Chapter 855: New Visitor

As he returned from Saint Samuel Cathedral to 160 Böklund Street, Klein

saw his white-gloved butler, Walter, walk up to him.

"Sir, someone delivered a name card. He said that his employer wishes to

visit you from four to five," Walter said with a staid expression.

Klein tried figuring out who the visitor was, but he had no clue. He

nodded gently and said, "Who's his employer?"

Walter darted his gaze around and saw that the other servants were

rather far away. He then replied, "Baron Syndras."

*Baron Syndras... That millionaire tycoon who obtained his aristocratic

title with the help of the Conservative Party and Duke Negan, and is

also one of the most famous bankers and entrepreneurs in the kingdom? I

previously helped Ma'am Mary purchase the Coim Company shares. The

competitor happens to be him and his friends... He's visiting me

personally for that matter? It's only a transaction worth about 13,000

pounds. It shouldn't be something that requires him to go this

far...* As Klein's mind raced, he walked to the staircase that

led to the second floor.

Walter walked half a step behind him as he said, "Sir, if you don't wish

to meet Baron Syndras, I'll inform him that you got caught up at Saint

Samuel Cathedral, listening to the bishop's preachings, and might return

very late."

In between the lines, the butler was saying that Baron Syndras was a

believer of the Lord of Storms. It was impossible for him to head

directly to Saint Samuel Cathedral to seek him out.

Klein thought and smiled before gently saying, "This is a noble who has

immense influence in the banking industry. I'll definitely come across

him in the future, so I have to meet him.

"Hmm... Arrange the meeting to be at the small living room on the second

floor where there's the most sunlight."

According to what Klein knew, Baron Syndras was the third-largest

shareholder of Backlund Bank and the largest shareholder of Southville

People's Bank. In Loen Kingdom's banking industry, he was definitely one

of the few people with the greatest influence.

"Yes, sir." Walter didn't nag on.

At ten past four, Klein met the visitor who often appeared on the

papers, in the predetermined living room.

The only thing that was different and deviated from his expectations was

that Backlund turned cloudy after three. The weather had turned dark and

began drizzling. It didn't bring in the bright and warm sunshine.

Baron Syndras was identical to how he looked on the papers. He had black

hair mixed with some white hair that was neatly combed backward,

revealing his broad forehead and receding hairline.

His face was rather round, but it lacked the flesh needed to support it.

His cheekbones were rather high, and his wrinkles were obvious.

Unlike most Loenese his age, Baron Syndras didn't have any facial hair.

He was clean-shaven, and his light-blue eyes were nearly colorless.

Beside him were a valet and bodyguard. They were the kind of people that

didn't attract much attention. The former's greatest characteristic was

his thin hair, while the latter had short hair if you didn't count the

thick beard that reached down from his ears.

"Good afternoon, Lord Syndras. It's my honor to have you here as my

guest." Klein held his hand to his chest as he bowed.

Usually, a host would mostly lean their bodies forward and reach out

their right hand for a handshake when greeting a guest, but at this

moment, he was in front of a noble; thus, requiring him to be more

courteous.

Baron Syndras nodded gently as he smiled in response.

"You're being polite. I should've visited you a long time ago, Dwayne

Dantès, an experienced gentleman who knows much about the Southern

Continent."

After exchanging some pleasantries, the two took their seats while the

valets and bodyguards settled by the side.

Klein was just about to say something when Baron Syndras said with a

genial tone, "Dantès, I'm really impressed with people like you. Not

everyone can obtain riches from the chaos in the Southern Continent.

This requires plenty of guts and the courage to face adversity, as well

as stunning judgment.

"Back when I was facing bankruptcy, I had entertained the idea of

starting anew in the Southern Continent, but unfortunately, I'm not a

brave man."

Although Baron Syndras later became a noble, he wasn't a commoner in the

true sense of the word. His great grandfather and grandfather had

benefited from the development of the colonies, earning them plenty of

money from the sea trade. They were rather successful merchants. As for

his father, he had invested in industries, building up his reputation

and acquiring several factories.

When it came to his generation, he blitzed into the developing banking

industry with his sizable wealth, becoming one of the earliest

millionaires in Loen.

During this process, Baron Syndras had suffered three failures, but he

overcame them, one after another. The most harrowing incident was when

the Southville People's Bank he founded suffered from a reputation

crisis. A bank run happened, nearly bankrupting him.

*He keeps chatting about my experiences in the Southern Continent... Is

he hinting to me that he has already discovered the problems with my

background, and is using it as a warning? Heh, he probably never

expected that the Southern Continent experience he keeps repeating is

all fake...* Klein scoffed inwardly, but he replied while

looking absolutely normal, "That isn't courage but rashness.

"Most people who head to the Southern Continent do have the spirit of

adventure, but that's all they have."

