When Ender saw his sister laughing and chatting with Zhong Shenxiu and the others, he was even more bewildered, truly unable to fathom how his sister could be so familiar with these people.
Ender wasn't exactly familiar with Zhong Shenxiu and Robin, but he knew Keni—this woman was a high-ranking executive of the "Dark Chamber of Commerce." It was she who had received them when they visited the "Dark Chamber of Commerce." He had dealings with Keni and knew deeply how complex this woman was!
While he was stunned, Zhong Shenxiu’s group had already approached.
“This is my brother, Eliza.” Then, she turned to Ender, “These are my new friends.”
“We’ve met before!” Keni smiled, making no pretense of not knowing Ender.
“Hello, I didn’t expect to meet you here!” Ender also managed a smile, though it was somewhat stiff.
“Oh, how do you know each other? Didn’t big brother just return from out of town?” Eliza asked, very surprised. She still didn't know Keni's true identity, only that the group belonged to the "Ethereal Mercenary Corps."
Keni didn't answer. Instead, she said with a smile, “Eliza, we’ll be going ahead now.”
Eliza nodded, not asking where Keni and the others were going.
Among the group, only Keni had stopped to exchange a few words; the others merely glanced at Ender without paying him much mind.
After Zhong Shenxiu’s party walked far enough away, Loris, who had been hiding in the distance, finally dared to approach. She was truly speechless regarding Eliza. She had told Eliza about her past experiences and warned her to stay away from these people, yet Eliza hadn't taken it to heart at all.
“Little sister, how do you know them?” Ender asked, his expression not yet fully composed, with a hint of curiosity.
“Just met them by chance!” Eliza answered vaguely, pausing before retorting, “Oh, right, Third Brother, how do you know Sister Keni?”
“Do you know who that Keni you speak of is?” Ender countered.
“I know. She’s the Vice Commander of the ‘Ethereal Mercenary Corps’.” Eliza smiled.
However, upon hearing this, Ender froze: “You… you said she is what?”
“The Vice Commander of the ‘Ethereal Mercenary Corps,’ what’s wrong?” Eliza was thrown off by her brother’s look of shock.
“That’s impossible,” Ender blurted out, his face full of disbelief.
“How is that impossible?” This time it was Eliza’s turn to be curious, and even Loris beside her stared intently at Ender.
“She is a high-ranking executive of the ‘Dark Chamber of Commerce,’ how could she possibly be a mercenary!” Ender declared.
Who didn't know by now that the "Dark Chamber of Commerce" was the mightiest entity? Everyone who worked there was one in ten thousand; even an ordinary employee was an enviable existence in the eyes of outsiders because the benefits and treatment they enjoyed were dozens of times that of other guilds.
Let alone the high-ranking leaders—they were practically the favored children of the world. How could such people deign to be mercenaries? Putting aside the high risk and low pay of mercenary work, just based on Keni’s status, how would she have the time to roam about? There was endless work within the "Dark Chamber of Commerce"! No matter how he looked at it, he couldn't believe Keni was a mercenary; he might have believed it if she were just out for a relaxing tour!
“Third Brother, you… you said Sister Keni is with the ‘Dark Chamber of Commerce’?” Eliza’s eyes widened.
“That’s right. Two years ago, I represented the family to negotiate with the ‘Dark Chamber of Commerce,’ and she was the one who received us,” Ender said, glancing at Eliza. “Didn’t she tell you?”
“No!” Eliza shook her head.
This was earth-shattering news for her. She never imagined that the usually kind and amiable Sister Keni had such a powerful background. That was the "Dark Chamber of Commerce"—its prestige had already overshadowed the combined power of the Five Great Families! Sister Keni was a high-ranking executive there? Heavens! Eliza was rarely shocked, but this time she couldn't control her astonishment! Any person hearing this news would feel the same way she did!
“Right, little sister, do you know who those two children are?” Ender suddenly asked.
He was very concerned about these two children. He remembered clearly that when they met at the auction house, the "Dark Chamber of Commerce" hadn't even been established yet. Moreover, it was highly unusual for the little girl to casually spend hundreds of millions of 'Drill Coins.' The most critical point was that Keni seemed to have some special connection with these two children.
“I’m not too clear about that. But Loris knows.” Eliza then looked towards Loris, who was still lost in thought, “Loris, why don’t you tell my Third Brother what you know?”
Loris jumped, surprised that Eliza had suddenly mentioned her. And to reveal things about those two children? Heavens, wasn't this torture? Truthfully, Loris desperately wanted nothing more to do with those two children. It was only due to her own youthful arrogance back then that she nearly brought disaster upon her family. Although the funds extorted from them had been recovered through two years of effort, reclaiming the money taken as blackmail was no easy feat!
