Chapter 206

Chapter 206

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 206: Chapter 4 (6)

After the harvest season, as the continent began to breathe a little easier, the Sword Emperor Magnus and the other members of the Top 10 began searching for new candidates to join their ranks.

Three candidates emerged from this search.

Candidate 1: Kasha-Mercenary Group.

Candidate 2: Keltra-Mercenary Group.

Candidate 3: Allen-Mercenary Group.

Both the Kasha-Mercenary Group and the Keltra-Mercenary Group were already well-known and established mercenary groups on the continent. Meanwhile, the Allen-Mercenary Group appeared like a divine presence, securing its place as a candidate.

Some expected a close match between the Kasha-Mercenary Group and the Allen-Mercenary Group. Perhaps a single vote or two would determine their fate.

Soon, a summons was issued for the Top 10 to gather in the capital. As this was an important event to decide the Top 10, it was recommended that the group leaders attend unless there was a significant reason not to.

The Viola-Mercenary Group and the Gione-Mercenary Group headed to the capital as members of the Top 10, while the Allen-Mercenary Group went as a candidate.

Though the continent was still preoccupied with survival, leading to less interest than before, this was still an intriguing matter. In the capital, people debated endlessly about who would become part of the Top 10 whenever they gathered in pairs.

Of course, Vice Group Leader Elizabeth had no doubt that the Kasha-Mercenary Group she supported would make it into the Top 10. Although the Allen-Mercenary Group had appeared like a divine entity and was enjoying high popularity, the Kasha-Mercenary Group boasted a rich history of over 20 years. They were more than qualified for the Top 10, and it wouldn’t be hard to secure neutral votes.

With three votes already secured from the Lady’s side, they only needed two more to clinch a spot in the Top 10.

Hmph, how dare he try to thwart me again? Who said anything about having him under me? I only asked that he establish himself in the East. The Top 10, the Top 10! He’s giving up the Top 10 just because of his pride? He must think the world is an easy place…!

Vice Group Leader Elizabeth decided to take this opportunity to clearly demonstrate her strength to that guy. Perhaps only after he loses his chance to be one of the Top 10 would he realize his place and lower his head.

The Elegant Mage felt a thrill imagining Group Leader Allen living in his own pride, being at a loss and humbling himself. Though he was an annoying fellow, what choice did she have? If he humbled himself to that extent, she would have no choice but to take him back.

Honestly, even Elizabeth acknowledged Allen’s abilities. Rising to this level in just a few years without any background support was certainly not an easy feat. Indeed, a manly capability of 138! But the problem was, he was just too arrogant.

Upon returning to the capital, she went around meeting the group leaders of the Top 10 and subtly requested their support for the Kasha-Mercenary Group. Promising ample rewards afterward.

Of course, the Sword Emperor and the Ghost Flame were individuals whom such requests wouldn’t sway, so she only discreetly revealed that she was supporting the Kasha-Mercenary Group.

If only they would cast their votes for the Kasha-Mercenary Group, she could guarantee his election, but as for those two, there was nothing she could do… Still, she believed that if not the Sword Emperor, at least her friendly acquaintance, the Ghost Flame, would perceive her intentions and support him.

Finally, with the arrival of the Ryga-Mercenary Group from the distant North, all of the Top 10 were gathered in the capital. It was nearly a year since the summons order had been issued due to the previous Immortal incident.

With the Ryga-Mercenary Group coming to the capital, there was no way his daughter, Armpit Hair Mary, would miss the occasion. Especially with the issue of the Top 10 decision of Group Leader Allen at stake!

As soon as Armpit Hair Mary arrived in the capital, she made inquiries and barged into the inn building where Allen was staying.

She made a grand entrance, her cloak made from the pelt of a snow leopard, which only lives in the North, billowing dramatically.

“Group Leader Allen! I’ve arrived!”

Mary, the most beautiful woman in the North, shouted boldly, with her arms crossed and proudly displaying her still bushy armpit hair.

