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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Escape
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"The Waryong Estate has started a mercenary business!"
A single day was all it took.
For the rumor to spread throughout the entire misshapen city.
It was thanks to Naru, acting as the middleman, who spread the word with all his might, but the result would have been similar even without the guild's efforts.
The White-Masked Young Master, whose fame had already grown due to the disaster at the Goemok Ranch, was someone everyone was watching.
And now, that same White-Masked Young Master had openly begun accepting requests.
It was only natural for interest to be piqued.
Especially since this mercenary business wasn't simply about lending military strength to other nobles.
"They're even taking requests like cleaning sewers? And not just from nobles, but commoners too?"
"Hmm, they have an Awakened One from a culinary class. It might be a good idea to hire them for the party this month."
"They'll even dispatch a stud from the Goemok Ranch, depending on the price?"
From wealthy but low-status commoners to nobles with few retainers.
A great many people felt a strong attraction to the Waryong Estate's mercenary business, far beyond simple curiosity.
Awakened Ones were prized talents everywhere.
Even a mere 1-star Awakened One possessed a genius-level talent, capable of accomplishing things a hundred ordinary people couldn't.
It was the dream of every noble to fill their ranks of retainers with Awakened Ones from every class.
Of course, a dream was just a dream.
It might be possible in a high-ranking domain like Nakrang Fortress, but for a mid-to-small-sized manor, a dozen or so Awakened Ones was the limit.
They had no choice but to make do with commoners to fill the gaps.
This was also why nobles valued connections and honor—it made it easier to borrow necessary Awakened Ones or receive help from other families.
In that sense…
The Waryong Estate's mercenaries were attractive.
They would dispatch the necessary Awakened One as long as you paid, without caring for connections or status. There was nothing more convenient.
Of course, some dismissed it as unbecoming of a noble or doubted whether the requests would be properly fulfilled…
But that only lasted for the first few days.
"The food at the Garunga family's party was excellent. I heard they hired a [Kitchen Hand] from the Waryong Estate."
"The Cheolwan Smithy was short on hands, so they borrowed a [Blacksmith]?"
"I heard not a single client has been unsatisfied so far. They must be high-class slaves who've received professional training for years."
"Slaves of that caliber can't be obtained just with money…"
"If he's really from one of the Baekdaesega, it would be easy."
From cooking to carpentry, metalworking, paperwork, security, and butchering.
Those who had tried entrusting simple requests to the Waryong Estate were satisfied with the results.
The slaves dispatched from the Waryong Estate were all [Experts] in their respective fields, nearly at the level of [Professionals].
It was said that 1-star classes grew quickly, but that was a story for nobles who consumed mana stones and received specialized education.
It was common for commoners to remain [Beginners] for years even after awakening.
Their combat prowess might be questionable.
But in other areas, those who had doubted the slaves' skills were all the more impressed.
The results were immediate.
Just ten days after opening for business.
The Waryong Estate's request log was completely booked.
They were so swamped with work that they couldn't even accept combat-related requests that required dispatching multiple people.
"Hmm, I expected this, but it's going well."
*Peek.*
"It means we're making good money, so you, my little lucky charm, can eat all the meat you want."
*Wag, wag.*
As if overjoyed by those words.
The Lycanthrope girl, who was crouched under the chair with only her head resting on his thigh, wagged her tail.
Dion smiled warmly as he stroked Orr Kai's head.
In reality, the money earned from completing requests over the past ten days was in the hundreds of millions.
An amount of profit that would make even a respectable noble gulp.
'Still, it's just pocket change for now.'
But Dion was merely satisfied.
He wasn't particularly overjoyed.
Unlike nobles who only had to worry about their dignity, a lord managing a domain had just as many expenses.
This income was only due to the initial boom of opening.
He was actually a bit disappointed, knowing that once the urgent requests were dealt with, the profits would drop sharply.
Besides, to Dion, a direct descendant of the Unlight family who had swept through the entire Odobaekryeong region during the Calamity War, this amount was literally pocket change.
'Well, Arsha is happy, so I guess that's what matters.'
Dion smirked, recalling how Arsha had wiggled her ears with joy when the slave dispatch business took off.
He could understand her feelings.
From the billion borrowed from Elise, to the funds and treasures looted when fleeing the Purgatory, and the money earned from selling bandits as slaves and collecting bounties.
The Waryong Estate had secured operational funds in various ways, but that income was all one-time.
It wasn't a regular source of income.
As the one effectively managing the Waryong Estate and looking after her clan, Arsha must have felt like her blood was running dry every time money was spent.
Especially since they had also provided recovery funds after making the Goemok Ranch their vassal.
But now that they had a stable source of income, she could finally feel at ease.
That was likely why Arsha was more passionate about this mercenary business than anyone else in the domain.
'Honestly, I prefer this over money.'
As long as he used the knowledge and experience from his past life, he could make as much money as he wanted.
Dion casually pushed aside the pouch of mana stones on his desk.
Instead, he checked the few items placed there.
[Black Spider's Gauntlets (R)]
1. Intermediate Spider Silk Generation
2. Basic Thread Manipulation
3. Taming Success Bonus↑ (Medium)
First, the heirloom of the Hara clan.
A pair of black gloves.
They simply allowed one to freely create and manipulate spider silk, but their usefulness was unparalleled.
The treasure had played a part in making the Blood-Sealed Queen his steed.
