Chapter 71: 71 A World Where Only the Captain Works Hard

In Redstone City, inside the City Lord's office.

Nova was burying his head in a pile of documents, working overtime to handle official business.

After rescuing the Duke's daughter back then, Duke Amara had not gone back on his word, truly handing over a city to them.

It was even a city situated on a major transportation route, with quite bustling commerce.

Although it was merely transferring the management rights of the city to them, not ennobling them as nobles.

It was still quite a generous reward; aside from the small tribute tax fixed to be handed over monthly, all surplus generated from managing the city could go straight into their own pockets.

This was far faster at making money than being an adventurer, risking life and limb.

As for whether it was easy or not?

Ask Night Owl or Ivan, and they would certainly think it was easy.

But ask Nova, and it might not be...

Snap—

Another stack of documents was placed in front of the desk by Gail.

Nova, with dark circles under his eyes, looked up and asked, "This, what is it again?"

"Uh... three complaints and reports from outside merchants against Night Owl." Gail answered, looking elsewhere.

"Did she go and pull another sting operation?"

Gail nodded, while stepping back slightly.

Nova's voice was trembling; he was already burning with rage. Since becoming City Lord, his temper had only gotten worse...

Sure enough—

"What is she trying to do?"

Nova grabbed the stack of complaints, flipped through them quickly, then smashed them onto the floor.

"Does she really want to make merchant caravans detour just to be happy!?"

"Gail, go get her, where is she now?"

"Probably on patrol..."

"So she's still doing it right now!? Go get her for me immediately!"

Under Nova's urging, Gail ran out of the office at a trot.

About 20 minutes later, Night Owl, looking dirty and dressed like a beggar, was dragged in by Gail.

From the moment she entered, Nova stared fixedly at her; if looks could kill, Night Owl would already be dead three times over.

"Night Owl, can you explain what you are doing dressed like this?"

"Hmm... experiencing life?" Night Owl looked innocent, watching Nova's veins jump.

He picked up the stack of reports and threw it in front of her.

"Pretending to be a mentally disabled wandering elf, deliberately luring outside merchants to talk to you.

Waiting until others try to take you away, then revealing your identity to arrest them and extort a huge sum?

Is this what a law enforcer should do?

This is clearly a honey trap!"

Night Owl sidestepped behind Gail, sticking out her tongue and saying, "If they don't have bad intentions, nothing happens! I'm just eliminating hidden dangers!"

"Eliminating hidden dangers?

Then do you know that under your efforts, the number of merchants entering the city is twenty percent less than in previous years?

Do you think what those merchants you scammed will say about Redstone City after leaving?

Can't you just calm down?

Even learning from Ivan, soaking in magic all day long, would count as helping me!"

"I'm not a magic-addicted Bai Chi!

Besides, since I'm already a law enforcer, if I don't go punish them, then isn't being a law enforcer in vain!"

"Then go punish the thieves! Why punish outside merchants?"

Night Owl pouted, swaying her body left and right, refusing to make eye contact with Nova.

Anyway, she had an attitude of "Say whatever you want, I'll do it again next time."

The mission was completed together, and the duties were allocated according to the agreement.

Although Nova was the captain, he had no right to fire Night Owl.

But that didn't mean he wouldn't lose his temper.

Gail silently retreated to the corner; he could already feel Nova had reached his limit.

"City Lord! An order from the Supreme Council."

"Hah—Huff—" In front of outsiders, Nova quickly regained his composure and hurried to the communication crystal.

By the time Nova returned, Gail was sitting obediently in the chair.

Night Owl had changed back into her black tight suit, hanging upside down from the bookshelf, swaying left and right.

Seeing Nova, she asked, "What big matter is it? You even used the communication crystal."

Long-distance communication consumes a huge amount of magic, so without important matters, communication is usually done via letters.

"They require escorting a priest from the Church of Light to the capital, Oath City.

Additionally, there is a non-mandatory conscription for us several."

"Tch, that's just revealing nothing," Night Owl complained, "Before, they already called away many Diamond-class adventurers, now even we are being called over, but they won't say the reason, being so mysterious surely means no good!"

"Non-mandatory," Nova reminded.

"So what do we say? Vote?" Night Owl asked.

Nova nodded: "Gale, go fetch Ivan."

A short while later, a drowsy Ivan was hoisted by the waist and brought over by Gale.

Nova explained the situation to him. Ivan nodded while listening, but Gale felt he probably wasn't even awake yet.

"I agree to go. Staying here any longer will drive me mad." Nova cast the first vote in favor.

He spoke the truth.

Ivan spent his days grinding demon crystals, perpetually lost in a drunken stupor.

Night Owl caused trouble all day, purely making things worse.

Gale was an honest fellow with no bad habits.

Pity the half-dragon's mind wasn't sharp; he could only run errands.

The heavy burden of handling city administration fell entirely on Nova's shoulders; no wonder his temper grew worse and worse.

Now, with this conscription, it was legitimate to go out for a stroll, which suited him perfectly.

As for possible danger?

Who among adventurers fears that!

"I don't want to go!" Night Owl only wanted to uphold his justice within the city and had no interest in the kingdom's mess.

"I'm fine with anything." Gale abstained.

"Ivan?"

"Huh? Ah!" Suddenly called by name, Ivan seemed to sober up a bit. "Go, go, go, let's go."

He then flopped back onto the chair; it was hard not to suspect he had any idea what everyone was discussing.

But—

"Then it's two to one. We will personally escort the priests.

Gale, prepare the carriage and half a month's worth of food.

Night Owl, prepare potions; prepare enough for one dungeon run.

I will find someone to take over the city lord's duties."

"Yes."

"Yes—"

Night Owl darted away like a streak of smoke, while Gale first carried Ivan back.

One day later, beside two carriages.

"May the Lord of Light protect us. We entrust this journey to all of you."

The three priests bowed slightly, and Nova hurried forward to exchange pleasantries.

All three were Gold-rank priests from the Red Stone City church: two women and one man.

Originally, there was also a Diamond-rank priest in the church, but he was too old.

So old that Nova suspected that if he dared take him along, the old man would dare die halfway there.

So in the end, the elder was left in the city. Besides, the communication hadn't specified anyone by name; it only said to send the Gold-rank and above priests from the city.

These three should be enough to get the job done now.

After setting out, Night Owl sat atop the carriage on lookout, legs dangling in the air as he asked:

"Captain, you say they are looking for priests and adventurers.

Didn't they just transfer a batch of magical materials out of the city a while ago?

What exactly are they planning?

Could they be about to go to war with the Demon Clan?

If so, I'm pulling out."

Night Owl was an elf; if things went wrong, she could indeed slip back to the Elf Forest at any time.

"How would I know?" Nova lay half-reclined inside the carriage, enjoying the leisure of not having to handle official documents. "But it's definitely not war. If it were war, they would have mobilized the army and grain, not just magical materials, adventurers, and priests."

—

Two days later.

Night Owl: "Something's up ahead. Wake the old man up; get him to scout!"

(End of this chapter)