Chapter 89: Proposal (2)
The Mercenary King, who had been staring at Harang with a hardened expression, finally opened his mouth again when 5 minutes had passed since their last conversation.
Even after such a long time had passed, Austin still showed a dazed appearance.
“Huh.”
“Hmm.”
“Umm…… Does this make sense? No, but…….”
Austin, Head of the Mercenary Brokerage, continued to mutter to himself.
Harang, looking at him, asked.
“Are you alright?”
“……I’m not alright. Absolutely, absolutely not alright. I know you didn’t lie. But…… you haven’t learned an Aura Cultivation Method? Really?”
“You said you believed me.”
“Yes. I believe. No, I can’t believe it. No, I mean…… Phew. Does this story even make sense? You, how old are you?”
“I will be 21 in 2 months.”
“Right. It’s absurd that you have skills comparable to mine at the age of 20, and yet, you accumulated such swordsmanship skills…… without an Aura Cultivation Method? You want me to believe that?”
“Is that so strange?”
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
“It seems it is a strange thing.”
Harang nodded his head.
He remembered Sheratiya Viyan’s reaction from before.
At the time, he thought she was overreacting a bit, but seeing Austin’s reaction being even more intense, it seemed he was mistaken.
Accordingly, his anticipation for the ‘Aura Cultivation Method’ soared even higher.
What on earth was it, what kind of incredible effect did it show, that everyone was this surprised?
‘I want to obtain it even more.
By any means necessary.’
He wondered if this might be the only way to resist the village.
Harang, having finished his thoughts, opened his mouth again.
“Anyway, can you get it for me? The Aura Cultivation Method.”
“…….”
Austin fell silent again.
However, this time it was different from the previous silence.
He was tapping his fingers on the table, deeply contemplating something.
Harang waited for him silently, and he opened his mouth much sooner than before.
“It’s possible.”
“By that, you mean?”
“I can give it to you. It’s not a bad thing for me either. If a monster with truly insane talent like you…… even receives the help of an Aura Cultivation Method…… perhaps you could reach the Sword Master level in your 30s. If such an amazing person belongs to our Austin Mercenary Brokerage, it would bring about an enormous promotional effect.”
“Thank you…….”
“However, it will take some time. I can’t just casually toss you any Aura Cultivation Method.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Even if I can’t obtain the secret cultivation method of a long-established swordsmanship hall, it’s right for me to get the best one within my ability. I’m not saying this because of the contract. Just…… think of it as the minimum conscience I must uphold as a senior swordsman, not wanting to ruin a shining raw gem like you.”
“……Thank you.”
Harang, who had been mulling over the Mercenary King’s words for a moment, bowed his head deeply.
He couldn't help it.
He also vaguely felt it.
How difficult it was to obtain an Aura Cultivation Method, and what a difficult decision it was to hand it over to someone else.
However, Austin wasn't just talking about obtaining an Aura Cultivation Method, but about finding the best possible item.
‘Indeed, I did well to say it.’
Start high first.
If the other party accepts this, good, and if not, it’s break-even.
Harang, recalling what Sheratiya had told him, smiled pleasantly.
The joy of having adapted a little more to the outside world, and the joy of knowing that he would soon be able to obtain the Aura Cultivation Method he so longed for, was evident on his face.
Watching him, the Mercenary King muttered.
“He’s openly happy.”
“Because I am happy.”
“I’m still dizzy. I’ll say it again, this doesn’t make sense. To not have learned an Aura Cultivation Method…… If a raw gem of your caliber says that, I can’t not get it for you. I want to see it. Just how far a talent worthy of leaving a name in history can go.”
“Thank you once again.”
“Well, never mind. In any case, if you become stronger, it will also benefit me. Of course, as I said before, it will take some time to obtain it…… but you can wait that long, right?”
“Of course.”
“But you know.”
“Yes?”
“When you consider everything, even considering the favor I’m bestowing upon you…… this doesn’t fit with fairness.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“It means I’m making too much of a losing deal on my side. Don’t you think so?”
“……I don’t really know?”
“Hey, you. You’re not good at lying. If you find yourself being questioned like this, it’s better to just keep your mouth shut. What’s the point of hiding your expression if there are one or two other things that give you away?”
“…….”
“Anyway, as you also feel, this deal is too disadvantageous for me. This won’t do.”
“Then what should I do?”
Harang asked, and the Mercenary King smirked.
With an expression as if he had been waiting for that answer, he took something out from his bosom.
It was a letter.
“Do one personal request for me.”
“A request?”
“Yes. It’s a bit of a dangerous place, but…… for someone of your skill, it shouldn’t be too much trouble. Harang, have you ever heard of the Dark City Kalbaron?”
“I have not.”
“I see. Well, it doesn’t matter.
It’s a city made by criminals, but there aren’t any particularly amazing fellows there.
The truly incredible ones don’t hide in such places.
They openly roam the continent.”
“…….”
Harang sent a suspicious glance.
He didn't know everything yet, but he had grasped the Mercenary King’s personality to some extent.
An absolute strongman of incredible skill.
A merchant who doesn’t make losing deals.
Those were the two keywords that described Austin, and considering the latter, he thought it definitely wouldn't be an easy neighborhood.
That place called Kalbaron.
However, he couldn't help it.
Too much was at stake to back out now.
To obtain the Aura Cultivation Method, Harang was in a position where he would have to carry firewood and enter a blazing inferno.
‘To speak coldly…… against true strongmen like the village’s chief administrator, I am merely weak.’
To resist the approaching threat, he needed to become stronger as quickly as possible.
