Chapter 178

Chapter 178

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 178: Big Sis (2)

Group Leader Allen first settled the overdue wages of the members.

And now, with the contract expiration date of more than half of the members approaching, it was time to prepare for renewals.

Of course, Allen intended to hold on to the Elena, Natasha, and Ordnung trio by any means necessary. In fact, the Milk-Jug Mage and Itty Titty Natasha weren’t much of a concern, but the problem was the Blind Saintess.

The fame of the Allen-Mercenary Group rose, and along with their recent exploits, many mercenary group leaders courted Ordnung fervently. Despite Ordnung’s pious appearance, which deterred anyone from trying to buy her off with money, one might wonder if she could be retained should someone offer double her current pay. After all, paying her a hundred gold coins would be quite a sum. Although she didn’t seem entirely devoid of loyalty, it was doubtful that she wouldn’t succumb to money. There were already precedents for such things.

For now, a wage increase would be implemented, but it was necessary to keep a close watch. Complacency was taboo in the mercenary business.

Especially those with much room for transfer, like Training Junkie Victor and Musclehead Pergamond.

In fact, Allen had been considering getting rid of Training Junkie Victor. Thanks to his [Late Bloomer] trait, he had shown noticeable growth over the years. However, he wasn’t exceptionally talented from the start, making him unsuitable for the final main group. Moreover, he wasn’t loyal enough to willingly accept a demotion to the second group per the Group Leader’s orders. Surely he would have complaints about that… So, it would be wise to dispose of him before witnessing such dissatisfaction.

And Northern Musclehead Pergamond was inherently ambitious. Rather than remaining stagnant somewhere, he wanted to keep climbing higher. Allen wanted to keep him around a bit longer, but he focused more on transferring than on renewing his contract. Especially targeting the Top 10 groups, Viola-Mercenary Group and Gione-Mercenary Group.

Of course, he wasn’t skilled enough to be in the first tier, but the Musclehead had the ability to be in the second or third tier. Knowing this, he aimed to be even the tail of a dragon.

Unless it was someone like Ordnung, who would be too regretful to sleep at night if sent away, Allen was always open-minded about transfers. He wanted to form a second tier, but honestly, having a second tier in a mercenary group that wasn’t even in the Top 10 was practically the same as being up for release. He was building for the distant future, but others didn’t see it that way.

There was also Gheorghe, the Cautious Archer, who had been with them for quite a while, and the newly joined Pockmarked Giant Borzo. Though not as much as the former two, they were not entirely dismissive of transferring. There had been quite a few recruitment offers for the Cautious Archer, but he did not wish to transfer to a mediocre mercenary group just for a bit more money. Not that they were going to pay him double his current worth…

Everyone else seemed satisfied with the current mercenary group.

Of course, Allen was always ready to make cuts. That was the role and responsibility of the group leader.

Anyway, after handling the administrative tasks in the sunlit meeting room of the hideout throughout the morning and part of the afternoon, he finished up before evening and got up.

The Group Leader stretched and confirmed that the sky outside the window was slowly turning crimson as he tidied up his seat. Soon, he would have to attend the promised dinner.

Dressed smartly in his going-out attire, he headed to the Viola House with Old Dog Kalisman.

The high-rise building turned crimson as it faced the setting sun. Its elegant appearance was reminiscent of Group Leader Viola’s.

Upon arriving at the Viola-Mercenary Group’s hideout, the two parted ways in the first-floor hall.

Allen, having reached the third-floor room with a good view, warmly shook hands with the elegantly dressed Viola Group Leader.

“You look even more beautiful today, Group Leader.”

“You look splendid too.”

The wide window overlooking the river that had turned a reddish hue, and the room decorated with it as the background were always impressive every time he was invited. The elegance that couldn’t be found in his hideout was present here. This must be why everyone was so eager to become a Top 10.

While exchanging brief greetings and chatting about the mercenary groups, warm dishes began to arrive one after another.

“How was the West? I heard you went into the underground labyrinth of the Magic Tower…”

As expected of one of the Top 10, her quick information-gathering ability was truly impressive. Given her penchant for perfectionism, perhaps all information coming into Vermandois passed through her at least once.

