Since Princess Kriemhild and her entourage moved into the village, everyone would have dinner together unless they had missions to attend to. Now, a new member had joined their dinner table.

Let me formally introduce the core members of the Princess's Coronation Company.

First is the CEO Kriemhild, who was driven out of the Moen headquarters by her two brothers on the board of directors six months ago, and started this branch company in this remote countryside.

Next is Roland, the Chief of Security, sitting on the CEO's left. Although this Golden Knight is only twenty-eight years old, his scruffy beard and pessimistic appearance make him look thirty-eight. However, this doesn't prevent him from being life's winner. After the coup broke out, he abandoned his comfortable civil service job, bid farewell to his wife and children, and resolutely escorted the CEO on her journey of exile.

Then there's the Deputy Chief of Security sitting on the CEO's right. This valiant young lady has already achieved the rank of Grand Knight at a young age, and her talent is no less than her teacher Roland's. Unfortunately, she's not very bright and often gets pranked by the major shareholder.

Next is the company mascot, the genius mage, half-elf boy Darren. He's adorable.

Finally, there's the major shareholder Siegfried, sitting opposite to the CEO, symbolizing the company's bipolar power structure. Although he joined less than three days ago, he has already become the most powerful figure under the CEO through his extraordinary methods. He's usually arrogant and overbearing, and his favorite activities are torturing moles and bullying the Deputy Chief of Security.

Oh, almost forgot to introduce the pet - Garden Person Bobo, who is standing aside watching everyone eat. He was a mole planted by Director Roderick, but after being caught by the major shareholder, he suffered tremendous mental and physical torture and now serves as the major shareholder's personal butler.

And now, the company welcomes a new employee.

Yang Jing sat coldly at Siegfried's side, silently eating her meal, completely ignoring the curious glances from the four people across the table.

This woman behaved the same way whether on Earth or in this other world - it wasn't that she was socially anxious, she simply couldn't be bothered to interact with others.

Most likely, she would be appointed as the Director of Intelligence and the major shareholder's bodyguard under his recommendation.

Catalina, the Deputy Chief of Security, was the first to break her silence. She raised her hand and asked:

"Lord Meilan, who is this assassin lady?"

The next second, the boss and all employees turned their attention to Siegfried, giving him a feeling like he was speaking at a department meeting.

He had previously made up a story with Yang Jing to deal with the company's core members, as the excuse they used for the villagers wouldn't work on these shrewd people.

Although [Deception] was powerful, it wasn't omnipotent. Its effectiveness was influenced by multiple factors including the background environment, one's own state, and the target audience.

For example, if Siegfried told someone on Earth that he could punch through ten-meter thick steel plates when extremely angry, they would definitely laugh at him for being an idiot.

But in this other world, forget ten-meter thick steel plates - even if Siegfried claimed he could pull out the Lich Lord's teeth with his bare hands, people would believe him. At least Catalina would.

The story was crafted by both of them, but naturally, Siegfried was the one to tell it.

He stood up with his palm facing upward, fingers together, extending toward Yang Jing. Then he coughed lightly, looking exactly like a leader about to speak.

"Her name is Star Mei, she is my... companion."

The word "companion" was Siegfried's last-minute change from "friend," as he felt that word was too distant to reflect the relationship between him and Yang Jing.

However,

The air in the dining room suddenly froze.

Kriemhild even lost her composure, dropping her knife and fork.

(Companion? Did he just say companion? Not friend? Companion?)

Cold sweat appeared on Roland's forehead as he recalled how Siegfried had faced off against his entire army with just a sword two days ago in the wilderness.

(No wonder he dared to stand against us alone - he already had a companion!)

For ordinary people, there isn't much difference between friends and companions.

But if the person in question is a Meilan, then the word "companion" carries a completely different meaning.

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There was a tradition among successive Heroes - before becoming Heroes, they would travel across the continent as adventurers.

The journey had two purposes: to temper their Holy Sword and to gather [Hero's Companions].

Including the Hero, each generation's Hero team consisted of five people with different classes.

These companions were elite talents from various countries and races. Under the Hero's leadership, they would break through biological limits, obtain their special classes, and become legendary-level powerhouses.

For a Hero, each additional companion would multiply their strength exponentially. When all four companions were gathered, the [Hero] who could make armies tremble would be born.

(No wonder I couldn't sense his presence at all...)

