Chapter 50 Back To The City

Astellia Kingdom.

After the end of the great war happened on the south part of the Santaria Continent, only the big kingdoms of the South remains on the continent, and one of them is the Astellia Kingdom.

Famous for its quality of knights, the Astellia Kingdom boasts the greatest strength in its elite knight regiments during the war, resulting in the destruction of two kingdoms near it that declared war on the Astellia Kingdom.

After the great victory in the war, the Astellia Kingdom declare possession of the territory of the two kingdoms it defeated, enlarging the territory of the kingdom greatly. Knowing how the Astellia Kingdom won the war with minimum casualties on their side, no kingdoms in the south dare to antagonize its declaration.

The Astellia Kingdom is famous not only for its knights, but it has a great agricultural value on almost all of its territory as well, making the kingdom prosper and minimizing citizen's death because of hunger.

-Kingdoms and Empires of Santaria Continent, Great Library of Eureka, The city of academy and magic, Ausbildia

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"Now, let's hear your report," The guildmaster's voice resounded in the meeting room that they used before the elite team's departure.

After getting back their horses and riding back to the city, the leaders of the mercenary parties immediately went to the guild to report their subjugation. When they arrived at the guild, the staff immediately went and lead them to the meeting room, revealing the guildmaster that already waiting for them inside it.

​ "Yes, guildmaster," (Brave Ring's Leader)

The ones inside the room are the guildmaster, Lichia, Jean, Surena, The Brave Ring's Leader, and the Golden Thrill's leader. Unlike before, the guildmaster didn't summon everyone to the meeting room, and only let the leaders of the Mythril-ranked mercenary parties to take part in the meeting.

Heeding the guildmaster's command, the Brave Ring's leader explained how the subjugation went from the beginning to the end without missing any details of what happened. He included the reports of the other parties to him in his explanation to the guildmaster.

"I see... So 9 people died, and all of them are the scouts of your parties. You only managed to found and kill one hobgoblin assassin, and the one who killed it is the rookie, Evocatore, is that right?" (Guildmaster)

"Yes, you're right, guildmaster," (Brave Ring's Leader)

"Hm... So the goblins are smart enough to hide an ambush with an ambush, and there are red goblins with skin as hard as a goblin champion. This might be more troubling than I thought it is..." The guildmaster folded his arms and closed his eyes, seeming to be pondering something.

"So what will we do, guildmaster? Will we continue to take an offensive stance and march to their main base tomorrow, or will we play siege? I think that there are too many uncertainties about the goblins we're fighting with," (Surena)

"You're right. But we can't risk having the city getting too damaged as well. If the city got too damaged, the value of the city will get lowered, and the merchants might assume that we, mercenaries, aren't capable of defending the city. Not to mention that our opponent this time is goblins," (Guildmaster)

The guildmaster's concern is sound and valid. No matter how strong the goblins and the goblin king are, the name goblins are already famous for being weak and cowardly and even a novice adventurer or mercenary could easily kill them. If the mercenaries of the mercenary city that are famous as the strongest mercenaries of the continent couldn't repel the goblins from the city easily, it might give great damage to all mercenaries' reputations.

"You're right..." (Surena)

"That's right, guildmaster. That's why, if we are still going to fight the goblins and battle them to their base, I believe that it will be better if we make the Valkyrie's Dancing Gale as the commander and the Tiny General as the strategist. I'm afraid that if I'm the one who leads, it'll give us more casualties only. My skills and wisdom are not as great as theirs," (Brave Ring's Leader)

"Borton..." (Surena)

"I see... Does the other party leaders agree with the Brave Ring's suggestion?" The Guildmaster shifted his gaze towards the others.

Everyone replied with a nod.

