Chapter 45 Old Walker’s Hear (1/2)

”Yes, I am,” Old Walker briefly turned around and discovered a good-looking young man sitting in front of him, though he had never met this person before, the young lady behind him was someone he faintly recognized. ”...and you are?” He asked Rhode with a passive tone.

”I'm Rhode Alander, leader of Starlight Mercenary Group.”

”Starlight?” Old Walker squinted his eyes as he tried to scrutinize the young lad in front of him in his drunken state. ”Ahh... yes...” After a moment, his eyes twinkled slightly. He seemed to had recalled something and nodded his head, ”Yes... the one who accepted Silver Libra's-”

Suddenly he paused with his mouth slightly open, and the old man quietly raised his glass towards the blonde girl next to Rhode.

”You're that Spirit Master... Oh, don't take it too hard. This is how mercenaries live, rain or shine, we don't even know when our time is up...”

”Mr. Walker, we're here to find you. We need your help.”

”...Oh?” With only a somewhat dissatisfied tone, the old man didn't pay much significance to Rhode's interruption.

His eyes locked with Rhode's.

”Yes, so, what is it?”

”I wish to recruit you to my mercenary group.” Rhode didn't bother to mince his words and got the point without delay.

For a moment, the old man's eyes widened, but it quickly changed laughter.

”...Pfft, hahahahahaha.”

It was as if he heard the joke of the century. He couldn't help but smack the table a few times which caused some wine in the glass to spill to the floor. Lize was surprised at the old man's sudden reaction. On the other hand, Rhode maintained his calm. He even had the time to wave his hand, gesturing to the bartender for two more glasses of wine.

Even after the bartender left, the old man was still tearing at the tips of his eyes. He gasped like a broken fan before he finally leaned back on his chair.

”I did not hear you wrong, right? Lad, you actually want me to join your mercenary group?”

”Is there a problem?” Rhode frowned.

”Of course.”

The old man finally became serious. He sobered up, and his eyes turned sharp, looking towards the young man.

”Do you think that because I'm old, that you assumed that I'm senile? I would like to ask you a question, how many people are there currently in your mercenary group?

”Two.”

Rhode quickly answered without hesitation.

”That's it.”

The old man clasped both of his hands.

”Two people? Mercenary group? How do you even going to take a commission? It won't be long before the end of the spring, and now your Starlight Mercenary Group's point is zero. Let's put aside the fact that you've failed a commission before, no one would pass over a commission to a two-man mercenary group... and frankly, it's not something that both of you can complete.” The old man sighed folded his arms. ”Even if I'm old, I'm not confused. Youngster, I've lived here for decades, and I know what occurred here daily. Sorry, but I'm not going to join your sinking ship.” Old Walker said grimly.

This caused Lize's mouth to twitch. Meanwhile, Rhode calmly waited for him to finish.

”Mr. Walker, what are you afraid of?”

”... What do you mean?”

”I just want to know what are you afraid of.”

His tone was indifferent, but his voice revealed a trace of ridicule.