Chapter 25

Returning safely to the town of Trias, Aldis and the others completed their report to the client and handed over the students to the relevant parties from the academy. Having received the full reward for successfully protecting everyone, they were about to celebrate at a tavern when Michel and the others joined them.

For Aldis and the others, there was no particular reason to stay, but it seemed Michel had other thoughts. As a result, Aldis and Michel were now in a bit of a dispute over the handling of the reward.

However, the nature of their dispute was a bit unusual.

Normally, mercenaries would demand more pay, while merchants would try to reduce the amount. But in this case, the situation was the exact opposite.

Michel was trying to give Aldis and the others twenty gold coins as a reward for escorting the students from the forest to Trias. However, from Aldis and the others' perspective, this was money they had no reason to accept. While most mercenaries would gladly take it, Ted, unfortunately, was a man who was particular about the legitimacy of rewards.

Thus, a peculiar situation was created in a corner of the tavern: a "mercenary refusing to accept the reward" and a "merchant insisting on giving the reward."

"Hey, can I just sleep until this is over?"

"Stop talking nonsense. You're involved in this, so stay awake."

Orphelia scolded Aldis, who was trying to stifle a yawn. Meanwhile, Ted and Michel's argument showed no signs of ending.

Ted argued that, in addition to the generous reward of 150 gold coins from the original client, they had completed the mission with minimal effort. If not for Michel and the others, they would have had to spend days searching the forest for the students' remains, and there was even a possibility of receiving no reward at all.

Thanks to Michel and the others, they managed to rescue all the students unharmed. Their assistance was worth more than 100 gold coins.

Moreover, Michel had used valuable magic stones and spent precious time, which is the most important asset for a merchant. Ted believed they should have given a portion of the reward as a token of gratitude, but Michel firmly refused, saying, "I acted on my own judgment and not for the money."

Ted insisted that he could not accept any reward from her.

On the other hand, Michel argued that since she had made the request and achieved the desired outcome, she had an obligation to pay the reward.

"But, Michel, I heard you even used magic stones? That must have been a significant expense. Giving twenty gold coins on top of that would result in a huge loss, and you wouldn't gain anything from it..."

Orphelia spoke up, feeling apologetic.

Merchants are creatures driven by profit. Having been in the business for so long, she must have experienced both the highs and lows of trade. Her insistence on ignoring her own profit seemed strange.

"Gain nothing, huh..."

Michel smiled slyly.

"Then, let me act like a merchant and pursue profit."

She then proposed a connection with Ted and the others, the "Morning Star of the White Night." While not an exclusive contract, the terms included prioritizing Michel's protection when needed and regularly reporting their whereabouts to her.

"Consider the twenty gold coins as a down payment. Don't worry, I'm not asking you to abandon your current jobs or work for free. Just try to take my requests when you're available. I'll pay the rewards separately, and you can decline if it's too much trouble."

"Does this really benefit you, Michel?"

Orphelia asked a straightforward question.

"For a merchant like me, having connections with skilled mercenaries is crucial. It can mean the difference between life and death, and the more skilled mercenaries I can hire, the more dangerous places I can trade in."

Michel explained that it was quite difficult for a simple merchant to hire truly capable mercenaries. There were few skilled mercenaries with good character, and once they gained a reputation, they were often hired by nobles, lords, or large trading companies. Establishing connections with powerful mercenaries before they became famous was a worthwhile investment.

"Money can always be earned, but connections can't be bought with money. If I can get them for just twenty gold coins, it's a good deal. So, take the money without hesitation."

Reluctantly, Ted accepted the twenty gold coins.

"Alright, let's end the serious talk! Let's spend the rest of the time drinking and getting to know each other better! It's on me today! Drink and eat as much as you like!"

At Michel's command, the group dove into a feast at the tavern.

Including Aldis, there were ten people in total. Dishes were continuously brought from the kitchen, and Ted's face turned red as he drank with Clente.

Orphelia was chatting animatedly with Helena, and Norris was mingling and conversing with Michel's guards.

"So, can't you look a bit more cheerful and drink?"

Michel approached Aldis, who was sipping beer alone.

"I don't really like drinking. I'm sleepy."

"Oh, that's cold. Well, it's better than passing out or getting into a fight. Drink up."

Michel laughed and sat down next to Aldis, pouring more beer into his cup without asking.

"So, Aldis, how old are you?"

"What? Trying to hit on a kid like me?"

"Huh? ...N-no, no, no... Haha, hahaha! Catching me off guard there! I thought you were just being weird, but you're unexpectedly funny! Haha!"

Michel started laughing, banging on the table.

"Hehe... No, I occasionally get hit on, but you're the first to suggest I hit on an old lady. Drink up."

