Francis the 'Good Man'

A glint of malevolence flickered in Brockman’s eyes, murderous intent surging within him as he yearned to eliminate the insolent attendant on the spot.

After all, no matter how destitute Brockman might be at this moment, he was still a significant figure in that mysterious organization!

Alas, Brockman dared not. York Town harbored immense hidden power, so formidable that even the mysterious organization was unwilling to provoke it lightly. Moreover, Brockman himself was acutely aware of the unspoken rules here; the attendant’s words were, in fact, entirely justified.

Noticing the dark expression on Brockman’s face, the slender attendant scoffed indifferently, his eyes narrowed as he fixed Brockman with a gaze. “I advise you against entertaining any ill intentions, or your fate might become even more wretched! This is York Town! If you have special friends, tell me, and there might still be room for negotiation! If you don’t… the Farmar Inn of York Town will ensure you never forget this day!”

The attendant was absolutely not trying to scare Brockman, even if it was a blatant threat! Yet, everything he said was the stark truth. Just yesterday, Brockman had personally recounted to Du Chen how chaotic York Town, this haven for criminals, truly was. How could he not understand his current predicament?!

Du Chen watched, laughing inwardly at Brockman. 'My dear Divine Grant Earl, do you still have any tricks up your sleeve? You’ve reached a dead end. Yes, perhaps you could try stealing again, but how would you even leave this room without clothes? And would the innkeepers let you go? When they finally let you out of the inn, it will surely be to escort you out and ‘sell’ you…'

'Even if you managed to get out, how much money could you steal to pay for yesterday’s lavish feast? Ordinary townspeople carry, at most, a few silver coins. As for the less ordinary ones… you are alone and isolated. Do you dare steal from them in the stronghold of the underworld?'

The attendant cleared his throat, softening his tone. “However, my boss says that rules are rules, and favors are favors. After all, you are a prominent figure who arrived in a Wyvern Carriage, so we cannot make things overly difficult for you! We’ll give you one day to come up with a solution, and we promise…” He glanced at Brockman’s naked form, curling his lip. “We promise this matter will not be spread around! But if there’s no resolution after one day, then we will have to proceed according to the rules of York Town!”

To keep this shameful incident a secret, the innkeeper had truly shown the utmost benevolence. Brockman was now isolated and alone; though his own power was not inconsiderable, and he even had a Level Seven attendant, he could not possibly contend with the vast underworld forces of York Town!

“Fine, I understand!” Brockman waved his hand helplessly. “Lord Francis, for us to encounter such a situation, it truly is…”

Francis?! The attendant secretly shot a glance at Du Chen, his mind racing. “Sir, since it was Mr. Brockman who booked the room and meals last night, his bill will not involve you. You do not need to worry about paying the bill; you are still our esteemed guest!”

Du Chen “coldly” glared at him. “Am I, Francis, the kind of person who abandons a friend and stands idly by while they suffer? You insult me! I swear, York Town, and its rules, will pay a price!”

The attendant, with lowered gaze and subservient posture, said, “It was my loose tongue, my discourtesy, I deserve to die! Please, Sir, do not take offense, I am truly sorry! Please, you must forgive me!”

This time, even Du Chen was momentarily stunned. When had this arrogant attendant become so amenable?

It wasn’t until the attendant bowed his head and exited that Du Chen recovered his composure!

Du Chen glanced awkwardly at himself, then urgently declared, “Lord Brockman, I will go immediately and sell off my remaining possessions to help you clear your debts. Please wait! I will find a way!”

“I am grateful, Lord Francis, but…”

Brockman knew full well that last night, to conceal his true intentions, he had taken almost all of Du Chen’s valuables. Little did he expect that this act would be his undoing—everything he had stolen from Francis, and all his own possessions, had been taken by a mysterious Master thief. As a result, Francis, even if he wished to help, now lacked sufficient ready cash.

“Rest assured!” Du Chen declared righteously, “If it’s not enough, I can work to earn some money!”

This nobleman, willing to work to earn money to help him repay his debts?!

Alas, setting aside their enmity, Francis truly was a good man. How fortunate it would be to have such a friend! What a pity that they were destined to be rivals!

Brockman sighed inwardly, then shook his head. “Thank you for your kindness, but it’s not just about settling the bill now. We still need to journey to the Misty Forest, and that requires a large sum for travel expenses and supplies!”

“You are… still going to the Misty Forest?” Du Chen asked, feigning hesitation.

Brockman thought to himself, 'I’ve already sworn an oath to Philip that I would retrieve Number Six before you reached the Great Plains. If I don’t go to the Misty Forest with you, how can I get Number Six back?! Furthermore, the organization has a secret base within the forest, and Number Five is also there. As long as I find the secret base, I can replenish some of my strength, and at least not worry about money.'

However, he lied, “Alas, despite encountering such a detestable situation, I must acquire the birthday tribute! Lord, you… you go sell my Wyvern Carriage! This is York Town; someone here should recognize its value… Alas, if those who recognize its value cannot afford it, you can lower the price a bit!”

