Chapter 7
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Broker or Investor
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One of the five great merchant guilds renowned even in the Empire, the Gilenoi Merchant Guild had naturally established a branch here in Blackout as well.
Among them, the branch manager of the Black Forest branch, Gilenoi Cloi, checked the report that had come up to her and let out a sigh.
"The number of goblins in the Black Forest far exceeds the estimated figures..."
The recent failed goblin subjugation.
This was the follow-up report on that, and just recalling it made Cloi's blood run cold even now.
"I thought they were just goblins and was about to invest big time... I nearly got into serious trouble."
Normally, when such subjugations occurred, they would attract investments from the surrounding area at the commander's discretion.
If the subjugation succeeded, the investors would receive a portion of the rewards that followed, but if it failed, they would lose everything they'd invested.
"My recent performance hasn't been great, so I was half-thinking of it as a gamble... And it really turned out just like that guy said."
The black-haired junior mercenary mage.
A mage she'd become acquainted with through some prior incident had participated in this subjugation and predicted its failure to her.
Remembering how sharp his analytical skills had always been, Cloi had canceled all investments in the subjugation, narrowly avoiding a massive loss.
"Now the question is how to turn this into profit..."
It had been a lucky break avoiding the rain, but she couldn't stop there.
As a merchant, she had to seize gains even in situations like this.
"Fortunately, sales of supplies prepared for failure are going well. But it's still not enough."
Compared to her siblings, her succession efforts had started late.
Without overwhelming results, she'd inevitably fall behind.
Aware of this, Cloi bit her lip as she pondered other options—
"Lady Cloi. That mage you mentioned is here."
"What? Speak of the black tiger and it appears. Send him in right... No. In about ten minutes. I have other business."
Young as she was, she was a full-fledged branch manager, and Cloi knew better than to give the impression she was desperate.
"Ahem! A merchant should always look put-together..."
Standing before the mirror, Cloi hurriedly began combing her hair.
"Come on in. I heard you made it back safe. You look fine up close too."
Receiving Cloi's warm welcome, Jun entered the office and waved his hand dismissively.
"Don't even mention it. I nearly died in all sorts of ways."
"Such a drama queen."
Drama queen?
Anyone who'd faced a golem head-on wouldn't say that.
"By the way, who's the one next to you?"
At Cloi's question, Aiden bowed his head and introduced himself.
"I'm Aiden, a member of the White Whale Mercenary Corps."
"Nice to meet you. White Whale Mercenary Corps? I heard they disbanded this time. Didn't everyone die except you?"
"Correction. Only me and this guy survived. And I've taken over the mercenary corps."
"Oh?"
Cloi showed interest at that.
She'd known Jun for nearly half a year now. During that time, he'd avoided taking the lead as much as possible.
"Feeling ready now?"
"Yeah. Enough time has passed since then. Time for me to step up."
"...I see. So Jun, you're taking the reins yourself."
After showing a flicker of interest, Cloi quickly changed the subject.
"So, why'd you come to see me?"
"What else? To propose an investment."
"Investment... You want me to invest in a brand-new mercenary corps?"
"No. Not me. Invest in the person you originally planned to—the commander of that subjugation."
"...What?"
At Jun's words, Cloi fell into thought for a moment, then narrowed her eyes sharply.
"You were aiming for this from the start?"
"No. Originally, I planned to recruit members step by step."
With that, Jun pointed to Aiden.
"But I found a solid frontliner. That changes things. Now we can boost the corps' reputation and recruit more easily."
"Ha, unbelievable."
Cloi's glare was no joke, but Jun responded with his usual tired smile.
"At least you catch on quick. That's a plus."
"You're trying to use me as a broker, aren't you?"
"What's wrong with that? Your earnings from this aren't enough either. You need results, right?"
His nonchalant attitude, as if he knew everything, was absurd, but Cloi couldn't deny it.
"Tch. Smart guys are always such a pain."
"You know that's spitting in your own face, right?"
"Whatever. Wait outside. I need time to think."
At the dismissal, Jun shrugged and left with Aiden.
"Um, senior. What's the situation here?"
To Aiden, who'd only been listening, Jun explained.
"Simple. I told her to invest in the commander who led that subjugation."
"...Pardon?"
"At first, Cloi planned to invest in the commander handling this subjugation."
"Investment meaning..."
"Blackout is too vast for the Empire to monopolize alone. That's why they've been pouring resources into it for so long. Naturally, budgets are limited. So the Imperial Family allows civilians to invest in their missions."
If the invested mission succeeds, a portion of the rewards goes to the investors.
This also meant massive gains from a single investment.
Merchants didn't flock to Blackout for nothing.
Even now, they wielded swords forged of gold in the shadows, fighting for survival.
"Including Cloi, most merchants committed to investing in this goblin subjugation. Who'd back out of a goblin hunt? They all assumed success."
A successful subjugation grants exclusive rights to the area at least until year's end.
In other words, a form of monopoly.
"...But it failed. And if the Gilenoi Merchant Guild had invested, it would've been a huge sum."
One of the Empire's top five guilds—no small amount.
"Exactly. That's why it was middling."
"Middling?"
"Not a total early flop like last time, but it nearly dragged on halfway."
Had Cloi invested, far more mercenaries would've joined that subjugation.
Their gear would've been top-notch too.
They might've pushed deeper.
"Isn't that good?"
