Miss Wang Weina, even your cousin won't do!

He looked at Vina with a serious, earnest, and arrogant expression, an expression she had only ever seen on her father's face back then.

He then slowly began to speak.

“My father, your uncle, died in Lateran’s conspiracy half a month ago. That night, I stood before his tombstone and wept uncontrollably. He once told me that he wanted to lead Victoria back to the top of the world. As long as we stabilized the country, completely absorbed Gaul, and possessed the power of two former world’s strongest nations, it would mean that we were the number one hegemon!”

"Back then, I thought that if one day I could ascend the throne, I would definitely protect everything in Victoria! But unfortunately, I didn't have that opportunity. To avoid my revenge, the Laterans kept a close eye on my every move. I had to hide my strength and identity and protect myself in order to barely survive without being suspected after my father's death."

“But I can’t give up this ideal, because I am Wayne! If I can’t do it, I’ll let someone else do it. This person must be trustworthy, must have no connection with Laterano, must be honest, reliable, and even have a grudge against me, so that I can perfectly deceive everyone. Vina, I don’t want to lie to you. As my sister, you are the most suitable candidate. Only you are suitable to take my place, to make your mark, and to achieve our goals.”

"It is our inescapable duty to restore the glory of Victoria!"

Wayne's eyes were deep as he looked at the shocked Vina before him, and he reached out his hand.

"Vina, this is the first and last time I'll ask you, are you willing?"

At that moment, countless choices flashed through Vina's mind. The sheer volume of information overwhelmed her, but she knew clearly what choice she should make: as an Aslan, as royalty, as someone on whom Vayne placed high hopes, and as his sister.

He wasn't saying "I," he was saying "We!"

Vina stepped forward, reached out, and grasped Wayne's hand tightly.

"If everything you've said is true, then I'm willing to join this plan, cousin. Restoring Victoria's glory is our duty!"

Wayne smiled slightly: "Of course!"

Ernest believed that Wayne would use deception to get Vina involved in the plan, but Wayne clearly understood that all conspiracies are time bombs; when they explode, the entire edifice built upon them will collapse instantly. And Wayne was unwilling to deceive his sister Vina, much less live the life of a schemer.

His plan is all overt, perfectly legitimate, and perfectly justifiable, yet it leaves you nowhere to escape!

Chapter Six: Mudstone, Unable to Find a Job

Veronia, the capital of Kazdel, at 8 a.m., with good air visibility.

This was not Wayne's first time visiting Kazdel's capital. The city retains many traces of the classical period, and the streets and buildings with their mottled historical marks greatly impressed Wayne, a classical architecture enthusiast from his previous life.

Although Lentinium has many old buildings, Victoria was the first country to embark on the path of modernization. Large swathes of former Gothic and Celtic buildings were demolished and replaced by high-rise buildings rising from the ruins. Today, in Lentinium, only a few clock towers standing in the royal palace and Langdon Abbey on the outskirts of the city still retain both historical significance and aesthetic appeal.

Wayne liked the architectural style of churches, but disliked churches. He had only visited Landon Abbey, whose piety bordered on fanaticism, a few times, and he had already seen all the bell towers. Fortunately, what he couldn't find in Londinium, he could find in Veronia, the capital of Kazdel.

However, his visit to this city, which had not yet been swept by the wave of industrialization, was not to admire the ancient architecture, but to help Vina find a trustworthy mercenary team.

Victoria's mercenaries are of varying quality, and they usually do things like robbery and escorting goods. In actual combat, the regular army and steam-powered troops are the ones who go first. They have basically never experienced any bloody training. If they are just used as cannon fodder, it may not be a problem. But Wayne and Vina are planning something earth-shattering. It is not certain that these mediocre people with fancy skills can handle the job. If they are bribed by someone or accidentally leak the information while drunk, Wayne's hard work will be in vain.

For this kind of thing, you have to find a professional, like the Sarkaz of Kazdel.

In reality, there isn't a strict concept of nation-states on Terra. What are considered nations are mostly alliances of independent, mobile city-states. The Sarkaz are unfortunate; their nation is situated between Victoria, Kazimir, Ursus, Letania, and Laterano—a strategically vital location coveted by every nation. Some might ask, since cities can move, why doesn't Kazdel simply relocate out of this region and avoid the conflict?

The reason is actually very simple: it's simply impossible.

Cities can migrate, but people cannot. The amount of food, Originium, and other resources needed for a mobile city is enormous. Naturally, a mobile city cannot be self-sufficient in these resources. Therefore, every mobile city is surrounded by a large area of ​​affiliated mines and villages. These villages are protected by the lord of the mobile city and pay taxes to the lord to ensure the normal operation of the mobile city.

