Chapter 9
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Goblin Lord (1)
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The next day.
The two men entered the fortress, facing the morning dew.
Thanks to their thorough preparations this time—unlike before—they encountered no major battles on the way back.
Their grubby appearances hadn't changed, but their expressions were far brighter than on the previous trip.
"My god... so much money."
"This is what they mean by a life-changing windfall."
Just as Jun had predicted.
The goblins' warehouse was overflowing with treasures of all kinds.
Not just coins, but gems, rings, necklaces, and more spilled out everywhere—all the wealth the mercenaries had carried.
Aiden stared at Jun, still unable to believe his eyes.
"Well, it's all money from dead mercenaries."
"...Hearing you say it like that suddenly makes me feel guilty, senior."
Wouldn't using this money bring a curse?
Such unease flickered through his mind, but Jun just shrugged.
"If curses came from things like that, there'd be no good people left in the world. Sure, it's a bit awkward, but someone would've claimed it eventually if not us—someone who succeeded in the subjugation. Otherwise, it might've been used to create more innocent victims. Better we use it."
"Hmm..."
The discomfort of taking money from the dead lingered, but Jun's words weren't wrong.
Aiden's expression gradually brightened again.
"So, what do you plan to do with all this money?"
He hadn't checked the exact amount, but it had to be at least a few million gold. Factoring in the jewelry and such, it was undoubtedly far more.
Not enough for anything grandiose, but far too much for two low-rank mercenaries.
"First, let's get your gear sorted. In your current state, the battles ahead will be rough."
"Th-thank you."
"No big deal. We're practically one unit now. The stronger you get as the frontliner, the more my own value rises."
"Senior..."
Aiden's face lit up with genuine emotion.
Seeing that, Jun felt his mental guard toward Aiden loosen just a bit more.
'Even with this much money in front of him, he doesn't waver.'
Habitually thinking that way, Jun inwardly sighed.
Why did he always suspect people at the slightest opening?
It was a sign of how grueling the past year had been.
"Still, we can't get anything amazing with this amount."
Good armor in this era was worth as much as a small castle, give or take.
'Even so, we can make it way sturdier than now. And... I can learn all sorts of spells I couldn't under my master.'
Recalling the magics he'd been denied back then, a rare spark of excitement lit Jun's face.
"My god... you actually pulled it off?"
Cloi stared at the pile of mercenary tags and stolen goods before her.
Individually, none were worth much, but stacked like this? That changed everything.
"Put the proceeds from selling the loot into an account under my name. I have uses for it."
"Hmm... I've got some solid investment options. Interested?"
Ever the merchant, she pitched investments even now.
"Not yet."
"Fair enough. It's not a one-day deal."
Shaking off her regret quickly, Cloi took the luxurious leather pouch Jun handed her from his belt.
Regret was clear on his face—this pouch had been key to their operation.
"You used it well... subspatial pouch."
"Heh, regret dripping from your voice?"
"It's not something you see every day."
As Jun said, subspatial artifacts weren't available until at least level 3 or 4 dungeons.
True to its name, that tiny pouch held space for ten wagons' worth of goods.
Without it, two men couldn't have hauled all this back.
And Cloi's was top-quality—hard to buy even for gold.
For a frail mage's body, just carrying a bag was torture enough.
'Convenient, sure, but the embedded spatial magic is what matters most.'
Regrettably, in the game <Blackout>, there was no spatial magic school.
Thus, the only way to get a subspatial pouch was dungeon rewards—making its value immense.
And as a mage himself now, Jun's curiosity burned.
"You'll snag one someday. Anyway, I'll send the tags to Sir Jinovan today. Clear your schedule tomorrow—he'll probably summon us then."
"No problem. Think that'll be tough?"
But their prediction was off.
"...He wants us now?"
Jinovan summoned them that very day.
"Honestly, I didn't fully believe you."
Jun nodded at Jinovan's frank admission.
"I get it. No one would believe two low-rank mercenaries took down a golem."
When Jun first spoke to him, Jinovan hadn't expected much.
Granting the chance was largely out of respect for Cloi, head of the Gilenoi Merchant Guild's Black Forest branch.
Even if Jun vanished, Jinovan wouldn't have been too disappointed.
The golem core Cloi provided already held great value.
Yet Jun proved his worth far sooner.
"So... these are all the ones who died in the operation I devised."
Dozens of mercenary tags in the box.
