"We're back this time mainly to complete what we left unfinished."
Alka said, sitting next to him.
Gilena nodded. "I know. The Nafas family treasure, right?"
"?"
Alka's face was filled with confusion.
"How did you know? Don't try to get away with it with divination. I know divination can't do something like this."
Such a specific goal couldn't be divined by divination alone.
Gilena frowned, staring at Alka with a hint of disdain.
Then she looked at Sofia and asked, "Is Alka so stupid?"
"Uh... sometimes his mind just doesn't work," Sofia said awkwardly.
After hearing their conversation, Alka suddenly remembered something and slapped himself on the head.
I had actually forgotten.
"We've all divined that you need to find a member of the Nafas family, and since you're a treasure-hunting group, wouldn't we know what you're looking for?
And you have to know that the Nafas family's treasure trove is in the Land of All Spirits, right on our territory."
Alka had already thought of this and nodded helplessly.
Just now, she hadn't really thought about it any further.
And if she thought about it more carefully, why would such a powerful family like the Nafas family place their treasure trove in this place?
If it were in the Giant Tree's Roost, or even at the border of life and death, Alka and the others would have been able to accept it.
But in the Land of All Spirits, where it's already been confirmed that a god has revived, are they really not afraid?
Thinking of this, Alka asked, "Why would they place the treasure trove here? Could it be connected to you?"
"You're getting clever again," Gilliana teased with a smile, then took a sip from the teacup in front of her.
However, he didn't answer. Instead, he waved his hand, and a three-dimensional map appeared on the table before him. This map was the Land of the Spirits.
A small flag was planted near the left border.
Looking at the marked area, it was exactly where Alka and his companions had found the Nafas family's buried treasure.
"You should be familiar with this place."
Alka nodded.
"I'm telling you straight up, this place is extremely dangerous right now. Don't even think about going there to look for treasure." Gilliana said, drawing a circle on the map.
An oval circle encompassed the treasure's location.
Then she drew several lines connecting to the outside.
"This is now the entire garrison area at the border of life and death, and these lines are their troop transport routes.
So unless our god fully revives and descends, or until we have the strength to drive them out of this area, your treasure hunt will be impossible.
Unless you're strong enough to force your way in. If you don't believe me, you can go check it out, but be careful, of course."
Gilliana said with a smile.
After listening to Gilliana's story, Alka looked at the map.
"It seems we can only help you this way?" Sofia said with a smile.
"I'm not forcing you. I'm telling you the truth. And it saves you the time of checking it out yourself. Didn't we have a pleasant cooperation before? And it's not like we won't pay you." Gilliana smiled at the three of them, simply stating the facts.
"We're not that strong. For this war, our team's strength can only be described as insignificant," Alka said, looking at her with some surprise.
He was self-aware.
He was the only one in the entire team who had reached the fourth stage of strength; the others were all at the third stage.
While their team had a significant advantage in numbers and quality,
But now was wartime.
With their limited numbers, and not yet a member of the army, it was hard to say how much they could contribute.
"Compared to the two church members who came to support us, there's not much we can do."
Therefore, Alka didn't understand why they had to help.
Hearing this, Gilliana shook her head. "That's different. You've been blessed by the Flower Fairy, and you underestimate your own strength.
I promise you right now. If you agree, I won't deliberately send you to the dangerous front lines. Your job is to clear out the demons in the rear.
It would be a bit difficult for our soldiers or the church's support staff to do this.
So, we need the help of a special team like you who work so well together."
Gilliana stated her needs directly.
"And we won't take back the materials you obtain from killing demons. They should be very valuable."
Overall, Gilliana's terms were quite generous.
"If you disagree, I'll still tell you some general information about the current situation. However, I can't do anything about confidential information. This is a military order."
After saying this, Gilliana finished her tea and looked at the three of them as they made their decision. Alka was already inclined to agree.
After all, Gilliana had already explained the situation over there, and there was no way she could lie to him and the others about it. There was no benefit in doing so, and they could easily verify it.
Given their relationship, deceiving them in this way would be too low-class.
"Tell me the price you're offering," Alka said bluntly.
Hearing Alka's words, Gilliana smiled. "How about I offer you two options?"
