Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Rewards and Relaxation
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"Hello?"
I cautiously opened the tent flap and offered a greeting, drawing the attention of everyone inside.
Sophia was sitting with a middle-aged man who had a neatly trimmed brown beard.
The Marquess's daughter let out a scoff, looking at me with an incredulous expression.
"Ha! Your attitude seems to have changed now that you're outside. You were rather insolent back in there, as I recall."
"That's because one must be on edge in the field..."
"Weren't you quite the free spirit? Even undermining the expedition leader."
"Ahaha. It all worked out in the end, didn't it? Thanks to me, of course."
"...Right. I can't deny your contribution."
As I subtly shifted the conversation toward the results, she nodded with a reluctant expression.
If not for me, they would have been stuck at that dead end, eventually forced to retreat.
According to the other expedition members, the exit had opened on its own after some time had passed.
Not the way to the tomb, but an exit leading out of the dungeon entirely.
'I can't say I'm being this agreeable because I haven't been paid yet. Just give me the money already.'
As I was shouting this internally, the brown-bearded man spoke with a gentle smile.
"Since you've produced results, we must give you the promised additional reward."
"That's why I called him here first. How much is left in the budget?"
"We have about ten thousand geld to spare, as there were fewer casualties than expected."
"So says our territory's accountant."
Sophia shrugged and stared at me intently.
Her gaze seemed to ask if that amount was acceptable as an additional reward.
'Ten thousand geld is too little. Let's make it forty thousand.'
The words were at the tip of my tongue.
But I suppressed them with superhuman effort and nodded.
If I said something foolish here, I might lose even what they were offering.
"You're surprisingly easygoing."
"Any extra payment is a good thing, isn't it? I'm not a greedy man."
"Then choose."
*Ssk.*
As the accountant presented a map, I spotted a very familiar house.
It was the only completed building in the new, still-under-construction villa district.
The very house I had gone to see with Viscount Huey, the administrator of the Pennant Marquessate.
I pointed to the property right next to it, marked A3.
"I'll take this one."
"Oh? How did you manage to pick the prime spot?"
"I looked around once. This one seemed the best."
"Very well. I'll process it for you. Bring the remaining balance to the administration office by June of next year."
"Understood. But... what's the price?"
"Ninety thousand geld."
"...Excuse me?"
The accountant's reply left me with a dumbfounded expression.
To think it had gone up so much in just a few days.
If I had known, I would have pushed myself to buy it sooner.
I guess timing really is everything in life.
Letting out a long sigh, I had no choice but to nod.
"Alright. I'll do that."
The accountant wrote my name in the empty space on the map and handed me the document.
After I scribbled my signature, a heavy pouch was extended toward me.
It was the thirty thousand geld for the commission.
With that, the exploration of the Tomb of the Bronze King was officially over.
Despite receiving a hefty sum, my expression was far from pleased.
To make the villa entirely my own, I still needed another twenty thousand geld.
The thought of earning that much money made my future seem bleak.
"So you were only being polite for the money? Your attitude changes the second you get paid."
Sophia, who had been watching the proceedings, shot a sharp remark as she noticed my darkened face.
It seemed the grim future I imagined had kept me from managing my expression properly.
I gave an awkward laugh and scratched the back of my head.
"Haha! Of course not. I'm just feeling overwhelmed, thinking about the remaining balance."
"You still have plenty of time. You just need to explore one or two more dungeons like this one."
"..."
Her reprimand left me utterly flabbergasted.
'Seriously? That's easier said than done. Does she think dungeons just pop up whenever you need one?'
Besides, I had been quite lucky this time.
Usually, territories preferred to handle such matters internally rather than hiring outsiders.
It was for security and safety.
The Tomb of the Bronze King wouldn't have been entrusted to Sophia if not for the numerous failed attempts.
And there would have been no reason to hire a mercenary like me.
She really was a woman I couldn't warm up to, despite her looks.
"It seems we're finished. Do you have anything else to say?"
The Marquess's daughter gazed at me with a detached expression.
It was a look that said, "Why haven't you left yet?"
Now that I had the money and the contract for the house, I felt I should say what needed to be said.
"...Should you require my skills again, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'll serve you at the best price."
"The best price?"
"Yes. I mean I'll get the highest... that is, I'll resolve the request for a price you'll find satisfactory. Ha, haha!"
Contrary to my intentions, completely different words tumbled out of my mouth.
In any case, I had just acquired a villa in the Pennant Marquessate and had yet to receive the deed.
There was no need to get on the bad side of Sophia, a potential successor to the Marquess.
As I bowed and stepped back, she nodded and continued.
