Chapter 150

Chapter 150

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 150: The Underground Of The Holy Kingdom (1).

Having achieved their goals in the East, the Allen-Mercenary Group and the Holy Knights Order left the big city of Cartlie early at dawn. Now, the arduous two-month journey back to the Holy Kingdom began.

Allen looked for an opportunity to have a serious conversation with Elena about the Mana Gate. The reason he got entangled in this complex event of the Holy Kingdom was, in fact, because of her.

…Elizabeth hasn’t opened the Mana Gate yet, has she?

In the original scenario, the Elegant Mage opened the Mana Gate towards the end of Chapter 4. Considering that, the Milk-Jug Mage’s [Enlightenment] was truly an incredible achievement. It boosted her value by at least one level.

Allen honestly still found it amazing how such a thing could happen. He could only think of it as a result of combined luck and effort.

Anyway, in the carriage heading towards the Holy Kingdom, Allen was pondering for several days on how to start a conversation with Elena.

He happened to notice the cross drawn on her wrist. It was something that wasn’t there before… And there was no way Allen, a veteran with twenty thousand hours of experience, wouldn’t recognize that red cross on her wrist. It was the emblem of a notably important group even in [Guild Master].

The Gathering of Gate Openers.

Having that drawn meant she had finally met the Archmages.

Of course, it had already been a while since she had opened the gate, but he had no way of knowing why she met them only now. Even if he could read her status window, he couldn’t know what transpired in her mental world.

In any case, seeing the red cross provided him with a reason to start a conversation.

Thus, Allen arranged a brief conversation with Elena at the campsite after dinner and before bedtime.

…And, when he subtly brought up the topic…

“…Yes?!”

When the normally calm woman widened her eyes and asked again, Allen countered with a charming smile.

“The mark on your wrist. I saw it on Group Leader Grenzo before. Is there something between you two that I don’t know?”

Allen had met Grenzo at the Top 10 meeting in the capital. He brought up the sighting of the same mark on her. It was too identical in position and design to dismiss as mere coincidence…

“Well, um…”

And as the Milk-Jug Mage became flustered, the Group Leader gently embraced her and whispered sweetly.

“Don’t worry. I understand everything. What’s there to hide between us… right?”

At the words “between us,” Elena was completely won over.

In fact, she had been planning to tell him about this whenever the opportunity arose. In a way, all of this was a joint effort between the two.

“Well… if I were to tell you… it’s a bit long.”

“It’s okay. I’m not that busy right now. Take your time.”

Thus, melted by Allen’s flattery, the Milk-Jug Mage began to recount her experiences.

He, too, listened to her fascinating story, losing track of time.

A longing for higher realms.

The discovery of origin magic.

Training and deep meditation.

The Gate of Origin.

And even the Gathering of the Gate Openers.

Allen, too, learned about these detailed processes for the first time.

I don’t know why such a place exists beyond the Mana Gate… but it’s an amazing story.

“Is that so…? If it weren’t for your words, it would have been hard to believe. Truly… So, how many meetings have you had?”

“Yesterday was the second one.”

“That’s impressive.”

“…No. I’m still lacking.”

“The fact that you opened the door itself is incredibly impressive. Isn’t it said that only four people across the continent have done it? You’ve accomplished something even Vice Group Leader Elizabeth hasn’t. You have every right to be proud.”

Ah.

Elena couldn’t hide the joy and delight that surfaced on her face. Allen, as if rewarding her for all her hard work, embraced her warmly and gently patted her back.

“I knew you could do it. Truly remarkable, Elena.”

“Group Leader…!”

She had proven her worth remarkably. The notion of changing cards mid-game ends here neatly.

…At least, I wouldn’t have to worry about the mage until the latter half.

Unlike the Milk-Jug Mage, who was feeling tender love, Allen’s mind was calculatingly whirring even at this moment.

Traveling from the eastern big city of Cartlie to the central Holy Kingdom was indeed a long journey.

The Mercenary Group and the Knights Order briefly stopped by Vermandois along the way. But it was literally just a brief stop. They rested for only two days before setting off again towards the Holy Kingdom. Fortunately, there wasn’t much left to reach the Holy Kingdom now.

