Chapter 102
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: Chapter 102
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: 24. Friendship Date. (1)
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The thick fog that had blanketed the small city of Ampere finally dissipated, restoring the city to the real world.
The damage was so catastrophic it defied estimation. Even figuring out the number of victims from the incident was impossible. Not just the townsfolk—countless merchant caravans and mercenary bands had been caught up in it too... A rough guess put the toll at least at three thousand.
With hardly any survivors left to demand compensation, let alone sort out blame, and imperial law treating citizens as the lord's property anyway, there was no liability for payouts. On top of that, a city-scale magical disaster like this hadn't happened in decades, making it unclear who to hold accountable. The suspicions that did exist were purely circumstantial, with no evidence or witnesses. ...In short, only the ones who got screwed ended up feeling the burn.
The Allen Mercenary Corps, who'd gone through absolute hell, holed up in the baron's castle for two full days of rest. Mercenary Leader Allen's body had been a total wreck, but luckily he was back to normal after just one day. Potions and healing magic could fix most wounds anyway.
True to form as a mercenary business fanatic, he treated even himself like an asset in the operation—as long as he didn't die, he was fair game to use. Just like how Earth CEOs sometimes leveraged their image for marketing. Allen was cut from the same cloth.
Anyway, with the crisis fully resolved, the money-obsessed leader naturally broached the subject of compensation during his meeting with the baron's wife.
Being the lady of a respectable noble house, she had zero qualms about paying up. They'd saved the city in its hour of need—of course they should get whatever they wanted.
"Very well, what do you desire? ...Money, I assume? We have plenty."
Everything living was gone, but inanimate wealth like gold had survived intact in the family vaults.
While Allen recovered, the other three mercenary leaders had already pocketed hefty sums. So the baron's wife figured she'd offer him something similar.
...But after two days of deep thought, Allen had other ideas. Cash was nice, but with his sights set on the top ten powerhouses, he needed to think long-term.
"Rebuilding the city must cost a fortune. Instead of money, could I claim something else?"
With astronomical expenses already looming, relief lit up the baron's wife's face. She'd rather sip tea with the other ladies than handle city finances—saving coin anywhere was a win.
"Of course. Tell me what."
"Halve the transit tolls for all merchant caravans affiliated with the Allen Mercenary Corps from now on."
This foothold of a small city would see plenty of his caravans passing through. Cutting tolls in half meant bigger profits down the line than any immediate payout.
A bit slow on the uptake business-wise, the baron's wife readily accepted the handsome leader's proposal. Saving money now mattered most, and rejecting her lifesaver's request would've looked bad for noble decorum anyway.
"Done. If that's what you want, consider it granted."
"Thank you."
......But money demon Allen still felt a twinge of regret at walking away empty-handed, so he floated another idea to the baron's wife.
"My lady, I'm sorry to bring this up amid the tragedy..., but you're aware most houses in the city stand empty now?"
Shadows crossed her face as he spoke.
"Of course. ...A tragedy I can't bear to dwell on."
"I'm given to understand ownerless buildings revert to the lord's house by rights. ...Along with their contents."
"Correct."
The baron's wife eyed him curiously, wondering where he was going with this.
"Heartbreaking as it is, we survivors can't just sit idle. Those left must pitch in to rebuild the city."
"...So, what are you proposing?"
"Let our mercenary corps collect the valuables from those unclaimed homes. They'll become your property, of course, and we'll take a labor fee as commission."
Give it a little more time, and neighbors would strip the places bare. The sharp ones were probably already prowling empty houses for loot. Ownerless stuff—no real guilt in taking it. And with the city in ruins, who had time for morals?
The baron's house had likely discussed it, but lacked the manpower to act. The remaining city guard numbered barely half a dozen, and the family's escorts—three knights—weren't enough, forcing them to hire a single mercenary band for protection.
Allen’s offer was tempting in that bind. ...Trust was the sticking point, though.
But like it or not, the baron's wife had to grasp at straws. Even if the Allen Mercenary Corps skimmed a bit, recovery beat nothing.
Of course, Allen believed in honoring commissions with trust and reliability—key virtues in this line of work. He loved money fiercely, but not enough to torpedo his future over it. ...Even if it meant forgoing pay, trust came first.
He'd never forget the nightmare of betraying honor and trust as [Guild Master], plummeting to rock bottom.
"I don't know how much you trust me, my lady, but our corps runs on faith and reliability. I might haggle fees to squeeze more profit, but we'll never cheat a client. That's my creed in the mercenary business."
His earnest words eased her mind a touch. ...She wasn't naive enough to buy it wholesale, but she had no better option now.
"Very well. It's yours—full authority to recover the valuables, fee for your labor."
"A wise choice."
Agreement sealed, the Allen Mercenary Corps hit the empty houses hard that very day. With so many abandoned, they split into teams of one per sector, day by day. Another trust exercise for the members. ...And a test of their loyalty for Allen, courtesy of his status window—he'd spot any major skimming.
Greedy mercenaries wouldn't pass up easy pickings, naturally. Allen would wink at a few gold coins as wiggle room, but excess would factor into future personnel decisions. Too much greed bred doubt, and no leader could stomach that.
Scouring east, west, south, and north one sector a day, they hauled in a solid haul of coin, jewelry, and gems. ...Less than expected, though—neighbors had beaten them to plenty.
Allen handed over the four-day take to the baron's wife and claimed his cut: roughly 1,500 gold coins, plus ample jewelry and gems.
...Seemed cheap for saving a near-doomed city, but with the toll privilege secured, Allen figured he hadn't lost out. ...Play it right, and it'd balloon into massive gains. Tolls were a cut of incoming goods' value—negligible for small loads, but scales huge with volume.
That wrapped up, Allen prepped to depart. The baron's wife clearly hoped he'd stick around for more help, but he politely declined, citing prior commitments. ...Truth be told, knowing their straits, he wanted out before they roped him in deeper. Trust and reliability were paramount, but that didn't mean charity work for free.
The baron's grown daughter had started giving him lingering looks a few days back too. Probably scheming to snag a strong leader like him as a son-in-law to tie him to the house amid the crisis... Too bad Allen wasn't dumb enough to sell his future for a quick lay. And she wasn't some drop-dead beauty worth debating it over.
Hand over the city, maybe! ..........Nah, even that'd be too scummy, right?
Daughter's goods or son's rod—family matters now. Allen washed his hands of it and hit the road.
......And so the Allen Mercenary Corps rode their wagons five more days, finally arriving at the mid-sized city of Maljir.
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