Chapter 171

Chapter 171

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 171: The Doll (4).

At the break of dawn, as the dim early morning light just began to spread, the carriages carrying the two Mercenary Groups departed from Vermandois.

Their destination was the West. It would undoubtedly be a long journey, so the Allen-Mercenary Group made thorough preparations.

They made a brief stop at the Holy Kingdom on their way. Given the expanded size of the Mercenary Group, they seemed to need a healer.

Honestly, there was still a slight unease between the Allen-Mercenary Group and the Holy Kingdom, but as long as they didn’t enter the inner sanctum, there was no need to worry too much.

Thus, during the two days Group Leader Allen stayed in the Holy Kingdom, he worked diligently to find a suitable believer. Since it was only a short-term hire for this mission, there was no need to be overly concerned with their specific traits. Efficiency was the primary concern.

[Strength: 9] [Agility: 11] [Stamina: 19] [Intelligence: 22] [Magic: 27]

[Common] [Devout] [Conviction] [Desire] [Materialism] [Curiosity] [Sensitive]

The short-term hired believer was a young man of small stature named Luka. Frankly, he didn’t match the level of the Allen-Mercenary Group, but among the people they scouted for two days, he was the most reasonably priced. Otherwise, everyone else either quoted too high or refused to go to the West.

Thus, accompanied by the short-term hired healer, they set off for the West again. They passed through several cities and towns in the Central Region and finally entered the Vollemang Cliff path.

Every time they precariously passed by the edge of the thousand-foot cliff, Furball Geese, who was afraid of heights, trembled like a girl who had seen a bug, despite his large build.

“Ugh, you’re such a coward!”

“Hey, don’t mess around! I-I’m really scared, damn it…!”

The Itty Titty Swordsman smiled slyly with a ‘serves you right’ expression. When else would she get to tease that sly bastard?

Fortunately, the precarious cliff path wasn’t very long. As they crossed the arched stone bridge connecting the low valleys, they finally entered the West.

The rocks of the stone valley gradually turned into a reddish hue, the symbol of the West.

Not long after leaving the Vollemang Cliff path, the grand city of the West, Nolton, revealed its magnificent presence.

Next to the gently flowing river, the landscape showcased both barren and fertile lands, leaving first-time visitors to the West in awe. The sight of dozens of ships floating, something rarely seen in Vermandois, truly lived up to the reputation of the Western entertainment hub.

In a region proudly ranked first for beauty, the city was filled with beautiful women. Even the women in shabby clothes had surprisingly pretty faces in this peculiar town.

The vulgar mercenaries were so taken by their beauty that they jumped around, declaring they’d definitely retire and live in the West.

Of course, the group didn’t have time to enjoy any leisure here, so they left again without even staying for two days. This time, just like their previous visit to the West, they passed through the mid-city of Ordessa and arrived at the mid-city of Hegel.

Has it been somewhat restored…?

Hegel was a city once ruined by a necromancer. Still, as the years passed, it seemed to have somewhat recovered. Although not the same as before, it appeared to have the population of a small city.

Those who remembered seeing the fallen state of Hegel were all surprised. A place that was no different from a complete ghost town now smelled like a place where people lived.

However, there was still a long way to go to reach Luis’s hometown… In fact, rumors about that place were already circulating everywhere.

The people of the mad Count’s family.

And the spread of madness in the city.

The city gradually losing its function.

And… the massacre!

Count Jolla mercilessly killed the townspeople over trivial matters. Of course, they, too, were in a state where murder and violence were rampant.

Group Leader Luis was in shock when he heard the rumors. Although such happenings occasionally occurred, they had never been this severe. Who could have imagined that while he went to seek help, such a horrific event would sweep through the city?

Fortunately, it seemed they hadn’t declared war on other territories yet. This madness that started with this damned doll could easily escalate into a war.

…Since it has already begun, it’s best to end it cleanly before it spreads further.

Mercenaries who experienced the Eastern War had already spread across the continent, and cities had become heavily fortified. If a spark of war were to ignite in the West, it would quickly become a blaze. So, the best scenario would be to contain it within one or two cities if possible.

Thus, the Allen-Mercenary Group marched even more relentlessly. They needed to find the doll somewhere in the Count’s territory and head to the underground labyrinth of the Magic Tower as soon as possible.

After spending more than half a month tediously in the carriage, they finally arrived at Luis’s hometown, the mid-city of Aldessa.

“I have returned!”

