Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 14: Big Water (1).

Charlotte shone brightly for the first time in a long while, having scrubbed herself clean. After spending a whole fortnight in a grimy state, if returning to her original appearance didn’t feel like she was in heaven, what else could being in heaven be like—?

Dressed in elegant and refined clothes, she stood in front of the mirror, striking various poses and briefly indulging in self-admiration. Even she had to admit, her beauty was truly remarkable.

‘Indeed, the flower of Berge!’

Having dolled herself up, she left her room and headed downstairs to meet the female member who had been waiting endlessly for the group leader. The muscular female mercenary, devoid of any makeup, was immediately taken aback by the sight of the beautiful noble lady.

“See, I told you young lady’s beauty is unparalleled. It would knock any man off his feet.”

“Hmm-hmm, not young lady, but group leader.”

“Ah-.” The female mercenary belatedly realized that this noble lady was somewhat sensitive about how she was addressed and lightly tapped her mouth with her palm.

“Oops, my words slipped. Group. Lea. der.”

“Let’s go.”

As the two emerged from the lodging building, the eyes of people passing by on the street were all drawn to them. The gazes were like arrows piercing through.

‘Hmph, at least they recognize beauty.’

Having lived a life of superiority, she knew how to enjoy the attention without feeling burdened. For her, this had always been natural.

Even though it was early morning just after dawn, the main road was already bustling with people. Truly, it was the crowd befitting a trading city.

Charlotte went shopping with the female member as if she were a body servant. There was no need to leave the carriage’s extra space empty and only bring money. After all, there were many items here that couldn’t be found in Berge.

Of course, she wasn’t shopping for things to resell like the other merchant groups, but rather, things needed for the count’s estate.

Every time the Charlotte-Mercenary Group took charge of the transport escort, she would take on this task, hence her familiar steps were unhesitating.

“Even though I come to Reubala occasionally, it’s so complicated that I can’t find my way at all.”

“Don’t worry and just follow me.”

There were occasionally rascals who tried to hit on this charming noble lady, but as soon as the large female member of the group growled fiercely and glared at them, the rascals ran away without saying a word. In fact, Charlotte had brought her subordinate for this very purpose.

She headed straight for the guild house, a place where the offices of mercenary groups and merchant groups were densely packed like a beehive.

As soon as they entered the massive guild house, the two immediately felt the distinctive foul smell that was deeply ingrained in the building.

Along the corridor stretching along the path, there were so many people passing by that their shoulders could bump into each other. Moreover, the bargaining voices of employees and customers ringing loudly in each office made it seem as noisy as a market floor.

Walking along the path and looking at the stalls of the trading company offices, Charlotte turned her gaze towards her female member who exclaimed, “Ah,” in astonishment. Wondering why.

“Look over there, Group Leader, please look! Over there.”

Charlotte followed the direction pointed by her female member’s finger, extending her gaze. Then, a familiar head came into view.

‘…Ah….’

The noble lady immediately knew who it was. It was that guy, Allen.

“It seems Group Leader Allen has also come to buy goods.”

Perhaps it wasn’t exactly a coincidence that this meeting took place. To buy goods in bulk, one naturally had to go through the guild house, where the merchants gathered. And although Allen was currently leading a mercenary group, he was still essentially the son of a merchant. Naturally, he wouldn’t just let the principal amount sit and rot after selling it, he would use the proceeds to buy goods.

However, Charlotte felt an unusual surge of emotion as soon as she saw Allen. If it had been before, she would have ignored him as if she had seen something she shouldn’t have and simply walked past, but for some reason, her eyes kept being drawn to him now.

A man whose nature had suddenly changed beyond recognition… He was no longer the timid coward she once knew, but had become a man who could command boldly and bravely.

“- You bitchㅡ!”

…He had even learned to curse at her.

“Group Leader Allen, isn’t he really cool? Not only is he handsome, but now he’s got charisma, so he’s very popular.”

“…Popular?”

Charlotte, with a slightly furrowed brow, asked innocently, and the female member replied in a subtle tone.

“It’s the vixens. They say they’ve been having their eyes on him. …Group Leader Allen, you know, he has a thing with women.”

The moment she heard that, Charlotte felt something rising in her chest. A very uncomfortable feeling.

