“We have to save them!”

At Tie’s words, Basto frowned.

Right after Rudy had led the nearly fainting Marianne into a vacant room, only Basto, Nordix, Bale, and Tie remained in the hall.

“Who exactly are you planning to save, brat? Do you even see that?”

Bale pointed upward, at the wall.

There was a small window.

Behind the cloudy glass, rain lashed down in torrents.

“I may not be a sailor, but I know one thing for sure. Going out to sea in weather like this is certain death.”

“But, oppa. You listen to Tie first.”

Bale fell silent.

Tie, curling her fingers one by one, began speaking in a serious, almost businesslike tone.

“We don’t have moneys right now, and we’re not a very-very famous singisings mercenary squad yet. But....”

She glanced around and lowered her voice.

“The Governor is very-very rich.”

Silence fell.

All three stared at her in confusion, and Tie hurriedly continued.

“Tie saw! On her hand all gold! And earrings gold! And necklace gold!”

“....”

“And on her face not a single wrinkle! That’s because for money they smooth wrinkles. Tie learned in Jongno-gu.”

In Tie’s memory, the neighbors surfaced, complaining about life while watching television.

“Yeonso, how does she not age at all!”

“Oh, it’s obvious. She does procedures every day.”

“Ah, if only I could smear money on my face to smooth my wrinkles!”

That was when Tie understood.

If you smear your face with money—people don’t age.

They have fewer wrinkles and their skin becomes smooth.

Like the Governor’s!

“If we help, she will become a grateful Governor.”

In Korea, Tie had been an ordinary kindergarten child.

But now she was a mercenary.

And moreover, the Squad Leader of the newly formed Agavert.

Tie thought mercenaries were like Korean idols.

“If you become famous—you earn lots of moneys.”

But the problem was how to become famous.

“One-oh-one, how are things going?”

“...Not great. Fewer investors than I thought.”

“Still haven’t sorted things out with that agency?”

“We’re trying to negotiate, but they keep stuffing strange clauses into the contract. To them I’m probably just a burden.”

Singerson... what was it... something like that.

That oppa from 101 had said it was hard.

You want to become famous, but to become famous—you first need money.

“And not only money. Connections, family lines, acquaintances. I’m sick of it to death. Tie, when you grow up, be sure to build connections with rich people or politicians. You’ll thank me later.”

Remembering him, Tie continued.

“We need to build connection with the Governor!”

“...Build what?”

“Connections! Life is all netuok!”

“....”

“Through netuok we can flip life over!”

Actually, money could be obtained if she asked the bone friends to bring jewelry.

But that was still theft from other people’s graves.

And the amount was limited.

And if there were no graves nearby—they would not bring anything at all.

But if you befriend rich people and receive money as investments—there is no limit!

“And when we go to the Holy Knight Order headquarters, if we say we know the Governor, they’ll let us in right away.”

It wasn’t for nothing that in movies everyone shouts, “Do you know who I am!”

Nordix’s mouth opened slightly.

There was not a single mistake in Tie’s words.

In his eyes flickered calm understanding.

Marianne’s husband had indeed held a high position, at the level of a knight commander.

Moreover, her missing sons had once belonged to the Holy Knight Order.

Now they had left, but the connections remained.

“Tie is right.”

Basto and Bale turned their heads.

Nordix continued seriously:

“The house of Marquis Weybril is one of the five largest in the Capital. When the current marquis passes away, the entire inheritance will go to Marianne Weybril.”

Interest flared in Bale’s eyes.

“Really?”

“Yes. If we help find her sons, it will benefit us in many directions. And if we can also suppress the Magic Stone in the sea—it will be ideal.”

Tie nodded.

“Tie said that too!”

“Besides, a personal connection with Marianne Weybril will be useful anywhere. It will strengthen Agavert’s position and expand its influence....”

But Basto raised his hand.

“I understand your reasoning. And I agree that we should search for her sons.”

“Do you have doubts?”

“I’m concerned about the Magic Stone outside.”

Nordix’s eyes widened.

Basto hesitated, then said:

“Honestly... I doubt we should suppress it.”

“Me too. After the Tenebraum cave, I still have nightmares.”

Bale shuddered.

“And that’s land. This is sea. How are we supposed to kill Magical Beasts in water? And in a storm like this—if we can even stand on our feet, we’ll be lucky.”

“Then we won’t suppress the Magic Stone!”

Tie said unexpectedly brightly.

The three stared at her.

“Dangerous thing cannot do! We save the Governor’s sons, convince people, and let them leave the city!”

Nordix rubbed his forehead.

“But will people who have homes and ships here really agree to just leave...?”

“They will protect homes and ships and die! And if they die—they take nothing with them!”

“Logical....”

“And we have the Governor. If she very-very scary, like tiger, says—everyone will run!”

Bale nodded and summed up:

“So, until sunset we search for the sons. The suppression of the Magic Stone is canceled.”

“Agreed. If we evacuate the residents, the Imperial Palace will send holy knights.”

Nordix nodded.

“Then let’s go!”

And soon the four of them left the tavern.

Several dozen minutes later.

“Thank you... truly thank you....”

Marianne stood on the pier, repeating it over and over.

Her eyes were red.

Waves surged into the dock and soaked her feet, but she did not notice.

“If they haven’t returned to the governor’s office, then they’re still at sea. They say during a storm the currents change, and steering becomes difficult.”

Which meant Raul and Enzo’s ship could have been carried to another shore or an island.

“Please....”

She could not finish and tightly shut her eyes.

She was tormented by the thought that in searching for her sons, she was sending innocent people into the dangerous sea.

“Don’t worry, Governor!”

The child’s voice sounded again.

She lowered her gaze.

Before her stood that same little girl—the Squad Leader of Agavert.

“Basto many times led ships! In Ban Anla village was coastal! And Bale eyes good, he sees far-far everything!”

While Marianne searched for a reply, sailors approached them.

“Don’t worry, Governor! There’s still time before sunset. We’ll do everything possible!”

“Your sons will definitely be alive!”

Marianne nodded, feeling her anxiety ease slightly.

Soon the ship docked.

The preappointed people boarded.

Two vessel owners from the union and five sailors, as well as Basto and Bale.

“Squad Leader. Then we’ll meet later at the governor’s office building.”

Basto gave Tie a short bow.

And at that moment—

“Hey, worms. Where are you in such a hurry?”

A large ship docked beside them.