Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Victory and Its Fruits (2)
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After whispering words of love to Karin, I headed straight to find Captain Dalton.
"Damn it, that Captain Dalton. Why does he have to butt in when I'm trying to have a little romance? He could've just gotten along with Millia, but no, he had to throw a fit."
Of course, the man wasn't some lunatic who dragged people around for no reason.
No, honestly, after months of hardship since joining this group, I was finally getting close with Karin, even gearing up for some adult dating...
"Shit, if this isn't something major, I'm gonna give him hell."
With that resolve, I let out a sigh and stepped into Captain Dalton's tent.
Dalton slapped me on the shoulder and chuckled the moment he saw me.
"You woke up quick. I figured you'd be out cold till tomorrow."
"Karin took such good care of me that I snapped right out of it."
"Yeah? Well, she did nurse you pretty diligently. Stuck by your side wiping sweat, keeping the other guys out. Looked like a proper newlywed."
The word "newlywed" immediately conjured an image in my mind.
Karin waiting for me to come home, wearing nothing but an apron while cooking.
Front covered by the apron, but from the side, her pink nipples, sideboob, and perfect curves all on display...
And from behind, a view of her back, shoulder blades, and those pale cheeks welcoming me.
Just imagining it made my mouth water and my body heat up.
'Should I tell Karin now that since we're dating, maybe we take things to the next level?'
Dalton smirked at me and flicked my forehead with his knuckle.
"Why's a guy grinning like that? What're you thinking about?"
"Nah, nothing at all."
"Cut the bullshit. Your face looked just like a rookie's first time seeing a naked woman. That good, huh?"
Even setting aside her personality, Karin was...
The kind of beauty who could be a top model back in Korea without batting an eye.
'She's almost too good for me.'
I grinned wide, pouring my heart into it.
"Good enough to drive me insane. Anyway, why'd you call me here?"
Dalton clamped his mouth shut and stared straight into my eyes.
"Called you 'cause we need to talk about you, kid. Shut up and read these letters first."
I gulped at the sight of dozens of formal letters sealed with golden crests.
'Golden seals used only for major noble matters, and this many...'
My heart pounded with anticipation before even reading them, sweat slicking my palms.
I tore one open and read. Then, speechless, I pinched my cheek as hard as I could.
To Sir Martin Meyer of the White Beard Mercenary Corps, greetings. (Omitted) The House of Viscount Alford wishes to grant you two villages in our territory, totaling a population of 400 mas [400 serf households]. We will provide our full support to allow you to maximize your talents, and we eagerly await your positive response. -Viscount Ludwig von Alford-
"Is this real? They're giving a punk like me two villages? Captain, I must have pinkeye or something, right? Or am I dreaming?"
Dalton pinched my cheek hard, channeling aura into it.
The ripping pain told me it wasn't a dream.
"Happy? Shit, grinning like an idiot."
"Even among those pretentious noble knights, hardly anyone gets a whole village. And I'm just a low-rank knight nobody gave the time of day to, getting two? That's way better than most high-rank knights, isn't it?"
Just like how lawyers or doctors back in Korea have massive status gaps when you dig in...
Knight perks vary wildly as well.
Low-rank knights might have land, but it's like 1-10 serf households, so they still draw a salary like office workers.
Mid-rank scrape by on 20-80 households, barely maintaining dignity.
High-rank? They're the elite of this world, no exaggeration...
'One battle, and I've vaulted my pure value to elite status.'
Dalton nodded at my words.
"My high-rank days, I had five villages. For your age, climbing without a noble house backing you? Impressive as hell. The others are all similar terms."
"They must figure I'll hit expert high or sword master someday, jacking up the offers."
"Expert at 20? Anywhere on the continent, that's genius territory. Plus, your duel honor with Karin over her is highly rated. Even I got enough gold scraps to fill a chest."
Dalton eyed a chest in the corner.
It brimmed with gold coins. How much was that?
"So, what're you gonna do?"
Back at Zaltzheim, he'd been casual: take it or leave it.
Now, his attitude shifted.
He said do what I wanted, but his lips twitched, fist clenched tight.
'My value's up, and look at him squirm.'
Watching him, a smile crept onto my face.
"What should I do?"
Testing him, Dalton clamped his mouth tighter, fist squeezing harder.
I wanted to tease more, but my answer was set.
"Thanks for the recommendations, but I won't sign on with any noble house."
Dalton grinned.
"Teasing your elders, huh? Expert made you cocky?"
Pre-expert me might've gotten chewed out, but experts earn knight spots anywhere on merit.
So Dalton talked tough, but no offense taken.
"I've grown a bit. But thinking it over, my value's skyrocketing right now, no?"
Dalton nodded.
"Yeah. Others maybe not, but yours? Way higher soon."
"Nobles know it too, bidding high like investors."
Hitting expert at an age when others just commission as knights and see first combat, plus capturing a viscount.
They're betting by 30, I'll command their troops to total victory, balloon their power.
"So signing now for knight perks? That'd be moronic."
Knight transfers are tough.
Once I join House Alford or Golden Apo or wherever, no matter my merits...
'Knights serve their chosen lord loyally.'
Bound by that, unless they stiff me on pay or land, jumping ship? Hard.
With value rising, signing anywhere's idiotic.
"And as a mercenary man, might as well rack up feats, snag a title from the Emperor, live large. I wanna get titled too, have Karin called Lady Karin Countess."
Dalton slammed the desk laughing.
"Thought you were nuts spouting that at first meet. Turns out you meant it. Yeah, you might hit 'count' by my age, unlike me."
"And I'll gather beauties continent-wide, make folks jealous of my harem. What else is a man? Wealth, power, women. That's it, right? Everything."
"Heard the wisdom of Master Martin, got enlightened. Guess I need to snag one or two beauties myself."
Dalton wiped his grin, handing me a letter stamped with the imperial crest.
"You want more action, so let's swim with the big fish."
Imperial seal meant empire-level business, not some noble trifle...
"The Rhinepalz Empire's gearing for real war, not skirmishes with Montmartre slugs—invading their turf. They'll hire us as standing mercenaries for the one-year prep, plus till war's end. Wanna?"
“Limited to a year, but the Emperor’s army benefits? Massive rewards and plenty of opportunities, too. Count me in.”
Dalton laughed like a madman.
"Knew you'd bite at a name-maker. Convinced the others, so go smooch Karin or whatever."