Chapter 146

Chapter 146

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 146: Back To The East (3).

Though it was a return after many years, the reunion was not long. The Allen-Mercenary Group and the Holy Knights Order relieved their accumulated fatigue from the arduous march with three days of rest and prepared to depart.

Count Herera seemed to have a slight sense of regret, but he did not cling tenaciously to his departing daughter. After all, it wasn’t a farewell forever.

“May boundless glory light your path.”

“Father, stay healthy.”

The Count couple and her siblings came out of the residence to see off Elena. She waved confidently, but as she turned and boarded the carriage, her eyes slightly reddened.

The two carriages carrying the mercenary group and the knights left the beautiful city of Mahvana, under the pouring morning sunlight.

The next destination was the Duchy of Belver and the metropolis, Kartli.

The group left Mahvana and traveled for a full fortnight before arriving at Kartli, known as the heart of the East. As expected of the East, renowned for its stunning scenery, the metropolis of Kartli was a feast for the eyes no matter where you looked.

True to its nickname as the heart of the East, the flow of goods from the North, South, and Central regions was immense. Naturally, people from all origins gathered here, and entertainment and culture were significantly developed. Hundreds of years ago, before the Empire existed, this place was once the capital of an ancient kingdom, giving a rough idea of Kartli’s current status in the East.

The duchy, advocating peace, had relaxed inspections. Thanks to this, the group was not held up for long and smoothly passed through the outer gates to enter the city.

The elegant and antique city was artistic. Compared to the shoddy wooden structures of Vermandois, seeing this elegant architecture felt somewhat overwhelming… Allen thought he understood the source of Vice Group Leader Elizabeth’s immense confidence.

Allen first found accommodations to stay for a few days and unpacked. Before visiting the ducal estate, he sent a letter to Vice Group Leader Elizabeth. Considering the other party, he couldn’t just push forward recklessly.

Even within the Top 10, the presence or absence of a powerful ducal family made an undeniable difference. Wasn’t that why the arrogant Dagon-Mercenary Group was disbanded without a peep?

And on the very evening he sent the letter, he received a reply from Vice Group Leader Elizabeth. The content stated that he could visit anytime the next day.

This will do…!

What if she held a grudge and refused to meet? He worried, but that concern melted away like snow in spring. The Duke’s family holds a tight grip on the information of the East, so whether they helped or not would significantly impact this matter. Of course, there was no guarantee they would help unconditionally, but surely they wouldn’t just stand by when offering to catch those parasitic heretics.

Thus, after spending a night in Kartli, the heart of the East, Allen set out for the Duke’s residence early in the morning with Vice Group Leader Quintus.

Allen showed the letter from Lady Belver to the gatekeeper of the inner gate and was allowed inside. Perhaps there had been prior notice, as a guide soon approached and led them somewhere. Presumably, to where the Lady was.

The mansion of Lady Belver, which holds considerable influence even among the ducal families, was notably large and splendid even within the inner city. This vast and splendid mansion was solely for the Lady. Naturally, it would be a lie if Allen, with his greed for wealth, claimed not to envy it at all.

…She really knows how to splash her money…

The ducal family’s wealth, owning several mines as well as the city, was beyond imagination. The Marquis of Agnentia, who owned a silver mine, was also wealthy, but could not compare to the Belver Ducal family. While the East wasn’t particularly affluent, that only applied to the midsized cities; the large cities were an exception.

Stepping onto the gleaming marble floor, Allen entered the mansion and soon headed to the backyard. There, Vice Group Leader Elizabeth, dressed in a form-fitting elegant outfit, was holding a T-shaped mallet, striking a ball painted in vibrant colors. The ball rolled smoothly and passed through the gate. The maids and servants standing around like spectators erupted in applause with bright smiles.

Elizabeth handed the mallet to a servant and approached a table shaded by an awning, taking a seat. After sipping her tea, she finally turned her gaze to Group Leader Allen.

“Oh my, you’ve come.”

She feigned ignorance so smoothly.

However, her smile gradually faded as she looked at the middle-aged man beside Allen.

“But I didn’t invite this person.”

“Ah, this is…”

Allen was about to introduce him, but the Lady interrupted him mid-sentence. As if it didn’t matter who he was.

