Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 48: After The Dungeon (5).

Upon arriving in Vermandois, Viola tackled the backlog of work almost without rest. With not just one or two businesses to her name, any negligence in management could provide an opening for others to strike. There were already a few businesses that had failed because of this. …Of course, it would be right to think of those as learning experiences.

‘…Should I reduce them….’

Exhausted by the multitude of businesses, Viola pondered whether she should cut back. Her dislike for falling behind others meant she had taken on just about everything possible, but it was starting to become overwhelming. Money was no longer an issue. It was all just for the sake of maintaining appearance of being one of the top ten.

In the midst of this, she remembered Group Leader Allen. …Every time the image of him groveling to the Marquis because of money flickered before her eyes, she strangely felt her chest tighten and heat up. It was a scene she never wanted to see again.

‘Right…, handing him one or two to try wouldn’t be too bad. Since he doesn’t seem like someone who doesn’t appreciate favors, it would be a good opportunity to pull him to my side—.’

After all, expanding the size of the mercenary group required venturing into other businesses as an essential choice. However, business in the mercenary city was extremely competitive, leaving little room to break in, so her proposal would be as sweet as honey to him.

As Viola was pondering over various things about the business with Allen, she heard that a visitor had come to the office.

“It’s Captain Dana.”

“……Dana?”

“Yes.”

…She was a person Viola was slightly reluctant to meet. But she wouldn’t easily give up and turn away just because she refused.

“…Let her in.”

Not long after the permission was granted, the door swung open abruptly, and a woman with disheveled red hair strode in confidently.

“Oh, Big Sis, long time no—.”

She would definitely be considered a beauty, but the fierce scars crisscrossing her face made her look more ferocious than pretty. Moreover, wearing only a thin top without any underwear, her pert nipples were clearly visible atop her full breasts. And yet, she seemed not to feel any embarrassment at all… It felt like she was looking at a mercenary beyond her gender as a woman.

“What brings you here all of a sudden?”

“Hey, getting straight to business without even a greeting? Tsk, is this all our relationship amounts to?”

“…It’s been a long time.”

Dana grinned, showing her teeth.

“Yeah. I just stopped by on my way.”

“For what?”

“Escort. Moving some expensive stuff. You know. The stuff people get off on. Hehe.”

It was about drugs. Narcotics. …Of course, despite hating it, Viola didn’t make it obvious. She tended not to meddle in others’ affairs if she could help it.

“…Looks like you came alone?”

“My brother has some important business. Oh, and he asked me to give you this. I’ll come for the reply tomorrow.”

The redhead pulled an envelope from inside her pants and handed it over. It looked incredibly unsanitary, so Viola slightly frowned and pinched the edge of the envelope with just two fingers. …Still, she believed that she had at least worn underwear underneath.

Viola knew what kind of letter it was without looking. A love letter, no doubt. He must have sent over a hundred of them already.

Dana’s brother and one of the group leaders of the top ten, Dagon’s fervent courtship of Viola was already a famous story in the mercenary world. Known for his foul temper and eccentricity, he supposedly became as meek as a lamb only in front of her.

Honestly, his devotion was admirable, but Viola very much disliked Dagon’s behavior. He was arrogant, acted impulsively, and was incredibly ignorant. If there were money to be made, he would do anything, which made him infamous in this line of work. Without the title of being one of the top ten, he might as well have been called a bandit.

After delivering the envelope, Dana showed no signs of leaving. Instead, she sprawled herself on the chair opposite Viola.

“You arrived two days ago, right? And you’re already busy with work? Wow, damn. Big Sis, you’re really diligent. We’re fundamentally different.”

“There are many people I need to take responsibility for.”

“It’s strange. We just roll along as long as we’re paid.”

This time, Viola didn’t answer but asked a question instead.

“When did you arrive?”

“Late yesterday.”

“So, you’re leaving tomorrow?”

“Um.”

Viola’s expression was far—from regretful. Of course, for the self-centered Dana, the feelings of others were of no importance. As long as she was having fun, that was all that mattered.

“Oh, I heard you got yourself a penis? Hehe.”

“…What are you talking about?”

Her voice became stern. Yet, Dana did not lose her sly expression.

