Chapter 72

Chapter 72

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 72: Chapter 1, Conclusion (2).

Feeling exceptionally good lately, Rudra hummed a little tune while attending to her duties. Especially after discovering the joy of a woman, it seemed as if she saw the world a bit differently.

After all, she had no worries about the future. Supporting a new family member like Allen was hardly a task. Appointing him as the vice-leader and later passing on the group leader position to him, entrusting him with the mercenary group wouldn’t be a bad idea. Or he could even create his mercenary group from the start… Anyway, there were plenty of options.

Such an octopus-style marriage, not discriminating against social status or gender, was precisely a symbol of the Western nobility. The Allen-Mercenary Group’s exploits were well known to her father, Marquis Nawishal, so if she wished to marry, he would not oppose her. Rather, he would be more than happy to have a reliable son-in-law.

‘…As for children, maybe seven would be enough. Four sons and three daughters. What should their names be…?’

Already imagining a happy married life, she became aroused again. Just thinking about her new husband made her body lasciviously heat up… However, it couldn’t be helped, his penis was incredibly large, and he was so good at sex. For her, who had just gotten a taste of his penis, it was an unstoppable reaction.

‘Once this is done, should I meet him?’

Thinking of meeting Allen, she quickly reviewed and signed the documents. During this, someone knocked on her office door. It was the captain, Modilak.

“Come in.”

The large man brought her a few more documents. This meant her meeting with Allen was delayed, and she let out a small sigh.

“…Why is it that after being quiet for so long, work suddenly piles up like this.”

“It’s time for everyone to leave. It seems many mercenaries are leaving as well.”

Of course, Rudra didn’t really care whether other mercenary groups left or stayed. Mercenary groups not affiliated with anywhere often come and go like that.

‘…All I need is Allen.’

As Rudra, having received the documents, gestured for them to leave with an acknowledgment, the captain cautiously began to speak.

“How’s the love business going these days?”

“……Well. Why?”

Although Group Leader Rudra responded with a cold expression, she didn’t deny the love business. After all, those who should know already knew, so there was no reason to hide it by denying it. She didn’t particularly want to, either.

“No, it’s just… You seem to be in a very good mood these days.”

“Me? Hardly. …I’m not any different. Same as usual.”

“……Well, that’s good to hear, yes.”

As the captain’s words trailed off ambiguously, Rudra’s eyes sharpened.

“Why do you speak like that? Do you have a complaint?”

“…It’s not so much a complaint but rather a worry that I have.”

“Let’s hear it.”

Rudra listened attentively to the captain’s words in a calm tone.

“Although it’s natural for men and women to meet and date, I’m concerned that because of that, Group Leader might neglect her duties a bit…”

“Don’t worry about that. …Is this because of the few days off last time? There was an unavoidable reason for that. So, you don’t need to worry too much.”

“If that’s the case, I’m truly relieved. I apologize for speaking out of turn.”

“No, as a captain, I think it’s reasonable to have such concerns.”

The captain nodded in satisfaction. She thought this was a good opportunity to assert her position more clearly.

“I will never neglect the mercenary group because of romance. I swear. …I’m Rudra, Rudra! You’re not worrying about that, are you?”

“Of course not.”

“My priority is always the role of the group leader.”

She solemnly declared, tapping the table with her fist.

“Even if I have to part ways with Group Leader Allen due to unavoidable circumstances—! I can gladly let him go. Because I am the group leader of the Rudra-Mercenary Group…!”

“I… I’m going to leave.”

Rudra, who had been nestled in Allen’s arms with a mix of happiness and languor, suddenly sat up, startled. It felt like a bolt out of the blue…

“………What?”

Without looking at Rudra, Allen repeated what he had just said like a parrot.

“I’m going to leave.”

For a moment, Rudra felt as if she had been hit on the head with a hammer.

“No……, why……?”

“It just turned out that way.”

‘What about me? What about our relationship? Our four sons, three daughters? We haven’t even named them yet?’

Rudra quickly changed her posture to face Allen directly.

“Why are you leaving? Tell me the reason—!”

“I’m leaving because I have to, that’s why.”

“Don’t just repeat the same thing—!”

Allen smiled bitterly as if anticipating what was about to come.

“I’m sorry. I can’t stay here. I’m the leader of a mercenary group. I have many people to take responsibility for.”

“…But why? All of a sudden, like this! …What about me then? What am I supposed to do? Why are you doing this all of a sudden? Weren’t we in a good relationship?”

Rudra patted her chest pitifully as she spoke. ……Though she had told the captain that her priority was her position as the group leader, in truth, her heart wasn’t in it.

As her voice slightly raised, he remained silent for several breaths, gently calming this agitated atmosphere.