“I understand your decision, but time is short, and a magnificent Wyvern Carriage might not sell within a day!” Du Chen groaned, sinking into a chair. “Damn that thief! Alas, if only he had left me even a single gold coin, then I could go to the casino…”

Brockman’s heart trembled. Yes, it was rumored that Francis’s gambling prowess was unrivaled across the Three Continents; even Rogliff was no match for him!

But the stakes… he and Sinos were utterly penniless, so they certainly couldn’t produce anything. Francis was going to pay his debts for him. As a Divine Grant Earl, he couldn’t possibly ask Francis to pawn his own clothes for gambling money, then go to the casino naked!

So… alas!

“Lord Francis, if it’s possible, you… you take my Wyvern Carriage!”

“No, the Wyvern Carriage is your cherished treasure; how could I possibly use it as a gambling stake?!”

“While the Wyvern Carriage is precious, it is ultimately an external possession. Moreover, the Winged Dragons are now severely injured. I don’t think the culprit would have shown any mercy; those four Winged Dragons are probably on the verge of death. In that case, the carriage itself is useless, so you might as well take it as a gambling stake!”

“Give it to me?”

“Ah? That… yes, it’s no longer of any use to me, so you might as well take it as a gambling stake!”

Du Chen swiftly seized upon Brockman’s slip of the tongue, effectively transferring ownership of the Wyvern Carriage! The Winged Dragons, serving as its propulsion, were indeed severely injured, appearing no different from being on the verge of death. But that was merely on the surface, a masterful deception orchestrated by Deboning. Only this way would Brockman more readily abandon this flamboyant mode of transport – parting with a high-end sports car that has lost its engine isn’t too painful. This was Du Chen’s original plan, but now? Now it was even better!

Du Chen hesitated for a long while, then stomped his foot. “Alas! Very well!”

Inside the underground chamber of the York Town Casino.

Over a dozen people were seated around a circular table. Occupying the main seat directly opposite the door was an elder in his sixties, powerfully built, with golden-blonde hair that gave him a majestic, lion-like appearance.

He tapped the table, his voice deep. “Farmar, tell everyone the purpose of this meeting!”

A middle-aged man in merchant’s attire, thin but remarkably alert, stood up across from him. “Last night, the Francis whom Miss Annie mentioned arrived in town. However, since Brockman’s name was on the accommodation register, I only discovered him this morning!”

He rested his hands on the table, coldly scanning the gathered people. “But, Francis and his friend’s room was visited last night, and all their possessions were lost!”

*Thump!*

Farmar slammed his hand onto the table. “By our rules, it’s understandable if your people steal within my inn. However, this time, someone actually dared to touch Francis! Gentlemen, whoever did it last night, whether intentionally or not, please step forward and explain yourselves to Miss Annie and Francis. Do not implicate all of York Town! We would pay a very heavy price!”

Everyone’s gaze converged on a middle-aged red-haired woman. She shrugged. “Don’t look at me. Although all the thieves, big and small, in York Town call me Big Sister, it truly wasn’t my doing last night!” When their gazes didn’t shift, she added, “If I were lying, Miss Annie’s household would certainly find out, so would I dare to lie? I cannot afford the cost!”

The elder nodded. “Therefore, combining all the intelligence, I believe this was not done by one of our own. So, before Francis leaves York Town, investigate this matter thoroughly and give him an explanation! This will also serve as an explanation to Miss Annie! Everyone should understand that Miss Annie’s household is not one we should provoke; the cost would be far too great!”

A knock sounded from outside, and the strong man who had offended Annie that day entered. “Master, Francis has arrived at your casino with his daughter. It seems he lost all his possessions and wishes to try his luck here to win some travel money!”

The elder suddenly smiled, drumming his fingers on the table. “Tell all the casino dealers to let Francis win, as much as he wants!”

The meeting was still ongoing, but shortly after, the strong man re-entered, covered in cold sweat. “Master, all the casino dealers have lost to Francis!”

“Hmm!” The elder nodded. “Very well done, tell them to keep losing!”

“But Francis has now won over a hundred thousand gold coins! Are we really not going to intervene?” the strong man said hesitantly.

“What? A hundred thousand! Everything has a limit! Stop holding back! We’ve shown more than enough benevolence; even if Miss Annie asks, we have a plausible explanation.” The elder also grew angry.

“But, but even if we want to win, we can’t! Francis’s gambling prowess is unfathomable; he defeated all our men with one hand, all while holding his daughter!” The strong man spoke haltingly, for even what he had witnessed with his own eyes, he found hard to believe.

The elder’s sharp, glittering eyes suddenly widened. He slammed his hand on the table and stood up. “So Francis is also a gambling master, but he’s far too unconstrained, truly ignorant of propriety! I will go and meet him! I’ll show him there are always higher heavens! But gentlemen, do not worry, I am well aware of Miss Annie’s instructions and will act appropriately!”