After his conversation with Spade, Maxwell went ahead to the receptionist’s desk in the lobby.
Upon reaching there, he asked the receptionist to search his tab for that particular commission request he had discussed with Spade about. The receptionist’s movent was swift, imdiately searching through papers in his tab.
Finally, she brought out the specific commission request and handed it over to Maxwell.
Max grabbed the paper and glanced at the content written on the white paper with black ink.
Reading it, he raised a brow.
I hereby request to commission the S-rank rcenary, Maxwell, on an escort mission to the City of Rindell, the Capital of Jalozi.
Details of this mission will be discussed in person. And the reward will be anything rcenary Maxwell asks for, provided I, Count Lorenzo, can provide it.
Maxwell nodded, reading further. Frilo, on his head, leaned in to take a peek at the paper.
If rcenary Maxwell chooses to accept this humble request of mine, then he can find in the Giralian Estate, in the inner district of Ludia. I have instructed the guards and every security of my mansion to let rcenary Maxwell in the mont he shows his license, proving his identity.
I will be waiting.
However, if by the end of this week I haven’t gotten a reply or seen rcenary Maxwell, I’ll take it as a rejection of my commission, and I will find another option.
After reading the contents of the paper, Maxwell made up his mind, taking a deep breath.
It wasn’t a bad commission at all. He would take it, after hearing the details from Count Lorenzo in person, of course.
Maxwell returned the paper to the receptionist and nodded. He then told her to clear the request from his tab, stating that he had accepted it.
The receptionist nodded courtly and got to work, clearing the request off his tab.
Maxwell, whose hood still covered his face, left the guild imdiately.
It seed the hood worked, however lowly. He only took it off at Spade’s office. And he wore it over his head the mont he exited the man’s office.
As Maxwell stepped out of the guild building and into the streets, feeling the warm sunlight, he paused. And closed his eyes.
"I’m one step closer now."
Frilo tapped his closed eyelids with its tiny fingers, giggling.
Maxwell only chuckled, opening his eyes to stare at the vibrant spirit who hung upside down from his hair, dangling over his face while tapping his nose.
’Never a second of rest with you around, huh.’
Frilo grinned.
Maxwell cautiously raised the spirit and placed it properly on his head.
"Now," he said. "To Count Lorenzo’s mansion. The Giralian Estate."
Without wasting any more ti, Maxwell, having removed his hood, began to stroll to Lorenzo’s abode with Frilo jumping from his head to his shoulder and back to his head again continuously, giving the man no breathing space.
He sighed.
"Seriously, Frilo."
Frilo giggled, a faint flute-like sound bellowing.
Maxwell gave up, chuckling.
"Of course, I can’t get mad at my best bud."
They made their way to the inner district.
***
Maxwell stood in front of a large black gate. The iron gate had bars that stretched high into sharp, spear-like structures above.
From outside, through the bars, Maxwell gazed at the large mansion that belonged to Count Lorenzo.
A white, three-storey mansion, fully furnished with colorful, fresh-scenting flowers at the entrance of the building.
’A nice place,’ Maxwell thought. ’As expected of a noble house.’
It almost reminded Maxwell of his days back at the Belognia Estate. His family’s house was much larger than this, though. They were a Duchal family. One of the four Duchal families of Jalozi, representing one of the four elents. The fla elent.
That dreadful mansion... Maxwell had learned to endure contempt and disdain in that place.
Thinking about it now, it was a good thing he was thrown out.
Shaking his head, Maxwell looked up.
He saw two n standing behind the gate. They were dressed in clean violet uniforms, donning white hats that contrasted with their outfits.
Maxwell felt the mana radiating from them. Mages, 4th-circle mages.
Earth mages.
’Oh,’ Maxwell exclaid inwardly. ’So the Giralians are an Earth elental family.’
"Identity and intention of visit," One of the young guards spoke up. He had a blank, professional expression, as if his question was just part of a protocol that he himself had grown tired of.
Maxwell nodded, reaching for his pocket.
He brought it out. A gold card.
"S-rank rcenary Maxwell, here to see the Count in regards to his commission request."
The guard took the card, brought it to his eye level, and then he glanced at Maxwell. Eyes widened in surprise, a now genuine smile on his lips.
"You an, you’re the Sir Maxwell? The one who cleared Red Valley?"
’Eh?’
Maxwell cracked an awkward smile.
"I... I guess?"
The other guard shifted in place, clearing his throat as if to correct his colleague’s composure.
The guard holding Maxwell’s license suddenly composed himself, clearing his throat as he gave Maxwell back his license with a white-gloved hand.
Maxwell took it and nodded.
"You may enter."
Clack–!
The gate swung open, and Maxwell stepped into the building.
"Please make your way to the living room. I’ll inform the Count of your arrival," The second guard stated, and gestured for the first to lead Maxwell to the living room.
Maxwell nodded, and the man made his way into the large building.
"Here, follow ," The first guard called, walking forward.
Maxwell followed behind him, Frilo napping peacefully on his hair. Max reckoned it had exhausted itself jumping around and leaping on random people’s heads on their way here. Frilo was probably bored.
These days, it seed Eithan was the only one capable of quelling Frilo’s boredom. Both of them shared the sa sense of humor, after all.
Or maybe it was just Eithan’s shenanigans rubbing off on Frilo?
Maxwell shook his head, abandoning these random thoughts as he finally arrived at the living room.
Having completed his task, the guard bowed in front of Maxwell, and he whispered.
"I’m a big fan, sir. Few n in the Empire would be able to do what you did at the Red Valley."
Maxwell stared awkwardly. Unblinking.
The guard raised a hand.
"Can I please get a handshake, sir?"
"Sure."
Might as well entertain the young man.
Just as Maxwell raised his hand for a handshake, a firm voice echoed through the surprisingly sparsely furnished living room:
"Return to your post at once."
The guard froze and turned to the source of the voice. Then he bowed imdiately and set off at once.
Maxwell stood still, staring at the figure that descended from a flight of stairs with a calm smile.
"Count Lorenzo."
"rcenary Maxwell."
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