Chapter 161

Chapter 161

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 161: Ashen (5).

Five years had brought considerable changes to the Baron’s appearance.

His hair had grown significantly more speckled with gray, his wrinkles deepened, and his cheeks hollowed. However, his hawk-like, sharp eyes remained as they always were.

After exchanging greetings, the two observed each other in silence for quite some time.

The one to break this long silence was Baron Pomwell, clasping his hands together. He lightly placed them on the desk and spoke.

“What brings you here?”

For words addressed to a son he hadn’t seen in five years, they were remarkably cold. However, Allen, who had already anticipated this, couldn’t help but smile slightly.

“I just stopped by while passing through.”

Of course, Allen responded in a way that made the saying “like father, like son” ring true.

The Baron, lowering his gaze back to the documents, replied nonchalantly.

“Didn’t I tell you not to come until your name reached my ears?”

…You still remember that.

“I thought I was somewhat famous, but it seems I’m not there yet.”

In fact, the Baron had been hearing bits and pieces about Allen. His son was truly causing quite a stir in the mercenary world with his remarkable achievements.

However, the father guarded against his son’s arrogance and treated him coldly.

The world was a vast and perilous place, especially in the mercenary world.

“If you have no business, leave.”

Allen read the Baron’s true feelings and bowed his head lightly.

“Understood. Then I’ll take my leave, Father.”

The Baron didn’t even glance at his departing son. Yet, he didn’t think of himself as cold. It was just a different way of expressing himself.

Seeing him in good health achieved his goal. There was no need to chatter on unnecessarily.

As Allen left the office, the Baroness happened to visit the trading company building. She seemed to have rushed over upon hearing that her youngest son had returned.

“Allen! My dear son!”

The Baroness hugged her son, whom she hadn’t seen in years, and showered him with kisses on both cheeks, expressing her affection that had been pent up. Seeing this, Kalisman smiled contentedly.

“I’ve heard a lot about you. You’re friends with one of the Top 10, aren’t you? I’m proud of you, Allen!”

Judging by her words, she didn’t seem to fully understand what the Top 10 were, but Allen just smiled and calmly accepted his mother’s words.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been back. Let’s have a meal together.”

“No, Mother. I’ve seen both of you, so I should be going back now.”

“Why? We just saw each other. Are you leaving already?”

“The situation is a bit complicated right now… I’ll come back next time when I have some time, Mother.”

Tears welled up again in the eyes of the emotional woman. She placed her hand on the cheek of her son, who had returned, grown and strong.

“My son…”

“Oh, don’t cry on a good day like this.”

“I’m not crying. I’m not crying. Huh. I’m not crying, dear.”

He held her tightly in his arms as she sobbed.

“Don’t worry. I’ll definitely come back. With you here, why wouldn’t I return?”

“Yes, Allen. I’ll be waiting. This mother can wait as long as it takes. Your father may seem stern, but his heart isn’t like that. He always thinks of you, so don’t feel pressured. Come back whenever you can, okay?”

“Yes, Mother.”

He kissed her lightly on the forehead and then left the building. The Baroness stood outside the building for a long time until her son was out of sight.

Allen, who had spent a comfortable night at the inn, said something shocking to Charlotte when she joined him for breakfast the next day.

“We’re leaving tomorrow.”

“…What?!”

Allen sliced his meat as if it was no big deal.

“We need to go to the ducal castle. To stop the demon’s advance, we need their strength. Now is the time for the entire South to unite.”

…Ah…

Charlotte immediately understood the meaning of Allen’s words. Indeed, what else could be done here? Just watching other cities fall like dominoes.

“So, your role is very important. Everything here depends entirely on you.”

Charlotte swallowed hard at the solemn tone.

“I understand. I will do my best.”

And until the meal ended, no more conversation continued between them. Before leaving the dining room, he bid farewell in advance.

“I will leave early at dawn tomorrow. Let me say goodbye now.”

He lightly held her hand and kissed the back of it.

“May fortune be with you on your path.”

Allen, who almost became her fiancé, turned away with a gentle smile.

And, the next dawn.

As he had forewarned, he left Berge early in the morning.

Rain drizzled down from the thick, overcast clouds.

Allen’s sigh slowly seeped into the mist…

A fortnight after leaving Berge.

The Allen-Mercenary Group, after passing through a city and several large and small villages, finally arrived at the largest city in the south, Kronstold.

