"Please keep my identity a secret," Robin said after he opened the door, about to leave the guest's bedroom that Lux was currently staying in. "I don't want Colette and the others to know."
Lux nodded. "Very well. Just make sure that you don't involve them in your schemes, or else…"
The Half-Elf gave Robin the "I'll beat the crap out of you" gaze, which made the latter smile.
"I admit that when I first approached them, I had ulterior motives," Robin stated. "But after spending some time with them, I know that they are good people. Don't worry, I'll do things in moderation."
Robin didn't wait for Lux's reply before leaving the room.
Nevreal, who was escorting Robin, gave Lux one last glare before closing the door behind him.
Due to the agreement that he had with the Half-Elf, the poor dwarf had no choice but to fork over ten million gold coins, which was almost half of his entire life savings.
In order to pacify the middle-aged Dwarf, Lux promised that he would assist Robin one more time, free of charge, as long as the request wasn't unreasonable.
Only after the Half-Elf had made his promise did Nevreal calm down.
While ten million gold coins was nothing in the eyes of the Royal Family, for Nevreal who had lived a frugal life, he felt as if he had been robbed in broad daylight.
Even so, after hearing Millie's report, Nevreal knew that Lux's help would be beneficial in the future.
"Are you sure he won't hack you to pieces while you are sleeping?" Cai wondered after Nevreal and Robin left the room. "I can tell that he's holding a grudge against you."
Lux shrugged because he knew that Nevreal wouldn't really hurt him. Although he felt a bit guilty for not being specific about the amount he wanted from him, it was still the Dwarf's fault for not asking how much it would cost him to build the Half-Elf's Guild Headquarters.
"Still, twenty million gold coins… that's a lot," Cai said as it scooted beside Lux and nudged his body with its head. "Mind if I borrow a few million? I promise I will put them to good use."
Lux ignored the shameless Boar as he sat on the couch. He then opened his Soul Book to look at the facilities that he could buy with the extra ten million gold that he got from King Uther, which he would receive when morning came.
'I don't have enough money on hand,' Lux sighed internally after seeing the cost of the Smithy, the Bestiary, the Alchemy Shop, as well as the other facilities that could be installed inside his Guild Headquarters.
—---------
< Guild Facilities >
Smithy - 5,000,000 Gold Coins
Bestiary - 5,000,000 Gold Coins
Alchemy Shop - 5,000,000 Gold Coins
XXX - XXX
XXX - XXX
XXX - XXX
XXX - XXX
XXX - XXX
Teleportation Gate - 10,000,000 Gold Coins
—---------
If possible, Lux wanted to have the Smithy, Bestiary, Alchemy Shop, as well as the Teleportation Gate, installed in his Guild Headquarters. However, with the limited funds he had, it was simply impossible.
Because of this, Lux was deliberating whether he should build the Smithy or the Bestiary first. If he built the Smithy first, his Master, Randolph, could start crafting his guild members' weapons, armor, and other miscellaneous items that they might need.
The Bestiary, on the other hand, would allow his guild to tame Mounts that each member could use.
For the time being, Lux didn't have much of a problem when it came to mounts. He already had Jed, as well as the other Wargs he received from the Dungeon of Dominion. The reason he was tempted to get the Bestiary was that he wanted to tame Beasts that could fly.
Bedivere was a Dragon Knight, so he had the ability to tame flying beasts, especially young Dragons. If Lux's members all had Dragons as their mounts, wouldn't that be awesome?
There were three types of Dragon Species.
They were the Dragons, like the one Bedivere used as a mount.
There were also Elder Dragons, which were more powerful than regular dragons. The weakest Rank of an Elder Dragon was the Argonaut Rank.
Lastly, there were the Ancient Dragons, whose numbers were very few, but all of them were Calamity Rank.
Of course, there was one more Dragon, and it was none other than the Dragon King.
The Supreme leader of all Dragons, whose Rank stood at the highest rank in the world of Elysium.
Even amongst Demigods, there were only a handful of individuals who could match its strength.
Truth be told, Lux was feeling anxious. He could only build his Guild Headquarters in the floating city of Karshvar Draconis.
After checking its information in the Elysium Compendium, the Half-Elf found out that a race that was half dragon and half human called DragonBorns also lived on that floating island.
The majority of them had bodies entirely covered with dragon scales, while others only had scales on some parts of their bodies.
There were also several who didn't have any scales on their bodies, and the only distinguishing features that made them recognizable as Dragon Borns were the two dragon horns on their heads and the Dragon Wings on their backs.
