"Vives... White Wave Clan..."
Gauss searched his mind for a moment and quickly recalled where he had heard the name of this clan.
He quickly remembered. It was on the way from Gray Rock Town to Forest Crown Town, when a talkative cavalry captain had casually mentioned it while chatting about local powers.
The Vives Clan, also known as the White Wave Clan, is a viscount family with significant influence in the "Coral Tri-Cities."
This family is flourishing and powerful, with their foundation and main base being right here in Sen City.
Seeing Gauss’s pensive expression.
Adelle smiled slightly, unsurprised that he had heard of them.
She picked up the tea brought by a servant outside, which exuded a faint fragrance, and took a small sip.
Continuing with a calm tone.
"It seems you’ve heard of the family I’m from." She placed the teacup down, tracing an irregular circle on the table with her finger.
"In this port city, about thirty percent of the taxes from merchant ships passing through each day eventually flow into the Vives Clan’s treasury. One could say that behind most of the large shipyards and merchants here, there is the shadow of the Vives. Even this training room beneath us is provided with magic materials and technical support by them."
Her tone was very calm, unhurried, not like bragging, just stating facts.
"But even so, as a direct descendant, I’ve still been wandering outside for more than ten years after becoming an adventurer."
"I’ve fought against storms and sea beasts, served as a guard at island outposts, facing the plunder of fish people and tsunamis, until I gradually earned the title of ’Sword Falcon’ with my sword, successfully advancing to a master tier role, before the family summoned me back to take on the current position."
"But even now, the family hasn’t interfered too much with me."
There was a trace of pride in her tone.
If she had been just a parasite relying on the family, perhaps her previous life would have been much easier, with every need met, having servants everywhere, but she probably wouldn’t be in a position to control her own destiny as she is now.
Maybe she would have already become a tool for family alliances, sent to some unfamiliar noble’s residence, becoming a link to maintain interests.
Her ability to maintain sufficient independence also stemmed from choices she made many years ago.
She fell into a brief reverie and, after a while, noticed Gauss looking at her.
With a clap to her forehead, she remembered the topic she intended to discuss and, after hesitating for a moment, slightly parted her red lips.
"What I’m going to say next is unrelated to me personally, it’s merely the Vives Clan using me to extend an invitation to you, hoping to build a friendship."
Adelle turned her hand to produce a scroll.
Is this a recruitment?
Gauss met Adelle’s gaze, pondering silently.
"You can consider this invitation as establishing an alliance or a guest minister relationship."
"If you’re willing to accept this goodwill."
"The Vives Clan is also willing to offer some conveniences for your adventuring path."
"This includes, but is not limited to intelligence support, resource allocation, not as a direct gift, but for certain scarce materials difficult to procure on the market, you can obtain supplies from the family convoys at more favorable prices."
"Network introduction. When you need to connect with higher circles or solve certain difficulties, you can utilize the White Wave Clan’s network."
"You can regularly learn a few skills suitable for your current level each year, but not too many."
"...."
Gauss listened silently to Adelle’s formulaic introduction, all the while unabashedly indulging in the snacks and food on the table.
Recalling what she had said before, including her own experiences.
He couldn’t help but speak.
"So, what’s the price?"
Adelle nodded imperceptibly.
"As long as you agree to enter into a marriage contract with a direct member of the Vives Clan, and your first offspring will be raised to adulthood by the family."
Upon hearing this, Gauss thought to himself bitterly.
As expected, there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
Especially when it comes to nobles, they are even more calculating than ordinary people.
Perhaps, for some people, this price may not be much, perhaps even a reward.
Being integrated into a noble’s network, the price is to give up the first descendant, equivalent to giving them to the Vives Clan to nurture.
It’s as if the Vives Clan is exchanging some initial investment to obtain the bloodline offspring of an acknowledged genius.
And once a marriage relationship is established, even if it’s not genuinely becoming part of the family, maintaining a certain autonomy, but if something happened to the Vives Clan, could one still stand aside and do nothing?
Gauss fell silent.
Adelle also didn’t rush him.
She merely held her teacup, gently sipping tea.
"I’m sorry." Gauss lifted his head, his gaze clear and firm as he met Adelle’s eyes.
"I appreciate the Vives Clan’s great favor, but regarding the marriage and offspring arrangements, I must regretfully decline."
"Understood, then consider the matter closed."
Eh?
Aren’t you going to persuade me more?
To Gauss’s surprise, Adelle merely nodded calmly, showing no intent to further persuade on behalf of her family.
His refusal was straightforward, but Adelle’s acceptance was equally clean and decisive.
Even carrying a hint of relief from completing a task.
"Don’t look at me like that, I’m merely transmitting the invitation." Adelle waved her hand slightly, a trace of helplessness on her face as she quickly retracted the scroll.