Chapter 159

Chapter 159

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 159: Ashen (3).

Fortunately, the inn purchased for a staggering nine thousand eight hundred gold coins thrived.

Of course, it was natural to feel envious when one’s cousin bought land, let alone when Group Leader Allen suddenly acquired such a magnificent inn building. People speculated about when he amassed such wealth, ignoring the hardships faced by the Allen-Mercenary Group, and spread rumors that he profited merely by pleasing Viola instead. In reality, this wouldn’t have been said if he were unattractive.

However, Allen didn’t care about the whispers. He had always known that mercenaries loved to gossip. Moreover, he was very pleased just by the flourishing of his business. Looking at it positively, couldn’t such rumors serve as a promotional effect?

Anyway, with the business thriving, Allen’s steps to the office every early morning were incredibly light. Especially, the view of the sunrise he witnessed after waking up and throwing open the window was truly a cauldron of emotions itself.

Not long after Allen arrived at the office, to his surprise, Group Leader Viola came to visit him.

“Ah, Group Leader. Good morning.”

“Yes, good morning.”

The cautious archer on guard duty clumsily brewed two cups of tea and placed them in front of each leader.

Taking a sip of her tea, she, true to her straightforward nature, didn’t beat around the bush and got straight to the point.

“Your mage, Elena.”

…As soon as he heard Elena’s name, Allen felt that the inevitable had come.

“I was wondering if she has any thoughts of transferring.”

“Yes. Both of us are very satisfied with each other. And she is also content with her current life.”

“…Is that so? Then what about the swordswoman named Natasha?”

“I understand she has no intention of transferring.”

“I see.”

In fact, Group Leader Viola had been keeping an eye on the female swordswoman named Natasha for some time. The stats she saw for her were an astounding 390. A number so rare across the continent… If the opponent wasn’t Group Leader Allen, she might have tried any means to recruit her.

Though she was tempted, she accepted it to that extent. After all, for Group Leader Allen to grow significantly, he needed top-notch talents. In that regard, Natasha was an irreplaceable and excellent component of the Allen-Mercenary Group.

…However, when she visited the inn a while ago and happened to see the mage, she couldn’t help but be astonished.

Viola had seen the big-breasted mage named Elena more than a few times, and she was already well aware that her score didn’t exceed 300. Honestly, as a mage, she wasn’t considered a talent worth noting.

However, the score she saw that day was 377. Among mages, it was second only to the Ghost Flame Grenzo. Even Elizabeth was in the mid-300s.

Viola couldn’t understand this phenomenon at all. She had occasionally seen scores rise by about 10, but she had never seen it jump by over 100 in her life.

Even though she had a bit of a penchant for talented individuals, she could let go of the female swordswoman, but she couldn’t shake off her attachment to the mage. A mage with such a high score? That was unbelievably rare.

Even if one had money, it was an item that couldn’t be obtained. Even if it belonged to a man she fancied, she couldn’t resist trying to poke at it.

But it wasn’t easy. Group Leader Allen surely knew that both of them were talents he couldn’t afford to lose.

However, Viola didn’t want to forcefully take them away. It was just that she had a lingering attachment, which made her try.

Allen read Viola’s thoughts and felt relieved. If she had continued to be greedy, it would have been quite a burden for him as well.

In Earth terms, the Top 10 were like giant conglomerates. In contrast, the current Allen-Mercenary Group was barely at the level of a mid-sized company. Naturally, in terms of financial power or brand recognition, the gap was significant. Of course, he believed that Elena and Natasha would remain loyal to the end, but one could never be certain with people…

Of course, this was not something to feel bad about. Such transfer requests happen frequently among mercenary groups.

In fact, Group Leader Viola’s actions were exemplary and commendable. To the extent that other mercenary group leaders should emulate…

With the topic of transfers brought up, Allen subtly mentioned Victor’s name. Although he hadn’t requested a transfer, upon subtly observing, it seemed he had some interest in the Viola-Mercenary Group.

“By any chance, do you know anyone among my members named Victor?”

“…Ah, yes, I recognize his face.”

