"Sorry, I'm late."
It was already four o'clock in the afternoon when Rayan arrived at the banquet venue, an hour later than scheduled.
It was clear that everyone was somewhat displeased, but the host of the banquet, the chairman of the Marlein Trading Company and the head of the Straussman family, Elliot, walked over warmly and said "It's alright."
"Come, there are quite a few elegant ladies in the hall who want to get to know you. Let me introduce you."
Elliot spoke very familiarly, as if they were old friends despite it being their first meeting.
Rayan looked at the man. The latter was probably less than fifty years old, tall and straight, with regular features. His every word and action showed good upbringing, and he made people feel comfortable during conversation without any sense of superiority.
"This is Miss Lianne."
"Hello," Rayan said to the girl in front of him. The latter's eyes lit up when she saw Rayan, and she nodded with a smile. "Hello, I've heard so much about your deeds."
"My pleasure."
Rayan said politely, but in his heart, he was guessing Elliot's purpose for inviting him. Logically, he was just a new squad leader, a very insignificant position in the Military Police with little real power. He shouldn't have been invited to such an occasion.
Yet, Elliot had not only done so but was also personally receiving him. Was someone instructing him? Among the people he had encountered so far, only the Branch Commander and the people in this Stohess District seemed to be more familiar with each other...
He looked around and indeed saw the Branch Commander standing inside, chatting and drinking with a few people. So he had come too. It seemed that he might be trying to win me over?
Just as he was thinking this, he heard someone beside him say, "So you're that Rayan?"
The tone was slightly impolite. He looked up and saw a girl in a long dress with delicate features. At this moment, her emerald-like eyes held a hint of undisguised provocation and contempt.
"Ah, it's Miss Diana."
Elliot took half a step back and nodded slightly. Rayan could feel his attitude completely change; it was the respect of a subordinate facing a superior.
For the chairman of the largest trading company in the Stohess District to act like this, who was this girl?
"I heard you survived outside the walls for a year, that's truly remarkable," the girl called Diana said again, but there wasn't a hint of praise in her tone. "If I were you, I would rather have committed suicide than live so wretchedly. Maintaining one's pride is very important, don't you think, Rayan?"
"..."
Rayan didn't know what this girl was about, but he was too lazy to argue and nodded casually. "Ah, yes."
After saying that, he turned and walked towards a table laden with food, picking up a piece of cake and eating it.
Diana, who was watching this scene, was completely stunned, her breath catching in her throat as she looked at Rayan in disbelief. A few seconds later, an uncontrollable anger began to appear on her face. She took a step forward, intending to go over, but stopped after taking just one step.
Initiating a conversation with a lowly commoner twice would be too unbecoming.
With this thought, she bit her silver teeth, glared at Elliot, who looked embarrassed beside her, and said coldly, "Mr. Straussman, your banquet really invites all sorts of people. I don't want to stay with such vulgar people anymore!"
"Miss Diana..."
Elliot wanted to say something to smooth things over, but the latter didn't give him a chance, snorted coldly, and turned to leave. At the same time, a few ordinary-looking men and women in the room also followed her out, clearly the girl's entourage.
Rayan naturally saw the woman leave in a huff. He knew it was because of him, but he didn't pay much attention. Elliot, who had followed her, returned shortly with a wry smile.
"What's wrong, Chairman Elliot? Who was that?"
"Ah." He sighed. "That was a distinguished guest from the royal capital."
"Oh..."
As soon as Rayan heard "royal capital," he understood. Clearly, that girl must be a noble.
No wonder Elliot was so respectful to her. It made sense. Indeed, even if he was the chairman of a large trading company, he was still of low status when facing nobles.
Within the walls, even if you earned ten or a hundred times more money than a noble, if you didn't actively strive for it, you would have no political status and would only bear a very heavy tax burden. However, ninety percent of successful businessmen basically came from noble families or relatives of noble families.
Of course, the top nobles wouldn't engage in commerce. Just like that girl's "pride," such a thing did exist. In the eyes of some nobles, engaging in commerce was something only the lower classes did, while they only needed to eat, drink, and be supported by national and local taxes every day.
"But you don't need to worry about anything," Elliot said. "Although Miss Diana is a bit arrogant, she doesn't have any bad intentions."
"..."
Rayan finished the cake in his hand and finally asked, "Chairman Elliot, I think we should get straight to the point. I don't believe I'm qualified to attend such a banquet. Please just say what's on your mind."
There were about thirty or forty people present, and these people roughly formed the entire ruling network of the Stohess District. In any aspect, Rayan didn't think that a Military Police officer who had just arrived less than a month ago could get involved. So, even if there was an element of the Branch Commander deliberately trying to win him over, Elliot must have something he needed help with.
