat.

"Did you hire these mercenaries?"

Grant paused for a moment, then nodded and replied, "That's right, I have some business to attend to on this trip, so I hired several teams to escort me."

"What you do is none of my business," Gauss said solemnly. "Before we make friends, there's something we need to settle first."

He pointed to Balk, who was still fast asleep in the distance.

"Your people beat my teammate like this. We can be friends, but apologize first, then compensate me."

The master was not in a hurry, but the servant couldn't help but take half a step forward.

"Mr. Gauss, isn't this inappropriate? It was your companion who provoked us first..."

Grant glanced at the servant but didn't say anything.

The gaze lasted for less than a second before the servant's voice abruptly stopped, and he lowered his head and returned to his original position.

Grant then turned to Gauss and bowed slightly, his attitude so sincere it was impeccable.

"It was my fault for not disciplining my children properly. Please name a specific amount for compensation."

"Medical expenses, lost wages, compensation for emotional distress, compensation for consolation, and compensation for wasted time."

Grant gestured with his chin toward the servant.

The servant sighed. He had served Grant for so long and had never suffered such a loss.

However, since his master had spoken, he reluctantly took out his money pouch from his waist, pulled out five gold coins, and placed them on the table, making a clinking sound.

"What about an apology?"

Grant turned to look at the group of mercenaries, his eyes devoid of any smile.

The orc pouted, clearly displeased, but his companion still pulled him by the arm, making him bow his head towards Balk's direction and say:

"Feel sorry."

Upon seeing this, Grant's face regained its polite smile, and he extended his right hand in an inviting gesture.

"Mr. Gauss, now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, would you be willing to listen to a suggestion?"

"explain."

"My trip requires me to go deep into the mountainous area north of Songshiling. I can't reveal too much about the purpose, but I can guarantee that the safety factor is within a controllable range."

"Would you be interested in leading a team to join? Upon completion, each person will receive a reward of ten gold coins."

Gauss pondered to himself.

This quest, which costs 10 gold coins per person, would be a task that only elite adventurers in a guild could accept.

Grand has already recruited so many teams, and each trip probably costs at least a hundred gold coins. The elf has money, but having money doesn't mean he's willing to spend it recklessly.

Moreover, he mentioned the northern mountainous area; could it really be related to Shimen? Gauss didn't hesitate for long.

"Thanks, but I have my own things to take care of."

Grant's lips twitched slightly, clearly not expecting to be rejected so decisively.

"I'll be staying in Pine Rock Ridge for another two days," Grant said, maintaining the composure expected of an elven nobleman. "If you change your mind during that time, you can come find me at the Twilight Song Inn in the east of the village; I've booked the whole place."

Gauss ignored him and instead helped Balk out of the tavern.

The mercenaries behind him watched with complex emotions as he saw him off. Grant stood in the center of the hall, watching Gauss's figure disappear through the door, his fingers unconsciously stroking the family crest brooch on his chest.

The servant leaned closer and asked, puzzled:

"Young master, these adventurers are nothing..."

"Shut up," Grant interrupted him, his voice very soft.

Ignoring the servant's bewilderment, Grant turned and sat down at the wooden table, the corners of his lips curving subtly, as if he were both smiling and deep in thought.

Outside the tavern, night had already fallen.

The night breeze at Songshiling was much cooler than that of Niujiaozhen, perhaps because it was close to the cold north. The air was filled with the sweet and astringent scent of ripe golden bells.

Gauss and his companions searched for a hotel to stay in for the night, but strangely, all the decent hotels nearby were fully booked. In desperation, they had no choice but to find a rather dilapidated hotel to stay in temporarily.

This inn, named "Fengge," has a solid wood exterior and a small interior, with a total of two floors.

Gauss went to the front desk, where the shop owner, a plump middle-aged woman, looked up and saw Gauss and his group. She didn't ask any questions and simply quoted the price.

"There are only two double rooms available now, costing 5 silver coins per night, with an extra 4 copper coins for hot water."

"Boss, your inn doesn't look very high-class," Gauss tried to bargain. "I can even smell mold. Isn't 5 silver coins a night too expensive?"

The woman glared at Gauss, then slammed the towel around her neck onto the counter, kicking up dust.

"If it weren't for how handsome you are," the woman muttered with a hint of arrogance, "I wouldn't have given you the last two rooms."

"If you don't have money," the woman said, a hint of ambiguity in her eyes, "why don't you come upstairs with me and have a chat? My husband is away on a long trip."

Mia's eyes widened, and she hurriedly pulled out her money pouch, saying, "I'll pay. Tonight's accommodation is on me; it won't be deducted from the team fund."

After the woman placed the 10 silver and 8 copper coins on the counter, she reluctantly put the money away and said in an unfriendly tone, "Go upstairs and turn right. There are two rooms with open doors in the corner."

As the four walked upstairs, Gauss thought to himself that he had assumed everyone in the team, except for Ura, was a normal person.

Unexpectedly, first a vampire nobleman appeared, and then the Duke's youngest daughter showed up.

Are you and Balk the only ordinary people in this team?

Gauss glanced at Balk, who was sleeping soundly with his head on his shoulder and drooling.

You don't have some hidden identity, do you?