Published: July 4, 2025
"I see. I understand the situation."
Abel nodded after saying this.
They were in the Chairman's Office of the Merchants' Association.
Ryo and Abel sat side by side, receiving an explanation from Chairman Bandersh.
Basically, Abel handled the questions and confirmations.
Ryo sat quietly next to him, sipping the special blended coffee from the Azure Orb Pavilion.
He was pretending to be a harmless, gentle mage...
"So, could you tell us the employment conditions you are considering?"
Abel asked unemotionally.
In a business-like manner.
This was something he had dealt with many times during his active adventurer days.
"One hundred gold coins per person. Fifty in advance, fifty upon arrival in the capital. As a reward for complete success, an additional fifty coins each. Furthermore, if desired, we can assist with the crossing to the continent from the capital. Our association also engages in trade with the continent."
"Hmm..."
To be honest, Abel couldn't determine the appropriateness of that amount since he was unfamiliar with the cost of living in the vassal kingdom, including the City of Manyamia.
However, there was one phrase in the current discussion that needed to be confirmed.
"You mentioned 'the reward for complete success,' but specifically, what constitutes complete success?"
"Yes. First, there should be no casualties among our crew and the guard squad. Additionally, the princess must arrive in the capital. If both conditions are met, we will consider it complete success."
"I see..."
Abel nodded at Bandersh's explanation.
As had been evident in previous discussions, this association, or perhaps the chairman before him, valued the people working for them very highly.
That’s why the safety of the crew and guard squad was included in the condition for complete success.
Abel glanced over at Ryo sitting beside him.
(Ryo likely holds a high opinion of this association. Like the Gecko Merchant Association, he appreciates organizations that treat their workers well.)
Of course, Abel also preferred those who treated their subordinates with care over those who treated them as expendable.
"Human resources are indeed treasures," he murmured.
Ryo seemed pleased at hearing this and nodded.
Meanwhile, Chairman Bandersh smiled as well.
At that moment, a knock echoed through the room.
"Come in."
When Bandersh said this, a young man entered.
It was his eldest son, Ban Ro.
"Excuse me for interrupting your conversation. However, urgent news related to this matter has just arrived from the government, and I thought it best to inform you immediately."
Saying this, Ban Ro handed a piece of paper to Bandersh and left the room.
After reading the urgent report, Bandersh began to explain to the two.
"Officially, the new government of the Sujay Kingdom has demanded the surrender of Princess Iliriaja from the vassal kingdom and the government of Manyamia. The government of Manyamia refused to respond, and since the vassal kingdom has accepted the princess as an asylum seeker, they responded that immediate surrender is impossible as an inquiry must be held in the capital. The representative of the new government is Lord Protector Kavui Somaru."
"Lord Protector..."
The words "Lord Protector" escaped simultaneously from Abel and Ryo's mouths.
Abel, unfamiliar with the term, looked on with suspicion.
Ryo, who hadn't heard the word in a long time, looked nostalgic.
Ryo had heard it back when he was on Earth.
It was a term learned in history class... the Lord Protector of England.
During the Puritan Revolution, Charles I was executed, and Oliver Cromwell took the position of Lord Protector as the head of the English "Republic."
That was likely the most well-known example of a Lord Protector in history.
However, even before that, in England, it was often used as a title for a regent during a king's childhood.
Though it wasn't mentioned in school history lessons...
Yet, considering the current situation, there was a slight doubt.
"Excuse me, I just want to confirm something..."
Ryo raised a hand to request to speak.