“To be honest, it was quite tough. Those Magic Tower guys aren’t just your average bad guys. They were conducting all sorts of experiments underground, even demon summoning and soul transferring.”

That was a story that even Viola would be surprised by. No matter what, she thought they would at least know not to cross certain lines, but she never imagined they would be so heinous.

“Were there demons as well?”

“It seemed like a somewhat incomplete summoning, but they were indeed there. Such creatures have spread across the continent, and there’s no guarantee that it won’t happen again. Perhaps the incident in the South last time was also their doing.”

“The continent will continue to suffer from such threats in the future.”

“The peaceful era of the past is now over. The continent will continue to face crises in the future.”

With that nearly certain declaration, a heavy silence hung in the air for a moment.

Allen smiled slightly and tried to lighten the mood. He didn’t want such a heavy atmosphere to overshadow a peaceful dinner.

“It seems I’ve talked about something too heavy.”

“No, that’s just how life is. You experience the sweet and the bitter, and that’s how you live. Anyway, enjoy your meal.”

The two focused on their meal again.

The food here was on a different level from the inn’s cuisine.

With such delicious food, a great hideout, and excellent companions, it was no wonder everyone wanted to join the Top 10. Just like how applications flooded in as soon as Allen moved his hideout, he once again felt the importance of the surrounding environment.

After leisurely finishing their dinner, the man and woman had tea time, sitting much closer than before.

There was a pleasant scent from Group Leader Viola that he hadn’t noticed before—something soft yet intense.

The sun had already set beyond the mountain ridge, leaving only faint traces in the black sky.

The cozy air warmed by the crackling fireplace gently embraced the flesh of the two people.

So, the man and woman quietly watched the river of the night while sipping warm tea for a long time.

Happiness.

Even as Viola sat quietly with Group Leader Allen, just drinking tea, she couldn’t contain the happiness welling up inside her. It was a sensation different from mere comfort and coziness. A feeling that made her wish time would stop forever.

It was Allen who broke the cozy silence.

“It’s already been over four years since I first met Group Leader Viola.”

She simply smiled softly and took a sip of her tea, reminiscing about that memory.

A polite yet confident young man. He was brimming with confidence, courageous, and thoughtful. Regardless of the number 522, he was someone who showed potential to rise high.

…And she had ended up losing her heart to such a young man. A man who was ten years younger, no less!

Why?

Appearance? Potential? Ability? Or all of them?

Viola couldn’t pinpoint just one thing.

Perhaps it was because of the number 522, that, for the first time in her life, she carefully observed a human she had watched coldly and detachedly until now.

Constantly observing and watching him, she ended up falling for him…

Like the story of a god who, after closely observing a human, fell in love with them… Of course, she wasn’t as great as a god.

Of course, the premise of a business relationship with him remained, but at this moment, it wasn’t because of business that they were meeting.

-If you feel he’s your man, you have to push forward, Sis. You’re in the Top 10, the Top 10. If you don’t approach first, who will approach you first, huh? They’d be too scared.

For her, whose only relationship with men had been as an employer or employee, this was one of the greatest challenges of her life.

Since they had already kissed, there was no need to hesitate anymore. Knowing that he had some feelings too, she needed to be bold.

Thus, she looked at him and very slowly brought her face closer. Eventually, even slightly puckering her lips.

However, he didn’t seem to realize the purpose of her actions, merely smiling softly and turning his head back to the window while sipping his tea.

Ah.

Viola, realizing her own clumsiness, was startled and quickly returned to her original position.

Was the timing, perhaps… not right…?

Thus, she soon attempted again.

But once more, she suffered a painful failure. It seemed this wasn’t the right approach.

After much contemplation, she decided to interpret the others’ advice in her own way.

“Um… Group Leader Allen?”

“Yes, Group Leader.”

“It might be an awkward thing to say…”

“Oh, it’s fine.”

She asked as if making a business proposal.

“Would it be alright if we kissed?”

…And a moment of silence.

Allen’s lips slowly curved into a smile, as if he had seen an unexpected side of her.

“Of course.”

And the lips of the two met.

Hotter and more lovingly than yesterday.