"Young man, the apple at your feet belongs to the elves, right?" The old man confirmed for a while before asking.

Damn it! Ben secretly exclaimed in his heart, realizing he had forgotten to put the thing back in his backpack. Normally, he wouldn't make such a rookie mistake, but the words of Alorz earlier lowered his expectations of the item, and having a powerful backing didn't make him too cautious. Besides, he hadn't anticipated encountering this group first.

However, at this moment, he finally recognized who the old man was.

Erune's Chief Court Wizard, advisor to Ansen the Seventh for three successive reigns—Master Liwu Hardvilla Gemmer. He was the current tutor of the Princess and the Young Prince. It turned out he was here as well. No wonder Mr. Macaro had such hidden moves, allowing him to confidently leave Ecco in Chablis, seemingly letting the other party fend for themselves—he almost fell for it. However, this revelation made Master Liwui seem even more despicable; it appeared everything the Grey Wolf Mercenary Group faced was orchestrated by this old fox.

Was the purpose merely to avoid any mess?

Ben couldn't help but grip the hilt of the short sword. Though he agreed with the nobles' pragmatic values, manipulating the feelings of those who lived and fought alongside them, or more likely, never considering them at all, seemed disheartening. For people like Sanfde and Qian, the challenges they faced were their whole life's meaning, striving and sacrificing for it. But for those in front of him, those struggles were abstract, non-existent phantoms.

When they no longer needed the illusion, the dreams of these small figures would burst like bubbles, easily punctured without even allowing resistance. Pitifully, Qian and the others probably didn't even understand this.

Ben took a deep breath, clenched his teeth, and resolutely decided to teach these people a lesson. Not because he had some noble justification, but because he was immensely displeased—he was displeased and had the ability to act on it. So he would ensure Macaro, Bujia, and even this old man paid for the grievances of Qian and Sanfde.

"Master Liwu, isn't it?"

Ben picked up the Golden Apple at his feet and shook it in front of everyone.

This action immediately changed the expressions of Macaro and Bujia; they finally realized what Liwu referred to as the elf's apple. It was a fruit of the Golden Tree! By Martha above, with this, they could change everything. The frail health of the old King or the weak personality and fate of the young Prince; with the Golden Apple, everything could turn around.

Could this be the opportunity heaven bestowed upon Erune?

At this moment, everyone couldn't help but think so.

Even the deeply cunning Fox's complexion changed rapidly, and his breath became labored. Master Liwu, who had experienced countless storms in his life, couldn't help but speak, "Young man, the item in your hand is very important to us. May I ask if you would consider selling it to us? We are willing to offer any price you desire, whether it be money or power."

Ben felt two slender hands on his shoulders, and a faint voice asked with a smile, "Do you want to sell it to them, Mr. Ben? I permit it."

But Ben just smiled slightly, coldly looking at these people, raising the Golden Apple, and asked, "Do you want this?"

"Indeed," Macaro interjected. "Mr. Ben, the item in your hand is extremely important to us. So important that it might change many people's destinies. Believe me, we are not selfishly trying to buy this apple for ourselves. We are also willing to follow the principle of fair trade. Just name your price, and we will try our best to meet it. Whether it's money, women, or power, anything you desire." He spoke persuasively.

Ben sneered and coldly laughed, "What a big promise. How can you guarantee all of this? Why should I trust you, Mr. Macaro? Based on the strength of the Erune Royal Family behind you? You want to know what I want? Fine, I have two questions for you—"

Two questions?

Macaro, Bujia, and Liwu looked at each other, perplexed by the requirement. But the opportunity was fleeting, so Macaro nodded and said, "Go ahead."

"The first question, I'm quite curious about your plan. Master Liwu is here, so why do Mr. Macaro and Mr. Bujia need to personally risk danger, even sacrificing the Grey Wolf Mercenary Group, which you've painstakingly established over ten years? I can't understand it."

Macaro and Bujia didn't expect this question, momentarily stunned. But Liwu coughed and replied softly, "Young man, the struggles involved are far more complex than they seem on the surface. I don't know how much of the inside story you know, but we don't want the outside world to know the Royal Family is also involved in this matter behind the scenes—"

He didn't want to divulge so much to a stranger but seeing Ben recognized him and the item in his hand was too important, the old man had to lower his stance to explain.

"I see," Ben nodded.

"Then the second question, you came out now to regroup the scattered Grey Wolf Mercenary Group, right?" Ben chuckled, "Actually, I have recruited some of your people..."

Macaro and Liwu exchanged glances, then shook their heads. "No, Mr. Ben, you're overthinking. We're merely chasing after Mr. Aiko because he insisted on finding his companions and fiancée." As he mentioned the fiancée, he couldn't help but feel embarrassed, feeling it was quite disgraceful to leave the Duke's son's fiancée unattended.

But that was all, he continued, "As for the Grey Wolf Mercenary Group, that's already in the past. It doesn't exist anymore, and for those you've recruited, I thank you on their behalf."

Indeed.

Ben ground his teeth—

Then he heard a clang, and everyone turned their heads, seeing a red-haired, blood-covered girl standing there dazed, one hand covering a chest wound, with her long spear dropped to the ground.

(PS: The last scene slipped, forgetting to edit the chapter title. Apologies.

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