Chapter 192

Chapter 192

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 192: Yearning (2)

About twelve days after Allen arrived in the capital.

With the arrival of the 10th-rank leader, Monster Ryga, who represented the Northern mercenaries, all the Top 10 were gathered in the capital.

Due to the urgency of the matter, a meeting was held the day after Group Leader Ryga arrived.

Typically, only the Top 10 leaders could attend the meeting, but two additional people attended this time.

One was the middle-aged Prince representing the Imperial Palace.

And the other was Group Leader Allen, whose fame was currently on the rise.

Of course, most of the group leaders understood the Prince’s presence, but they couldn’t quite grasp why Group Leader Allen was attending this meeting. No matter how well he’d been doing lately, he didn’t have the stature to sit alongside the Top 10.

However, since it was none other than Ghost Flame Grenzo who was actively pushing for Group Leader Allen’s attendance, there was no particular opposition, and they watched keenly, wondering what great secret he was hiding.

The moderator leading this meeting was Prince Murloc, the representative of the Imperial Palace who initiated the Top 10 gathering.

As soon as he confirmed the last participant had taken their seat, he immediately started the meeting without giving anyone a moment to breathe.

Though it was a meeting of the Top 10, who were considered legendary in the mercenary world, it was as ordinary as any other meeting. Anyway, half of them didn’t even fully grasp the situation. Of course, everyone gathered here had directly or indirectly experienced the Immortal Incident, but there were quite a few who dismissed it as just an episode. They wondered if there was really a need to make a fuss by holding a meeting like this.

The representative of the Northern Top 10 Group Leader Monster Ryga seemed rather displeased about coming here with the Northern War imminent.

However, when Ghost Flame Grenzo passionately explained how much harm the appearance of the immortals could bring to the continent, only then did their perception somewhat change.

If even Group Leader Grenzo, who rarely showed interest in external matters, emphasized it this much, it must truly be an urgent matter.

“Then why did this person come here?”

The burly Group Leader Ryga pointed his chin at Allen and asked.

“Group Leader Allen is more of an expert in this area than I am. So I brought him in as a consultant for this meeting.”

And as the Ghost Flame Grenzo signaled with his eyes, Group Leader Allen stood up. The gaze of the great Top 10 was all on him, yet he showed no sign of tension. As if this was his rightful place, he appeared calm.

Allen began speaking clearly, without the slightest hesitation. He added more details to what he had told Group Leader Grenzo and Prince Murloc on the first day they arrived in the capital.

The content was extensive, and as he also answered questions that arose intermittently, the conversation went on for quite some time.

As the lengthy discussion finally came to a close, the leaders nodded as if they had a rough understanding of this mission. Certainly, it was a bigger issue than they had initially thought.

“So, unless we offer up something called the Finger of God or whatever, the continent could be screwed, is that it?”

“Ahem, Group Leader Ryga. Please moderate your language. We are in the presence of His Highness.”

“Oh… I apologize, Your Highness.”

“No need to be so tense. Speak comfortably as usual. It’s more important to focus on this task now….”

For the first time, Sword Emperor Magnus, who had been silently listening without a word, spoke up.

At the statement from the mental pillar of the Top 10, everyone fell silent and listened intently.

“Then, Group Leader Allen, what do you think? How should we resolve this?”

The group leaders’ gazes pierced Allen’s face like arrows.

He replied as if he had been waiting for this moment.

“When the dimensional gate of the ancient city opens, I believe we must enter directly to find and offer the Finger of God.”

“So that’s the sure solution, is it?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

However, there was one more major problem left.

Who would enter that ancient city? That was the question…

The leaders of the Top 10 looked at each other in silence. It was clear that it would be a troublesome matter.

At that moment, someone lightly tapped the round table with their fist to draw attention.

“I will go.”

The person who confidently declared their participation was Ghost Flame Grenzo.

“It seems like I shouldn’t miss out on this.”

There were no further declarations of willingness to participate. Of course, they couldn’t just wait indefinitely for voluntary participation, so the Prince, who was watching, made a proposal.

“Not everyone needs to participate. However, since we don’t know what dangers may lurk, I hope that four, including Group Leader Grenzo, will participate.”

