Chapter 106
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: 25. Master's Grace. (1)
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Allen Mercenary Corps spent a week in the mid-sized city of Maljir before departing. Although they hit a few snags in additional negotiations beyond Mercenary Leader Viola's contract, there were still some solid gains. Especially for Allen, who now had the privilege of paying only half the toll in the small city of Amfer—he wielded that like a weapon. For merchant caravans dealing in bulk goods, tolls were a touchy subject...
In the midst of it all, they dealt with an unexpected spirit realm incident, but it was still a satisfying journey overall. ...Especially for the Camel Milk Swordmaster.
After that friendship kiss, the two hadn't had a moment alone together. ...No, it was more accurate to say she was deliberately avoiding it. She was too embarrassed to face the Leader.
Honestly, calling that kiss a "friendship" one felt like a stretch—it was far too stimulating and lewd. And hadn't she herself gotten completely swept up in it, putting on quite the unbecoming display?
Unable to shake the feeling that she'd gotten too immersed, she holed up in her room after that day, meditating over and over to train her mental fortitude. Like someone trying to overcome demon possession through sheer willpower. ...She didn't fully conquer it, but at least her tangled emotions settled down a bit.
Allen treated the Camel Milk Swordmaster just as usual, as if nothing had happened. While that put her mind at ease, she couldn't entirely dispel the faint pang of disappointment in her heart. ...The human heart could be so fickle.
Five more days of travel brought them back to the small city of Amfer. Of course, the city hadn't changed much in the two weeks they'd been gone, but the chaotic atmosphere from before had calmed considerably, and it was starting to look properly like a city again.
But the problem remained the bandits. With the city's situation so dire, they were brazen enough to show up near the city even in broad daylight. The guards and mercenary corps stationed there kept them from actually breaching the walls, but from the Baron's wife's perspective, it was enough to make her clutch her neck in worry. And they weren't in any position to go hunting bandits right now...
Of course, the city's troubles weren't Allen's concern, so he stayed comfortably in the city for two days without a worry. Sure, the bandits were getting bolder lately, but they were no match for his group anyway. After joyfully smashing spirit realm monsters, street-thug-level bandits—even dozens of them—weren't anything to fear.
Moreover, rumors of Allen Mercenary Corps perfectly resolving the spirit realm crisis had likely reached the bandits' ears by now. If the news had spread to mid-sized Maljir, it surely had in the mercenary city of Bermandua. For bandit groups who had to carefully pick their targets to avoid poisoned bait, distinguishing safe mercenary corps from dangerous ones was a matter of life and death—they had no choice but to be sensitive to such rumors. ...Of course, there would still be foolhardy bandits who charged in blindly, but Allen wasn't the type to let them off easy just because he didn't know. No matter the reason, once a bandit, always a bandit.
After all those trials and tribulations, Allen finally returned to the mercenary city of Bermandua exactly a month later.
Strike while the iron is hot, as they say, so Allen headed straight to Viola's office upon arrival. The trip had been all about striking a deal with the merchant group in mid-sized Maljir, so he owed her—a key contributor—a proper thank you. ...Along with a new proposal.
I can save a whopping half on tolls in Amfer. If she uses my name, Viola Mercenary Corps can save a fortune. She does a ton of business, so her shipments must be huge—
With the math already done in his head, Allen could barely contain his excitement thinking about the profits coming his way. Of course, the right move was to keep a poker face until the end when money was on the line. Especially with Viola, who was no pushover in business dealings. Just think about that inn building purchase and the brokerage fee.
...Treat this like war.
With that mindset, Allen hurried to the guild house. Naturally, Viola was still there, diligently handling paperwork.
"Long time no see, Leader. ...Ah, please forgive my disheveled appearance. I just couldn't wait to see you...!"
Knowing full well it was smooth talk, Viola still felt her heart flutter a little despite herself.
"I was wondering when you'd show up. I heard you had quite the ordeal in Amfer. ...Who could've guessed a spirit realm gate would open?"
