Chapter 105

Chapter 105

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 105: A Master’s Grace (1).

The Allen-Mercenary Group left the mid-sized city Malziel after spending a week there. Although they encountered some difficulties in additional negotiations apart from the contract with Group Leader Viola, they still achieved some results. In particular, Group Leader Allen obtained the privilege of paying only half the toll in the small city of Ampeur, which he used as his weapon. Toll fees were a very sensitive issue for trading groups handling large quantities of goods…

Despite the unexpected Demon Lands incident, it was a fairly satisfactory journey… Especially in the case of the Itty Titty Swordsman.

Since the friendship kiss, they had no opportunity to have time alone… No, it would be more accurate to say she intentionally avoided it. Because she was too embarrassed to see the Group Leader’s face.

Honestly, that kiss was too stimulating and obscene to be labeled as friendship. Moreover, didn’t she also get completely taken in and end up showing an embarrassing side of herself?

Unable to shake off the feeling that she was too immersed in this, she locked herself in her room for meditation and mental training the next day. As if trying to overcome the demonic disease with sheer willpower… In the end, she couldn’t completely conquer it, but at least she managed to calm her complicated emotions.

Allen also treated the Itty Titty Swordsman as usual, as if nothing had happened. While Natasha felt relieved, she couldn’t entirely erase the lingering sense of disappointment in her heart… Human emotions were indeed fickle.

After another five days of travel, they arrived back in the small town of Amper. Although the town hadn’t changed much in the fortnight they had been gone, the previously chaotic atmosphere had significantly calmed down, and it now looked more like a proper town.

However, the problem still lay with bandits. Due to the poor conditions of the town, bandits had the audacity to appear near the town even in broad daylight. While the presence of the guards and mercenary groups prevented them from invading the town, it was still enough to give the Baroness a headache. But they were in no position to go around catching bandits at the moment…

Of course, the city’s affairs were none of Allen’s concern, so he stayed comfortably in the city for two days without any worries. Although it was said that bandits were rampaging more recklessly these days, they were no match for him anyway. For those who joyfully hunted down the monsters of the Demon Lands, a handful of back-alley thugs, even if dozens came at them, were nothing to be afraid of.

Moreover, it was highly likely that the rumors about the Allen-Mercenary Group, who had perfectly resolved the Demon Lands incident, had already reached the ears of the bandits. There was no way the rumors that spread in the central city of Malziel hadn’t reached the mercenary city of Vermandois. Especially from the perspective of the bandits, who had to carefully choose whether the food was poisoned or not, distinguishing the mercenary groups they shouldn’t mess with was a matter of life and death, so they couldn’t help but be sensitive to such rumors… Of course, there would still be some ignorant bandit bastards who would dare to challenge them, but Allen was by no means a merciful person who would let them go just because he didn’t know. No matter what the reason, once a bandit, always a bandit.

Anyway, after all those hardships, Allen returned to the mercenary city, Vermandois, exactly one month later.

As the saying went, “Strike while the iron is hot,” Allen headed straight to Viola’s office as soon as he returned. Since this journey was primarily to establish a trade connection with the merchant group in Malziel, it was only right to offer a word of thanks to Group Leader Viola, who had been of great help… And to propose a new idea.

In Amper, I can save up to half on the toll fees. If we use my name, the Viola-Mercenary Group can save a lot of money. Since she has many businesses, it’s natural that she would have a large volume of goods.

Allen, who had already finished calculating the money in his head, couldn’t contain his excitement at the thought of the profit that would come to him. Of course, it was wise to maintain a poker face when it came to money. Especially since Group Leader Viola was also uncompromising when it came to business matters. This was apparent when thinking about the brokerage fee when he bought the inn building.

…It’s right to approach this as if it were a war.

With that mindset, Allen hurriedly made his way to the guild house. Naturally, Group Leader Viola was in the office, not having left work yet.

“It’s been a while, Group Leader… Ah, and please excuse my scruffy appearance. I couldn’t bear it, as I wanted to see you so badly…!”

Even though she knew it was flattery, Viola’s heart fluttered slightly at those words.

“I was already waiting for Group Leader Allen to arrive. I heard you went through a big ordeal in Ampeur… Who could have known that the Gate of the Spirit World would open?”

“I was just as shocked. It was something I couldn’t even imagine.”

