Everyone's jaws dropped at Ghislain's words.
"30% of the gold mine's profits?!" That was practically a declaration to milk it forever.
Yulian and Deneb let out hollow laughs, stunned.
'His guts are no joke.'
'He's on a different level from us.'
Kyle and Dark nodded in agreement.
'I learned something good.'
'Master is a master for a reason.'
Rio swallowed nervously.
Following Ghislain's suggestion meant he wouldn't have to pay 30,000 gold upfront, but in the long run, he'd end up giving away far more—forever, at that.
It was clearly an excessive condition, but given the dire situation, it wasn't completely unacceptable. The problem lay elsewhere.
Ghislain smiled confidently as he watched Rio hesitate.
"If you don't like it, we can just leave."
"N-no, it's not that. It's just that there's an issue with offering such terms."
"What issue?"
"I was planning to give up the gold mine. Saving my family and the Merchant Guild takes priority. But if you demand a share of the gold mine's profits..."
Rio trailed off. Promising that would make it impossible to give up the mine.
So he proposed an alternative condition.
"What about 30% of our Merchant Guild's shares instead? I think it'd be better to hand the gold mine over to the lord."
Rio had no intention of being greedy. If they lost, he'd lose everything anyway. He had no choice but to bet everything on Ghislain.
Ghislain smirked and nodded. He already knew, based on their conversation, that the Lacus Merchant Guild was planning to abandon the mine.
He had been waiting for Rio to offer such terms himself.
"Agreed. But how about we tweak the wording a little?"
"What do you mean?"
"Instead of the Lacus Merchant Guild, let's include everything under the Lacus family. If we name the Merchant Guild specifically, you could just change its name later to bypass the contract."
Rio agreed without hesitation. To him, it wasn't any different. Most of the Lacus family's assets came from the Merchant Guild anyway.
That was exactly what Ghislain had aimed for.
"Alright. Let's do that. Shall we draw up the contract immediately?"
"Won't you need your father's permission?"
"No. My father was already in poor health, and this incident has left him so shaken he can't even move properly. I've been given full authority."
Even if his father opposed it, Rio would've pushed it through. Losing everything was far worse.
Right now, survival came before profit.
The contract was finalized quickly. Now, Ghislain just had to win the duel.
The three companions looked at Ghislain, speechless.
'He really pulled that off.'
'Is this even okay?'
'Getting 30% forever—that's going to be an insane amount.'
Even Rio felt a chill down his spine as he signed the contract.
'Why... does this feel like making a deal with the devil?'
It felt as if he had sold his soul to save his family.
But Rio quickly shook his head to clear his thoughts. These were the only people willing to help him.
He chastised himself for his ungrateful thoughts. How could he mistake such kind people for devils?
After the contract was signed, Ghislain smiled.
"By the way... since we'll be seeing each other often, why don't we be a bit more casual?"
"Huh?"
"I think I'm older than you."
"Older... than me?"
Rio stared at Ghislain suspiciously.
Astion, as a mage, rarely saw sunlight, giving him a youthful appearance. His small frame only added to the impression.
To anyone, Rio definitely looked older.
If Yulian, Deneb, or Kyle had said that, it would've made sense. They at least looked around his age.
But Ghislain declared it so confidently that it felt almost shameless.
"I'm a mage, you know. I'm actually quite a bit older."
"I-Is that so?"
"So just think of me as your older brother. Let's be casual."
Who could refuse such words? Ghislain was practically holding his family's lifeline.
Rio, kind-hearted as he was, nodded without resistance.
"Understood. After all, you extended a hand during my family's crisis. I'll address you as Older Brother Astion."
Ghislain was using Astion's name publicly for now, as he would need it later.
With Rio's agreement, Ghislain grinned.
"Good. Let's get along well."
He genuinely intended to stay close to Rio. After all, Rio would be a long-term source of profit—no, a valuable ally.
