Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 11: Escort (2).

“Long time no see, Lady.”

Allen, who was led to the reception room, greeted Charlotte, who was sitting in a spot with a view of the garden, elegantly sipping tea. His confident speech and behavior were completely different from the timidness he had shown before. …As if he had become a different person in an instant.

“…Yes, that’s right.”

Unlike Allen, who offered a leisurely smile, Charlotte’s response was as dry as a drought. Of course, he had never expected to receive a warm welcome from her in the first place.

“Please, take a seat.”

Allen moved to the chair opposite Charlotte, as she gestured with her chin. She slightly shifted her posture from facing forward to looking towards the garden. …Thanks to that, he got the chance to blatantly gaze at her attractive cleavage.

‘…Honestly, it’s not polite, but what can I do if my eyes naturally go there—.’

Objectively, Charlotte was quite a beauty. Such a beauty’s chest was a temptation to men. If temptations were arrows, her chest would surely be like a hedgehog, densely stuck with arrows.

Gazing casually at her voluptuous breasts, he naturally shifted his eyes to the tea as he caught her gaze returning to him. It would be unfair if things went awry just because he took a glance at her breasts. It’s not like he touched them.

“The tea is, really, delicious.”

“Is that so.”

The atmosphere was exactly like when a woman shows no interest on a blind date.

‘…Bitch.’

Reminded of past memories, Allen felt slightly hurt.

“But why did you come? You didn’t come all this way just to leisurely drink tea.”

“Building camaraderie isn’t bad. Among people of the same trade.”

“We’re not that close, are we? …And, people of the same trade?”

When Charlotte made a face as if to say, “What are you talking about?”, Allen smiled slyly and said,

“I’ve officially started a mercenary business this time. So, we’re people of the same trade…, right?”

A mercenary business…?

Hearing that, Charlotte suddenly felt a chill down her spine. It was an instinctive feeling. A formidable competitor had appeared.

However, she acted as if nothing was wrong. After all, she was skilled at hiding her emotions. She thought it looked cheap to openly display one’s feelings.

“Is that so? …It won’t be easy.”

“Well, it’s somewhat manageable.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Allen paused for a moment, took a sip of his tea, and moistened his lips.

This was the crucial part. He concentrated as much as possible on all his senses. From the slightest movement, facial expressions, eye signals, even to breathing—.

Of course, there’s a high chance it won’t work, but he wanted to make it happen if possible. It would make the mission somewhat easier.

“So, I was thinking of making a proposal to the lady….”

“…A proposal?”

“I’ve been put in charge of the Pomwell merchant group’s escort mission, would you like to accompany me?”

Although there were many omitted parts, Charlotte understood it all. So, she couldn’t stop her voice from becoming a bit sharp.

“Why me?”

“Since we’re going the same way anyway. Isn’t it better to have two than one?”

“…is that right?”

“It’s not about joining forces. It’s just about following each other, front and back. I only need to take care of my merchant group, and the lady only needs to take care of hers… After all, if the scale is larger, thieves would not dare to attack as easily.”

…Honestly, that was a fair point. What he proposed was that everyone should handle their own tasks, but if a band of thieves attacks, let’s cooperate to defeat them—, that was roughly the idea.

Charlotte closed her mouth for a moment and thought.

Certainly, what he proposed was reasonable. It was beneficial for both parties, with no harm done. …However, she somehow felt oddly entangled in his intentions.

Allen gauged Charlotte’s condition and shook her once more.

“After all, it’s all for money and honor, isn’t it? Then, I think it’s only right for both me and the lady to act in a way that minimizes damage as much as possible.”

‘…Annoyingly, he speaks well….’

Charlotte couldn’t refute Allen’s words. But if she agreed too quickly, what would become of her ladylike dignity—!

“Well…, I’ll think about it.”

She spoke indifferently, but he was already convinced that she had fallen for it. If she really disliked something, she was the type to outright scream it in your face.

‘Pretending to have dignity—.’

It all ended up in his palm anyway, but he pretended not to notice. Being too obvious about knowing everything was also an eyesore.

“Then, I hope you’ll consider it positively.”

“Understood.”

Allen got up from his seat then.

