Chapter 72
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Chapter 1, Conclusion. (1)
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A fat man came waddling over with a wide tray like a serving platter and carefully set it down on the table. It was a sort of display board lined up with various kinds of jewelry.
"Here you are—the finest pieces handpicked from our caravan. Take your time browsing, and feel free to ask about anything that catches your eye."
The bald, goat-bearded chubby merchant rubbed his hands together with a sly heh-heh chuckle. Allen examined each piece with a perfectly calm expression, pondering which ones might be good. ...But since he had zero knowledge about jewelry, no matter how hard he looked, he couldn't tell what was more refined or valuable.
Luckily, Rudra the mercenary leader, who had been quietly watching from the side, pointed out the standout items one by one.
"This one's pretty nice... That one's not bad either."
Though she herself avoided flashy adornments, Rudra had grown up surrounded by beautiful artwork and all sorts of glittering accessories, so her eye for them was far sharper than Allen's. He nodded casually with a "I see," pretending to agree as he picked exactly those she recommended. Each time, the merchant showered him with flattery, praising his discerning taste.
In the end, Allen selected about twenty pieces priced around ten gold coins each, then haggled with the merchant to throw in three or four more of the same kinds. Of course, this was all verbal for now since they hadn't exchanged goods yet. The shrewd money-lover Allen wasn't about to hand over cash without the merchandise.
"Hold on—just leave that one behind."
"Yes, here you go..."
Allen took one of the pieces Rudra had picked that got the biggest reaction. The moment the merchant left, he gifted it to her. She'd connected him with the merchant and helped pick out the jewelry, so a little token of gratitude was in order.
It was a bracelet with pretty patterns artistically twisted like tree roots. Perfect for her shapely wrist.
"Oh come on... I wasn't expecting anything like this..."
"It's my thanks for your help."
"...Thank you."
Rudra the mercenary leader looked absolutely thrilled, her face lit up like she'd won the lottery. ...Allen figured whatever happened, happened.
She held up her bracelet-clad hand, admiring it from every angle, when suddenly her expression turned seductive. Then her hand started slyly kneading his thigh. Allen's cock, never one to back down from arousal, twitched and stiffened in response.
"...This is a signal, right?"
No, it's not.
"Who knew Allen the leader had such a naughty side."
I said no.
"Later... Should I come to you, or do you want to come over...?"
I've got plans tonight.
"...Or maybe right here, right now...?"
Her expression was dead serious, no joking around.
Even Allen, morning-wood king that he was, found the open-minded western vibe a bit overwhelming.
Sure, if he planned to blow off mercenary work and just fuck his days away, this place would be paradise... But unfortunately, he had goals he absolutely had to achieve for his future. ...He'd toyed with the idea of just staying in the west for a second, but after all his hard work so far, he couldn't surrender to his dick that easily.
"I bet your pussy's already wet, huh...?"
Can't surrender to my dick...
"I wanna suck Allen's cock so bad..."
......They ended up pounding like dogs in the parlor again.
···
Fortunately, the caravan business wrapped up smoothly. He spent 821 gold coins on the jewelry. There was some spare cash left, but he didn't see the need to blow it all, so he pocketed the rest as emergency funds.
With that, all trading in the west was done. All that remained was picking a caravan to escort as pocket money on the way out, and they were finished.
Especially after their standout performance in the recent war, the Allen Mercenary Corps' name had spread far and wide in the great city of Behimruod. Requests for escorts poured in from western caravans still reeling from the black mage's attacks. Now, Allen didn't even need to shop around—he could pick and choose whichever caravan he wanted.
This was why a man had to make it big. Couldn't you just feel how different things were now?
Of course, Rudra's influence helped, but he'd proven his own capabilities. She wouldn't be so attached if he didn't have the skills!
Anyway, Allen chose the caravan offering the fattest payout among the escort jobs. They were all the same gig anyway—might as well go with the highest bidder.
With the caravan selected, everything in the great city of Behimruod was truly wrapped up. Time to leave.
