Chapter 56

Chapter 56

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 56: The Festival Of Dark Mages (2).

It seems Hegel’s situation was quite urgent, as Allen managed to lead the negotiation in his favor throughout and eventually agreed on a large sum. It appeared that even the mercenaries, who usually loved money, thought dealing with a dark mage was a bit too much, as most of them withdrew. From what he heard, they had spent over a fortnight searching for mercenary groups, and, including Allen, they barely managed to gather ten teams.

After investing a few more days, it seemed impossible to gather more. Hence, the baron’s castle finally decided to take down the recruitment notice and called the ten mercenary leaders to the meeting room. Before departure, they were to be briefed on various precautions, and it also seemed like they were going to choose a representative to lead this group.

Allen, who was invited, brought not only Kalisman but also the Blind Saintess to this gathering. After all, in official settings, the formidable and well-known Ordnung would be much more suitable. The reason he came all the way to this remote western region was precisely to make a name for himself!

As the man and woman arrived at the meeting, the eyes of those who had already arrived and were seated sharply flew towards them.

As expected, there was a subtle power struggle among the people. They glared fiercely, sizing up who was the most formidable here—. This was expected as mercenaries were a breed exemplifying the survival of the fittest.

After taking his seat, Allen also glanced over the various men and women seated around.

…And among them, there was one woman who stood out. She was even a beauty with a quite beautiful face. …To the extent that Allen’s manhood signaled activation.

[Attributes]

Strength: 11

Agility: 8

Stamina: 17

Intelligence: 12

Magic: 5

[Traits]

♦ Genius

♦ Desire

♦ Narcissism

♦ Strong Will

♦ Efficient

♦ Sensitive

The stats were poor, but there were a few useful traits, including [Genius]. It seemed this one was more of a brain type.

[Attributes]

Strength: 52

Agility: 39

Stamina: 55

Intelligence: 10

Magic: 7

[Traits]

♦ Genius

♦ Genius

♦ Loyalty

♦ Greed

♦ Vigor

♦ Touchy

And right behind her, a muscular man had quite decent stats. Of course, still far below compared to the Blind Saintess.

Shortly after, another group leader arrived, and the meeting began. In truth, it was closer to a briefing than a meeting.

“Our findings end here. Due to time constraints, we will now select a representative. Any volunteers?”

As the host scanned the leaders, the desert beauty from earlier eagerly raised her hand.

“I am Rudra Naweeshal. You must have heard my name in the west.”

The Blind Saintess whispered quietly from behind.

“Do you know her?”

Allen shrugged lightly, indicating he did not. Honestly, aside from the leaders of the top ten and a few others, he wasn’t interested. Why bother about a leader when it was the mercenaries that could be snatched from them that truly mattered?

However, everyone else, except Allen, seemed to be well aware of Rudra’s fame, nodding in acknowledgment.

Just when everyone thought it would naturally end there, they saw someone raise their hand. All eyes instantly turned in that direction. It was a young man who clearly wasn’t from the West.

“I’m Allen Dewise Pomwell. It seems I might be the best choice here…”

—!

Rudra’s eyes sharpened as her mood seemingly soured. The other group leaders also looked around, wondering who Allen was. Of course, Allen just smirked, regardless of what others thought.

The host hesitated, not expecting someone to challenge Rudra.

“Well, since two have stepped forward, we’ll, uh, decide by a show of hands.”

Naturally, everyone except the two involved raised their hands for Rudra. It might have been an awkward situation, but Allen had already gestured as if he had anticipated this outcome.

“It’s really unfortunate. I can’t even show my abilities here. I guess I have to accept it, huh.”

Once the representative was decided, the host announced that they would depart early the next morning and dismissed the meeting.

Allen was returning to the lodging with the Blind Saintess when someone called him from behind.

“Group Leader Allen.”

“…Ah, Group Leader Rudra.”

If she were on Earth, she would be the epitome of Arabian beauty. Approaching Allen briskly, she looked at him intensely with those proud blue eyes. Of course, her lips were politely smiling.

“I’m sorry about this. But what can we do?”

“There’s nothing we can do. Please take care of me, Group Leader Rudra.”