"Then so be it. All of you must be tired, come back here in the afternoon. We'll discuss the advancing plan then," (Guildmaster)

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After arriving at the city, Lyan's thinking of heading towards the House of Roses immediately but-

(I'm hungry! I want the inn's food!) (Lilith)

(Yeah. Quickly get your ass to the inn, I want their food as well) (Griselda)

"Aren't all of you supposed to have no hunger?" (Lyan)

(Then what will you explain this rumbling inside my stomach is, huh!? Just quickly go there! I want boozes as well!!) (Griselda)

*Sigh!*

"Fine, fine," (Lyan)

Letting out a small sigh, Lyan heads in the direction of the Scholar's inn. After realizing that his body is dirty and he should clean his body first as well, Lyan decided that it might not be bad to head towards the Scholar's inn to wash himself and have a meal first. Since in the House of Roses, they wouldn't accept his money if he pay, so it would be bad if he suddenly asked for 8 portions of food for them.

(They will think of me as a shameless person for sure if I do that...) (Lyan)

Along the way, Lyan noticed that the road isn't as packed and lively as usual.

(Well, it's understandable considering that there is the threat of the goblin king and the army of goblins outside though) (Lyan)

Because of the existence of the goblin king and the goblin army, the city had closed its gates and had warned the surrounding countries to not come to the city because of the upcoming danger. Until the matter of the goblin king finished, the city decided to close the entry to the city to minimize the casualties.

(Rather than traveling merchants and tourists, the city is now packed with mercenaries everywhere...) (Lyan)

The information about the reward from the goblin extermination must have been spread all over the continent. All mercenaries and those who seek for extra funds are currently gathering inside the city to join the fray and gather gold from killing merely goblins.

Since the quest is a battle with an army of goblins, they felt like they are going to a place filled with golds instead, thinking how high the payment from killing a goblin the guild will pay them.

(But it's quite the view...) (Lyan)

Lyan muttered as he observed his surroundings along the way.

There are mercenaries all over the place. People bring swords, bows, halberds, and other weapons as they walk on the road. The excitement for tomorrow's battle is clearly visible on their face.

(So the mercenaries all over the continent had now gathered on such a short notice, huh... I wonder how many of them will be left after the quest) (Lyan)

Lyan continues his walk, and he finally arrives in front of the Scholar's inn.

(Ah... This is it...) (Lyan)

The scent of bibliosmia entered Lyan's nostrils, in an instant, Lyan felt like his whole body relaxed and soothed by the atmosphere of books.

(This scent of bibliosmia is as relaxing as ever. This scent will make it harder for me to leave this place...) (Lyan)

But different from the first time he went here, the Scholar's Inn is quite packed more than before.

(But there are no rough-looking mercenaries renting a room here as expected, huh... Well, with all of these books, it would make those who don't really fond of reading felt out of place, after all) (Lyan)

The ones lining up inside are mercenaries that look kind of nerdy, some are magicians, and there is even a priest.

(This kind of inn really does attract peculiar ones, huh) (Lyan)

"Ah! Mr. Lyan!" A familiar voice sounded from the dining hall's direction.

(Ah. It's the inn's waitress) (Lyan)

"Ah. Yes," Lyan replied to her call.

(Hm? Who is this girl's name again? Did she already introduce herself to me or not, I wonder?) (Lyan)

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Inside the mercenary guild's guildmaster's office, the guildmaster is currently sitting on his seat behind his desk, while another figure is standing behind the window as he stares outside.

"So? Have you found the thing you're searching for, your highness?" (Guildmaster)

Despite using the term 'your highness' to the figure, the guildmaster is using the bare minimum courtesy in his tone. With his arms folded, he asked the guy he called 'your highness' directly without any useless pleasantries.

"That's what I fond of mercenaries. They don't take time to make useless formalities and talk directly to the point. Never beat around the bush. And yes, by the way. I've found the thing I'm searching for," The guy replied with a satisfied smile.

"I see... Lyan Arkanium Evocatore, huh... He does look promising. It's a shame that I need to let you have him. Well, we didn't know whether he'll accept your offer or not yet. Nothing had set in stone, I guess," (Guildmaster)

"Of course. I won't be accepting any answer other than yes,"

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Name: Lyan Arkanium Evocatore

Occupation: Gold-ranked Mercenary

Money: 49,722,600 Elnes

Weapon: None

Equipment: Black leather cloak, One-handed Sword

Grimoire's Companions: 8 High Spirits, Shadow Hobgoblin, Papilio Slime, Galewing Butterfly, Rock Golem