Chapter 97 The Precursor of Chaos

When they stepped back into the gate of Deep Rock City, Kudra and his subordinates felt like they were a different world. When they curled up in the narrow cave of the silent high ground, no one expected that they would see this familiar scene again, and some mercenaries who had escaped from death were filled with tears and were lying on the ground and whimpering.

But unlike his subordinates, Kudra felt a little helpless and depressed after a brief loss of consciousness. On the way back, two or three subordinates had already negotiated with him in private, intending to leave the mercenary group and stop working as mercenaries. This is a very common thing in mercenary groups. Mercenaries are also humans, not machines that can only complete tasks, nor are they strictly prohibited soldiers. If they are allowed to wander on the vein of death again and again, they will also be afraid over time. This time, they are lucky, and the mercenary association sent someone to rescue them, but what about the next time?

Under such fear, it is not surprising that Kudra also tried to keep them, but it seemed useless. What worried him was that the number of mercenary groups would be less and less. Apart from those who had been confirmed to leave, there were only three or four people left, not to mention that even among these people, Kudra found that some of them had already developed a desire to retreat...

What is facing Kudra is not just the shortage of the mercenary group, but the life-and-death enemy that can continue to exist.

Unfortunately, as of now, he does not seem to have an effective way to stop all this.

"Why…………"

Kudra sighed, then he raised his head and looked not far away, where Rhode was whispering something to Marlene. Judging from their eyes that looked at the carriage from time to time, it might be related to the half-beast girl.

Thinking of this, Kudra couldn't help but glared coldly at the half-elf girl hanging behind him. During this adventure, he had already clearly understood the strength of Rhode and his mercenary group. Although the number of this mercenary group was not even enough to the legal limit, according to Kudra's experience, under Rhode's command, the powerful force exerted by these people was enough to compare with two armed mercenary groups. Kudra had already changed from dissatisfaction at the beginning to worship now. Although he still doubted why Rhode had such rich experience and skillful command ability, at least Kudra knew that this young man was very powerful.

If it were the case before, he would have hoped to discuss with Rhodes and let his defeated generals join the other side, but now, even the last glimmer of hope was lost. Because of Anne's incident, the atmosphere between both sides had dropped to freezing point. After they left the high ground and returned from the caravan, Rhode ignored them, as if these people did not exist at all. The girl mage was even more terrifying. She always stared at herself and others with a sharp gaze that attracted people. Anyone could tell she was quite angry. Even the gentle-minded lady was very cold to them now. Kudra tried several times, but in the end she just hit a soft nail.

What made Kudra even more troubled was that not only Rhodes and the others showed hostility to themselves, but even Serek and the spiritual masters from the mercenary associations were also very dissatisfied. You should know that for the mercenary group, the mercenary association is a very important organization. Once they hold grudges, they will have a hard time in the future.

If you think about it carefully, there are probably reasons why the mercenaries want to withdraw.

"Captain Kudra."

Just as Kudra sighed helplessly, Serek walked up to him, and there was no expression on his serious face.

"Rod and I went back to the Mercenary Association. The matter has been completed and you have returned safely, so it's over here. Now you can go back and rest, but I hope I can get a detailed report on the whole thing tomorrow, which should not be difficult for you."

"Yes! Lord Serek!"

Kudra hurriedly tightened his nerves and answered. When he heard his answer, the expression on the swordsman's face eased slightly. He looked at the people behind Kudra, and shook his head with a wry smile.

"You have suffered heavy losses this time. Forget it, I won't say anything extra. But Mr. Kudra, I hope you can restrain your mercenaries. After all, our mercenary association has taken a lot of effort to find someone willing to rescue you, but the relationship between the rescuer and the rescuer is so... It really embarrasses the association. To be honest, Mr. Kudra, I hope to see your sincerity. I think this is very necessary for the mercenary group."

"Yes, sir, I understand what you mean, I will definitely handle this matter well!"

Kudra naturally understood Serek's dissatisfaction and immediately responded loudly. After receiving his response, Serek nodded with satisfaction, then turned around and left.

At this moment, on the other side, Rhode had already explained to Marlene. Although according to the process, after completing the task, everyone should return to the Mercenary Association to receive the president's reward, Anne has been sleeping and Lijie is by her side and does not want to go. Marlene obviously doesn't like the honor of the mercenary and has no interest in this kind of dispensable reward. Old Walker obviously does not intend to go to the association to receive the reward. For him, it is true that he has a good rest.

