Chapter 145: Where the Heart Wants

Looking at the momentum

Standing in front of him, Marlene, Rod could only sigh helplessly.

He didn't plan to sign a contract with Marlene from the beginning, although this eldest lady did have a lot of influence and combat ability in the mercenary group, and it can even be said that in some ways, she was already a qualified deputy leader. However, Rhodes also knew that it was impossible to keep Marlene here.

The reason is simple, because she is Marlene. Shania.

For the aristocracy, the surname behind them was far more important than the name in front of them.

Frankly speaking, it's like a big company's daughter going to work in a fast food restaurant, if you work for a few months, then those enlightened bosses will not only not stop you, but may also support you to experience life more. But if you say that you plan to work in a fast food restaurant for several years——— then no one will have a good face.

And Marlene never behaved like a mercenary within Starlight, she didn't distribute the spoils of war, and she had no interest in these rewards. According to her own words, she did come here to absorb combat experience. But she is not interested in anything else, although Marlene is also very good at commanding and pacifying the team, but it is not that she wants to fight for power and profit, she is just used to giving orders on weekdays as the eldest lady. This is the instinctive consciousness of a superior person, sometimes Rhodes can't take care of it, and the others have little experience, so Marlene will stand up on her own.

It can be said that as an assistant, she is very competent, but as a mercenary, she is far from it. So Rhodes never thought about making Marlene a mercenary.

Of course, he could also choose to use the contract to tie up this genius mage to him. However, Rhodes is well aware of the consequences of this, although the law protects all contractual behavior, but a large family like Shania will not care about this kind of thing. On the contrary, if it really them off, then it is not a good thing for Rod either. Coupled with the fact that the Shania family is the backbone of the royal party, there is no need for Rhodes to find potential trouble for himself.

"I think you know who you are, Marlene, you're a mage, but not a mercenary."

As he spoke, Rhodes made a gesture for her to calm down.

"And the Shania family will not agree to this kind of behavior, as for the content of the contract, I think you have also read it, do you think that as the successor of the Shania family, can you accept it?"

Hearing this, Marlene's face changed, and then she sat down in her chair as if she had lost her strength.

Of course, she knew very well that if she decided to do so as "Marlene", she would definitely be able to accept it. But to have her as "Marlene. Shania: "It's going to be very difficult to decide.

Rod also knew this, so he didn't plan to sign a contract with her from the beginning, so as to avoid Marlene's embarrassment, because this was tantamount to forcing her to choose between the mercenary group and her own family, and out of his understanding of Marlene, Rod was sure that she would never choose the former. Marlene is a very rational person, she has been strictly educated since she was a child, and she is very clear about the priority of things, and she will never be emotional in this kind of thing.

So instead of embarrassing both parties by bringing it up yourself, it's better to simply not talk about it from the beginning. However, Rhodes can also understand Marlene's attitude when she comes to the door to ask for guilt, after all, she has been in Starlight for so long and already has feelings for this place. Now that Rhodes has given everyone else a contract and excluded himself, it will inevitably make her think a little bit, which is a normal thing.

Rhodes himself didn't know how long Marlene would be able to stay in the mercenary group, but he knew very well that this eldest lady shouldn't stay too long, although frankly speaking, it was indeed much easier to have such a genius mage by his side, but Rhodes still had to consider the changes in the mercenary group after Marlene left. If he could, he hoped to find a few real mages through Marlene and invite them to join the mercenary group, the level was not too high, even if it was just the outer ring level, it would be enough for Rhodes. And he believes that the strength of the people Marlene knows should not be too bad. Because this eldest lady is a very proud person herself, and she disdains to be with those "mortals", there should be no problem with people who can be recognized by her. …,

But these things are not going to be done by Rhodes now, after all, it is not yet time. He believed that when Marlene was leaving, she would think about it herself, after all, this eldest lady was a very responsible person.

But Marlene's performance was still beyond Rod's expectations.

She sat in her chair and was silent for a long time, and then slowly raised her head, but said something that surprised Rod.

"So, in other words, if my family can approve of it, I will be able to get this contract like Lijie?"

"This ............"

Hearing this, Rod was stunned, how could he not think that Marlene would care so much about this thing, it would not be good for her?

"It's not as simple as you think, Miss Marlene."

Thinking of this, Rod planned to open the skylight and speak brightly, making everything clear.

"I think you've been with us for so long, and you pretty much understand what a mercenary is. I can tell that you don't have much interest in the mercenary industry itself, you're just adventurous, so I don't think you need to sign such a contract, it's not good for either of us. ”

"I know that very well."

Marlene nodded slightly, but she was still a little unwilling.

"But...... I still hope to be treated the same way by Lijie, after all, ........."

Saying this, Marlene suddenly realized that she seemed to have said something wrong, and hurriedly shut up. Hearing her words, Rod was a little puzzled in his heart.

