Chapter 110 (1/2)
“Gosh, it’s not that amazing. She’s so naive, she’d fall for every scam imaginable. That’s why she follows me – to learn about the world.”
‘I never praise you…’
Isaac responded with a wave of his hand while Rivelia remained still. Wolfgang glared at Isaac menacingly for a moment before he sat on the sofa to converse.
“My land is facing a great ordeal at the moment, so it is in no position to give you any welcome. What’s your reason for coming here?”
“As expected! Such a swift personality befitting of how quickly you expanded your fiefdom. I like it! I’ll quickly go over the purpose of my visit, just like my respected sunbaenim.”
Wolfgang could barely keep a straight face at Isaac’s irritating flattery. He hurried Isaac along with his eyes. Isaac explained with a grin.
“I’ve started a new business recently.”
“A business? What does that have anything to do with me?”
“I hear that mercenary businesses are on the rise lately.”
“You’ve gone mad.”
Wolfgang burst out in laughter in clear disdain, but Isaac maintained the smile as he continued.
“Have you heard rumours about me, sunbaenim?”
“You’re so famous that I couldn’t escape them even if I wanted to.”
“Truth is, I’ve already fulfilled most of the conditions our Emperor has given to me, but I really have no answer for the unemployed population. So many people in my city, but there’s a limit to how many jobs a single city can have.”
“So that’s why you’ve come up with mercenaries?”
“I get to reduce unemployment and the working population. Two birds, one stone.”
A chill ran through Wolfgang’s spine. He straightened his posture and looked directly at Isaac. The deplorable smile on Isaac’s face now felt entirely different.
“You… You aren’t just any man. I see. Perhaps it was not just a coincidence you managed to survive until now?”
“You’re giving me way too much credit. I’m just doing this to survive. It’s nothing compared to you, Wolfgang sunbaenim, who will step beyond the t.i.tle of Count and be recorded down in history as a duke after defeating the Marquis.”
Wolfgang smirked at Isaac’s praise.
‘What sc.u.m.’
Wolfgang had reached a conclusion about Isaac, just as Isaac spoke.
“1000 Giga for each hire.”
“… What? Is that your contract’s condition? You’re asking me to hire fresh recruits fresh out of training at a rate of 1000 Giga per person?”
Wolfgang shouted out, enraged that Isaac was making a fool of him. Isaac flicked his finger and corrected Wolfgang.
“That’s not it. I’ll pay you 1000 Giga for each mercenary you hire from me.”
“…”
Wolfgang looked at Isaac in disbelief for this unfathomable offer, wondering if this man had gone mad. He’d never heard of a mercenary contract where the employee paid the employer. Isaac explained with an exaggerated sigh, as if he was aware of what Wolfgang was thinking.
“Sigh… As you already know, I’m standing on thin ice. The deadline for the Emperor’s conditions is approaching but I have no answer, so I have to make this mercenary business into a success no matter what. But who would pay for a recently graduated mercenary? That’s why I have no choice but to give you money and ask that you hire them.”
“As expected of New Port City, where all of the Empire’s wealth acc.u.mulates. Just how much money do you have to be able to do something like this?”
“I’m just using it while I have it. It’s not like I can use it from the grave.”
It was true. It was obvious what would happen if Isaac failed to meet the Emperor’s terms. The notorious Ark Royale would jump at him enthusiastically.
Although he was trash, his desperate attempts at self-preservation rea.s.sured Wolfgang. It ruled out the possibility that this was one of Marquis Lichten’s schemes.
“Fine. I’ll consider it. I a.s.sume they are still on their way here, since I would have heard of it if they were in my city. Where are they now?”
“They just started training.”
“… What?”
“I’m sure they’ll look the part in 15 days.”
Wolfgang was almost erupting in anger at Isaac’s obnoxious att.i.tude.
“I think you’re mistaken. The war will start in under a month. We will be sending the declaration of war to the Department of Administration soon. But how long will it take for your soldiers to get here? It will take at least 20 days, even if you used the quickest route.”
“Ah. You don’t need to worry about that. I’m going to make the same offer to Marquis Lichten too.”
“… What are you scheming?”
“I suspect you’re just going to shove them in the back line, since you won’t risk a dangerous strategy that sends untrained recruits into the middle of the battlefield, right?”
“… I won’t deny it.”
“Marquis Lichten will be the same too. Their lives are on the stake too, right?”
“So?”
“That’s why I’m paying 1000 Giga for every person gaining experience from being stuck in the back line. That money will come in handy in the postwar cleanup afterwards too. Ah! And my boys on the opposing side must die valiantly in battle, regardless of whether they are winning or losing side, since they’ve been hired under contract.”
“…”
Basically, Isaac was paying money to validate his mercenary business, which would allow him to reduce the unemployed population. But since he didn’t know which side would win, he was sending his soldiers to both sides.
“Of course, I know this won’t be enough to convince you to help me out. So I will give an additional 2 million Giga to the winner of the war, but only if the winner delays the war for another month.”
2 million… A dazzling amount of money. Wolfgang’s revenue from taxes and miscellaneous activities only totaled 700 thousand Giga after being recla.s.sified as a county, yet Isaac was throwing around 2 million like it was nothing. Wolfgang now had firsthand experience as to why they called him a wastrel.
And 2 million… was worth one month’s delay.
With the negotiation over, Count Wolfgang offered Rivelia to stay a night so that he could prepare a banquet for her. Rivelia tried to refuse, but Isaac rubbed his hands together mischievously and accepted the offer instead.
Wolfgang made no comment over Isaac accepting the offer that was clearly not meant for him. Rivelia, who clearly wanted to refuse the offer, seemed like she was going to follow Isaac’s lead.
So the two were led into their separate guest rooms. Finally alone, Rivelia found some time to catch her breath, when Isaac barged into the room.
“What’s up with your expression?”
“It’s nothing. I’m just surprised at how calmly I’m taking your senseless barging into a lady’s room without a knock.”
Isaac shrugged in response to Rivelia and threw himself onto the sofa. He placed his legs on the table and took out a cigarette.