A scale befitting a metropolis, a tremendous crowd, and the tall fortress standing sharply in the middle of the city.

However, even in this large city, the gloomy atmosphere of the South lingered. Especially the sight of refugees coming from the Southern regions, said to be ravaged by a demon, heading towards the city was unfamiliar when recalling the peaceful South.

During such times, mercenary groups receive even more hospitality, so the Allen-Mercenary Group also swiftly passed through the checkpoint in a single go.

Without even having time to unload their luggage, they headed straight to the ducal castle. Fortunately, they passed through without much complicated procedure this time as well. It must mean that even here, every hand was precious.

The person who came out to greet the Allen-Mercenary Group was the Vice Group Leader of a mercenary group affiliated with the Duke’s household. The large man called Morin gave a friendly smile and shook hands warmly with Allen.

“I’ve heard a lot about you. It’s an honor to meet you, Group Leader Allen.”

“Thank you for the warm welcome.”

“Please, come this way.”

However, Allen declined to go to the accommodations and immediately stated his purpose. He hadn’t come here just to be hired.

“Would it be possible to request a meeting with His Grace the Duke right now? It’s a matter of urgency.”

“…That’s beyond my authority.”

“Then how about mentioning it to your Group Leader?”

The Vice Group Leader, deciding it wasn’t his call, took Group Leader Allen to his superior.

Thus, they met the middle-aged man.

[Strength: 57] [Agility: 49] [Stamina: 55] [Intelligence: 11] [Magic: 12]

[Talent] [Will] [Justice] [Loyalty] [Diligence] [Energetic] [Greed] [Kindness]

A status window that was neither particularly outstanding nor particularly bad, just average.

The man before him was the leader of the Kallihill-Mercenary Group, affiliated with a ducal family, Kallihill Norton.

A person as famous as the Top 10 in [Guild Master]! …This man is one of the three major pushovers…!

He was one of the continent’s top three pushovers, known as the Southern Pushover King, who was completely exploited in [Guild Master].

“Nice to meet you. I’m Group Leader Allen of the Allen-Mercenary Group. It’s an honor to meet you.”

“Group Leader Kallihill. Thank you for visiting at this difficult time.”

The two men exchanged a firm handshake.

“So, you have something to ask…”

“It’s embarrassing to ask such a favor at our first meeting, but given the circumstances, I hope you understand.”

“What kind of favor is it?”

“Please allow me to meet the Duke.”

“…The Duke?”

In fact, the Duke was the Group Leader’s father. Meeting him would be much easier through this connection.

“What is the reason?”

Allen calmly explained the reason.

“The current state of the South is quite serious. The demon is growing stronger with time, and if left unchecked, it will sweep across the entire South. This place, Kronstold, will be no exception. Before it grows larger, we must unite our forces and nip it in the bud.”

Kallihill silently stared intently at Allen.

There had been no lack of such discussions internally, but this was the first time an external mercenary group had come forward with such proactive intent.

“I, too, am from the Southern region of Berge. Upon hearing rumors of a demon ravaging the South, I rushed here from Vermandois. Without the Duke’s power, it will be difficult to stop it.”

To be honest, Allen didn’t feel obligated to endure this hardship to protect the South. He could just take his parents and head to Vermandois.

However, if the demon was left unchecked, there was a risk the entire South could be devoured. Allen had experienced several instances in [Guild Master] where neglecting demons resulted in entire regions being wiped out. And when a demon would consume a region and grow massive, it would become a tremendous force, posing a major threat to the entire continent.

…If we don’t stop them here, it’ll really become a headache…!

Moreover, this was the most vulnerable part of the continent. If left unchecked, it would likely end in disaster.

In short, if no one would step up to take charge of this damned random event, it would spell doom. In [Guild Master], that was the player’s role. And here, it had become Allen’s responsibility.

So he was giving up the money he loved so much to go through this hardship. If things would go wrong, it wouldn’t just be money at stake, but the entire continent!

With heartfelt emotion, Allen declared his resolve.

“Though I am a mercenary chasing money, I cannot ignore the crisis of my homeland. We must all unite our strength to overcome this crisis! So, please, let me meet the Duke.”

Kallihill nodded with a faint smile. Thankfully, Allen’s determination seemed to reach his heart.

“I understand your will. I will speak to my father.”

“Thank you.”

With the King of Pushovers by my side, we shall overcome this crisis!