Chapter 46

Chapter 46

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 46: After The Dungeon (3).

The Marquis was a fat and greasy, stylish middle-aged man. His hair slicked back with scented oil, and his neatly trimmed mustache resembled the sharp wings of a hawk, while his beard extended to his neck, adding to his stylish demeanor. His body, adorned with all sorts of gold and treasures, gave off the feeling of a wealthy man.

Accompanying Viola to meet the Marquis, Allen’s eyes sparkled like a beast that had found its prey upon seeing him. However, he maintained the gentle expression of a monk that could win the Marquis’s favor.

“Oh, you’ve arrived—.”

The Marquis, with luxurious rings on each of his plump fingers, spread his hands wide to welcome the man and woman. The handsome man and beautiful woman respectfully bowed their heads in greeting.

“Your Excellency, have you been well during this time?”

“I’m fine, really. Would’ve been more at peace if it weren’t for the mining business in the capital pressuring me, but yes.”

“The dungeon matter has been neatly concluded, so you need not worry any longer.”

Then, the middle-aged man let out a small exclamation as if he had just remembered something.

“Ah, yes. I’ve heard about it. That…, the monster queen, was it? To have defeated such a massive creature. Hearing about it made me feel as if I was on the adventure myself.”

“Is that so.”

The tale of the ten brave heroes defeating the fearsome monster queen spread not only throughout the Marquis’s Castle but also across the entire city. The story even morphed over time, becoming more like a fairy tale in its content.

Anyway, as the Marquis shifted his gaze from Viola to Allen, the middle-aged man’s mouth slightly tightened at the sight of the young man’s rare appearance. If there had been a picture in the rumors, he would have undoubtedly been transformed into a handsome prince as the picture spread.

“A handsome young man indeed. The girls won’t be able to sleep at night.”

“That’s an overstatement.”

“Is that so. You’re the Group Leader Allen from the rumors?”

“Yes, I am. My apologies for the late introduction. I am Allen Dewise Pomwell, Your Excellency.”

“Ha-ha. To think such a young man did such an incredible thing. Remarkable.”

The middle-aged man laughed heartily, seemingly a fundamentally bright and cheerful person. Allen also took a quick look at him through the status window and judged that he wasn’t a very strict person. …A good sign for him.

“So, is everyone living comfortably?”

“Yes, thanks to Your Excellency’s consideration, every day is peaceful.”

“It would indeed be fortunate. Feel free to speak up about any discomforts. I’ll do what I can within my power. I cannot afford to neglect esteemed guests.”

“I shall not forget Your Excellency’s grace.”

Thinking that the formalities were over, Viola cautiously broached the subject of the current contract.

“Your Excellency, about this contract…”

“Oh, yes, the contract. Right, indeed. The contract. Having completed the mission splendidly, it’s only right to pay—!”

Normally, a financial manager would handle the cost negotiations, but this contract involved the dignity of the top ten, so he took it upon himself. This way, they could count on the assistance of a high-quality mercenary group again in the future.

“So, how much do you desire?”

The Marquis smiled gently as he asked. However, he, too was a ruler managing a vast territory. Although it was said he handled enormous amounts of money, it didn’t mean he was careless with it. On the contrary, he was known for being meticulous. A clumsy approach would only result in both parties feeling embarrassed.

“I think seven hundred gold coins should suffice.”

Viola named a reasonable amount. She didn’t want to engage in a back-and-forth over money with the Marquis and lose face… Moreover, it wasn’t just the two of them; Group Leader Allen was also present.

The Marquis, knowing this, readily nodded his head. It was a fair amount, and he was willing to pay it.

But then, just at that moment, Group Leader Allen, as if he had been waiting, quietly stepped forward.

“Your Excellency. May I speak for a moment, if that’s alright?”

“Go ahead, let’s hear it.”

Both seemed curious about what Group Leader Allen would say. After taking a brief breath, he began to speak in a clear voice.

“I am well aware that seven hundred gold coins is by no means a small amount. However, I think it might be somewhat insufficient to express His Excellency’s grace.”

“…Somewhat insufficient?”

“Seven hundred gold coins is an amount that is generally acceptable. Therefore, I am concerned that His Excellency’s reputation might somewhat be overshadowed. Because being ordinary means not being surprising or exceptional.”