Bitter emotion flickered in Jinovan's eyes as he gazed at them.
"I don't know how to repay this favor."
This would quiet much of the dishonor weighing on him.
Others might even praise his name.
To mercenaries, returning tags made you an example to follow.
But beyond that, Jun could see Jinovan's face lighten, if only slightly.
'He hid it well, but it tormented him deeply.'
It wasn't hard to understand.
Even an Imperial Military Academy elite wouldn't emerge unscathed from watching people die before him.
'I've seen rookie mercenaries panic and stab allies.'
Battlefield trauma wasn't to be taken lightly.
As Jun reflected, Jinovan composed himself and spoke.
"You've proven your value, so now it's my turn to act. What is it you want?"
"A spot in the upcoming Goblin Lord subjugation."
"A spot... seeking fame?"
"Yes."
As a mercenary, Jun needed credentials.
And as a future captain, raising his band's reputation was key to recruiting talent.
'To steadily gather skilled members, public achievements are essential.'
A Goblin Lord subjugation was perfect for that.
Field bosses offered big resume boosts.
'Plus, Goblin Lord hunts pay handsomely.'
He'd already settled profit shares with Cloi.
Clearing it as planned would unlock the area's resources, ensuring steady income via her guild.
With that thought done, Jun awaited Jinovan's reply.
The man seemed to recalculate his options.
"Hoo. Very well. You've given me a fine opportunity. But first, a question—or rather, advice."
An Imperial Military Academy commander seeking wisdom from a junior mage.
Yet Jun sensed it wasn't mere consultation.
The follow-up question turned suspicion to certainty.
"In your view, how far can I go from here?"
'Not a question—a test.'
The intent was clear: with the Goblin Lord subjugation looming, what position should he claim?
But those eyes held no anxiety for the future.
Excitement, rather.
As if seeking confirmation of his own thoughts.
"I'm not sure I can offer wisdom to a commander."
"No need for false modesty. Speak plainly."
Jun licked his lips subtly in that brief pause.
"Not sure if I grasp your question fully, but..."
His voice carried conviction matching the man's anticipation.
"In this operation, Commander, you need to start from the bottom and work your way up."
Truth be told, Jinovan was genuinely impressed by Jun's answer.
At first, the ragged clothes and "junior mage" title suggested a talentless wanderer booted from the Mage Tower.
Yet somehow, he was a mage. Or perhaps a late-bloomer.
Jun had nailed the core of his query.
"Spot on. I think the same."
Jinovan was a man who could coldly assess himself.
Regaining some lost honor was success.
But his defeat to goblins remained indelible.
Returning tags painted him as "honorable," not "competent."
And then.
"The other two commanders here have powerful backers, unlike me."
So in the Goblin Lord subjugation, the fortress marshal would likely pick them over the once-failed Jinovan.
That would sour things for Jun and Cloi too—their invested commander sidelined meant slimmer gains.
"That's why I'm pondering how far to aim, and if I should push further."
Jun smiled softly at Jinovan's candor.
"Not sure if my answer satisfies, but... there's one way."
"A way...? Share your wisdom."
"If you're considering me for the subjugation... volunteer for scout duty."
"Scout duty..."
Jinovan gave a wry smile.
"A crucial role, all around."
"I understand your concerns, Commander. It's vital—and dangerous."
Scouts were essential in war, but their mortality rate was sky-high.
In the still-mysterious Blackout, survival odds were abysmal.
Jinovan, known for cherishing his men, had every reason for that expression.
"But in my homeland, they say if you can't avoid it, enjoy it."
"Interesting proverb."
As Jun said, if subjugation began, Jinovan would likely get scouts anyway.
The assault team for max glory? The other two.
"Might as well volunteer."
"Why so?"
"First, image. Stepping up first shows the marshal your resolve to redeem past failure."
"Hm."
"It'll also cut down annoying interference from the other commanders."
"They'll think you've bowed out of the competition."
"Exactly."
Jinovan had considered that far already.
"Second, scout missions yield merits matching the risk. With me, I guarantee we halve that danger."
"Ho."
Intrigue sparked now.
Brash from a junior mage, but Jun had escaped Black Forest twice unscathed.
And his shared know-how proved deep familiarity.
"The mission's importance is undeniable."
Early crisis detection alone would ease the assault team's burden immensely.
"And the final reason."
The last advice brought pure astonishment beyond mere interest.
"In the end, scouts aren't barred from taking down the Goblin Lord, are they?"