Chapter 82

Chapter 82

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 82: Organizing The Roster (1).

Under the mediation of the Viola-Mercenary Group, Allen bought a three-story inn building for a whopping 1875 gold coins. In any other mid-sized city, it would have been less than half the price, but it was a fittingly expensive price for a mercenary city. On top of that, he paid 187 gold coins as a brokerage fee, which was one-tenth of the transaction price. …In truth, Allen had hoped that Group Leader Viola would cut down the brokerage fee a bit, but surprisingly, they were strict about such matters.

In reality, if the location had been good, the owner wouldn’t have sold it even for double the price. The building Allen bought was located quite in a corner, so it was a bit cheaper. And it just so happened that the old innkeeper wanted to retire and spend his last years in the affluent southern region, making Allen the right buyer at the right time.

And so, the Allen-Mercenary Group finally acquired a proper hideout. It did cost a considerable amount of money, but since it was something that had to be done, Allen did not think of it as a waste of money. It might have been a different story if he had invested all his fortune here, but there was still plenty of surplus money left.

Now that they had a hideout, Allen began to organize the roster seriously.

Among the current long-term contractors, there were three whose contracts were about to expire.

Captain Aiden.

Old Dog, Kalisman.

The Female Warrior, Zunisha.

In fact, Kalisman was quite old, and his stats were not very good, but Allen decided to re-contract him because he liked his steadfast loyalty. Later, when it was really time for him to retire, he could be placed in charge of one of the mercenary group’s businesses. He was a person who could be trusted and relied upon.

And unlike Kalisman, the other two were currently set aside as transfer candidates. Zunisha wanted to transfer to a better mercenary group for a quicker rise, while Aiden seemed to want to re-sign.

However, for Allen, Aiden was somewhat of a mixed blessing. There was certainly affection from their time together, but it was wrong to get emotionally involved in a mercenary business that hadn’t even properly started yet. …It might seem cruel, but it was right to let go of those who needed to be let go. That had been the plan since Aiden was recruited.

Silently dragging out such circumstances would do no good for either party, so Allen directly conveyed the message to Aiden. Regrettably, there would be no re-signing.

“I see.”

In fact, Aiden, acutely aware of the gap in skills between himself and the other members, had already been thinking that re-signing was almost an impossibility.

Even though he served as the captain in the mercenary group, and had played an active role in the wars of the West, quite a few mercenary groups were trying to negotiate his transfer. Of course, the transfer fee was naturally expected.

Allen set Aiden’s transfer fee at 100 gold coins. However, the mercenary groups that Aiden liked started to balk at anything over 50 coins. After all, there was only about a month left on his contract, so they couldn’t justify paying such a high transfer fee. …Honestly, 100 gold coins was a bit excessive.

So, Allen lowered it by 25, proposing a new negotiation at 75 gold coins. And the other party, 60 coins. Once again, the negotiation failed.

Allen offered 65 as the final number, and only then did the other party accept the proposal. Of course, Aiden didn’t specifically mention how much he would be receiving monthly through the personal agreement. Still, seeing his not-so-displeased expression, it seemed he would be getting more than 20 gold coins a month.

…Thus, Captain Aiden left the Allen-Mercenary Group. Being the senior member who had been with the mercenary group the longest, there was a bittersweet feeling.

During the time Aiden’s transfer was being pushed forward, Zunisha’s transfer was also actively proceeding.

Especially since Allen, as promised, sent a recommendation letter for Zunisha to Viola, the head of the group. Of course, she had almost no hope from the moment she first saw her. Though it seemed Zunisha didn’t think so.

Anyway, thanks to Allen’s recommendation letter, Viola had a special meeting with the Female Warrior of the North. ……And the result was a rejection.

She thought she might at least make it into the third army, but it seemed this confident warrior didn’t quite catch Viola’s eye. Or maybe the role she was aiming for was already fully staffed.

“Why don’t they recognize my true value—!”

Zunisha, who had assumed she would definitely be admitted and had spent a lot of money to equip herself from head to toe with new gear, felt quite wronged.

Still, the Giant, Group Leader Albarest, who recognized her skills, approached her with an offer to transfer. Albarest might not have been one of the Top 10, but it was one of the higher-ranking mercenary groups. Honestly, moving from Allen’s mercenary group to Albarest was seen as a huge success in the eyes of others.

Group Leader Albarest was also from the North, so it seemed he gained some points there. After all, those from the North took great pride in their region. Zunisha also made sure to mention she was from the North when introducing herself.

And this time, Allen proposed a rather tight transfer fee. Honestly, Zunisha, unlike Aiden, didn’t necessarily need to be sent off immediately. Though a bit too proud or confident, she was a person who fully played her role.

Thus, Group Leader Allen had his first meeting with the Giant, Group Leader Albarest, for the transfer negotiations.

