Ch.516516. Mercenary Guild (2)

The branch manager of the Mercenary Guild in the Karpel Barony, Antael.

She could say with her hand on her chest, without any shame.

Unlike those who always caused trouble with their brawling, or the fools who immediately transformed from mercenaries to bandits after one mistake as if the world had ended. She had risen to the position of branch manager legitimately and properly through guild requests.

‘I may have been a bit lazy, but…’

Couldn’t that all be considered the result of when she first arrived and overhauled the branch, completing the division of labor and reporting systems?

Reform or whatever. Just thinking about the patches that appeared on her head from the stress she received back then still made her teeth chatter.

The Karpel branch was running smoothly without any problems. And more importantly.

“No, my retirement day is approaching…!”

What was happening when her retirement day was approaching?

“If there’s business, they could just call for me. There was no notice… and why would a noble lord personally come to a dusty mercenary guild…!”

“Branch Manager, instead of complaining, you should go downstairs quickly right now!”

“As a branch manager, I should greet them in a more presentable and dignified manner.”

Antael, who was she? She was a swordswoman skilled enough to be in charge of a branch of a military organization.

Turn crisis into opportunity!

She had once led a mercenary group and had interacted with knights, hearing about their so-called knightly spirit. If she played her cards right, couldn’t she win some favor points from the nobles?

Wanting to give the impression of being a reliable partner to the lord of the barony, she tried her best to quickly put on impressive decorations and exude an intimidating presence, but.

“With Lady Sione Sianella and her guards already in the reception area, it would be much better to just rush out quickly.”

“No, si… you should have said that from the beginning…!”

Even though she was of common birth, beyond the Karpel Baron whose fame as the Western Hero was widespread. With the second daughter of a count’s family who had also reached Master level, there was no room to worry about her own dignity.

Antael flung open the door of the branch manager’s office, strode with large steps toward the lower floor, and finally could see the scene the receptionist had described.

‘Did, did an inspector come…? There’s no way anyone embezzled support funds from the territory and the royal family… I checked everything myself…!’

Guards standing in neat rows.

Even the mercenaries who usually flirted with the good-looking receptionists when bored, and those who continuously poured alcohol into their stomachs, were all silenced by the current atmosphere.

Furthermore, two nobles were waiting for her indifferently, arms crossed in identical postures and angles.

Antael carefully stood before the baron, trying her best to maintain composure.

“…I am honored to meet the noble aristocrats of the kingdom.”

“Are you the branch manager of the Karpel branch?”

“Yes, despite my humble abilities, I am Antael, currently overseeing the Karpel branch.”

“Pleased to meet you. I apologize for visiting without any notice… but I have something I really want to discuss with the Mercenary Guild.”

What could be the story that would make the head of the family and even his wife personally visit the guild?

Not long after, in the illusion that her dream-like plan of stepping down as branch manager and living peacefully with her family in a quiet countryside was slipping further away.

“I’m sorry to bother you when you’re busy, but could you spare some time?”

The baron’s flat voice, without any perceptible rise or fall, only tormented her.

* * *

The reason for coming to the Mercenary Guild now was for one thing only.

After getting involved with an unnamed mercenary, the words spoken loudly in front of people. There was also the thought that showing some immediate measures rather than just empty promises would be more effective.

‘The quest said.’

To secure the support of the territory’s people so they would rise up with weapons on the day of the holy war.

Making people seek help could be done by the security forces, but showing this intention through the Mercenary Guild, which also handles odd jobs and acts as problem-solvers besides hunting monsters, would make the guild’s mercenaries think this territory is different.

‘It’s right to win the mercenaries’ favor first.’

Then, if a little more support is given to the guild, the mercenaries will be quite satisfied.

Now they’ll make the Karpel Barony their base city, a place where even mercenaries are cared for.

‘If they settle in the city, abandoning their wandering lifestyle—’

It would be easier to work on making them feel like residents rather than outsiders. And if a sense of belonging and trust is continuously instilled, wouldn’t that be the birth of a civilian defense force that doesn’t require maintenance costs during normal times?

And the reins of those mercenaries—

“…You seem to have something to say. Please feel free to speak.”

“Hmm.”

Would be controlled through this branch manager.

I thought it was a pretty clever idea, and a small smile formed at the corner of my mouth.

Perhaps startled by someone who hadn’t said anything suddenly smiling to himself, Branch Manager Antael’s expression didn’t look very comfortable, so I quickly opened my mouth.

“Before we get into the discussion, I’d like to hear about the number of mercenary groups that have made our barony their base city.”

“If we’re talking about mercenary groups, excluding the ambiguous ones, there are two groups. They consist of about 20 and 30 people respectively, and both are quite skilled.”

Antael added.

Both have experience not only in monster subjugation but also in participating in nearby territorial wars. They have their own sense of honor, so if entrusted with a mission, the results would be quite satisfactory.

“Of course, if we include those who circulate through this area, there are mercenary groups that would satisfy the lord—”

“Circulate? I would think the Karpel branch would be the first choice for mercenaries to settle in this area.”

“The area around the Karpel Barony is currently very stable, and this place feels like a crossing point. In fact, the majority of mercenaries at our branch have gathered for carriage escort missions passing through here.”

“Hmm.”

Indeed, the area around the Karpel Barony is quite safe.

Thinking about it, unless there’s a large-scale bandit group or an abnormality in monster distribution, there’s no need to stay here specifically.

