Chapter 47
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: 11. After the Dungeon (3)
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The marquis was a plump, oily dandy of a middle-aged man. His hair, slicked back with pomade, was swept sharply backward, his neatly trimmed mustache resembled the sharp wings of a hawk, and his goatee extended stylishly all the way to his sideburns. Adorned head to toe with all sorts of gold and silver jewels, his body truly made one feel he was a man of immense wealth.
Allen, who had come to meet the marquis alongside Viola, lit up like a beast spotting its prey the moment he laid eyes on him. Yet he masked it with the serene expression of a kindly monk, one designed to win the marquis's favor.
"Oh, you've arrived—."
The marquis spread his arms wide in welcome, every pudgy finger bedecked with an exquisite ring. The handsome pair bowed their heads politely in greeting.
"Your Excellency, I hope you've been well."
"Me? Doing just fine, of course. If not for all the nagging from the capital over the mines, I'd be even better off. Eh."
"The dungeon matter has been cleanly resolved, so Your Excellency need not worry any further."
At that, the middle-aged man let out a small exclamation, as if something had just occurred to him.
"Oho, right. I heard about that. The... Queen Monster, was it? You took down that massive thing, they say. Hearing the tale made me feel like I was the one out adventuring."
"Is that so."
The story of the brave band of ten heroes who vanquished the fearsome Queen Monster and returned victorious had spread not just through the marquis's castle, but across the entire city. With time, the rumors had grown ever more embellished, transforming the tale into something straight out of a fairy tale.
Anyway.
The marquis shifted his gaze from Viola to Allen. The young man's striking looks caused the middle-aged man's lips to purse slightly. If there were illustrations to go with the rumors, Allen was sure to end up depicted as some handsome prince charming.
"What a handsome young man. My daughters won't be getting any sleep tonight."
"You flatter me."
"So, you're that Allen, the mercenary leader from the rumors?"
"Yes, Your Excellency. Forgive the late introduction. I am Allen Dwight Pomwell."
"Haha. To think a young man like you accomplished such a feat. Impressive."
The middle-aged man let out a hearty, good-natured laugh. He seemed fundamentally cheerful and jovial. From a quick scan of his status window, Allen judged he wasn't the overly rigid type. ... A good sign for him.
"Well, is everyone settling in comfortably?"
"Yes, Your Excellency's generosity has made every day a peaceful one."
"That's a relief. Speak up anytime if there's any discomfort. I'll do whatever I can. Can't have my esteemed guests mistreated."
"We shall never forget Your Excellency's grace."
With the formalities more or less out of the way, Viola quietly broached the topic of this contract.
"Your Excellency, regarding this contract..."
"Oh, right, the contract. Yes, of course. You completed the mission splendidly, so payment is due—!"
Normally, the financial manager would handle the negotiations, but with the dignity of the Ten Strong at stake, the marquis had stepped in personally. That way, next time something like this came up, he'd have access to top-tier mercenaries again.
"So, how much are you asking for?"
The marquis asked with a gentle smile. But he was still the ruler of a vast territory. Handling enormous sums didn't mean he was extravagant—far from it. He had a reputation for being meticulous. Botch this, and they'd both end up red-faced.
"I believe seven hundred gold coins would suffice."
Viola named a reasonable amount. She had no desire to haggle over money and risk losing face with the marquis... especially not with Mercenary Leader Allen sitting right there.
The marquis, aware of this, nodded readily. It was a fair sum, and he was fully prepared to pay it.
But right then, Mercenary Leader Allen stepped in as if he'd been waiting for the moment.
"Your Excellency. Might I have a brief word?"
"Go ahead."
Both of them eyed him curiously, wondering what he might say. After a light breath to steady himself, he spoke clearly.
"I am well aware that seven hundred gold coins is no small sum. However, I wonder if it's quite enough to express Your Excellency's grace."
"...A bit lacking?"
"Seven hundred gold coins is the standard acceptable amount. That's precisely why I'm concerned it might somewhat overshadow Your Excellency's prestige. Ordinary is just that—unremarkable and unsurprising."