Moreover, the Black Spider's Gauntlets were not the only treasure Dion had obtained from this affair.
[Rashanta's Blade (R)]
1. Cutting Bonus↑ (Medium)
2. Ambush Bonus↑ (Small)
3. Automatic Repair
[Rashanta's Essence (R)]
1. Acquire [Tenacious Life Force (R)].
2. Acquire Random 2-Star Class.
[Stone Monkey's Eye (Un)]
1. Durability Bonus↑ (Small)
2. Basic Curse Resistance
[Giant Serpent's Membrane (Un)]
1. Recovery Bonus↑ (Small)
2. Basic Regeneration
[Origami Pouch (Un)]
1. Craft [Paper Doll]☆
2. Possess [Paper Doll]☆
[Vengeful Spirit's Orb (Un)]
1. Black Magic Bonus↑ (Medium)
2. Status Effect when Held: [Minor Curse]
Two swords, sharp as scythes.
A pill exuding the scent of flowers.
A blue jeweled brooch.
A scarf as red as blood.
A small cloth pouch.
A black crystal orb the size of a fist.
From treasures with an ominous aura to items that looked ordinary at a glance, and even a cursed object that was blatantly sinister.
Dion smiled warmly as he looked over the fruits of his labor.
'Not a bad haul for conquering just one dungeon.'
Just as mana is absorbed to grow a mana core.
When a powerful monster died, its mana would sometimes condense in a part of its body.
That was an item.
A treasure holding all sorts of mysteries.
Of course, the more powerful the monster, the harder it was to hunt, and the rarer it was for a useful item to drop.
Even Rare-grade items were passed down as family heirlooms.
In that sense.
This result was a marvel, achievable only by conquering a Labyrinth during a dungeon break where mana was already running rampant.
Even more so since the [Origami Pouch] and the [Vengeful Spirit's Orb] weren't even from the Labyrinth.
'This is what makes quests fun—rewards like these pop up from time to time.'
The Waryong Estate didn't only accept money as payment for requests.
They also accepted family heirlooms whose uses were unknown, or peculiar items rolling around in warehouses.
Whether it was an item or not.
And how much it was worth.
It was a method only Dion could use, as he could tell just by looking at the [Status Window].
Thanks to that, he had obtained two Uncommon items and five Normal but decent-quality items.
It was a truly satisfying result.
Especially since the most valuable item was still separate.
But what satisfied Dion the most was something else entirely.
'Now, there shouldn't be any major problems for a while, even if I'm away.'
Arsha to manage the domain.
Slaves to do the menial work and earn funds.
And the Hara clan's steeds to handle the domain's defense.
Now that the balance of politics, economy, and defense was established, the Waryong Estate would grow on its own as long as no major issues arose.
Its growth would accelerate even more once the Goemok Ranch recovered and the hunt festival resumed.
Of course, with the alliance formed with Urk, problems were bound to arise.
But just not having to personally manage, earn money, and protect the place himself was a satisfying enough outcome.
Especially for Dion, who already had much to do.
'I can start making my real moves soon.'
With this, he had achieved his initial goal of establishing a 'small base' to accomplish great things.
In other words, he was ready to move on to the 'next stage.'
Whether it was by conquering Labyrinths to build strength.
Or by monopolizing hidden treasures first.
Or by growing the domain and raising his reputation.
He was free to choose any path.
And so, Dion was happily lost in thought, contemplating the countless choices laid out before him.
Of course, the first thing he had to do was already decided.
*Slam!*
"Y-Young Master! This is terrible!"
…The rabbit-eared bard boy, his eyes hidden by his long bangs.
That is, until Naru suddenly burst in, letting out a scream-like shout.
***
The Kahul family.
They had no domain.
Nor were they particularly remarkable.
But they were a family of high-ranking Awakened Ones, classified as nobles nonetheless.
When they requested the dispatch of a slave to help with banquet preparations at the Waryong Estate, Arsha readily accepted.
Since gourmandism is an instinctual desire of intelligent species, even a mere [Kitchen Hand] was a popular culinary-class Awakened One.
It was one of the more common requests at the Waryong Estate, and there was no reason to refuse the Kahul family's offer, which came with the highest fee.
…Yes.
At least, that was her judgment.
Until she heard the news that the slave dispatched for that request had run away.
"My slave ran away?"
"Yes."
"And the Kahul family is demanding compensation for the failed request?"
"Y-Yes."
"Hmm."
After hearing this sudden news.
Arsha had no choice but to bow her head.
Since Dion had entrusted her with the stewardship of the Waryong Estate, the management of the slaves was also her duty.
If a slave, a high-class Awakened slave at that, had escaped, the responsibility was entirely hers.
"M-My lord. This matter is…"
"I know."
But Dion didn't reprimand Arsha.
He simply raised a hand.
Cutting off Naru's words.
He tapped his fingers on the table for a moment before speaking.
"Truly, it seems I've been greatly underestimated."
"..."
"..."
Why was it?
He hadn't raised his voice or shown any anger.
But why did everyone feel a chill run down their spine at his languid tone?
Arsha, Naru, even Orr Kai who was cautiously observing from his feet, and Parsha who stood guard behind him.
As everyone held their breath in silence.
Dion spoke again.
"Bluffer. Go deliver a message to the Kahul family head."
"Wh-What should I tell him?"
Perhaps scared of what he might hear.
To the hesitating Naru, Dion replied with a smile that bloomed like a flower.
"—That I will pay him a visit."
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