MTLNOVEL Chapter 11: The Bizarre Task (2)
"Why are you teaming up with Christina for this mission? What are you thinking!"
"Are you crazy? Can't you see the problems with this mission? There's a chance we might encounter a rogue dragon ambushing us, and we already have a dragon ourselves. Haven't you realized our own dragon might be more problematic than the enemy's? Why did we leave her in the first place?"
"I think we really need to think this through carefully. Christina is an unpredictable factor. With anyone else, no matter how dangerous the mission, we could solve issues with careful planning. But Christina herself is the danger!"
"Five thousand gold coins—this isn't a trivial amount. One slip, and we could lose all our money."
The Blood Elf and Dragon Mercenary Group remained quiet, but the White Vulture Mercenary Group erupted. All their members were unanimously opposing their leader, Kevin. From the corridor, the sound of their arguments was crystal clear to Andrew and Christina, seated in their booth.
"The adventurer hall renegotiated their contract. Maybe we should trust the hall's evaluation," Kevin patiently explained. "A mission compensation of nine thousand gold coins is certainly not insignificant. They wouldn't make these arrangements lightly."
However, the team members were not convinced.
"What if it's just because they have money to burn? I heard they lost hundreds of thousands of gold coins before because of Christina. By comparison, this might just be another experiment, and we could lose everything in it."
"Kevin, I truly can't agree with your decision. This is far too risky. If you're determined to go ahead, please give me my share of the money. I'm choosing to leave the Mercenary Group."
"Same here, give me my share too, thanks."
"You can't do this! Are you trying to retreat in disgrace? Just because you've run into your former leader? If we back down, then the White Vulture Mercenary Group will never become the most influential group in Linlopes," Kevin explained, his emotions starting to waver.
"Retreating in disgrace is better than ending up penniless. I never want to go back to those days of following Christina. Do you even know I couldn't afford to buy beer?" the hot-headed dwarf shouted.
"Kevin, I think you're trying to prove you're better than Christina, trying to go head-to-head with her. Honestly, you don't need to do that. Each of us believes you're stronger—we wouldn't have chosen to leave her to follow you otherwise. We all know exactly what kind of person she is. With her around, no mission will succeed."
Christina lowered her head even further.
Andrew gently consoled her, "You don't need to feel dejected because of them—they're no longer your team members. I am your team member, and we will complete the mission."
Christina looked up at Andrew with a sense of grievance, forcing a smile but saying nothing.
"No, that's not how it is. Please, let me explain!" Kevin continued to patiently explain at the door. "The adventurer hall isn't a charity—they're not joking around with their own money. If you trust me as the leader, you should give me the authority to decide. All this time, I haven't made a single wrong choice. Trust me, please?"
Christina quietly asked, "Why are you so determined to take this mission?"
"Why?" Andrew frowned, puzzled, and responded, "I think there's absolutely no reason not to take it. Despite how problematic it sounds, I don't think anything could stump us. At least not in Linlopes. The key point is—they're your former teammates. We're on the rise, and I don't want rumors spreading that you backed down when faced with your old team. That kind of reputation would be very damaging to us."
"I'm sorry, it's all because of me. If it weren't for me..."
"Shh." Andrew made a silencing gesture and softly said, "That's all in the past. You don't need to feel guilty. From now on, just focus on figuring out how to make money. We're going to become the richest Mercenary Group in all of Linlopes. And you—you'll be just like other dragons, lying on piles of gold coins every day."
"Thank you... You truly saved my world, honestly." Christina smiled, her face radiating happiness.
Andrew reached out and gently ruffled Christina's hair, smiling warmly.
Hannah quietly observed from the sidelines.
Finally, the White Vulture Mercenary Group's argument came to an end, and one by one, they pushed the door open and entered.
Kevin's face was flushed red with embarrassment. As for his four teammates, their expressions ranged from anger to indifference, but none looked pleased.
Returning to his seat, Kevin awkwardly smiled at Hannah and said, "Sorry for keeping you waiting. We've reached a unanimous agreement."
"Is that so? Congratulations," Hannah replied with an awkward smile of her own before looking down at the documents in her hands. "Then can we proceed to the next step now?"
"Yes." Kevin wiped the sweat off his brow and glanced toward Christina and Andrew sitting opposite him. The four members beside him averted their gaze, looking in other directions.
"Has the Blood Elf and Dragon Mercenary Group confirmed their acceptance of this mission too?" Hannah asked Andrew.
"Yes." Andrew nodded slightly.
"Very well. Then, please pay the deposit," Hannah said, her lips pressed together as she looked around at the mercenaries. "Each team needs to pay a deposit of five thousand gold coins before I can provide further details about the mission. Additionally, you'll need to sign an agreement. Since the mission begins tomorrow, you should retrieve the money as soon as possible. You can also send someone to fetch it, and I can arrange for the adventurer hall's guards to escort them."