“He seemed to show some interest in your group. Do you have any thoughts on this?”

Training Junkie Victor was somewhat satisfied with his current situation, but it wasn’t that he had no desire for advancement.

Of course, Allen had no desire to blame that. The Top 10 was a group that any mercenary aspired to join. No matter how much Allen was currently rising through the ranks with great momentum, he couldn’t yet compare to the Top 10.

If there was a choice between joining the Allen-Mercenary Group and one of the Top 10? Then, naturally, everyone would choose the Top 10, a hundred out of a hundred times. Of course, realistically, that would be impossible, which was why they remained.

“…Well, I haven’t really thought about that.”

Unfortunately, Victor’s attempt to transfer ended there. Viola had a strong tendency to rely on the figures she saw, and if she didn’t like something, she wouldn’t even bother with a transfer interview. In that sense, it meant Victor didn’t even have a chance. Honestly, Allen also knew that Victor wasn’t cut out for the Top 10. Since Victor himself knew this, he probably didn’t bring it up with the Group Leader.

Anyway, since the main discussion was over, Viola had no reason to stay any longer.

“Thank you for the tea.”

“Oh, yes.”

“Let’s have dinner sometime.”

“Please invite me anytime. I’ll come running immediately.”

As Group Leader Viola left, Allen let out the breath he had been holding in.

…In fact, he was slightly worried when Elena opened the Mana Gate because Group Leader Viola with her [Aesthetic Sense] might covet her… Well, it was only natural to covet her. It was an open secret that she had quite a desire for talent. Honestly, where in the world would there be a mercenary group leader without such ambition?

Still, she behaved in a very decent and cultured manner. He was once again convinced that it would be good to go with her to the end this time. How could one not have a favorable impression when she acted so charmingly?

Of course, if all mercenary group leaders were like her, the mercenary scene wouldn’t be so messy. Naturally, there were quite a few who approached members privately without the leader’s permission.

Still, Allen didn’t bother to interfere with it. In a situation where even existing laws weren’t being followed, how many would actually adhere to etiquette…? However, he had no intention of allowing negotiations that bypassed him. That would be an act of daring to infringe upon his sacred authority as the group leader. Fortunately, there were no members that reckless.

Naturally, there were quite a few transfer requests coming directly to Allen. Especially aimed at the Milk-Jug Mage…

Even though the Magic Tower had collapsed and the supply of mages had significantly increased, mages were still a rare existence. And with those overwhelming milk jugs, it was a double advantage for the men. Of course, what wasn’t permitted to Group Leader Viola wasn’t going to be allowed to others. She would be the first to strongly oppose any transfer.

The next most requested transfer was surprisingly, Furball Geese. It was probably because he got a ton of free drinks while boasting and exaggerating his exploits.

Of course, if you consider that a survival tactic, Geese was an excellent promoter. In this mercenary world, the greatest virtue was to survive as long as possible while extracting the most money.

However, Geese, who was satisfied with his current life and had high expectations for the Allen-Mercenary Group, had no real intention of transferring despite getting a ton of free drinks.

Although the salary was a bit tight, there were no overdue payments like his previous mercenary group, and he saw the potential for significant growth, so he didn’t feel the need to move to a new environment. Even if he did transfer, there was no guarantee it would be better than his current situation. In fact, most of the current members felt the same way.

Above all else, the potential to rise even higher… That was the biggest reason they wanted to stay.

Allen also had no members he wished to transfer out yet. Everyone was performing above their cost, and missions were executed smoothly thanks to their long-practiced teamwork. It wasn’t like there was any talent that could immediately replace a current member.

Although the Rookie Kori was still somewhat lacking, it was expected that in a few years, he would develop enough to sell at a high price. If needed, he could be used in the second team and step in as a candidate when a gap opened in the first team.

However, the muscle-bound Pergamon, who hadn’t been with them long, seemed quite willing to move on if a good opportunity arose. Though not just yet.

Anyway, Allen tirelessly dealt with recruitment and transfers, but nothing ever came to fruition.

And so, a month passed, flowing like that noble river.

Rumors from the South reached Vermandois.

“A demon has appeared,” they said…