[Attributes]

Strength: 68

Agility: 51

Stamina: 64

Intelligence: 9

Magic: 14

[Traits]

♦ Genius

♦ Herculean Strength

♦ Recklessness

♦ Narcissism

♦ Willpower

♦ Insensitivity

♦ Homosexuality

♦ Heavy Sleeper

As expected of a top mercenary group leader, his stats were excellent. His traits weren’t bad, either.

The Giant, Albarest, was over 2 meters tall, with a muscular build and reddish skin. His hair and beard were bushy, lacking any sheen.

He clearly had the aura of a strong warrior. So fearsome in appearance that even Allen couldn’t help but feel slightly tense. Honestly, though the Blind Saintess’s mentor and Group Leader Viola were formidable opponents, the intimidation from his appearance couldn’t be ignored. …There was a reason for the saying, “What looks good tastes good.”

“Albarest Cometeo.”

“Allen Dewise Pomwell.”

They shook hands and sat down at the negotiation table.

“I’ve heard rumors that Group Leader Allen is handsome, but you’re much more of a beauty than I expected.”

“Compared to my skinny self, Group Leader Albarest’s robust appearance is much more appealing.”

The start was amiable, with compliments.

“Originally, there was a separate person who handled negotiations, but due to unavoidable circumstances, they couldn’t accompany us on this journey, so I had to do it myself. Therefore, even if it feels a bit rough and brusque, I ask for your understanding.”

“I also still have a lot to learn. So, please don’t worry too much.”

The large man then went, “Well then,” as he vigorously rubbed his pot-lid-like hands covered in bushy hair.

“Was the transfer fee proposed by Group Leader Allen 300 gold coins?”

Allen responded not with words but with a nod.

“Honestly, it seems a bit excessive for the transfer fee of someone with only a few months left…”

“In truth, as the Group Leader, I’m not that eager for Zunisha’s transfer. She is still needed in my mercenary group. …And Zunisha is a great warrior of the North. Her value fully justifies such a transfer fee.”

He deliberately attached the adjective ‘great’ to the North. As expected, it seemed to have some effect, as a hint of a smile touched the corners of Albarest’s lips.

“What…, as Group Leader Allen said, as someone who is from the North myself, I’m not exactly doubting her abilities, but….”

“Then, what’s the big deal about 300 gold coins? Still, it’s a bit off for someone great from the North to be sold for chump change, isn’t it?”

“That’s true…!”

The North was among the poorest in the continent. Honorable yet poor souls with no money. That was why those from the North always had a complex about money. …Allen was precisely tickling that sentiment.

“Lord Albarest is buying the honor of the North. …Fine. If it really won’t do, let’s negotiate. Group Leader, please name a price you think is fair for the honor of the North.”

Allen tenaciously targeted the honor of the North, refusing to let go. Group Leader Albarest, looking at him intently, muttered to himself.

“…Group Leader Allen really knows how to do business.”

Of course, Albarest, who wasn’t some new mercenary, couldn’t possibly be unaware of Allen’s intentions. The scheme was to provoke the honor of the North to achieve his own goals.

However, amusingly, it was something that, even if you knew, you couldn’t help but fall for. You couldn’t sell your pride just to save a few gold coins. …Of course, Allen would sell it ten times if he could.

“…Alright, let’s agree on 300 gold coins. What’s the point of haggling over 10 or 20 coins here.”

“You’ve thought it through well. I, too, felt a bit embarrassed to quarrel over a few pennies when it involved a member I cherish, but as expected from someone from the North, you’re quite bold. This is why I can’t bring myself to dislike people from the North.”

Hehehe. Hahaha.

The laughter of the two blended slightly. And almost simultaneously, they rose from their seats and shook hands again.

“Still, it’s not very pleasant to see someone from another region invoking the honor of the North. I’m letting it slide because I think highly of you, Group Leader Allen.”

“…An advice I’ll take to heart.”

Albarest’s smile deepened.

“Let’s continue to have a good relationship in the future. As fellow professionals.”

“If it’s someone as distinguished as Group Leader Albarest, I’m always welcoming.”

“Euhaha, Group Leader Allen, your words are quite… peculiar.”

The giant heartily slapped the young man’s back… And then, the two men soon parted ways.

On the second day after the agreement between the mercenary groups was concluded, Zunisha’s personal agreement was also finalized.

The next day, she bid her last farewell to the Allen-Mercenary Group, packed her belongings, and left for the Albarest-Mercenary Group.

Now, the remaining members of the Allen-Mercenary Group totalled five.

Old Dog, Kalisman.

Milk-jug Mage, Elena.

Training Junkie Victor.

Blind Saintess Ordnung.

Itty Titty Swordsman, Natasha.

…It was time again for a recruitment rush.