Chapter 63

Chapter 63

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 63: Crisis And Cooperation (3).

Fortunately, after the first night, there were no more attacks from the necromancers. Either they couldn’t keep up with the speed of the boat moving along the river all day, or they no longer felt it was worth attacking; it was one of the two.

After moving continuously, day and night, the group finally arrived at the city at noon on the third day.

Mid-sized City, Serge—.

Allen was quite worried that this place might have also fallen, but fortunately, it was still safe. The group moored the boat by the riverbank and finally set foot on land.

“Oh, fuck, Mother Earth. Muah muah—.”

The bald illiterate made a fuss as soon as he got on land, prostrating himself and showering the sand with kisses. Life on the boat had been that terrible.

Those who made it this far all shed tears of emotion. They had thought they were surely going to die, but instead, they were saved from that hell by the mercy of the mercenary group—!

The village chief, who seemed to have aged a decade from the severe hardships, expressed his gratitude by taking the hands of the mercenary leaders one by one, with hot tears flowing.

After enjoying a moment of relief for having survived, the group entered the city. They thought they would be held up at the checkpoint for a long time, but Group Leader Rudra went into the checkpoint, and surprisingly, they were allowed to pass through easily.

And with that, the journey, together with the mercenaries and the villagers, came to an end. The village chief was not shameless enough to ask them to take care of them until the very end. From this point on, they had to find their own way to survive.

“I am now planning to meet with His Excellency, the Baron. I am not forcing you. There is no longer a reason or responsibility for us to accompany each other. Of course, those who wish to follow may do so.”

Although Group Leader Rudra said this, she sent a particularly subtle glance towards Group Leader Allen. It was a look that seemed almost like a request, as if she wished that he, unlike the other leaders, would accompany her.

The group leaders huddled together, glanced at each other, and soon conveyed their willingness to join. …Honestly, it would be more accurate to say they couldn’t leave.

The West was no longer a safe place. Necromancers were rampant in all directions, meaning that they could be attacked anywhere, anytime. Hadn’t they already experienced this several times themselves?

“I will accompany you, Group Leader.”

Group Leader Rudra had been eagerly waiting for Allen’s words. …As one might know, there were those people who just being with them gave you strength and reassurance. Group Leader Allen was exactly that kind of person.

“Alright. Then let’s all go to the Baron’s castle together.”

It was only after arriving at the Baron’s castle that Allen realized Group Leader Rudra had a very close relationship with the castle’s lord. They were uncle and niece.

Only then did Allen fully understand how Group Leader Rudra could manage a mercenary group of such caliber. As suspected, she came from a wealthy family. That was why, at that meeting, all the leaders had unanimously supported her.

Somehow, she had also seemed rather refined. Even her actions and the way she spoke were somewhat elegant.

Yet, Allen was not at all intimidated by it. A guy who aspired to become the leader of the continent’s greatest mercenary group, should he tremble over such a thing? Even if he were to have a private audience with the Emperor, he should have the courage to assert his convictions—!

Having faced death so many times, it seemed that Allen’s heart had become quite sturdy. The timid coward of the past had definitely disappeared.

The group soon entered the baron’s castle. Not long after, an old butler who seemed to be in a hurry came out to greet them.

“Has the lady arrived?”

“I was hoping to see His Excellency. It’s quite urgent. And these people need a place to rest.”

“The master has instructed us to take care of the guests. Those in the back, please follow the servants.”

As everyone except for Group Leader Rudra and the captain were about to leave, she let out a small cough. Allen quickly realized it was a signal for him and left the rest to Captain Aiden.

As Allen approached Rudra stealthily, she quietly opened her mouth.

“I would like you to come with me.”

“Yes. Let’s do that.”

The two walked shoulder to shoulder, with the bulky captain following a few steps behind.

“Thank you. It’s all thanks to you.”

The tone of Group Leader Rudra changed from that of the representative of the group to a position equal to another group leader.

“…Well, honestly, it’s largely thanks to me, but it’s also because Group Leader Rudra was flexible enough to take my heed. It’s not easy to find calmness when you’re jealous.”

As Allen said this half-jokingly and half-seriously, she retorted with an innocent expression.

“…I wasn’t jealous.”

“Oh dear, that was a mistake on my part.”

“……Are you doing this on purpose? You seemed like a respectable person.”

“It varies with the situation.”

“So, what’s the situation now?”

“It’s a bit of a comfortable situation. Since I’m with Group Leader Rudra.”

‘…A comfortable situation? Because we’re together? ……What did he mean by that?’

Group Leader Rudra clenched her mouth shut and racked her brain hard. Being quite a novice in matters of men and women, she couldn’t easily grasp his intentions.

