Chapter 118
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: 28. The Imperial Capital. (1)
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Allen bustled through the streets of Verher, scouting for goods to take back and sell in Vermandua. Of course, the local specialties from his hometown were nothing more than bizarre wooden dolls or small stone carvings. Most of the south lived off agriculture, so there were no popular luxuries like those from the west. Sure, luxuries from the west or center flooded the streets, but their prices had skyrocketed after passing through multiple cities.
They used to produce copper in abundance and sell souvenirs dyed in various colors made from it, but with copper production halted for months, even scraps of copper were hard to find on the streets, let alone souvenirs.
In the end, Allen returned to the inn empty-handed. As expected, the south was a backwater with little to offer beyond grain trades. ...But without his own dedicated caravan, buying bulk grain to haul back didn't make much sense either.
The south really has nothing fun going on.
Until the eastern war wrapped up and manpower flooded south, the region was just a boring place where sex was the height of entertainment. ...Honestly, if it weren't for the mission, he wouldn't have come at all.
So Allen scouted for a caravan heading out together, then hurriedly prepared to leave. His crew showed no attachment to the place either; they jumped at the leader's announcement of departure like they'd been waiting for it.
Once the departure date was set, Charlotte Mercenary Leader came to see Allen, having heard the news. After this mission, something had clearly changed in her demeanor—her inner thoughts felt very different from before.
"You've worked hard all this time."
"Just did what I was paid for."
A brief silence followed. Then Allen broke it.
"About that private meeting with Elena last time..."
"...Ah, yeah..."
Allen spoke like he was offering advice. It wasn't forbidden, but it went against professional etiquette.
"I know you, so I'm letting it slide, but... you should avoid that kind of thing. Getting on the wrong side of people unnecessarily makes it hard to survive in this business. ...Especially the Top 10—you need to be extra careful with them."
Charlotte stared at Allen for a moment, then muttered an excuse.
"......I was just asking out of curiosity. No other intentions."
Allen smiled magnanimously.
"I know. You're not the type, Charlotte Leader. ...But not everyone knows you like I do."
With his advice done, he stuck out his hand.
"Well then... here's to meeting again in good form next time."
"...Yeah. I hope so."
And with a farewell handshake, that was it.
Two days later, at dawn, the Allen Mercenary Corps left Verher. ...As the wagon rolled out, Allen felt a twinge of regret—maybe he should have at least seen his mother's face one more time—but the city was already fading into the distance.
The shaggy Kis, swaying gently with the wagon's jolts, grinned mischievously at their leader, who gazed endlessly back at the city.
"Leaving your lover behind has you all sentimental, huh?"
Allen chuckled.
"Lover? I told you, just an acquaintance."
"For an 'acquaintance,' you were awfully passionate that night. Kept me up all night."
Oof—
The red-haired mage and gum-chewing swordsman—realizing it was about them—panicked inwardly but pretended ignorance, busying themselves with nothing.
......They must've been too loud.
Allen, chuckling, just shot a glance at the smirking Kis and said nothing. The quick-witted man knew better than to push further.
The leader turned back to the city outside. ......His hometown, who knew when he'd return.
To steady his restless mind, Allen reached into his luggage bag, pulled out the coin pouch, and fiddled with the gold coins, counting them one by one.
Alright... time for some self-indulgence on the way!
···
The Allen Mercenary Corps spent a full month on the road before arriving in Vermandua. As expected, nothing beat coming home to your own place, even if it was just a place to crash.
Allen headed straight to Viola House upon arrival. Since Viola Leader had brokered the mission, he needed to report its successful completion.
Pharos Mercenary Leader, who had left first, must have already reported, as Viola Leader seemed aware of the broad strokes.
"Good work."
"All thanks to you, Leader."
Allen planned a quick report and exit, but Viola Leader looked like she had more to say. He wondered what ridiculous event had happened while he was gone. ......Fortunately, it was something he already knew.
"Dagon Mercenary Corps got booted from the Top 10."
"...I see."
It was something every mercenary had half-expected. Dagon's thuggery was infamous across the continent. Messing with empire-banned narcotics just gave them the excuse they needed—it was only a matter of time. Elizabeth Sub-Leader had lit the fuse.
Dagon's power as a Top 10 leader wasn't negligible, but facing Elizabeth Sub-Leader, backed by a ducal house, was a stretch. Now expelled from the Top 10, plenty of corps would bail from their alliance. Most were opportunistic hangers-on chasing scraps anyway.
Anyone could see Dagon Mercenary Corps' defeat coming. And like the cowardly dog he was, Dagon would tuck tail and run—that was the predictable end. ...A disappointingly anticlimactic one, but the smartest move for him. Pride only mattered if you were alive to have it.
With Dagon Mercenary Corps out, the next big question was who would take the Top 10 spot.
Obviously, the Top 10—with its immense prestige and privileges—wasn't decided by raw strength alone. It required bloody competition and a supermajority vote from the current Top 10 leaders.
For those who didn't care who got it, it was just entertaining drama. These events didn't come around often.
"Kalim Mercenary Corps was a top candidate but turned it down."
Honorable as it was, Kalim Leader—nearing retirement—had no need to bloody his twilight years. It was a scripted outcome Allen had foreseen.
The next in line, Bakuya Mercenary Corps, fell out when their leader was mysteriously assassinated.
That left Pesial Mercenary Corps or Stephanie Mercenary Corps for the spot. Nothing was set in stone, so even Allen couldn't say for sure.
"So, Bakuya, Pesial, or Stephanie—one of the three."
Spot-on prediction; Viola Leader looked mildly surprised. Those three names were indeed floating as frontrunners among the Top 10.
"...You know your stuff."
"Just figured they were the best fits."
She was well-versed in the politics too. Viola Leader didn't show it, but inwardly, she was thrilled. Like a parent watching their child thrive.
"By the way... I heard you shone brilliantly on this mission."
"Ah..., well, brilliant might be a stretch..., haha."
"Pharos Leader isn't one to exaggerate. Said you overwhelmed the beasts."
"Got a bit lucky."
Viola Leader smiled more genuinely than usual.
"Still, since I brokered it myself, thanks for saving my face."
"Proof of your sharp eye, Leader."
"So that's why you took the job?"
"Er...... yeah, something like that?"
They both laughed lightly.
The laughter faded into brief silence. Viola Leader seemed about to speak. Allen waited patiently, reading the cue.
"......So, anyway. Want to come with me to the capital?"
Allen was caught off-guard by the unexpected offer. The capital?
"The capital, you say?"
"Ah, if you're busy, no need. Just asking on the off-chance. You just got back; heading out again wouldn't be easy..."
He thought it over and asked,
"This about the Top 10?"
"Yes."
Nothing else came to mind for why Viola Leader would go to the capital. Deciding the Top 10 was a major deal.
Allen didn't need long to decide.
It was a gathering of Top 10 leaders. Worth every coin to attend—even if he had to spend it all. For future Top 10 aspirations, getting face-time now was invaluable. Who'd vote for a total unknown barging in?
"With your insight, Allen Leader, I figured you could offer some help."
Setting emotions aside, Allen had instantly named the three whispered frontrunners among countless corps. Bringing him along might yield useful input—that was her thinking.
"How could I refuse when you ask so nicely, Viola Leader? Not sure how much help I'll be, but I'll gladly tag along."
Aw.
Viola barely suppressed the surge of joy inside. Wanting to brag about a prized treasure—with no risk of losing it—was universal.
Reading her delight, Allen grinned broadly.
He resolved to milk this free publicity for maximum gain.