He only now realized that Marlene had been mentioning Lijie from the beginning, and seemed to complain that since she was given a contract, she should give herself a contract, so that it would be fair to treat everyone equally. However, Marlene should be very aware of Lijie's status in this mercenary group, how could she think of such a childish idea as if a child complains about giving candy to others but not giving it to herself?

Isn't this scientific?

"Anyway........."

Under Rod's thoughtful gaze, Marlene coughed in embarrassment, and a slight flush flashed across her face.

"I can understand what you mean, Mr. Rhodes, but I think I've done a lot for Starlight anyway, and I feel like I have the right to ask for similar treatment, and as for the family, I think you can rest assured, I don't think they care too much about it. No matter what, I want to be the most special one here. ”

“………… I'll think about it. ”

In the end, in the face of Marlene's confession, Rod only nodded slightly and responded.

“………… Whew............"

After returning to her room, Marlene leaned against the door panel and let out a long sigh, she reached out and pressed her chest, she could feel her heart beating violently.

As a smart woman, Marlene is well aware that she is a bit vexatious, and she also understands that Rhodes is doing it for her own good. But she didn't know what it was, and Marlene always felt a little upset when she saw Lijie and Anne smiling and discussing a contract related to her future life. The feeling of being ostracized made her very uncomfortable.

This kind of exclusion is not strange to Marlene, especially as the heir to a large family, as a magical genius, she is often ostracized. Those who are inferior to her in status, wealth and reputation avoid her, and those who are inferior to her in strength and talent also exclude her, but these have no effect on Marlene. She didn't feel that she was being excluded, on the contrary, she thought that it was a sign of her success, and that the so-called high place was unbearable, although Marlene didn't know what to say, but she could still understand similar meanings.

But in Starlight, Marlene's previous thoughts gradually disappeared. ..., she and the people here get along well, Lijie, Annie, and the others, although those mercenaries are not friends with her, but interacting with them makes Marlene feel much easier than socializing with those classmates in the academy. They don't care about their family, they don't care who they are. Showing favor to her purely because of her own strength made Marlene feel very comfortable. She also felt that she had made the right decision to come to Starlight in the first place.

So although she can understand Rod's approach, she still hopes that she can get a contract like everyone else, Marlene knows very well that this is how people are connected by some of the same things, and she is very comfortable here now, so naturally she doesn't want any unpleasant scenes.

But Marlene also knows very well that these are her excuses.

Her main reason is ............

Thinking of this, Marlene shook her head, leaving the thought that annoyed her to the back of her mind, and then, she took a deep breath and calmed down. Then the girl took out a badge from her bosom, placed it on the table, and began to sing in a low voice.

Accompanied by a low, intricate incantation, the jewels set in the badge lit up, and then they radiated a soft glow. Soon an illusory figure was formed, a man of nearly fifty years old, his body straight, his hair meticulously combed back, and his straight black robe set off the man's tall figure. He held a white staff in his hand and looked at the girl in front of him with a serious face.

At the same time, a low, majestic voice rang out.

"Long time no see, my child."

"Father, I haven't seen you for a long time, but your complexion is still as good as ever."

Marlene lifted the hem of her skirt and bowed respectfully to the man.

"You too, my child, I feel much more relieved to see that you are still so energetic."

Speaking of this, a gentle smile appeared on the man's face, although it was rare, but Marlene still felt the care and tenderness in it.

"I've heard from Mr. Serek about you, and I've heard that you've joined a very interesting mercenary group, so is there anything you want to do with me this time?"

"Exactly, Father."

Hearing this, Marlene coughed lightly, and then she spoke with a hint of pride on her face.

"The reason why I contacted you this time is because there are two things I need to report to you."

"Oh? What are the two things? ”

"The first thing is about my current progress, Father, I can be very sure that I have broken through the sixth layer of the Central Ring and am about to touch the edge of the fifth layer of the soul ring."

"Oh?!"

Hearing this, the man's face showed obvious surprise and joy for the first time.

"So fast? It seems that you are doing a good job, my child, but you still have to remember that the way of magic is most taboo and arrogant, and although it is good that you can improve in such a short period of time, it is still necessary to guard against arrogance and rashness, and to establish a solid foundation. ”

"Yes, Father, I will remember it."

Hearing the man's admonition, Marlene bowed deeply, she had become accustomed to her father's almost cumbersome advice, and at first she felt that her father was annoying. But now, she has understood very well that this is a manifestation of her father's love for her.

So, what's the second thing? You've told me a good thing, and I hope it won't be a bad thing. ”

"Not really, Father, I think you will be very interested in the second thing."

Saying this, Marlene raised her head, her face was slightly flushed, but her eyebrows revealed indescribable excitement and seriousness.

"I can be sure that I have searched for the king of my destiny, the guardian knight under the stars, the time when we of the Shania family have been waiting for all this time, the Void Star Statue will return to this continent, is coming!"

!#……，