Chapter 165

Chapter 165

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 165: Trade Secret (1).

The city suffered enormous human and material damage, but ultimately survived the demon’s attack.

The Ash Soldiers who pushed into the inner castle fortunately disappeared before entering the Count’s residence.

The Count came out of the inner castle to inspect the city’s situation and couldn’t hide his grief upon seeing the city literally in shambles.

“Your Excellency!”

He almost stumbled several times in shock. As he walked, supported by his knight guard, he encountered the people returning from the war.

Though they had won, their appearance was no different from defeated soldiers, and the Count eventually shed tears.

“Thank you. Really, thank you… ohohohohoh…”

The weeping Count shook hands with each of those who fought to the end and defeated the demon army. However, less than half of them survived. The majority of the survivors were experienced mercenaries. Only a few dozen conscripted citizens and guards remained.

Covered in ashes, Allen let out a long sigh and looked up at the sky.

…On this tragic day, the sky was so clear and bright.

The Allen-Mercenary Group all survived. Some members were severely injured and almost became unable to continue their mercenary work, but fortunately, such misfortune was avoided. However, the intense fear left by the demon army was forever imprinted on their bodies and minds.

In particular, the Newbie Kori, who experienced such a large-scale war for the first time and had his arm painfully torn off, suffered from post-traumatic stress. However, Allen couldn’t do anything about the problems he faced. It was something he had to overcome on his own.

Anyway, after experiencing the war together, Group Leader Kallihill began to cherish Group Leader Allen dearly.

Though this was partly because Allen was the future of the Southern mercenary group, it was more because of his selfless sense of justice and steadfast beliefs.

He was already pondering whether there was a woman among his sisters or relatives who would suit Allen as a match. He judged it would be good to connect him with a ducal family if possible.

Amusingly, there was no political or power-oriented calculation in this. Kallihill purely wanted to get closer to Allen. Allen felt he understood why this man was called a pushover.

The subjugation force recuperated at the Count’s castle for about five days before leaving the city. Of course, Allen didn’t receive any compensation there. Honestly, the city’s situation was so dire that he couldn’t bring himself to ask for it.

Instead, Allen made sure to collect compensation from the next city onwards. Honestly, after saving the nearly doomed South, he had the right to demand at least that much.

If Group Leader Allen had acted alone, the lords might have brushed it off and feigned ignorance, but with Group Leader Kallihill from a Duke’s family taking an active role, they had no choice but to cough up the compensation. Indeed, from what they’d heard, it was true that the entire South had almost been engulfed in the ashes of war.

The lords provided each mercenary group with around a hundred gold coins. Thus, the Allen-Mercenary Group had roughly 850 gold coins in hand before entering the duchy. And finally, the subjugation force returned in triumph to the duchy!

The rumor that they had defeated the demon army had already reached the big city of Kronstold. Citizens gathered on the main street, cheering for the triumphant return of the subjugation force to the city. The members, who had completely overcome the shock of war, waved their hands in excitement, basking in the warm welcome.

“I am Geese of the Allen-Mercenary Group!”

“I am Kori!”

“Woohoo!”

The ducal estate especially welcomed their return. Of course, there was a calculation involved, as they wanted to announce that the heroes who saved the South originated from the ducal estate. Still, Allen had no intention of denying it. Rather, he was inwardly pleased, thinking it gave him a reason to extort a hefty reward.

The subjugation force, having safely arrived at the inner castle, was guided to the guest accommodations, except for the four group leaders. Those four were specially directed to an audience with the Duke.

“Oh! Our heroes!”

The old Duke, who still did not let go of his wine glass, welcomed them back after achieving their goal. Of course, the meeting with the Duke wasn’t particularly beneficial. It was just an endless stream of congratulatory remarks.

Allen’s interest lay in just one thing. The reward.

Of course, that evening, there was a banquet for the subjugation force. The mercenaries, visiting a noble’s banquet hall for the first time in their lives, fidgeted awkwardly, unsure of what to do. They merely devoured the food and drink voraciously.

The various nobles paid no attention to the insignificant mercenaries. Only Group Leader Allen, whom Kallihill had by his side, attracted attention from everyone, regardless of age or gender.

