Chapter 21 - Chapter 21: Venture (7)

[Sixty sixth day]

After a few more days, the waves of attack ended. The neighboring cities no longer has the power to send more of their soldiers if they still want to

[The mission has been completed]

[As the only who took part in this mission you will receive 500 points, additional points is included]

[After waves of attacks, only several died while dozens were injured, making the citizens of the Vermillion mountain city look at you with awe and respect]

[Citizens of the Vermillion mountain city will never betray or hurt you]

Citizens celebrated after the magician who helped them in their fight said that it was now over.

While some mourn for their loss, they were thankful that most of them were alive.

With one man's presence alone, he was able to change the outcome of what seemed to be a predetermined fate for the Vermillion mountain city.

The citizens of the city celebrated without a care with their arms held to each other, happy that they will see another day with the people they care.

"Sir Aldo, I have a proposition to you"

"What is it?"

"Will you please accept this?"

The mayor handed him a certifate, stating that the Vermillion mountain city will 'give' five percent its monthly income to the castle and an additional five percent solely for Aldo.

"If wasn't for you, our city would have been destroyed"

"I don't mind accepting this but... I would like to know one thing"

"Please ask away"

"How come this city's population is small despite its fame? Other cities close to this one are medium size cities, but how come a city with a history of its own is weak? No offense to you all"

"That is..."

"It is because for the past few generations, the leading people of the city were weak"

Jarianne said.

"Weak?"

"Yes. Demi humans, beast kin, and sea folks alike follow the strong. The people of the city migrated to other cities back then because our mayor was weaker compared to others"

"So they thought it would be better to bet their futures to other cities?"

"That is correct. However, once a long war of attrition begun just a few years ago, the value of the Vermillion mountain city rose as it is abundant with ores used in weaponries and armories"

"How did the war start? Actually, why did a war start among you all?"

"That is something even we do not know about. I tried to look for the reason using my divination skills but it was futile as if something prevented me to look further beyond"

"What we are sure of is that this entire thing happened because of the king"

"You mean the ruler of this kingdom?"

"Yes. The king do not care what happens to his land as long as the city he is taking care of is not bothered. This is something that has been going on for a couple centuries already"

"Why would he do something like- No... scratch that. I think I know now"

"You do?"

The mayor and Jarianne looked at Alod with eyes of anticipation.

"I think that he cause all of this to have fun. After all, what could possibly be better than to see fights happening around you"

"Wait, Sir Aldo... surely you are joing, right?"

"The mayor is right! There is no way the king would do something like that!"

"You told us that for generations, kings of the demi human race of this kingdom, has always been prideful and selfish that they do not care about anything else as they only pursue their own entertainment and benefit. Do you really think what I just said is impossible?"

"....."

The two were silent as noise of celebration continued on.

"I will be going now. I am sure you all still have things to do so rest while you have the chance to do so"

Aldo left the two behind as he went to his room.

"Father! I saw Sir Marco!"

"You did? What the hell has that bastard been up to?"

"He said that he has completely taken over the neighboring cities and will be able to take them all back to the castle as citizens"

He stopped and turned back quickly.

"What?"

"He said-"

"No. Uhh... just tell him I will be going back first to prepare for their needs"

"Father, the thing is is that they are already on their way back. He said that he will leave the miscellanious things to you here"

Aldo tried his best to stay calm as veins started to pop up in his head from the pure anger he has for Marco.

"Calm down... you are richer than that asshole... so calm down..."

He successfully managed to calm himself down while thinking the money and points he earned from his stay here.

...

Back in the castle, an envoy arrived from the Yellow stone tribe and asked for the people of the castle to attack with them.

After negotiating the share percentage for the spoils of war, the envoys went back as the in the castle prepared for their departure.

[A mission has been generated]

[Mission grade: B]

[Mission difficulty: S]

[Reinforce]

Mission description: After the Yellow stone tribe found the weakness of the humans in the kingdom of Ghalvhir.

Objective: Aid the sea folks who have declared war with the kingdom fo Ghalvhir.

Time limit: Eigtheen days. Within that time, at least three must go to the shores of the kingdom of Ghalvhir.

Reward upon completion: Intimacy with the sea folks. Points (May vary depending how well you aid them).

Failure to complete the objective: The sea folks will hate the citizens of the castle.

+

"We should leave at once"

"Why? They are not here yet, so we need to wait until they arrive"

"We already received the news that they finished the mission from AQA. I am sure that they will be arriving soon"

Bam! Bam-bam! Bam! Bam ba ram, bam!!!

After hearing this sound, they all went out to see what was going on.

Like a parade, they saw at least a hundred demi humans lining up with a grand palanquin being carried.

"What the..."

The demi humans stopped their march as the others prepared for a fight.

"Long time no see, you guys!"

Marco greeted them.

"Why don't you open the castle gates! As you all can see, I've brought some starter pack citizens to complete the mandatory mission!!!"

"How obnoxious as ever. Anyway, where is Aldo?"

"I went ahead and left him there. I knew you guys were planning something I rushed to come back here"

Seeing his annoying face somehow assured them that they do not have to exert energy before going to battle as addiotnal forces for the war between the humans and the sea folks.

"AQA, how many are they?"

[241. If the trolls and you all were to be included, the total amount will be 285]

[It is 15 people away from the required amount to complete the mandatory mission]

"We will need to recruit some more then. Can you tell this to Aldo?"

[As it is information required to the task of building a country, Yes]

AQA then informed Aldo that he needs to bring fifteen more people from the Vermillion mountain city for them to complete the mandatory mission.

"There are houses we built in case we ever have our own people... but you will have to build more from now on! Don't worry about the food since we have a lot of that in here"

Just after saying that, Veronica brought some giant desert eagles that tried to attack the castle a few days ago after sniffing the scent of merfolks.

"That is all. You all can go now"

"How did you managed to recruit them all?"

Leon asked.

"I am confident in my ability to sweet talk people. Then again, my mind control ability only works if the people I am talking to are in a mentally unstable state"

"Basically, you annoyed them to death?"

"Exactly!"

Charlie left the two who were laughing maniacally as they listened as to how Marco was able to burrow his will into the minds of the demi humans.

"We have to prepare for our trip! So why are you guys not doing anything!? Are you freaks or what?"

Both Leon and Tony looked at each other in confusion and then turned back to Charlie.

"All five of us are freaks though"

"We are addicts after all"

With his words not getting through them, Charlie went inside instead of talking to the two who will not understand whatever he says.

[Sixty ninth day]

Preparations were done.

With Charlie leading the five man party, they set off with a carriage pulled by horses that Marco stole from the first city he took over to go to the designated point.