After a good laugh, Michel refilled Aldis's cup and asked again.

"I'm not trying to hit on you, but you look about the same age as those students, yet you're quite battle-hardened. Have you been a mercenary for a long time?"

"Who knows? I can't even remember how many years it's been."

Aldis's words were true.

He couldn't recall how long he had struggled to survive. Seasons were only recognized as factors affecting battle conditions, and time was a metric for planning strategies.

Conversations were often about "after so-and-so died" or "before that unit was wiped out," and few people paid attention to the calendar.

Aldis himself didn't know his age or how long he had been a mercenary. Back then, no one had the luxury to think about such trivial matters.

"Well, I won't force you to talk if you don't want to. Drink up. But—"

Misinterpreting Aldis's words, Michel changed the topic while pouring more beer.

"What was that magic of yours? I've never seen a sword fly and attack on its own. Is that kind of magic popular in Nagrass these days?"

"Maybe, but I've never seen anyone else use it in this country."

"So, you're the only one who can use it?"

"Maybe, but there could be others."

"At least it's rare. Drink up."

Michel was quite interested in the sword magic. She kept refilling Aldis's cup, which was starting to annoy him. He could have refused, but he had a habit of taking a sip when his cup was filled.

"I want to be friends with you. It's a request from an old lady. You wouldn't say no, would you?"

While she got angry when Ted mentioned her age, Michel herself often brought it up. Using it to her advantage, she was a seasoned and cunning merchant.

"Of course, business is give and take. If you're looking for something or need something, I'll consult with you at a reasonable profit. Drink up."

"Alright, I'll remember that. If I need anything, I'll ask. I'll help you with protection within my limits, but I'll need proper payment."

"Sure, that's fine. To our future cooperation, let's toast!"

"Sure, but stop refilling my cup—"

"Aldis! How can you leave your comrades behind like this, you jerk!"

Before Aldis could finish his complaint, he was tackled from behind by Orphelia, the only female member of the "Morning Star of the White Night," with her bright red hair.

"Orphelia, I didn't leave you behind. You were talking happily over there just a moment ago."

Aldis frowned but remained calm.

"Not true, I was confused about which soup to choose at the inn. Then, that bald guy told me to hurry up and chose the corn soup... Bald, bald... Haha, that guy was so bald, it's hilarious!"

But Orphelia's speech was already slurred, making it hard to have a conversation. The red-haired mage was already drunk after just thirty minutes of the feast.

Her long hair, usually hidden under a hood, now reached down to her chest.

"Here, Aldis, eat this. It's really bad! I want my money back, it's so bad. Look, look, eat it."

Orphelia, the conscience of the "Morning Star of the White Night," was usually straightforward but often crude. Compared to Ted, who was rough but honest, and Norris, who seemed kind but was actually cold, she was the most normal.

But that was only when sober.

Orphelia and alcohol didn't mix well. While she enjoyed being drunk, it was a nuisance to those around her. Her drinking habits could be described as "bad."

Her speech became slurred, her conversation incoherent, and she started bothering others. Especially, she had a habit of trying to make others eat bad food, which became even more pronounced when drunk.

"Alright, I'll eat it. But don't lean on me so much."

"Yay, that's the spirit, Aldis!"

Aldis took the small candy Orphelia offered and put it in his mouth. The bitter taste and sticky texture were extremely unpleasant.

Why anyone would make such a thing, and whether the maker had actually tasted it, were questions that came to mind.

"It's edible."

But that was all Aldis could say. Michel, who had also taken a candy, immediately spat it out and drank water from a glass on the table.

"Are you okay!?"

Michel, coughing slightly, asked Aldis.

"Well... it's food."

Michel looked at Aldis as if he were a strange person, and Orphelia slumped in disappointment.

"Aldis, that's so mean! Hey, everyone, try this! Look, look, I'll give it to you!"

Disappointed, Orphelia moved on to find her next victim among the other mercenaries.

Helena was already knocked out, face down on the table, having been subjected to Orphelia's influence before Aldis.

"Hey, is it candy? I'll take it."

"Wait! Stop, Clente!"

The unsuspecting Clente and others reached for the candies. Ted and Norris, who knew about Orphelia's bad habits, tried to stop them, but it was too late. The drunkards took the candies without hesitation and soon all fell victim to them.

2019/05/02 Typo correction: "傭兵家業" → "傭兵稼業"

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2019/07/22 Typo correction: "一部を裂いて" → "一部を割いて"

2019/07/22 Typo correction: "年期の入った" → "年季の入った"

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2019/07/22 Typo correction: "タイミングを図る" → "タイミングを計る"

*Thank you for the typo report.