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The news of the bandit's extermination seemed to have spread rapidly. The people in the city stopped to watch the triumphant return of the troop. Some of the younger mercenaries even got carried away, boasting to passersby about their bravery and how they defeated the bandits. The main road from the city gate to the hillside became a sea of laughter and joy.

Mengdie slightly opened the carriage curtain and, seeing the happy faces of the people, felt a bit of joy herself. A seven or eight-year-old boy was looking at her, so she smiled back and waved, then let the curtain fall.

"Mommy, look, there's a really pretty sister in that carriage!" the little boy exclaimed excitedly to his mother.

The mother glanced at the carriage's emblem, her expression becoming solemn. She quickly pulled her son aside, whispering, "Keep your voice down! That's a royal carriage, don't be rude!"

The scene shifts back to Mengdie, who listened to the cheers outside, her face relaxed and happy. Seizing the opportunity, she felt it was time to leave the carriage and go check on her sisters Aya and Nia. She smiled at Edward, saying, "I'm sorry for the trouble of bringing me here. I should get off now."

Upon hearing this, Edward's face immediately showed reluctance. He boldly grabbed Mengdie's hand, which she didn’t mind, and she continued to smile, "What is it?"

Edward hesitated for a while, his face turning red, unable to utter a word. Eventually, due to embarrassment, he let go and sat up straight.

"Could you... stay with me a little longer? Just... just a little while... accompany me to my house, have a cup of tea..."

Mengdie shook her hand, bidding farewell again, and turned to pull the door of the carriage. Just as she was about to leave, Edward, filled with unspoken sorrow, thought she was disappearing from his life. But then, she suddenly stopped and sat back down.

"Is it... do you agree to sit at my house for a while? Mengdie...! I... I'll immediately have someone prepare the finest red tea! And... and pastries!"

"You're talking nonsense. How can I leave without settling our accounts?"

In Edward's astonishment, Mengdie straightforwardly extended her hand, palm open, saying, "4,600 Sura, my reward. It's time to pay, right?"

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Edward's face visibly contorted as if punched, his mouth even skewed. Whether he was disheartened by his shattered fantasy or by Mengdie's misunderstanding of his feelings was unclear. He shook his head helplessly, turning to lift the curtain facing Dubo...

"Just a moment!"

Suddenly, he seemed to remember something, turning back with a strange expression.

"Mengdie, I can't give you your reward just yet."

Mengdie's previously cheerful face immediately darkened, her eyes even showing contempt.

"No, no! Mengdie, don't misunderstand! I'm not trying to avoid paying, really! In fact... look, I obviously don't carry 4,600 Sura on me, right? I must report everything to His Majesty back at the castle and complete all formalities before I can allocate funds from the treasury. Only then can I pay you."

"How long will that take?"

Mengdie's tone had completely cooled. It wasn't that she was greedy for money, but the money was extremely important for Aya. And whether she could successfully enter the castle and win her necklace at the auction, she needed financial support no matter the method.

"Two days... No! One day! I promise you, I'll have everything sorted by tomorrow. I'll send Dubo to notify you at your temporary residence to come to the castle, trust me. I swear on my Lansidemu family name, I have no intention of avoiding payment!"

Mengdie squinted at Edward's face for a long time before suddenly relaxing, clapping her hands.

"I see, that can't be helped. Brother, I trust you, after all, we have faced life and death together. I'll wait for you."

Mengdie extended her left hand. Edward, not quite understanding her gesture, stared at her slender white hand, clueless about her intention. Mengdie, somewhat annoyed at this, decided to take action.

Doesn't anyone in this world know how to shake hands?

Well, since this blockhead doesn't know how to shake hands, I'll do it!

Mengdie grabbed Edward's left hand, smiling as she shook it. Then, without waiting for him to react, she hugged him, patting her brother's back. At this moment, she was truly happy to have made such a helpful friend in this world.

"By the way... Edward, before I get off... I have a small request."

Mengdie clasped her hands together in a pleading gesture, smiling apologetically.

Edward, still dazed from Mengdie's sudden hug, stared blankly, his face redder than a ripe tomato. Hearing Mengdie speak, he just nodded instinctively, his expression vacant.

"This thing... actually, I've been eating your food, staying at your place, using your things. Even the clothes I wear are yours. Other mercenaries take care of their own meals, but I've been freeloading off you for so many days. So now, it's a bit embarrassing to ask this... Could you lend me twenty Sura? I want to buy some groceries to take home, to avoid Aya's complaints."

Edward remained stunned...

"Ah! Don't worry! Just like you promised not to avoid payment, I absolutely won't either! I'll definitely pay you back from the commission! May I... please?"

Finally, Edward's brain rebooted from its deep freeze. He wouldn't say 'no' to Mengdie's request. He immediately opened the curtain and asked Dubo for a hundred Sura, handing it to Mengdie.

Mengdie laughed and shook her head, only taking two ten-Sura coins and pushing the rest back to Edward. She jingled the coins in front of Edward, smiling, and opened the carriage door...

"Mengdie!"

By the time Edward came to his senses and wanted to look again, the girl had already disappeared into the crowd.

"Sigh..."

With a long sigh, Edward's spirits fell. At this moment, Dubo in front spoke—

"Young master, I hope you prioritize the bigger picture. Regardless of what status that girl may have in the future, she definitely shouldn't be what you're thinking of giving her now."

Edward's eyes were hollow, slumped on the blanket. He reached into his pocket, pulling out the application form Mengdie had filled out on the first day, staring blankly at the lifelike magical projection on it...

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