Without waiting for Baron Syndras to continue, he smiled and said, "I

nearly hired Mr. Rebach some time ago as my butler. He said that you

were an excellent employer."

Baron Syndras listened in silence before sighing.

"That is something that fills me with regret.

"Back then, I was very sincere in hoping that Rebach could continue

being my butler, but he couldn't overcome the conflict within our

positions."

Upon saying that, Syndras looked at the handsome and elegant Dwayne

Dantès, picked up the black tea that had been served by a servant, and

took a sip.

"I also sincerely hope that we can be friends. I hope you can transfer

the Coim Company's 3% to me.

"I will give you an offer you can't resist."

Here it comes... But I have a contract with Ma'am Mary...

Klein fell silent for two seconds and said with a smiling sigh, "I

deeply value my trustworthiness."

Upon hearing such an answer, Syndras didn't show any obvious anger. He

smiled, curious and surprised, "Aren't you going to listen to my offer?"

Klein deliberately spread out his hands with a wry smile.

"I'm afraid I will find it irresistible."

"Haha." Syndras immediately laughed and slowly stood up. "You're as

humorous as they say. At the same time, you have a firm will that the

rumors fail to mention."

He looked at his bodyguard and valet before saying to Dwayne Dantès with

a smile, "Being a partner with you is definitely better than being a

competitor. Alright, it's time that I leave. There are many things that

require my attention."

Is this sincere praise, or a veiled threat? Klein wasn't a

Spectator, so he wasn't able to interpret the subtleties. All he could

do was shamelessly reply, "Likewise. I look forward to having the

opportunity to cooperate with you in other domains, Lord Syndras."

Dressed in a formal suit and a tie, Baron Syndras smiled and nodded.

Without saying another word, he was led out of the main door by Dwayne

Dantès and his butler and valet.

As he watched the luxurious carriage disappear into the distance, Butler

Walter suddenly said, "Sir, should I hire some temporary bodyguards?"

Ah? Klein nearly failed to understand his butler.

Seeing his employer's expression remain unperturbed, Walter added, "At

times, competition in business can endanger one's personal safety."

Mr. Butler also noticed the veiled threats by Baron Syndras?

Klein curled the corners of his lips and said, "I'm not too worried

because this is Backlund."

*Because my name is known at the Church of Evernight. Because I'm about

to cooperate with the military... Therefore, I'm not afraid of suffering

any form of retaliation in the Beyonder domain, and I'm not afraid that

matters will develop like with the Intis ambassador. Besides, Baron

Syndras is a successful man with status and power. He won't be that

rash...* Klein thought inwardly.

When Walter attempted to continue, Klein chuckled and said, "However,

being careful is forever a good habit.

"Hmm... You can hire two bodyguards. Let them secretly provide me with

protection. Try to not have them be discovered by the servants at home."

"Yes, sir," Walter immediately replied.

Klein thought for a moment and said, "Make a trip to Member of

Parliament Macht's place. Invite him to dinner at the Intis Srenzo

Restaurant tomorrow along with his wife and daughter. If they have a

prior commitment, we can postpone it to another day."

He planned on informing Macht that he planned on taking the military's

test and completing the small arms deal.

The most convenient method was to visit Macht at his residence and

mention it in passing, but considering how there might be a demigod of

the Marauder pathway around Hazel, any close contact might result in the

aura of the gray fog on him being detected. Therefore, Klein changed his

plans and decided to have the venue to be at a restaurant.

This way, based on his judgment, the demigod which had failed to

parasitize Hazel was unlikely to accompany her.

Xio hid in the shadows of the woods as she watched a brown carriage

slowly drive past and turn into a particular street in Empress Borough.

There was an obvious coat of arms on the carriage. It was mainly a

flower and two rings. They belonged to the captain of the Loen Kingdom's

royal guards, Viscount Stratford.

Realizing that she had made zero discoveries, she gloomily left her

hiding spot and took a nearby public carriage. She returned straight to

the Backlund Bridge area and walked into East Borough.

Upon coming to the Dharavi Street's bar, Xio easily walked to the bar

counter as the drunkards avoided her. She directly asked the bartender

who was wiping a cup, "Any new jobs?"

The bartender immediately smiled.

"Yes. Butler Walter, who previously offered a 200-pound bounty for a few

cheats, has offered a new job. It's very simple. Secretly protect his

employer for a few days. The payment will be discussed face-to-face. It

will definitely be a handsome reward.

"He was very pleased with your efficiency during the last mission. He

requested that we give you priority.

"How about it? Are you interested?"

Xio had a rather deep impression of the butler and his employer because

they had spent 200 pounds to seek out cheats who had only scammed 1,000

pounds of cloth.

Very generous, and he's quick to pay... Xio did a slight

recall before nodding and saying, "Alright."