Chapter 13: [Side Story] Do I get a guaranteed SR if I do 100 pulls?

Chapter 13: [Side Story] Do I get a guaranteed SR if I do 100 pulls?

Leaving Aider with a list of tasks for the day, Lucas and I exited the mansion.

About half an hour later, we found ourselves standing in front of the Mercenary Guild.

Although it was called the Mercenary Guild, it bore a strong resemblance to an inn.

It was a hub where uncontracted mercenaries lodged, dined, and mingled.

These unaffiliated mercenaries used the guild as a temporary home. If I were to hire them, theyd come under the citys jurisdiction. If not, theyd seek opportunities in another city.

You never knew when a diamond in the rough might surface, so frequent visits were the way to go.

Despite the early hour, the raucous sounds of drinking and revelry filled the aira good omen.

"Ill enter first, your Highness."

"No."

As Lucas moved to open the door, I shook my head, stopping him.

"Ill go first."

With that, I thrust open the door and strode in.

-Bang!

"Make way!"

My brash entrance captured the attention of the reveling mercenaries.

Roughly a hundred pairs of intense eyes met mine.

"Whos this jerk?!"

"Lost his way, or his mind?!"

Their intimidating looks might have unnerved some, but I was undeterred.

Their glares paled compared to the Black Spiders, and most importantly...

"Im your prospective employer!"

I held the reins of power. They were at my mercy.

I shouted at the mercenaries, their focus solely on me.

"Whats wrong with you lot?! Cant you see?!"

Lucas covered his eyes with his hand. Ah well, my audacity was a well-known fact. What was there to fear?

We confidently stepped into the Mercenary Guild, whispers about us resonating from all corners.

"Thats Prince Ash."

"The madcap who threatens to kill everyone if he trips?"

"Hes the one who decimated his troops at the front-line base this time..."

"But hes also the one who exterminated all those spiders, right?"

Ignoring the chatter, I surveyed the mercenaries.

Wheres the one who shines?

The Mercenary Guild was primarily a platform for drawing new characters.

For players convenience, top-tier characters emitted a slight glow within the guild.

R-rank had a blue aura. SR-rank was bathed in purple. SSR-rank glowed gold. And so forth.

I roved about the Mercenary Guild, searching for that light. Where could it be?

"...!"

Then, I saw it.

Seated in the bar at the far end of the Mercenary Guild was a neatly uniformed elderly woman.

A soft purple glow framed her silhouette.

An SR-ranked character?!

A stroke of luck! Unable to suppress my grin, I approached the mercenary.

"Welcome to the Crossroad branch of the Continental Mercenary Guild, your Highness."

She was a woman with neatly tied white hair.

A leather eyepatch masked her left eye, hinting at its loss, and a large cigar was gripped between her wrinkled lips.

I took a seat casually beside her.

"Could you share your name, mercenary?"

"Certainly. Im Jupiter. Pleasure to make your acquaintance."

An SR-ranked lightning mage, Jupiter!

Recognition filled me with elation. This seasoned warrior is already in the mercenary guild?

I acknowledged Jupiter with a nod as she extended a respectful bow.

"Thats an unfamiliar uniform. Which country does it represent?"

"It belongs to our Everblack Empire. Its a design from several decades ago, so it might be new to you."

Jupiter brushed off her dated black uniform with pride. More than ten medals adorned her chest.

Though I knew it already, I couldnt help but let out an exaggerated gasp of admiration.

"You served the Empire, then?"

"For thirty years. I even led the Empires second magic troop unit. Since my retirement, Ive been eking out a living as a mercenary."

"Even after retirement, you remain devoted to the country, a true patriot!"

"Not quite. The pension for retired soldiers isnt sufficient, hence my turn to mercenary work."

Tsk. Jupiter chuckled. It was more a villainous smirk than a soldiers smile.

"But life at the mercenary rung isnt so bad. Its a merit-based system, and I make a decent living."

"You seem to have expensive tastes?"

"An old habit of this battle-hardened woman. Ive spent my life in the shadow of death, never mastering the art of saving."

Jupiter, expertly exhaling smoke from her cigar, shot me a wry, twinkling smile.

"So, your highness, what brings you here?"

"Do I need a specific reason to visit a mercenary guild? I came to recruit a capable mercenary."