“Would you leave?”

Allen and Quintus exchanged glances. The Vice Group Leader signaled with his eyes for the Group Leader to handle it well, then withdrew from the scene. After all, he wasn’t there to greet the Lady anyway.

“He is from the Holy Knights Order. There’s no need to send him away…”

“What does that have to do with me?”

“Ah… yes, well… it doesn’t matter.”

“Then sit.”

As Allen sat, a maid placed a teacup in front of him. Vice Group Leader Elizabeth sipped her tea elegantly, like the sophisticated mage she was. Indeed, as the representative beauty of [Guild Master], her face was astonishingly beautiful. Plus, with such amazing skills, it was no wonder people were so infatuated.

“Anyway. It’s been a while, Group Leader Allen.”

“Yes, it’s been a while, Miss.”

“Are you meeting me as the Lady or as the Vice Group Leader? Choose your title wisely.”

“…Understood, Vice Group Leader.”

“So… what’s the occasion here? Surely you didn’t come all this way just to see my face.”

Of course, that’s not it.

Allen smiled faintly.

“I’m here for business.”

“What business?”

The elegant mage asked, gesturing with her eyes towards the spot where the middle-aged Holy Knight had just left.

“Is it related to the Holy Kingdom?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

With that, the Lady leaned back and crossed her legs swiftly.

“The Holy Kingdom is a bit… They don’t quite suit me.”

“It’s nothing you need to worry about. I just have a favor to ask…”

“Go ahead.”

“I need the intelligence of the Duke’s house.”

“What kind of information?”

“Information about heretics.”

Heretic. At that word, the noblewoman’s expression subtly changed.

She generally didn’t care what the demon worshippers did as long as it didn’t harm them, but she couldn’t help the instinctive discomfort that arose.

“Heretic? Why in the East?”

“It’s because of sacrifices. There was a war in the East not long ago. Meaning, there are plenty of corpses to offer as sacrifices.”

“Is that so?”

“So, I need various pieces of information.”

“Hmm…”

Vice Group Leader Elizabeth twirled her fingers as she organized her thoughts.

“So, there are heretics in the East targeting corpses, and you want that information, correct?”

“Yes. Of course, I’m not asking you to help catch the heretics. Just provide the information, and we’ll handle the rest.”

She nodded lightly, giving him a meaningful look.

“Without any reward?”

Of course, Allen was expecting her to say this.

“Is there something you desire?”

Naturally, he didn’t mention money. What would be the point of offering more money to the daughter of a duke, who was already overflowing with wealth?

“There is something, but Viola warned me so terrifyingly in her letter. How could I dare to speak?”

Of course, her face showed no fear. She was just trying to avoid a bothersome situation.

“Please, go ahead and tell me.”

“If I ask you to come to me, you won’t, will you?”

“For that, I apologize.”

“You really are something. So persistent, truly.”

Perhaps that was why she was even more obsessed.

“I’ll put the reward on hold for now. It’s not urgent anyway.”

“However, nothing too excessive…”

“Don’t worry. Why would I do such a thing out of desperation? Hmph, don’t misunderstand. Even if I have asked you for a favor, it was purely out of my own greed. Got it? Group Leader Viola thinks the same. As if I’m desperate to devour you or something!”

“Alright, I’ll keep that in mind.”

Allen maintained a businesslike attitude. Getting entangled in the Lady’s schemes and ending up in trouble would be a disaster.

“I’m a bit busy, so I’ll be heading back now.”

This made the Lady’s expression turn a bit pouty. Leaving after just this conversation without even having a cup of tea?

However, the proud female mage couldn’t complain.

“…Alright, go.”

“Oh, shall we have a cup of tea?”

“No need. I’m busy too!”

The elegant mage replied curtly.

“Come right away when I call. Got it?”

“Understood.”

“Go on.”

Allen gave a slight nod and turned around.

…He didn’t know what price the Lady might mention, but at least it was successful up to this point.

Then, from the next day, information about the heretics began to reach Allen one by one. Indeed, befitting the Top 10, the work was precise and swift.

The Allen-Mercenary Group also officially began hunting the heretics.