Allen, meanwhile, once again felt his [Womanizer] suddenly triggering without realizing it and tried to restrain himself.

‘……It’s somewhat amusing that this timid guy, just because he has something dangling, fawns over any pretty girl he sees.’

They soon arrived in front of the baron’s office. The baron, whose hair was somewhat graying, exclaimed softly in admiration upon seeing Rudra and welcomed her warmly.

“Oh, Rudra—!”

“Your Excellency. It’s been a long time since we last met.”

“Your Excellency? So formal. Call me uncle.”

“…Yes, uncle.”

The two finished their greetings with a light hug.

“But, what brings you here all of a sudden?”

“…There’s been a problem.”

“A problem?”

Thus, Group Leader Rudra began to explain the situation from the beginning, step by step.

The incident of the Rudra-Mercenary Group arriving in the mid-sized city, Hegel, at the earnest request of Baron Quirly.

The event where the mercenary groups gathered in Hegel, formed a team and defeated a group of dark mages troubling the village.

Having taken the villagers back to Hegel, they witnessed the city already fallen to a dark mage and turned into ruins.

The incident where they were attacked by enemies while traveling by boat along the river.

Along with the non-stop traveling for three days to arrive here in Serge, too.

Just by hearing about it, it became obvious that something tremendous had happened.

The baron was especially surprised to hear that Hegel had fallen. …He honestly found it hard to believe. If it weren’t his niece that was telling him this, he would have dismissed it as nonsense.

“Hegel, to think it fell to them…”

“Did the dark mages also attack this village?”

“…There were reports of that. But I didn’t take it too seriously.”

“It’s a crisis now. It’s not just a crisis, but a major crisis that’s shaking the entire West, uncle. …Honestly, this place isn’t safe either.”

The baron dropped his gaze and closed his mouth, lost in thought. After a while, he spoke in a heavy tone.

“…So, what should I do?”

“We need to prepare. They might attack this place.”

“We are always prepared. And our Serge is fortified with high and strong walls. It can’t be compared to Hegel.”

Then, Allen, who had been quietly listening, spoke up.

“The enemy has a Lich.”

At that, the baron looked at Allen, then back at Rudra as if asking who the young man was.

“He’s a competent mercenary leader. I trust and rely on him a lot.”

“Is that so? …What did you just say?”

“I said our enemy has a Lich. It’s a necromancer turned into a monster. A creature that has lost human reason, hates all living things, and is a minion of the devil.”

“And?”

“Their tactics are extraordinary. It’s not enough to be complacent just because the walls are thick and tall. Hegel also suffered not just because of that inadequacy. Thorough vigilance and the constant readiness of forces are crucial.”

The baron understood Allen’s words right away. …However, Allen’s following words exceeded his expectations.

“Declare a state of emergency. Gather all who can fight and prepare for the enemy’s attack.”

“A state of emergency? Isn’t that too much?”

Allen had expected the other to say something like that.

“Please consider the tragedy that occurred in Hegel.”

The baron remained silent for a moment and then lightly nodded his head.

“It’s hard to give an immediate answer here. I’ll think about it seriously.”

Fortunately, the response wasn’t bad. Seeing that he didn’t outright reject it, it seemed the fall of Hegel had also been quite a shock to him.

They exchanged a few more personal words before leaving the office.

“Good work. Go and get some rest now.”

“Group Leader Rudra, you’ve worked hard too.”

And so, the man and woman parted ways.

As Allen left, the captain quietly sidled up to her side.

“He’s quite the expert.”

“…What?”

“In the art of charming women. Group Leader Allen is no ordinary man.”

At that, her voice rose slightly in disbelief.

“It’s not like that. Charming, you say… Do I look like the kind of woman to fall for that? Really. And he’s not the frivolous type. I know him. Do you think I’ve only met people once or twice? He’s an excellent group leader. And an excellent partner. That’s all there is to our relationship.”

Rudra’s tongue seemed much longer than usual. Seeing her so agitated, the captain stepped back, thinking he might have seen wrong.

“Hmph, the captain really needs to improve his judgment of people. …Honestly, while it’s true that Group Leader Allen is handsome, I’m not the kind of woman who cares about that. For men, it’s not about the face but the abilities, abilities, you got that?”

‘…So, it means he’s not only capable but also handsome, doesn’t it?’

However, the captain swallowed those words.

“Just because I trusted someone, huh? Do you think it’s okay to misunderstand like that? …Even Group Leader Allen, I mean, why does he have to be so handsome? Look! Now I’m getting weird misunderstandings, too!”

‘…It seems the lady is already enchanted….’