"No. Even with Cloi's investment, it wouldn't have been enough. That's why I called it middling. If something had happened deeper in, you and I wouldn't be talking here."
"...That many goblins?"
"Goblins aside, the problem is the king in that forest."
"King...?"
"Goblin Lord. That's what I mean."
In the end, Cloi accepted Jun's proposal.
It took three days of meetings.
With big money on the line, Cloi grilled him relentlessly, but Jun's apt responses convinced her.
"I'm telling you, he's a fallen noble, but noble blood still flows in him. And the marshal he serves is deep in the Imperial court's politics. Watch that point."
"Feels like the fifth time hearing it."
"Then the sixth. Pay attention again."
"Got it, got it."
On the well-paved road.
The Gilenoi Guild's carriage arrived at a massive building at the heart of the Black Forest fortress.
If the guild's building exuded luxury, this one evoked a sturdy pyramid—solid and unyielding.
"How may I help you?"
"I'm Gilenoi Cloi of the Gilenoi Merchant Guild. I have an appointment with Commander Jinovan."
"Gilenoi Merchant Guild... Please wait a moment."
Guided by the soldier, Jun and Cloi entered and met Commander Jinovan right on time.
"Pleased to meet you. Jinovan Edmiller."
True to a fresh Imperial Military Academy graduate, the young commander had impeccable military bearing.
'Like a new platoon leader back on Earth. Maybe even sharper.'
The recent failure had left faint fatigue on his face.
"Pleased to meet you. Gilenoi Cloi of the Gilenoi Merchant Guild."
"Hmm. The golden hand's granddaughter. As beautiful as the rumors say."
"You flatter me."
"And you?"
"Jun, in charge of the White Whale Mercenary Corps."
"Mercenary corps... Well, have a seat."
Whether he didn't recall the name or just assumed coincidence.
Jinovan asked Cloi.
"I heard you wish to invest."
"Yes. As detailed in my letter."
"First, one question. I know the Gilenoi Guild expressed interest before withdrawing. Why the change of heart?"
It sounded casual, but thorns lurked within.
Her investment could've stabilized the subjugation.
Yet Cloi answered without flinching.
"The returns didn't justify the investment. You'd already secured plenty from others, excluding our guild."
In truth, Jun's advice foreseeing failure prompted it—but not entirely wrong.
The gains weren't proportional.
"...Fair enough. I figured that much was plenty myself."
'Quicker to accept than expected.'
People who err usually shift blame.
But Jinovan didn't.
That alone raised him in Jun's eyes.
"Isn't it too late to invest now?"
"On the contrary, now's perfect. Higher risk means higher returns."
"Haha. True to the golden hand's heir. Bold."
The failure cost Jinovan mercenaries' trust and merchants' credit.
He'd lost all their investments.
Now, Cloi was likely his only option.
Success with her aid would yield massive gains.
"But you've come to the wrong place."
"Pardon?"
"Authority for the next subjugation has passed to another commander. Marshal Dortagon's orders."
"Ah..."
A brief glance from Cloi to Jun—not reproach, but mild surprise.
Jun had predicted it in their meetings.
"As expected."
"Expected?"
Her frank admission carried irritation, as if he'd foreseen the demotion.
Cloi owned her mistake smoothly.
"Sorry. I don't doubt your skills, Commander. But our investigations show goblin numbers in the Black Forest far exceed estimates. I suspected a new subjugation."
"Hmm..."
"Yet no large-scale mercenary recruitment yet?"
"True. I've advised the marshal myself..."
"Perhaps you suspect a Goblin Lord's presence?"
"...Impressive. As expected of your lineage."
As Cloi said, Jinovan suspected a Goblin Lord too.
The goblins' organized moves in the Black Forest screamed command structure.
Sheer numbers alone wouldn't have routed him so badly.
"That explains it. You're right—thorough prep is needed for a Goblin Lord."
Goblins seemed trivial, but a lord's power wasn't negligible.
Clear hierarchy spiked difficulty; numbers swelled.
'Same in the game. Goblin Lords mowed down cocky newbies who dismissed goblins.'
Jun understood Jinovan's reaction.
"But the marshal says it's too soon to conclude."
Not incompetence.
Just reason.
Cloi pinpointed it.
"Indeed, a Goblin Lord this early is premature."
Goblin Lords were field bosses.
But they didn't spawn randomly—specific cycles tied to area lords.
Area lords: regional raid monsters. Field mobs preceded them.
Black Forest's was the Forest Guardian—a massive tree spirit, fixed type.
Its spawn was months away.
Too early for a Goblin Lord.
"Thus, the marshal's skeptical."
Likely dismissed as overeagerness from a rookie commander.
Other commanders probably mocked his failure, denying him.
"Anyway, I've lost trust not just from mercenaries and merchants."
As Jinovan smiled bitterly, dismissing them as wrong place,
"What if you restored your honor and brought solid proof of the Goblin Lord?"
Cloi's bright voice pierced his ears.
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly that. I'm a merchant—turning crises to opportunity is our skill. A top merchant's virtue? Not gambling, mind. Restore your honor, provide proof... Could you sway the marshal then?"
"...Obviously."
"Hehe, lucky you, Commander Jinovan. This mercenary brings the solution."
Her gaze shifted to Jun, ignored like a straw left in the field till now.
Jinovan's eyes followed.
Timing right, Jun spoke.
"First, I have proof."
With firm voice, Jun placed the box he'd brought on the table.