Allen gathered his crew, announced the departure date, and ordered them to prep by then. A few looked like they wanted to stick around and enjoy the city longer, but no one dared defy the boss's word... As always, the mercenaries quickly let go of any attachments.
The leader called out to one of the disbanding members.
"Odd-Eyes, hang back a sec."
"Ah, sure."
Having gotten a taste for spending now that money was flowing, the money-grubber girl's complexion had noticeably improved. Her shabby clothes were gone, replaced by fine ones, and her hair, nails—even toenails—were perfectly manicured. ...If not for the nun's habit and eyepatch, she'd pass for a spoiled rich girl who loved blowing daddy's cash.
Allen walked down the hall side by side with the blind saintess, casually asking after her like one would.
"Looks like you're really into spending these days. Your face is glowing."
"Oh, come on... How could I, a servant of the divine, indulge in such luxury...? Hehe."
Allen, who obviously didn't buy that for a second, just smiled without a word. True to her [Greed] trait, he preferred people who were upfront about loving money. Simple and straightforward.
They arrived at a dim room. He offered her a seat and poured some tea.
Sitting across from the blind saintess, the leader grinned lazily like a street peddler, asking in a gentle tone.
"How's mercenary life been treating you? Manageable?"
"Eh, it's been alright. Seen a lot of the world, met tons of people... and made a good chunk of change."
She muttered the last part super quietly, but that was probably the real highlight.
Raking in a whopping 29 gold coins a month and splurging without restraint had hooked her on the thrill of cash.
Sensing that, Allen decided to seize the opportunity. Plot-wise, Chapter 1—the black mage festival—ended with her heading back to the Holy Kingdom, but he planned to twist that as much as possible. ...If it didn't work, oh well, but she was too valuable a talent to just let go without trying.
"You took down that monster back then like a total badass. Bam! I was seriously impressed."
When Allen playfully mimed a punch, the blind saintess clasped her hands proudly, feigning humility.
"As a faithful servant of the divine, I couldn't just stand by while such an impure being roamed free. But thanks to the divine's grace, I was able to vanquish it."
"Yeah, if you say so..."
He nodded briefly, then slowly let his smile fade. Glancing at her sipping tea, he carefully broached the subject.
"So, what's your plan from here?"
"My plan?"
"Yeah."
The blind saintess answered matter-of-factly.
"Return to the Holy Kingdom and save the poor masses, as a proper saintess should."
"...Ah, right...?"
"Is there a problem...?"
Allen rubbed his hands lightly.
"Truth is... we need you around, Odd-Eyes."
"...Pardon?"
"The corps would be lost without you. You're practically our face now. The saintess Odd-Eyes! Everyone in Behimruod knows your name."
"Ah... Hehe, I've heard a few rumors like that."
"Exactly, spot on."
The money-grubber was obsessed with the "saintess" title. Her smile lit up brightest when someone called her "Saintess." ...Though it might vanish if she started punching.
"So, what do you think? Contract extension."
"...Ah..."
The blind saintess looked a bit troubled. Sure, the money was nice, but staying away from the Holy Kingdom too long felt off. ...Plus, leaving her master alone tugged at her. Though the old coot could probably handle himself just fine...
"Sorry, I can't... I have to get back to my master. That's what we agreed."
Of course, Allen had seen that response coming. It was straight out of the plot.
But this world, built on game logic, was still its own independent reality. The big picture might be hard to change, but one person's fate? Maybe he could nudge it.
"Not just a straight extension, obviously. I'll up your pay."
But the money-grubber slowly shook her head.
"...Sorry. It's not about the money."
"32 gold coins."
"It's not the amount—it's a matter of faith."
...Did her eyes just flicker?
"34 gold coins."
"No, leader... Money's not the issue..."
He could practically feel the [Greed].
"36 gold coins."
She nearly wavered, but the saintess money-grubber steeled herself, lightly thumping the table with her fist and declaring firmly.
"Even you, leader... can't buy my faith with money!"
Then Allen spread four fingers.
"40!"
"........."
.........That day, the money-grubber saintess sold her faith for 40 gold coins.
Master, sorry~♥