I wanted to make a quick escape, but it seemed the Marquess's daughter had other ideas.
My last remark had apparently piqued her interest.
"Then how would I find you? If I want to commission you personally, I'll need to know where you reside."
"Ah... you're right. But I'm something of a wanderer. You could probably contact me through the Mercenary Guild."
"That sounds terribly complicated."
I had already signed the villa contract under the name of Ray, a mercenary active in the Ruberick Territory.
My identity was solid, but it wouldn't be easy to find me on short notice.
There were countless mercenaries on the continent, and since I lived in a safe house, my whereabouts often became unclear.
But she, unaware of all this, naturally moved on to another topic.
"By the way, why is someone of your skill so unknown?"
The Marquess's daughter's gaze shifted from interest to suspicion.
But I had already prepared a response for such questions.
Perhaps that's why a logical answer flowed out so smoothly.
"Let me ask you one thing. Who led the expedition to conquer the Tomb of the Bronze King?"
"That would be me, of course... hmm."
She, who was about to answer without thinking, realized the meaning of my question and nodded slowly.
It was rare for a mere treasure hunter's name to become known after a dungeon excavation.
All the credit would go to the one who led the expedition.
Hadn't that just happened in the Pennant Marquessate?
"I'll contact you through the Mercenary Guild as you said. You may go now."
"Yes, then."
After a perfunctory imperial-style bow, I left the tent with light steps.
I glanced back slightly, and my eyes met Sophia's, who was staring intently at my retreating figure.
'Ah, why are you looking at me like that? It's unsettling. Did I make a mistake by telling her to find me again?'
A shiver ran down my spine at the feeling that she might entrust me with some bizarre request.
* * *
During my break, I stayed indoors and focused solely on my training.
Come to think of it, I hadn't even had a chance to use Soul Shadow Evasion or Dark Chain Kill in a real fight.
Since I couldn't force a real combat situation, I had to rely on mental simulations.
However, my research into the fourth form of the Heaven-Severing Demonic Chain Sword was progressing at a snail's pace.
My lack of mastery over Dark Chain Kill was a constant roadblock whenever I tried to combine them.
'I've been running like a madman all this time. You have to know when to catch your breath if you want to sprint again.'
With that in mind, I decided to head into the city for a change of scenery.
The Pennant Marquessate was quite bustling these days, thanks to a recent development boom.
As construction in the villa district gained momentum, other businesses began to grow alongside it.
Fortunately, this brought a positive wind my way as well.
Of course, it wasn't as if I had some grand epiphany while observing the complex cityscape.
'More people means a higher frequency of beautiful women. This is why you live in the city, not on some dreary island.'
I was currently in the heart of the Pennant cityscape, at the Square of Splendor.
It was a place that boasted a brilliant beauty, with flowers of every color planted around a fountain.
Those enjoying a cup of tea while admiring the square's beautiful scenery were all overflowing with leisure.
Wealthy merchants or knights on their day off were the ones who visited the Square of Splendor in the middle of the day.
Naturally, one could occasionally spot the dolled-up children of nobles as well.
'Ooh? I like that dress.'
Just then, a design with a deeply plunging neckline caught my eye.
She was a beauty with a vivid peach-colored dress, a pearl necklace, and bright blonde hair.
But since she was in a carriage, there was no chance of meeting her.
If only she hadn't passed by so quickly, I might have tried to strike up a conversation.
"Aren't there any beauties who are as unoccupied as I am? Ugh!"
As I sipped my tea at an outdoor table, a yawn and a stretch came naturally.
I'd had brunch, and it was just the time of day to feel drowsy.
My eyes were starting to close when a fragrant floral scent tickled my nose.
It came as a woman in a gently shimmering white dress passed by the outdoor tables.
Drawn by the familiar yet distinct fragrance, my eyes widened.
'This is definitely a beauty. I can tell just from her back!'
A person with brown hair tied up in a bun and secured with a pin couldn't possibly be a man.
My eyes, honed over decades, told me this was a definite catch.
As if possessed, I rose from my seat, boldly walked over, and spoke to the woman.
"Your attire suits the weather. It's so bright and perfect for a sunny day."
"Do you think so? I was considering wearing something darker, but I suppose this was a good choice."
"It's a matter of taste. I think a black dress would have suited you just as well."
Though the conversation started abruptly, her response wasn't bad.
She was preoccupied with admiring the flowerbeds by the fountain, though.
Still, at least I wasn't being rejected.
I tried to lead the conversation as naturally as possible.
"You seem to like this place... huh?"
But when I saw her face, I couldn't continue.
To my surprise, she was someone I knew very well.
"You haven't changed a bit, Young Master."