“I heard the Allen-Mercenary Group made a remarkable contribution. As expected, Group Leader Allen’s reputation keeps rising. Now, there are hardly any people in Vermandois who don’t know your name.”

“This is all thanks to Group Leader Viola.”

Allen flattered obsequiously, like a eunuch currying favor next to the emperor. Just as no one in the world dislikes flattery, the strict Group Leader Viola, despite maintaining a dignified exterior, couldn’t hide her inner delight. Additionally, he presented a souvenir he bought from the central city of Malziel.

…Alright, the warm-up is done now…!

Allen, after a brief pause, slowly brought up the main topic.

“This time, while resolving the situation in the Demon Lands, I received a reward from the Baroness.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes… Instead of money, I received the privilege of halving the toll.”

ㅡ!

A slightly surprised look. She never imagined he would obtain such a privilege. At the same time, Viola’s mind also started to race… Why did Group Leader Allen bring this up? She, too, had enough experience to grasp the gist of it.

“It’s surprising. To think it would be such a privilege.”

“Haha. It seems the Baroness highly valued my contributions.”

In truth, it was more that Group Leader Allen seized the opportunity without missing a beat… Moreover, it was only right to grant such a privilege to the benefactor who saved the city, which was on the brink of ruin.

“Anyway, thanks to that, we can significantly reduce the toll.”

“…I see.”

Allen was confident that a figure such as a group leader of the Top l0 would surely understand his intentions.

“If I have your name, I believe we can expect significant tax savings… What do you think, Group Leader?”

Group Leader Viola smiled oddly. As if to say, you’ve grown a lot.

“State your terms.”

“Thirty percent of the tax savings. That’s all I’ll take.”

“Hmm.”

This was a first, so there was no comparable case, but thirty percent didn’t seem bad. Even if they took ninety percent, from the perspective of the Viola-Mercenary Group, it was still a gain.

“Not bad.”

“It’s beneficial for both of us.”

“Alright. There’s no need to play mind games with Group Leader Allen here…”

“Thank you.”

With the business concluded, Allen made preparations to leave.

“I’m sorry to bother you when you’re so busy.”

“No, it’s fine. Allen, you are welcome anytime.”

“Then, I’ll be off now.”

“Alright. You’ve worked hard, so go and rest well.”

With that, Allen left Viola’s office. In the hallway, Old Dog Kalisman asked if everything had gone well.

“It went very well. We’ll have some extra money regularly now.”

“That’s truly fortunate.”

In fact, lending one’s name could be a risky business, but for one of the Top 10, it was an exception. Since he planned to stick with Group Leader Viola for the long haul, even if he himself became one of the Top 10, showing this level of trust was appropriate.

Allen was so excited about making money that he hummed a tune… Thinking he should celebrate by having a wild night with Elena.

He was finally back at the hideout after a whole month. Back on Earth, he couldn’t escape the fate of renting a room, but here, becoming a building owner of sorts made him feel secure, as if he were full without eating… Was this why people always talked about becoming a building owner?

As Allen entered the first-floor hall, the counter staff greeted him politely.

“A guest visited a little while ago.”

“…A guest? Who?”

“That I’m not sure…”

Allen worried slightly, wondering if it was an uninvited guest. Not every guest was worth welcoming, especially in this line of work.

The two men went straight up to the third floor. In front of the hallway meeting room, the Youngest Newbie, still in his dirty clothes, was guarding the door. As soon as Newbie saw the returning Group Leader, he exclaimed with joy and ran to him.

“The guest has arrived. They are waiting in the meeting room.”

“Got it. Go ahead and tidy up.”

“Ah, yes.”

Allen sent the youngest member ahead and carefully opened the door. The first thing that greeted him was a slightly smoky cigarette smell.

…No way…

“Ah, you’re here… It’s been a while, Group Leader Allen.”

Holding a cigarette askew, the woman spoke, while beside her, the Blind Saintess Ordnung stood nervously, her face pale.

Ah.

Allen’s feet felt hot the moment he saw her. She exhaled a long plume of smoke and smiled coolly.

“I’ve come to find the bad disciple who abandoned her poor master…”

The master of the Blind Saintess.

She, who should be in the Holy Kingdom, had come all this way to find the disciple who had sold trust for money.