A Golden Knight's senses would allow Roland to detect even a rabbit hiding in bushes fifty meters away.

However, since meeting Siegfried, Roland had never sensed any aura from him, as if the person wasn't there at all.

This bottomless fear, like a black hole, Roland had only experienced once before from one person.

That person who had long guarded the frontline of the Human-Demon War, a companion of the previous Hero, a living legend,

Known as the "Knight of Knights," the "Knight of the Lake" - Lancelot.

And now, two monsters of this caliber were sitting right in front of him.

(If at that time, I had really attacked him...)

Cold sweat soaked through his shirt as Roland had never felt so close to death before.

Contrary to Roland's fear, the half-elf Darren's eyes lit up.

This shy boy shouted out uncharacteristically:

"Hero, can I be your companion too? I want to be your companion! Master always says I lack masculinity, but I'm sure if I stay by your side, I'll definitely become a real man one day!"

Siegfried was stunned, he never expected such a reaction.

(What? You want to be my companion too? This... can Wanderers join through internal referrals? Maybe I should ask Shannon about this?)

"Uh, stay by my side for now, and I'll... observe your talents."

The half-elf boy's cheeks instantly turned red, and excited tears began welling up in his eyes.

For him, Siegfried's answer was practically a yes.

Mascot Darren successfully became the major shareholder's second bodyguard.

Siegfried was quite bewildered to find that he didn't need to tell the story anymore, as the atmosphere had become rather strange, with everyone looking at him with either shock or admiration.

Except for Catalina, who had started attacking the roast chicken on her plate right after asking her question, completely ignoring the major shareholder's words.

But since he had prepared the story, it felt wrong not to tell it.

Siegfried passionately narrated the entire epic tale of how he and "Miss Star Mei" met, became friends, and adventured together.

However, everyone was distracted and barely listened to him. For the first time, Siegfried understood how department managers felt when giving presentations.

He swept his gaze across the preoccupied crowd and knocked on the table firmly, indicating he was moving on to the main topic.

"What do you think we need most right now?"

"Money!" Bobo answered quickly from the side.

"Yes, money. What else?"

Kriemhild supported her delicate chin, pondering before speaking:

"Manpower. We have too few soldiers to contend with my two brothers."

"Exactly!" Siegfried slammed the table forcefully and said in a deep voice, "To be precise, we need territory, talent, troops, and funds."

The company currently had none of these four most important elements needed for waging war.

"Among these four things, funds are relatively the easiest to obtain. Does anyone have any ideas?"

This question wasn't really directed at the four people opposite him - these poor folks hadn't even paid back their village meal expenses yet.

The question was mainly for Yang Jing, who must have established her own intelligence network during her six months in this world.

Sure enough, Yang Jing didn't disappoint him.

"Regarding money, I have some leads. I'll verify the intelligence tomorrow and get back to you."

"Good, I'm counting on you."

(As expected of our cross-world Wanderer company, the quality of talent is just different.)

"As for territory, my father-in-law, ahem, Lord Ferdinand is a firm supporter of the Princess's faction. We can seek his help and surely receive support."

Life winner Roland presented his privileged background.

"No." Siegfried rejected without hesitation.

"Why?" Seeing his suggestion so decisively rejected, Roland became somewhat angry, his voice noticeably heavier.

"First, what you can think of, the enemy can think of too. If I'm not mistaken, the entire Ferdinand domain is probably surrounded by enemy forces right now."

"Second, getting from here to your father-in-law's place requires crossing the entire Constanton domain. How can we ensure safety with our small numbers?"

"Third, even if we reach your father-in-law's place, how can a single count's forces resist the combined attack of two princes?"

"Fourth, placing hope in seeking refuge with others is the most foolish behavior."

Roland's face alternated between pale and flushed as he listened. He never thought his suggestion would have so many flaws, despite his experience as a frontline general.

Meanwhile, the eye not covered by Darren's bangs was sparkling with stars.

(Ah~ This is it, this is the kind of spirit, this is the manly image I admire most. (???)

"Then tell us, where should we go?"

Siegfried swept his gaze across everyone and looked out the window. In the vast wheat fields, the emerald wheat seedlings swayed gently in the early spring breeze, forming waves of green.

A cold smile slowly curved his lips.

"We're not going anywhere. We're taking this place. The Constanton County!"