Chapter 128

Chapter 128

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 128: The Northern Region (4).

“…Did you just say succubus?”

“Yes. Creatures that feed on the essence of human males. I suspect your Demonic Disease might have originated from a succubus’s minion.”

Haha. Ingmar, the Group Leader, let out a somewhat hollow laugh. To think that the source of these months of excruciating pain was merely a succubus’s minion.

“But a succubus is still a demon. It’s not something to be taken lightly. Moreover, since that minion has been feeding on your energy, it’s hard to gauge how powerful it has become.”

“…I see.”

Allen gave a faint smile and rubbed his palms together like a whimsical merchant.

“Well then, shall we negotiate the price?”

“How much do you want?”

When Ingmar asked that, Allen clasped his hands and propped his chin up, continuing.

“Do you know the mid-sized city of Markas?”

“I’m not familiar. Where is it?”

“It’s a city located north of the capital. It is governed by Count Viya. I cured the Count’s daughter’s Demonic Disease.”

“I’ve heard about that.”

Since Aidar mentioned that Group Leader Viola of the Top 10 said so, it must be an undeniable truth.

Allen raised his hand, folded his thumb, and showed the remaining four fingers.

“The amount I received there was exactly four thousand gold coins.”

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even the Tiger of the North couldn’t help but be astonished upon hearing such an amount. For the poor Northerners, not just a thousand but four thousand gold coins!!!

“…Is that really true?”

“Yes, I stake my honor on it.”

When a Northerner stakes their honor, the other party accepts it as the truth.

Moreover, Allen was a figure vouched for by none other than a Top 10 Group Leader. To utter a lie could not only disgrace the Top 10 but also tarnish the honor of the Viya family. If it were a falsehood, there would be no excuse, even if he were sentenced to the harshest punishment.

Four thousand gold coins.

It was an amount that was beyond staggering. No matter how influential Ingmar was in the North, even if they scraped everything together, they could barely gather about half of that.

“However!”

Of course, Allen was aware of the circumstances in the North and had no intention of recklessly pushing for four thousand coins.

That said, immediately cutting the price in half and showing goodwill wouldn’t be very effective, so he had to touch upon the opponent’s sense of gratitude as much as possible. Only then could he extract something from them, much like a succubus siphoning a man’s vitality.

With a serious expression, Allen lightly pounded the table with his fist and spoke solemnly.

“I, Group Leader Allen… am deeply moved by Group Leader Ingmar’s spirit and courage. How could I dare to take all four thousand gold coins like a mere merchant from someone like you?!”

“…Hmm. It’s a bit embarrassing to say it myself, but I am called the Tiger of the North.”

“Indeed!”

With such praise from a recognized group leader in the Vermandois mercenary world, Ingmar couldn’t hide his delight.

“If it had been anyone other than Group Leader Ingmar, they would have long died from the Demonic Disease. I am impressed by your mental fortitude.”

“Well, it’s a bit tough, but it hasn’t been too difficult.”

“As expected, there is a reason you are called the Tiger of the North.”

“Hahaha.”

Drunk on the praise of being the pride of the North, Group Leader Ingmar eventually accepted the offer of two thousand gold coins without any further haggling.

“Alright. You’ve already cut the price by half from four thousand, so it would not be polite to ask you to lower it more… Let’s go with that!”

“I’ve never met anyone as generous as Group Leader Ingmar! To think there was such a great person in the North!”

The two laughing men shook hands warmly.

“I hope we can maintain a good relationship moving forward.”

“I’m all for it.”

Thus, the negotiation was concluded in the blink of an eye. Of course, the Vice Group Leader was almost floored when he heard about the enormous medical expenses, but the Group Leader insisted that the honor of the North couldn’t be measured in money and pushed the decision through. Honestly, curing the so-called incurable Demonic Disease warrants such costs.

And so, the Allen-Mercenary Group began to prepare in earnest for the task.

The Allen-Mercenary Group finished their hearty dinner. The sun, which had created a beautiful sunset as it set, disappeared behind the mountain ridge, and the outside was soon enveloped in pitch-black darkness. On the quiet night path, snow fluttered down and gradually accumulated on the ground.

Allen, who was waiting for the right time with the Blind Saintess in the room, confirmed that it was completely dark outside and stood up.

“Sister, let’s go.”

“Yes, Group Leader.”

Before leaving the room, she clasped her hands together and prayed to the Holy Spirit.

