Chapter 154

Chapter 154

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 154: Gathering Of The Gate Openers (1).

“It’s been a while.”

“Indeed. Two months, is it? Please, have a seat.”

Sword Emperor Magnus warmly greeted the Ghost Flame Grenzo, who visited his hideout. Compared to the muscular and large Magnus, Grenzo had a somewhat smaller frame, yet he wasn’t skinny. His body wasn’t packed with muscles, but it was solid without any excess flesh. His sharp and keen eyes contrasted slightly with Magnus’s gentle expression.

However, the sharp gaze that usually seemed to pierce through anything was particularly softened today. The change was so subtle that others might not notice, but the Sword Emperor’s keen eyes caught it.

“Would you like some tea?”

“Tea? Tea sounds good. It’s been a while, so I should have a cup.”

The Sword Emperor tilted the teapot, filling the small teacup with its transparent contents. He then casually pushed it toward the guest, tossing out a comment.

“You look to be in a good mood. Did something good happen?”

“Huh? Ah, well… there’s something.”

As a faint smile appeared on Grenzo’s lips, Magnus urged him once more.

“Come on, tell me. What’s up? Are there any secrets between us?”

“What do you mean by ‘between us’?”

When Magnus responded with a warm smile instead of words, Grenzo shook his head.

“Don’t smile like that. It’ll grow on me.”

“Come on, tell me. What could make the great Grenzo happy? Hm? I haven’t seen you this happy in a long time.”

Then, Ghost Flame Grenzo lightly rubbed his hands together and began to speak.

“It has finally appeared. The one who opened the door.”

As soon as he heard those words, Sword Master Magnus couldn’t hide his surprise. It was a far more incredible event than expected.

“Really?”

“Of course. It’s been a whopping twenty years. Twenty years! After twenty years, finally, a new face has appeared!”

“…Certainly, it’s something you would like.”

Magnus fully understood Grenzo’s joy. After a long wait, how could he not be happy that his comrade had finally appeared?

Of course, a rising figure also came to the Sword Emperor’s mind. That Natasha from the Allen-Mercenary Group.

“Is it Elizabeth?”

It was already widely rumored among them that the one next would be Elizabeth, the Vice Group Leader. She was being noticed as a genius who would lead the future of magic.

However, contrary to expectations, Grenzo shook his head firmly from side to side.

“No. That’s why I was surprised. …The continent is indeed vast. Unexpected geniuses pop up out of nowhere.”

“True… I also suddenly encountered such a genius.”

“Ah, the woman who supposedly surpasses Agnes? Was it Natasha?”

“Yes. Who is the genius you met?”

Grenzo took a sip of tea to moisten his lips and mentioned a name.

“Elena… She belongs to the Allen-Mercenary Group.”

At the mention of the Allen-Mercenary Group, Magnus’s hand, which was lifting the teacup, froze as if turned to stone. His once gentle expression gradually hardened, and his gaze, which was fixed on the teacup, rose to look at his friend.

“…What did you say?”

“Elena.”

“No, after that.”

“Allen-Mercenary Group? Why?”

The Sword Emperor put down the teacup and lightly tapped his chin with his fingers, adopting a slightly serious expression.

…Does that mean it’s not just simple luck?

Riding on the coattails of Viola, one of the Top 10 Group Leaders? That could be possible.

Having a swordsman with tremendous talent like Natasha? That could also be possible.

…However, the fact that there was a genius mage who had opened the Mana Door changed the story.

A figure destined to become a great mage in the future. Just the presence of such an individual would elevate the status of the Allen-Mercenary Group right to the cusp of the Top 10. And on top of that, there was a swordsman who was a candidate for the next Sword Emperor? That couldn’t just be seen as a mere coincidence. Absolutely not.

“Hey, Magnus. What’s up all of a sudden?”

“…No. It’s nothing.”

“What do you mean, nothing? Seriously. Is there something about the Allen-Mercenary Group…? Could it be?”

The very clever Grenzo instantly saw through Magnus’s intentions. Apparently, the woman named Natasha was also part of the Allen-Mercenary Group.

The Sword Emperor looked at the Ghost Flame, who had read his thoughts, and asked.

“What do you think?”

“What do I think? That man, he has something. Could it be an ability like Viola or Elizabeth?”

“Well, I don’t know, but he’s incredible… Even those two women weren’t like this. If they were, it would have been chaos already.”

