Chapter 135

Chapter 135

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 135: Fake Gold (3).

About five days after the Allen-Mercenary Group arrived in Agnentia, the Top 10 Viola-Mercenary Group, which had passed through the Iron Fortress Kalstadt, also arrived, perfectly disguised. And on that very night, a guide was sent to Allen from the Marquis’s castle. It was for a secret meeting. Late at night, he headed to the Marquis’s castle, accompanied by the diligent Viktor, following the guide.

Thus, the five gathered once again. And this secret meeting had an additional participant, the generous-looking Marquis.

“You’ve had a hard journey, Group Leader Viola.”

“This much can’t be called hard.”

Group Leader Allen greeted each of the other five individually and took his seat. Since he was the last participant in this secret meeting, it began as soon as he sat down.

The person leading the meeting was, of course, the middle-aged Prince.

“I would like to extend my gratitude to the Marquis who willingly accepted this bait plan.”

Of course, whether the Marquis truly ‘willingly’ accepted was something no one could confirm, but the Prince nevertheless gave the Marquis a public compliment.

“How could I consider personal gain in matters concerning the peace of the continent?”

The Marquis also displayed some humility. Such was the typical manner of noble conversations.

“With Group Leader Viola joining us, we can now proceed in earnest.”

Having adorned the preamble sufficiently, the middle-aged Prince delved straight into the main topic.

“The cart loaded with silver bars is already prepared. Now, it’s just a matter of executing the plan.”

At that moment, Allen subtly raised his hand to speak. The Prince gestured towards him with a slight nod, indicating he should proceed.

“Now that Group Leader Viola is here, I don’t think we need to delay any further. The plan is already set, so I believe we should start tomorrow.”

“Does everyone agree? Viola, you came a long way. Is everything alright with you?”

Viola, one of the Top 10, smiled confidently and replied that there were no issues at all.

“That’s good. We’ll start the operation tomorrow. Just to be sure, let’s go over the plan one more time. There might be some misunderstandings.”

As the Prince nodded towards Group Leader Allen, he eagerly stood up and moved towards the wall where the map was hanging.

“Although you all know, I will explain everything again from the beginning.”

Allen struck the City of Silver, Agnentia, with the prepared baton.

“Tomorrow at noon, a cart loaded with silver bars will be moving from here in Agnentia. Of course, the contents will be covered with boxes and thick cloth, making it impossible to check from the outside, however…!”

He lightly tapped his baton on the palm of his hand.

“We will feign an accidental incident, causing the axle of the cart to break. The pile of silver bars is very heavy, so if we deeply cut the axle, it will definitely break.”

The five listening quietly nodded their heads.

“Then, the box containing the silver bars on the wagon will spill onto the ground, and passersby will see its contents. Of course, the transportation of silver bars from Agnentia to the capital is already a well-known fact, but only a very few know when and by which route it will travel. Naturally, it’s for confidentiality. Even the transport team doesn’t know what they’re carrying.”

He pointed to Agnentia again with his baton.

“Anyway, thus, the informants of the bandit group in the city will undoubtedly hear the rumor. They will probably use carrier pigeons to exchange information. Then, half the plan is already successful.”

“And the other half?”

This time, Baron Bornov asked.

“They’ll be led down the path they like. No beast will resist a tempting bait dangled right before their eyes. That’s the other half of the plan.”

The Baron nodded in understanding. Allen flashed a handsome smile and began tracing a squiggly line on the map with his baton.

“This is the route we’ll take. Starting from Agnentia, we’ll pass through two villages and head to the small city of Amper. As you all know, this city almost fell when the Gate to the Spirit Realm opened in the past. It means there’s no way they can manage security around here. Plus, with the grain coming up from the Southern plains, it’s practically a haven for bandits. In short, this area is a den of thieves.”

“So, you’re saying we’ll confront them there.”

“That’s correct. The week it takes to get to the next city after passing through Amper will be the most critical time in this plan.”

