245: Simultaneous meeting 1

On the streets of Crossbell, under the night sky, the city's neon lights flickered as an extended luxury orbal car quietly stopped in front of the Special Support Section.

The car door silently slid open, and a lean middle-aged man in a white suit slowly stepped out. His hair was meticulously combed, his face serious yet gentle, and a faint scar above his right eye did not diminish his refined demeanor.

"Long time no see, Young Master." The man bowed slightly to Randy, his voice deep and respectful.

Randy's expression softened slightly: "Gareth..."

A hint of undetectable nostalgia was in his voice: "Don't call me Young Master anymore, I haven't been for a long time."

Gareth merely smiled, not responding. His gaze swept over Lloyd and Wazy, and he nodded slightly in greeting: "Gentlemen, please get in the car."

Shirley bounced into the car, turning back to wave at everyone: "Come on in ~ it's super comfy in here!"

Lloyd and Wazy exchanged a glance, then followed Randy into the car. The door closed silently, the orbal engine started, and the car smoothly drove into the night.

The interior of the luxury orbal car was surprisingly spacious, with soft, comfortable leather seats and a small table laden with exquisite snacks and drinks. Lloyd couldn't help but exclaim: "This car is even more luxurious than the Mayor's private vehicle."

Wazy leaned lazily against the seat, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest: "Oh my, I didn't realize the Jaeger Corps was so rich ~"

Randy's expression was somewhat complex: "The Red Constellation is the continent's top Jaeger Corps, and most of our clients are powerful nobles from the Empire and multinational conglomerates."

"Although the missions we take on are often large-scale operations involving direct combat with regular armies, the commissions are ridiculously expensive."

Shirley chimed in with a grin: "And thanks to Randy-ge, we made a huge sum this time!"

Lloyd and Wazy both looked at Randy, whose face instantly darkened: "What do you mean?"

Shirley blinked, then mysteriously put a finger to her lips: "It's a secret ~ You'll find out when you see Dad!"

Gareth sat in the passenger seat, observing everyone's reactions through the rearview mirror. His gaze lingered on Lloyd for a few seconds, a thoughtful expression flashing in his eyes.

Silence fell in the car. Lloyd looked out the window at the rapidly receding streetscape, his unease growing stronger. Shirley's words clearly hinted at something, but Randy seemed to be unaware.

Thanks to Randy? What exactly was the Red Constellation's visit to Crossbell this time related to Randy?

The orbal car slowly stopped in front of a magnificent building.

The Noe Blanc Club, its pure gold sign sparkling under the lights. Two rows of waiters in formal attire stood at the entrance, but Lloyd keenly noticed that their posture and gaze revealed the bearing of soldiers.

"We're here ~" Shirley was the first to jump out of the car.

Gareth opened the car door for everyone: "Please follow me."

Randy took a deep breath, and Lloyd and Wazy followed closely behind, the three of them trailing Shirley and Gareth towards the club's entrance.

Strangely, there were no other guests at the club's entrance. Lloyd asked in a low voice: "Is it closed today?"

Gareth replied without looking back: "Sigmund-sama has booked the entire club."

This answer made Lloyd's heart tighten. Booking the entire club meant that everything that happened here tonight would be unknown to outsiders.

The club's glass doors slid open silently, and the melodious sound of a piano greeted them. The lobby was brightly lit, the light from the crystal chandeliers reflecting on the marble floor, yet it inexplicably gave off a cold feeling.

Waiters stood neatly on both sides, bowing slightly.

Lloyd noticed slight bulges at their waists, undoubtedly hiding weapons.

Shirley skipped ahead: "Dad is waiting for us in the VIP room ~"

Gareth made a "this way" gesture: "This way, please."

Lloyd could feel Randy's muscles tensing. Wazy stood beside him, still looking nonchalant, but Lloyd knew this was just an act.

The large door opened, revealing a corridor carpeted in red. At the end of the corridor was an ornate double door, guarded by two burly bodyguards.

