Chapter 348: Chapter 25 Guest_3
The walking stick snapped in the middle, and over a dozen objects with the thickness of fingers and a dark yellow metallic sheen fell from inside the stick onto the ground, clinking as they land.
Winters picked up one of them and didn’t need to recognize it to know what it was.
He raised his eyebrows, “Gold bars?”
“Yes, gold bars, all twelve of them, not a single one missing. The lady and Miss Navarre asked me to bring these to you,” Xial nodded as he spoke and then pulled out a small wooden tube from his trouser leg, “Miss Navarre also asked me to bring this to you. She said it contains documents, and you can take them to Albert the goldsmith at Kingsfort to exchange for Gold Coins.”
“This kid, so stupid, still thinks I don’t know,” Gold chuckled, “Wherever he goes, he has to carry that broken stick around, even sleeps with it at night. Won’t let anyone else touch it, as if everyone else is a fool? If I had any ill intentions, would he still be alive? Even if I had no ill intentions, did he really think he could travel all the way here safely on his own?”
Xial’s cheeks turned bright red, and he wanted to retort but couldn’t find the words in the moment.
“Why are you bringing me money?” Winters asked.
“The lady said you’re sure to need a lot of money, you definitely will need it while you’re out and about,” Xial repeated honestly, “She also said that when you see the money you would understand what she means.”
Winters was short of money, but he also didn’t quite understand his aunt’s meaning.
“Could she want me to spend the money to win over the Paratu People?” he wondered, “Or does it mean I could use this money to escape? But my military registration is still with Paratu, what happens if I run away?”
There were twelve gold bars, each as thick as a thumb and as long as a middle finger, heavy in the hand.
Winters took out six of them and handed them to Gold, “Captain Gold, thank you for protecting Xial on his journey here. I cannot express my gratitude enough, please accept my token of thanks.”
Xial’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Although I would really like those gold bars, I can’t accept your money,” Gold waved his hands, “I’ve already received payment from your family, and it wouldn’t be right to take money from both sides. Wouldn’t that make me a traitor?”
Winters smiled, “Then, would it be okay if I hired you to escort Xial back?”
Unexpectedly, Xial shouted, “Don’t be fooled by this pirate! I’m not going back! If you’re not going back, Brother Winters, neither am I! I’ll stay here to help you.”
“What nonsense are you talking, lad?” Winters couldn’t help but slap Xial on the head, “You’re not going back to Sea Blue, but staying here?”
“Brother Winters, do you remember what I told you?” Xial looked straight into Winters’ eyes, “I made a vow that if I could save my brother, my life would belong to you from then on. How can you be here alone? I’ll stay and help you. I’ll do anything, be your follower, wash clothes, cook, clean, I can do it all.”
Before Winters could retort, Gold spoke out in agreement.
The pirate boss said earnestly, “Sir, things are different here compared to Vineta, back thereyou have many connections. But here, you don’t have a single person you can trust, and it’ll be too late when something actually happens. Besides, even if I took the lad away, he’d probably run back halfway through the journey. You should keep him with you.”
At that moment, Winters was at a loss for words.
From outside the house Gerard’s voice came, followed by Dusack who pushed the door open and laughed, “Where did that handsome horse come from in the backyard? It seems to be a mare too! Winters, do you know whose it is? Eh… do you have guests?” ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ noveⅼfire.net
“What? A horse?” Winters looked at Xial and Gold in surprise.
“Yes, that’s right.” Xial nodded, “I brought Strong Luck to you as well.”