As Group Leader Luis shouted while cutting ahead of the long line at the checkpoint, the Allen-Mercenary Group smoothly passed through the city gate.

The city, which should have had a leisurely, relaxing atmosphere, was filled with an inexplicably eerie air instead.

The faces of the people walking the streets were etched with a kind of anger that seemed ready to explode if provoked, most shops were closed, and brawls could be seen frequently here and there.

It felt like magma bubbling just before a volcanic eruption… That was exactly the atmosphere in Aldessa now.

Luis’s thought that the rumors might have been exaggerated was quickly shattered. The city was exactly as the rumors had described, without the slightest exaggeration.

Luis headed straight for the inner city. No matter how chaotic the city was, there was no way the Count’s son would be denied passage through the inner gate.

Of course, there wasn’t much difference in atmosphere between the inner and outer walls. No, if anything, it was more brutal. After all, it was where the absolute power of Aldessa resided.

“I’ll go see my father. Group Leader Allen, please rest well today.”

However, Allen stopped Luis, who was about to leave.

“No, can we talk alone in the carriage for a moment?”

“…Pardon?”

“It’s an urgent matter.”

The young man from the West nodded willingly, as if it were no big deal.

The two sat facing each other in the carriage.

“I hope you don’t meet the Count today.”

“Why is that?”

“The situation is more serious than we thought… We must resolve it swiftly. Preferably, before tonight ends.”

!!!

“Is it that severe?”

“They’re already waiting for us to arrive because you are the only sane person among the Count’s kin left.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“It means someone will approach to infect you with madness as well. I’m sorry to say this, but you can’t trust the Count right now. No, he’s in an even more dangerous state. The fact that he’s left the city in such chaos means he’s already afflicted with madness.”

At Allen’s words, Luis swallowed nervously.

“Pretend to be sick, and let’s go to your bedroom… Bring the three best fighters with you. We might have to break through if things go South.”

“Understood. Will this solve the problem?”

“We can’t be sure yet. First, we need to find the doll that’s somewhere around here.”

“…But what does pretending to be sick have to do with the doll?”

Allen laughed deeply at that question.

“The one who comes to your room first will surely be the owner of the doll.”

Luis pretended to be sick from the long journey and headed to his room. Of course, he sought understanding from his father, the Count, apologizing for being unable to greet him due to unfortunate circumstances.

In his bedroom were the three most skilled mercenaries of the Luis-Mercenary Group, along with Group Leader Allen and two other mercenaries. Naturally, those two were Itty Titty Natasha and the Blind Saintess. If it were them, they could escape the Count’s castle even in the worst case.

Luis lay in bed pretending to be sick. Allen pulled up a chair and sat next to the bed.

“Will they really come?”

“They will. And the moment we identify the enemy, the mission begins. Remember that. Have you informed all the members?”

“Yes…!”

“There may come a moment when you have to defy the Count’s orders. So, you need to be prepared.”

Of course, Luis couldn’t easily answer. Defying his father’s orders. Honestly, it wasn’t something easy to comply with. He never expected things to turn out this way.

Allen calmly spoke again to persuade him. This issue was no longer just his personal matter. The fate of the Allen-Mercenary Group was also entangled.

“The city’s situation is not normal right now. You’re the only one who can restore it to normal. Decide before it’s too late. Depending on your decision, I must make mine too. I have more than ten mouths to feed. If you can’t do it, say so now.”

“…I will do it. Don’t worry. I’ve made up my mind.”

Fortunately, Luis did not hesitate for long. After all, wasn’t it the Count himself who ordered him to seek help to resolve this situation? Perhaps the moment he left, the mission had already begun.

And just then, someone knocked on the door.

-It’s me, Luis. I’m coming in.

!!!!!

As soon as he heard the voice, Luis was visibly startled.

Soon, the door creaked open, and someone entered.

A middle-aged woman with a faint smile on her face. She approached Luis, who was lying on the bed, with quick steps. In her appearance, there was no trace of the madness that had engulfed the city.

“Luis…!”

“Mother…!”

Luis was clearly taken aback. He had been waiting, knife sharpened, for whoever would be the first to come here, and suddenly his mother appeared.

Of course, this was not something strange by common sense. A son who had been away for a long time had returned, so it was only natural for his parents to visit.

…That woman…

The person who had bought a cursed doll to cast a curse.

The woman who ended up being devoured by that very doll.

The culprit who spread madness in the city.

Of course, Allen, who had a status window, was not easily deceived.