Chapter 38

The Fasa Free Company, no, the Black Company, was a military organization created to beat up pirates (and aim for their treasure).

As can be seen from its purpose of creation, the mercenary company pursued its interests.

Although it had not yet generated any income, the expected profit was high.

In particular, the pirate treasure brought from Fasa had long since become a legend.

However, that didn't necessarily mean it was a good thing.

Just as moths are drawn to a flame, the number of people interested in the rights Leon possessed also increased.

Most of them wanted vacant officer positions or lower-ranking jobs, so there was no problem, but the problem was the people who were aiming for Leon's position.

They ignored the hardships Leon had gone through to form the mercenary company and wanted to take over the organization for free.

So they nitpicked at Leon's qualifications.

Saying that he was a foreigner, that he was too young, or that he had no experience.

The fact that Leon was the first to burn down a pirate den in the Kresven Archipelago and bring back treasure in Fasa was intentionally ignored.

Fortunately, so far, such attempts at seizure had been blocked by Matriarch Costanza's influence, but when the opponent was a Phoenix Knight, the story changed.

If it was a mere country knight, it was possible to ignore the request.

But with someone like Eleonor, it was a problem that could change their attitude to, ‘Ah, a better person has appeared? Well, you've worked hard so far, so I'll give you the position of adjutant.’

So it was only natural that Leon thought Eleonor was an ambitious person who had come to aim for the position of mercenary commander.

That was why Leon felt ecstatic when he heard Eleonor's reaction.

This was like getting a free 10-pull and suddenly a yellow light shot out, revealing a 5-star character.

***

“Ah, I'm not interested in that problem. I was originally traveling around Romagna to collect ancient documents. But then, I happened to hear an interesting rumor nearby.”

“What rumor was that?”

“A town crier who came to Romagna said that Fasa was gathering people to fight pirates and find treasure. It sounded pretty interesting. I thought it would be good to record what was happening on the spot.”

So that was it.

The effect of the performance bonus was truly amazing.

I didn't know which town crier had thought of going as far as Romagna, but as a result, they had brought Eleonor.

In this world, the majority of people were illiterate and couldn't even write their own names.

However, Eleonor was a historian who had received a higher education.

Her excessive passion and curiosity for historical records were a slight flaw, but she had no rough edges in her personality and was a person with maxed-out social skills who got along well with others.

In other words, a knowledgeable person who could share the administrative work had appeared, and that fact alone was enough reason to hire her with the best treatment.

Eleonor, who was unaware of these inner thoughts, was defenseless.

“So, would you guide me to the commander? I'd like to meet him in person and see what kind of person he is.”

“You don't have to go far for that. I am the commander of the mercenary company, Leon Gryph.”

“What? You look so young?”

“Age doesn't matter when it comes to commanding a unit.”

I welcomed her sincerely with the most benevolent smile to make the prey let its guard down.

Fortunately, Eleonor did not notice my dark inner thoughts.

“Anyway, welcome, Sir Eleonor. I will grant you permission to enlist with all the authority I have.”

“Ah, yes. I look forward to working with you. No, I'm under you now, so I should use honorifics. I look forward to your guidance, Lord Gryph.”

“I will treat you with the highest respect in my name. How about the position of deputy commander? If you don't like that, there is also the position of military advisor. Or perhaps the assault squad?”

“Ahaha. You really give me the red-carpet treatment. I really like it.”

“Then shall we go and draw up the contract first?”

***

The appearance of Eleonor was a good thing for me in many ways.

First, the challenges to my qualifications as mercenary commander completely disappeared.

It was only natural if you thought about it.

Think about it.

Even the famous Eleonor of the Phoenix Knights didn't covet the position of mercenary commander.

So who would dare to claim they were qualified?

You'd have to be crazy.

With Eleonor's authority behind me, I was invincible.

Eleonor also adapted to Fasa better than expected.

In particular, as she had experience from her time in the knight order, she handled the administrative work of the mercenary company skillfully.

