Henwell leisurely enjoys lunch in the hotel lobby as Mishasa, dressed in an elegant gown, descends the stairs accompanied by the female attendants.

  Mishasa wears a white dress that cleverly conceals all her wounds.

  Henwell lightly cps his hands. “You’re still very beautiful. Women should dress up more. Look at your previous outfit, it made you look like a female adventurer, which isn’t the image a businessperson should have.”

  ”Business is rgely about appearances. Clothes make the man, as they say! With that outfit, how could you possibly borrow money? If you went out dressed like this, I’m sure things would turn out very differently.”

  Mishasa pulls out a chair and sits down. “I’m not just a pretty face. In our line of work, real skills matter. A pretty face alone can’t keep a fleet running.”

  Henwell shrugs and pushes the menu toward her. “I ordered some food for you. If you don’t like something, feel free to order more.”

  As Mishasa scans the menu, Henwell continues, “Don’t underestimate being a ‘vase’—keeping your beauty is partly a gift from above, but it also takes a lot of effort to maintain.”

  ”Beauty is never easy, especially sustained beauty. As for your fleet business, yes, it requires real skills, but that doesn’t mean looks don’t matter. If you were a skilled ‘vase,’ I think a lot of things could change.”

  Mishasa doesn’t argue further on the topic but fixes Henwell with a sharp gaze. “What exactly do you want me to do? Who do you represent?”

  Henwell swirls the golden drink in his gss. “Is that what you want to know? I’ll answer three questions. Start asking now. Think carefully about what to ask—and what not to. It’s important for you.”

  Mishasa replies, “You probably want my fleet. But with your strength, you could take any fleet. The fact you’re making this complicated suggests you don’t want to attract attention, you prefer to control a fleet quietly. You must have official backing, and this must be a big deal. So, am I right?”

  Henwell extends his index finger and smiles. “Heh… what a cunning woman! Fine, I’ll count that as your first question. You’re pretty close. Basically, yes, I need a fleet, and you happen to have one.”

  Mishasa thinks for a moment before asking, “Then my second question: Sir, is this dangerous? Or to put it another way, will we be dealt with afterward?”

  Henwell shrugs and holds up two fingers. “Of course it’s dangerous! Nothing worthwhile comes easy, especially making big money, that’s always full of risks. You should know this well. With so much profit in a fleet, why do only a few people manage it? Because of all the uncertainties.”

  ”Outsiders only see the overflowing wealth you make but don’t see the dangers behind it. A natural disaster, a man-made catastrophe, or a ridiculous accident could wipe you out completely. One wrong move, and you end up where you are now. So yes, risks are inevitable.”

  ”But as your fleet would say, the bigger the waves, the pricier the fish! As for what happens to you afterward, that depends on how you handle things.”

  ”This world runs on order and rules. If you follow the rules, so will I. You focus on making money and don’t cause unnecessary trouble or interfere with us, and you’ll never get dragged in too deep.”

  After a long silence, Mishasa asks her final question: “Who are you?!”

  Henwell tilts his head, looking at her. “This is a rare chance for you to talk with me. It might be the only one you get in your lifetime. I suggest you ask a more important question. Just asking for my name seems a bit reckless.”

  Mishasa replies firmly, “At the very least, I need to know whom I’m loyal to. I deserve to know the name of the person who saved me.”

  Henwell gives a thumbs-up, holding up three fingers. “Alright, if you insist, that’s your third question. My name’s Henwell. As for my full name, it’s long. And honestly, it’s better if you don’t know it. Also, I warn you: don’t try to dig into who I really am. Sometimes, just knowing a name can bring a death sentence.”

  Realizing Henwell isn’t joking, Mishasa nods and commits the name firmly to memory.

  She bows her head to Henwell. “Then, Sir Henwell, Mishasa and the White Scarf Fleet are at your service from now on.”

  Henwell snaps his fingers, and suddenly a metal card flips out from between them.

  He pces the finely crafted metal card on the table and pushes it toward Mishasa.

  “This is an unregistered card from the Federation’s treasury, loaded with ten thousand gold coins.”

  Mishasa recognizes this type of card—used for rge-scale trade because of its convenience.

  It bears intricate anti-counterfeit marks and some extraordinary magical patterns.

  Ordinary people simply can’t forge it.

  Those who could dare not attempt it.

  The front of the card dispys the sun crown symbol of the Groias Empire, while the back features the ptinum cross of the Holy Spirit Church.

  This card is jointly issued by the two giants of the Western Federation. Anyone who dares to counterfeit it is openly provoking both powers.

  At that point, everyone involved—including the forger—will face the Groias Empire’s shadowy bde and the Church’s Padins.

  Though the amount on the card isn’t huge, it represents something far greater.

  Henwell’s ability to procure such a card alone proves the strength backing him.

  Not just anyone can get a hold of these cards, especially unregistered ones.

  It requires powerful connections and status, something untouchable in Mishasa’s eyes.

  The card’s collector value alone exceeds a thousand gold coins.

  Lost in thought, Mishasa listens as Henwell continues, “I’ve already sent out the letters. Within three days, someone will arrive with more money. At the same time, people will come to assist you. They won’t interfere with your operations, they’ll mainly ensure your safety.”

  ”Of course, if you feel uncomfortable, they don’t have to show up. If you face tricky enemies, you can request their help; they’ll make those obstacles disappear.”

  ”But I must warn you: every person they eliminate must be someone hindering the fleet’s business, not just anyone you want out of the way.”

  ”As you said, if I wanted, I could find plenty of partners. I just don’t want the trouble. You’re a smart woman, you should understand that people like us usually avoid unnecessary trouble.”

  Mishasa nods seriously. “Rest assured, Sir Henwell, I won’t be a burden to you.”