Chapter 227


    Dainis couldn’t pry the secrets she desired from vin, so she turned her attention to Korb and


    Helna. But from the next day on, the duo suddenly shut themselves away, iming exhaustion of


    heart and spirit, and taking great care to heal their weary bodies.


    Dainis couldn’t force the issue, so she politely took her leave. She continued to cultivate goodwill by


    arranging for nourishing potions to be sent daily.


    For three days straight, the Rocke family reaped no rewards, and their forces were instead


    commandeered by Lucan to tidy up the ancient city.


    Ever since Lucan learned that the Rocke family might’ve been entangled with events of the past, he


    lost all pretense of politeness. If they were so eager, then good,e on, bricks needed to beid,


    trenches needed to be dug, and cleanliness needed to be maintained.


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    Lucan treated the troops likeborers, always with a smile, arranging tasks and thanking them so


    courteously that the Rocke family couldn''t even bring themselves to refuse.


    On the fourth day, Dainis sought out vin again, but upon entering the courtyard, she stopped


    dead in her tracks, mouth agape, stunned by the sight before her.


    A round, plump figurey leisurely on a rocking chair, basking in the sun. His head was perfectly


    spherical, shiny, and smooth, devoid of hair, beard, or even a single strand of fuzz, like a peeled


    egg, clean and smooth. His body was equally rotund, gently swaying with the rocking chair, and his


    clothes were undting over his flesh—not quite like “mighty waves” but certainly “gentle ripples.”


    His arms and legs were chubby, sprawled out as he reclined there.


    Dainis was astounded. What sort of wondrous creature could this be? “Who are you?” Dainis


    approached, not recalling any member of the Mallister family fitting this description.


    “Ah, greetings, you must be Dainis,” Balder said, rocking his chair vigorously—perhaps a bit too


    stuck in it, as it took several tries to stand up. He squinted and smiled, his simple charm endearing.


    “You know me?”


    “Of course, the youngdy of the Golden Scorch’s Rocke family, a pleasure indeed.” Balder


    extended his hand for a shake.


    Dainis eyed his pudgy, pristine hand and took a step back. “And who might you be?”


    Balder chuckled, not the least bit embarrassed, retracting his hand naturally. “I’m a friend of


    vin’s.”


    “A friend of vin’s? I’ve never seen you before.”


    “I’ve only just arrived today.”


    “How did you get in? The city gates are sealed.”


    “Lucan let me in.”


    “And what brings you here?” Dainis was delicate and beautiful, with a neck that was particrly


    alluring. Her grace was evident, but her gaze towards Balder clearly held a hint of disdain.


    "I''m here to help vin rebuild Stormcast."


    "You? Rebuild the ancient city? How so?" Dainisughed.


    "Opening shops, constructing new towers, paving roads... the like, I''ve listed it all."


    Dainis realized then that this was a businessman eyeing the opportunity in Stormcast''s restoration.


    "Not a bad vision, seizing the chance formerce in Stormcast''s rebuilding."


    "Oh, it''s nothing, just lending a hand to a friend," Balder said with a chuckle, his demeanor quite


    adorable—strange at first nce, but growing more appealing over time.


    "Which merchant guild do you hail from?" Dainis'' eyes flickered with further disdain.


    "A small one, hardly worth mentioning," Balder humbly nodded.


    "Be off with you."


    "Pardon?"


    "Leave. Stormcast doesn''t need meddling merchants, nor do you have the funds."


    "We could give it a try."


    "I said no, and that''s final. Golden Scorch is more than enough."


    "I''m vin''s friend," Balder touched his bald head.


    "Pleasing vin won''t help. You should ask the right people." Dainis hinted meaningfully. Right now,


    vin needed those who could help him defend the city, not just any small merchant guild.


    However, should the guild offer enough advantage to the Rocke family, they might consider allowing


    it to assist.


    Balder, ever so clever, understood at once and beamed. "I don''t need to please anyone."


    "A shame," Dainis said, no longer engaging with him as she moved toward vin''s chamber.


    "vin is in seclusion; he wishes not to be disturbed," Balder called after her.


    "Seclusion? At a time like this?"


    The room door creaked open, and vin strode out, a smile on his face, looking refreshed and


    invigorated.


    "Is it done?" Balder asked cautiously. He had arrived that morning and was both shocked and


    delighted to hear vin was in seclusion. If sessful, surely Balder’s father would be even more


    pleased. After all, their investment was in vin himself, and the stronger he proved, the more solid


    their backing.