Chapter 85
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: 20. The Second Major Commission. (1)
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"Hey, James. Don't doze off on watch duty. Rumors have been downright ominous lately."
"Got it, no worries."
The rookie James, who had just joined the mercenary corps, straightened his neck stiffly and replied as he took over the watch. The veteran grunted in complaint as he lay down and was soon snoring away.
James flipped the nearly empty hourglass back upright, gazed up at the starry night sky, and let out a long sigh. He scanned the surroundings, where only snores and sleep-talk filled the air, then rubbed his palms lightly together.
His sweeping gaze soon locked onto the voluptuous figure of a female member from their own corps and refused to budge. Her face wasn't all that pretty, but those ample breasts and alluring hips had already served as his fantasy fodder countless times. The tough, big-sister type who had been looking out for him as the newbie runt...
Just once, if I could have her... He smacked his lips, kneading the stiffening ache in his groin.
——♪, ———♬
Then, from somewhere, came a faint, eerie melody.
...What the hell?
It was in some unintelligible language. Not a dialect, either.
His mind grew hazy. He squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head vigorously a few times before opening them again.
Right then, someone stood before him.
"Gasp!"
He sucked in a startled breath and jerked his head up. It was that very big sister whose body he had been ogling moments ago.
"S-Sis?"
"Jaaames..."
Her voice was syrupy sweet. The kind that made his dick twitch hard.
"Come here for a sec...?"
"...Huh?"
"Just for a bit... over here..."
With a coquettish gesture, she tugged open her top to flash her breasts briefly before covering up again.
Ahh...
That was it. James lost all reason.
"Over here..."
——♪, ————♬
James grinned lecherously and trailed after the sister seducing him.
Into the deep, deep darkness—.
After another grueling fortnight, Allen finally managed to recruit one more decent-looking archer and could breathe a sigh of relief. With this, the mercenary corps finally had a respectable lineup.
He set a dinner date with Mercenary Leader Viola, whom he'd been putting off, dressed sharply for the first time in ages, and headed to Viola House.
Perhaps tipped off in advance, he passed straight through the main gate and was led by the butler to a scenic room on the third floor.
Mercenary Leader Viola, waiting ahead of him, had put some effort into her attire too—a rare flashy outfit. Though her youthful freshness had faded, her beauty hadn't dimmed. No wonder that quack merchant Dagon was still courting her relentlessly.
"It's an infinite honor to be invited, Leader Viola."
"It's been a while, Leader Allen."
"Mercenary business has kept me swamped."
"I see... Shall we sit?"
Every one of Viola Leader's movements was poised and measured. Fitting for her strict personality.
The square dining table was luxurious but not oversized, allowing the two facing each other to see one another's faces up close.
The ruddy sunset sky and the river painted in sunset hues flowing nobly below made for a view that never got old. ...Wasting money on something like this wouldn't even feel regrettable.
A brief silence. The pair stared out at the terrace view until a polite knock—rap rap—jolted them back.
Servants soon entered and filled the table with mouthwatering dishes that smelled divine.
"Eat your fill."
"Then I won't hold back..."
And so the meal began. No conversation during eating—just occasional short compliments from Allen like, "This is delicious."
Once the rigidly calm dinner ended and the table was cleared, a teapot appeared. Sipping after-dinner tea, they finally dove into real talk.
"How's the mercenary business going?"
Allen couldn't help but chuckle at that.
"It's been a grind. ...Good people cost a fortune, and cheap ones are trash."
Viola, having been through the same, smiled in reminiscence.
A sip of tea passed in silence before she picked up the thread.
"And the building? Income steady?"
"Better than expected. Using it as our base works well. Feels better than some half-baked venture. Covers the monthly wages at least."
"Glad to hear it. I'd feel bad if you dropped big coin on something you hated, since I brokered it..."
Viola hadn't brought up other business yet. Stabilizing the building came first.
And she had no intention of offering him excessive favors going forward. He'd grow fine on his own; no need to meddle and risk backlash.
...Especially after hearing that damn Dana had gone to see Allen. She'd resolved to act more coolly since then. That was why she'd taken every bit of the brokerage fee she originally planned to waive.
Showing a bit more care than other leaders would suffice.
"Oh, a major commission came in from Agnentia... Interested?"
