Chapter 426 201: "Do You Want Revenge?

One hundred Witch Blood Potions...

This wasn't just asking for his life.

It was an amount he couldn't produce even if he worked himself to death.

Given Lauden's current position and abilities, even if he recovered all the Holy Sanctuary's statues, he could at most procure another five Witch Blood Potions. Where on earth was he supposed to find the other ninety-five?

Lauden suddenly thought that giving half of the task to Mr. Gomez might not be such a bad idea.

No, half wasn't enough.

He should give him more.

Best to give it all away. He could just assist from the sidelines...

And so.

The moment he left the hotel, Lauden made a beeline for Gomez's office.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

Lauden knocked on the door.

"Come in," Gomez said.

Lauden pushed the door open and went in.

When Gomez saw it was him, a warm, friendly smile spread across his face. "So? Have you determined what Mr. Blake needs?" he asked.

Lauden didn't answer right away. Instead, he said with a grave expression, "Mr. Gomez, thank you."

Gomez was baffled.

He asked, perplexed, "What are you thanking me for all of a sudden?"

Lauden said earnestly, "After I returned from your home last night, Mr. Gomez, I thought long and hard."

"Ever since I came to Blake City, you've taken such good care of me, Mr. Gomez. You've treated me like your own son, always thinking of me whenever an opportunity arose. In my heart, I've always considered you a father figure."

"And how could a father possibly harm his son?"

"I was just too excited and full of myself after seeing Mr. Blake last night, which is why I talked back to you. After I calmed down, I came to understand your good intentions. I realized you truly want to help me. After all, this is a task from Mr. Blake himself. No matter how small, it's a huge deal for us. You were just worried I wouldn't do a good enough job, that I'd leave a bad impression on Mr. Blake and ruin my future prospects."

"So, thank you, Mr. Gomez."

Lauden continued, "I've decided to hand over full responsibility for this task to you. I'm still your subordinate, and I'll follow your orders completely."

As he spoke, he gave Gomez a deep, formal bow and presented the folded list of materials with both hands.

Gomez was astonished. 'What's gotten into this kid?' he thought. 'Why the sudden personality change? He's become so... obedient and sensible.'

Last night they were practically comparing whose dad was more powerful, and today Lauden was here calling *him* dad...

'Has he really thought it through? Matured? Understood who truly has his best interests at heart?'

At this possibility, Gomez smiled, gratified.

"Excellent, excellent. You... you're so sensible. My efforts to cultivate you haven't been in vain."

He didn't suspect a thing.

'What kind of trick could there be when it comes to Mr. Blake's affairs?'

Besides, Lauden wouldn't dare use Mr. Blake's name to deceive him.

Gomez was genuinely pleased. He said, "Rest assured, I'm not like those other politicians and officials. I won't hog all the credit. Once this is all taken care of, if I get a chance to meet with Mr. Blake, I'll be sure to tell him the truth. You'll get every bit of the reward you deserve."

Ultimately, he just wanted some face time with Mr. Blake, to make himself a familiar presence.

Receiving praise from Mr. Blake would be ideal, of course, but it was fine if he didn't. There would be plenty of time. As a Grand Mage, he would have many more opportunities to work for Mr. Blake and earn merit for the Holy Sanctuary.

It was for the best that Lauden could understand this.

Gomez was very pleased.

Until he took the list from Lauden, opened it, and glanced inside.

Wine of Imagination x100

Bloody Maria x100

Forbidden Night x100

Witch Blood Potion x100...

Gomez: ????

His eyes went wide. "This much?!"

Lauden tilted his head. "Is it a lot?"

Gomez: "Is it *not* a lot?!"

"It's manageable," Lauden said, full of confidence. "It might be difficult for others, but for Mr. Gomez, a few hundred bottles of Magic Potions are a trivial matter!"

"Mr. Gomez, I believe in you! With your abilities, you'll be able to lead your subordinates to complete Mr. Blake's task perfectly in less than three days. When that happens, you'll be Mr. Blake's Spokesperson in Blake City! And when the Holy Sanctuary is one day rebuilt, there will surely be a seat for you at the Table of Truth!"

Gomez: ???

'Are you even listening to yourself?'

'What do you mean, *a mere few hundred bottles of Magic Potions*?!'

'And in less than three days...'

'Three years is more like it!'

Looking at Lauden's earnest, trusting expression, Gomez really wanted to punch him.

'So that's why he wanted to give me the task. This was his plan all along!'

"Mr. Gomez?"

"What's wrong?"

"Why aren't you saying anything?"

Lauden asked, looking utterly perplexed, "Mr. Blake's task is in your hands now. Shouldn't you be happy?"

He was putting on quite an act.

Gomez decisively snapped the list shut, folded it, and placed it right back into Lauden's hands.

He cleared his throat. "I've thought about it, and... no. Let's just forget it."

"After all, I'm your superior. Your elder."

"As an elder, how could I possibly snatch credit from my junior?"

"The world belongs to you young people, after all..."

"You've been in Blake City for so many years, and I've seen what you're capable of. No one is more suited for this task than you."

Gomez grasped his hand. "So, you just go for it, Lauden. I believe in you. With your abilities, you won't let Mr. Blake down!"

"No, no, no." Lauden quickly shoved the list back into Gomez's hands. "This is too important! I'm young and inexperienced; I'm afraid I'll mess up Mr. Blake's important business. A responsibility this heavy needs a Grand Mage like you to be in charge, Mr. Gomez."

"No, no, no." Gomez shoved the list back again. "It is precisely *because* you're young that you need to be tested! This is a golden opportunity. If you can win Mr. Blake's favor, your future will be limitless."