Chapter 281: Chapter 171: It’s All About the Deposit (Part 2)
Some scions of the Old Blood Clans were soon eliminated. Although they were Bronze Tier, they were already over the age limit for the ceremony.
No matter how reluctant they were, they could only curse under their breath and return to the guest stands to face the ridicule with some semblance of dignity.
And if they chose not to be dignified? Hadn’t they seen the eldest daughter of the Beowulf Family scare off a Cyan Flying Dragon with a single spear? If they made a scene, perhaps the eldest daughter would *make* them dignified for them.
Baron subconsciously touched his neck. There was no fallen leaf pattern.
Lucy noticed his movement and sidled up to him with a grin, her chest bouncing with each step.
"Could it be that Master Jack wants to be a Trial Taker, too? You know, you were so gallant when you saved that Wizard girl earlier. I just wonder if the face under your mask is as handsome..."
She tapped her chin with her slender fingers, then clapped her hands as her eyes lit up. "I’ve got it! Master Jack, just take off your mask. If you look decent enough, how about I sleep with you?"
She crossed her arms under her chest, lifting it smugly. "And I’m a D, you know."
It wasn’t just Baron who was stunned; even the other Trial Takers, who had been secretly watching because of Isabella, were dumbfounded.
Jose, who had already been somewhat demoralized by Isabella’s display of power, silently covered his face. Tune Denero bowed his head, feeling utterly ashamed to be related to such a sister.
"Lucy, remember that you are a Beowulf."
The eldest daughter hadn’t yet withdrawn her spear. A single drop of Cyan Flying Dragon blood hung suspended from the tip, which was forged from Thunder Dragon Subspecies Thundering Dragon Scale.
Lucy shrank back in fear at the sight, but still gave him a playful wink. "Let me know when you’ve made up your mind, Master Jack."
She formed a hand seal for a Magic Technique, swung her Duster, and floated like the wind to the other side, where she made a face at Isabella.
’Honestly... it was kind of cute.’
Isabella ignored her hopeless sister and approached Baron, speaking coolly.
"Why did you duck? You’re a Silver Tier Dragon Guide. You should have known how to deal with an attacking Dragon Descendant."
The gazes of those nearby fell upon him. Besides the Black Iron and Bronze Dragon Guides hoping to advance their station, the powerful figures present also turned their attention to Baron, thanks to Lucy’s previous antics.
Among them was the Silver Lion, Wilder.
’As a Bronze Dragon Rider, I can handle most people here,’ Baron thought, ’but I’m no match for that Silver Lion Knight and the powerful figures with him. I need to lay low and bide my time.’
He replied at once, "Because I trusted that you would intervene, Miss."
"Oh?"
Isabella raised a brow. The light glinting in her slender, phoenix-like eyes inspired both awe and fear, like an iceberg slowly rising from the sea—beautiful and cold.
For some reason, Baron was suddenly reminded of Yali Lan, the Pure-blooded Fierce Tiger of the Proles.
Though both were "ice queen" types, the impression they gave was completely different.
Yali Lan’s coldness stemmed from a world-weary cynicism, while Isabella’s was a frigid aloofness that kept everyone at a distance.
"Why?"
"Miss Isabella employs many Bloodless Attendants in her courtyard."
"What does that have to do with it?"
"It shows you have empathy. Someone with empathy knows when to draw their weapon."
Isabella was taken aback.
"Of course, practically speaking, I figured that since you hadn’t moved, Miss Isabella, you must have already had the situation well in hand," Baron said earnestly.
’Knowing Isabella’s personality, she wouldn’t have done it just to show off.’
Isabella was silent for a moment before saying coldly, "Master Jack, you’re much more talkative than when we first met."
Before Baron could offer an excuse, she added, "But that’s better than you being a fake."
At her words, Baron’s heart clenched.
Isabella had already flicked the remaining Dragon Blood from her spear and was walking with the other Trial Takers toward the base of Drac Mountain.
Roy sidled up to her, saying something as he followed behind, while Freya strutted nearby, twirling her Magic Staff.
Dewey shot a provocative glance at Pound, who flew into a rage but was held back by Windsor. Windsor noticed the gaze of White Mask. She bowed to the man who had saved her twice and whose scent seemed faintly familiar, then continued to restrain her brother, urging him not to lose his head.
