Chapter 184: Chapter 184: Spark (1)

“It’s hard to imagine.”

“Me too. The fact that the light was visible from that far away is really unbelievable. Brother, what was it really like?”

Aron and Jofor were talking while looking at the newspaper and then asked me a question. It was related to the recent incident.

After returning, I had devoted myself to resting to replenish my lost stamina, so there hadn’t been a chance to discuss it in detail.

“I don’t know much either. I was throwing the glowstone and flying away. I wasn’t looking in that direction.”

Disappointment flashed across the kids’ faces. Well, I can tell them about what happened to some extent.

They’ll find this interesting too.

“But I did see the light. That came first. For a moment, the world turned white. It was hard to distinguish front, back, left, and right. I couldn’t see anything.”

“Ooh…”

The kids perked up their ears. Their faces were full of curiosity.

“Then, along with a tremendous roar, a shockwave swept over me. I must have rolled hundreds of times in the sky? I briefly lost consciousness from the impact.”

“You, brother?”

“Wasn’t that almost a disaster for you?”

Both of them were surprised at the same time. This was the first time I was talking about the incident in detail.

They all knew about the bombing using the wing suit, but it seemed they hadn’t worried because of that.

“It was almost a disaster. If I had been a little late, I would have died too.”

The kids were speechless for a moment. There was a hint of guilt for having shown too much interest without knowing this.

“If it was enough to do that to you, brother, it must have been terrifying. Beyond imagination.”

“Yeah. I was surprised too. When I went back to the forest later, there was no forest, and instead, a red mushroom cloud was rising into the sky.”

“A red mushroom cloud?”

“You know how smoke rises along with flames when a bomb explodes?”

“Yes.”

“Well, something more than a hundred times that size exploded. It looked like a mushroom shape. If it had exploded in the capital, probably half the capital would have disappeared?”

While the kids gasped, Denif, who had been listening quietly, expressed deep regret.

“Ah, as I thought. I should have gone to see it directly.”

“You might have died too.”

“If I was with you, I would have survived, right?”

The reckless words were typical of Denif. Since prolonging the conversation would only tire me out, I just changed the subject.

“We confirmed the power and successfully completed the plan, but it’s a shame that only one remains.”

“That’s true. With that level of destructive power, shouldn’t we go look for more?”

“Right. It seems like you might have to go later, is that okay?”

“I have no problem. You made a map, so I know the location. I just need to move the sand.”

Denif nodded and watched my reaction.

“But it’s a bit troublesome. It’s bound to be boring too. It would be nice if someone could spar with me.”

“Denif, this isn’t a personal favor, it’s for our work.”

“…”

Denif glared at me for a moment. I could almost hear the sound of his brain working.

“Hmm, isn’t sparring with me and improving our skills also a way to serve our mission?”

Hmm. I can’t refute that. I misspoke. I feel like I’ve unnecessarily confirmed that we’ll spar.

“Tch. Alright. We’ll talk about the number of times later.”

“But I think I might not be able to find it. Last time, when we were chased out of that ruin, my sand didn’t work, remember?”

Denif immediately had the same thought as me.

“That’s true, but we should check at least once. If we can get it, we can use a bit more. If we can’t get it, we should save the remaining one for when it’s most important.” 𝖗𝐀Νỗ฿ΕŚ

“Or should we look for other ruins?”

“Wouldn’t that take too long? There’s no guarantee they exist either.”

I had similar thoughts, but this is too inefficient considering the time invested.

Finding ruins in that vast desert is really like finding a needle in a haystack.

Even with Denif’s mystic being sand, it’s practically impossible.

He might be able to sense strange sand flows in a specific range, like how I read wind currents when looking for hidden places.

The problem is that the specific range is too wide. Moreover, there’s no guarantee that ruins from before the founding emperor still remain.

It’s better to utilize Denif in other ways with that time.

“Hmm. You’re right. Then when should we depart?”

“It’s difficult right away.”

Because Denif killed Mirel. Although he used an alias, his disguised face is known.

Even though things are in an uproar due to the bomb I detonated, it’s not good for Denif to be absent for a long period right now.