Allen tucked the baton under his arm and clapped his hands with a wide smile.

“Now then… Shall we try to lure them?”

A rumor spread in Agnentia. A wagon passing through the main road had its axle break, spilling its load, which turned out to be an enormous amount of silver bars…

Not just any silver bars, but the very ones that made Agnentia known as the City of Silver. It was only a matter of time before this rumor reached the ears of the bandit group’s informants.

Though the group transporting the silver quickly managed the accident, it was hard to completely shake off the eyes following them. The last sighting of the silver transport was reported to be heading South.

The informant’s carrier pigeon flew swiftly, arriving at another informant’s hideout in the small town of Amper. Given that the route from Agnentia headed South passes through here, it was a logical stop.

The informant, having received such astonishing information, immediately headed to the bandit leader.

“…Silver bars?”

“And in an enormous quantity! Since it’s being offered to the capital of the Empire, it must be an unimaginable amount, don’t you think?”

The value of a single silver bar produced in Agnentia was roughly equivalent to two or three hundred gold coins. There would be dozens of silver bars on a single wagon, and the total value would be astronomical.

“Brother, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! With this, we can finally stand tall, can’t we?”

“Is it true? Are the silver bars really coming?”

“The information came just like that. It’s certain.”

“Shit…”

The mid-level officer was truly excited, thinking he had caught a big fish. He knew that silver bars from Agnentia were periodically transported to the capital, but to steal them, he needed to know when and where they were headed.

In that sense, this was truly a stroke of luck. If the axle hadn’t broken by sheer coincidence, spilling the bars from the cart, such an opportunity would never have arisen. Moreover, the fact that it just happened that it would pass through here…!

“Got it. I’ll report it.”

“…Uh, brother. Can I get a little…? Hehehehe.”

“Alright, you rascal. Once we secure a hefty share, I’ll make sure you’re not left out.”

“Thank you!”

And the mid-level officer immediately reported this information to his superior.

The matter of transporting Agnentia’s silver bars.

Since it was such a significant matter, it reached the ears of Zerper, Martolo’s closest confidant and right-hand man, who was in charge of the central-southern region for the Martolo Bandit Group.

“….Silver bars? Is it true?”

“It seems to be true. The rumor has already spread widely in Agnentia. It’s an opportunity that won’t come again. After all, there’s nothing to lose, right? If it turns out to be a wild goose chase, we can just punish the underlings.”

For those who were already coveting grains, the silver bars of Agnentia were an enormous prey.

In fact, the Martolo Bandit Group had made various efforts to track down the silver bar transport convoy, but the Marquis’s family conducted the transportation so discreetly that they had never succeeded. But now, thanks to a fortuitous accident, they were about to catch that tail.

“Damn, it’s going to be fucking enormous. Isn’t one silver bar worth hundreds of gold coins? Then, how about we take half for ourselves? We’ll be filthy rich!”

“Shit. This son of a bitch is so damn greedy…”

Soon, Zerper’s expression completely changed.

“…Can this be done discreetly? If needed, we can get rid of the underlings. We can always replace the headcount.”

“Of course. You know my skills.”

“Then proceed without getting caught.”

The massive Zerper slammed the table with his boulderlike fist and spoke ominously.

“Good. Gather all the guys! Every single one of them! We’re going to take those goddamn silver bars!”

“Understood!”

“How many beasts do we have now?”

“We have five.”

“Bring all of them too.”

“Th-that many?”

It would be the first time so many monsters would be deployed.

“Idiot, do you think escorting a supply convoy is a joke? They won’t be pushovers. I’ll be joining in too.”

The subordinate even fantasized that with such an investment, they might be able to handle the Top 10.

“Understood.”

“…And don’t report this to the higher-ups yet. Only do it when I say so after everything is done. Got it?”

“Of course. Don’t worry. Hehe.”

Zerper grinned widely, revealing his yellow teeth.

“Alright then, let’s have a damn feast!”

The greedy bastards took the bait without any suspicion.