Chapter 134

Chapter 134

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 134: Fake Gold (2).

Group Leader Viola aside, it was something that even Group Leader Kalim, who had been living with him for over a month, as they traveled from the capital to Vermandois, had no idea about. Judging by their reactions, it seemed that no one, except for Baron Bornov, knew the true identity of the Prince.

It was precisely that which Group Leader Allen discerned in an instant. This indirectly proved that his insight was superior to others.

[Strength: 66] [Agility: 54] [Stamina: 61] [Intelligence: 18] [Magic Power: 22]

[Talent] [Late Bloomer] [Cautious] [Just] [Will] [Educated] [Sensitive] [Meritocracy]

Far better stats and traits than Baron Bornov. It was indeed fitting to say so.

“…Ah, was that something that shouldn’t have been revealed? If so, I apologize. I mistook it as another test for me.”

“No, I was planning to reveal it when the time was right.”

Naturally, when a member of the imperial family would move, attention would be inevitably drawn. It would not be beneficial to reveal his presence to someone who may or may not work with them yet.

The other three men and women sitting around the table also jumped up from their chairs and paid their respects to the Prince. He was not just a noble of the five ranks, but a member of the imperial family that ruled the empire. His status was on a completely different level from that of a mere noble.

“Greetings to Your Highness, the Prince.”

“It wasn’t my intention to deceive the two of you. Since everything was arranged in the capital, I hope you don’t take it badly.”

“No, Your Highness. How could we dare question your judgment? Please, do not take it to heart.”

The Prince, who had been standing against the wall, walked towards the table with steady steps and sat in the chair where Baron Bornov had been seated. He chuckled softly and called Allen Group Leader closer.

“Group Leader Viola recommended you, and there certainly was a reason for it. You have a very sharp eye… How about it? If you are willing, would you work with me?”

Since he was trying to establish connections with the nobility of the empire, how could he dare refuse a proposal from royalty? Naturally, he had to accept it gladly.

“If you command it, I will assist with all my heart and soul.”

“Good. I feel like I’ve gained a reliable ally.”

“I may be lacking, but I will diligently follow in the footsteps of others.”

“Haha, you are being overly modest.”

Fortunately, the Prince was not a very authoritarian figure. The atmosphere quickly became congenial, and after promising to have dinner there, they took a short break.

Group Leader Viola, who had a moment alone with Allen, couldn’t help but admire his keen eye for recognizing the Prince, whom even she hadn’t identified.

“How did you recognize him? I had no idea.”

“Oh, it was just luck… I once went to the capital and happened to hear stories about the imperial family, including a description of someone who looked like His Highness. I also heard that he had close ties with Baron Bornov. Moreover, his every gesture was extraordinary. Considering that the fake gold is no trivial matter, I thought there was a possibility the imperial family was involved. Putting all these pieces together led me to that conclusion.”

“…Amazing. Truly.”

Doing so was easier said than done… Group Leader Viola was as pleased with Group Leader Allen’s remarkable skill as if it were her own achievement.

“Thank you for recommending me. If you hadn’t called me, I wouldn’t have had this opportunity in the first place. Once again, thank you.”

“…If you think of it that way, I should be the one thanking you.”

As the conversation between the them entered a brief lull, creating a subtle atmosphere, a servant announced from outside the door that the meal was ready. The two headed to the dining room together.

Dinner was ordinary, unlike the earlier meeting. His Highness the Prince once again faithfully played the role of the Baron’s escort, and Baron Bornov suggested having another close discussion later.

After the dinner ended, Allen returned to his hideout.

…However, the connections he had when he left and when he returned were vastly different.

The five of them held two more secret meetings.

In truth, the bait of Agnentia’s silver bars would not have been easy to plan without the presence of His Highness the Prince. Marquis Marx, the lord of the City of Silver, would not have readily accepted it.

Additionally, this matter required a high level of secrecy. They had to deceive even the informants of the bandits’ groups present in each city. In that regard, the Prince’s disguise was undoubtedly a wise choice.

