Meanwhile, outside Lothar’s capital, the Cloudspire Harbor region served as the kingdom’s central island.
The area was vast, densely populated, and extraordinarily prosperous. It was the busiest trade hub in the entire surrounding sea.
Under John’s guidance, the two jailers took a ship across the water and successfully brought him ashore.
The moment they landed, John began walking purposefully in a certain direction.
The two jailers followed close behind him, their eyes filled with feverish anticipation. Their bodies were even trembling from excitement.
The jailer on the left had already begun imagining his future life.
"With this fortune, I can have my uncle pull some strings and secure me a high-ranking official position."
"I’ll rise to prominence overnight and enjoy endless wealth and glory for the rest of my life."
Lost in his fantasy, even his footsteps seemed to become light and unsteady.
The jailer on the right was equally immersed in his own imaginary future.
"Once I become rich, I’ll buy countless mansions and shops."
"All those beautiful women will marry me, and the entire district will become my personal property."
"After that, all I’ll need to do is collect rent and enjoy myself."
"I’ll live in luxury for the rest of my life."
Both men were completely consumed by greed.
Neither noticed that John’s gaze was gradually becoming deeper and more calculating.
John had only just entered the capital and was unfamiliar with everything around him.
He could only rely on his instincts as he slowly moved forward, observing his surroundings and searching for an opportunity to break free.
Before long, a massive tavern appeared around the corner of a distant street.
Several wooden signs hung outside its entrance, their writing clearly visible.
This tavern is permanently recruiting sailors and laborers between the ages of fifteen and sixty.
Anyone within this age range may apply.
This tavern provides private sailor-recruitment services for wealthy merchants. Fair prices, dependable service, permanently available.
Professional headhunting services. We provide rare and highly sought-after talent for factions, merchants, nobles, and other influential clients.
The moment John saw the information on the signs, his eyes flickered.
A complete plan instantly formed in his mind.
He quickly stopped and spoke calmly.
"The treasure I mentioned is not far ahead."
"However, we have been traveling for quite some time, and I am rather thirsty."
"I would like to enter that tavern, have a drink, and rest for a while."
The two jailers had still been lost in their fantasies.
John’s words brought them back to reality.
After traveling for so long, they were indeed extremely thirsty.
Since there was a tavern directly ahead, they immediately agreed.
The jailer on the left nodded.
"Fine. We’ll have a drink and rest for a while before continuing the search."
"But we cannot waste too much time."
The jailer on the right was also filled with anticipation.
"I agree."
"We’ll be living in wealth and luxury soon enough, so we might as well have a drink in celebration."
"Once we find the treasure, we can drink all night and celebrate properly."
The two men kept John firmly trapped between them as they entered the noisy tavern together.
It was currently midnight, the tavern’s busiest period.
The moment they stepped inside, loud shouts, laughter, and the clinking of drinking cups assaulted their ears.
Dozens of tables filled the spacious hall.
At several of them, burly sailors were engaged in wild drinking contests, creating a lively and unruly atmosphere.
A sharp-eyed attendant quickly approached them and informed the trio that no private tables remained.
Only a few shared seats were available.
The two jailers had nothing but limitless wealth on their minds and could not be bothered to complain.
They immediately agreed and selected a table occupied by two muscular men.
After sitting down, they ordered three cups of strong liquor.
John remained seated between the two jailers.
Pretending to be casual, he called the attendant back and asked softly,
"I heard that your establishment provides some kind of headhunting service?"
The attendant immediately smiled confidently.
"That is correct."
"Our establishment operates the largest and most comprehensive headhunting business in Cloudspire Harbor."
"No matter what kind of talent a guest requires, we can help locate them."
Upon hearing this, the two jailers could not help sneering.
They assumed the tavern was merely exaggerating its abilities to attract customers.
John remained expressionless and continued asking,
"Can you recruit top-tier fighters?"
"I need elite combatants who are powerful enough to protect my safety."
"Of course we have top-tier fighters!"
The attendant patted his chest confidently.
"There are several desperate and highly skilled warriors inside the tavern right now."
"They are available for selection and employment at any time."
Seeing that all three men were wearing jailer uniforms, the attendant became even more respectful and did not dare neglect them.
The corners of John’s mouth lifted slightly, his gaze clear and composed.
"I will hire all of them."
"I’ll pay their wages in advance."
Whoosh!
The moment he finished speaking, John raised his hand and opened his palm.
A pile of glittering gold coins suddenly appeared.
Under the tavern’s lights, they shone brilliantly and dazzled the eyes.
The noisy tavern instantly fell silent.
Countless greedy and burning gazes converged on the gold coins in John’s palm.
Everyone forgot about drinking and laughing.
Only overwhelming greed remained in their eyes.
Amid the deathly silence, the two jailers’ expressions changed dramatically.
Their faces turned pale, and cold sweat poured from their bodies.
They finally came to a sudden realization.
From beginning to end, they had been completely deceived.
The real treasure had never been hidden anywhere else.
It had been on John all along.
The two jailers’ expressions twisted viciously.
They immediately moved forward, intending to restrain John and take him by force.
At that moment, however, several powerful and muscular figures suddenly rose from their seats.
They strode forward and positioned themselves in front of John, their auras fierce and imposing.
"My name is Izer."
"I am willing to serve you with my life!"
The first to speak was a bald, muscular man.
He stood nearly two meters tall, with a broad and powerful frame. His muscles bulged like blocks of solid stone, while his savage presence resembled that of a ferocious beast from the wilderness.
Simply standing there, his powerful vitality exerted tremendous pressure.
His eyes were sharp, and his fighting spirit burned intensely.
The moment the two jailers recognized him, their bodies trembled.
Their outstretched hands instantly froze in midair.
Neither dared move another inch.
"It’s Izer..."
"The strongest warrior in Cloudspire Harbor!"
The jailer on the right’s voice trembled with fear.
"Rumor has it that he killed a giant bear with his bare hands and tore apart a tiger!"
"He’s one of the most infamous and vicious fighters in the city!"
The jailer on the left was equally terrified and did not dare act rashly.
Izer alone was more than capable of crushing both of them.
The slightest mistake could result in their deaths on the spot.
More importantly, John was wearing a jailer’s uniform.
No outsider could tell that he was actually a prisoner.
If the two jailers attacked recklessly, they would only be courting death.
John calmly examined the muscular man standing before him.
He immediately understood that such a physique and level of combat strength already represented the absolute peak of what an ordinary mortal could achieve.
"Very good."
"Join me."
A faint smile appeared on John’s face.
He raised his hand and tossed out a gold coin, which landed precisely in Izer’s palm.
"This will be your advance payment."
"From now on, your monthly salary will be ten gold coins."
"Starting today, you will serve as my personal guard."
"Anyone who becomes my enemy is someone you will suppress."
As he spoke, John’s gaze swept calmly over the two jailers, carrying a profound hidden meaning.
Izer tightly gripped the gold coin, his eyes burning with excitement.
He bowed deeply and spoke in a solemn voice.
"Thank you for recognizing my worth, my lord!"
"Your enemies are my enemies!"