Chapter 143

Chapter 143

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 143: Smell (5).

That came out of nowhere.

“…What do you mean by that? A test?”

At that question, the faint smile lingering on Allen’s face completely vanished. It was a serious expression, devoid of any playfulness.

“The continent is currently teeming with heretics.”

“…Pardon?”

“The Holy Kingdom is no exception. In fact, they are devising all sorts of ways to bring chaos to the continent. There might even be a spy from the heretics within the Holy Knights.”

As soon as those words were spoken, images of her comrades flashed before her eyes like a panorama.

“That’s impossible!”

Lady Knight Mona lightly slapped the table with her palm, raising her voice.

Heretics in the Holy Knights? How arduous and meticulous is the screening process to join the order…!

“I’m sorry, but I’m someone who judges with reason rather than emotion. It’s right to keep all possibilities in mind.”

Ugh. Monua couldn’t refute.

“Anyway, it has been concluded that all the Holy Knights Orders in Vermandois are impeccable. That’s why I’m saying this.”

“What did you base that judgment on?”

Since he couldn’t answer with “I checked your status windows,” Allen created an appropriate escape route.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t reveal everything I have. It’s akin to my lifeline.”

Using the term lifeline, Monua found it hard to press further on that matter.

“Then, how am I supposed to believe you?”

Sharp.

However, still clumsy.

“Didn’t you come to find me because you smelled something, Monua?”

!

“I believe that proves my innocence, don’t you think?”

Monua tried not to show it outwardly, but inside she was greatly flustered. The fact that she could smell things was a secret known to very few. How could this man possibly know that?

Allen, who read the inner turmoil of the bewildered Scent Maiden, smiled faintly.

Gotcha.

Now, it was time to start the process of gaining her trust.

“There’s nothing to be surprised about. It’s just that not everyone talks about it, but those who need to know are aware.”

At some point, the lady knight was getting entangled with him. However, knowing this, she still couldn’t escape her current situation.

“…Just how much do you know?”

“I know at least that a demon is sealed beneath the Holy Kingdom.”

!!!

“The problem you mentioned must be because there’s an issue with the seal.”

Monua felt cold sweat trickling down her back. In hindsight, they had been dancing in the palm of his hand all along.

Of course, the Allen-Mercenary Group’s intelligence might be exceptionally great, but still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that the prestige of the Holy Kingdom had significantly declined. What they had considered to be enormous secrets were now mere facts known even to mercenaries!

“If I know this, do you really think the heretics wouldn’t? They are likely much more interested than I am. That’s the reason they’ve infiltrated the Holy Kingdom.”

If his words were indeed true, the situation was far more severe than she had thought.

It was hard to dismiss his words as nonsense. He knew she could smell it, and he even knew that a demon was sealed beneath the Holy Kingdom. How he figured that out was unknown, but his level of intelligence was undeniable.

Decisively, he was emitting a scent. A very strong and intense scent… Living a life reliant on smell for so long, she could not help but trust the energy that scent gave off more than anything else. It was like Prophetess Aloa firmly believing in her own prophecy without a doubt.

“What is your intention in bringing this up…? Are you saying you want to help?”

Now, we’re finally getting somewhere.

Allen smiled faintly.

“I haven’t said I’ll help yet.”

Being so sly and evasive, Monua was starting to feel her anger rise.

“I passed the test, didn’t I?”

“That means we can have an honest conversation now.”

“…An honest conversation?”

When Allen formed a circle with his thumb and index finger, Monua looked at him innocently as if asking what it was.

Ugh, clueless girl. Do I really have to spell it out?

“Money, I mean money.”

Although Allen had decided to participate in the Holy Kingdom event, he had no intention whatsoever of working for free.

The reason he revealed his cards and brought up this topic was to gain a favorable position in the negotiation. Of course, he already had the upper hand, but he needed to instill stronger trust to extract as much as possible. To make them realize they absolutely needed to work with him.

“I believe I said I would sufficiently compensate you.”

“I have no intention of making such a vague decision. And aren’t you not the decision-maker?”

Allen said with a merchant’s smile.

“If you are willing to negotiate, bring Mr. Quintus.”