…And two days later, he received a letter from her.

Though it was attached with trivial reasons,

In conclusion, it said, ‘I will accompany you.’

Just as expected.

Allen worked hard to fill the quota of ten people. However, perhaps because his tastes had become more selective than before, he ended up rejecting even those who were somewhat acceptable.

He thought he wouldn’t be able to fill all the spots by the deadline, so he had no choice but to recruit Bald Dolkin and Loose Cunt Olga. …Still, he needed to fill two more spots.

He somehow managed to find people who barely met the minimum criteria and forcefully filled all ten spots. In fact, he wouldn’t have struggled this much if he hadn’t been picky about the roles, but this mission required a somewhat decent mercenary group. After all, the opponents this time weren’t monsters but humans.

However, he didn’t include an advance payment in this contract. Instead, he lent them equipment, on the condition that it would be returned immediately upon their return.

…And before long, the departure day loomed just around the corner.

On the day of departure, it drizzled, but fortunately, the ground didn’t become soft enough for the carriage wheels to sink.

Allen took on the role of both the group leader of the mercenary group and the acting head of the Pomwell trading company. This simplified the command structure, making it much easier to control. Now, all he had to worry about was that woman, Charlotte.

Since they had to carry heavy loads over a long distance, it was necessary to reduce the number of carriages as much as possible. Normally, a separate carriage would have been prepared for the leader to travel in comfort, but Allen dismissed the need for it. From a security standpoint, having fewer things to protect was definitely better. It might be slightly uncomfortable, but riding among the mercenaries like before wouldn’t be a problem.

“Young Master, we have finished preparing.”

“Understood. Let’s depart!”

At Allen’s command to depart, the carriages began to move. The group consisted of twenty-four members of the Pomwell trading company and ten mercenaries, totaling thirty-four people.

A procession of no less than nine carriages moved towards the city’s east gate. Outside the east gate, Charlotte’s group had already arrived and was waiting. They were almost twice the size of Allen’s group.

Upon reaching the departure point, Allen alighted from his carriage alone and strode towards where Charlotte was.

“Let’s depart without delay.”

“Understood. Let’s do that.”

Charlotte’s group set off first, with Allen’s group trailing behind them.

Meanwhile, the dark sky slightly lightened. However, the sun was obscured by clouds. The drizzle kept stopping and starting again.

Allen glanced outside the carriage for a moment before turning his gaze towards his group members.

“Alright, everyone, let’s keep our spirits up.”

“Kuhuhu, don’t worry. You just have to trust me, Group Leader.”

As expected, the atmosphere maker, the Bald Dolkhin, proudly showed off his muscular head and shouted confidently. Right next to him, Loose Cunt Olga elbowed him in the ribs, telling him to move his arm away.

The young newcomer, Worshipper Manuel, clasped his hands tightly and prayed to the Holy Spirit. Please let everyone return safely…, and….

Bald Dolkin glanced at him for a moment and then spoke.

“What are you praying so earnestly for?”

“I prayed for everyone to return safely.”

The upright young man answered with a shining smile so kindly. Then, Loose Cunt Olga laughed out loud.

“Oppa, is this your first time?”

“Yes, it’s my first time.”

“Then, did you have plenty of sex before coming?”

As the word sex suddenly popped up, Manuel flustered and waved his hands.

“We must keep both our bodies and minds pure….”

“Kehehe. So— fucking pure, God would love that.”

“I’ve had a whole shit ton of sex. Does that mean I can’t go to heaven?”

“That’s not the case. The gates of heaven are open to anyone—.”

He spoke as if he was preaching. Then someone murmured as if talking to themselves.

“Ah, I wonder what it feels like to have sex with an angel.”

“No, to do such things with an angel…!”

“Shall I teach you about sex?”

“No, it’s okay—!”

The mercenaries laughed loudly at the young man’s innocent attitude. Unable to watch any longer, Allen spoke up.

“Hey, stop teasing the innocent guy so much.”

“The group leader says to tease him just the right amount—!”

Manuel closed his eyes tightly again and gently clasped his hands to escape from his troubles.

Allen turned his gaze back outside the carriage.

However, as if his prayers did not reach God, the sky remained dark and gloomy.