Neither Emperor Carl nor Laine mentioned the reason for Tygris's arrival.

Turning the street corner, a Mercenary Guild appeared before everyone, and the gigantic corpse at the guild's entrance caught the interest of Laine and Emperor Carl.

It was the corpse of a Cyclops, set high on wooden stakes at the guild's entrance. The broken tip of a cavalry lance pierced through the Cyclops' massive single eye. Besides this fatal blow, there were dozens of horrific wounds on the Cyclops' body, each deep enough to expose bone.

This corpse signified that humans had once again achieved victory in the war against evil.

"I wonder which hero accomplished such a feat? If I could meet him, I would reward him well." Emperor Carl proceeded directly into the Mercenary Guild, with Standard Bearer Ludwig, a Holy Sanctuary Powerhouse, quickly moving to the front to protect the Emperor.

"Let's go, let's have a look inside too," Laine said, holding Surya's hand, a flash of reminiscence crossing his face. "Back when I was a Ranger Knight and a Kingdom Knight, I often came to the Mercenary Guild to see if there were any tasks to take on."

"Are you planning to take on a task now?" the female knight asked with interest, smiling.

"That depends on whether they can afford my appearance fee, hehe." Laine laughed. His status had drastically changed, and it was unlikely he could take on tasks like before. Others couldn't afford his commission. As the Divine Chosen Champion of the Lake Fairy and now a Count, his appearance fee was exorbitant, and it required approval from Mogiana or even the Lake Fairy.

Upon entering the guild, the sound of an argument reached the ears of Mr. and Mrs. Laine and Emperor Carl. The Rick Guards instinctively grasped the hilts of their swords. These Rick Guards had the authority to kill any dangerous elements on the spot. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"Captain Boris! You clearly don't understand the situation! Offering you five Gold Marks to eliminate a gang of bandits is already a lot! Don't be greedy!" Inside the guild hall, a guild staff member impatiently spoke to a group of mercenaries: "If you don't want to do it, others will! If you don't want to take it, then leave!"

"But... sir, this price is too low. According to your intelligence, this is a fully armed gang of thieves, equipped with shields, axes, and two crossbows. Five Gold Marks are too little, right?" The visitor argued persistently with the front desk behind the bar: "How about... eight? If that doesn't work, seven is fine too."

"Five Gold Marks still too little? Did you see that Cyclops outside? The Expedition Knight, Sir Kaled, defeated it single-handedly, and only asked for thirty Gold Marks. He also single-handedly wiped out an entire Goblin Tribe and only charged twenty Gold Marks. You northern bumpkins lack capability, so don't blame us for offering low pay!" The front desk staff member shouted rudely in anger: "If you don't want the job, leave. No one is forcing you."

This group of mercenaries, about thirty or forty people, had a mercenary banner with a blood-stained axe fluttering among them.

Laine laughed, familiar faces: "Your Majesty, I know them."

"What a coincidence," Emperor Carl nodded with a smile, indicating for the Rick Guards to sheath their weapons.

Laine walked forward alone, tapping the shoulder of the burly man arguing with the mercenary front desk.

"Hey, Captain Boris, Deputy Commander Viert, we meet again."

"La... Count Laine?!"