Sure enough, Elliot was silent for a moment upon hearing this and led him to a slightly quieter corner, where he revealed his troubles.
"It's like this, my daughter went missing ten days ago."
"..."
"I reported it ten days ago. But I haven't received any progress updates," Elliot glanced at the Branch Commander in the distance, who was mingling and drinking, and smiled wryly. "This matter has probably been passed around like a football. Honestly, I pay so much tax every year, is this what I get in return?"
"The Military Police are always like this," Rayan said.
As mentioned before, the status of wealthy people within the walls wasn't that high; it was lower than that of the military and the nobility. Even the chairman of a trading company was no exception.
The taxes you paid were all legally required. If you didn't pay, the Military Police who were drinking and chatting with you today could raid your home tomorrow. So, having money without political status only made you a fat sheep in the eyes of the exploiting class. And the masters wouldn't care too much about what the fat sheep thought.
"You want me to find your daughter?"
"Yes," Elliot nodded. "I can see that you are different from the other Military Police officers. You have a sense of responsibility."
"..."
"Of course, I won't add to your workload for nothing. There will be a generous reward."
Rayan thought for a moment, looking at the cake on the table. "The reward is negotiable. Could I take some of these cakes back? They're quite delicious."
Elliot was taken aback for a moment.
"You know, our salaries are very low, we can't afford this kind of cake."
"No problem, haha," Elliot chuckled. "I'll have a box packed for you to take back later."
"Then thank you very much. Now, about your daughter, I need to know some more detailed information."
...
Dinner.
Rayan returned after understanding the information. He had no interest in chatting idly with a bunch of rich kids and official scions.
Carrying a box full of cakes, Rayan had just reached the gate of the Military Police headquarters when a figure jumped out from behind a stone pillar, hands outstretched like claws, lunging at him.
"Ah!"
"..."
Looking at Rayan, who was slightly surprised but not frightened, the girl looked a little deflated. "Didn't scare you..."
"Karen, what are you doing here?"
Rayan looked at the short-haired girl in front of him in surprise. He had to admit that he hadn't recognized her at first glance.
This girl named Karen was the one who had provided the information about the robber gang before. After the matter was resolved, her parents were gone. Rayan was worried about her, so he suggested the idea of becoming a soldier. She immediately agreed, and then Rayan specifically took her to the training corps in the Stohess District and enrolled her.
Now... more than half a month had passed, and the girl in front of him had changed a lot.
The originally weak and dispirited girl was gone, replaced by a young woman radiating vitality. She was wearing the training corps uniform, her hair was cut short, making her look a bit like the short-haired potato girl Sasha, and her large light brown eyes were very beautiful.
"We had a day off today, so I came to see you... you all," Karen said.
"That's very thoughtful of you," Rayan was also very happy. "Haven't eaten yet, have you? Let's go to the mess hall. By the way, how did you know I'd be back at this time?"
"Sister Annie told me!" Karen said as she walked with Rayan. "She said Brother Rayan went to a banquet. I thought you wouldn't be back, but Sister Annie said you definitely wouldn't stay long and would run back."
"..."
Karen giggled twice. "It seems Sister Annie knows Brother Rayan very well."
"Well, maybe. By the way, how is it in the training corps? Is the training intense? Is anyone bullying you?"
"No, no," Karen shook her head, her small face full of joy. "Everyone is very kind to me, very friendly. The instructors take good care of me, and my classmates often ask me about Brother Rayan. They admire you very much!"
"Is that so? That's good too, haha."
The two of them arrived at the mess hall while talking. Rayan's new recruits were all there. They had all experienced the robber case, so they naturally knew Karen and liked this little sister very much. At this moment, they were all vying to treat her to food.
Rayan also put the box full of cakes on the table and opened it. Everyone's eyes immediately lit up.
"Treat everyone to a snack," Rayan hadn't finished speaking when Roberts reached out to grab one. Rayan slapped his hand away. "Your claws are fast enough," he said, taking one out and handing it to Karen first. The latter happily said, "Thank you, Brother Rayan!"
"I want one too!"
"Wow, this cake is so delicious!"
"Sister Annie, you eat too~"
"Mm... thank you, Karen."
Rayan looked over upon hearing this and was immediately stunned. Rarely, he actually saw a faint smile on Annie's face. But the next moment, after their eyes met, her smile immediately faded, and her face returned to its usual coldness.
Really... why always keep such a straight face? She clearly looks very beautiful when she smiles.
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Need More Chapters
Every 300 Power Stones
2 Bonus chapter
Every 500 Power Stones
4 Bonus chapter.
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