Chapter 84
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Chapter 84
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: 19. Roster Cleanup. (2)
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Allen meticulously reviewed the lists of transfer hopefuls from the other mercenary corps. There was no need to desperately recruit a bunch of them. It was far better to focus on just one or two truly promising candidates rather than taking on a handful of mediocrities. For support roles, he could always patch things up with short-term contracts in the meantime.
He started with the Viola Mercenary Corps. Her eye for talent was at least trustworthy.
There was only one hopeful: Rug Underdale from the Third Corps.
This axe-and-shield wielder with herculean strength was a perfect fit for Allen's frontline, but he was a bit long in the tooth. Worse still was the glaring trait that jumped out: [Lazybones]. The kind of guy who'd refuse the role even if offered.
Viola had spotted the giant's potential, but his innate laziness had kept it from fully blooming. He'd been languishing in the Third Corps until ending up on this near-release transfer list.
Honestly, Allen had zero interest in taking on a guy like this. On top of that, the transfer fee was a steep 250 gold. Word was he pocketed 40 gold a month. At that rate, he was basically a money pit.
And so, his first scouting run ended with nothing to show for it.
Next, Mercenary Leader Allen scanned the transfer list from the tenth-ranked Gione Mercenary Corps. Unlike Viola's group, they only had First and Second Corps, no Third.
Again, just one hopeful: Kienot Osborn from the Second Corps. A sly, cat-like woman.
The stats were solid enough, but the traits were a nightmare. Rumors painted her scandals as no joke, and she sure looked the part. They were practically giving her away for just 50 gold. For those stats, it was a steal—but to Allen, who valued internal unity, she was poison. [Nymphomaniac] was one thing, but [Deception] and [Kleptomania] were absolute deal-breakers for him.
Kienot clearly had a thing for handsome Allen and tried every seduction tactic to join up, but he shut her down cold without a second thought.
Second scouting run: another bust. Finding even one decent talent was proving brutally tough.
There was one First Corps member he liked who wasn't even on the list, but prying him from a top-ten corps required caution. No sense stirring up trouble and getting labeled a meddler when they weren't shopping him around. Everyone knew better than to piss off the top ranks.
With two strikes, Allen turned to the higher-tier corps. Dagon Mercenary Corps was there too, but he had no desire to deal with those bastards, so pass.
Pity the three big suckers weren't in Vermandua right now. He could've fleeced them a bit.
Iron Man, Donovan Mercenary Corps.
Giant, Alvarest Mercenary Corps.
Mage, King Mercenary Corps.
Madam, Aubonne Mercenary Corps.
Mad Dog, Dolph Mercenary Corps.
With all the mage tower grads flooding into Vermandua, there were plenty of notable groups around. Seemed like they were looking to offload transfer hopefuls while in town.
Skimming the lists, Allen took interest in two: one from Mage King, one from Mad Dog Dolph.
First up, Andy Breward from Mage King Mercenary Corps.
This bronze-skinned, bald brute from the west looked frontline-ready at a glance. No signs of further growth, but decent for a year or two. The sticking point was that [Greed] trait.
The 370-gold transfer fee was reasonable enough, but his salary demands were tight. He was already getting 45 gold a month—and wanted 50. For Allen, with his unstable fixed income, it was too much. Especially when he was paying the far stronger Blind Saint just 40 gold. Not that anyone else could see her status window.
He floated a 40-gold offer anyway, but it was shot down flat. Tried 45 next, only to get rejected again with a dig at his no-name corps. Fair enough; Allen dropped it.
Next, Gis Howard from Mad Dog Dolph Mercenary Corps.
The hairy eastern brute had solid stats and traits. Curious why Dolph was dumping talent like this, Allen dug around: clashed with the leader, months of back pay. Dolph's impulsive, unplanned style had wrecked their finances.
Finally, a guy Allen liked. Problem was, the transfer fee had ballooned to 430 gold amid bidding wars. It was cooling off, though.
Luckily, greedy Dolph was holding out for more, delaying approval and giving Allen a shot. His salary wasn't bad, so worth a try—though the fee would sting.
Allen met Dolph's vice-leader for negotiations. The snake-eyed, jowly greedster had a [Greed] trait, predictably.
In cases like this, bribing the handler beat haggling the fee.
Allen set his approach and exchanged warm greetings with the vice-leader.
"Pleased to meet you, Allen, Mercenary Leader."
"Burgess, vice-leader."
They sat at the table, sipping tea. Burgess waited for Allen to speak first.
"...How much for the transfer fee?"
"Someone offered 450 gold already."
Classic bidding ploy, no firm number. Allen sidestepped it.
"Fine. 460 gold, plus this."
Bidding like this would snowball to 500. Better to strike hard early.
Allen plunked a coin pouch on the table. Burgess eyed it curiously.
"50 gold. Your finder's fee if the transfer goes through."
—!
Even post-deal, the vice-leader got zilch officially. Unless he sweet-talked the leader for scraps.
But this was pure pocket money. Other corps might've tried bribes too, but not 50 gold. Ten or twenty, tops.
Allen was ready to walk if rejected. The fee was already obscene; he needed this guy, or he'd have bailed sooner.
The offer tempted Burgess. He hesitated long.
Allen drove it home, grabbing the pouch.
"No thanks if you're not interested."
"Wait...!"
The vice-leader snatched his hand.
"...Can't do 10 more gold? For the fee, I mean. 470, and I can convince them..."
"Guaranteed?"
"Guaranteed."
"Deal. 470. No more. And this goes to you after approval."
Allen pocketed the pouch. Burgess dashed off to Dolph for the green light. Personal terms couldn't start without it.
Later, he returned with Gis, smiling. Must've sold the leader on no better offers.
"Pleased to meet you, Leader Allen."
"Likewise."
They'd met once before, left good impressions. Quick handshake, seated. Vice-leader stepped out.
Gis, eager to leave, had no haggle in him. Salary stayed at 34 gold—cheap for the stats. Fees and bribes hurt, but overall fair. And hey, make him earn it.
With terms settled, Gis Howard joined Allen Mercenary Corps. One-year contract. Better to test-drive than lock in two.
It'd taken a full fortnight from scouting start to finish. Just one recruit. But a rewarding one.
This solidified the frontline. Now the lineup balanced out. Training nut Victor suited second line better anyway.
Second line was untouchable with Blind Saint and Gum-Sword Saint anchoring it. Next up: third-line support. Red Robe Mage couldn't handle it solo.
Mage or archer both worked, but Allen preferred archer. Another mage risked exposing the rear. An archer could guard third while supporting from back.
Top archers were mage-rare, though. Even if found, why join Allen's crew? Would mean big money, which he lacked.
Fixed salaries already topped 150 gold monthly just breathing. Add living costs: 200 easy.
Ugh...
Thoughts of spending made Allen's heart ache.
"My heart..."
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