Underground Poisson, at the entrance of the Spina di Rosula stronghold.
Ron's brows were tightly furrowed. His left hand gripped his right arm, and he walked with a limp.
It hurt too much.
Just now, when he was climbing down the iron ladder, he had accidentally slipped and fallen straight off it.
It wasn't high, only three or four meters.
But for Ron, who had not yet obtained a Vision, that was already a dangerous fall, and his frail body simply couldn't withstand it.
Silver asked earnestly, "Mr. Ron, do you need treatment first?"
Ron shook his head. "Let's talk about the commission first… The content of my commission is—"
Before Ron could finish speaking—
Suddenly—
The gate of the Spina di Rosula stronghold opened.
A clear and pleasant Damselette's voice came from beside Ron:"You must be this time's client. Just as Silver said, dressed in tack—"
"Ahem, dressed in strange foreign attire. A foreigner."
The Damselette had exquisite features and healthy, radiant skin.
Above her long golden curls, she wore a large black top hat, and above her prominently rising chest was a sparkling sapphire necklace.
Her luxurious attire and elegant demeanor showcased her extraordinary status.
With just one glance—
Ron recognized her. Standing before him was none other than Navia, someone he was extremely familiar with: the second-generation leader of the Spina di Rosula.
[What a coincidence. I arrive and immediately meet such an important person!]
[She really is the leader, the boss, the Demoiselle of Spina di Rosula. This outfit, this temperament… far superior to that girl Mona!]
She was slightly different from the Navia in the game.
In reality, Navia's first impression was even more stunning—an exquisite and pretty face, smooth skin, and beautiful attire.
Even if one didn't know her, one could tell her extraordinary nature at a glance.
Most importantly—
Despite being a noble Demoiselle, she had no aloofness. Instead, she felt approachable.
If it weren't for his engagement—
Perhaps the moment Ron first saw Navia, he would have fallen for this energetic Damselette.
Navia also looked at Ron, a hint of doubt in her eyes.
"Huh?????"
What was that sound??
As the two looked at each other, neither of them had spoken, yet she heard a strange, blurry voice.
Although she didn't hear it clearly—
Navia was certain the strange sound didn't come from Melus or Silver.
Could it be—
Was she hallucinating from working too hard??
Melus reminded her, "Demoiselle, the client is waiting."
Navia realized her lapse and smiled to dissolve the awkwardness.
"Oh right, you're a foreigner, so you probably don't know us on your first meeting. Let me introduce us first."
"This is Melus, and this is Silver."
"And I am the current leader of the famous Spina di Rosula—Navia."
Silver: "Attendant, Silver."
Melus: "I am Melus, the butler of the Spina di Rosula."
No introductions were needed.
Ron, of course, knew all of them.
"My name is Ron, and I am this time's client."
[The famous baking trio—how could I not know them?]
[Melus and Silver, both loyal supporters of the Spina di Rosula, Navia's right-hand aides who have assisted her for years and made great contributions!]
[Alas, it's a pity… these two are about to die!]
[Cherish the time they are still here!]
Hmm???
Navia raised an eyebrow, momentarily stunned.
She heard it again.
A strange voice.
And this time, she heard it clearly. Every word reached her ears with perfect clarity.
He said he knew Melus and Silver…He said Melus and Silver were about to die…He said to cherish the time they were still alive…
Who was secretly talking nonsense??
Navia frowned and looked around, irritation in her eyes.
Besides Melus, Silver, and the client Ron, there was no one else.
Judging from the tone and the content—
It wasn't hard to guess that the strange sound most likely came from the foreigner in front of her.
Thinking of this—
Navia felt annoyed.
He came to commission the Spina di Rosula for help, yet he spoke ill of the Spina di Rosula and even cursed Melus and Silver to die.
She had never met such a client before.
However—
What puzzled her was that Melus and Silver were closer to Ron, yet they showed no reaction whatsoever to the strange voice.
Could it be—
Only Navia could hear this voice?
Her expression grew solemn.
"Speak. What is the specific content of your commission? Resolving disputes, providing protection, or solving problems?"
"I'll tell you in advance—don't even think about making the Spina di Rosula do anything illegal."
Because Ron had cursed Melus and Silver, Navia's first impression of him was not good.
She now regarded him as someone who didn't understand rules, talked nonsense, cursed others, and had an impure heart.
If it was an excessive commission, she would refuse.
Seeing Navia's stern expression—
Melus and Silver beside her were confused, not knowing what had happened.
Ron was also completely bewildered.
What's going on??
If he remembered correctly, wasn't Navia's personality supposed to be good?
Cheerful, optimistic, warm-hearted.
She even made macarons for the Traveler upon their first meeting.
Why, when it came to Ron, was there no warm reception—only impatience?
[Grass, a Sumeru element!]
[Logically speaking, isn't the Spina di Rosula's economic situation very bad right now? Shouldn't Navia be treating clients well? Why does she look so impatient?]
[What kind of look is that?? Why does she look at me like I'm a bad guy?? Do I look like a bad guy??]
[Something's off! Her characterization is strange!]
[Could it be… a pirated allogene??]
Navia: "…"
So she was right.
The source of the strange voice was indeed the foreigner Ron.
And—
Despite this being their first meeting, he seemed very familiar with the Spina di Rosula.
A very suspicious person.
Before Navia could speak—
Ron already explained his commission:"The commission I want is for you to help me find the owner of the other half of this gem."
As soon as he said it—
Ron took out the half-gem symbolizing his engagement and handed it to Navia.
"How is it? Can you take on such a commission?"
Even though the current Spina di Rosula was not what it used to be—
A lean camel was still larger than a horse. Using their intelligence network, it wasn't difficult to find a person.
Navia raised an eyebrow. "A gem?"
The moment she saw the gem—
She froze on the spot.
A flash of panic and surprise crossed her eyes, as if she was shocked by the sudden appearance of the half-gem.