The two walked down the corridor, where a chilly air lingered, and arrived in front of Group Leader Ingmar’s bedroom. Allen lightly knocked on the door, and soon, the door softly slid open. They were greeted by Vice Group Leader Anderson.

“We’ve been waiting.”

Group Leader Ingmar greeted them, sitting slightly inclined with only his upper body propped up on the bed.

“Please understand that we have no choice but to welcome you this way.”

“Of course. Think of us as not being here, and rest comfortably. We will take care of the aftermath.”

Although Allen was a money-obsessed character, he still did his best with the tasks he was given. That was what real mercenary work was about.

“Understood. Then, I will leave it to you.”

Group Leader Ingmar, who had borrowed the power of medicine, already had sleepy eyes. He exhaled a drowsy breath and lay down straight on the soft bed. After closing his eyes and breathing through his nose a few times, his breathing soon became even.

From that moment on, the three of them minimized their voices and communicated only with their eyes.

They waited a bit longer until Group Leader Ingmar was deeply asleep. And when they judged that enough time had passed, Allen lightly tapped the Blind Saintess’s arm while looking at her. At the same time, Ordnung lightly nodded and removed the blindfold she was wearing.

ㅡ!

And finally, a black line appeared.

The black line that emerged precisely from Group Leader Ingmar’s forehead extended somewhere.

Confirming this, the Blind Saintess nodded vigorously at Group Leader Allen. As if to say his prediction was correct.

Indeed, nice.

Allen was pleased inside that his prediction that it was the work of a succubus, was correct, and then he made a slight nod to signal that it was time to move.

The three quietly exited the bedroom, and two members of the Ingmar-Mercenary Group, who had been waiting at the end of the hallway, approached them. The Vice Group Leader looked at them and spoke.

“Stay by the Group Leader’s side. Quietly. Be careful not to wake him.”

“Yes, sir!”

The three descended to the first-floor hall. There, the fully armed Allen-Mercenary Group and Ingmar-Mercenary Group were already waiting for their arrival.

“We’re setting out.”

With that single phrase, their fate for tonight was sealed.

A battle against the demonic beast.

The two mercenary groups exited the hideout building and formed a line. The Blind Saintess, who was tracking the black trail, led the way, followed closely by the two mercenary groups.

Crunch, crunch. Each step on the thinly snow-covered ground echoed with the sound of snow compacting underfoot. The hoods, touched by the breath exhaled with each breath, were already frosted white.

Elena, the only mage in the two mercenary groups, brightened her magic orb to illuminate the view. At times like this, a knowledgeable mage was more useful than a brute swordsman.

They continued walking along the dark and silent city’s main street. If it had been a bit brighter here, it would have felt like walking through the Spirit World.

At that moment, the Blind Saintess, who had been following the black line, called out to Allen.

“…Group Leader, I have something to report.”

“Speak.”

“It’s very subtle compared to what we’re following now, but there are also many lines branching off in other directions in the middle of the line. Like tiny roots.”

It seemed the demonic beast’s trickery wasn’t limited to the headquarters of the Ingmar-Mercenary Group.

“…Understood. Proceed.”

It could potentially become a serious issue on a city-wide level… It was advantageous in many ways to deal with the demonic beast quickly before it grew larger.

The mercenary group that had paused for a moment started moving again. However, the direction in which the Blind Saintess was walking seemed strange.

“…This is towards the inner castle…”

The Vice Group Leader mumbled to himself, and Group Leader Allen also heard it. As he said, the direction in which the Blind Saintess was walking was towards the inner castle.

…No way…

But as the saying goes, “No way,” ends up catching people. The inner castle wall approached right in front of them. The suspicion they had turned into certainty.

“Ordnung, is it inside?”

“…Yes. It leads to the inner castle.”

Damn it.

At that moment, Allen realized that this was no longer something that could be resolved at his level. Going into the inner castle meant, whether he liked it or not, they would have to get involved with the Count’s household.

“Group Leader, what do we do?”

No matter how renowned the Ingmar-Mercenary Group was in the Northern mercenary circles, it did not mean they could roam freely in the city. After all, the city’s master was the Count.

…However, Allen could not back down like this. Whether it worked or not, he had to give it a try.

“…We have to confront it.”

“…Pardon?”

Group Leader Allen solemnly declared.

“We will directly petition His Excellency the Count. We must tell him that the fate of the city is at stake right here and now!”

Two thousand gold coins were at stake.

Even if it were the Count’s grandfather, it would not easily break Allen’s will.