Chapter 133

Chapter 133

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 133: Fake Gold (1).

“Damn it.”

Allen threw the coin on the floor irritably.

With a loud metallic clang, it bounced several times before coming to a stop.

It was a fake gold coin.

If it were just a few, it wouldn’t be a problem, but recently, there were far too many fake gold coins. Rumor had it that fake gold was rampant across the continent, and it seemed they had finally infiltrated Vermandois as well.

Still, it was impossible to check every single coin. For a business owner with two inns, it was driving him crazy.

…This really doesn’t seem like something I can just ignore…

Of course, he could have turned a blind eye and circulated the counterfeit gold coins, but if he got caught by bad luck, it would tarnish the reputation he had painstakingly built. Even if he claimed ignorance, it would certainly be used against him during the Top 10 evaluations later.

So, risking future reputation over a few gold coins was not an option. Allen, the money grubber, valued future prospects more and boldly discarded the counterfeit coins.

But the future is the future, and crap is still crap.

In particular, this counterfeit gold was the worst crime that could outrage the Empire. It was an atrocious act equivalent to high treason. If caught, not only the individual but even his entire family could be annihilated.

Of course, there was only one group on the continent that would do such a thing. Those who were doomed no matter what, with no future to look forward to.

The worst bandit group on the continent, the Martolo-Bandit Group.

Among the mages who poured out from the Magic Tower, which was no different from a mental asylum, naturally, many were absorbed into the Martolo-Bandit Group.

Surely, the leader of the Martolo Group lured them in by promising better treatment than they received at the Magic Tower. If it meant they could live in abundance, the mages from the Magic Tower, who could commit any atrocity without hesitation, would not refuse such an offer. This was already proven by the fact that the Martolo-Bandit Group even uses demonic beasts.

Those bastards, it’s about time they get dealt with.

They’ve been distributing fake gold, so the Empire won’t just stand by and watch. They might already be taking action.

Because of this fake gold, even Vermandois was on high alert, and an order to summon the Top 10 was issued once.

Summons for the Top 10th Group Leader, Iron Mask Viola, and the Bloody Club Gione.

Group Leader Allen was also called to a gathering where only mercenary groups with significant influence in Vermandois were invited. This signified that his status had risen considerably.

Of course, no particular solutions emerged from that emergency meeting. They merely agreed to immediately dispose of any discovered fake gold and to report directly to the Top 10 Group Leaders if anyone connected to the fake gold was found.

Naturally, such temporary measures showed no signs of improving the situation at all.

One day, living half in resignation…

While Allen was listening to the tedious self-introduction of a clueless country mercenary in his office, a summons came from Group Leader Viola. Since it was rare for her to call, he figured it must be something urgent and quickly tidied up his desk before standing.

Considering she had left her office and returned to her hideout, it seemed to be quite an important matter. He hurried to the Viola House with the day’s on-duty sharpshooter, Gheorghe.

Upon arriving at her hideout, he immediately passed through the main gate and, guided by the butler, entered the reception room. Not only was Group Leader Viola there, but several other people as well.

“Ah, you’ve arrived.”

“…Eh, I wonder if I am supposed to be here…”

“Of course. Come over here.”

One of the two people sitting at the round table was someone Allen knew well. One of the three great suckers, Kalim, whose hair had turned even grayer over the past few years.

“Group Leader Kalim, it’s been a long time.”

“Yes, it has indeed been a long time. You’ve become a much more imposing man since I last saw you.”

Given the setting, Group Leader Kalim maintained his decorum and did not speak informally.

After shaking hands with Group Leader Kalim, Allen turned his gaze to the unknown man.

[Strength: 52] [Agility: 57] [Stamina: 53] [Intelligence: 11] [Magic Power: 20]

[Talent] [Cold-headed] [Cautious] [Efficiency-Oriented] [Greed] [Ambition] [Lust] [Sensitive] [Insomnia]

Decent stats and traits, but nothing more.

He seemed to be in his early to mid-thirties. Tall and well-built, he appeared to be a physical type matching his good stats.

His introduction came not from himself but from Group Leader Viola.

“His Excellency Baron Gaius Raina Bornov.”