If everything went according to plan, he was confident that a key executive of the Martolo Bandits would certainly make a move. Perhaps the leader of the Martolo Group himself might take action… They, too, would know that a ragtag group wouldn’t be able to easily penetrate this bullion escort. By capturing a high-ranking executive alive and interrogating him, they would surely spill the secrets of their hideout.

Allen was certain that bandits had no loyalty worth risking their lives for. After all, the bandits were a group bound together by their own desires. They didn’t even have the minimal professional ethics of mercenaries.

Anyway, once the rough plan was set, they decided on a departure date. Of course, leaving all together could raise suspicion, so they decided to depart on different days.

In particular, the Viola-Mercenary Group decided to make a stop at the Iron Fortress, Kalstadt, just in case. Given the significant importance of this plan, they judged it right to be as cautious as possible.

The first group to depart was Baron Bornov’s group, who had to go ahead and coordinate with the Marquis.

Next, the Viola-Mercenary Group headed for Kalstadt, followed by the Kalim-Mercenary Group, which likewise departed for Agnentia.

Lastly, the Allen-Mercenary Group also left early in the morning two days later with the caravan they were to escort, heading for the Silver City.

Unfortunately, Old Dog Kalisman did not return before their departure. Nevertheless, they couldn’t delay the schedule for just one member.

Even after departing, Allen did not disclose the plan to the members, except for the Milk-Jug Mage.

“You must keep this to yourself. Understand?”

“Yes…!”

Since Elena, who had experience as a group leader, implicitly played the role of vice group leader, it was contextually appropriate for her to know the rough plan. Allen might encounter an unavoidable accident. Of course, she wasn’t unaware of that, but she couldn’t help but develop a slight personal interest. A personal interest that the Group Leader also thought of her as special…

Anyway, the journey was smooth. There was no reason for bandits to loiter near the well-policed Agnentia and Kalstadt.

After a long five-day journey, they finally arrived in Agnentia.

The City of Silver, nestled between vast fields and a gently flowing river, was as grand and dignified as ever, both in the past and now. Seeing that, Allen felt that both cities and people needed to have a lot of money.

Allen, who had passed through the city’s main gate, concluded his transaction with the top merchant and headed to a nearby inn. Baron Bornov would likely send an informant to relay the general progress.

As he expected, that night, a young man visited the Allen-Mercenary Group’s lodging. The man, identifying himself as a member of Baron Bornov’s unit, reported that the negotiations with the Marquis had been successfully completed.

Right.

The Prince must have revealed his identity and made his demands directly. Agnentia was also troubled by the fake gold, so having a prince from the imperial family handle the matter was certainly favorable from the Marquis’s perspective.

Anyway, with the permit for silver bar transport granted, the remaining plan was to lure the bandits convincingly.

Of course, since all the plans were already in place, now they just had to wait for the Viola-Mercenary Group to arrive here.

Although there was no guarantee that this plan would succeed, the chances were quite high.

In fact, there wasn’t really any other method worth mentioning at the moment. It was far better than the plan of Baron Bornov’s group, which was to conduct a search operation in a city frequently visited by the Martolo Bandits. But if this failed, they might have no choice but to try that.

And this is a matter of my future reputation. If I succeed, I can make a huge leap forward…!

Honestly, this plan was almost entirely conceived by Allen himself. If it succeeded brilliantly, it would surely leave a very strong impression on the Prince. Moreover, Group Leader Kalim would also highly regard his abilities, which would be a great help when recruiting his members next time.

These were invaluable things that couldn’t simply be converted to money. Especially the connections with the imperial family, which would be worth more than thousands of gold coins.

Perhaps, through this opportunity, he might come into contact with Agnes Neptune for the first time…!

Agnes Neptune.

The named character he successfully attained before falling into the world of [Guild Master].

A character that was so highly difficult to attain that it required hundreds of hours to recruit.

A distant relative of the imperial family and an unfortunate illegitimate child.

A genius of the sword, called the next Sword Emperor by people.

Through this work…

…Allen had plans set for much farther into the distant future.