Therefore, under normal circumstances, unless a natural disaster strikes or the war has escalated to the point of siege, a mobile city will not frequently move over a large area. Firstly, it cannot afford the energy consumption, and secondly, it is a troublesome and difficult task to gather villages and mines together again and restore the supply chain.

Kazdel has long been situated in the buffer zone between various major powers. When it is strong, it still faces numerous attempts to eliminate it; when it is weak, it is plagued by constant warfare. Its people rarely have a moment of peace. Years of war have forged the most fierce and militant culture in the entire Terra world, earning it the title of the mercenary nation.

Therefore, if you want to find professional and trustworthy mercenaries, it's best to go to Kazdel.

Wayne remembered visiting Veronia a few times and having some connections with several mercenary groups. Upon arriving in Veronia, he headed straight for the most famous tavern in the slums.

.........

Fengbok Tavern is one of the most famous mercenary taverns in the lower city of Veronia, and also one of the most reputable. Mercenaries, to put it bluntly, live by the sword, risking their lives for money. It's not uncommon for mercenaries to consider pulling off a heist with a wealthy employer, intending to retire from the trade and live a carefree life. Although the Sarkaz mercenaries of Kazdel are considered among the most capable and trustworthy in the mercenary world, such situations still occur.

However, the mercenary group in Fengbok Tavern is an exception. So far, there has not been a single case of a mercenary group that has come out of here stealing from its employer. Its reputation is excellent. However, the commission here is not low. It not only pays the employer but also charges the mercenaries a referral fee.

The owner of the Fengbok Tavern was a burly man with a big beard. One of his two horns was broken in half, and he had deep-set eyes, making him look quite fierce.

He adhered to one principle: those who could afford the referral fee could come, and those who couldn't were kicked out. Every year, thousands of mercenaries, big and small, tried to sneak into Fengboke's Tavern to find work, but he didn't care who they were; if they couldn't pay the deposit, he would kick them all out.

Rules are rules, even if the person is someone he finds interesting.

"If you want to take a job, you have to pay. If you can't pay, you have to quit. That's the rule, and there's no room for leniency."

Boss Feng Boke, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, spoke to the mercenary in front of him, who was dressed in thick white armor.

He didn't remember her name, but her outfit left a deep impression on him. It was the first time he had ever seen someone who didn't even want to show their face, wearing a black mask, carrying a big hammer, and daring to be a mercenary all by themselves.

He had warned the man that even his voice was synthesized using an electronic voice synthesizer behind the mask. No one would hire such a mercenary. Without any information, there is no guarantee of safety. What dare employer would be so "skilled and daring" as to take on an unknown mercenary?

Mudstone frowned in distress, his beautiful face, which was completely unrelated to the word "mercenary," filled with helplessness.

She knew, of course, that no employer would want to hire a mercenary who was unwilling to reveal her true identity, but that was precisely why she wanted to join the Fengbok Tavern.

"Boss, I haven't received a single commission in almost six months..."

The mudstone mask emitted strange synthesized sounds; the old equipment was somewhat grating, producing a sound like fingernails scraping against glass, which was chilling.

But Mudrock was actually being very tactful; she's only been a mercenary for about six months now.

In the past six months, she hasn't received a single commission.

This is also what makes her extremely distressed.

"I joined Fengbok because I know the mercenaries here have a good reputation, and maybe even someone like me can find a job here... So... I'll try to raise the deposit, if you can help me..."

"no way."

The boss sighed and looked at Mudrock, who was a head taller than him because of his armor:

"I'm not saying this to be rude, but someone like you, even if you squatted there for days and nights, you still wouldn't find an employer."

"But I have a sick family member who needs money and medical care..."

"Then give it a try. You'll have to find an employer unless that employer doesn't care about your identity or background, is bold enough, urgently needs manpower, or even requires you to conceal your identity, and is also an idiot."

The boss shrugged and chuckled.

"I think you'll have to wait until your next life."

"What next life?"

Having just arrived, Wayne overheard his boss's complaints and, out of curiosity, casually asked a question, not taking it seriously. He cautiously glanced around to make sure no one else was watching before speaking calmly:

"Boss, I need a squad of mercenaries."

"The requirements are simple: strong enough, bold enough, and absolutely trustworthy. I don't have any taboos on my end. I don't care about his identity or his background. In fact, it would be better for me if he could conceal his identity. Do you have any mercenaries like that here?"

