CH67

Helag estimated the room behind the door to be about five or six hundred square meters, with a large bed at the far end that could easily accommodate six or seven people.

Meanwhile, heavy footsteps approached from outside, and two guards struggled to carry a golden chest.

The guards brought the chest into the room and placed it in front of Helag and Kieran.

"You may leave," Kieran instructed.

The two guards quickly exited, never once looking up at Helag.

"This is the ten thousand gold coins promised by Master Josh. Please check it, Mr. Helag," Kieran said, opening the golden chest to reveal it brimming with shining gold coins.

Helag smiled. "Not bad."

With a wave of his hand, he stored the entire chest away.

The chest alone was worth a lot, and it contained more than ten thousand gold coins.

"Mr. Helag, you can rest here. If you want to go out, just call the servants at the door. There will be a grand banquet tonight," Kieran continued.

Helag didn't stand on ceremony, turning and lying down on the soft, large bed. "Alright."

Kieran respectfully exited, gently closing the door and giving careful instructions to the two maids outside.

"The Kingdom of Violet is indeed the largest in the south. Even a count is this wealthy," Helag marveled.

The Tasone Territory appeared small on the map, and Helag hadn't expected its lord to be so rich.

Helag stayed in the room, planning his route before starting his meditation.

As night fell, a maid knocked on the door.

"Mr. Helag, it's time for the banquet," the two young maids at the door said, their revealing outfits making Helag's eyes blur.

"Lead the way," Helag said softly, casually groping them. The maids only smiled and didn't resist.

The maids led Helag through several palaces. 

"Sometimes having a big house isn't a good thing. It takes half an hour just to get to dinner," Helag mused.

The castle was large but sparsely populated, with mostly guards and servants along the way.

The banquet was held in the largest palace, with only about sixty guests, a small number for a noble's banquet.

Helag saw the man from the giant oil painting, Count Huen Banks, sitting at the head of the long table. Josh and Luchi sat on either side, followed by other children and relatives.

"Mr. Helag!" Josh exclaimed excitedly, now dressed in extravagant formal attire, looking even more bloated.

Count Huen turned at the sound, smiling as he stood. "Thank you, Mr. Helag, for saving my son. The Banks family will always remember your kindness."

Helag was seated near the head of the table. The banquet was quiet, with everyone eating in silence.

After a simple meal, the dance began, but Helag wasn't interested.

Count Huen and his two sons approached with wine, thanking Helag again. "Thank you, Mr. Helag!"

Helag clinked glasses with them, his nose twitching as he sensed something.

After drinking, he asked, "Count Huen, are you injured?"

Josh responded excitedly, "Father was assassinated two months ago. The attacker failed but left him with severe injuries that haven't healed. Mr. Helag, can you help?"

"I don't know if I can help. I just smell something familiar," Helag said, sniffing again. He detected the scent of dark energy particles.

Josh, excited, urged his father, "Father, let Mr. Helag take a look. This place is too public; let's go somewhere private."

Count Huen agreed, and they moved to a quiet room next door.

Luchi followed, looking concerned about his father's injury.

Kieran stood guard at the door, ensuring no one else entered.

Helag pulled up a chair and sipped his wine, savoring the expensive drink he couldn't afford before.

"Mr. Helag, can you save my father?" Josh asked eagerly.

Helag put down his glass. "I don't know. I need to see the injury first."

"Father…" Josh looked at Count Huen with a questioning gaze.

Count Huen hesitated before laboriously removing his outer garments, revealing a black wound on his waist. Despite the medicine applied, a faint smell of rot lingered.

"Didn't expect the injury to be this severe," Helag observed, confirming it was caused by a magical object. Dark energy particles lingered in the wound, preventing it from healing, and ordinary medicine was ineffective.

Count Huen smiled bitterly. "I don't have long to live. With Josh missing, I was ready to go. Now that he's safe, I can die in peace."

"Father…" Josh clung to his father's clothes.

Helag remarked, "Die? It's just a minor injury."

"Minor injury? Can you really help?" The Huen family looked at him in shock.

They had consulted countless doctors, all unable to help Count Huen.

They had considered seeking out mysterious figures but lacked the means to contact them. Ordinary mystics wouldn't come to treat a minor count.

"I can treat it. What can you offer? My services are expensive," Helag said, seeing an opportunity to earn from the wealthy Banks family without any guilt.

Count Huen pondered, not out of stinginess, but considering what would be appropriate.

Knowing Helag was a mystic, he needed to offer something satisfactory. But what would please a wizard?

"Money? Wizards don't lack money, and carrying too much is inconvenient."

"Beauty? That's worthless."

After some thought, Count Huen said, "Mr. Helag, if you can heal me, you may freely choose three treasures from the Banks family vault."