It will take some time. Anyway, there’s no need to use the glowstone right away. At most, we could use it in the upcoming war…

In a situation without spares, it seems better to use it against the devils later rather than in the war.

“Let’s observe how things unfold.”

At that moment, there was a commotion outside. It seemed Alrend had arrived. As expected, the innkeeper soon came up.

“The head of the merchant group has arrived.”

“Tell him to come up.”

The owner of the Alrend merchant group wanted to meet our mercenary group because we saved his daughter.

In fact, it would be more appropriate for us to visit him. Even though we saved his daughter, our positions are different.

But Alrend said he would come here. From my perspective, it wasn’t just gratitude.

The gratitude for saving his daughter would have led to thoughts of using our mercenary group extensively.

‘He probably wanted to see for himself first.’

Alrend came up the stairs. His eyes, while exchanging light greetings, scanned the surroundings inconspicuously.

As expected, the purpose of this visit was observation.

In the midst of this, our eyes met. We had met before when I connected him with Erendil, but there’s no need to worry.

My disguise is perfect.

However, his gaze lingered on me slightly. Noticeably more than on the others. Strange. He shouldn’t have recognized me?@@novelbin@@

But he didn’t specifically address me. He went into the room with Namir and Denif. I moved the winds from outside.

“Thank you. I owe you a great debt.”

“It’s nothing. It’s what we should do. But wasn’t the escort for your daughter too lax when she went on the trade journey?”

Denif, who had shown humility, asked back. It was a somewhat sharp question.

“…There was originally a separate escort, but he said he was tired and sent a subordinate instead.”

“Ah, that person who likes to slack off? He’s no good.”

“Yes. It’s not easy to find good people.”

Merchant groups hire and train their own private soldiers, but there aren’t many skilled ones.

Of course, there are skilled people, but the problem is their small number. There are also people who are skilled but not reliable.

People who are skilled or reliable become mercenaries or knights.

Mercenaries earn more, and knights gain honor.

Therefore, large merchant groups tend to hire a small number of strong individuals for a lot of money and fill the rest with riffraff for numbers.

And it’s cheaper to subcontract to mercenaries.

“Did you punish that guy?”

It was Namir’s question.

“I cut off his arm.”

Alrend’s calm words revealed anger that had not yet subsided. Namir clicked his tongue.

“You’re merciful. Sparing his life, if it were me, I would have killed him on the spot.”

“No, leader. Wouldn’t that be more painful for a swordsman?”

As Denif interjected, Namir nodded, saying, “Ah.”

“That’s right.”

“Correct. That’s why I cut off his arm and sent him away.”

The merchant group head said with a smile. If you only heard this conversation, they might sound like crazy people, but in fact, this is the right way to go.

Whether it’s a merchant group or a mercenary group, once you start to be looked down upon, strange people start to flock.

Make an example of one to warn a hundred.

In this world, you have to properly deal with those who mess with you to prevent others from appearing.

“I’ve looked into it a bit, and the Anues mercenary group has a good reputation. They say you diligently handle even small tasks.”

“We value integrity.”

“Do you have any interest in working with us long-term?”

It was an expected proposal.

“We’d be happy to.”

This was quite a good opportunity. The fleeting fame and attention had already been buried by the explosion I caused and wouldn’t last long.

And since the Alrend merchant group will become the empire’s top merchant group in the future, we can build a relationship slowly.

I plan to establish a proper mercenary branch after completing several requests and then grow it.

By then, Denif and I will leave the mercenary group, and Namir, Aron, and Jofor will run it.

‘This was planned from the beginning, but it’s going better than imagined.’

Then I would gain a high-ranking mercenary group within the empire.

I can acquire not only combat power but also information flowing among mercenaries.

Moreover, with the Alrend merchant group as a backing, we won’t suffer losses anywhere and growth won’t stop.

As the relationship with the merchant group deepens, we might be able to obtain information circulating among merchants. Even if it’s not highly valuable information.

“While we’re at it, I have a favor to ask. Do you have any plans to expand your mercenary group further? I’d like to maintain a large relationship with a trustworthy group if possible.”

It seems Alrend was thinking the same thing. If the mercenary group grows, it will become closer to the merchant group.

