Chapter 20: Truly Speechless

The open, empty safe, the messy footprints on the ground, and the discarded, chaotic ledger.

If this were a scene from a TV show, there would likely be a murder case as the starting point.

Everyone in the Paladin Legion is not to be taken lightly; those strong men are eager to capture the criminal at the command of their leader.

This scene looks like a pack of hunting dogs ready to catch a fleeing rabbit.

In the scene, only Lin Lin picked up the certificate that had fallen to the ground.

A certificate is an important written proof used to record economic transactions and other matters, and each one is thick and sturdy.

The certificate had some shallow scratches made with a knife. It was clear that someone tried to tear it but did not succeed. The paper of these certificates looked special, waterproof, fireproof, and oil-resistant, making them hard to destroy.

Lin Lin blew off the dust and opened the first few pages of the certificate to see the signatures clearly.

Lin Lin squinted slightly.

The other members of the knights did not know what this suddenly appearing woman, Lin Lin, was doing; they only knew she had come with Paul and might be his female relative.

When he saw Lin Lin touching the certificate, an older knight with a higher status frowned and said, "Hey, half-human, don’t mess with that evidence."

If it were a human lady, he might be gentler, but he did not intend to be polite to a half-human, a more rougher race.

Lin Lin remained silent and continued to look through the certificate, disregarding him.

The Dark Elf hiding in the shadows sensed something was wrong and suddenly remembered Lin Lin’s fierce determination when the "Travel Expense System" was first put into place at Demon King Castle. Felix quietly stepped back two paces, hiding himself in a safe area.

Norman noticed Felix’s small movement, but he remained silent.

In the quiet, the knight who had tried to stop Lin Lin but received no response from her stepped forward awkwardly and angrily, wanting to snatch the ledger from her hands.

Lin Lin nimbly dodged.

The knight saw the chilling cold in the young woman’s eyes, a presence colder than winter’s ice and snow.

Lin Lin said, "What gives you the courage to think that an accountant and a treasurer can be the same person?"

The huge resentment and sharp pressure from behind the woman was almost tangible, in a terrifying state as if possessed by an evil spirit.

The scene grew even quieter.

The bold knight said nervously, "Do you have a problem with the rules of the knight’s order?"

"Officer Joseph," Norman began, his eyes blessed by the God of Light were calm and clear. The knight he called stepped back a little. "The rules can be changed by me."

The Knight Commander taught him this simple and clear lesson.

–

"Hello, because this is outsourced and an urgent job, our price is this amount."

Lin Lin spoke, while the silent Dark Elf behind her raised a sign showing the price.

The other people had already left. In this small room, which used to be for accounting work and living, only Lin Lin, Felix, and Norman remained.

Some people went to capture the escaped accountant, while others counted the existing items.

Norman believed that Lin Lin, who had no connection to the knight order and had accounting knowledge, could help check the current books to see what problems there might be and if there were any other issues.

Lin Lin and Felix quietly agreed on a price, while the calm Dark Elf simply multiplied it by two.

"What if he negotiates?" The Dark Elf felt that everything needed to be taken into account.

Lin Lin thought Felix’s words made a lot of sense and sighed, realizing he truly was a seasoned expert in this world.

The two calmly handed the bid to Norman.

The young Knight Commander lowered his head, and Norman glanced at the numbers above, falling into a brief silence.

Ah? Is the bid too high?

Lin Lin also thought the bid was a bit high; what if Norman hired another accountant? How frustrating, she really wanted to make money!

Although she was unwilling to work overtime, she was still eager to work if the pay was good!

"This number multiplied by five," Norman said, "I can offer this price from my personal account, so you don’t need to worry that the theft from the Knights today will affect the payment."

Lin Lin: …The path is narrowing! What a tough boss!

"In response to that," the young Knight Commander gave a slight smile, "I hope you can list all the problems you’ve found without hiding anything."

"Yes, boss!" Lin Lin saluted, "Whatever you say goes, boss!"

Lin Lin completely changed her title.

Remembering that lunch had not been taken care of, Norman said, "You can go eat first; I’m really sorry for taking up your meal time."

Lin Lin had completely fallen into the trap of money, "Money can ease pain, boss! I’m not hungry at all right now! Whatever money you spend, I want you to enjoy the service that comes with it."

Felix slightly rubbed his forehead: … Ah, she’s so innocent and inexperienced.

Once Norman left, Lin Lin and Felix picked up and organized the scattered receipts.

The good news is that these receipts are in complete order by month, with no missing receipts, and an even better piece of good news is that Lin Lin found a notebook under the bed.

The inner pages of the notebook were labeled with the name "Bob," the name of this accountant.

"Whose good person writes a diary?" Lin Lin opened the diary and found that this diary had been used for quite a while, starting from when Bob joined the Paladin Legion.

[June 26, 217 Weather: Sunny]

I’m doomed! I was just casually interviewing, and somehow I was chosen by the Sanctuary! What should I do? I can’t even memorize the basic Bible verses!

The interview was all just boasting. Why was I chosen? The God of Light’s judgment skills aren’t that great either! If I break the contract now, it will be noted in my records. I can only manage for half a year!

Ah… this person seems to have started off on the wrong foot. Lin Lin continued to flip through the pages.