“What does it matter to me? …Hmph, as if. It seems like he’s become blind to everything since he’s been going out a bit, but he’s still not up to my level.”

“Hehe, of course, Group Leader. No matter what, Group Leader Allen is still far from being a match for our Group Leader.”

However, Charlotte still felt queasy even after hearing that. Strangely.

“Should I call him?”

“…No. Let’s just go.”

But it seems Allen has already spotted them. After all, how could one not recognize such a radiant figure standing in the middle of the corridor in such a dingy place?

Charlotte felt her heart strangely beating as she saw Allen walking towards her. She didn’t even glance at Captain Aiden, who was standing next to him.

He approached her and smiled gently. It was the very smile that had almost led her to an engagement with him long ago. She had once fallen for it completely, without knowing anything… Of course, that was not the case now.

‘I will never fall for it again. Hmph.’

“What a coincidence, Lady.”

“…Not lady.”

“Ah, Group Leader Charlotte. My apologies for the confusion. You are, well, so beautiful.”

Allen, smiling slyly, gestured from top to bottom, pointing out Charlotte’s elegant figure.

Then she slightly twisted her posture, as if being coy.

“It seems Group Leader Charlotte has come to look at the goods.”

“…Yes, well…, yes.”

“Then.”

He lightly bowed his head and passed by her. …The meeting ended just like that. No, ever since the discussion about the engagement was treated as if it never happened, their conversations barely ever exceeded ten words. Just really, conversations of courtesy. In fact, it wasn’t much different from usual.

However, as he left without any hesitation, she felt strangely unsettled. And unknowingly, she raised her hand to gently touch her left cheek that had been hit by him.

That shocking scene that came to mind several times a day… It was etched in her brain, never to be forgotten.

The female member looked at Charlotte with a strange expression and then smiled meaningfully.

“Do you like Group Leader Allen? Should I subtly ask for you?”

“Whatㅡ! It’s not like that? …It’s just, I remembered some rude behavior from the past. He’s quite a rude fellow, that one.”

“Ah, I see…. Yes, I understand.”

“So, don’t spread weird rumors. He has absolutely nothing to do with me. I really hate that kind of thing. Got it?”

“Yes, don’t worry.”

However, the female member did not erase the strange smile. Charlotte lightly dismissed the unnecessary words of her subordinate and walked ahead briskly.

‘…In a month, she’ll be spreading her legs, heh.’

Convinced of this, the female member hurriedly followed the group leader.

The goods were outrageously expensive.

Allen could not possibly buy the amount listed in the inventory. The food and iron ingots especially, were completely crazy.

“Why have prices suddenly risen like this?”

In response to Allen’s question, a merchant’s guild office worker with missing teeth answered.

“As always, yes, it’s the war. It seems another round has broken out in the East. Right now, the eastern trading companies are hoarding all the goods. Iron and silver are in such short supply we can’t even sell them.”

“…Really?”

The fight took place in the East, but the South had to bear the full brunt of its effects, which can feel quite unfair from the merchant’s perspective. Moreover, bargaining to lower the prices was impossible. After all, if he doesn’t buy, there are others lined up who will…

Anyway.

Although slightly short on quantity, Allen managed to roughly secure the items he needed and then looked for a suitable location for the mercenary group’s office.

Watching the leader meticulously inspecting various office locations, Aiden quietly asked.

“Are you leaving?”

“Yes, I must leave… the mercenary business in Berge is suicidal. There’s no potential for growth. It’s nothing but self-cannibalization. …Don’t you think so too, Captain?”

“Yes…, honestly, that’s true.”

Once he had set his mind on pursuing the mercenary business, leaving Berge was a fate already decided. Lining up guys who were barely making it to D rank and wondering which one might be slightly better was a great pain for him.

“But, it won’t be easy. I’ve seen many mercenary groups go bankrupt and collapse because they thought it was easy and rushed in.”

“There’s no easy business in the world. …Don’t worry too much, I won’t squander your money.”

When Allen threw a light joke, Aiden also let out a chuckle.

However, Allen, who made the joke, was utterly serious inside.

‘Let’s leave. Flower of Berge.’

He planned to put that decision into action as soon as this mission was over.

Because to make it big, one must play in the big water.