Everyone's mouth dropped open after hearing Ghislain's words.
Thirty percent of the gold mine's profits! It was as if he intended to keep draining them dry for good.
Julien and Deneb laughed weakly, their spirits clearly deflated.
‘His audacity is no joke.’
‘He’s on an entirely different level from us.’
Kyle and Dara nodded in agreent.
“He’s learned well.”
“A true master.”
Leo swallowed his frustration.
While they didn’t need to pay the 30,000 gold imdiately, in the long run, they would be giving away far more, and it would be perpetual.
It was clearly an excessive demand, but given the volatile situation, it wasn’t impossible to accept. The issue lay elsewhere.
Seeing Leo deep in thought, Ghislain couldn’t hide his enigmatic smile.
“If you faint, I’ll take my leave imdiately.”
“No, it’s just… There’s a problem with agreeing to that.”
“What’s the issue?”
“I was prepared to give up on the mine. Keeping my family and the guild alive is my priority. But now that the mine’s profits are being demanded…”
Leo’s voice trailed off as he hinted at the impossibility of abandoning the mine.
Thus, he proposed another condition.
“It would be better to make the shares of our guild flexible along with the mine.”
Leo’s words ca out after he had pondered over them several tis. After all, he had already staked everything on this trial, so it was only right to go all in with Ghislain.
Ghislain nodded with a sly grin. He had known for a while that the Raks rchant Guild would ultimately give up on the mine.
He had expected Leo to co up with such a proposal.
“I understand. But how about we adjust the terms slightly?”
“What do you an?”
“Instead of just the Raks rchant Guild, let’s include all assets of the Raks family. If we tie it to the guild’s na, we could keep it going by simply changing the na, don’t you think?”
Leo nodded, feeling that it was no different for him. Most of the assets tied to the Raks family were already part of the guild’s holdings.
That was Ghislain’s calculation, but Leo didn’t mind.
“Understood. We’ll proceed that way. Shall we draft the contract now?”
“Wouldn’t you need permission from the family?”
“No, my father is incapacitated due to a serious shock from this incident. He can barely move. I’ve been entrusted with all authority.”
Leo had always been opposed to this, but he knew it was better than losing everything.
It was a small sacrifice in the grand sche of saving the Raks rchant Guild.
The contract was quickly finalized. Now all that was left was for Ghislain to win over the major factions.
Leo muttered to himself as he glanced at Ghislain.
‘He really knows how to get his way.’
‘Is this even okay?’
‘The gold mine’s future profits will be massive, but 300% return on investnt...’
Even as he finalized the deal, Leo felt a chill run down his spine.
‘Why does it feel like I’m making a deal with the devil?’
Was he really selling his soul to save his family?
But then Leo shook his head, brushing the thought away. These people were the only ones who had been willing to help him despite knowing his situation.
It wasn’t purely out of kindness, though—he realized that he had to confront his own hidden guilt.
The contract process paused at the final mont.
“Well, then… If things go smoothly, we’ll be working together more often. Maybe we can be more comfortable with each other?”
“I feel like I’m the older one here.”
“Older?”
Leo looked at Ghislain suspiciously.
Aston, looking like a mage who hadn’t seen daylight in ages, seed even more disoriented due to his small build. He looked younger than expected.
But there was no denying that his loyalty made him seem like an older brother.
If it had been Julien, Deneb, or Kyle in that position, Leo might have understood better, considering their age.
But Ghislain spoke boldly, almost shalessly.
“It’s because I’m a mage. In truth, I’m much older than I look.”
“Is, is that so?!”
Leo thought, deeply impressed. He had always believed that Ghislain was soone who couldn't be refused, the one who protected the Raks family’s very core.
With a gentle expression, Leo nodded obediently.
"I understand. In a way, you’re an important benefactor who reached out to help the family in its ti of crisis. I will regard you as an older brother, Lord Astion."
Ghislain had been using Astion’s na in public. This was sothing he had to do later.
Once Leo accepted his proposal, Ghislain smiled.
"Good. Let’s try to get along well in the future."
With his serious words, Ghislain looked solemn. This would be a phrase he’d repeat for a long ti… well, because he was going to ask for help later.
He was even planning a huge gift that would shock Leo to the point of fainting.
Now, all they had to do was wait for the date of the duel. With the contract in hand, Ghislain’s mind echoed with Astion’s voice.
"What, what other notarization is this?"
"Are you bringing it out now?"
"Okay... what’s going on? Why did you sign this contract?"
Astion asked, clearly puzzled by the situation.
Ghislain could guess the current circumstances and quickly responded. After hearing the explanation, Astion was visibly shocked.
"That... you’ve accepted to help with such a thing? You’re in a position where you can claim 30% of all the profits from the Raks family once you win. That’s a completely irresponsible situation."
"—You idiot! The lord and the bookkeeper will never just let this slide!"
"I know."
"—And you’re still going through with it? They aren’t strong enough to handle such a thing yet!"
"Aha, don’t worry, I’ve got it covered. From now on, the Raks family will be our rcenary guild’s unshakable source of inco and a reliable sponsor."
— Ugh...
Astion sounded frustrated. He had left his friends to grow strong, but now they were getting into this dangerous situation!
He had thought that he was carefully guiding his friends until now, helping them endure the hardships, and protecting them from harm.
But now, all he could think about was the princess’s future! This mage seed to have no idea what he was doing.
— Baron Magvel is the absolute ruler of this region!
At that, Ghislain couldn’t help but laugh.
"What's he going to endure?"
Dukod, who had been listening, burst into laughter as well.