Even a new diagonal scar stretched across her cheek, which wasn’t there before. Choosing to keep it instead of removing it with a healing spell seemed to signify a memento of her victory in battle.

Allen quickly took her into a room before she could start spouting nonsense in front of the mercenary group members in the hall.

However, once they were out of sight, she became even bolder.

“Group Leader Allen!”

Armpit Hair Mary embraced Group Leader Allen tightly and showered him with victorious kisses. He, unable to move a muscle in her embrace, had no choice but to accept the barrage of kisses.

…To be honest, except for the bushy armpit hair, she was as beautiful as Viola or Elizabeth. The only problem was that the dark hair was so vivid in his mind that he couldn’t forget it.

“For you, I have brought victory. Marry me, marry me…!”

It seemed like the gender roles were reversed, but this was the undeniable reality.

“Miss Mary, I’m sorry, but I have no thoughts of marriage right now. I’m busy with the mercenary group work at the moment. I’m sorry.”

Apparently, she hadn’t expected to be rejected, and she looked shocked.

Ah.

She hesitated, taking a few steps back with a heartbroken expression, and murmured.

“No matter how tough the battle was, I endured by thinking of you. This, this is the proof!”

Then she pointed with her finger at the beautifully carved scar on her cheek.

“I’ll make sure you live your life without a single worry. Beautifully, preciously…! So, please accept my love…!”

“…I fully understand Miss Mary’s feelings, but I’m sorry.”

Gah…!

Although she was a bit wild from living in the harsh Northern lands, her heart was innocent. With tearful eyes, she rushed out of the room, upset by his rejection.

The members, who watched the entire scene from the hall, chuckled, thinking the Group Leader had sent another woman away in despair.

“Group Leader, are you alright? No injuries, I presume?”

“You’ll soon become an esteemed Top 10 group leader, so you have to take care of yourself.”

At that moment, Allen noticed a sack. When he asked about it, he was told that it was a victory trophy and a gift from Armpit Hair Mary.

…A trophy and a gift?

“It’s full of money and jewels. I can’t even guess how much it’s worth.”

As the sack’s opening was pulled wide like an unhinged jaw, an immense amount of gold coins and jewels came into view.

Ah.

Allen’s heart pounded, as if he had unexpectedly encountered his first love.

Yeah, maybe I was too harsh in my rejection.

…Perhaps next time, I should say I need some time to think about it properly.

The day of the final battle.

As the sun slowly set, the Top 10 gathered one by one at the meeting place.

Allen, one of the three candidates, also headed to the meeting place, though he didn’t enter the conference room but waited in the small adjoining room.

Candidates waited there until the meeting concluded, and once the results were announced, they accepted them, end of story.

Honestly, it could be a bit cruel to the rejected ones, but the Top 10 in the mercenary world didn’t need to concern themselves with such matters.

Finally, with the arrival of Group Leader Gione at the meeting place, the conference room door closed with a thud.

After the positions of the Top 10 were decided, the door would finally open.

Vice Group Leader Elizabeth was confident about the Top 10 decision meeting.

Three votes would follow her opinion unconditionally. If she could secure just two more from the remaining six, the election of the Kasha-Mercenary Group was certain.

One of those votes was already secured through a deal, but the other was in a bit of a grey area. She thought perhaps the Sword Emperor or the Ghost Flame might cast their vote for her.

…Sorry, but Group Leader Allen, you stand no chance.

In any case, with four votes already secured, it meant that for Group Leader Allen to become one of the Top 10, he would need all the remaining five votes to go his way. But one of those votes was destined to be cast for the least likely candidate, the Keltra-Mercenary Group. It would be quite a blow to the pride of the person recommending that group if they didn’t cast their vote for them.

“Everyone’s had enough time to decide already. How about we just make the decision without further ado?”

When Sword Emperor Magnus suggested this, everyone nodded in agreement without hesitation.

“First, candidate number 1, Kasha-Mercenary Group. Raise your votes for or against.”

People chose and raised one of the approval or disapproval tokens in their left or right hand.

Approval votes: four.

-Arione.

-Elizabeth.

