Chapter 588 - 513: The Sincerity of "Viper" Grom

Chapter 588: Chapter 513: The Sincerity of "Viper" Grom

A human subordinate nearby, dressed in common clothes but with sharp, alert eyes, hurried forward. With both hands, he presented a small, heavy pouch sewn from thick leather to Viper.

"This is a small token of our apology. Two hundred Golden Crowns of fine quality, accepted at any respectable merchant guild."

Viper rested the pouch in his palm. He didn’t hand it directly to Roland, but rather displayed it for a moment before gently placing it on the wooden surface of a nearby stall that hadn’t been overturned.

"I hope this might somewhat compensate for the unpleasantness you’ve experienced during your visit."

Then, his tone shifted, and his voice grew lower.

"Additionally, as a deeper apology and a show of my personal respect for your strength... I heard my men mention that you seem to be searching for an elusive traveling merchant?"

Grom’s pupils constricted to pinpricks.

"Tonight at midnight, in the deepest part of the quarry, there will be a small-scale ’Dark Moon Gathering’."

"It’s not a place just anyone can set foot in. It’s typically only open to... ah, vetted ’partners’. The items that circulate inside are quite different from the ’common wares’ you see on these outdoor stalls."

As he spoke, he produced a folded, palm-sized card of stiff, deep-black paper from inside his short robe.

The card’s edge was embossed with an extremely thin silver border. On its face, an abstract design was drawn in a faintly shimmering silver ink—a crescent moon, seemingly closed, interwoven with a key.

"If you’re interested, you should come and see for yourself. Perhaps you’ll find the person you’re looking for, or... something else that piques your interest."

Viper placed this special "invitation" gently beside the money pouch.

"Of course, this is merely an invitation made in good faith. Whether you attend is entirely up to you."

Having done all this, Grom gave Roland another slight nod, his posture still maintaining a rigid formality.

He said no more, waiting silently for Roland’s response.

"Two hundred... Golden Crowns?"

Roland glanced at the pouch on the wooden board.

’I’ve only just arrived in this "past" point in time, so I’m not yet familiar with the local currency.’

’But from the unconcealable greed and fervent gazes that suddenly lit up the eyes of many onlookers, I can clearly tell this is no small sum.’

’This goblin, Grom, has certainly shown enough "sincerity," at least when it comes to handling conflicts and offering "apologies."’

’As for that "Dark Moon Gathering" ticket...’

’My primary purpose here is to find that mysterious merchant, trace the source of the Secret Imprisonment Dice, and use that lead to track down Avril and my other companions.’

’Grom described the Dark Moon Gathering as mysterious and exclusive, but based on Ogre’s prior intelligence and the goblin’s own hints, it sounds more like an underground auction or a secret trade meet with restricted entry. A place that specializes in "special items" hard to find even on the regular black market.’

’It’s not that I’m completely uninterested in whatever strange artifacts might show up.’

’But I’m also well aware that I don’t have the funds to participate in that level of bidding.’

’The real value of this "invitation" is that it provides a potential channel to contact my target, and it’s a signal from Grom that he’s willing to engage further.’

’Still, judging from the gesture and the invitation, Grom’s "sincerity"—or perhaps, his "intent to invest"—is already quite obvious.’

At this thought, Roland’s gaze moved past Grom and settled on the despondent Tiefling, Malok, behind him. He was clutching his broken arm, his face the color of ash.

The cold killing intent that had risen in his heart from the brazen sneak attack slowly subsided.

’I came to this abandoned quarry to find answers, not to start a bloodbath with the local bosses.’

’Since the man in charge has stepped forward to resolve the conflict in such a "respectable" way, offering me an out, I’m not the type to be tactless and press the issue.’

’Besides, looking at Malok’s condition, and considering the punishment Grom just announced—which sounded like it would be carried out somewhere far from pleasant...’

’The guy probably won’t have the ability or the inclination to cause me any more trouble.’

His mind made up, Roland hesitated no longer.

He slowly reached out and picked up the heavy pouch and the silver-edged black card from the board. Without a glance, he casually tossed them over his shoulder.

Ogre reacted instantly, catching both items securely in his uninjured left hand and carefully stowing them away.

The stern, cold expression on Roland’s face melted away like ice, replaced by a perfectly measured smile as he nodded at the goblin, Grom.

"Mr. Grom, your fair handling of this matter is impressive. I accept your apology. As for the invitation... I will consider it."

"I hope that if I have the pleasure of attending tonight, I will see something truly interesting."

"But of course, honored sir."

A standard smile stretched across Grom Shadow Scale’s wrinkled green face, and a glint of satisfaction flashed in his yellow eyes.

"I look forward to your visit tonight. In that case, I won’t disturb you any further. May you find what you’re looking for here."

With that, the goblin bowed slightly again, his courtesy impeccable.

He then turned and gave a meaningful glance to his men. Someone immediately stepped forward, hoisted the limp Malok from the ground as if he were a sack of cargo, and quickly vanished into the crowd and the Shadows.

Grom himself, along with his core subordinates, retreated at a measured pace into the Darkness of the mine shaft beyond.