Baron silently watched Isabella’s retreating figure. He endured the strange looks from the surrounding Dragon Guides and Trial Takers directed at the shackles on his wrists. As the chain pulled him forward, he mulled over the meaning of Isabella’s words.
’Has Isabella figured out my real identity or not? Why else would she put these shackles on me?’
At this thought, Baron sighed. ’Maybe it doesn’t matter. I’ll just find a chance to slip away once the mountain opens.’
These shackles didn’t have any Forbidden Magic properties. And while they were made of some high-strength Alchemy Metal, they were nothing against his now-enhanced Dragon Flame.
’Wait, why does my left shoulder hurt?’
Baron pretended to straighten his clothes and lifted his collar. He saw a gilt-gold mark appearing on his left shoulder, looking like some kind of forming fallen leaf pattern.
However, the color and location were different from those of a normal Trial Taker.
"Master Jack, it’s good to see you’re well."
A voice spoke up suddenly. Baron tensed, then saw it was the two Silver Dragon Guides for Jose and Tune.
Jose’s Silver Mask spoke. "Master Jack, I imagine you know why we’re here."
"I’ll be sure to write a thank-you note," Baron replied, having already guessed their intentions.
Tune’s Silver Mask gave a slight smile. "We can forget about thank-you notes for now. We know who you are, and you should know that we know who you are."
’They’re making a tongue twister out of this...’ Baron said calmly, "What are your terms, and what’s the pay?"
The two Silver Masks were stunned, clearly not expecting Baron to be so direct. But then, they considered that anyone who would dare to impersonate a Silver Dragon Guide and swindle money during the Dragon Hunting Ceremony—an event of critical importance to the Beowulf Family and the entire Inner Side—must be a Werewolf.
The two Silver Masks glanced at their respective employers. Jose’s Silver Mask produced a check. "It’s simple. Just keep your identity hidden and do your best to make choices contrary to ours. The reward is one hundred thousand British Pounds. Here’s a check for fifty thousand as a deposit."
’Keep my identity hidden? Make choices contrary to theirs? A fifty-thousand-pound deposit? Are they trying to hire me as a mole?’
Baron glanced at Isabella, who was still walking on ahead, completely oblivious to him being led along behind her like a dog on a leash.
He gestured to the two Silver Masks with his shackled hands. "I’m sure you’ve noticed—she already suspects me. If I get exposed in this situation, my life is on the line..."
"What do you want?" The two of them understood the deeper meaning in Baron’s words.
"Simple. A job with this much risk requires a bigger fee."
"How much do you want?"
"At least this much," Baron said, making a hand gesture.
Tune’s Dragon Guide frowned. "That’s too much."
While the budget could accommodate it, they had been planning on taking a sizable kickback for themselves. Baron’s demand would squeeze their profit margin completely dry.
"Then I suggest you find someone else."
"But we saved you."
"Do you think someone in my line of work wouldn’t have a backup plan? It would be troublesome, certainly, but your employers aren’t guaranteed to win against Miss Isabella."
The two Silver Masks hesitated for a moment, then produced another check for fifty thousand pounds. "The deposit is one hundred thousand in total. We expect you to keep your promise. Just delay things for three days and make sure Miss Isabella comes into contact with the Dragon Descendants. We’ll settle the rest with you after the ceremony."
’More like you’ll "settle" me,’ Baron thought wryly. Outwardly, he nodded and said, "Deal."
The two Silver Masks, still not fully convinced, made Baron swear an oath on his real name, "Jack Tang," before all manner of faiths and the Law. Only then did they return to their employers, satisfied.
Their original plan was to expose Baron’s identity the moment the mountain opened, dealing a psychological blow to Isabella and leaving her to get lost in the Dracul Mountain Range without a Dragon Guide.
But given Isabella’s strength and her past experience with Dragon Hunting on the periphery, there was a chance she could still start the Dragon Spear Trial by following other Dragon Slayers and Dragon Guides.
After weighing the options, Jose decided that having "Master Jack" mislead his elder sister from the inside might be the best choice after all.
Even he winced at the one hundred thousand pound deposit, but it was just a deposit. Whether "Master Jack" would ever see the rest of the payment was not up to him.
It was a clever scheme, but little did they know, the reason Baron had quoted such a high price was because he was only ever planning to collect that one-hundred-thousand-pound deposit.
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