[January 12, 218 Weather: Cloudy]

I’m going to die, I’m going to die! Why is it that before I even finish my work, they have already sent an audit notice! Are they crazy up there? I can’t live like this! I’m switching jobs by mid-year!

[October 1, 219 Weather: Sunny]

Just thinking about how December is approaching is painful, and every time I have to refill the messy reimbursement forms they submitted, it’s too much work! I’ll switch jobs in 20 years!

Lin Lin: …

For some reason, I always think of myself in this situation where everyone talks about changing jobs but still punches in on time every day.

[Weather on November 11, 220: Light rain

Sanctuary sent a ticket for the premium flower parade, which is quite nice. Maybe I’ll quit next year.]

Skipping over the useless information quickly, Lin Lin flipped to the recent months.

[Weather on July 10, 223: Sunny

Only Alice understands me; Alice is such a kind-hearted girl. But her grandfather’s tea is really expensive, and it’s getting harder to afford.

Sigh, maybe her family’s situation is getting worse. I really hope this money can help her.]

So familiar, really so familiar. Because it feels so familiar, it gives me the illusion that this might be a story from before time traveled.

Why did the trick of the tea-selling woman come from the original world to the fantasy world? Can’t we come up with a new story?

Sitting on the other side of the table, Felix had finished looking through a document. Although he didn’t understand business, his rich life experience allowed him to easily see the truth of various receipts.

Noticing Lin Lin’s worried expression, Felix looked up and said, "What’s wrong?"

"It seems he was tricked out of money," Lin Lin said as she placed the diary on the table and sat back down. "It must be something that happened in the last few months; money has been getting tighter, so he probably took a risk."

"Okay," Felix said. "I have a new discovery too."

"What?" Lin Lin leaned in closer as she looked at the spot Felix pointed out.

"Everyone else maintains their equipment and armor once a month, but Joseph maintains his at least twice a month, and his rates are higher than everyone else’s."

Oh, Joseph, he was the one who just questioned her about looking at the document; he is Norman’s deputy.

"What about Norman?" Lin Lin asked. "Let’s check Norman’s maintenance prices. Is Joseph’s higher than his?"

"Yes," Felix had clearly thought of this, and he directly showed the receipt to Lin Lin, "Joseph’s price is half again as much as this one."

Wow.

Lin Lin glanced at Felix.

Even though she hadn’t told him the main points and important notes for the check, this guy completely figured out the problem with his own sharpness.

"You are really amazing, Felix," Lin Lin sincerely praised, "It’s so great to have you as my colleague! And your attachments in everyone’s expense forms are the neatest!"

It’s rare for a reliable elf coworker to seriously clean the Demon King Castle and still swallow down food he doesn’t like, even if it seems questionable.

Felix only realized, while being praised by Lin Lin, that they were sitting very close together because they needed to look at the same document.

Unlike Lin Lin’s usual expression, the other’s dark red eyes and slightly deep-set features made Felix feel uneasy.

Lin Lin’s praise was too casual, Felix thought. He only did what he could normally do.

He looked at Lin Lin’s pale profile.

The pale skin was not an appealing feature for a Dark Elf, but Felix couldn’t help but associate it with things that Dark Elves liked, like the moon.

The moon is white, and the moonlight is also white, shining on the Dark Elf without causing any pain or burning.

She could not hurt him.

A strange feeling of satisfaction made the Dark Elf swallow.

Lin Lin noticed Felix’s sudden gaze and realized she shouldn’t get too close, "Sorry, I forgot to keep my distance."

She supported her body with her arms and prepared to leave.

Then, her arm resting on the table was gripped tightly by someone.

Dark fingers easily wrapped around her arm, and her snow-white skin showed clearly between the black fingers, creating a striking contrast of black and white.

"You know what to do." Felix opened his lips, and his dark blue tongue touched his teeth, making a beautiful sound like that of a fairy.

In fact, the Dark Elf’s voice was not deep, especially when compared to the Dragon race; he even had a clear and clean young voice. However, Felix always chose to lower it intentionally to make himself appear more gloomy and frightening.

Lin Lin looked at Felix.

The silver-haired elf slightly lowered his chest, leaning closer to the table, gazing up at Lin Lin, who was preparing to pull her arm away.

Felix reminded her, "You know how to reward me. Don’t use those worthless words."

Lin Lin’s mind went blank for a moment as she quickly remembered what the Dark Elf had said before, "Why do you reward me?" and his confusion and anger when his orca brother was beaten.

Lin Lin raised her hand slightly. She clearly knew the answer, but she still asked uncertainly, "You want this, right?"

The Dark Elf continued to look up at her, and in his usually cold and empty silver eyes, Lin Lin’s slightly raised right hand reflected back at him.

He swallowed once more in his throat.

Even though she was somewhat prepared, Lin Lin couldn’t help but frown and looked at Felix with a confusing gaze that seemed to show either disgust or speechlessness, "Weirdo."

"Yes," Felix admitted openly.

You have known for a long time, but you have never let me feel satisfied. My kind is completely different from humans; the collar and scars they gave me.

This time, the Dark Elf moved closer to Lin Lin, his chest rising and falling quickly, sticky sweat trickling down his dark neck and soaking into the collar of his shirt.

He knew what he was about to face, so he felt even more excited.

Felix said, "Just look at me with those eyes that think I’m garbage."