Chapter 116

Chapter 116

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 116: Overwhelming (4).

Despite wandering the Demon Lands relentlessly for three days, the subjugation of the beasts ended quite easily. Of course, no one was unaware that this was thanks to the overwhelming performance of the Allen-Mercenary Group.

Although two mercenaries from the Southern Mercenary Group died due to the sudden appearance of a horde of monsters, the result of resolving the notorious beast subjugation mission in the south was still quite satisfactory.

The mercenary group moved for another two days and finally reached the mining fortress. Though it was still within the Demon Lands, having walls or not made a significant difference in providing a sense of security.

The group stayed one more day at the fortress and walked another half-day before finally escaping the Demon Lands. The moment they completed their mission safely, the mercenaries felt a significant sense of euphoria. Especially the southern mercenary groups, who celebrated as if they had returned alive from hell.

Of course, Allen did not neglect to observe the other mercenaries even at that moment. You never know if you might stumble upon an unrefined gem… But, true to the barren nature of the south, no one caught his eye.

Anyway.

The mercenary group took the carriage waiting for them at the entrance fortress and returned to the city of Berge. Returning to the city after a week felt like heaven for a moment.

The carriage stopped in the outer courtyard of the Count’s Castle. As soon as the mercenaries got off the carriage, they stretched their cramped bodies and groaned.

Allen clapped lightly and smiled faintly, encouraging and praising the members for their hard work.

“You’ve all worked hard. Everyone carried out the mission excellently. Rest and enjoy yourselves until we leave.”

“Woohoo!”

The members cheered softly and laughed joyfully. Who in this world would dislike the rewards for working hard?

After sending the members ahead, the group leaders gathered in one place. Allen first expressed his condolences to the two group leaders from the South who had lost members.

“It’s fate; what can we do?”

True to the mercenary spirit, the Group Leader spoke of fate once again.

Although she was only a nominal representative, Charlotte still congratulated the other four group leaders as representatives of her family. Of course, the ones who played the most active role in this mission were the Allen-Mercenary Group, but she didn’t specifically praise them in front of others. After all, everyone already knew the truth.

After the final reports from the group leaders were completed, the five dispersed to their respective accommodations. Allen also returned to his room, unpacked, and relieved his fatigue in the bath.

Before dinner, the first to visit him was Itty Titty Swordsman Natasha. In the Demon Lands, she had been dignified and brave, but in front of the Group Leader, she completely changed.

She clung to him as if to dissolve the friendship accumulated over a week, looking up at him with a desperate expression. Naturally, he greedily explored her lips that clung to him… However, tonight’s guest spot was reserved under someone else’s name.

Not long after Allen finished his dinner and returned to his room, he heard a very soft knock on the door. The knocker was Milk-Jug Mage Elena.

[Strength: 9] [Agility: 12] [Stamina: 24] [Intelligence: 40] [Magic Power: 34]

[Talent] [Willpower] [Arrogance] [Greed] [Sensitive] [Irritable] [Insomnia] [Affection] [Masturbation Addiction] [Lust]

After leaving Vermandois, Elena, who had been holding back for this day for a long time, was already extremely aroused. Honestly, her patience in this regard was much stronger than Itty Titty Natasha. One might say it was a personality befitting a mage who strictly adheres to laws and rules.

Of course, once the reins were loosened, she became more lewd and vulgar than a street prostitute, but that was a secret known only to the two of them.

“Group Leader…”

And Allen spent the entire night engraving his manhood into Elena’s tender womanhood, who had remained chaste until then.

Returning to the city, Charlotte spent two days wrapping up matters related to the mercenary group hiring, and now she slowly turned her attention to recruiting.

This passive approach won’t get me anywhere. I need to take more proactive actions…!

The Southern Village Girl Charlotte decided to follow the example of Group Leader Allen, and reflect on her previously passive behavior, resolving to seek change.

The stark contrast between the two was clearly a difference in attitude. He acted proactively, while she merely stood by with her arms crossed, observing. And that had created this disparity.

Thus, the blonde Group Leader, determined to recruit talent for change, first sought out the female mage Elena, whom she had been watching closely.

