The Mercenary Guild typically serves as a bridge between mercenaries and others in need of their services.

If a task is entrusted to the Mercenary Guild, they match the job with a suitable mercenary who's currently available.

It was a beneficial arrangement for both the person assigning the task and the mercenaries themselves.

However, the commission taken by the guild was quite a lot.

It was often said that while the mercenaries did the work, the guild took the money.

The reason the guild could operate and take such a high commission was due to the masters of the Mercenary Guild.

Each region has its own master of the Mercenary Guild, and these masters are highly skilled.

They are usually the top mercenaries who have made a name for themselves in that region.

The master of a region's Mercenary Guild is not someone to be trifled with.

They have the backing of the guild, wield significant influence in their region, and possess formidable personal power, making them untouchable even by the nobility.

So, it was no wonder that people fled when Robert hit one of these masters.

"I apologize..."

The master of the Mercenary Guild, with his swollen face, was apologizing to Robert.

He was so badly beaten that his original facial features were hardly recognizable.

Robert, flexing his wrist, began to speak.

"You've grown arrogant."

The master coughed in response.

Here's what happened:

Robert called for the master and was downstairs having a drink.

Somehow, a mix-up occurred, and the message never reached the master.

He then personally went to see the master.

The master's room was on the second floor of a bar.

Robert boldly walked up and knocked on the master's door.

However, the master treated him like an impostor and hurled insults at him.

That's when Robert lost his temper.

"What's the history between you two?" I asked.

"Worthless scum."

"W-Worthless scum...? Weren't we comrades?"

"What else do you call someone who just carried my luggage and followed me around from behind?"

The man, known as the master, couldn't respond to Robert's words.

"When did Professor Robert associate with such people..."

"Wait... Robert, you became a professor?"

Robert gave the master a cold stare.

The master quickly covered his mouth with his hand.

Robert turned away,

"I had some wandering years. I got involved with these types."

I didn't ask any further and kept my mouth shut.

Perhaps this was before he joined the academy?

I heard that before Professor Cromwell brought him to the academy, Robert had quite an eventful past.

Robert turned his attention back to the master.

"Jack, you have a task to do."

"A task?"

"Find someone for me."

Robert threw a scroll he was holding to the man named Jack.

"Find out by tomorrow night."

Jack unfolded the scroll Robert had thrown to him.

"This, by tomorrow night? Ah, no, I can't do it. Besides, I'd go to jail for doing this!"

"So, you're more afraid of jail than me now?"

"Hmm..."

Jack covered his mouth with his hand again.

He was a large man, but he couldn't move a muscle out of fear.

"Well, why don't you come inside and talk for now..."

Jack said this and then looked outside.

"Ahem! Business ends here for today! An important guest has arrived, so I'm closing the shop!"

Jack shouted outside with a dignified attitude, different from when he was dealing with Robert.

People were puzzled, but seeing the master saying so, they figured it must be the case and started to leave.

"By the way... who are you?"

"Oh, we are disciples of Professor Robert."

"Disciples? He took in disciples?"

Jack looked at Robert with a bewildered face.

"They're just some guys I taught a few spells under me."

"...Isnt that called a disciple?"

Robert then gave him a sharp look.

Avoiding Robert's gaze, Jack looked at us.

"Ahem, well, you guys come in too."

With that, we entered the room of the Mercenary Guild Master.

Jack opened the scroll Robert had given him on the desk.

The content written on the scroll was related to investigating Ephomos.

"Do you not realize that investigating matters related to Ephomos is illegal?"

"That's why I asked you. Mercenaries like you might know better."

Ephomos.

A city underground known as the underbelly of the capital.

The empire's capital is highly sophisticated and beautifully decorated.

People dress well, and it's so clean that not a single piece of trash can be found.

The reason for its maintenance is the existence of this underground city.

Ephomos was once an underground city where the poor of the capital lived.

Because of this city, the empire faced headaches.

With Ephomos around, public order in the capital deteriorated, and the poor, protecting each other, made it harder to catch criminals.

During such troubling times, the empire discovered something.

Dark Wizards in Ephomos were researching necromancy.

In the end, the empire used that as an excuse to wipe out Ephomos entirely.

"How do you research a vanished city now... The empire should have all the related materials."

"The empire doesn't have the materials."

"...What?"

"I went to the empire myself and asked people of the empire to investigate, but all the materials are gone."

Hearing this, my eyes widened.

"I have a rough idea who might have done it..."

Robert said, sneaking a glance at me.

The Astria family?

Why would they?

Although I was puzzled, I continued to listen.

"The Empire has only just realized the data is missing and is frantically searching for it. You should look into it as well."

"How am I supposed to find something even the Empire can't?"

"Mercenaries will do anything for the right price, won't they?"

Robert took out a pouch and threw it to Jack.

Thud

The pouch landed heavily on the desk.

Jack looked at Robert as if questioning what it was.

Robert casually replied,

"Gold coins."

"Excuse me?"

Even though it was a small pouch, it was larger than a grown man's fist.

If it was filled with gold coins, there would be at least a hundred or more.

An amount that would strain even the nobility, and for commoners, it was enough to live comfortably for a lifetime.

"That amount should suffice, right?"

"...Leave it to me, Sir. I, Jack, will do my utmost to find out!"

Seeing the amount, Jack hastily stood up and said that.

However, he quickly changed his expression to a more pleading one, glancing around.