"Tell me."
"Option 1: We'll hire your entire team directly, for 40 gold sails per day and night. We'll assign you patrols like my soldiers, and you'll collect the spoils yourself."
This option would mean a fixed salary, but limited freedom.
Clearly, this option was ill-suited for people like them. "The second option is to give you a price list with the price of each demon. All you have to do is kill them and present the corresponding receipts, and we'll pay you."
This is mercenary work, a relatively free-lance kind, based on performance.
Hearing this, Alka thought for a moment.
"Let me see the list."
Gilliana nodded, a piece of paper appearing and handed it over.
It seemed this list had been prepared long ago, and it wasn't just for Alka and his team.
The three of them huddled together to examine it.
The paper clearly spelled out the prices of some demons.
For example, the weakest imps and demons of similar level would each be rewarded with 5 to 10 gold sails. These demons were definitely no stronger than the second stage.
Ordinary soldiers would have difficulty dealing with them, but for a toucher with a little effort, they could still be taken down without taking any damage.
Slightly stronger, lower-level demons were generally worth less than 50 gold sails. These are also not loot.
Based on the materials from a low-level demon, a low-level demon's strength is probably no more than Stage 3.
The value is close to 100 gold sails, depending on the demon's specific species and the rarity of the materials.
The final conversion of the materials might reach two or three hundred gold sails per demon.
Of course, this is with good luck.
As noted above, a wandering demon group typically consists of four or more imp-level demons.
One or two low-level demons.
Then the highest-priced missions are the ones they offer.
Escort or annihilate.
You'll likely face mid-level demons like the ones Alka and his team had faced before.
The strength of these demons ranges from Stage 4 to Stage 5.
Of course, the rewards are also very generous.
The sails start at 2,000 gold, and the price varies depending on the danger encountered and the demon's strength.
They can also exchange the normal market price for some of the resources already available in the Land of Fragrance.
"That's a very reasonable price. Let's choose the second option," Alka said with a nod.
They already had two options, and since the first wasn't feasible, the second was the natural choice.
Fighting was a fight, and making money was naturally the best.
"Very good, sign the contract The contract of the Virgin Mary," Gilliana said, handing it to them. Alka took a look.
The terms were all normal, including the fact that confidential information couldn't be freely disseminated.
It was also written very formally, clearly confirming that they weren't the only ones hiring them.
After confirming that it was okay, he signed his name with Alka.
"Okay, now let's talk about the situation here."
Gilliana nodded. "The dangers we face now come primarily from three sources: the undead at the border of life and death, demons, and the cultists, along with those crazy pirates they bring with them."
"The undead at the border of life and death pose the greatest threat and hold back the most soldiers. They're attacking because they sense the resurgence of the flower fairy. The lingering will of the past has driven them mad."
At this point, Gilliana looked at them and asked, "Do you know anything about the Marsh Sea? I'm talking about the very ancient times."
Alka nodded.
"That's good. You should know about the border between life and death. The reason for that deathly aura is primarily due to the fall of a great dragon associated with the undead there.
He was once the Flower Fairy's enemy. Although the divine will was completely shattered after his death, the remaining resentment is hard to dispel. That's why they're attacking."
"As for the demons, they're all specifically summoned by those damned cultists. As soon as the Flower Fairy revives, they'll all be forced to leave.
Those cultists are lunatics. Some want to destroy the world, so they won't miss such an opportunity. Some simply kill and sacrifice, or perhaps they believe in evil gods with whom the Flower Fairy once had grievances."
He briefly recounted the grudges between the Flower Fairy and these three factions. "Large-scale attacks and the conquest of specific areas are all carried out by powerful cultists, allied with demons and the undead at the border of life and death.
Under normal circumstances, when the undead at the border of life and death encounter demons, a life-and-death battle ensues. They're all madmen."
"Do the undead at the border of life and death have intelligence?" Alka asked curiously.
Gilliana nodded. "Yes, as long as the powerful ones have intelligence. But they are ultimately a minority."
"The support from the Church is enough to help us hold the last line of defense. They will also contribute some troops to clear out the demons behind us.
But the area behind us is so vast, so we have to start working hard."
"What about the exact timeline for the flower fairies' resurrection?" Alka asked.
