Chapter 48
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: 11. After the Dungeon. (4)
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The group that had left the Silver City of Argentia arrived in the mercenary city of Vermandua after five days. Other mercenary bands could come and go without drawing any attention, but the prestige of the Top 10 was on another level entirely. Naturally, there were more than a few desperate to catch even a single glance from Viola, the leader of the Top 10 band.
Of course, the Allen Mercenary Corps returned to their inn, packing up their gear amid the same indifference as everyone else. The mercenaries' eyes briefly flicked toward Cabrioldi as he kicked the door open with a triumphant swagger, but their interest quickly faded. After all, this place was crawling with damn mercenaries. ...If the newcomer had been a naked woman, though, they might've stared a bit longer.
They claimed a corner table, slumping onto backless wooden benches with groans of exhaustion. They dumped their gear bags carelessly on the floor. A sense of peace washed over their grimy, unwashed faces.
"Mission's over. Good work, everyone."
That was the leader's declaration signaling the end of the job. With that, Allen tossed small pouches of coin to each member, one by one. Short-term hires got their pay; long-term ones received bonuses. They'd earned a whopping 1,400 gold coins, and no matter how tight money was, he couldn't act like a miser.
"Go ahead and count it. Can't rule out me pocketing one or two."
"Nah, you wouldn't do that, sir."
Cabrioldi quickly untied the string at the pouch's mouth and checked the contents. ...Fortunately, nothing was missing.
Allen rubbed his palms together lightly, like a sly merchant, scanning the faces of his weary crew. Faint smiles lingered on everyone's lips.
"Alright. Settlements done, so we're officially finished. Drinkers drink, players play, sleepers sleep. Do what you want."
"What about you, Leader?"
"I've gotta go pay the compensation fees."
"...Ah."
Compensation for the two who died on the mission. Once paid to the guild, they'd take a cut and forward the rest to the families. ...Sure, there were crooked leaders who skimmed off the top in secret, but that was a fast track to self-destruction. Who'd fight wholeheartedly for a mercenary band like that? And any decent human wouldn't dream of it.
Allen chose Kallisman Rowner as his escort again. It was a hassle, sure, but the man never uttered a single complaint, no matter what the leader asked. Allen loved that about him. ...Stats aside, he wanted to keep the guy till the bitter end.
As they walked the bustling streets away from the building, Allen lightly tapped Kallisman's arm with the back of his hand.
"Not much, but I slipped in a little extra. ...Daughter, right? Raising kids costs a fortune, or so they say. Haven't had any myself, so who knows."
"Haha, why do you think I came back to this grind? ...Anyway, much appreciated."
"Yeah, it's blood money. Blood money..."
After a long walk, they reached the Vermandua branch of the Mercenary Guild. It was packed with job-hunters, just like the guild hall. This place especially seemed full of green rookies reeking of inexperience.
Gawking stares aimed at the pretty-faced Allen, but with the grizzled veteran towering beside him, no one dared approach. Otherwise, he'd have been swarmed by punks looking to diddle his dick or ass.
Allen headed straight for the corner counter upon entering the branch. The line for payments wasn't too long.
After time enough for a cup of tea, it was his turn. He paid the compensation for the two dead men and received the certificate. ...With that, the mission was truly over.
Stepping out with a period on the matter, Allen glanced up at the bright sun shining down.
...Allen felt like he'd grown a bit more callous toward death.
···
Two days after arriving in Vermandua.
The Red-Hat Mage went out with Allen for the first time in a while. Kallisman, of course, as escort.
She'd ditched her usual dark, drab robes for brighter, more ladylike outing clothes.
The rare taste of freedom eased her breathing. How heavy her shoulders had been under the weight of being a mage.
"Impressive mindset. ...Don't push too hard, okay? Magic study's great, but don't wreck your health."
"No, I'm fine. It's just sitting and reading books."
Truth be told, today's outing was at her request. She needed something from a magic shop.... Of course, that was an excuse; the real reason was wanting to walk alone with him.
She stole frequent glances at his profile, recalling that passionate kiss they'd shared before.
......If Viola hadn't shown up then, how far would things have gone......?
Lately, she'd realized she was diving deep into sexual fantasies. It felt like she was in heat at the drop of a hat.
She'd whipped herself with thoughts of her grand mission to become a great leader—could she afford to drown in lust? But restraint lasted only as long as the scolding. Now, at the slightest opportunity, she'd find herself rubbing her pussy. She'd even learned which spots inside brought the best pleasure. ...Masturbation had become her go-to stress relief.
After strolling a ways along the river lined with street vendors, they reached the magic shop on the city's outskirts. Empty inside, as expected.
"Take your time browsing. We'll wait outside."
Allen figured she'd feel awkward with him in there, so he and Kallisman waited by the stone wall.
The Red-Hat Mage Elena marveled inwardly at the shop's scale—far bigger than the one where she'd bought her wand. Stacks of staffs, a variety of books.
She headed to the shelves for study books. Titles were all in ancient runes, tough for non-mages to read.
Not all magic books were about spells, of course. History, trivia, novels were common too. Not what she wanted, though.
As she scanned the spines, one jumped out.
- Art of Copulation
Simple, punchy title. Her eyes locked on it for a long moment before she slyly checked the clerk. The doddering old man was watching her like a hawk, suspicious of theft.
...Oops...
She turned back to the book. Then thought: ...Judging by the jumbled topics, the old geezer probably doesn't know runes.
Plausible theory. She pulled out Art of Copulation, a history book on some ancient kingdom, and a quirky spellbook—three slim volumes.
"...I'll take these."
The owner counted them one by one, gave her a quick once-over for stolen goods, then quoted the price. The Red-Hat Mage paid exactly from her pouch, clutched the three to her chest, and left.
Allen and Kallisman, leaning against the stone wall cracking jokes and laughing, spotted her and approached.
"Whoa, some serious study fever there."
"Tell me about it."
The two men traded quips seeing her with three magic books. Guilty as charged, she just laughed it off with a ho-ho. No clue if it sounded ladylike.
What she'd imagined as a date turned into a frantic escape. She clutched the books tight to her chest, walking briskly, desperate to hide the titles from prying eyes.
Back along the river to the inn. Sweat beaded on her forehead from the trek.
"Thanks. I'll head up first—"
"No cold beer first?"
"Oh, uh, no thanks. I really wanna study now...!"
"......Alright then."
Allen gave an inscrutable smile. Feeling exposed, the Red-Hat Mage couldn't meet his eyes and bolted up to the third floor. She slammed into her room, bolted the door tight.
......Safe......!
She tossed the useless history and spellbooks aside, grabbed Art of Copulation, and headed to the table. Then, like perusing a holy text, she carefully turned the pages one by one.
The contents were in runes too. She propped a reference book beside her, looking up every unknown word, devouring it diligently.
Ah.
Aah—.
Aaaah———.
Excited just from reading, the Red-Hat Mage couldn't hold back. She climbed onto the bed and fingered her soaked pussy.
Aaaang————.
The newly gained knowledge
was more astounding than she could've imagined.