"It indeed isn’t a creature of this world, but a demon from the abyss, also known as the undead wolf, with considerable combat power. However, its strength is greatly weakened after coming to the surface."
"In battle, it can absorb the vitality of its surroundings in a small area, creating a temporary micro ’Desolate Domain.’"
"Thank you for taking action to eliminate it."
As he said this, a hint of surprise flashed in the eyes of the blond man, Adrian.
Although the team in front of him was not weak, he found it unbelievable that they could take down a Desolate Wolf.
Due to privacy concerns, he didn’t ask for details about the process, even though he was very curious.
In his opinion, handing this commission to someone like Gauss, a Level 5 Professional, seemed a bit overconfident.
However, he thought the Master Level Mage who made this decision must have had his considerations.
"It’s my duty."
Gauss exchanged only a few pleasantries with the blond man, Adrian, before the staff efficiently brought over the remaining payment of 400 Gold Coins for the commission.
As Aaliyah was counting the gold coins, the staff member whispered something quietly to Adrian.
"The number is correct, it’s 400 Gold Coins."
"Thank you for your reception, Steward Adrian. We’ll take our leave now and won’t disturb your work any longer."
"Mr. Gauss, please wait."
"Hmm?"
Stopped, Gauss sat back down in his chair, looking at Adrian with curiosity.
"There’s a noble who wishes to meet you. Would you be available?"
"Now?"
"Yes."
Upon hearing this, Gauss raised an eyebrow and exchanged glances with his companions.
Having just arrived, who else in Flute Castle could be seeking him out besides the Golden Eagle family?
Moreover, from Adrian’s tone, it seemed that this person’s identity was not simple.
"Well..." Gauss feigned difficulty on his face. "Could you reveal who it is?"
"It is Lord Pleos, the capable assistant of Flute Castle’s Governor Noah Shade." Steward Adrian replied quite straightforwardly.
Presumably, he must have received prior permission.
Pleos, Flute Castle’s Governor, Noah Shade...
Gauss quickly mulled over these terms in his mind.
Clearly, the person meeting with him had a significant status, as governors often have familial ties with the local noble elite, or are core heirs of such families.
Moreover, the names Noah Shade and Pleos are quite notable.
The former’s surname, Shade, is common among noble illegitimate children.
As for Pleos, it’s a name following the male naming style of Tieflings, derived from Hellish, a name ordinary people could never use.
Considering their team would be staying in Flute Castle for a while, Gauss certainly couldn’t refuse an invitation potentially from the city’s governor.
Besides, he was also very curious about the reason for this invitation.
"Then... I can spare the time. May I ask where I should go?"
"No, Lord Pleos will be arriving shortly."
"Please move to the VIP room to wait."
Since he didn’t need to make any effort, all the better.
Gauss and his companions walked into a lavishly decorated room, and soon servants brought in obviously luxurious and precious snacks and tea.
Aaliyah held a golden teacup, silently observing.
The combination of gold and gemstones made the teacup look splendid, exuding a sense of affluent beauty.
She took a sip.
"Hmm!"
"Good tea! Good tea!"
Gauss glanced at her and then withdrew his gaze.
He also took a sip.
The taste was nice, distinctly different from regular tea, but to articulate more specifically was indeed beyond him.
They waited a while with the snacks and tea.
"Click—"
Suddenly, there was the sound of a door handle turning at the entrance.
A male dressed in blue and white solemn armor emerged from behind the door.
"As expected..."
A knowing look flashed in Gauss’s eyes.
The man had a pair of large silver horns curving backward on top of his head, a distinctly Tiefling feature.
However, unlike ordinary Tieflings, his skin tone was quite pale—no, to be precise, almost indistinguishable from an ordinary human.
If not for the horns on his head and the long, devilish tail swaying behind him, there would be no visible Tiefling traits at all.
Moreover....
Gauss noticed a very incongruous detail.
The man’s attire looked like that of a solemn Paladin?
A Tiefling Paladin?
It wasn’t a very common combination of race and profession.
This gave Gauss a very contradictory first impression, an aura of both good and evil.
Despite possessing the blood of the infernal, he chose the path of a Paladin, which requires pure faith and steadfast will.
"Lord Pleos, we’ll take our leave now."
"Thank you, gentlemen."
The other staff members left the room on their own accord, closing the door, giving space to both parties.
"It’s an honor to meet you, Lord Gauss."
"I am Pleos, serving the great Governor Noah."
The Tiefling Pleos stepped forward and shook hands with Gauss.
"Lord Pleos has heard of me?"
Gauss was also very polite.
He felt a long-lost sense of pressure from this Tiefling Paladin.
Evidently, despite his humble demeanor, his prowess was terrifying.
Even...
"I heard Mr. Lehman mention you. He praised you as a genius not seen in a century, a nightmare and Star Destruction of Demons."