“Ah, of course we do. We built bonds meeting in the west, but we don’t intend to move only among ourselves.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“But it will take some time. We plan to be selective in recruiting. One good person is better than several mediocre ones, after all.”

Alrend smiled.

“That’s good news. With Sir Anues’ eye, I can trust that.”

“Is that so?”

“I’m confident in my ability to judge people. Both of you seem like good people. You won’t recruit strange individuals.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“It’s not a compliment, it’s sincere. Still, I hope you expand quickly. A trustworthy mercenary group isn’t easy to come by.”

Smiles were exchanged on both sides. The atmosphere was good. Alrend spoke again.

“So, I was wondering if you’d be okay with an escort mission in three days?”

“Three days?”

That’s too soon. I was planning to accept any offer if possible, but three days makes it a bit tricky.

“I know it’s fast even from my perspective, but we have so much to do these days.”

“Well, given the current situation, I understand.”

“You have good insight.”

Alrend showed a bit of surprise. In fact, it’s inevitable for merchant groups to be busy now with war approaching.

The prices of most goods are rising. Preparing in advance allows for greater profits. Other merchant groups are also busy moving.

“Yes. We’ll take it.”

“Good.”

“May I ask where the destination is?”

“It will be familiar to you. We’re going to the west.”

The west. In fact, it won’t be familiar as said. Jofor, Denif, and Namir have no connection to the west.

It shouldn’t be a problem since Aron is with them, but I should have Aron brief them on the terrain and situation.

“Is there something to obtain from a place in civil war?”

I frowned slightly. Although Namir is reliable, it would have been better not to ask such things.

Most employers tend to dislike interference in their business. They prefer people who do as they’re told.

“We’re going to sell. Food prices there have gone crazy, so we’re bringing food from here to sell and buying goods.”

“Ah, I see.”

Usually, they don’t share such details, so I thought saving his daughter must have had quite an impact.

My thoughts extended in another direction.

If this relationship progresses a bit more, we can involve the Alrend merchant group in smuggling between the archipelago and the southwest. This meant increased profits.

‘I should hint at this to Casmak.’

Of course, smuggling doesn’t always go as planned.

Considering the empire’s intelligence capabilities, there could be problems, and the Arnold merchant group might refuse. We’ll have to watch the situation for now.

As the meeting concluded and Alrend was about to leave, he suddenly turned his gaze to me.

“Have we met before?”

A sharp question.

“I’m not sure. Why do you ask?”

“I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere…”

“Perhaps we crossed paths in the capital?”

“Hmm. It doesn’t feel like that.”

He said he was confident in his ability to judge people, and he really was sharp. Even I think my current disguise is perfect.

Well, I guess he didn’t become the empire’s top merchant for nothing.

“Well, if not, never mind.”

Alrend withdrew, and Namir approached me.

“As you said, we’ve accepted for now, but how should we proceed, boss?”

“Like last time. Denif, you, Aron, and Jofor, the four of you move.”

In these busy times, I had a lot to do in the empire. I don’t have the leisure to go all the way to the west and back.

“Understood.”

“What are you going to do staying behind?”

It was Denif’s question.

“I need to sow discord among the nobles on the prince’s side.”

This was originally the devil worshippers’ idea.

But now that Erendil is alive and the spark of conflict between the First and Second Princes has been ignited, I could use the enemies’ strategy in reverse.

I planned to add fuel to that spark of discord through the nobles under my command.

‘Now I need to start moving in earnest.’

Until now, I’ve focused on gathering information for defense. But from now on, things will be a bit different. More offensive.

Deliberately leaking false information to the First and Second Prince’s sides, or intentionally causing attempted assassinations to increase their vigilance against each other.

Who should I target first? Since there was a warning from the Second Prince, should I try touching the First Prince’s side?

No. I’ve changed my mind.

I should target the Second Prince’s side. The First Prince, who received the warning, will think the Second Prince is counterattacking.

‘Rather than putting an angry Second Prince in an unfair situation, it’s better to amplify the already full anger.’

The First Prince will have to respond again to overcome his indignation while feeling wronged.

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