Harang, having finished his thoughts, nodded his head.
And he said.
“Understood. I just need to go there and deliver that letter to someone?”
“Exactly. Go find a person named ‘Collector Neumann’ in Kalbaron. He’ll probably be in the Inner District, but I don’t know exactly where. Investigate such things yourself.”
“Understood.”
“Ah, let me give you some information that might be helpful. That fellow, he’s a person who has many good weapons. Right after you deliver that letter, he might be in a good mood and sell you a sword at a cheap price, so try to get a good deal.”
“Weapons?”
“Yes. You can’t keep carrying around a half-baked sword that can’t even handle your Aura, can you? I also refuse. For you to be captured by the Holy Kingdom.”
Harang, hearing the Mercenary King’s words, nodded his head.
It was certainly true.
There had been no particular crisis so far, but thinking about the future, obtaining a good weapon was a top priority.
‘A skilled person on the level of the Mercenary King…… For example, if my sword corrodes while fighting high-ranking administrators from the village, or strongmen from the Holy Kingdom, that would be truly terrible.’
Thinking about it that way, the Mercenary King’s request didn’t feel too burdensome.
Rather, if he thought of it as obtaining information to get a good quality sword, it could be beneficial to him.
“And one more thing.”
“Yes?”
“I’ll give you a slightly more thoughtful gift.”
In addition to this, Austin gave him one more gift.
Putting his hand in his pocket, he flicked something with a ting.
Harang quickly caught it and examined it.
And he said.
“A mercenary plate?”
“How is it? Much better than the one you used before, right?”
“……That’s right.”
He couldn't help but nod.
Unlike the wooden rank mercenary plate, which had his name, affiliation, and brief information written on wood, the one the Mercenary King handed him was shining gold.
It was real gold.
It was also much larger, so he thought he could get a lot of money if he took it to a jewelry store and sold it right away.
A peculiar point was that an unidentifiable monster was engraved on the back.
It was something that looked like a combination of the upper body of an eagle and the lower body of a lion, and when Harang made a blank expression, the Mercenary King gave an additional explanation.
“A Griffin. It’s a legendary animal that symbolizes our Austin Mercenary Brokerage. For reference, ordinary gold plates don’t have that insignia.”
“I see. By that, you mean…….”
“It’s a Special Gold Plate.”
“Special Gold Plate?”
“Yes. It means it’s a rank plate issued directly by this Mercenary King Austin. It’s not comparable to an Aura Cultivation Method, but this too will be of enormous help to you. Take it.”
“It will be helpful? How?”
Harang asked back with an even blanker expression.
Of course, it would be more useful than a Wooden Plate Mercenary.
He would be able to readily accept requests that he couldn't when he was a Wooden Plate Mercenary.
But how else could it be helpful?
To Harang, who was thinking such thoughts, Austin let out a deep sigh and explained.
“You, when you meet someone. How do you introduce yourself?”
“Yes? Ah. Hello, I am Harang. Like this, right?”
“Wrong.”
“Yes?”
“Are you famous?”
“No?”
“Right. You’re not famous yet. You will be famous later, but at least not now. That means, even if you introduce yourself as Harang, it has no meaning to others.”
“…….”
“But from now on, it will be different. If you introduce yourself as Harang, a Special Gold Plate Mercenary of the Austin Mercenary Brokerage, people will undoubtedly treat you with a markedly different attitude than before.”
“Why is that?”
“Haa, to think I have to explain all this…… Of course, it’s because of your acquaintance with me, ‘Mercenary King Austin.’ In addition to that, it can also be proof that you possess Graduate-level skills…… Do you still not understand?”
“Ah, aah.”
Harang nodded his head.
He had felt it before.
It was when he ate with the Viyan family.
The ruffian from the Charvaud family, who had been arrogant when he found out he was a Wooden Plate Mercenary, became docile as soon as he confirmed his acquaintance with Philip Portville.
It was quite impressive, so it still remained in his memory.
That wasn't all.
When he received Guild Leader Jeten’s invitation, Harang had also received considerable convenience.
Thinking this far, he felt that the Head of the Austin Mercenary Brokerage’s gift was quite excellent.
‘Although I still don’t know exactly how much influence it has.’
“Thank you.”
“Alright, do you understand now?”
“Yes. Thinking about it carefully, it’s a really big gift. Thank you once again.”
“Good. Now you’re showing a reaction that I like a little.”
Mercenary King Austin, finally wearing a satisfied expression, extended his right hand.
Harang also stood up from his seat and extended his hand.
The two, firmly grasping each other’s hands, smiled faintly and spoke.
“Congratulations on becoming a true Mercenary.”
“Unless something unusual happens, I will continue to be active as a Mercenary.”
“……Unless something unusual happens, huh. There’s an unsettling aspect to it, but…… I’ll let it pass. Let’s write a more definitive contract when I provide the Aura Cultivation Method. I’m saying this out of an abundance of caution, but bring someone who can review contracts well with you.”
“A contract? Ah, I understand.”
‘I’ll have to ask Lady Sheratiya.’
A name that naturally came to mind.
Harang smiled slightly as he recalled her, sometimes sharp as a knife, and at other times, uncharacteristically humane for a Merchant.
* * *
About two hours after that.
Harang was passing through the Outer District of the city of Buehren when he was picked on by a drunkard, and with a dignified expression, he showed the Special Gold Plate he had received from Austin.
The opponent didn’t care.
“What the fuck is this, you bastard!”
Whoooosh!
Harang was flustered as he watched the slowly flying fist.
‘Is this right?’