Helga nodded as Cassie moved closer to the two. Everblood also moved away and allowed the three to converse. They now needed to decide where they were going to go.

"Since a decision has yet to be made, we need to figure out where this outing will take us. With these thoughts in mind, where will we be going?"

Jessica and Saleh shared a glance as they turned to look at the smiling Cassie. Jessica spoke before Saleh, "It would be better to hear from you what you want and why. We can determine from that the best course of action."

Saleh nodded to this. Rather, if he had other thoughts. They weren't possible to tell from his expression.

Cassie brought her finger to her chin, and she furrowed her brows lightly. Once her eyes twirled around lightly, she seemed to get the words together.

"I have read about the animal kingdoms. They're both savage and mysterious. One minute, their animal instincts win over their intellectual thoughts. The next tale is about their ruthless tactics that put human schemes to shame. An enigma of a people that can't be described without first meeting. Therefore, if given the opportunity, I truly wish to do so."

She spoke while studying Saleh's reaction. Seeing no change, she was uncertain if her words had the effect she desired or if she possibly offended him. Turning, she looked at Jessica.

"Dwarves are less of a mystery. However, they too, are a race of knowledge and wisdom that will benefit the world long after this epoch ends. From big to small, they were often described in the past as small people with big hearts. I wish to experience their greatness with my own eyes."

Jessica had to admit, she had a way with words. Neither being overly open nor pessimistic about two races she didn't fully know or understand. All without making her intentions clear.

Not originally believing her words. At this distance, she felt no mana. Combined with a strong desire being shown from her eyes and voice. Everything transmitted said she was happy with either.

"Would going to Blue Wolf Tribe cause any issues?"

Hearing her, Saleh sighed as he smiled a bit ruefully, "No. While, outsiders meeting with an animal tribe can cause some animosity. I am not an outsider. Even still, no animal tribe fears outsiders."

Seeing the expression of curiosity on Cassie's face, he decided to explain a little, "Animal tribes don't like interacting with outsiders if they don't have to. As I said, they don't fear outsiders. They also don't underestimate others."

Turning to look at both Everwood and Helga, "For example, the human and goblin kingdoms have never stopped fighting. Their tactics and experience are constantly making their strength advance."

"The same is true with Mercury City. Every power on the continent is always advancing. Even the isolated elves. Keeping your cards close to your chest is always the best course of action."

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Giving Jessica a side glance, "Even if I was reluctant to go, you are wanted. It would be safer to go someplace harder to get to you."

Jessica had to agree. It was the reason she asked. Turning to look, she saw no indication that Cassie was hearing this for the first time.

Smiling as her dimples deepened, "I already know you have people after you. I am not worried. For one, they're after you, not me. Two, well, there is no two. I don't believe they will be able to get through you."

"You seem to have a lot of confidence in me." Jessica couldn't help but say what she was thinking.

"Of course, Uncle Mercury introduced you." Very quickly, Cassie gave them the reason.

This didn't feel like a reasonable answer. However, with a second thought.

Who was Everblood? Was there a better guarantee?

“Then is it decided?” Cassie observed the two. Seeing no arguments, her eyes squinted as her dimples became larger as she gave the two a blissful smile.

Cassie moved back to Helga, Everblood was standing to their side. After seeing their discussion came to an end. Helga spoke, “Since everything has been decided, I will take care of the rest. I don’t want too many people to know about this. So you guys will meet in a few days, leaving without any fanfare.”

Everblood who had been fairly silent spoke at this moment, “Don’t report in. This isn’t an official request, through normal channels. Only once the request is finished will the details be recorded.”

It was only a slight surprise to Jessica and Saleh. While moving with Claire and Jack, they had spoken a lot about life in Mercury City. This would, by their words, be a special exclusive contract. One in which the request wasn’t on the normal channels.

For a small fee, such things could be done. However, it required more than just money. Only an elder could make such a thing possible. Every request had to be real and official. In a sense, it was an exclusive request and right for elders to have requests through back channels.

An official record would be there. Just a delay would be in place, ensuring that there would be no leaks. From this, Jessica came to a strange conclusion.

Unsure if Mercury City was truly one entity. There had never been any signs of infighting. Rumors had spread sometimes of elders that didn’t get along. Only with confirmation of such a rule meant these issues seemed to imply that there was an overall single entity.

Having known about Everblood, it became obvious what that single entity was. She had yet to figure out the logistics of it all. What was the Adventurer’s Guild, elders, and Everblood? What was their connection?

Without any concrete evidence before knowing anything. Everything came from rumors. It appeared as if everything was one single power, the twelve elders were a union that were allies.

Once Everblood was added to the picture, she had learned that of the twelve elders, Everblood was not one. That implied that there were thirteen elders, or Everblood stood secretly behind the twelve elders.

Taking Everblood out of the picture, an elder had a lot of power to abuse. These secretive, exclusive requests would mean they could do something without anyone knowing. If it worked out, they could claim it as a backdoor exclusive request. If not, that was also easy to deny it had any connection to them.

The biggest issue with this was the Red Ledger. These were the names posted at the entrances to Mercury City. This made doing that much harder. Mercury City was fairly isolated. It took over a month to reach anywhere.

Obviously not impossible, only once Everblood was added back into the picture. It started to seem from so far outside. The Adventurer’s Guild might really belong exclusively to him. It was looking like a giant army, with elders being generals with their own troops.

Though this was still just her speculation.