"But Your Highness, based on your description, she seems prone to betrayal."

"Thats on the battlefield, Lucas. A skilled rogue is more dependable than a bungling virtuous man."

Monsters dont ponder over morality. They simply slaughter the humans in their path.

Were in no position to mull over moral dilemmas either. What we need is the capacity to annihilate monsters.

"Well... Thats how it goes on the battlefield."

With a wry smile, I climbed into the awaiting carriage.

"As a lord, I suppose I should be doling out a bit of moral guidance."

***

My next stop was a temple.

I was visiting because Lucas had kindled a sacred fire to heal the burns I sustained during the last battle.

I could get these burns treated anytime, but I had some business at the temple, so I willingly obliged.

"Welcome, Prince. Ive been expecting you."

A young woman, tightly clad in holy vestments, welcomed me.

One of the best R-Rank Heroes, Saintess Margarita. With skills focused heavily on healing and shielding, she was a game-changing healer in the game.

Ill be able to recruit her if I fulfill specific conditions later.

But that wasnt the reason for my visit today.

Margarita rapidly healed my burns. It felt as though it took less than five minutes.

"Its done. A faint scar will remain."

"Thank you, Saintess."

I signaled to Lucas after revealing my healed hand placed in front of my chest.

Lucas handed me a pouch of gold coins he was carrying, and I dropped it all into the donation box.

"Now, Saintess, as I mentioned earlier..."

I had sent Damien here last night to lay the groundwork.

To communicate my requirements. Margarita nodded in agreement, seemingly well-informed.

"Yes. Ive summoned all the priests who are currently available."

About ten priests who had been waiting bowed to me. Damien was among them.

Damien flashed an awkward smile, to which I responded with a thin-eyed grin.

"Lets get started then."

Leading the priests, I forged ahead.

"We have a lot to accomplish today. Its going to be somewhat demanding."

***

By evening, west of the Crossroads.

Under a sky painted crimson by the setting sun, a procession of coffins arrived from the forward base.

Even after transferring all the coffins stored in Crossroads, there were not enough, so some troops were dispatched to the forest to build more.

An unused graveyard had been prepared in the western wasteland, and one by one, the coffins were laid there.

The priests offered prayers for each coffin.

A coffin was positioned in the tomb reserved for Ken at the forefront. I quietly observed the scene.

While the ceremony was ongoing, a choir sang.

From Crossroads, and even from the neighboring villages, anyone who could sing was hastily gathered to form an impromptu choir. It was quickly assembled, but their performance was quite impressive.

"La la la... la la la la..."

The hauntingly beautiful melody resonated in the air.

Intrigued residents gathered to witness the spectacle unfolding.

Uniformly arranged soldiers. Imperial banners shrouding each coffin. A massive choir. In this city where death was an everyday occurrence and of little value, this was a rare, solemn funeral.

Most notably, the financial recompense promised to the families of the deceased.

Whispers about the scale of this compensation spread amongst the onlookers who had come to observe.

Those taken aback by the sum muttered amongst themselves. The rumors would quickly disseminate.

I dont plan to paint a rosy picture.

I observed the amazed citizens, their whispers growing louder, with a wry smile on my face.

Yes, I had no intention of dressing up the truth. This was a spectacle, but a justifiable one.

Loyalty doesnt come without a cost.

Reward for dedication. Respect in death.

Only these two, remuneration and reverence, could cultivate loyalty.

The battle on this frontline should be viewed as a noble duty towards humanity.

Not out of compulsion, but willingly. One must confront the monsters with dignity.

And at that point, the mercenaries would evolve into a true army.

"The third prince, recently appointed as Lord, Ash Born Hater Everblack."

Once the ceremony concluded, I stood before the residents who had congregated like a sea of clouds.

It was somewhat ironic that the first encounter between the Lord and his subjects was taking place at a funeral.

"Is that the new Lord?"

"The notorious prince?"

"He seems like a handful..."

Among the chattering crowd, I spotted Jupiter and the mercenaries. They had made it.

"Let me make something clear."

Thousands of eyes were fixed on me, but perhaps due to my extensive experience as a streamer, or maybe the fear had dissipated while grappling with monsters?

I wasnt particularly anxious. The words I had prepared flowed smoothly.

"All of you will continue to die on the front lines!"