"That’s right."

Teresa nodded frankly in response to Roland’s question.

"So, Mr. Roland... are you willing to complete this commission with me?"

The proposal made Roland’s brows furrow, his mind racing.

The scene of Teresa slaughtering the Mercenaries and Adventurers was still fresh in his memory.

Although she claimed this was a Power granted by the Gods, allowing her to see into others’ pasts and distinguish good from evil, it was ultimately just her side of the story.

He couldn’t rule out the possibility that she was deceiving him.

But on second thought, Roland dismissed that guess.

Since arriving in this world, the only enemies he’d made were Marco and the mastermind behind the Truth Church.

Marco was probably still locked in the manor’s dungeon.

As for that big shot from the Truth Church...

Roland wasn’t being self-deprecating, but if that person really wanted to deal with him, they wouldn’t need to go to such great lengths and use a Demon-hunting expedition as a pretext.

Then...

Roland looked at the silver-haired woman before him, a hint of doubt in his eyes.

’She invited me to hunt Demons. Is it really just to repay a debt? Or perhaps...’

’The Demons there are too powerful, and she wants me to act as bait?’

Just as Roland was secretly speculating, Teresa saw his silence. Her delicate brows knitted together, and she took a deep breath as if she had made a difficult decision, then slowly spoke.

"Mr. Roland, if you’re not satisfied with the reward distribution, I... I can..."

She clutched the parchment in her hand, her voice strained.

"I can give you the entire reward. I just hope you can leave me a few Copper Coins... to pay for my stay at the inn..."

"Huh?"

Hearing this, Roland couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

Seeing that the embarrassed look on her face didn’t seem fake, he blurted out words that were a mirror of her own.

"Miss Teresa, are you short on money?"

Of course, Roland didn’t feel the question was rude; he was simply confused.

In his view, with Teresa’s strength and having completed so many commissions, even if she couldn’t live a lavish life like a noble, she should at least have no trouble making ends meet.

What’s more...

His gaze swept over Teresa’s outfit, which was identical to the last time they’d met.

Although she had a new cloak, the Leather Armor underneath had several conspicuous patches.

It was hardly the attire of a spendthrift.

’A person like that... how could she be short on money?’

"Ahem..."

Seeing Roland’s confused expression and confirming that he wasn’t mocking her, Teresa cleared her throat in embarrassment and explained in a low voice.

"Mr. Roland, my financial situation is indeed... a bit tight."

"But if you really need this commission, I can..."

"There’s no need."

Roland waved his hand dismissively before she could finish.

For him, hunting Demons wasn’t about money in the first place, but about fulfilling the requirements to become a [Knight’s Attendant].

Besides, he wasn’t short on money right now.

He still had funds left from the stash Dalko had left him, not to mention the wealthy Merchant, Colin, whom he could always count on for some gold.

Roland was sure that as long as the amount wasn’t too outrageous, the Merchant who was so eager to win his favor would never refuse.

Faced with Teresa’s repeated concessions, Roland had already made up his mind to complete the commission with her.

This wasn’t to say he had let his guard down after just a few words; it was a well-considered decision.

With his current strength, even if Teresa was truly plotting something, she was nothing to be afraid of.

The same was true even if they encountered an Alien Demon.

Back in Songmu Town, he had needed to join forces with Teresa and give his all just to slay a Winged Dogman.

But now that he was a [Warrior] and a [Juggler] and had mastered [Flaming Arrow], facing an Alien Demon of that level was no problem, as long as they didn’t appear in a horde. He could even handle three or four at once.

Thinking of this, Roland spoke up.

"Miss Teresa, I do need this commission, but you can keep the reward. As for other requests... right, can I see the specific details of the commission first?"

Seeing that Roland had no intention of taking the reward, Teresa visibly relaxed.

Though a little confused, she still handed over the parchment.

Roland took the parchment and examined it carefully.

The commission’s format was identical to the one he had accepted in Songmu Town, and it was stamped with three distinct red seals.

"Travel to the Demon camp to retrieve stolen goods. Time limit: fifteen days. Reward is dependent on the number of Demons and the quantity of goods recovered. Difficulty: Three..."

’The difficulty isn’t high. You could even say... it’s a bit easy.’

After confirming the information on the parchment was complete, Roland nodded lightly.

After handing the parchment back, he felt a burning hunger in his stomach. He glanced at the darkening sky and spoke slowly.

"However, Miss Teresa... it’s already getting late. Why don’t we discuss it tomorrow morning before we set out?"

"No problem, but..."

Teresa carefully put the parchment away.

"Mr. Roland, are you sure you don’t need the reward?"

"Of course..."

Seeing her bring up the reward again, the corner of Roland’s mouth twitched slightly.

"In that case, I’ll take my leave."

Teresa bowed again and turned to leave.

When Roland realized she was walking in the opposite direction of Wuxi Town, he couldn’t help but ask.

"Miss Teresa, aren’t you going back to town to rest?"

"Uh..."

Teresa stopped, hesitating for a moment before speaking softly. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"I don’t have enough money on me to pay for an inn, so I was planning to find a secluded spot to camp."

"Huh?"

Roland’s brow furrowed slightly.

’Can someone so outstandingly powerful really be in such a tight spot?’

He rubbed the hilt of his sword for a moment in thought, then spoke.

"My friend’s father runs a tavern. If you don’t mind, you can come back with me and stay for a night. That way, we can also set out together tomorrow morning and save some time. What do you think?"

"I... I couldn’t possibly..."

Although her words were hesitant, her eyes clearly lit up with anticipation.

"Don’t worry."

Roland bundled up the Long-Handled Weapons on the ground and tossed them onto Black Wind’s back.

"I won’t charge you."

Hearing this, Teresa’s eyes brightened, and she immediately bowed.

"Then thank you very much, Mr. Roland."

And so, the two of them and the horse headed toward Wuxi Town along the quiet path.

Roland walked in front, glancing back from time to time at the silently following Teresa, his brow slightly raised.

He hadn’t made the invitation purely out of kindness, but to take the opportunity to observe this mysterious, silver-haired woman more closely, just in case there was something off about her.

Especially...

’Why is she so poor that she can’t even afford an inn?’

The question kept circling in Roland’s mind.

However, it wasn’t long before he found the answer.

Late at night, the "Breath of the Forest" tavern was already empty. Only Peyton, Roland, and Teresa remained in the main hall.

However, despite the lack of customers, Gary was still busy as ever in the kitchen.

"Mr. Gary, another steak, please!"

Teresa elegantly cut the food on her plate into small pieces, then delivered them to her mouth at an astonishing speed.

Her chewing and swallowing were as smooth as flowing water.

Despite her extremely fast eating pace, she maintained a dignified and proper demeanor, her every move exuding a noble-like grace.

Anyone who didn’t know better might have thought she was the young lady of some great house enjoying her dinner.

"Geez..."

Peyton tiptoed over to Roland’s side.

The initial awe he felt at Teresa’s beauty was long gone, replaced now only by reverence for the silver-haired woman’s astonishing appetite.

"Kid, this friend of yours... has she been starving for a few days?"

"I... I don’t know..."