"Master! They’re so cute! If they saw the Helperman Duke, they’d faint, haha!"
Astion was taken aback by their reactions.
— What? What’s so funny?
"It’s just that even if you're a small lord, calling yourself an absolute ruler or whatever is a bit too much, don’t you think?"
— Ah, Lord! A lord! Now, how will you handle all of your old friends’ titles if you’re going to arrest them?
"Oh, don’t worry. I’ve dealt with worse things than that a few tis already."
Leo had no intention of dropping his words. He spoke to the small lord, even if it was a ridiculous thing to do.
However, Astion, who didn’t understand what kind of person Ghislain was, continued to argue.
— You can’t even use magic, so hurry up and learn a few spells from !
Astion was only five years old, a child mage. If they were up against soldiers of a small noble’s army, they could escape easily with their friends. At this point, Astion had started to consider them as powerful beings.
But the problem was that Ghislain couldn’t use magic.
Ghislain answered confidently.
"I don’t need it. Magic is too weak."
— What? What did you say?
"Why bother learning magic when it’s so weak? I’ll only learn the basic stuff if I really have to."
— This idiot! Do you think magic is a joke? Have you ever seen a spell from a 9-star mage?
"I have."
He almost died using a 9-star spell from a dragon. When Ghislain rembered the fight with Arterion, the words just slipped out.
"Well, even a 5-star mage isn’t that weak. A 5-star mage can stop a 9-star spell used by a dragon. It just requires a bit of preparation."
— Please don’t say nonsense! How can you even stop a dragon's 9-star spell?
"Ugh, it’s so frustrating. I’ll be able to do it in the future."
— In the future? My army! Stop spouting nonsense!
Astion continued to shout, but Ghislain simply ignored him. After a while, Astion was too tired to argue and gave up.
— Ugh... you really want to see in a dangerous situation, don’t you?
"Eh? What does that an? I’ve never said it was hard to stay awake!"
— I an it literally. Now, if you call , I’ll only wake up for a short ti.
"Is that possible?"
— I’ve been working on expanding my ntal world. You guys are too big now, so we can’t stay together… but we’re in a rush, so...
"Ah, so you’re not an ordinary person after all."
Ghislain smiled and nodded, looking a bit puzzled.
Expanding one’s ntal world wasn’t an easy task. He hadn’t done this on his own; he was holding onto a powerful force.
But Astion, with little experience, had not been able to manage Ghislain’s powerful consciousness.
Still, it seed Astion was now curious enough to try finding a way for himself.
Astion spoke weakly.
— I can’t stay awake for long. I’ll need to expand my ntal world more. But if needed, I’ll wake up for a brief mont and offer advice. I’ll be able to provide lessons.
For soone like Astion, who had limited experience with magic, this was an important step. Whether or not he could transcend and reach the next level depended on how much he understood the changes in the world around him.
"I understand. I’ll call you when I need you for training."
— Alright, I’ll rest for now. But call if it’s dangerous. Understand?
"Yeah, don’t worry. You’ll co back soon, right? Magic... I’ll eventually try to learn sothing when I have ti, but right now, I’m too busy."
— Why do people like you hate magic so much?
Astion grumbled a few more tis and then walked off. It seed he would focus on expanding his ntal world for now.
Having ended the conversation, Leo cautiously asked,
“Is... are you alright?”
— Hm? What do you an?
“No, I’m just saying... you seem a bit hurt...”
Leo’s face was filled with concern.
Ghislain smiled briefly and shook his head, almost as if speaking to soone invisible.
Leo was relieved to see Ghislain smiling. It seed he was the right person to go into battle.
“Don’t worry, I don’t have to worry about that.”
‘I should be a bit more careful from now on.’
Ghislain’s expression was much more relaxed than he appeared on the outside.
Soon, the duel day was drawing near.
The venue for the duel was decided by Baron Magvel, who had chosen the Raks rchant Guild’s headquarters. He wanted to display the duel to the guild’s mbers.
"Here cos the rcenary group!"
So shouted loudly as Leo, leading Ghislain’s group, walked slowly. His face clearly showed signs of tension.
Baron Magvel appeared to be quite old. His greed was evident in his every expression.
He had brought several knights and dozens of soldiers, enough to make the guild mbers ready to draw their swords.
Baron Magvel, with his tense face, sneered as he looked at Leo.
“I’ll give credit for the money bags arriving. So, have you found a rcenary to fight in the duel?”
“Yes, yes, that’s right.”
The timid Leo couldn’t even make eye contact with the lord, bowing his head. His body was trembling slightly.
Baron Magvel’s pressure weighed heavily on him. It seed the duel was about to happen.
“I’ve heard so much about this. Should be good.”
He had been raising taxes but still wanted to maintain control over the Raks rchant Guild.
Satisfied with the situation, he had plans for sothing else as well. He wanted to make sure the guild was kept in his grasp.
“Well, that guy will fall soon enough.”
There was no good in allowing soone with such secrets to survive. It was sothing anyone could say, but the truth was, they were all hoping for this outco.
Soon, a large group gathered around, watching the duel. Nobles from the nearby areas had co to see the spectacle.
Everyone assud Baron Magvel would win, and they had co just to see the show.
When people gathered, Baron Magvel’s representatives ca forward.
“Not recklessly, not without honor, fighting for the honor and pride of the shield…”
The representative introduced the duelists, and the challenge was officially underway.
TL note: Guys, my head's spinning from all these nas... let's just leave it like this for now and we’ll figure it out later. I can’t even keep track of what's going on with all these characters. If you spot any inconsistencies, let know, please!
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