110 A request that canst be refused (1/2)

Past the moment of surprise where they slightly lost themselves, seeing their future filled with all the treasures they could gather from their own hands, the hardened veterans did not immediately rush inside. From a conservative point of view, if the tomb was completely empty, they could only at best get the double of what they could have earned at first.

Indeed, whether it was the mercenaries or the adventurers, both were employed with special rules concerning the loot found. During the initial contract, some exceptions could be made, like them getting everything or nothing, depending on the nature of the task. If it was to gather a specific material or kill a certain monster, besides the target, they could keep everything they earned.

In this case, for exploring a certain area, the general consensus was that half of the resources they could earn from killing monsters would be their, in exchange for everything found belonging to the employer. After all, the later provided the location, the transport and a fixed reward. Based on this, the percentage could change based on who was recruited and who was the recruiter.

The only few times where either the adventurers or the mercenaries could earn everything was when nations or powers rivaling them decided to use them as bait. It was the same thing that happened when several attempts were made at conquering the wild and uncharted mountains between Massalia and Avenio. This also happened a few times, when the two nations tried to enter the fallen Kingdom of Pankow. Of course, after all those years, not even the most greedy and desperate fighter dared to accept such a task.

So, when a random lord began handing them promises of wealth, one after the other, even the dumbest member of that expedition could understand that something was wrong. Therefore, contrary to his expectations, instead of rushing inside like mad wolves, the mercenaries quickly ran away and joined the adventurers. The servant of the House Blackwood was fuming in the inside, who told him that only by waving gold, every mercenary was ready to give up their lives?

”I know we have our differences and will probably not be friends anytime soon. But, why did the magician left in a hurry when he arrived here?” The de-facto leader of the mercenaries proposed a temporary peace among the two groups because he wasn't willing to die so soon. Especially when they won't even know how they died.

Kozak looked at his friends, and when he saw them nodding their heads, he agreed to the demand. ”You remember the fact that the drivers were there before us? Apparently, they used a magic device to break the barrier surrounding this place. Because of this, that meant that whatever magic was inside, it might still be active. As for why he was so scared, it's the Dark Gods we are talking about ...”

The berserker purposely finished his sentence that way, making the mercenaries think about it themselves. ”The 10th Circle.” In less than a second, someone blurted those words loudly, but afterward, quickly put his hands in front of his mouth. He looked at the terrifying entrance, fearing that by saying it, he would be cursed. Even if his reaction was a bit extreme, the rest was not really any better.

”Hehehe, the entire world and 13 Heroes only managed to barely beat them, but we are asked to potentially enter their hidden base? Us? Hehehe” The representant of the mercenaries drily laughed at that notion. Even the adventurers in front of him were only the best in this region, not in the entire country. Fundamentally, they were strong and skilled enough to maybe survive, but that was it. Thinking about the line, he turned to look at the servant that was visibly angry.

Everyone followed his gaze, and soon, the only civilian present felt goosebumps when so many were looking at him with hatred. Sneaking a peek at the guards nearby, he convinced himself that he was not afraid of those he recruited. But as the menacing group began to walk toward him, his apprehension turned into real fright. If he wasn't so absolutely certain that the fake guards that accompanied him could handle those lawless bastards, he would have already started to run.

”What is it? Do you want to breach the contract? If you do that, I will make sure that everyone will learn that, you hear me, your reputation will be blargh!!!” Kozak grabbed him by the throat and raised him in the air. The frail servant violently began to kick with his legs, searching the ground under him. After being shaken a few times by the tall adventurer, he stood still.

The rest were all pointing their weapons at the drivers that were nearby. The latter hadn't moved at all when they saw the entire thing happened, but that didn't mean that they were not ready to fight. Even if it was five against nearly thirty, it didn't seem that they will be on the losing side. Being stuck in a standoff like that, everyone listened carefully the exchange between the two men.

”I will ask you questions. If you answer truthfully, I will put you on the ground and you will not feel any pain. If you don't, you will beg me to stop. Understood?”

”bwarg-yesh-blarg”

”Great.”

Pouf

The servant fell on his back and began to massage his throat. Red marks could be seen on all his neck, proof that Kozak didn't go easy on him. The moment he got up, he almost began to order the guards to attack them but stopped when being stared by the berserker. Feeling someone two heads taller looking at him, he knew he would not be able to escape him. Feeling shame for the first time since he had promoted to this position, he still harbored a polite smile, hiding his heinous thoughts beyond a mask.

”Did you knew that magic will still be active inside this tomb?”

”No ... I mean, yes, yes.” He tried to lie, but seeing the two huge hands heading for his throat, he could only submit for the time being. The mercenaries were now looking disdainfully at the one that was supposed to supervise them.

”Did you enter the tomb?”

”No, or at least, I don't know about that. But the barrier was still up this morning.” Since it was useless to try to fool them on such obvious facts, the servant could only say the truth on some subjects.

”Who is behind Lord Blackwood?”