Four from the Top 10.

That was an immense force. It meant they would proceed with great caution.

“If there are no more participants, we will fairly draw lots. Do you agree?”

It felt somewhat undignified to resort to drawing lots here, but given the situation, it was unavoidable.

Honestly, most seemed reluctant to even draw lots, but with the Prince being so proactive, there was no other choice… If you dislike it, you should take off your cap.

“I agree.”

In the end, all nine others cast their votes in favor. And, as expected, Allen, who had prepared in advance, took out a container and went around clockwise starting from Sword Emperor Magnus.

Each of the Top 10 group leaders held a slip of paper. Once the distribution was complete, the Prince gestured for them to unfold it.

As the neatly folded slips of paper were opened, a variety of sighs emerged from different corners. Some were of relief, others of distress.

“Those who have been chosen, raise your hand.”

Then, slowly, three hands went up.

The Iron Mask Viola.

The Monster Ryga.

The Elementalist Pesial.

Particularly, Monster Ryga, who drew the participation slip, had a slight look of dissatisfaction on his face, but what could he do, having drawn it with his own hand? He had to accept fate like a man.

“Then the four of you will participate in this mission. If anyone has objections, speak now.”

The four shook their heads, indicating they had none.

“Then the rest may leave. Of course, I expect each of you to faithfully perform your duties in your respective positions.”

“Understood.”

And so, the six seats at the round table quickly emptied.

In fact, Allen didn’t necessarily need to be further involved in this task, but with the request from Ghost Flame Grenzo and the Prince, and coincidentally with Group Leader Viola participating, he naturally found himself taking a seat. Of course, he never intended to miss out on such a grand event from the start.

“Only the core of the core remains.”

Ghost Flame Grenzo scanned those who remained and said this. It was a bit of lip service to boost their spirits.

The confident Monster Ryga raised his chin slightly and spoke in a booming voice.

“Since we’ve been chosen, let’s not drag this out! Let’s deal with this crap quickly and head back!”

The six-member squad discussed more specific plans.

They decided to depart as soon as the scent tracker from the Holy Kingdom arrived in the capital.

With no promised day or set location, they packed as lightly as possible. It was sure to be a long journey.

“It will be quite a strenuous journey. Especially in the ancient city, who knows what terrifying things may lurk there?”

“With me here, what’s there to fear?”

Monster Ryga pounded his chest with his fist and shouted like that.

…Even if the North was a bit of an honor fool, it was certainly reassuring at times like this. Surprisingly, his participation might be a positive element.

“You just guide us well! We’ll take care of everything else!”

“Understood.”

Everyone was an expert when it came to setting out on a mission, so there was no need to chatter on any further.

They were just waiting for the Holy Knight of the Holy Kingdom, Monua, to arrive soon.

“That Holy Knight will arrive in the capital within a fortnight at the latest. It’s an imperial command, so the Holy Kingdom can’t drag their feet.”

Of course, the Holy Kingdom served God, not the Emperor, so it was right to see it as a special autonomous region, but the logic of power couldn’t be ignored. Strictly speaking, even that special autonomous status was granted by the Empire.

The lengthy meeting finally concluded, and Allen boarded Group Leader Viola’s carriage to head back to the lodging.

“You don’t need to push yourself because of me.”

Viola seemed concerned about that from earlier.

“I can’t just leave you to go alone. Besides, we have as many as four Top 10 group leaders with us. What is there to worry about?”

It was true that he was trying to earn some points, but it wasn’t completely fabricated.

Naturally, he scored some points as well.

“Allen…!”

Slightly moved, Viola showered Allen with a passionate kiss.

And before the carriage came to a stop, she sweetly whispered in his ear that she would book a separate room for them sometime.

It was clear she had a fierce determination to thoroughly enjoy that night.

Damn, I’m all out of stamina boosters!

The fire under Allen’s feet made him think he should make a special request to Group Leader Grenzo, who was particularly knowledgeable in that area.

He also had several wives and mistresses, so surely he must have some secret techniques!

…If possible, the strongest one…!

Allen imagined the thrilling conquest of Group Leader Viola.

…Will such a day really come…?