Ghislain even had a huge surprise planned for Rio, the kind of gift that would leave him utterly shocked.
Now all that was left was to wait for the duel. As Ghislain smiled while holding the contract, Astion's voice echoed in his head.
— You... What are you scheming this time?
'Oh, you're awake?'
— Yeah... What's going on? What's with this contract?!
Astion had just woken up and didn't know the situation. Ghislain explained everything.
Astion was stunned.
— W-what are you saying?!
'I'm helping out with something that could lead to a huge reward. If I win, I'll get 30% of everything the Lacus family makes. Isn't that great?'
— Y-you idiot! That'll make an enemy of the lord! He won't just sit back and let this happen!
'I know.'
— You know and still did it?! Those guys aren't ready to handle something like this!
'Relax. I've got it under control. The Lacus family will become our mercenary group's endless fountain of wealth—and a great sponsor.'
— Ughhhhh...
Astion felt like losing his mind. He had trusted Ghislain to raise his friends into capable fighters, but now he'd gone and pulled this reckless stunt!
He hadn't been carefully leading his friends all this time for no reason. He had always avoided creating strong enemies whenever possible.
But now, this lunatic was openly planning to turn the baron against them! Ghislain seemed to have no concept of fear.
— Baron Margell is the absolute authority in this region!
Ghislain couldn't help but burst out laughing at Astion's words.
'Pfft! Absolute authority!'
Hearing this, Dark also broke into laughter.
— Master! These guys are adorable! They'd faint if they saw Duke Delphine! Puhaha!
Astion was flustered by their reaction.
— W-why are you laughing? What's so funny?!
'He's just the lord of a small barony. Calling him an absolute authority is a bit much, don't you think?'
— Hey! He's a lord! Those kids barely got out of the countryside! How are they supposed to handle a lord?!
'Relax. I've dealt with nobles like that plenty of times before.'
Ghislain had fought against kingdoms and shaken the entire continent. There was no reason for him to be intimidated by the master of a mere barony.
But Astion, unaware of Ghislain's true nature, continued to rant.
— You can't even use magic! Hurry up and learn some spells from me!
Astion was a 5th-circle mage. Against the soldiers of a small barony, he could at least help their group escape. A 5th-circle mage was that powerful.
The problem was that Ghislain couldn't use magic at all.
Ghislain declared confidently,
'I don't need it. 5th-circle magic is too weak.'
— W-what did you just say?
'Why should I waste time learning something weak? I might consider learning magic if it's 9th-circle.'
— You idiot! Do you think 9th-circle magic is a joke? Have you even seen it before?!
'I have.'
He recalled the time he had nearly died to a dragon's 9th-circle magic while fighting Artherion. Thinking of that reminded him of Alpoi.
'Actually, I guess 5th-circle isn't that weak. A 5th-circle mage can block a dragon's 9th-circle magic... with some preparation, of course.'
— Stop talking nonsense! How can a 5th-circle mage block 9th-circle magic?!
'Hah, you're so clueless. Even Alpoi could do it.'
— Who the hell is Alpoi?! Stop spouting crazy talk!
Astion kept ranting, but Ghislain just ignored him. Eventually, Astion grew tired and gave up.
— Ugh... Just call me if things get dangerous. Promise!
'Huh? Didn't you say you couldn't stay awake for long?'
— I can stay awake briefly if you call me now.
'Wait, is that even possible?'
— I've been training to expand my mind realm. Your consciousness is too overwhelming to stay inside comfortably... and Dark's presence doesn't help either...
'Oh. You're not bad yourself.'
Ghislain was impressed, flashing a sly smile.
Expanding one's mind realm wasn't easy. Ghislain himself had endured countless trials to grow his own.
That growth allowed him to accommodate Dark's consciousness effortlessly.
But Astion lacked such experience, which was why he couldn't handle Ghislain's vast consciousness.
Yet it seemed Astion had figured out a way through his own efforts.