"But... one day might be too tough... Can I have some more time...?"

"Alright, 5 days."

He probably intended to give him 5 days from the start.

It would be enough time for us to visit the Railer Territory.

He said it as if he was showing mercy.

"I will serve you faithfully!!!"

Jack replied with a loud voice overflowing with gratitude.

"So... who are you two?"

Jack sat in front of Luna and me, asking.

Robert sat on the other side of the room, eating his meal.

While we had already eaten, Robert hadn't, so he was eating separately.

"We're academy students."

"Ahaha..."

"Students? So, you use magic, handle elementals, and such?"

"Yes, we're from the magic department, so we know how to use magic."

There's no need to mention Priscilla...

It didn't seem like he was asking out of genuine curiosity.

It felt more like a casual question, so I kept my answer brief.

"Wow! So, you'll probably become nobles in the future. But shouldn't you be studying? Is it okay to roam around like this?"

"It's our vacation, so we have some free time. Our teacher wanted us to go, what could we possibly say against it?"

"Oh... Your circumstances seem similar to mine."

Jack looked at us with a sympathetic gaze.

"To be under someone like that at such a young age... But still, he's become much milder compared to before."

Jack said, looking up as if reminiscing.

I didn't miss that and immediately spoke up.

"How was Professor Robert in the past?"

That was precisely what I had been curious about.

Even if I asked professors like Robert or Cromwell, they never answered this question.

But this Jack person seemed like he would spill everything if he got a little excited.

"Heh... Back in the day, Professor Robert was like a real devil... No, he summoned demons, so he was a devil, right?"

"Oh? How long have you known Professor Robert?"

"Professor Robert? Maybe... since he was expelled from the empire?"

Upon hearing that, my eyes widened in surprise.

They've known each other for quite some time, haven't they?

I thought they might have met once or twice, but this was unexpected.

"Thinking back to those times... I was quite brave."

Jack shivered, making a face as if recalling something terrifying.

"But, back then, even Professor Robert was young... and so was I."

"Hmm... I see..."

"Did I say something weird in front of the kids? Heh heh..."

Jack got lost in his memories for a moment, then laughed it off.

Seeing him like this, he didn't seem like a bad person.

"But seeing him take on a disciple, he has changed a lot... Back in the day..."

"You talk too much."

Professor Robert interjected while eating, glancing back slightly.

This was a chance to learn Robert's secret, and it was a bit disappointing.

How much does this man hide about himself?

I could understand to some extent, but it was frustrating as someone close to him.

"Hmm. Let's talk about something else then. Right, I didnt catch your names. What are your names?"

At Jack's question, Luna and I exchanged glances.

This was a tricky question.

It would be better not to reveal our names if we wanted information from Jack...

"So, what's the name of the pretty one here?"

"Uh... I'm Luna Railer..."

"Hmm...?"

Jack furrowed his brows upon hearing Luna's name.

"What? You're a noble, aren't you?"

"Ahaha... I'm just a noble in name."

"Where can you find a noble who is just a noble in name? If you're a noble, then you're a noble."

Jack commented, stroking his chin.

"Railer? Are you from that region?"

"Yes... it's a countryside territory..."

"Ah, that place... Hmm..."

I tilted my head, curious about his reaction.

What was the status of the Railer territory to elicit such a response?

I had a rough idea since it was a rural area, but I wondered how low of a level.

Jack then turned his gaze to me.

"So, what about you?"

"Rudy... Just call me Rudy."

I deliberately left out my family name.

It would be awkward for both of us if the name 'Astria' suddenly came up.

"Rudy? Hmm... Not a very masculine name, but it suits you nonetheless."

"Ahaha... Thank you."

"But you seem to be quite athletic! Your physique is quite manly!"

Jack playfully punched me as he commented.

"Did you work out to protect your girlfriend?"

"No, not really..."

"What do you mean, 'not really'? Especially with such a pretty girlfriend."

Jack gestured towards Luna standing next to me.

At that, Luna's expression brightened.

"Are you shy? This is the moment to score points with your girlfriend! Just say you worked out because of her."

"No... It's not like that..."

"Do we look good together?"

Suddenly, Luna, with sparkling eyes, asked Jack.

"Oh, um? Yes, you both are a perfect match!"

Luna smiled slyly and looked at me.

"Rudy, we look good together."

"..."

I responded with an awkward smile to Luna's statement.

"Well, let's get going."

At that moment, Robert stood up to speak.

Jack also rose, bowing his head at a 90-degree angle.

"Then, until next time."

Robert looked at Jack and then at me.

"Hmm..."

Seeing no response from Robert, Jack lifted his head slightly to look at him.

"Do you have something to say?"

Robert hesitated for a moment before moving away.

"It's okay. I'm leaving."

"Yes! Take care!"

Receiving a hearty farewell from Jack, we exited the store.

The next morning.

Knock, knock

There was a knocking sound at the door.

"Ugh... What now?"

I sat up and looked beside me.

Robert, who should have been sleeping on the adjacent bed, was nowhere in sight.

Knock, knock, knock

Another series of knocks echoed.

"Ahem. Who is it?"

Still groggy from sleep, I cleared my throat and shouted.

"Open the door."

"Yes?"

"Open it, Rudy Astria."

"..."

An authoritative, commanding tone.

A woman's voice.

Slowly, I got up and opened the door.

"Why are you here...?"

Outside stood Astina.

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