"You have no idea how baffled I was. It was the last thing I expected."
"They say Allen Mercenary Corps put on an impressive show. As expected, your reputation grows day by day. Pretty soon, there won't be anyone in Bermandua who hasn't heard your name."
"It's all thanks to—ah, Leader Viola."
Allen laid on the flattery thick, like a eunuch fawning over the emperor. As expected, no one hated flattery— even the strict Viola pretended to be aloof on the surface but was thrilled inside. On top of that, he presented her with souvenirs from mid-sized Maljir.
...Good, plenty of warmup...
After a brief pause, Allen slyly got to the point.
"In resolving the spirit realm incident this time, I received a reward from the Baron's wife."
"Is that so?"
"Yes... Not money, but a privilege to halve the tolls."
—!
Her eyes widened slightly in surprise. She hadn't imagined he'd snag such a privilege. At the same time, Viola's mind raced. ...Why bring this up now? With her experience, she quickly caught on.
"Impressive. A privilege like that."
"Haha. Seems the Baron's wife greatly appreciated my contributions."
Less appreciation and more like Allen seizing the opportunity and worming his way in. ...Besides, it was only right to grant that much to the man who saved the city from near ruin.
"Anyway, that means I can cut tolls way down now."
"......I see."
Allen was certain someone of her caliber—a top-ten Leader—would see right through his intentions.
"I figure with my name, we could expect significant savings... What do you think, Leader?"
Viola smiled enigmatically, like you've grown up.
"Name your terms."
"Thirty percent of the savings. That's all I'll take."
"Hmm."
He had no benchmarks for comparison since this was a first, but thirty percent didn't seem bad. Even if it were ninety, Viola Mercenary Corps would still come out ahead.
"Not a bad deal."
"It's win-win for both of us."
"Fine. No need to play games here..."
"Thank you."
Business done, Allen made moves to leave.
"Sorry for interrupting when you're so busy."
"Nonsense. You're always welcome."
"Then I'll be off."
"Sure. Get some good rest—you've earned it."
Allen left Viola's office. In the hallway, old hound Kallisman Rowner asked if things had gone well.
"Perfectly. We'll have some steady side income now."
"That's fortunate indeed."
Lending his name could be risky, but a top-ten rank warranted an exception. They were both top-ten now and in it for the long haul—some trust was in order.
Allen whistled cheerfully, buzzing from the moneymaking prospects. ...Time to celebrate with Elena tonight—all night long, he thought.
Finally back at the hideout after a full month. Back on Earth, he'd been stuck renting, but here he was a proper building owner—gave him a satisfying fullness, like he was stuffed without eating. ...So that's why everyone obsesses over real estate.
As Allen entered the first-floor lobby, the counter staff greeted him politely.
"A visitor came by a little while ago."
"...A visitor? Who?"
"I'm not sure myself..."
Allen worried it might be an unwelcome guest. He wasn't the type to greet everyone warmly. Especially not in this line of work.
The two men headed straight up to the third floor. The youngest member stood guard in front of the meeting room door, still in his filthy travel clothes, not even changed yet. Spotting the returning Leader, the kid lit up with an ah! and rushed over.
"We have a visitor, sir. Waiting in the meeting room."
"Got it. Go clean yourself up."
"Y-yes, sir."
Allen sent the kid off first and cautiously opened the door. The first thing to greet him was a faint, acrid whiff of tobacco smoke.
......No way......
"Ah, there you are... Long time no see, Leader Allen."
Beside the woman, who drawled those words with a crooked cigarette in her mouth, stood the Blind Saintess Oddeye, pale-faced and fidgeting anxiously.
Ah.
Allen's soles burned just seeing her. She exhaled a long plume of smoke with a chilling smile.
"Came looking for my ungrateful disciple who abandoned her poor master and ran off..."
The Blind Saintess's master—
The woman who should have been in the Holy Kingdom
Had come all this way to find her disciple, who sold out her trust for money.