This was information they needed to know, even though it was confidential.
Gilliana looked at the three of them and said without further hesitation, "It will take another six months. It will take another six months for the flower fairies to revive."
"Six months..." Alka nodded in understanding. "Now, let me give you some information. After all, aren't you looking for the treasure?"
"Tell me about it," Alka asked curiously.
Although he no longer needed much information to expand on his understanding, it wouldn't hurt to hear it.
More information wouldn't hurt him.
"Weren't you just wondering why the Nafas family chose to locate their treasure vault in this area?"
Gilliana smiled and said, "Let me tell you how this powerful family rose to prominence step by step."
"When the Holy Machine Church and the Mother Church first sent an exploration team to explore the Zehai Sea, a member of that family was there.
But back then, they were just an ordinary family, a member of the Mother Church, nothing special."
"But during the exploration, this lucky individual did our God a great favor. You all know our God is generous. She directly bestowed a [Scepter] upon the ancestors of the Nafas family.
And like you, he also received the blessing of the Flower Fairy and gained a certain reputation in the Land of Fragrance."
She pointed at Alka.
"From then on, they rose steadily, becoming the most powerful family in this area.
Their subsequent rise was primarily due to their role as a bridge between the Virgin Mary and the Flower Fairy. They were the best choice at the time.
A good relationship between gods doesn't necessarily extend to their followers; a bridge is needed for communication between the two sides."
Gilliana smiled with a subtle smile as she spoke, pointing at herself.
"If you must say, I also have a connection to this family.
Many of my ancestors married into this family."
Hearing this, the three of them understood and nodded in understanding. So that's how it was.
It really sounded like a path to success.
Because of a moment of luck, they seized a series of opportunities and gradually climbed to the top of the family.
"What a shame! You've seen what happened to this family. Their immense power gave them ambition. I wonder if you know the true cause of their demise stemmed from their pact with the devil."
The Arka men nodded. They had some understanding of this matter.
They weren't certain, but from the information, it seemed most people suspected the same.
"No matter how powerful the Nafas family was, they were still subordinate to both churches. They grew strong because of the needs of both churches.
As powerful as they were, they naturally wouldn't accept such a situation at their peak. It's a shame. Signing a pact with the devils of Hell, what good could that mean?"
Gilliana shrugged, somewhat helplessly.
After hearing her story, everyone had a fairly detailed understanding of the powerful Nafas family.
No matter how powerful a family was, it was only supported by the church of God.
And it was only known to a limited degree in this area.
Perhaps it's not as powerful as they think.
After saying this, Gilliana looked at Alka and said, "Have you noticed that their family's path to success is somewhat similar to yours now?
Haha, I hope you don't make the same mistake in the future."
Gilliana said with a smile.
Hearing this, Alka also smiled.
"No, compared to their small goals, I have more ambitious goals."
Hearing this, Jason and Sofia beside them couldn't help but smile.
"More ambitious goals? I'm really looking forward to it," Gilliana said with a smile.
Then She stood up and clapped her hands. "Okay, enough catching up. Come back to me when you're ready.
I'll give you a more detailed and specific plan, and then you can begin your operations."
Alka nodded. "Don't worry, it won't be long. Remember to prepare enough money, or I'm afraid you won't be able to afford it."
"Haha, you underestimate us. Even if you kill all these demons by yourself, we can afford it.
But you must be careful. Demons are different from cultists and other enemies you've encountered before. They are powerful and evil enough."
Gilliana said seriously.
Hearing this, Alka turned to look at her. He couldn't help but smile. Then, in his hand, appeared a horn left from the mid-level demon they had killed earlier.
Held in his hand, he shook it at Gilliana.
"I'm not kidding."
With that, Alka smiled and left the barracks with the two of them. Looking at the three men's backs, Gilliana carefully recalled the horn she had just seen.
"It's actually the horn of a mid-level demon. Such patterns and beautiful horn shape, it must be a powerful demon."
Thinking of this, a smile appeared on her face.
"It seems we were right to pull them up, but we need to prepare more money, otherwise we might not be able to pay them."
Thinking of this, Gilliana smiled and shook her head.
After all this time, finally some good news.