But they were originally going to the Ash Woods, so this matter is not really a hassle.

He instinctively wanted to agree, but suddenly, as if struck by divine insight, he impulsively asked, "Going to the Ash Woods? I've heard that place...?"

"Of course, of course..." The Baron seemed afraid he wouldn't agree—he probably had already sought out many adventurers these days, only to be rejected one by one. He clearly knew what kind of place the Ash Woods was.

He cautiously said, "Letting you pass through is just incidental... You can treat this like a regular commission task, and I can offer you additional rewards..."

Fang Hong was startled; he had said that only to get a map, because the records indicated that the Dulun City Guards had a detailed map of the Ash Woods area. But he hadn't expected that with a moment's hesitation, the other party actually increased the offer.

This was indeed a pleasant surprise.

So, he decided not to mention the map anymore, for fear the other party might renege, and simply nodded subtly.

He turned back, ready to have Atira draft the adventurer's contract, but suddenly frowned, turned back again, and said, "Wait, I have another request—"

"Another request?" The Baron now showed a hint of dissatisfaction, feeling that these people seemed a bit greedy, thinking that the terms he offered were already quite generous.

However, Fang Hong shook his head, "Nothing else, just certain requirements for the form of the contract."

"Oh?" The Baron's tense expression relaxed: "What requirements?"

"Well... we are going to Dulun because of a task at hand, and time is not abundant. In fact, if we are to complete your task, the deadline is even tighter." Fang Hong suddenly realized he had learned to lie well, speaking without blushing or stammering.

He didn't know whether this was good or bad, and simply continued, "So I hope this contract can be completed in the form of a ranged contract."

"A ranged contract?" The Baron was surprised.

He appeared somewhat hesitant, "A ranged contract isn't impossible, but Lady Roman isn't so easy to deal with..." A ranged contract is naturally one of the 'business methods' of the Commercial Goddess, meaning that, under her witness, the commissioning party first hands over the reward to be safeguarded by her divine strength, and it automatically transfers to the receiving party upon task completion.

However, since it requires divine strength, Lady Roman's commission is naturally not cheap, so such contract forms are rarely used even among adventurers.

Nonetheless, Fang Hong was unusually unconcerned about this loss, shook his head, and said, "No problem, we'll cover the procedural costs."

The Baron seemed unable to find any arguments against it for the moment, and could only agree: "Well then... alright, let's do it. But if those people are still alive, you should at least bring them to a safe place."

"And if they're dead..." He paused, "I will still need some evidence to prove it."

"Sure," Fang Hong agreed very swiftly, "Rest assured, sir—under the Scales, Lady Roman will guarantee your rights."

"Under the Scales." The Baron then nodded.

Then both parties drafted the contract under the witness of Lady Roman, sealed with the heraldry wax stamp of the Commercial Goddess, and each kept a copy. Fang Hong then bid farewell to the other party and left the Tulip Fortress under the guidance of the clerk.

The three walked out of the city gate, across the drawbridge, and only when the clerk turned around did Atira speak up in a low voice, "Ade, we actually aren't in such a hurry."

"I know, Miss Atira." Fang Hong replied.

Sophie obviously caught the implication: "So you changed your tune earlier, didn't you? Ranged contracts are rare, the Goddess takes one-third of the cut, even natives rarely use this contract form..."

"Did you discover something, Ade?" Atira asked at this point.

Fang Hong glanced at the Tulip Fortress behind them, gently shook his head, and only signaled with his eyes that this question should be discussed later.

He had certainly noticed some things, and those things were indeed related to them.

...

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