Chapter 252

“But even if you have the privilege of being exempt from punishment, I still cannot understand why you would want to run off to the Dungeon.”

“To the gods, that place is nothing but trouble; it holds nothing else.”

“You wouldn’t be thinking of taking a stroll through the Dungeon just because you’re feeling depressed, would you?”

“That is a secret.”

Lin Que did not continue chatting with this Goddess of Beauty, shifting his gaze instead to the silent Ryuu standing to the North North North Side.

“How are you thinking about it, my lovely shop assistant?”

“Do you still think I’m lying to you?”

“Since you’ve recognized me, there’s no need to use such an annoying form of address.”

Ryuu had calmed down for the moment: “I am indeed the Gale Leon you are looking for.”

“Annoying? I personally think my way of addressing you is quite fitting.”

“I do not wish to discuss this topic any further.”

Ryuu stared at Lin Que before her: “I have no interest in learning why you enjoy Guild privileges, nor why you went to the Dungeon the moment you arrived in Orario.”

“I only want to ask two things: is it true that Juras is not dead? And what is your purpose in telling me this specifically?”

“Juras is certainly still alive; I can guarantee you that much.”

“As for my purpose in telling you this, it is equally simple.”

Lin Que raised his hand and patted Ryuu on the shoulder: “I’ve taken a liking to you. How about coming to work for me?”

ECHO is currently disabled.

Taken a liking to her?

Upon hearing Lin Que’s reply, Ryuu frowned slightly.

Relying on her past experience dealing with all sorts of people, she understood Lin Que’s meaning immediately.

“You mean... you want me to join your Familia?”

“That’s right.”

Lin Que gestured toward Lucy and the others, who had followed him in and immediately run to sit in a corner, keeping their distance to avoid being hit.

“As you can see, my Familia was only founded today, and we are currently lacking people as we develop.”

“If you are willing to join, I...”

“My apologies, God Lin Que.”

Before Lin Que could finish his sentence, Ryuu suddenly interrupted him.

“I am very grateful that you went out of your way to come here and tell me the news that Juras is not yet dead.”

“But as I said before, Gale Leon was consumed by the flames of vengeance five years ago.”

“The person standing before you now is nothing more than an ordinary tavern employee, save for the desire to kill Juras and fulfill my final wish.”

“Joining a Familia... I’m afraid I can hardly agree to that.”

“Well~ I can understand your thoughts.”

Lin Que had long expected Ryuu’s refusal and was not bothered by it.

“After all, today is the first time we’ve met.”

“Unless I were like those other goddesses and used charm to brainwash and reset you, it would be strange if you agreed.”

“How about this: let’s make a deal.”

“A deal?”

“That’s right, a deal.”

Lin Que nodded with a smile: “You don’t have to answer immediately.”

“When you find time tonight or tomorrow to come see me, I will take you to finish off Juras, and then we can make another transaction.”

“If you still refuse then, I won’t force you to join the Familia; instead, the condition will change to you owing me a favor.”

“How about that? Am I not easy to talk to?”

“Aside from your nasty personality, you are indeed quite approachable.”

Ryuu sighed: “Then let’s set the time for tonight. I will come find you after I finish work.”

“If everything you say is true, then I do indeed owe you a favor.”

In fact, never mind one favor.

As long as it was confirmed that Juras was not dead, Ryuu would choose to accept even if it meant owing ten favors.

“Very well, then it’s settled.”

Lin Que took out a red blood bead and tossed it into Ryuu’s hand.

“When you want to find me, just inject your mental energy into it.”

“It will guide you to my location.”

“Ryuu, are you really going to look for him, meow?”

Watching Lin Que and his group leave, Anya’s face showed a hint of worry.

“Even though meow is a dummy, I just feel like that guy has bad intentions, meow!”

“It is indeed a bit strange.”

Chloe, a cat-person girl standing nearby, frowned slightly, her face showing signs of contemplation.

“Suddenly popping up and saying Ryuu’s enemy isn’t dead—it feels like there’s some kind of conspiracy.”

“Ryuu, don’t let revenge cloud your judgment. Wait for me to prepare tonight, and I’ll go with you.”

“It’s safer to have someone with you.”

“No need. This is my business, so I won’t drag you into it.”

Watching the direction in which Lin Que had left, Ryuu remained silent for a moment before replying.

“Besides, didn’t God Lin Que say he just founded his Familia and needs talent?”

“Although I don’t know how he found out I was here, that part shouldn’t be a lie.”

“It is indeed not a lie.”

After Lin Que and the others left, Syr, who had also stepped out for a short while, returned with a strange look on her face.

“I just... asked a passing Guild member and got some interesting news from him.”

“A few dozen minutes ago, God Lin Que, who had just arrived in Orario, made a deal with the Guild.”

“What kind of deal, meow?”

“He put up 10,000 tons of gold in exchange for the status of a National-type Familia in Orario for one month.”

“For real?!”

Chloe’s eyes widened, and the cat ears on her head stood straight up.

“Is that god, who looks like he has such a nasty personality, really that rich?!”

“Yeah, shockingly rich.”

Syr was also somewhat moved.

Even the Freya Familia, which she was part of, might only have that much in total assets if everything were sold off.

To shell out 10,000 tons of gold just so a newly founded Familia could have a different status.

Honestly, even as a fellow god, she couldn’t quite understand Lin Que’s train of thought.

“But this way, I can understand why he came to find Ryuu at this time.”

Syr looked at the blonde girl who was still somewhat dazed: “Since it’s a National-type Familia, it means the Lin Que Familia can declare war without reason for this month and seize all the wealth of other Familias at will.”

“But the Lin Que Familia was just established; even with such a privilege, it’s hard to maximize gains without enough power to support it.”

A look of realization flashed in Ryuu’s eyes: “So that’s why he came here specifically to find me, hoping I would join his Familia?”

“That’s about it.”

Syr nodded: “He did spend 10,000 tons of gold, after all.”

“Even if the final results aren’t satisfactory, he at least needs to take down a few small Familias to increase his territory and talent reserves.”

Simply put, this is spending money to save time.

By using plunder, he skips the initial accumulation that would normally take the most time.