They were a proud race, but they never shied away from meeting people of other races. They were extremely powerful and, similar to Lux, they could use Dragon Breath anytime they wanted.
'The Dragon King is also there,' Lux scratched his head due to anxiety. 'I wonder what kind of treatment we will get if we suddenly appear unannounced in their Domain? Would they immediately think we are hostile individuals and attack us?'
The Half-Elf shuddered at the thought of being surrounded and attacked simultaneously by Dragon Borns, Dragons, Elder Dragons, and Ancient Dragons.
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained," Lux said through gritted teeth. "I'll just wing it when I get there."
Cai, who was lying on the carpet, glanced at Lux with a confused look on its face.
"Wing what?" Cai asked. "Are you going somewhere?"
Keane, who was seated on the couch opposite Lux's and cleaning his sword, glanced at the Boar in disdain.
"Didn't you know that he's going to look for a place to build our Guild Headquarters tomorrow?" Keane asked. "Or were you not listening when he said it?"
Cai's eyes sparkled after hearing that their Guild Headquarters was finally going to be built. It began to pester Lux, repeatedly asking if it could come with him to see the Floating Island of Karshvar Draconis.
Although they knew the location where their Guild would be stationed, they had no idea what kind of place it was.
The only thing that Lux's Guild Members knew was that it was a floating island, and it was floating somewhere in the skies of Elysium.
"Once the Guild is built, you guys can go there as well," Lux pushed the Boar's face away from him. "Also, Cai, when you go there, be sure to behave, okay? We don't know what kind of reception we will get from its inhabitants."
"What do you think of me? Some kind of problem child?" Cai replied. "Relax, I'm sure that I'll get along with the people on that floating island just fine."
""I doubt it.""
Lux and Keane spoke up at the same time, making the two of them chuckle because both of them knew what Cai was like.
The Boar, who was oblivious to what its two friends were thinking, was already looking forward to seeing their Guild Headquarters.
It was very tempted to return to Solais and brag to its Grandpa about its new Guild, but after being repeatedly warned by Lux and Keane, the Boar reluctantly pushed aside its plan for the time being.
—------
The next day…
"Lux, once again, I sincerely thank you for your timely rescue of my daughter, not as a king, but as a father," King Uther said. "If not for you, I'm sure that Twilight Rain would have asked for an exorbitant ransom for her safe return—one that might take them one step closer to causing strife to my kingdom."
Princess Anastasia, who was also in the throne room, gazed at Lux with a smile on her face. After everything that happened, she realized that the Kingdom of Gweliven was really not as peaceful as it looked on the surface.
Terrorists organizations were moving in the shadows, causing strife among its populace, in addition to the hidden dangers, like the Monster of Ruin, whose whereabouts were still unknown.
The Princess learned a lot from her experience, and because of this, she decided to dedicate more time studying how to become a better ruler and remain in the capital for the time being.
"Sir Lux, if you ever need my help, feel free to come and visit me," Princess Anastasia stated. "The favor for saving my life, I will always remember it. No matter what situation or dangers you are facing, as long as I can lend you my assistance, do not hesitate to look for me at any given time."
Lux smiled at the adorable Princess whose face turned a rosy shade after seeing his smile.
"Thank you, Your Majesty and Your Highness for the rewards and favors that you bestow upon me." Lux bowed his head respectfully. "Although I was not born in the Kingdom of Gweliven, I treat this Kingdom as my second home. If there comes a time when its safety is in danger, I will be there to lend my hand and ensure that this land would not fall into the wrong hands."
King Uther nodded his head in satisfaction because he liked the subtle promise that was contained in Lux's message.
"Safe journey, Lux Von Kaizer, and may the Earth Goddess always hold you in her bosom," King Uther said. "Anastasia, please escort Lux to the Royal Teleportation Gate."
"Yes, Father! I mean, Yes, Your Majesty," Princess Anastasia hastily corrected herself after hearing her father's order.
She then boldly walked towards Lux and grabbed his hand, dragging him away from the throne room, making the King of the Dwarves chuckle despite himself.
"Dear, you're being mischievous," the Queen, who was seated beside King Uther said with a smile. "You already know that she somehow developed a crush on her Savior, and yet you still tease her like this."
Uther glanced at his wife and rested his hand over hers. "It's just puppy love. It will go away as she gets older."
The Queen rolled her eyes at her husband, but she didn't make any comments.
How could she possibly tell the King that he was also her puppy love?
Yet the two of them ended up getting married and were blessed with children, whose fates would help shape the Dwarven Kingdom in ways that neither of them could imagine.