The group thus continued for another full fortnight, finally arriving at the Holy Kingdom.

Vice Group Leader Quintus invited the mercenaries who had worked hard so far into the inner castle.

The interior of the Holy Kingdom was like a massive monastery. People even greeted each other with silent prayers, and carriages were nowhere to be seen. Riding a carriage in such a sacred place, where the holy spirits were revered, was considered blasphemous.

“If I lived here, I’d probably be dead in less than a week.”

Furball Geese clicked his tongue at the suffocating atmosphere. Talking was forbidden, alcohol was forbidden, sex was forbidden… Everyone wondered if people could actually live here.

Walking along the main street, they entered a massive cathedral. Inside, men and women of all ages, looking like monks, moved gracefully with their hands clasped together, making no sound with their footsteps.

…Honestly, it was hard to believe that a demon was sealed beneath a place where even breathing loudly seemed like sacrilege.

The building was very large and splendid. As if all the money gathered in the Holy Kingdom was poured into this place. Well, moderation and maturity were imposed on the subordinates, while those who set the rules often lacked moderation and maturity themselves in human society. Even if it was the Holy Kingdom, it would be no exception.

Of course, Allen did not care at all whether the leaders of the Holy Kingdom exercised moderation. After all, what he wanted was just money. As long as they paid him the promised amount properly, he was willing to smile and shake hands as much as needed. He was a businessman, not a believer.

The Vice Group Leader first guided the mercenary group to their accommodations. They were all exhausted from the grueling forced march, so it wasn’t the right time to start the work immediately.

“We will rest well for now. Especially since this task requires utmost preparation…”

“Understood. Rest as much as you want. In the Holy Kingdom, you will be treated without any lack.”

“I’ll accept it gratefully.”

With that, the Holy Knights departed, and Allen gathered all the members who had unpacked in the lodging room.

Now, it was time to reveal what they had to do here.

Group Leader Allen crossed his arms and glanced over the scruffy-looking members before speaking.

“You all must have been curious about what we’re here to do.”

Then, Geese, who was itching to speak, responded.

“I was dying of curiosity.”

Soft chuckles slipped out.

The Group Leader stood silently until the short laughter subsided, then lightly tapped the floor a couple of times with his foot.

“Below the Holy Kingdom, there’s a sealed demon. A very evil one.”

An evil demon—at those words, Newbie Kori’s face instantly turned pale.

The newly recruited Muscleman Pergamond clicked his tongue. Just by the sound of it, it was a damn annoying mission…

“Are we supposed to take down that bastard?”

Then, Allen laughed deeply.

“Unfortunately, no.”

“Phew.”

Everyone let out a sigh of relief.

“Damn, I was so scared.”

“Well, how are we supposed to take down a demon by ourselves?”

…Of course, there will definitely come a time later when we have to take down the demon, but not yet.

“Our mission is to restore the loosened seal axis. That will be done by our mage, Elena.”

“Ooh.”

A slightly joking remark was met with applause that sounded like a joke. Then Elena’s ears turned a little red.

“The rest of us just need to deal with the monsters that pop out during the restoration. That’s it. Simple, right?”

Of course, it sounded simple, but it was obvious that the process wouldn’t be.

“Will we be okay on our own?”

“The Holy Knights Order will join us. All of them, of course. There’ll be about a dozen. So, don’t worry too much. Next?”

“Is it just demonic beasts that will appear? There won’t be demons, right? Like that sealed demon or something.”

“Don’t worry. The seal is not completely broken. Even if something goes wrong, problems will arise later, not now. Of course, that’s something the Holy Kingdom folks will have to handle.”

Anyway, mercenaries just work for the money, and that’s it. What happens afterward wasn’t their concern.

“So, what should we prepare in the meantime?”

“Check your equipment once over. Anyway, the Holy Kingdom will provide all the holy water. Ah, but you should be prepared.”

Allen’s expression turned deadly serious in an instant.

“The demonic beasts come from hell. They’re not your average creatures. So, brace yourselves, understood?”

“Understood!”

A loud response as if everyone spoke with one heart.

Seeing the determination of the members, Allen relaxed his expression and smiled contentedly.

“Good… Then the meeting is over. Rest.”