Chapter 126
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: 29. Northern Region. (1)
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Although the Pesial Mercenary Corps had newly ascended to the ranks of the top ten, there wasn't any significant shake-up in the mercenary world.
The Dagon Mercenary Corps, which had been expelled from the top ten, had been wandering the outskirts while committing all sorts of illegal deeds, so they hadn't wielded much influence in the mercenary scene anyway.
Having produced such an anticlimactic outcome, the Viola Mercenary Corps and Allen Mercenary Corps left the capital after about a fortnight and headed back to Vermandua.
The members, having fully enjoyed their trip to the capital, wore bittersweet expressions. Especially Gis, the hairy one who'd spent all day hopping between pleasure districts, and the youngest, Cori—they both looked particularly regretful. The prices were similar whether in Vermandua or the capital, but the capital was far superior in both quality and quantity.
The Blind Saintess seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed her outing in the capital as well, as her body was now adorned with even more trinkets than before. If someone who didn't know her saw it, they'd think she was a corrupt cleric, without exception.
The trip to the capital had been rewarding for Allen too. He'd made sure to show his face appropriately, forged some connection with the Sword Emperor, and gotten a general sense of the capital's situation...
The return journey to Vermandua was uneventful. It was only natural that no crazies would dare attack upon seeing the banner of the top ten Viola Mercenary Corps. Traveling with a top ten group was certainly comfortable in that regard. Even if there were an ambush, it wasn't like the top ten were weaklings who could be taken down easily.
And so, they arrived back in Vermandua after a month and ten days—a return after nearly three and a half months away.
Of course, the power of the top ten who dominated Vermandua remained unshaken, and no bold fools dared challenge their authority during their absence. ...Though calling it a full absence wasn't entirely accurate either, since the vice-leader and the second and third units had remained behind.
In any case, with their safe return to Vermandua, the capital excursion drew to a successful close.
To make up for lost time and revenue, Allen immediately reopened the roadside office. Having gone without work for over three months and only burned through cash, it was unbearable for a money-grubbing mercenary like him... Right now, he was ready to take on any job that paid well, be it from old fogies or whoever.
And on the very day he opened the office, a summons came from the Viola office. True to her workaholic nature, Viola's leader had apparently shown up at her office the day after returning, just like Allen.
When Allen entered the leader's office, Viola greeted him amid a frenzy of handling the important matters that had piled up in her absence. Her unpainted, chapped lips looked even drier than usual today.
"Ah, you came right away. Hope I didn't pull you from anything busy?"
"Not at all. I was just twiddling my thumbs anyway."
"It's a bit urgent. And you're just the right man for it, Leader Allen..."
"...Me?"
Allen was slightly puzzled, wondering what made him the right fit. Viola pulled open a drawer with a rattle and slid a sheet of paper across the desk toward him.
"Someone came from the northern region. They've been in Vermandua for about four days now."
He politely took the paper she offered and skimmed it. In that instant, he understood why she'd called him the perfect candidate.
It concerned the "Demon Plague."
And the one afflicted was someone Allen knew well. Not a top ten, but quite famous in the mercenary world. The Tiger of the North—a fiercely valiant mercenary leader.
Ingmar Garbo.
True to its nature as a plague that struck without regard for time, place, or person, it had hit a named character Allen never would have expected.
Since the north was a magical wasteland with no knowledge of remedies for the Demon Plague, they'd apparently dispatched envoys to various places in haste.
And that information had reached Allen's ears—the man with a precedent for curing the Demon Plague.
"They say they'll pay handsomely."
Of course, expecting thousands of gold coins like what he'd gotten from Marcus back in the day from the poorest of the four regions, the north, was unrealistic. Still, with the Ingmar Mercenary Corps, he could surely extract a tidy sum. Allen was confident he could squeeze that much out of them. Northerners were prideful fools, after all.
"No one in Vermandua knows more about the Demon Plague than you. ...So, what do you think? Ah, I'm not forcing you. The choice is entirely yours."
Allen grinned.
"You knew I wouldn't refuse."
Viola smiled faintly, looking a touch embarrassed.
"...I felt bad burdening you with another tough request."
"No, it's fine. I could use the money anyway. We've been slacking off too much. Time to work the kids to the bone."
"If you see it that way, I'm grateful. ...Northerners do have a strong sense of honor, though. If you cure the Demon Plague, they won't forget the favor."
Allen just smiled lightly.
Unfortunately, the northerners' much-vaunted honor didn't sway Allen, a southerner. To him, mercenaries weren't about honor—they were about money.
In any event, Allen took the documents and withdrew. Viola said she'd send the northern representative straight to his base.
Almost the moment he entered the inn building, a young northern man in shaggy furs arrived at the base.
"I'm Aidar Skaggard."
"Pleased to meet you. Leader Allen."
After a brief handshake, the two sat down at the negotiation table.
Allen had no desire to hear the story repeated. Better to skip to the main point quickly.
"I've heard the gist already. But whether I can cure the Demon Plague or not, I'll need to see for myself."
"Then come with us."
When Allen didn't reply immediately and let the silence hang, the northern youth Aidar quickly caught on.
"We'll pay you well."
"Vague promises won't cut it. I lead a mercenary corps too—it's not easy to mobilize on mere assurances."
"How much do you want?"
"Setting aside the treatment itself, you need to guarantee at least eight hundred gold for the round trip."
Aidar naturally balked at the mention of eight hundred gold.
"Even if you hold the knife, that's too much! Eight hundred gold? Just for coming and going!"
But Allen didn't budge an inch.
"The travel alone will take well over two months. My corps can't survive on dirt—you have to cover our employment costs at minimum. ...You're in a mercenary corps yourself, right? You must understand."
It was a fair point, but demanding eight hundred gold for mere escort duty was a first.
"If you don't like it, forget it. I'm not forcing you. This is a negotiation, not a favor. There are plenty of other capable people besides me."
Allen acted relaxed. And he was. Honestly, he had plenty of other work. No real reason to trek to the distant north. Ingmar's leader having the Demon Plague was surprising, but it didn't concern Allen personally.
But the northern youth had heard from Viola's leader about Allen's prior success curing the Demon Plague, so he didn't want to let this chance slip.
"Is our leader's life worth only eight hundred gold to you?"
That sealed it. The youth didn't want to lose his revered leader to the Demon Plague.
Compared to his leader's life, eight hundred gold was pocket change.
"...Fine. We'll do it. Our leader said you cured the Demon Plague, so I'll trust that. If you save him, we'll pay double that."
"Smart choice. I'm the expert here."
"But time is short. Our leader doesn't have much left."
"Got it. We'll hurry as much as we can. Still, it'll take at least two days. We only just got back from the capital yesterday."
Aidar wanted to leave immediately but considered the other side's situation.
"Understood. Then we'll depart at dawn two days from now. ...It'll be a grueling forced march, so keep that in mind."
"We'll manage as long as it's not impossible."
And with that, they concluded the negotiations successfully.
Eight hundred gold for the escort fee. Treatment payment to be negotiated after arrival and assessment.
For a poor northern outfit, it was better than expected. That spoke to how dire Ingmar's leader's condition was. Makes sense—even a mighty warrior like Ingmar would be helpless against the Demon Plague.
In a way, it was the price of scorning magic. The north revered martial prowess so much they'd shunned sorcery.
...The north would be a first for me.
The one region on the continent where true snow could be seen. And where the eternal ice flowers bloomed.
Allen suppressed the strange excitement bubbling in his chest.