“Allen is someone I cherish like a younger brother!”

Though not the next heir to the duke, Kallihill, one of the influential figures in the ducal family, wielded considerable influence in the city. It was only natural that Allen, whom he cherished like a brother, would attract attention. Moreover, the performance of the Allen-Mercenary Group in this war was outstanding. Rumors were already circulating that they would become an influential mercenary group in the future.

Of course, Allen didn’t think these connections with various nobles were completely useless. Especially in many businesses, nobles were indispensable. Since there was a possibility of getting involved with them in the future, he decided to build some camaraderie.

…So two days passed like an arrow.

Anyway, except for Allen, the other three group leaders were all affiliated with the ducal house. Thus, the only person to discuss the reward money was Allen.

Fortunately, thanks to the enthusiastic persuasion of Group Leader Kallihill, Allen’s group received a reward of a thousand gold coins. Honestly, when Allen heard the news, he almost went to Kallihill and showered him with kisses. It was an income far beyond his expectations!

In any case, with the thousand gold coins he received, Allen began distributing the delayed bonuses to his members. Fifty gold coins per person.

Of course, it was quite a sum, but financial treatment was the best for such a big event.

“As promised, I’ve packed it well. You’ve all worked hard serving an incompetent group leader. Oh, of course, don’t just waste it on fun; upgrade your equipment too.”

Though a bit of nagging was added, the mercenaries who received the money had smiles beaming on their faces.

The Allen-Mercenary Group decided to have a week-long vacation here in Kronstold. With all the work done, having come all the way to the distant Southern lands, they should enjoy it to the fullest.

The mercenary group, having gained free time after a while, wandered around the big city. This time, even Training Junkie Victor and Itty Titty Natasha didn’t stay cooped up in the lodging and explored the Southern metropolis.

Allen wandered around the market just in case, but as expected, the South didn’t have any specialties other than grains. Of course, the grain prices were less than half of what they sold for in Vermandois, but transporting that vast amount to Vermandois itself was no ordinary task. Even if you doubled your investment of a thousand gold coins, after all deductions, the net profit wouldn’t even be five hundred. Considering the effort, it was better to go with a lighter load than to barely make that much.

In the end, Allen gave up on reinvesting. The transportation of grain from the South would have to be reconsidered once a trading company was established. Still, since Group Leader Kallihill thought highly of Allen, there might be a chance to purchase a large quantity of grain at a very low price. After all, the Duke’s family needed to sell more than half of the grain they received as tax to convert it into money.

Allen also checked if there were any mercenaries he could recruit from the Kallihill-Mercenary Group. Known as the “Southern King of Pushovers,” Group Leader Kallihill was generous if the affinity was well established.

Yet, true to its affiliation with the Duke’s family, the Kallihill-Mercenary Group was qualitatively different from other Southern mercenary groups. However, the issue was, as always, money.

The King of Pushovers in the South seemed to be generous not only to players but also to his members. Hence, their hiring fees were nearly double the average amount.

If it were later in the mid-to-late stages with plenty of money, it might be different, but for Allen, who valued efficiency, it was an area hard to touch easily. Regrettably, he had no choice but to put it on hold for now.

…In fact, Allen’s work wasn’t all about that.

It might be the most important task in his current mercenary business.

Allen entered a certain inn building in the middle of the city alone.

He quietly passed the counter, climbed the stairs to the second floor, and arrived in front of the appointed room.

“It’s me.”

Beyond the creaking open door, waiting eagerly for the Group Leader in provocative lingerie, was the Milk-Jug Mage.

“Group Leadeeer~”

The voice, already sticky with desire, was not that of a wise mage but rather that of a lustful female.

Allen stepped inside, slammed the door shut, and immediately pressed his lips roughly against the Milk-Jug Mage’s luscious ones. Her pupils dilated rapidly in a haze.

The two, lost in their excitement, began to lick each other’s faces fervently. The Group Leader whispered into the female mage’s ear, licking it softly.

“Today, I’m going to go wild… Look forward to it.”

“…Yes, Allen…”

This was precisely Allen’s business secret.

To protect one of the only four Gate Openers on the continent from all kinds of temptations.