"From Agnentia? ...Another dungeon?"
Allen, scarred from the massive ordeal in Agnentia's Ssalver Dungeon, felt his body recoil at the thought. ...But a lowly merc picking and choosing jobs? Nah. Pay up, and we'll do anything.
"Not a dungeon."
She handed him the request form from a side table.
"Lately, between Kalstadt, Agnentia, and our Vermandua—these three cities—disappearances and massacres have been rampant."
Allen skimmed the form lightly, then looked back at Viola Leader with a serious expression.
"All three cities have taken heavy hits. We've suffered too. A merchant caravan set to deliver to us got totally wiped out."
"...Bandits? No."
"Survivors mentioned hearing a faint song."
Song—!
Allen grasped the situation instantly.
A mage contracted with a devil siren via black mana, or a boss-tier monster—.
True to Chapter 2 form, we've landed in some real shit right out the gate.
The siren's song, a mental magic, preyed harder on those with low magic resistance.
Fall to the charm? Combat incapacity. Holy water or relics could cleanse it somewhat, but no guarantee against repeats.
...Hilariously, mental magic never stuck to enemies no matter how hard you tried, but allies dropped like flies. Like a shonen protagonist who's badass against foes but turns into a damsel for his own team.
Even Allen had a [Guild Master] run where everyone but the mage fell to charm, leading to total annihilation. Since then, he'd stocked relics whenever possible for basic prevention. ...With thorough prep, it'd be way more manageable than that curse-riddled canyon last time.
"Devil siren, most likely."
Viola Leader nodded steadily, 522. His ability to pinpoint it from scant clues—knowledge tough for non-mages—was impressive. She'd suspected since he rattled off Ssalver details; this confirmed it.
"Yes. Consulted several mages; that's our guess."
"Siren's song is mental magic. Trajectory differs slightly from curses. Underestimate it, and we'll be in trouble."
"...So, you in?"
Allen didn't answer right away, pausing thoughtfully.
He could refuse. ...But nameless mercs dodging jobs looked bad, and a marquis's fat payout meant generous fees.
Plus, they already knew the foe roughly. Unlike mystery dungeons, it wouldn't be hellish.
...And our corps has gotten pretty strong.
Allen Mercenary Corps was no pushover to get done in by a siren or its minions now. With solid prep, solvable at moderate difficulty.
"...Mind if I take some time to think?"
He wouldn't decide on impulse. Even the wisest call could reveal flaws by morning.
Viola smiled faintly at his caution and nodded.
"Of course. But time's tight—a week till departure at most. Let me know by tomorrow."
"Understood."
The meeting wrapped on that note.
Allen set down his teacup and rose.
"Then I'll take my leave."
"Yes. Think it over carefully and decide."
...Just as Allen turned to go.
He paused with an "Oh," spun back, and approached her again. Nearly forgotten amid the request talk.
He pulled a small jewelry box from his pocket and offered it to Viola Leader. She eyed him curiously.
"A gift. Spotted something perfect in the west last time. Suited you to a T."
Viola took the box, momentarily at a loss for reaction.
She'd received countless gifts before... but this felt utterly different.
"I didn't expect something like this..."
"Open it."
She lifted the lid gingerly. A lovely necklace gleamed inside. Ah. She stifled the ticklish flutter in her chest.
"It's pretty... Thank you."
"May I put it on for you?"
The mood had fully shifted to him. She could only nod silently.
He circled behind her, draped the necklace over her slender white neck. She toyed with it where it rested above her bosom.
"Wow, suits you perfectly."
"...Does it?"
"If you don't like it, no pressure. Just accept it as a token of my sincerity..."
"No, I love it. Really. ...I'll treasure it."
Allen flashed a charming smile.
"Perfect then. ...I'll head out now."
"...Yes. Safe travels."
He bowed lightly and left the room.
Fuuu...
Left alone, she stared at the necklace around her neck, fingers tracing it. Her lips twitched upward relentlessly.
...He called it just a token...
Yet her heart insisted on reading deeper meaning into it, stirring chaos within.
The next day.
A bold sign went up at the Allen Mercenary Corps' rented street stall.
- The very necklace owned by a 10-Strong Leader—!
- The very accessory handpicked by the artisan praised by a 10-Strong Leader—!
...The jewelry flew off the shelves.