Indeed, a talent worthy of being entrusted with the position of commander…….

Crash!

“This is not what I expected!”

“Hey, catch her! She's at it again!”

Hmm.

Actually, she hadn't completely adapted.

Eleonor would sometimes lose her reason and attempt to escape, or raid my office with a blood-soaked warhammer.

Just like now.

Bang!

As if to prove she was a member of the Phoenix Knights, Eleonor, her face red with anger, kicked open the door.

“Lord Gryph! Isn't this a fraudulent contract! You didn't say you were going to give me this much work!”

I had thought it was about time for this.

I tried to assign as little as possible, but there was still too much work piled up in the mercenary company.

And when there was too much work, it was common sense to dream of escape.

So I had prepared a safety device in advance.

“Sir Eleonor, shall we review the contract together?”

I calmly took out the contract I had prepared in my desk drawer and showed Eleonor the penalty clause.

At that, Eleonor’s ‘anger management issues’ changed to ‘anger well-managed.’

Eleonor muttered in a dazed voice.

“Goodness. It really was a fraudulent contract.”

In the salary section of the contract, there was a clause written in 2pt font stating that the penalty for breach of contract was three times the amount.

It was like a liability waiver in a TV commercial that is rapped out in 3 seconds.

Eleonor, considering her status, received a larger salary than I did, so it was impossible for her to pay the penalty immediately.

Even a loan was impossible.

The banks in Fasa were all in cahoots with me.

The people of Fasa had no intention of letting a foreign celebrity who had come to them on their own accord go.

“I have no doubt that the renowned Sir Eleonor will abide by the contract.”

“Ugh. You swindler.”

My conscience was pricked by her resentful gaze, but it couldn't be helped.

I was in a living hell too.

In times like these, a frontal assault is the best approach.

“I'm sorry for the heavy workload. I know it's hard, so please bear with it a little longer. I will fill the positions as quickly as possible.”

“But……!”

Eleonor’s eyes wavered at my sincere apology.

Her gaze shifted back and forth between my face and the pile of documents on the desk.

That was the reason why Eleonor didn't immediately smash my head with her warhammer.

It was because I was handling much more work than Eleonor.

Instead, after seeing the pile of documents, Eleonor began to look at me with pity.

“I know what you desire, Sir. Once the work is somewhat on track, you will be able to immerse yourself in historical records as you wish.”

“Haa. You must keep that promise. You really must.”

“Of course, I will.”

After alternating between the whip and the carrot, Eleonor finally slumped her shoulders and returned to her seat.

Then, Theo poked his head out from the doorway.

“Young Master, is everything alright?”

“It's fine. It's not the first time. But why didn't you stop her in the middle?”

“Because I knew the Young Master would persuade her.”

“You rascal.”

Actually, if she put her mind to it, Eleonor could wreak havoc in Fasa.

Who would dare to swindle a Phoenix Knight of Aquitaine and get away with it?

It was just that Eleonor was putting up with it because she found what was happening in Fasa interesting.

The main driving force behind Eleonor was curiosity.

If she felt that the work in the mercenary company was not interesting, she would leave without any regrets.

That was also why I kept throwing work at Eleonor.

“Well, that's one thing settled.”

I looked down at the document I was writing.

The process of creating the mercenary company was not easy, but it was enjoyable and rewarding.

I was confident that it was at least presentable enough not to be ashamed of anywhere.

But elite troops are not born from training alone.

They must go through actual combat to break out of their shells.

Through that process, they are transformed into elite soldiers.

Yes.

It was about time.

These men needed a baptism of fire.

***

“─Therefore, for the reasons stated above, I request permission to act.”

Administration always works with documents.

I submitted a request letter with a smoothly polished intention to the city council.

The city council was not an institution that operated only on special occasions like a war council, but a permanent advisory body for decision-making under the direct control of the mayor.

To be more precise, it was a position created for the children of influential city families to build their careers.

That was what I had gathered so far.

Naturally, the members of the council were also involved in the investment in the mercenary business.