"Hoho—."
It was the look of well, well, look at this one.
"No one in this central region—no, across the entire continent—remains ignorant of Your Excellency's prestige. Thus, I believe setting the amount a touch higher than the ordinary would etch that prestige deeper into people's hearts once more."
No need to drag it out too long. Hit the key points sharply, and land one powerful punch.
The marquis's smile deepened.
"Prestige, eh... Very well, then. What sum do you think befits my prestige?"
"...I believe double would be appropriate."
A brief silence. Followed swiftly by laughter.
Hahaha—.
The marquis burst into booming laughter. Viola looked utterly shocked, as if she'd never dreamed Allen would openly bargain with the marquis like this.
"You're quite the entertainer. Feels like you've done this more than once or twice."
Allen simply bowed his head without a word. Babbling on here could backfire. Sometimes, silence spoke louder.
The marquis stared thoughtfully at Allen's bowed head for a moment, then slowly nodded.
"...Very well. If that's the price of my prestige, I'll pay it."
"My deepest thanks."
"You're the first to haggle with me like this. And yet, it didn't leave a bad taste. You piqued my interest in a strange way."
Allen bowed deeply once more, wordless.
"Allen, was it, the mercenary leader? ...I'll be sure to remember your name."
"An honor without equal."
"Right. You may go."
The pair bowed politely and withdrew.
On the way back to their lodgings, a long silence hung between the two. It was Viola who finally broke it.
"Don't do that again."
"...Pardon?"
Allen glanced at Viola's profile, wondering what had brought this on. But she stared straight ahead.
"You don't have to grovel like that. No need to lose face over it."
Viola hated it. ...The sight of the man she'd set her sights on kowtowing for money.
"Isn't doubling it from a not-insignificant sum a pretty good deal?"
"Still, don't. Think of your dignity. Consider what people will say about you later."
"I see it as an investment for that 'later'."
"...Then borrow from me instead. No interest."
She stopped there, suddenly worried she'd overstepped.
"I'll treasure your concern for me. ...And I'll keep my dignity in mind from time to time."
"...Good grief."
Viola couldn't help but let out a chuckle.
"You sure know how to talk. No wonder His Excellency fell for it hook, line, and sinker."
"That was... praise, right?"
"Yes, praise."
"Haha. All this mercenary work, and the only thing getting a workout is my mouth..."
Viola took a deep breath in and out. ...Truth be told, she understood Allen's position. Just starting out in the mercenary business, every coin counted. She'd been through it herself.
The two walked quietly back to the lodging house. They exchanged a light nod and parted ways.
And in the corridor leading to his room, Allen unleashed the cheers bubbling inside him, hopping about exuberantly. Fourteen hundred gold coins in the bag—!
Yeeesss, success—!!
"Fuck yeah, sex—!!"
A passing maid fled in terror from the madman.
The twelve mercenaries departed the Silver City of Agnentia at the crack of dawn in their carriage. Allen inhaled the crisp morning air deeply, feeling utterly refreshed.
Fourteen hundred gold coins certainly carried weight. Everyone marveled at the marquis's generosity while noting it was possible precisely because he was the marquis. Whether his prestige truly echoed across the continent as Allen had boasted was another matter, but within Agnentia at least, rumors of the marquis's magnanimity spread far and wide.
"I think coming here was the right call."
Kallisman Rowner, gazing at Allen from across the way, offered that final assessment.
Of course, for the dead, it had been the worst choice. But evaluations were ultimately made by the living...
"...Yeah. Seems like we made the right call."
Yet the living couldn't simply stand idly by the dead.
The dead must be buried in the earth, and the living must press onward. That was life, and history.
As Agnentia shrank to the size of a palm in the distance, dawn slowly began to break. Sunlight brushed the peaks of the towering mountains, spilling crimson hues across the sky like strokes of paint.
Allen watched it dreamily, wiggling each finger he'd stuffed into his backpack one by one with meticulous care.
...Counting fourteen hundred gold coins by hand was as blissful as sex.