The mercenaries gaped at the massive tower rising proudly in the middle of the bustling city at the southern end of Bribant estate.
"W-wow… so this is the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower…"
"This is my first time here too."
"It looks even more magnificent than Rayfold, doesn't it?"
"They say the Crimson Magic Tower is the best, but this place doesn't fall short, at least from the outside."
Even though it was considered second to the Crimson Magic Tower, a magic tower was still a magic tower.
Around the grand and luxurious tower, numerous shops had gathered. Over time, stores targeting the mages multiplied, turning the area into a thriving city.
The security system, established under the pretense of protecting the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower, also safeguarded the area around the tower and the entire Bribant estate.
The development of Bribant estate owed much to the presence of the magic tower, to the extent that even the Count Bribant had to pay heed to the tower lord, whose influence was immense.
Ghislain, who maintained a composed demeanor, couldn't help but feel impressed.
'Amazing.'
Not only was the city's exterior splendid, but what surprised him even more was the reaction of the people. Despite the intimidating appearance of the mercenaries moving in a group, the people showed no fear. They didn't seem particularly threatened.
This alone showed how safe the area was. The people here were clearly highly aware and cultured.
Ghislain, in his days as the Mercenary King, had visited cities with magic towers in other nations, but none were as developed as Bribant.
'The city layout, the security… it's all remarkable. And the streets and people are unusually clean. I wonder if the tower's done something to achieve this?'
Typically, mages were so absorbed in their own research that they rarely did anything to benefit others.
Though areas surrounding magic towers tended to develop naturally because of trade targeting the mages, the surroundings of the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower were exceptionally clean and advanced.
'Maybe it's because of the rumors about the tower lord's obsessive cleanliness.'
There was a chance that the tower lord, known for being unable to tolerate dirt, had taken measures to ensure cleanliness.
Or maybe he'd indulged in a fantasy of playing landlord, developing the area around him to this extent.
Either way, for Ghislain, who planned to develop his own estate in the future, this city offered plenty of insights.
"Wow, people here must be loaded."
"All the houses look like mansions fit for nobles."
"Look at the roads. It's like they went all out to build this city."
The people of Bribant wore fine clothes, exuding the scents of luxury, as if everyone here were noble-born.
They walked by, glancing curiously at the gawking mercenaries as if they were some rare attraction.
The mercenaries, who would normally stride confidently through the streets, found themselves shrinking back, subdued by the city's refined atmosphere.
"Damn, we look like total bumpkins, don't we?"
Though they grumbled, the mercenaries couldn't help but look around, fascinated.
Such a sophisticated and pristine city was a rare sight, even in the prosperous northern estates like Rayfold.
As they continued exploring, murmurs from the locals reached their ears.
"Are they mercenaries from the north? Look at those clothes. They're so rustic, it's embarrassing."
"They even smell a bit, don't they?"
"We're just clean; that's how everyone else lives, poor things. Tsk, tsk."
"What would mercenaries be doing all the way here?"
The mercenaries, feeling embarrassed, flushed with shame.
Normally, they'd have glared and made a scene, but here, they were too intimidated by the luxurious surroundings and the people's polished appearance to retaliate.
Still, some mercenaries had a fiery temper.
"Hey, shut the hell up! Want to die?"
Several members of the Cerberus Mercenary Corps brandished their weapons, threatening the nearby people.
The groups who had been gossiping stepped back in surprise, but they didn't look particularly scared.
"Oh my, what a scene. Why are they so angry?"
"It's because they're uneducated, that's why. Tsk, tsk."
"Who do they think they are, causing a commotion here?"
"Just watching might get someone killed."
One of the Cerberus mercenaries ground his teeth, ready to leap forward, but Ghislain intervened, stopping him firmly.
"Enough. Don't mind them. Just keep quiet and move."
"But, captain! Those guys—!"
"We are bumpkins, aren't we? Just enjoy the view."
Ghislain smirked, and Kaor gave them a glare, signaling to act appropriately.
The mercenaries scowled.
People usually flinched or moved away when they saw mercenaries, but here, they only seemed amused. The mercenaries' blood boiled with frustration.
Though they wanted to knock a few people down, they restrained themselves, unable to act recklessly with Ghislain and Kaor's presence.
With their heads hung low, the group continued their walk toward the tower.
Being a spectacle for others wasn't a pleasant feeling.
But as they approached the tower, the mercenaries again gazed in awe.
The size of the tower was overwhelming.
'They really are simple-minded.'
Ghislain shook his head, following behind the mercenaries.