The message is that two groups of considerable size and the remaining small-scale mercenary groups are sufficient.

“If it’s not impertinent… may I ask the purpose of this question?”

At this point, rather than thinking about increasing the number of mercenary groups settling here, it might be better to pivot to securely recruiting the current ones.

“I want to collaborate with the Karpel Mercenary Branch that you lead.”

“…?”

“More precisely, I should say I want to sponsor mercenary groups through your hands. Furthermore, if they feel this place is more than just a base and settle down like it’s their hometown, becoming full-fledged residents of the territory, that would be even better.”

“…Pardon?”

Antael first felt confusion.

“Maintaining a regular army alone costs a lot of money, and expenses double after just one mission. But if capable mercenary groups that are friendly to the territory and our family settle down completely, it would be no different from strengthening the territory’s forces, and it would be perfect for mutual benefit, wouldn’t it?”

This sounded like wanting additional private soldiers beyond just a base city.

‘…The baron’s military is already famously huge, disproportionate to the territory’s size.’

He wants more military power here?

The Winter War is over. In this atmosphere where all evil hiding in the kingdom has been driven out, why?

Besides, to recruit mercenary groups, one could just approach the leader directly without going through the guild.

“However, recruiting mercenary groups could be done by approaching the leader directly without going through the guild.”

“It’s not just about mercenary groups. We can’t overlook capable individuals either. If we nurture promising talents from the Karpel branch, they will become competent problem-solvers who can cleanly handle our residents’ requests in the future. The residents would appreciate that too.”

“……”

“And to create such a positive circle of harmony, we’ll need the cooperation of the Karpel branch.”

But he goes even further.

This is just disguised as being for the territory’s people.

Professional training costs a lot of money, so instead, support the guild and let the ordinary mercenaries who survive from the trickle-down effect become potential private soldiers. And among them, those promising talents who have honed their skills, he wants to bring into the family.

“Furthermore, the cooperation of the Mercenary Branch is also needed to help the residents suffering from post-war trauma. I thought it would be good to start working together from now on.”

“Are those suffering from post-war trauma referring to mercenaries…?”

“Most of them. Refugees who came down from the north to the barony and those with mercenary backgrounds are struggling the most. To care for them, gathering them in one place and verifying their identities would be easier with the guild’s help, wouldn’t it?”

“Ah……”

What could be the reason for trying to win the favor of mercenaries like this?

Antael, who didn’t know that mercenaries, who fall into the abyss of evil or are placed on the brink of life and death with each mission, needed an object to yearn for survival and hope, even if it was a vain god, making them perfect targets for gathering divinity, speculated thus:

‘…When nobles want to buy the favor and loyalty of mercenaries like this, there’s only one reason.’

Showing illusory goodwill to simple mercenaries to deceive them is for:

The fight where the headcount and firepower of mercenaries are most desperately needed.

‘C-Could it be… with the count’s family as backing, they’re planning a territorial war…!’

For the territorial war, a conflict of interests between nobles.

“It’s just a rough sketch for now. I’ll let you know the details after our discussions with our vassals are finished. I’d like you to think about it slowly until then.”

Karpel Baron.

Though of common birth, it was said he became a noble after receiving royal favor due to his extreme martial prowess.

Indeed, is it because someone good at fighting has taken power? Looking now, those dark pupils that had been staring at her eyes all along, and that low, calm voice, all seemed to contain a strange pressure that refusal would not be tolerated.

The branch manager, whose misunderstanding deepened due to the baron’s unintended explanation, thought:

“I hope that the Karpel branch and its representative, Branch Manager Antael, will make a just and wise choice.”

How long has it been since the Winter War ended? The baron, who seems to be planning a territorial war, bringing his wife from a count’s family to the guild, is both a warning not to defy and a proposal to side with him.

Ray Karpel, he is truly a frightening man.

* * *

“Ray, did the talk go well?”

“Hmm… the branch manager seemed more nervous than I expected, but I think the atmosphere wasn’t bad.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Who wouldn’t like being told they’ll be supported?”

We’ll help the mercenary groups, we’ll support the novice mercenaries with high mortality rates.

The more outstanding mercenaries are produced here, the higher the branch manager’s achievements and prestige will rise.

It’s strange not to accept a win-win proposal.

Having finished all the tasks we came out to inspect and assess today, we headed to the brewery as promised.

“Ugh, I think I can smell alcohol already.”

“How can you dislike it when you’re the one who suggested we go?”

“I never said I disliked it.”

At the brewery we visited with Sione, who unusually talked about alcohol, we tried some beer.

“Phew……”

Perhaps she was feeling thirsty from walking all the way?

Sione revealed her mouth, now white with beer foam, and let out an exclamation after drinking the beer refreshingly.

At the quite cute sight, I smiled slightly and was about to wipe her mouth when at that moment.

“Sione, let me wipe your—”

Slurp!

She gathered the foam with her tongue and put it in her mouth, then immediately grimaced and whined.

“…Beer is bitter.”

…Why did she want to go all the way to a brewery to taste beer if she was going to be like this?

“Then why did you say you wanted to take an oak barrel back—”

“Of course we have to take that. Just wait a bit. I need to check if what I asked Baron Venner about is still here.”

“Baron Venner? What on earth were you two plotting?”

“Who knows? It wouldn’t be fun if I told you now, would it?”

Indeed, my wife was a woman with an utterly unpredictable charm.