Seeing them approach, the bodyguards immediately pushed open the door: "Sigmund-sama is waiting for you."

The private room was lavishly decorated. Under the crystal chandelier was a huge coffee table, with several bottles of expensive liquor on it, but everyone's attention was drawn to the man sitting in the main seat.

Sigmund Orlando, the Vice Commander of the Red Constellation, Randy's uncle.

He appeared to be around fifty years old, with a few strands of silver mixed in his short red hair, a resolute face, and a black triangular eye patch over his right eye.

Even just sitting there casually, he exuded an aura of authority without needing to express anger.

"You're here?" Sigmund's voice was deep and hoarse, like sandpaper rubbing.

His gaze went directly past everyone, falling on Randy: "Long time no see, kid."

Randy's face was expressionless as he greeted him coolly: "Uncle."

Sigmund's gaze swept over Lloyd and Wazy, his brow furrowing slightly: "You brought guests?"

Shirley bounced to her father's side, playfully hugging his arm: "Dad ~ these are Randy-ge's colleagues, I found them very interesting, so I brought them along!"

Sigmund grunted, saying nothing more. He pointed to the side sofa: "Sit."

Shirley sat next to her father, while Randy, Lloyd, and Wazy sat on the side.

Sigmund leaned back on the leather sofa, his single eye scanning everyone, a slight smile playing on his lips: "What would you like to drink?"

Randy didn't answer, his arms crossed as he leaned back on the sofa, his fingers lightly tapping his arm.

Shirley, however, excitedly raised her hand: "I want two large sundaes! With double strawberry sauce and chocolate chips!"

Sigmund gave his daughter a helpless look, then waved a hand at the waiter: "Go prepare it."

The waiter silently exited the private room and soon returned with a huge sundae piled high with strawberries and chocolate. Shirley cheered, immediately burying her face in it, as if she had completely forgotten everyone else's existence.

Randy finally couldn't hold back: "Uncle, what exactly do you want?"

His voice was deep and suppressed, like the calm before a storm.

Sigmund slowly picked up his wine glass, the amber liquid glinting under the lights: "What's the rush? It's rare for us to meet, let's catch up first."

His single eye swept over Lloyd and Wazy: "Before that, heh heh, I didn't expect your leader to have the guts to come. I admire brave men, and for that, I can answer a few of your questions."

Randy's fists clenched, knuckles cracking, but he ultimately forced himself to calm down: "Is your visit to Crossbell this time a commission from the Imperial side?"

Sigmund chuckled: "Yes."

This straightforward answer made Lloyd frown slightly.

Wazy narrowed his eyes, his fingers lightly tapping the sofa armrest: "Oh my, so frank? Then, may I ask what the Red Constellation's objective is this time?"

Sigmund swirled his wine glass: "It's a Jaeger Corps rule to keep the employer's secrets. The identity of the employer can be a bit flexible, after all, everyone already knows."

"However, the content of the commission, that's another matter." A playful glint flashed in his single eye: "This rule cannot be broken."

Lloyd suddenly spoke: "Since that's the case, then I'll ask a different question, for example, how much is your reward this time?"

This question clearly caught Sigmund off guard, his single eye widening slightly. He stared at Lloyd for a few seconds, then suddenly burst into laughter: "Interesting!"

He put down his wine glass, his fingers lightly tapping the table: "Randy, your leader has a very quick mind."

"I see, judging by the reaction," Wazy seized the opportunity to probe: "The reward seems to be over a hundred million mira?"

Sigmund's smile deepened: "I was going to say no comment..."

His gaze turned to Randy: "However, for your sake, hmm, regarding this commission, I'll admit it's roughly that amount."

Lloyd and Wazy exchanged a glance.

A reward of over a hundred million mira, this already far exceeded the standard commission for ordinary military operations. Even the cost of medium-scale frontal wars between the Empire and the Republic in the past was only around this price.

What exactly did the Empire commission the Red Constellation to do that was worth such an exorbitant price?