**Chapter 125: Employment**
The rising sun failed to dispel the gloom shrouding Golden Harbor.
The nobles’ frantic and chaotic preparations for escape continued—horses whinnied, carriage wheels creaked, and the scene was one of utter pandemonium.
Amid the chaos, an undeniable anxiety and despair permeated the air.
“With just these guards, we’ll never make it to the capital safely!” a usually pampered marquis said, his forehead beaded with sweat, his voice trembling. “The wilderness is crawling with magical beasts, and the orc vanguard could strike at any moment! We’re heading to our deaths!”
“But who else can we rely on?” a viscount asked, scanning the surroundings with despair in his eyes.
The city guard had collapsed, the nobles’ private soldiers were inadequate, and adventurers had either fled or demanded exorbitant fees without guaranteeing safety.
All eyes inevitably turned to the villa in the distance, where a mountain of orc corpses stood—a beacon of hope centered on “Jack,” who had displayed extraordinary power the previous night.
After urgent, hushed discussions, Golden Harbor’s most prominent nobles—Reinhardt, the esteemed earl; Fabio, the wealthy baron; and General Brandon, who held the last vestiges of military authority—formed a temporary delegation.
They straightened their disheveled robes, suppressed their fear, and plastered on their most humble smiles, cautiously approaching “Dawn Manor.”When they reached the villa’s gate, Jie Ming had already tidied up inside and stood at the entrance, calmly watching their approach.
His pristine robe stood in stark contrast to the blood-soaked carnage behind him.
“Lord Jack!” Earl Reinhardt stepped forward first, bowing deeply despite his age, his reverence surpassing even that shown to a king.
“We apologize for disturbing you again, but this concerns our families’ survival. We beg your indulgence.”
“Earl, what’s your business?” Jie Ming’s tone was even.
Reinhardt straightened, a flicker of embarrassment crossing his face before resolve took over.
He took a deep breath, as if steeling himself, and said gravely, “My lord, last night you turned the tide and saved our families. Such a debt we’ll never forget! But as you know, the orc army is approaching, and Golden Harbor is a doomed city. We must abandon it and flee to the capital.”
He glanced at the anxious Baron Fabio and General Brandon beside him, continuing, “However, the journey to the capital is long and perilous, fraught with unknown magical beasts and potential orc ambushes. Our families have private soldiers, but… they’re far from capable of facing true danger.”
“So…” Baron Fabio interjected, wringing his hands, his plump face full of pleading, “we beseech you, my lord! Please… please escort us to the capital! If you agree, our families will offer everything we have as compensation!”
General Brandon stepped forward, though once a commander of great armies, now reduced to a respectful salute. “Your valor is unmatched in the mortal world! If you escort us safely to the capital, our families will offer not only vast wealth but all our treasured magical items and ancient tomes! Upon arrival, we’ll introduce you to the royal court and cabinet elites, securing you the highest titles and even land! This journey will not disappoint you, my lord!”
Gold, magical items, tomes, titles, land, and royal connections.
These temptations, enough to drive any adventurer mad, poured toward Jie Ming like a flood.
They offered the highest resources their top-tier noble status could muster.
Jie Ming listened quietly, his expression shifting slightly, as if struggling to maintain composure but letting a trace of greed slip through.
The sharp-eyed nobles caught this, exchanging glances with a spark of joy.
As long as he had desires, they could work with that. In a world of vast power disparities, the wealth amassed by noble families over generations far exceeded common imagination.
Desire was no issue—they had plenty to satisfy it!
Yet they didn’t notice the absence of any emotional ripple in Jie Ming’s eyes.
Watching them, his thoughts surged like ocean tides.
This was a perfect opportunity—an ideal one!
As “Jack,” he’d established his might in Golden Harbor, eliminating many threats, but his identity lacked a convincing backstory.
Accepting the nobles’ escort mission to become a “guardian hero” was the perfect way to legitimize and sanitize his presence.
Moreover, the human kingdom’s capital was a core city of the Elosia plane, not just its political and military hub but also the epicenter of mortal faith in the divine network.
Countless devotees prayed there, and grand temples stood tall.
It was an ideal chance to deeply study the divine faith network of Elosia and observe the gods’ broader influence in the mortal world.
His prior actions had set the stage for everything to unfold as he’d planned.
He lifted his gaze slightly, scanning the tense and desperate nobles before him, a faint, enigmatic smile curling his lips.
“Since the earl, baron, and general are so gracious…” Jie Ming’s voice rose slowly, carrying an undeniable magnetism, “then this ‘deal,’ I’ll take.”
At his affirmative reply, the nobles’ faces erupted in overwhelming joy.
Earl Reinhardt’s lips trembled, nearly tearing up. “Wonderful! Wonderful! My lord, you are our families’ savior!”
“However…” Jie Ming’s voice cut through their elation, pulling them back to reality, his tone still cool but now laced with a chilling pressure. “My compensation won’t be measured by the common wealth you speak of.”
Reinhardt tensed immediately. “Name your terms, my lord! Whatever our families can provide, we won’t hold back!”
“My demands are simple,” Jie Ming said, his gaze sharp, sweeping over each noble. “First, during the escort, I hold supreme command—route, campsite, defense arrangements, and even the right to deal with any who disobey. Your private soldiers and mercenaries must follow my orders without question.”
This caused the nobles’ faces to shift—this meant handing their families’ fates entirely to Jie Ming.
But recalling his terrifying prowess last night and the looming orc threat, they gritted their teeth and nodded.
“Second, all spoils encountered along the way—wealth, magical items, anything not owned by your families—belong to me. That includes anything taken from orcs,” Jie Ming added.
The spoils mattered little to him but enriched his “persona.”
“That… that’s only natural! You’re the leader; all spoils are yours!” Baron Fabio quickly agreed.
“Third,” Jie Ming’s gaze deepened, pausing deliberately to let their suspense build, “upon reaching the capital, you’ll use all your connections to secure royal commendation for me.”
The condition sounded odd, but the nobles exchanged glances, their eyes flashing with a knowing “as expected” look.
They’d investigated “Jack” early on, finding nothing useful.
His past seemed that of an ordinary adventurer, too authentic to match the powerhouse before them.
Combined with his actions in Golden Harbor, the nobles naturally assumed he was a “hidden agent” of another kingdom’s nobility.
General Brandon had shared his observations during their discussion.
From the battle traces, “Jack” was immensely powerful but lacked advanced combat techniques.
This fit the profile of a hidden agent: secrecy was paramount, not strength.
But if an agent grew too powerful, they risked their masters’ suspicion and jealousy—just like “Jack.”
His actions suggested he’d been laying groundwork in Golden Harbor.
The orc invasion had likely disrupted his plans.
For a distrusted agent with a failed mission, what was the best way out?
Sanitizing their identity, of course!
This must be his true aim!
But that was fine—it benefited them too. As long as he escorted them, anything was negotiable.
“That… that’s no trouble at all! My lord, we’ll do everything to secure this for you!” Reinhardt promised without hesitation.
To them, this was far easier to fulfill than titles or gold.
“Good.” Jie Ming gave a faint smile, tinged with satisfaction. “Then prepare to depart quickly. I’m ready to leave anytime, but I don’t want the orc army arriving while you’re still dawdling.”
Glancing at the large pack beside Jie Ming, the nobles smiled.
It seemed he’d long planned to leave.
Perfect—their goals aligned for mutual benefit.
“Rest assured, we’re ready and can depart anytime!”