“But the rumors are flying around? That you caught yourself a handsome young man. Is it a mid-life fling? Brother would be very disappointed if he knew.”

“It’s nonsense—! Don’t go around saying such things. …And stop fooling around. There’s a limit to my patience.”

After Viola’s fierce warning, Dana finally pursed her lips with an innocent expression.

“Hmph. There’s no need to act like that with me. Fine. I’m leaving.”

The redhead snorted disdainfully and left the office. Viola sighed deeply as she watched the door slam shut.

‘…Group Leader Allen, this is how filthy the mercenary world is. …I hope you won’t become like that.’

Viola tried to get back to work, but she just couldn’t concentrate.

Suddenly feeling a surge of anger, she violently tore up the envelope she had received earlier. Then, she irritably swept the torn pieces off her desk with her arm.

After washing her face for a while, she finally calmed down.

Allen kept pondering how to spend the large sum of money he had received as compensation.

Honestly, there was a lot to do. The problem was that there was too much.

‘…Too little money is a problem, too much money is a problem, ugh, damn it….’

In the end, to significantly expand the size of the mercenary group, other ventures were essential. Solely relying on commissions had its temporal and spatial limits, after all. However, to support another business, a powerful mercenary group was necessary, so recruitment and discovery could not be neglected.

In short, it was about dividing the capital appropriately to achieve that delicate balance between the two. Of course, it was not easy, hence the headache.

Honestly, he’d like to negotiate transfers with a few from the second or third units of the Viola-Mercenary Group, but that would seem too shameless, so he gave up on the idea. They had just started interacting, and if he started poaching their people right away, who would look upon that favorably?

So, it seemed better to thoroughly check the release lists of other mercenary groups. The released personnel were cheaper, and sometimes, unpolished gems appear on the market.

‘…Should I visit the recruitment office if I have time later…’

Emerging from deep contemplation and regaining his senses, he realized it was already night outside. He glanced once at Kalisman, who was soundly asleep in the opposite bed and got up.

He left the room, intending to catch some cool night air. The corridor was already filled with moans and groans from everywhere. The mercenaries were probably having a good time shaking and tossing with cheap prostitutes.

‘…Honestly, it would be a lie to say I’m not horny at all. My body is covered with traits related to sexual desire.’

Allen’s gaze instinctively went towards the room where the milk-jug mage was. A faint light was flickering under the door. She seemed to be deeply engrossed in her studies late into the night.

Suddenly, his mouth went dry, and his heart pounded. And he slowly walked towards her room.

Standing tall in front of the door, he lightly clenched his fist and lifted his arm to knock, but then, unable to actually tap on the door, he remained still in that posture for a while.

After debating whether to knock several times, he eventually lowered his arm and turned away. …No matter what, as the leader of the mercenary group, he couldn’t view a member as an object of sexual desire. It would be one thing if the other person came looking for it, but he had to at least avoid making the first move. That would be right.

Allen slowly stepped away from the door of the milk-jug mage. But, the moment his third step hit the floor with a thud, Elena’s door creaked open.

—!

Half of Elena’s body was visible through the open door. She looked at him with a face slightly flushed by the candlelight.

“…Group Leader…?”

“Ah, oh… You were still awake….”

“What brings you…?”

“Just… well, I was just passing by….”

A warm silence flowed. The two remained speechless for a while.

“Ahh ahhh.”

The erotic moans still echoed in the hallway. Allen felt a tickling in his soles and was out of breath.

Then, Elena asked in a whisper.

“…Wo-would you…, like to come in for a moment…?”

Allen swallowed hard.

His breath came out ragged. And he barely managed to lift his foot, which seemed glued to the wooden floor.

The moment he reached her door, his vision swayed with excessive excitement. However, thanks to his firm grip on the doorknob, he didn’t stagger disgracefully.

The milk-jug mage stood in the middle of the room, waiting for Allen to enter. He stepped into the room and sharply closed the door.

On the small table, a magic book was spread open. Of course, he had no way of understanding the contents since they were written in an ancient language.

The two stood still, panting as they looked at each other.

“Ang, ang.”

Moans could be heard here as well.

And Allen…,

Ended up imagining such lewd moans,

Bursting from the milk-jug mage’s mouth.