So in the end, Rhode had to let everyone go back and rest, and he just went with Serek.

As for the Angel Celia, after leaving the Silent Highlands, Rhode took her back, and declared to the outside world that her mission had been completed, so she left. After all, it is impossible to summon elves without limits, and Rhode's soul power is also quite limited...

But before leaving, Marlene pulled him to the side and asked Anne's follow-up questions with concern. As a learned mage, Anne knew very well what the outcome would happen after the beast was exposed. She was also worried now that once Anne's identity was revealed, would the people in Deep Rock City ask them to hand over Anne or expel the mercenary group? At this point, Marlene was still quite careful.

However, Rhodes was not as much as Marin thought. He whispered a few words and told Marin that in border cities, people's perception of half-beasts is not as strong as other places, especially in places like Deep Rock City. As long as Anne does not cause any disaster, people will not have such thoughts. Moreover, if someone really spreads this matter, they can also use the power of the Mercenary Association to settle it. After all, Anne is not wrong in the whole matter, and she should not be treated like this. As long as she grasps the direction, there will be no major problems.

After hearing Rhode's answer, Marlene finally felt relieved and then left with the others in a carriage. I have to say that now, this lady is really looking more and more like a vice president...

"Mr. Rhode?"

Just as Rod looked at the carriage that was getting further and further away, a timid voice sounded from beside him. Rod turned his head and saw a pretty spiritualist girl standing there uneasyly. She lowered her head and quietly raised her eyes to look at herself. After judging Rhode's gaze, she lowered her head again.

"Is there anything wrong?"

Faced with Rhode's inquiry, the girl hesitated for a moment, then looked behind her with trembling fear. Rhode then realized that not far behind her, several other spirit master girls from the association were also standing there, looking at her companion with a smile. She seemed to have absorbed strength from her companion's gaze, turned around, and raised her head bravely. But even so, she could not hide the blush that appeared on her face.

"Yes...yes, that...you saved me from those terrible deceased people in the highlands before, and I have never thanked you. It's so rude...that...thank you very much for saving me..."

As he spoke, the girl lowered her head again.

Looking at the shy girl in front of him, Rhode couldn't help but sigh. It seemed that this was indeed a gap in life experience. They were also spiritual masters. Although Lijie was sometimes weak, she was not timid. And this lady was a flower in the greenhouse at first glance... It was incomparable.

"Don't thank me."

Rhode waved his hand.

"I just did what I should do, and if I want to thank you, Anne is the one who should accept your thanks."

"I understand what you mean, sir."

Hearing Rhode's answer, the girl smiled a little, and she seemed not as nervous as before.

"My sisters and I have already agreed that after Miss Anne wakes up, we will go see her together. In any case, she has done so much for us, and we must thank her for it."

When he said this, the girl paused for a while, then continued with some hesitation.

"That... Mr. Rod, we are all a little surprised about Miss Anne, but we can assure you that we have absolutely no intention of being afraid of Miss Anne! We are spiritualists and have treated all kinds of patients, so we are very clear that those with half-beast blood are not as terrible as the legendary ones. And... If you need our help in the future, please give us any instructions, as long as we can help, we will never refuse."

After saying this, the girl blushed and bowed to Rhodes, then hurriedly turned around and ran away, returning to her companion. At this moment, Serek also appeared in front of Rhodes with a depressed smile.

"It's so popular, young people, but I want to tell you, the spiritual master of our association, don't want to abduct at will? Otherwise, the old guy will fight you hard."

Hearing Serek's half-joking words, Rod looked at him, then shrugged his shoulders and shook his head.

"It should be mine, no one can take it away. It's not mine, I don't care, Mr. Serek."

"If those children hear this, they will definitely think a lot. OK, don't talk nonsense here. We have more important things to do, right?"

From the outside, there seems to be no difference between the Mercenary Association and on weekdays.

But when Rod and Serek walked into the hall, they immediately discovered that the entire association had undergone earth-shaking changes.

The originally lively hall was sparsely populated at the moment, and the mercenaries sitting at the table had no longer the vitality they used to be. They either sighed in a low voice or were drinking beside them. Seeing Rod and Serek come in, the mercenaries just looked up at them for a few glances and lowered their heads again, looking lifeless and without any vitality.

Rhodes and Serek looked at each other. Although they didn't say much to each other, they could see their thoughts from each other's eyes.

Things are starting to get worse.