The boss's lips curled into a smirk. He glanced at the stunned Niyan, then sized up the strange young man dressed in all black—clothes, hat, and sunglasses—and said:

"Yes, I am, but who are you?"

Noticing his strange movements, and recalling his own shabby appearance after changing into cheap casual clothes, Wayne smiled and replied:

“Are you worried that I can’t afford it? I am Wayne Bruce, Victoria, an Aslan. Money is no object.”

The boss turned to the side, avoiding Wayne's gaze, and rolled his eyes.

He had heard of Wayne before, but he wouldn't say much more. All he could say was, "Good heavens, what an idiot."

He patted Mudrock's armor, pointed at Wayne, and raised an eyebrow:

"Your boss is here, go ahead."

Mudstone's eyes lit up, and he strode forward, grabbing Wayne's hand excitedly:

"Fool!"

"Ok?"

Mudstone accidentally slipped up and quickly corrected himself:

"boss!"

"Hmm~"

Chapter Seven: Miss Mudrock's Shock

Mudrock wasn't tall; in fact, she was considered short among the Sarkaz. Her appearance was also completely different from the traditionally rugged and serious Sarkaz; she was the kind of person who would instantly evoke a protective instinct in someone. This appearance gave her many advantages, but it also brought her a lot of trouble.

For example, if there's no food at home, or if the house is destroyed by war, a large number of Sarkaz men, hoping to gain priority in choosing a spouse, will rush to offer her furniture, food, or even a house, hoping to win her favor. However, although Mudrock's awakened Originium Arts are considered an ancient type among the Sarkaz, she is by no means a traditional Sarkaz woman. She doesn't want to live her whole life under the protection of others, relying on the whims of a man who might change his mind at any moment. Therefore, she resolutely joined the sideline that almost all Sarkaz choose—the mercenary industry.

However, her appearance also brought her a lot of trouble.

Among her peers, some fierce and menacing, others cold and serious, her face stood out like a crane among chickens. So much so that many times, lords who urgently needed mercenaries would glance over her baby face, which seemed to say "unreliable" all over its face. On the other hand, employers who didn't need mercenaries but were just looking for fun would brazenly do things that made her realize, "I'm the one having fun."

Fortunately, she was highly skilled in martial arts and her Originium Arts were also extraordinary. As a sorcerer and a warrior, she was not to be underestimated, which prevented her from doing anything outrageous.

To conceal the baby face that had brought her so much trouble, Mudrock specially bought an old Victorian power armor from the black market. He covered his sexy body and cute baby face with the heavy armor and mask, hiding them and only using the old voice changer that came with the armor to talk to others.

But this also brought her another huge problem.

Few employers would want to hire someone who covers themselves up from head to toe and doesn't want to be seen by others.

The Sarkaz have a bad reputation in Terra, and are even known as "demons" in a large area. To put it bluntly, even the Sarkaz themselves may not trust themselves.

Bosses eager to hire mercenaries are often in dangerous situations. Risking hiring a mercenary with no information, even if skilled, could lead them from one danger to another. As for bosses looking for entertainment or bodyguards, the situation is even more dire. If you don't want to show your face, what if you get switched out without even knowing? Can you really trust a bodyguard like that?

Unable to find work, Niyan's life gradually became more difficult. Although she could barely make ends meet with the help of her neighbors and the spare change she earned from odd jobs like bricklaying, she recently took in a clueless red-haired burden.

The child's already difficult life was suddenly made even worse.

Using her last savings to join the Fengboke Tavern was her last desperate attempt. Mudstone thought that with the tavern's 100% positive reviews and her own decent skills, she might be able to find an employer. But reality dealt her a heavy blow.

Those who have money to come to Feng Boke to find someone can naturally find someone stronger than her who is willing to show themselves and provide information. Those who don't have money to come to Feng Boke, well...

Mercenaries need to eat too, and the Mud Rock family didn't have any surplus food, not to mention they had a burden at home.

Today is the third day that Mudrock has been staying at Fengboke Tavern. The owner is a good person. Knowing that she can't get any customers by waiting like this, he simply didn't want her to waste any more money and kicked her out.

"If it weren't for this, I wouldn't have met you, you idiot."

The joyful sound emanating from behind the mudstone mask was processed by a voice changer and transformed into a somewhat blurry and piercing frequency band.

Wayne didn't hear clearly, frowned, and casually asked:

"What did you call me?"

"boss!"

Mudstone quickly changed his tune.

Wayne then nodded.

“Your voice changer has a serious problem. I’ll get you a new one when we get back to Victoria. I almost thought you were calling me an idiot.”