For one, Randolfo Signori’s brother, Emilio Signori, was serving as a member of the council.

In this medieval era, it was common for official positions to be a subject of trade, so it wasn't strange.

What was strange was the council members' reaction.

“The eradication of pirates, you say.”

“Actual combat experience? For the mercenary company?”

Huh?

Is this something to react to like this?

The council members acted as if something unimaginable had happened.

The proposal I presented seemed to be quite bewildering to them.

I actively explained my intention.

“With the efforts of many, the foundation of the mercenary company has been laid. However, the majority are new recruits with a lack of actual combat experience, and there are few elites.”

“You mean those elite soldiers can't be made through training alone?”

“There are parts that cannot be filled by training. Experience is what makes elites.”

“Ahem, what does Lord Gryph have in mind?”

“Pirates are still rampant in the Golden Sea. I was thinking of showing those villains the might of Fasa.”

The council members ignored me and exchanged glances with each other.

Something was a little, no, a lot, strange.

“I'm not sure if that's really necessary. A considerable amount of funds has already been spent on establishing the mercenary company. It will cost money every time the fleet moves.”

“Then are you suggesting we just let the mercenary company sit idle? Have you forgotten why we participated in the investment plan?”

“Well, it was to make some money by taking the pirate's treasure.”

“No, you fool! You have to say it right. It was to stabilize the trade routes by eradicating the pirates.”

“Ah. Ahem.”

“The government's taxes have already been invested in this for several months. If all of that was in vain, the citizens will not stand idly by.”

So that was the problem.

Well, it was about time for that to happen here too.

It had already been a few months since the fever of a get-rich-quick scheme had swept through the city.

It wouldn't be strange for people to start waking up from their sweet dreams.

I guess they were thinking that since they had no choice but to create the mercenary company, they should try to reduce its operation or expenditure.

However, the establishment of this mercenary company was a super-large project that involved not only private but also government funds.

If the citizens found out that their taxes had been used in vain, the probability of a riot in the city was one hundred percent.

And in this era, riots meant looting, arson, and pitchforks were the basics.

At the very least, the houses of the people gathered here could be burned down, or their heads could be separated from their bodies.

In other words, these people clearly needed a result that would both protect their own necks and inform the citizens that ‘we have used the taxes appropriately.’

Now that I knew what the council members were worried about, it was my turn to step up.

“You don't have to worry too much about that. I'm not going to move the entire mercenary company at once.”

“Oh, how so?”

“I will assign missions like coastal patrols or pirate ship eradication to a small fleet of four or five ships. And after a certain period of service and gaining experience, they will be rotated with the troops on the mainland.”

“Indeed.”

“Since the entire mercenary company is not moving, you don't have to worry about high costs. Also, if the trade routes are stabilized through regular patrols, the financial benefits will also increase.”

“Good. We will grant permission for this in the name of the council. Proceed as planned.”

As soon as the topic of making money came up, the council members fidgeted in their seats.

Since the distinction between the government and the private sector was weak, it wasn't strange for them to confuse public office with family business.

In fact, the merchants of Fasa had made a considerable amount of money from this, so it wasn't a loss for them either.

The reason why the mercenary company was nicknamed the Black Company in the first place was to get rid of the large stock of fabric that the Fasa merchants had.

Well, what's so special about the evils of monopoly?

The private use of public functions is the evil.

“So, is it starting now, Young Master?”

“Yes.”

The council members were overlooking one important fact.

That is, once something is implemented, it is very difficult to stop.

Once the policy has been started, Fasa has no choice but to actively intervene in maritime issues, if only for the sake of getting their money's back.

In other words, it also meant that the influence of the mercenary company, which was the city's one and only military force, was bound to grow.

And in the meantime, it would be possible for me to build up my strength.

Well, don't resent me too much, everyone.

I have to get my share of the profit, just as you've earned your money, don't I?

And so, I took the first step onto the Golden Sea.

“What's next?”

“Let's go meet the Kobold pirates.”

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