Their conjecture was confirmed by the old president.

"We conducted the investigation, but it was still a little late."

The old president sitting behind the table now looks much older, and his former spirit can no longer be seen.

"After that, I sent an emergency notice to all the mercenaries, telling them that some problems have occurred recently and that they should stop and continue their mission. The Mercenary Association promised that their points would not be deducted, but even so, we were still one step late. Among the thirty-two mercenaries, including "Victory Wine", there were twenty-one severely reduced personnel, three mercenaries have even applied for disbandment and reorganization, and five mercenaries have still not heard of them according to their left-behind members' response. I think this is a bit of a disaster. Now, in the entire Parfield area, there are only four left, including the mercenary groups that have not suffered any losses, as well as the starlight of this kid."

Speaking of this, the old president frowned and looked serious.

"According to reports from various places, this time the trouble seems to be very big. Since the establishment of the Shenzhen Rock City Mercenary Association, such a thing has never happened! This is really...ah......!!"

Speaking of this, the old president also had a gloomy face, obviously this was not a good feeling for him.

"What is the benefit for them to destroy us so deliberately?"

Serek muttered as he stroked the beard on his chin.

Rhodes did not answer this question. He now almost understood why Deep Rock City was attacked by the Kingdom of Night, but now these words are useless. Serek and the old president could not believe him. However, Rhodes didn't care. Many people thought that only by finding the motive can they stop the enemy. But Rhodes did the opposite, and it was not too late to stop the enemy first and then find their motives... The fact that without motivation is impossible to identify the prisoner is just an exaggeration of art. Of course, Rhodes was not interested in accompanying the two to think in this direction to contribute to their artistic nature.

"What are the plans for the twenty-one mercenary group?"

Rhode asked calmly.

"Some people want to unite and reorganize a new mercenary group. Some people have not given up and plan to recruit some more personnel. No matter what, it is inevitable that there will be vacancies for the 32 mercenary group."

"What after the vacancies are open?"

"According to regulations, we must propose the top few from the existing mercenary teams to fill the gaps. Moreover, other mercenary groups have a hard time, in fact..."

Before the old president could finish his words, the knock on the door suddenly rang out. This made his face, which was not good-looking, even more unhappy, but even so, the old president was still patient and spoke.

"Come in."

The door opened, and then a man of twenty-seven or eight years old walked in.

He was wearing a red leather armor, which could be seen from the faint magical brilliance of his body. This leather armor was valuable. There was a green long sword and a black short sword hanging on his waist. His handsome and handsome face had a confident and proud smile, and a calm expression flashed in his slightly narrowed eyes.

When he walked into the room, the young man looked at the three people in the room and was stunned. Then he smiled and walked to the old president's desk, and respectfully handed the scroll in his hand.

"Dear President, I will come to submit your application to you on behalf of the 'Eye of Emerald' Mercenary Group. This is our agreement."

"oh?"

Hearing the man's words, the old president took the scroll in the man's hand, spread it out and looked carefully, then nodded, took out the quill that was inserted aside and signed his name on it.

"Well, there is no problem. On behalf of the Mercenary Association, I officially recognize the completion of the reorganization of the "Eye of Emerald". From now on, you will be restored to the status of the mercenary group. I hope you can do things according to the rules of the mercenary and do not do things that will damage the face of the mercenary."

"Please rest assured, President, we will definitely work hard."

Speaking of this, the man saluted slightly respectfully, and then he turned to Serek, with a few more serious expressions on his face.

"I really didn't expect to see Lord Serek here. It was so honorable. If you have time, I hope you can come to the "Eye of Emerald". Now the mercenaries are depressed. If you can show up in front of them, I think they will definitely cheer up again."

"I will consider your invitation."

Serek just nodded slightly and said nothing more. The man seemed to be unintentional. He turned around, looked at Rhodes, thought for a moment, and then stretched out his hand enthusiastically.

"You must be Mr. Rod, who was rumored to lead a mercenary group to go to the quiet highland for rescue operations. I met for the first time. Hello, I am..."

"Mr. Frank Kellys."

Rhode stood up and held the man's outstretched hand. There was no expression on his face, which was a sharp contrast with the man's passionate smile.

"I was really surprised. The third heir of the Kellis family was not here in Barcelona. What did you do when you ran to Shenshi City? I remember that the noble family was famous for business. When did you become interested in mercenaries again?"

Hearing this, the man's expression changed!

...
Chapter completed!