-Patty.

-Pesial.

Elizabeth was a bit disheartened that both the Sword Emperor and the Ghost Flame raised disapproval tokens, but at least she managed to get the minimum votes needed.

The approval vote could be used only once. One could cast disapproval votes all three times, but approval votes could not be used more than once.

This meant that if candidate number 2, the Keltra-Mercenary Group, received more than two votes, the Kasha-Mercenary Group as candidate number 1 would be elected without needing to consider candidate number 3.

“Candidate number 2, Keltra-Mercenary Group. Please cast your votes.”

The four who had cast their votes in favor of the first candidate did not bother to raise their hands. After all, they were automatically counted as against.

And the votes in favor… were none!

Elizabeth, who had expected at least one vote in their favor, froze at the sight of all five votes against.

She especially couldn’t understand why Group Leader Gione, who recommended the Keltra-Mercenary Group, voted disapproval.

…No, why? If you recommended them, shouldn’t you at least vote in their favor? What kind of absurdity is this?

However, despite her bubbling frustration, Elizabeth could only swallow it internally.

Of course, regardless of whether Lady Belver was burning inside, Sword Emperor Magnus continued.

“Candidate number 3, Allen-Mercenary Group. Please cast your votes.”

Elizabeth did not believe all five would vote in favor.

…But…

-Magnus.

-Grenzo.

-Gione.

-Viola.

-Ryga.

All five held up votes in favor.

Elizabeth couldn’t believe her eyes and checked them repeatedly.

“With this, it is decided that the Allen-Mercenary Group is part of the Top 10…”

“No, wait… just wait a moment!”

The Lady couldn’t accept this situation at all and jumped up, shouting.

“This can’t be happening…!”

She seemed particularly displeased that Gione, who had recommended the Keltra-Mercenary Group, voted in favor of the Allen-Mercenary Group instead of her own recommendation.

Of course, the seasoned and experienced Bloody Club Gione didn’t even blink! He simply grinned visibly at the disgruntled Lady whose plans hadn’t gone as she wished.

Sword Emperor Magnus called out to the excited Vice Group Leader Elizabeth with a very calm expression.

“Vice Group Leader Elizabeth.”

“…Yes.”

“Is there a problem with the decision? It seems there were exactly nine votes in favor.”

The noblewoman became speechless at that question. She opened her mouth several times but ultimately sat down without saying anything.

Inside, all kinds of complaints and grumbles tangled messily, but overwhelmed by the Sword Emperor’s gaze and atmosphere, she couldn’t express her dissatisfaction.

…Indeed, a fair process by anyone’s standards.

As the Sword Emperor said, there were exactly nine votes in favor, and Group Leader Allen received five of them.

Then that was it.

Unless the votes were tied, there was no need for a re-vote since the Allen-Mercenary Group already received more than half the votes.

Whether or not there were any solicitations during the voting process was a separate issue. As long as the result had no issues, what did the process matter? That’s why Vice Group Leader Elizabeth had been acting as if the world was hers until now!

“Bring in Group Leader Allen.”

The meeting room door opened, and Group Leader Allen, who had been waiting in the waiting room, exchanged congratulatory greetings with the other two candidates and confidently entered the meeting room.

The Group Leader’s eyes passed over Vice Group Leader Elizabeth indifferently.

With neither hostility nor favor, just an indifferent gaze. As if he had expected this outcome…

“Congratulations on becoming one of the Top 10, Group Leader Allen. But don’t forget that you must become a mercenary group befitting the name of the Top 10.”

“Thank you, comrades. I consider it an immense honor to be with you all, and I will spare no effort to make our mercenary group worthy of this.”

Group Leader Allen gave a slight nod to the group leaders of the Top 10, who were now his peers. Then, a polite round of applause followed.

The Allen-Mercenary Group is now one of the Top 10!

Finally standing on the podium of the Top 10, Allen felt a deep emotion as memories of the past seven years flashed through his mind like a panorama.

Top 10, Money-Grubber Allen.

The first mark of Chapter 4 had been made.