To Allen, this was still an extension of business. Although emotions were somewhat involved, he had to regain his composure. Persuasion and reservation were necessary.

He gently embraced her and whispered softly.

“I’m just as distressed as you are. …Of course, I’ve considered staying here, but that is not possible.”

“Why? What’s the problem? …I’ll solve everything. I’m a successful woman, you know. Don’t you know? I can take care of someone like you.”

“…That’s why I’m leaving.”

“…What did you say?”

This time, Allen’s voice became firm. To clearly show what his ambitions were.

“Group Leader Rudra might not know, but I had a big ambition when I started the mercenary business.”

“…Ambition?”

“Becoming one of the continent’s Top 10…!”

It was a solemn declaration.

Top 10—!

Rudra, as a mercenary leader, couldn’t possibly be unaware of the prestige that being among the continent’s Top 10 held. No matter how famous she might be in the West, compared to the Top 10, she was nothing more than a child.

The dignity of the Top 10 mercenary groups throughout the entire continent far surpassed even the most mediocre nobility. The military power of the Top 10 could even change the course of wars.

The top 10 were the idols of mercenary groups.

Naturally, all mercenary groups aim to be in the Top 10, but… realistically achieving that was almost impossible. Because even becoming one of the higher-ranked mercenary groups just below them was hard enough in reality.

It could have been dismissed as nonsense. However, Rudra, already deeply smitten with Allen, could not scoff at his solemn declaration. She was even more emotionally charged than usual.

“…Allen…!”

Of course, Allen’s story wasn’t a fabrication to escape the situation either. Knowing this world belonged to Guild Master, deciding to start a mercenary business, and setting a goal to become among the Top 10 was all true. He didn’t stop there; he even resolved to become the number one mercenary group on the continent!

‘I can do it. I can… if it’s me in Guild Master. Definitely…!’

It wasn’t just the West; being tied down to any one region, whether it be east, west, south, or north, would hinder significant growth.

‘Mercenaries are a breed that must rush to wherever they’re called. To grow, they must devour whatever is offered.’

“So, I can’t be tied down here. I must constantly move around and continue to grow. …Of course, others might laugh at my ambitions. But I hope you, at least, would understand me.”

Bluff-filled persuasion lacked strength. True persuasion contained sincerity.

Especially more effort was needed not to mess up the relationship with her. Because she, too, had to remain an important business partner to him.

In fact, Allen was somewhat desperate. Somehow the relationship had come this far, but he couldn’t give up his big dream because of this.

There naturally wouldn’t be a woman who would laugh when the man she cared about talked so sincerely.

…Moreover, she was a famous mercenary leader in the West. It would be a lie to say she never harbored dreams of the top ten. Of course, she quickly gave up due to the harsh realities, but she didn’t want to mock him for being unrealistic for trying until the end. Rather, such courage deserved applause.

Of course, it was painful to postpone the happiness they briefly enjoyed for an uncertain future…, but it seemed a decision was necessary.

It was clearly an unstoppable flow. Then, letting go must also be something she had to endure as a partner for the future. …For a happier future.

“…Okay. I understand. Do as you wish.”

That was the end.

She didn’t drag it out any longer. There was nothing more disgraceful than holding onto a man who wanted to leave.

……However, just for tonight, she didn’t want to let him go.

“Then, today, hug me as much as I want. ……Make sure I don’t regret my choice.”

Allen gave Rudra a peck on the forehead.

“…As you command.”

The Allen-Mercenary Group left the city at dawn. The morning air wrapping around the sand desert in the west was much colder than in other regions.

Sitting at the rear of the carriage, Allen sighed deeply as he watched the city grow distant.

……And the sky gradually brightened with dawn.

Since the carriage was heading east, the rising sun was not visible. Instead, the high and massive walls were slowly touched by the beautiful red sunlight.

Another sigh, long like a breath, dispelled Allen’s lingering regrets.

He then turned his attention back to his comrades. ……Especially noticeable was the pinkette saintess, whose neck and hands seemed to have significantly more ornaments than before.

Bald Illiterate Billy snickered at the sight of the extravagant Blind Saintess.

“Our saintess, you’ve become quite the mercenary now.”

“…What? I don’t understand what you’re saying…”

“Never mind.”

“Ohoho.”

The pinkette saintess, who sold her trust for 40 gold coins, seemed to be in a very good mood.

“It seems the Holy Spirit finds me exceptionally praiseworthy, as good things have been happening a lot lately?”

“Well, that’s good to hear.”

“Oh, my God, thank you—!”

The pink-haired saintess clasped her hands together and shook them frivolously, searching for God in the heavens.

‘………I wonder if she’ll actually receive divine punishment for this.’