Ender looked at Loris and asked sincerely, “Loris, how much do you know?”
Loris was utterly conflicted. If only she hadn't accepted the gifts; now, having eaten their food and accepted their favors, she was bound by obligation.
After agonizing for a long time, Loris finally managed to say one sentence, which was quite shocking.
“Those two children aren't human, they are devils. Never, ever provoke them!” As she spoke, Loris seemed to shudder slightly.
Ender was stunned by her words. What kind of statement was that? It made no sense!
Eliza, standing nearby, understood Loris's meaning and quickly explained, “Third Brother, Loris once told me that these two children completely destroyed their home. They were so powerful they seemed superhuman!”
Ender stared blankly at his sister again. He understood what she meant, but it sounded entirely boundless and fantastical.
“Is that so? Was it the people from the ‘Dark Chamber of Commerce’?” Ender inquired.
“No,” Loris’s expression turned grim. “At that time, it was only those two children!”
How could that be! Ender smiled faintly, saying nothing more; he had already dismissed it as the girl's exaggeration.
“It’s true, everything I say is fact!” Seeing Ender’s disbelief, Loris grew anxious. “Brother Ender, you must be extremely careful, never provoke those two children! If they ask for anything, agree immediately. Just don't let those two children make a move!”
Ender was left uncertain whether to trust Loris’s serious expression or ignore it. It seemed he needed to investigate this thoroughly! “Little sister, are you on good terms with Keni?” Ender suddenly changed the topic.
“Fairly good. Why?” Eliza looked at Ender, confused.
“Can you put in a good word for us? Ask the ‘Dark Chamber of Commerce’ to cooperate with our ‘Teshila Family,’ even if it’s just to retail one of our products! If this is achieved, it could save our family decades of struggle!” Ender said earnestly.
“I’ll try, but I can’t guarantee success!”
“That’s fine, just bring it up for discussion. If they propose any conditions, just vaguely agree for now; we will handle the specific details later!” Ender instructed.
Eliza nodded, then said, “If you succeed, you have to buy me a present again!”
“Deal! If you really pull this off, I’ll buy you any gift you want. Father will surely reward you handsomely too; you’ll have made a massive contribution to our family!” Ender exclaimed spiritedly.
Eliza smiled sweetly, instantly motivated!
Two more days passed. This time, Zhong Shenxiu and the others were finally going to visit the "Crown Prestige Magic and Martial Academy," the premier academy of the First Academy.
The "Crown Prestige Magic and Martial Academy" was an institution entirely funded by the state, boasting top-tier facilities and instructors. Many princes and princesses of the "Winter Moon Empire" studied there. The sheer extravagance of the "Crown Prestige Magic and Martial Academy" was breathtaking!
Although the "Royal Competition" was imminent and the "Crown Prestige Magic and Martial Academy" was sure to be crowded with visitors, once inside, there was no feeling of congestion at all. It was rumored that the grounds occupied one-tenth of the "Capital City."
Walking along paths paved with green jade, they were flanked by lush trees and vegetation, along with many colorful, competing flowers; however, these sights were overshadowed by the surrounding students dressed in magnificent attire.
As Zhong Shenxiu and the others strolled forward, their own clothing appeared much plainer compared to the outfits of the other students.
Just as Zhong Shenxiu’s group was moving ahead, a contingent of people approached from the front—nearly several hundred strong, a long line, all uniformly and neatly equipped; clearly, they were official guards.
Leading them was a burly middle-aged man, perhaps in his early forties, with a square jaw, a sharply chiseled nose bridge, and a pair of piercing eyes fixed straight ahead. This man’s pedigree was significant—he was Patrick, the Chief Commander of the Imperial Guard of the "Winter Moon Empire," and also the youngest Sword God in the entire "Winter Moon Empire"!
Flanking Patrick on both sides were two other individuals whose backgrounds were unclear, but their status must have been considerable!
Since the road was wide, Zhong Shenxiu’s group passed by the contingent without stopping. Patrick also paid little attention to Zhong Shenxiu’s group, as too many people were visiting; it was impossible to scrutinize everyone!
But after they had walked forward a short distance, the person to Patrick’s left suddenly stopped, his face etched with astonishment!
Patrick quickly inquired what was wrong, and the man replied in a tone of utter disbelief:
“That little girl we just passed… I’ve seen her before. She is the little princess of the ‘Brilliant Kingdom’! What is she doing here?”
[Note to dear readers: The current chapter has reached the final page of this book.]