Adding one more thing.

“And tell him to leave behind any notions of God or justice.”

The next day, early morning.

As expected, Vice Group Leader Quintus visited Allen’s hideout with his subordinate Monua. He probably heard a rough outline from her.

The Group Leader and Vice Group Leader exchanged a light handshake and greetings before sitting at the negotiation table.

Quintus did not thoughtlessly ask Allen how he knew the secrets of the Holy Kingdom. Monua probably explained that roughly as well.

“I heard you were concerned about heretics.”

“I’m a bit cautious. What if something goes wrong when I swallow recklessly?”

“It would have been nice if you had given me a hint…”

If that were the case, he wouldn’t have had to meet the Top 10 group leaders and speak regretfully… Even after doing so, he gained nothing, so it was only natural to feel a bit resentful.

Anyway, that was all in the past.

Now was the time to focus on negotiations. Moreover, the opponent was a mercenary notorious for his toughness.

“Does the fact that you arranged this meeting mean you have a solution to the problem?”

“I do. However, it’s not absolute.”

“What do you mean? Not absolute?”

“It means it’s a temporary measure. Seals are not something that last forever. They gradually weaken over time. In other words, the seal is bound to break someday.”

Quintus had also heard about it from a mage of the Holy Kingdom before. That the sealing magic could not be maintained indefinitely, and there were definitely limits.

“You mentioned there was an issue with the seal… do you perhaps not know the exact reason?”

“…That’s right. That’s why I came here to find the clue.”

Allen nodded lightly.

“The reason is the Gate of the Spirit World.”

“The Gate of the Spirit World?”

“You know the Gate of the Spirit World that opened recently in the small city of Amper. It affected the seal’s axis—no, more precisely, it influenced the sealed demon, damaging the axis.”

!!

“Currently, there’s no way but to repair the axis.”

Otherwise, eliminate all remaining axes and deal with the unsealed demon brat. Of course, the Holy Kingdom would absolutely oppose such an extreme method, so Allen didn’t bother to voice it.

“The mages of the Holy Kingdom mentioned that as well. However, even those skilled in sealing magic have all given up. They say there’s no way to restore the already damaged axes…”

“That might be true for ordinary mages. But it’s different for those who have realized the truth.”

Mages who have realized the truth. Just hearing it gave the impression of an incredibly extraordinary being.

“Are you saying you can mobilize such a mage?”

Quintus found it hard to believe that a mercenary group, not even in the Top 10, could accomplish such an incredible feat.

However, Allen confidently replied.

“Isn’t that why we arranged this meeting?”

“Honestly, it’s hard to believe.”

“I understand. You might think a mercenary would just talk big and run off with the money.”

He wiped the faint smile from his face.

“Then go back. I have nothing more to say. Believe it or not, I have no intention of persuading you. You came to us in the first place, not the other way around.”

From now on, it was a matter of trust.

Whether to trust Group Leader Allen or not.

“…Will you give me time to go back and think?”

But the Group Leader firmly shook his head.

“No. I’ve already shown enough, and I believe there is sufficient time and basis to make a decision. Decide here. Of course, I respect whatever decision you make.”

Quintus pondered for quite a while. While he thought it was hard to trust a mercenary, his calm demeanor made him waver.

He’s the man Monua found. Then it’s worth trusting him once. So far, she hasn’t made a mistake!

Rumors of amazing feats, a close associate of the Top 10, incredible intelligence, and the person chosen by the Prophetess Aloa and Monua…

Considering everything, there was certainly a basis. Hesitation was merely a matter of values.

But there was no other option at all. Now was not the time for them to be picky.

“Alright. Let’s try cooperating.”

“A very wise decision.”

Allen, who was sitting primly, quickly changed his expression and extended his hand to the Vice Group Leader for a handshake.

“Well then, shall we begin the real negotiation?”

The most important issue of money still remained.

…And Vice Group Leader Quintus was utterly overwhelmed during the negotiation of the commission fee with Group Leader Allen.

A man who would sell even his heart for money.

Group Leader Allen was imprinted in the Vice Group Leader’s mind that way.