The "Blue Siren" is one of the three B-level mercenary groups in Huoalesi City, boasting over a hundred elite mercenaries.

The mercenary headquarters occupies a large courtyard at the southern edge of the city, featuring nearly a hundred houses within its three-section compound.

The burly one-armed man stepped forward and hugged Cain, "Welcome back alive!"

Cain pushed the man away and punched him in the chest, "Randall, even if you died, I wouldn't! Check out our extra loot this time," Cain proudly pointed to the young beasts behind him.

"Is this little guy also part of your extra loot?" Randall first noticed Arthur among the group of orcs.

Cain waved Arthur over, "Arthur was just a slave we happened to rescue along the way. He has nowhere to go, so he's been following us. The kid is clever; I think he could be of help to you."

Randall's face darkened, "Even though I'm missing an arm, I'm not a cripple who needs looking after. I don't need someone to take care of me!"

Cain smiled awkwardly, "Brother, you misunderstand. I'm not taking him in to specifically look after you, but to see you're overworked and let him run errands for you."

"Compared to your battles outside, managing logistics and finances at home is nothing. Plus, we don't have spare money to hire a useless kid."

"Uncle Randall, let me stay. I can do a lot of things, and I don't need money, just food," Arthur pleaded with hopeful eyes.

The world of mercenaries had filled young Arthur with curiosity, and he had grown fond of this group of mercenaries in just a few days.

Besides Arthur, many mercenaries also looked at Randall, hoping he would stay. From the Orlando Mountains to Huoalesi City, everyone except Tony had grown fond of Arthur. He always wore a smile, was polite to everyone, and was always eager to help.

Randall pretended to be stern, "Since you really have nowhere to go, the mercenary group will keep you as a good deed. Though you don't want money, as mercenaries, we believe in equivalent exchange, so your monthly salary will be one silver coin."

"Ha!" Many mercenaries scoffed at Randall's stinginess.

In the human kingdoms, copper and silver coins were commonly used, with gold and crystal coins being more valuable but rarely seen by most. The exchange rate was one to a hundred, and the price of a pound of rice was about twenty copper coins.

The mercenaries scoffed because Randall was too stingy. The cheapest laborer in the Isaac Kingdom wouldn't earn less than ten silver coins a month. The Blue Siren mercenaries' salary was even 50 silver coins a month, and this was just a small part of their income. The main source of income for mercenaries was the commission from missions. Randall hired labor for one-fiftieth of the price.

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"Thank you, Uncle Randall. You're a good person!" Arthur was excited, having no concept of money before this.

Arthur's sincere thanks elicited another round of laughter from the mercenaries.

Randall's chubby face reddened slightly, but he yelled, "What are you idiots standing around for? Get moving and bring everything inside, or I'll dock your pay this month!"

"Come on, forget these kids. Let's discuss what to do with these young beasts," Cain said, pulling Randall into the courtyard.

No matter the occasion, coming home was always a moment of happiness and excitement. The mercenaries dispersed into the courtyard, leaving Arthur standing alone.

"Come with me. I'll arrange a place for you to stay, get you cleaned up, and then take you to buy clothes and shoes," Adeline's pleasant voice chimed in.

Arthur was still dressed as he was in the orc camp, wearing shiny, worn leather pants and an oversized soft leather armor, with messy hair and bare feet. Arthur realized his appearance was out of place and blushed.

"Don't be shy, come with me. You'll definitely surprise them!" Adeline giggled. Ever since she met this child, her mood seemed to have been uplifted.

...

The Nightingale Bar, one of the mercenaries' favorite spots in Huoalesi City.

The owner, Nightingale, was once a mercenary herself, a famous war college-level two-handed swordsman who attracted countless suitors in her youth. After getting married, she opened this bar. The once charming swordswoman had become a plump middle-aged woman. The man she had chosen from her many suitors eventually died in another woman's bed. Rumors also said that Nightingale killed her husband and his mistress with her own hands.

Even without her youthful beauty, her former suitors still liked to come here for a drink after missions, gradually attracting younger mercenaries to the place as well.

Understanding what mercenaries like, the strongest gin, the best roasted meat, and the most flirtatious women, the Nightingale Bar had everything mercenaries enjoyed.

In a corner of the bar, Tony, Angus, and four Blue Siren mercenaries were gathered around a large square oak table, indulging in roasted meat and malt beer.

Tony, clearly drunk, with a flushed face and slurred speech, boasted, "I tell you, you haven't been with a beastwoman; that's real excitement!"

"Tony, you must have been with one then. Tell us the details," urged a young mercenary with a face full of freckles.

The other three mercenaries also looked on eagerly, waiting for Tony to continue.

Tony grabbed a piece of meat and took a big gulp of beer, deliberately keeping the young mercenaries in suspense.

"Tony once got captured by a female bear during a scouting mission..." Angus suddenly took over the story.

Tony stood up abruptly, spraying beer from his mouth onto Angus's face, "Don't listen to his nonsense!"

"Isn't this little Tony from the Blue Siren? Even thieves can afford to drink now?"

As a mocking voice rang out, a slender, effeminate man dressed as a mercenary, with a long sword at his waist and a large red gem on the hilt, entered the bar followed by seven or eight mercenaries.

The lively atmosphere in the bar instantly froze as these people entered.

Tony turned around with a smirk, "If it isn't Vice-Captain Tristie from 'Blood Thorn.' We, the Blue Siren, just made a fortune, perfect for inviting Vice-Captain Tristie for a drink."

Tony's words triggered laughter throughout the bar.

Tristie, the vice-captain of Blood Thorn Mercenary Group, one of the three B-level groups in Huoalesi City, was mockingly called "Tristie" by Tony, dripping with sarcasm.

Tristie's effeminate face turned even paler as he coldly said, "Maybe you've forgotten how your ribs were broken last time?"

"That reminds me, I almost forgot. How's the wound on your butt, Captain Tristie? Maybe you should drop your pants and show everyone!" Angus added sarcastically.

"You're asking for it!" Tristie's body suddenly erupted with intense battle aura.

Angus, Tony, and the others all stood up, the conflict between the two B-level mercenary groups about to erupt...