“Ha ha—.”

It was a look that said, look at this guy.

“In this central region, no, in the continent, there is no one who does not know of His Excellency’s reputation. Therefore, I think that if the amount were a bit higher than what is usual, people might once again etch His Excellency’s reputation in their hearts.”

If the tongue becomes too long, it’s rather not good. Instead, Allen precisely dotted the important points, with a powerful punch.

The Marquis’s smile deepened.

“Reputation… Yes, then what do you think the amount should be? I’m talking about the price of my reputation.”

“…It should be at least double, I think.”

A moment of silence. And then laughter followed.

Ahahaha—.

The Marquis laughed out loud. Viola had no idea that Allen would openly negotiate with the Marquis.

“Really amusing. It doesn’t seem like it’s your first or second time doing this?”

Allen simply bowed his head without a word. Babbling here could rather backfire. Sometimes, silent action was more necessary.

The Marquis, looking down at Allen’s bowed head, fell into thought and then slowly nodded.

“…Yes, fine. Suppose that’s the price of my reputation. Let’s pay it.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re the first to bargain with me in such a manner. But I wasn’t displeased. You’ve intriguingly provoked me.”

Again, Allen bowed deeply without a word.

“Did you say you’re Group Leader Allen? …I’ll make sure to remember your name.”

“An honor like no other.”

“Right. You may go now.”

The man and woman politely bowed and withdrew.

On the way back to their lodging, there was a long silence between the two. Viola was the first to break this lengthy quiet.

“Don’t do that in the future.”

“……Yes?”

Allen looked at Viola’s profile as if wondering what she was talking about. However, she just kept looking straight ahead.

“You don’t have to beg like that. There’s no need to lower your dignity to such an extent.”

Viola didn’t like that. …That the man she had chosen was groveling for money.

“Not just a penny or two, but doubling the price should be quite a good deal, shouldn’t it?”

“Still, don’t do that. Think about your dignity. You know what will become of you later.”

“I consider it an investment for that future.”

“…Then rather borrow from me. I won’t charge interest.”

She said that much and then worried if she had interfered too much.

“I will cherish your concern in my heart. …I will sometimes think about my dignity.”

“…Really.”

At that, Viola couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“You do speak well. Enough to completely charm His Excellency.”

“That’s a compliment…, right?”

“Yes, it’s a compliment.”

“Haha. Being in a mercenary group, all I’ve honed is this mouth….”

Viola took a deep breath in and then exhaled. …In fact, she could understand Allen’s position. Having just started the mercenary business, it was a time when even a single penny was precious. She had gone through the same process herself.

The two walked back to their lodging in silence. They exchanged light nods and parted ways.

And in the hallway, on the way back to his room, Allen let out the cheers that had been boiling inside him, jumping up and down several times. He had just earned a whopping one thousand four hundred gold coins—!

‘Shiiiit, I did ittttt—!!’

“This motherfucker, sexxxxxxx—!!”

A maid passing through the hallway quickly ran away to avoid the madman.

The group of twelve mercenaries left the city of silver, Agnentia, early in the morning by carriage. Breathing in the cool dawn air deeply, Allen felt refreshed.

Certainly, the dignity of one thousand four hundred gold coins was tremendous. Everyone was surprised by the Marquis’s spending, and at the same time, it was widely acknowledged that such a large sum was possible because he was a Marquis. Whether his fame resonated throughout the continent as Allen had confidently claimed was not sure, but at least within Agnentia, rumors of the Marquis’s generosity were widespread.

“I think it was good to come.”

Kalisman, looking at Allen from across, finally gave such an evaluation.

Of course, for the dead, this would have been the worst choice, but evaluations are, after all, made by those who are alive….

“…Yes. It seems it was good to come.”

However, the living could not just stand quietly beside the dead.

The dead are buried in the ground, and the living must move forward again. That was life and history.

After Agnentia had shrunk to the size of a palm in their eyes, dawn gradually broke. And as the sunlight reached the top of the towering mountains, a beautiful crimson flowed down like paint.

Allen watched it with a distant gaze, meticulously moving each finger that he had slipped into his backpack.

…Counting one thousand four hundred gold coins by hand was as blissful as sex.