Meanwhile, the gatekeeper at the tower's entrance squinted, watching Ghislain's party approach.
'A group tour? Tsk, they don't look well-off, but they've come all the way here.'
The gatekeeper assumed it was for sightseeing. Nobles often visited the city to meet mages or tour the tower.
As they drew closer, the gatekeeper's expression soured.
Ghislain's party looked far too shabby to be tourists, and their expressions weren't friendly.
If they'd been nobles or a significant merchant guild, he would have greeted them with a smile, but there was no need for such courtesy with this lot.
Though just a gatekeeper, he saw himself as the face of the tower.
If he treated these beggars kindly and they laughed it off, it would tarnish the tower's authority.
While he was an insignificant commoner, the grand tower backing him gave him confidence.
'Better to be a noble's dog than to be born as one,' was his mentality.
When Ghislain's party got close enough for the gatekeeper to make out their faces, he noticed the carts they were towing behind them.
Realizing their purpose, he sneered.
'So they're not tourists but here to sell something.'
Sometimes mercenaries and adventurers brought rare items to sell to the tower.
It was rare for them to come in groups like this, but it wasn't unheard of.
'Wooden crates, it seems… likely some monster or beast byproducts.'
The gatekeeper clicked his tongue, disdainful.
Although now ranked second, the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower used to be number one.
They earned plenty and had refined tastes.
Ultimately, that very extravagance had caused them to lose their lead to another tower. The mages were accustomed to luxury and only accepted top-quality materials.
If the items were rare, fine, but if they were common resources, there was no need to buy from mere mercenaries.
'Best to send them away.'
Determined, the gatekeeper waited for Ghislain's group to approach.
As Ghislain arrived at the tower's entrance, he dismounted his horse, striding forward confidently, but Belinda hastily pulled him back.
"Where are you going? Let Mr. Gillian handle it!"
Ghislain looked back with a bemused expression.
"Is that necessary? I ended up stepping in at Rayfold."
"That was then! You shouldn't step in from the beginning."
Belinda held onto Ghislain and signaled Gillian, who approached the gatekeeper.
"This is young lord, the Heir of Perdi—"
The gatekeeper cut him off, disinterested.
"Not buying."
"…What?"
"I said, we're not buying anything."
The gatekeeper gave a smug look.
Ghislain sighed internally from behind.
With their ragged appearance, everyone they met ended up looking down on them.
In his days as the Mercenary King, even dressed plainly with his men in unusual attire, no one dared to ignore them.
But now, without the reputation of the Mercenary King or the well-known name of Perdium, they were judged by their looks.
'Seems I'll have to invest in some better presentation when we have funds.'
He didn't blame the gatekeeper.
It was natural to judge someone based on appearances. In the past, his banner had made his identity clear.
He understood, but he also didn't want to waste time in a petty argument at the entrance.
Finally, Ghislain stepped forward.
"I don't have the time to squabble with a gatekeeper. Fetch the one in charge of transactions. Or better yet, summon the tower lord."
The gatekeeper looked at him in disbelief.
"No, I said we're not buying. The Scarlet Flame Magic Tower doesn't just buy anything. And you want to meet the tower lord? Even the lord can't just meet the tower lord as he pleases."
Unable to hold back, Gillian growled.
"Such arrogance from a mere gatekeeper. Have you two lives to risk? I said, summon him at once."
The gatekeeper flinched, shocked by the aggression. He composed himself quickly.
'I can't back down! I represent the tower!'
The confidence came from knowing that a few mages could easily sweep these beggars away.
"D-do you even know where you are? Get lost!"
Ghislain sighed.
'At this rate, we won't get in today.'
He motioned silently to Kaor, who quietly fetched a piece of Rune Stone from one of the carts and approached Ghislain.
'Not bad. He has some discretion as a leader.'
Feeling pleased, Ghislain took the Rune Stone and held it up in front of the gatekeeper.
"You work at the tower, so you know what this is, right? This is what I'm here to sell."
The gatekeeper examined the glowing crystal in Ghislain's hand.
After a moment, he recognized it as a Rune Stone and froze, wide-eyed.
Ghislain smirked mischievously.
"Really, you're not buying? Should I just leave?"
Finally snapping out of it, the gatekeeper waved his hands frantically.
"Please wait! No, come right in! Please!"
Though there was no guarantee that all the carts held Rune Stones, the gatekeeper was too panicked to care.
As Ghislain passed him, he patted the gatekeeper's shoulder.
"I'll make sure to tell the tower lord what a great job you're doing as a gatekeeper."
[T/L: Please support me and read extra chapters here: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]