Astion's voice weakened as he continued,
— I can't stay awake for long. I need to grow my mind realm more to handle you... but if you need advice, I can wake up briefly. It's training for me too.
Though it was effectively forced meditation, it was a crucial practice for mages. The path to transcendence depended on understanding the laws of the world.
'Got it. I'll call you whenever I need some lessons.'
— Alright. I'm going back to rest, but don't forget to call me if things get dangerous, okay?
'Sure. Don't worry and rest well. As for magic... I might learn some convenience spells later, but I'm too busy right now.'
— Ugh... How did I end up stuck with a reckless lunatic like you...
Astion grumbled a few more times before retreating back into meditation, determined to expand his mind realm.
The conversation ended, and Rio cautiously asked, "A-are you okay?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"I mean... you looked like you were in pain just now..."
Rio's face was full of concern.
Ghislain had suddenly smiled to himself and nodded a few times as if talking to someone invisible.
From the outside, it looked like he was mentally unstable. And it was deeply troubling, considering he was supposed to fight soon.
Seeing Rio's anxious expression, Ghislain smacked his lips.
"I'm fine. Don't worry about it."
'I should be more careful in the future.'
It seemed pretty bad from an outsider's perspective.
For now, there was no need to call Astion again. While enjoying Lacus Merchant Guild's hospitality, the day of the duel finally arrived.
The duel's location was set at the Lacus Merchant Guild headquarters, as Baron Margell had demanded. He clearly wanted to make a show of it.
"The lord is here! The lord has arrived!"
Someone shouted loudly.
Rio led Ghislain's group forward, his face visibly tense.
Baron Margell was an older man. His face practically screamed greed, revealing what kind of life he had lived.
He arrived with several knights and dozens of soldiers. That alone was enough to make the Merchant Guild's people cower.
Baron Margell smirked at the visibly trembling Rio.
"I'll give you credit for not running. I hear you've hired a mercenary to fight as your champion?"
"Y-yes, that's right."
Timid as ever, Rio couldn't even meet the baron's gaze. His body was already shaking.
Baron Margell's grin widened. He already believed the outcome was decided.
'I've wanted to deal with them for a while. This worked out perfectly.'
The Lacus Merchant Guild paid high taxes, so he had tolerated them. But once part of the gold mine fell under their control, he couldn't hold back anymore.
He had bribed the Merchant Guild's head butler, and it was laughably easy.
'I'll have to kill him too soon, though.'
There was no need to keep around someone who knew too much—even if it was no longer a secret.
A crowd had gathered in a large clearing. Some came to watch, while nobles from nearby territories came to officiate the duel.
None of them doubted Baron Margell's victory. They were here more for entertainment and feasting than for the duel itself.
Once everyone was gathered, one of the baron's vassals stepped forward and declared,
"A knight who wields an unyielding blade and upholds an unbreakable oath! As a protector of honor, he fights for his lord's pride—"
The introduction dragged on endlessly, as the challenger's champion had to step forward first.
When the lengthy speech finally ended, a knight clad in heavy armor stepped forward.
Thud, thud, thud.
His heavy footsteps echoed.
It was Bendok, the strongest knight in Baron Margell's territory. His rough appearance and massive frame made a strong impression.
"Who will face me?"
Bendok's harsh voice matched his menacing look perfectly.
He certainly lived up to his reputation as the territory's best knight. Most of the spectators lowered their gazes, intimidated by his aura.
Rio, trembling, looked nervously at Ghislain.
Yulian, Deneb, and Kyle also turned to Ghislain. They all assumed he would step forward.
But Ghislain had no intention of fighting such an easy opponent himself.
He shouted loudly, "Our Yulian Mercenary Corps leader! Lord Yulian will face you!"
Then he gestured toward Yulian as if presenting him.
Everyone turned to look at Yulian.
"Huh?"
Yulian blinked, completely caught off guard.
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