Of course, Elena seemed a bit surprised to see Charlotte suddenly appear.

“Can we talk for a moment?”

“What do you want to talk about…?”

“It’s a bit difficult to discuss here.”

“…Ah, yes, please come in.”

The Milk-Jug Mage let Charlotte into the room. As the door closed with a thud, an awkward atmosphere flowed… In fact, this was the first time the two women had faced each other alone like this.

Still, Charlotte, as a group leader, was already quite experienced. She knew well that just shouting, “Become my comrade,” wouldn’t make someone a comrade.

First, praise, then persuasion, and finally, a proposal. She followed this rule exactly.

“Your magic, it was really amazing. We would have struggled a lot without you.”

“Oh, thank you for the compliment… But my skills are still lacking.”

“Absolutely not. With skills like that, you should be proud.”

Who would dislike receiving compliments? Of course, Elena, being clever, immediately sensed that the compliment had an ulterior motive. Suddenly coming out of nowhere just to give pure praise? Unfortunately, she was too hardened by reality to believe such intentions at face value.

As expected, once the compliments ended, Charlotte glanced at the mage and got straight to the point.

“How is Group Leader Allen treating you?”

At that moment, Elena fully understood the other person’s intent. So, they want to recruit me, huh?

“It’s good.”

“…Is there anything you find lacking?”

“I don’t particularly feel any dissatisfaction. My relationship with my colleagues is harmonious.”

“Is that so…?”

Of course, Charlotte knew it wouldn’t be easy, but the bond between them was much stronger than she had anticipated… However, she had no intention of backing down.

After all, the top priority for mercenaries was money. So, Charlotte decided to bet on money. She was determined to use this recruitment as an opportunity to revamp her group.

“Then… I’ll get straight to the point.”

Charlotte wiped off her smile a bit and declared in a solemn tone.

“I will give you fifty gold coins every month… Of course! Our mercenary group lacks in many ways compared to the Allen-Mercenary Group, but we plan to completely renew from this point on. And you will be the center of it… How about it?”

Of course, Elena wasn’t interested at all. She had no intention of leaving the Allen-Mercenary Group, not even a little. Not even for a million gold coins.

However, the counterpart was an acquaintance of Group Leader Allen. Openly rejecting might bring disadvantages to him, so she had to be cautious with every word.

“Well…”

“…Is fifty not enough? Then I’ll make it sixty. …No, how about seventy?”

“I’m sorry.”

Trying to act calm, Elena sensed an urgency that couldn’t be hidden from her counterpart.

“Alright, fine… Then… a hundred! That’s the maximum amount I can offer.”

If the counterpart had been the Blind Saintess, her eyes would have turned immediately at such an amount, but unfortunately, Elena wasn’t someone who was that obsessed with money. After all, the daughter of a Count didn’t become a mercenary for money.

“It’s not really… about the money.”

Charlotte took that answer to mean that the counterpart wasn’t satisfied with her mercenary group.

“Yes, I admit it. Compared to the Allen-Mercenary Group, we’re still lacking a lot… But! It will change. Definitely. I’ll work harder and make more effort…. Still, is it not possible?”

“…I’m sorry. It would be best if we pretend this conversation never happened.”

At that moment, Charlotte’s expectations crumbled. As expected.

In fact, it was too unlikely for her to be disappointed by the failure. So Charlotte tried hard not to be too discouraged.

“I see. I understand… I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”

“No, I fully understand your feelings, Group Leader.”

That was sincere. Because she had once acted as the temporary mercenary group leader of her family… It was only natural for a group leader to want to recruit good talent.

“Then, get some rest.”

“Yes.”

Charlotte, the group leader, forced a smile, but as soon as she stepped out of the room, that smile gradually faded.

She felt as though a heavy stone had fallen onto her chest. She tried not to, but, still… an indelible sense of despair and defeat engulfed her entire being.

…It was unlikely to work out anyway. There are many mages in the world. This is just the beginning. From now on…!

The Southern Village Girl kept thinking about Group Leader Allen. However, he had already moved so far ahead that he was barely visible.

Perhaps now, to him, she was…

…a being not even worth scolding, just like back then.