An extraordinary talent, the next Sword Emperor… The next Archmage, who opened the door.

And the leader of the mercenary group who had both of them.

“It seems Viola saw something. I should have known when she brought a nameless newcomer. I thought she brought him because he was handsome.”

Ghost Flame Grenzo also brought up the story of failing to entice the Milk-Jug Mage.

“And her loyalty is amazing, too. She couldn’t be swayed. Even by someone like me.”

“Were you the same?”

“…You too?”

The two were momentarily at a loss for words.

Even their loyalty to the Group Leader was immense.

Honestly, the concentration of power was a bit dangerous. If not careful, it could grant enormous power to one person.

However, mercenaries were largely swayed by money, so it was rare for power to be concentrated on one individual. Especially for such strong ones. Honestly, at that level, it was more common to form their own mercenary group rather than work under someone else.

A group leader who had captured the attention of both the Sword Emperor and the Ghost Flame.

Grenzo wanted to meet that Group Leader and have a proper conversation.

…It was the perfect opportunity.

Since Elena was coming to the capital with the mercenary group, he should invite the Group Leader to this gathering.

In fact, this gathering was meant to welcome the newcomer, but having one more person shouldn’t be a problem… and he was curious about how Scone and Shetlan would view Group Leader Allen.

“Anyway, understood. I’ll be off now. The tea was good.”

“…Already?”

“What do you mean already? I squeezed this visit into my busy schedule. Surely you’re busy, too.”

“…Got it. Take care.”

The two giants of the mercenary world exchanged warm handshakes and parted ways.

The Allen-Mercenary Group arrived in the capital in about half a month, as expected. This marked their second visit.

As soon as they passed through the outer gate of the capital, they headed straight to the inn. Since the members had been working tirelessly, Allen gave them a special bonus and some free time. Even though he was known as a money grubber, he didn’t always hoard money. In a way, this was also a kind of investment.

And on the very day they arrived in the capital.

The Milk-Jug Mage conveyed to Group Leader Allen that he, too, was invited to a gathering.

“Me? The Gathering of the Gate Openers?”

“I don’t know why. They said there’s no need to feel pressured. If you really don’t want to, you don’t have to come….”

“No, being invited to such a grand gathering, of course, I should go.”

He had been pondering how to arrange a meeting anyway. But if they invited him first, he should definitely accept.

The meeting time was tomorrow evening. The location was the Grenzo-Mercenary Group’s hideout.

…Honestly, Allen was more excited than ever. When it came to the Openers, weren’t they as shrouded in mystery as the Blind Saintess’s mentor? More than anything, he was dying to know their status window.

So, after a night passed, the long-awaited time finally approached.

Allen and Elena, though not in flashy attire, dressed neatly and headed to the Grenzo-Mercenary Group’s hideout.

Unlike the modest and humble hideout of Sword Emperor Magnus, this place was incredibly lavish and luxurious. Allen couldn’t help but smile, thinking, as expected, they couldn’t deny being mages.

As soon as the gatekeeper confirmed the identities of the two guests, he became visibly tense. It seemed Group Leader Grenzo had emphasized their importance greatly.

Soon, a guide hurriedly emerged from inside the main gate. A man who appeared to be in his mid-to-late 30s introduced himself as the Vice Group Leader of the Grenzo-Mercenary Group.

“Ah, nice to meet you. I am Group Leader Allen. This is Elena.”

The man, who was none other than the Vice Group Leader of the Grenzo-Mercenary Group, bowed deeply to the two distinguished guests. Strictly speaking, that courtesy was directed towards comrade Elena.

“The Group Leader has instructed us to treat you with the utmost respect. Please follow me.”

Allen expected to be well received, but he hadn’t anticipated such a level of hospitality. It must mean that Group Leader Grenzo had a special affection for the Gate Openers.

They both followed the Vice Group Leader up to the third floor of the hideout building. The meeting place offered a view of the beautiful nighttime scenery of the capital.

…And right there, Allen saw two men and a woman gathered together.

Group Leader Grenzo.

Old Man Scone.

Noble Lady Shetlan.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Group Leader Allen.”

Group Leader Allen lightly bowed his head as he introduced himself.

The three pairs of eyes scanned him from head to toe.

Group Leader Allen…

A figure who might change the landscape of the mercenary world.

And Allen, too, finally faced the Gate Openers.