While the two group leaders were having a slight tension, the Blind Saintess and the towering man behind them were also staring at each other’s faces.

Even if she was a saintess or whatever, at her core, she was a martial artist. She definitely wasn’t without the desire to challenge the strong.

‘…He looks pretty strong. But still below me.’

The saint, who could tell if someone was above or below her just by feeling their energy, was at ease. On the contrary, the man felt an inexplicable anxiety towards the blind woman whose depth he couldn’t fathom.

The two group leaders looked at each other for a while, then lightly shook hands and parted ways.

The Blind Saintess quickly turned around and followed Allen, who was heading back.

“……Was it really necessary to step in?”

It meant, knowing it wouldn’t work out, why embarrass yourself by stepping in?

Then Allen, showing his teeth with a grin, said.

“Sister, this world is half skill, half bluff. If you can do five, you have to puff it up like you can do ten so you can earn the money and fame equivalent to seven.”

“Oh—” The Blind Saintess seemed to understand something immediately.

“If we had just stayed quiet like losers just now, we would have literally become real losers. …Sister, think about it. Would you want to give a lot of money to such a guy? I wouldn’t.”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“Of course, we shouldn’t boast too much and end up dying, right? So, we also need to have the sense to control that well.”

“I see…!”

“Anyway, that’s the reason.”

‘Indeed, for there to be such a hidden meaning—!’

Certainly, this man, who was emitting a golden aura, was different in some way.

“Actually, Sister, it would have been better if you had taken the initiative earlier. That was a bit regrettable.”

“…Ah, I didn’t think of that.”

“No, it’s your first time. You’ll learn as you go.”

“Thank you. I’m really learning a lot—!”

Allen tapped the arm of the Blind Saintess lightly, smiling as if he were the most generous person in the world.

‘Indeed, it was a good decision to follow this person…!’

…Of course, the pinkette had no idea that her benefactor intended to exploit her to the bone.

Early dawn.

Having made all the preparations, Allen and his mercenary group left the lodging building, each carrying a bag.

The group of about ten people stepped on the dirt and sand, heading towards the city’s southern gate.

At the southern gate, four other mercenary groups were already waiting. Now, with Allen’s group joining, there were a total of five.

“Please board the 4th carriage.”

The person in charge from the baron’s castle checked the list and then informed Allen to board the 4th carriage. Allen had his members board the carriage first and waited outside for the rest of the mercenary groups to arrive.

Before long, the rest of the mercenary groups also arrived near the south gate. Once all the mercenary groups had gathered, the desert beauty, Group Leader Rudra, called all the group leaders together.

“We must fight the dark mages. It certainly won’t be easy. However, if you follow my orders well, we can safely complete the mission. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Group Leader Rudra.”

“Then let’s depart now.”

Rudra’s intense gaze once again met Allen’s. However, he pretended not to see and turned around to return to his carriage.

Soon, the carriage departed, leaving through the south gate. And far away on the eastern horizon, a single wriggle began to appear.

Gradually, dawn was breaking.

The Blind Saint and the devout believer silently prayed for God’s blessing as they saw that.

“I only believe in our noble mage.”

Commander Aiden chuckled and said toward the milk-jug mage. It seemed that having a mage among them was a great comfort to everyone. Moreover, her skills had already been clearly proven through the events in the gorge and dungeons—!

Though it must be a considerable burden, she seemed to bear it with composure.

Allen scanned the slightly tense members and opened his mouth.

“…Of course, dark mages won’t be easy. It’s going to be a tough fight. But I know them well. So don’t worry too much. Have I ever spoken nonsense before? Just trust and follow me. I’ve been proving it all along.”

Everyone nodded lightly, listening to the leader’s words. He pointed outside the carriage with his finger.

“Money and fame are waiting for us. Once this is over, our names will be widely known in the western region. It means we’ll become celebrities.”

Bald Illiterate Billy snickered as if the mere thought pleased him.

“It’s a great opportunity to leap forward. Such chances are rare. Dark mages? Cut off their heads, and they all die anyway.”

“Exactly—!”

“Let’s give it our all.”

Amidst the fervent encouragement, the sun rose.

The atmosphere that had been stirred up calmed down again.

However, the carriage did not stop and continued to run.