Chapter 47: One Must Be Pragmatic!
After filling his stomach, Liam clearly felt his physical condition improve. Of course, a large part of the reason was the deal with Lili. Just holding back the Soma Familia's captain, Zanis, to buy Lili enough time to leave the Familia – a very simple task.
The reward was 500,000 Valis, which was no different from picking up money!
Adding the money saved from his explorations, buying a mid-tier Second-Grade weapon shouldn't be a problem. At least after returning these two short swords to Tsubaki, his exploration efficiency wouldn't drop too much.
Leaving "The Hostess of Fertility" restaurant, Liam looked at Lili standing beside him, still with a worried expression.
He still understood the principle of getting paid for doing a job. He turned his head to look at the young woman's delicate face and casually asked for details, "Tomorrow night, what's the specific time?"
"Where do we meet?"
"The Soma Familia."
Lili thought carefully. The Familia gathering was at a fixed time. This was also how Zanis wanted to consolidate his authority within the Familia.
Based on the members' earnings during this period, he would grant portions of the divine wine.
Mixing Blue Butterfly scale powder into the food and drink – with her "Cinder Ella" magic, it would be much more convenient for her. If she brought Liam along…
She wasn't worried about any accidents; to be precise, it was more of a safety guarantee.
Lili even had the illusion that if she continued to make requests, according to this guy's personality, he would definitely ask her for more money!
"The specific time, a little earlier than now."
Noticing Liam nodding, she immediately added a question, "The location of the Soma Familia, you know where it is, right?"
"I know."
"Alright."
"I hope our cooperation is pleasant."
The dark night enveloped the earth. The once prosperous and bustling Orario gradually fell into silence. Looking at the scene before her.
Lili suddenly felt a bit emotional.
If the plan could be implemented smoothly, it meant she would soon be leaving this city. Actually, looking back carefully at her experiences from childhood to now.
She suddenly discovered that there was nothing in this city for her to be attached to.
If there was anyone she felt rather guilty towards, it would probably be the flower shop merchant couple who had kindly helped her a few years ago but were innocently implicated.
Even now, Lili still wasn't ready to meet them.
"Truly a failure…"
She shook her head lightly, gathering her complex thoughts. As she prepared to leave and return to her rented house, she noticed Liam standing beside her.
Compared to a Pallum, he was an absolutely tall adventurer figure.
Mm…
Very different from the adventurers in her memory. He clearly had leverage and could have threatened her at will, but he didn't do so.
Barely considered a good person, it was just that she still didn't know this guy's name?
Before heading home, when Lili turned around, her eyes lacked the deep calculation she had when dealing with other adventurers.
"This is our fourth meeting."
The young woman turned around with her hands behind her back. The pale white moonlight, having broken through the dark clouds, sprinkled on her delicate and pretty face.
"We can also be considered partners for tomorrow's plan."
"My name is Liliruca Arde, may I ask how I should address you?"
Words like "an emotionless killer" – Liam, of course, couldn't possibly say. Looking at the young woman before him.
He nodded lightly with a calm expression, "Liam Moon."
The sudden change in her personality and attitude was easy to guess. Probably after resolving the issue of leaving the Familia, she would likely flee Orario overnight.
To protect his own rights and interests after simply getting acquainted, Liam added with a serious face, "Actually, there are rules in our line of work. It's always payment first."
"You can understand, right?"
"?"
The slight smile on Lili's face vanished instantly, replaced by a heartfelt suspicion in her eyes. She guessed Liam's concern.
This, of course, was not superfluous.
She was even worried whether this guy would take the money and run!
Consider it a collaborator relationship. Lili didn't refuse directly. It was also to make Liam put in enough effort. "Giving it all is unrealistic."
"Fifty percent?"
"No problem."
At least get 250,000 Valis in hand first, as a partial advance payment. Liam felt this was acceptable. After all, with such a brief contact, it was difficult to let down any guard.
After earning this remuneration, even after purchasing a new weapon, his financial life wouldn't be too tight.
He knew that with Lili's cautious personality, she wouldn't carry such a large amount of Valis with her.
Next was a role reversal. Liam very naturally followed Lili's footsteps towards the house she rented in Orario.
"Hephaestus Main Weapon Shop."
Hestia had changed back into her usual white short skirt, lying on her close friend's soft sofa. Her daily routine of not having to work at the branch store.
For her, she didn't even know what to do with her free time.
Mainly because she had recruited a dependant like Liam, who possessed talent and was also hardworking, with a personality so mature it was impeccable.
It was truly worry-free.
Tonight, after filling her stomach, she hadn't waited for Liam to return to the Familia. The only place she could think of was her close friend's place.
The young woman sat properly on the sofa, her gentle, watery eyes unable to hide her excitement and the desire to show off.
Happiness, of course, should be shared with those around.
She just didn't know why, when she was sharing with Hephaestus how outstanding Liam was, she didn't get any feedback.
"In short…"
"Liam-kun is really, really good. Recruiting him to be my dependant is the luckiest thing in my life!"
She made her final summary.
Feeling a bit thirsty, Hestia picked up the hot tea on the table, only then noticing Hephaestus's somewhat helpless expression at this moment.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Why don't you ask yourself?"
Hephaestus looked up, her eyes full of disdain. She reached up and rubbed her temples. Everyone's criteria for evaluating their dependants were different.
She preferred to interact with them personally.
Diligently exploring the Dungeon, and after earning money, he directly paid off the debt this Hestia fellow owed.
Based on this point alone, his character was definitely not bad.
But no matter how good her impression was, Hephaestus couldn't stand being nagged like this. If not for their relationship.
She really wanted to say.
"This is already the third time. Master, please stop chanting!" (Line from "A Chinese Odyssey")
"."
But thinking about the changes in this one in such a short time, Hephaestus decided to let it go. Recalling Tsubaki's reminder today.
She gradually put away the smile at the corners of her mouth, becoming serious, "Have Liam go to the main shop tomorrow. The weapon has been repaired."
"Alright."
Hestia clapped her hands, but when she came back to her senses, she suddenly realized, even the matter of Liam repairing his weapon.
She was only finding out now?!
Her smile gradually stiffened. She quickly thought of how Liam always set off early for Dungeon exploration and only returned at night.
Their time together was very short.
"Liam-kun should be home soon." Hestia put on her slippers. Before leaving, she didn't forget to say goodbye to her close friend.
Yesterday, she drank too much and overslept. When she woke up, Liam had already set off to explore.
Also, as one of a god's few functions, she was already eager to help Liam update his status.
"I'll be heading back first!"
(End of this chapter)