“Ah, I apologize for the late introduction. I am Group Leader Allen Dewise Pomwell.”

“Nice to meet you, Group Leader Allen.”

The two exchanged a light handshake without further formalities.

As Allen took his seat, the table felt more stable.

He slowly scanned the three seated at the table and the middle-aged man who appeared to be the Baron’s guard. It was as if he could see through their thoughts.

“You’ve come because of the fake gold.”

Allen smiled brightly and said it straight away. Baron Bornov gave a slight smile, as if to confirm his accuracy.

“That’s correct. By the order of His Majesty the Emperor, I have come here under the title of investigator. Group Leader Kalim mentioned that I could receive assistance from Group Leader Viola here…”

Group Leader Viola lightly nodded her head as if to indicate she was willing to help.

The other party was an investigator sent by none other than His Majesty the Emperor. Accepting his request was only natural. Even if it was without compensation… Of course, the Empire wouldn’t exploit someone without compensation for the sake of its dignity.

“And Group Leader Viola recommended you. She said you have a lot of experience and would accomplish any task excellently…”

Allen instantly understood Viola’s intention. She seemed to be trying to connect him with the Empire’s nobility through this opportunity.

Of course, he had no intention of refusing it. The relationship between a mercenary group and nobility was inseparable. It was common knowledge that most of the mercenary group’s clients were wealthy nobles.

“She praises me too highly; I’m at a loss for words.”

Baron Bornov clasped his hands together and gently placed them on the table. At the same time, the atmosphere seemed to slightly calm down.

“What do you think about this situation?”

It was a kind of test. To see if Group Leader Allen had the minimum insight to be involved in this investigation.

Of course, Allen, who knew this better than anyone, recited what was in his mind without hesitation.

“The main culprit of this situation is the Martolo Bandits. They have recruited a mage and are producing counterfeit gold recklessly. Of course, this is something anyone can easily know and predict… The problem is how to stop it.”

The Baron gestured for him to continue. Allen stood up and spoke more fervently.

“It’s not actually easy. Since the opponent is a bandit, there’s no place that could be called their base… However, making fake gold is a bit different. It can’t be done while wandering around here and there. One must settle down in one place and proceed with the work.”

That was the biggest problem. Finding that place.

“Of course, you won’t be able to find it by ordinary means. Surely, it would be hidden thoroughly… Probably, only a very few within the bandit group know about it.”

Allen moved slowly, as if circling the table.

“So, we need to use a bait that can move that very few. A bait that they can’t resist…”

“What is that bait?”

At the Baron’s question, Allen smiled broadly.

“In the end, their essence is that of thieves. They can’t help but take something away… The plan is to leak information about the silver bars being sent from the Silver City, Agnentia, to the Empire. Since it’s something we’ve always done, they won’t suspect it to be bait.”

The three seemed surprised at the idea of using the silver bars as bait.

“The route for transporting the silver bars changes each time. It’s for security reasons… We will pretend to make a mistake and let it be discovered. You know, something like the wagon’s axle breaking by accident, causing the silver bars to spill onto the city’s streets…”

“…Indeed, that would get the higher-ups all fired up.”

“Absolutely. These guys’ peepers, oh excuse me, their eyes, turn at even a small amount of money from trading companies. If it’s Agnentia’s silver bars, even Group Leader Martolo might move personally.”

Everyone seemed to agree.

“They’ve become even more arrogant lately, thinking they can now control demonic beasts. They won’t sit still with such delicious prey in front of them. I believe if we capture and interrogate their leaders at that time, clues will emerge. Of course, we might come up empty-handed, but it’s the most likely method at present.”

And then Allen, slightly lowering his head, spoke softly to the guard standing right against the wall.

“Don’t you think so, Your Highness, the Prince?”

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The guard froze in place.

Simultaneously, Baron Bornov was in shock.

The other two group leaders had no clue what was happening. Why did Group Leader Allen suddenly address that middle-aged man as Your Highness?

A moment of silence. And then, the one who broke it was the guard, who had been quietly observing the four.

“…How did you recognize me?”

Allen answered with a deep smile.

“How could I not recognize Your Highness’s unmistakable aura?”

He craftily disguised the fact that he had identified it through the status window.