180: Delegation

Chapter 178: The Commission

To see more clearly, Arthur raised his hand and cast a Light spell.

The previously dim room was instantly filled with a soft glow.

By this light, Arthur finally saw the tailoring tools piled in the corner of the room.

He was about to thank Mary when a hurried series of footsteps from upstairs interrupted him.

Immediately after, a girl of about seventeen or eighteen came down the stairs.

Seeing this, Mary quickly stepped forward and explained to Arthur, "My Lord, this is my niece, Gertruda.

"She is staying with me temporarily, please forgive her lack of—"

Before Mary could finish her sentence, the girl named Gertruda quickly descended the last few steps.

Then, with a thud, she knelt directly before Arthur.

Mary's face showed a troubled expression; she wanted to step forward and help her niece up, to stop this abrupt action.

But Gertruda had already begun to speak eagerly.

"My Lord, esteemed Baron! I heard about you from my aunt.

She said you are a kind-hearted Lord who would be willing to help those in distress.

"I beg you, My Lord, please save my family!

"As long as you are willing to help, I will serve you as a servant for the rest of my life, I will do anything!"

"Stand up and speak," Arthur said, looking at the girl kneeling on the ground, "Stand up and speak, what exactly is going on?"

Gertruda quickly thanked Arthur.

But she did not get up, remaining on her knees, and slowly recounted her experience.

Only after she had finished telling everything did Mary step forward and gently help her up from the ground.

"My Lord, I assure you, my cousin and her family are the best people.

"They diligently manage their farm every day, never a word of complaint.

"Such a calamity should not befall them," Mary said.

Arthur sat back in his chair, his fingers gently tapping the armrest.

After a period of silence, he reminded her, "If this incident happened half a month ago, then the possibility of your mother surviving is very slim.

"You should be aware of this, shouldn't you?"

Gertruda bit her lower lip hard, tears still uncontrollably falling: "I know, My Lord, I understand everything in my heart.

"But I am just unwilling, unwilling to give up like this.

"I want to go back and confirm it first."

Mary looked at her niece in this state, feeling both heartache and helplessness.

She advised, "Girl, this tragedy has caused too many people to lose their loved ones.

"You should learn—"

"No," Arthur suddenly interrupted Mary.

His gaze turned to the girl, "You just said that all the strange things started after your father returned.

"When he came back that day, he was dazed and kept muttering words like 'ancient tomb'?"

The girl quickly nodded in response, "Yes, My Lord! Mother asked him what exactly happened, but he wouldn't say a word, just kept repeating that word.

"But later he calmed down a bit and told Mother something.

"I was far away at the time and didn't hear the specific details.

"I only saw... I only saw Father go mad, and Mother killed him.

"After that, Mother urged me to leave home quickly, telling me to come to Mist Town to find my aunt, saying that only here would I be safe."

Arthur finally understood why the intelligence required him to help find Gertruda's mother.

This girl's mother very likely knew the exact location of the Candy Family's ancient tomb.

"I promise you," Arthur slowly spoke, agreeing to the matter.

This answer completely exceeded Mary's and Gertruda's expectations.

However, Mary quickly recovered; she quickly pulled Gertruda and said excitedly, "Quick, quickly thank the benevolent Lord Arthur!"

As she spoke, she was the first to kneel on the ground.

Gertruda also quickly followed suit and knelt down.

Seeing this, Arthur motioned for the maid beside him to step forward and help the two of them up.

"You should be kneeling before the Goddess, not me.

"The Goddess teaches us to extend a helping hand to the weak in distress.

"What I do is merely follow her teachings."

"Thank you, Goddess! Thank you, Goddess!"

Gertruda's face was filled with devout reverence.

Then, she looked at Arthur again, inquiring, "My Lord, may I go with you?

"I am very familiar with that area, I can guide you, and you will find me useful."

Arthur looked at her determined eyes and warned, "That place is very dangerous, you might lose your life, little girl."

"I have thought it through," Gertruda's voice showed no wavering, "Last time, I abandoned my family and fled alone.

"And you are willing to risk danger to help me find my mother.

"If I hide in my aunt's house again this time, then I am not worthy to be a follower of the Goddess.

"Please take me with you, My Lord!

"Don't worry about my safety; even if I die in the end, at least I tried for my family."

Arthur silently watched her for a moment, then agreed to her request.

He did indeed need someone familiar with the Plantation to act as a guide.

Arthur entrusted the task of organizing people to catch crabs after the rain to the maid beside him.

Afterward, he called Drax, and the two of them rode their horses in the direction Airo's group had departed that morning.

They found Airo's team before lunch.

At this time, the team had already established a temporary camp at the edge of the protected area.

The camp was chosen by a small stream, with a very open view and only two roads for entry and exit, making it easy to defend.

When the two rode their horses onto the only path leading to the camp, the sentries on watch spotted them.

The sentry emerged from the shadows by the roadside and respectfully saluted Arthur: "Baron, why are you here?"

"I've brought some important information."

Arthur nodded slightly, indicating Gertruda, who was riding on the same horse as him.

The sentry glanced at Gertruda, then nodded and stepped aside to lead the way: "Please follow me, My Lord, the camp is not far ahead."

At this moment, the sunlight, which had finally managed to penetrate the clouds, was gradually being obscured by thick, dark clouds.

The wind was also gradually picking up, carrying damp moisture.

"It's going to rain, My Lord."

Drax, the Orc beside him, looked up and said in a low voice.

"Yes," Arthur also looked up at the sky, "Once it rains, the roads will become muddy, and the difficulty of reconnaissance will increase significantly.

"But fortunately, this rain shouldn't last too long.

"If we hurry, we should be able to reach your parents' farm before the rain starts."

Upon arriving at the camp, Arthur thoroughly recounted Gertruda's experience to Airo and the Lovich siblings.

After listening, everyone unanimously agreed to go to the Ovana Farm to investigate.

After all, if they could find Gertruda's mother, they might learn the location of the Candy Family's ancient tomb from her.

This would undoubtedly greatly reduce their workload.