Chapter 54

Chapter 54: If You Don’t Like It, Then Forget It.

At the southern edge of the Brivant Estate, mercenaries gaped in awe at the massive tower that rose proudly in the heart of the magnificent city.

“W-Wow... So this is the Crimson Flame Tower...”

“This is my first time here, too.”

“It looks even more luxurious than Raypold, doesn’t it?”

“They always said the Scarlet Tower was the best, but from the looks of it, this place doesn’t seem to fall short either.”

Even if it had been overshadowed by the Scarlet Tower, a magic tower was still a magic tower.

Surrounding the enormous, ornate tower, countless shops had sprung up. What began as a few stores catering to wizards had gradually expanded into an entire city.

The security system established under the guise of protecting the Crimson Flame Tower also safeguarded the surrounding areas and even extended to the Brivant Estate. The development of the Brivant Estate owed much to the magic tower’s influence. The power of the tower was so immense that even the Count of Brivant had to tread carefully around the tower master.

While casually observing his surroundings, Ghislain couldn’t help but be impressed inwardly.

‘Impressive.’

The city’s exterior was indeed remarkable, but even more astonishing was the people’s reaction. Despite the rough-looking mercenaries roaming in groups, the citizens didn’t seem particularly intimidated. They didn’t feel any significant threat.

That alone spoke volumes about the level of security in the city. The people’s general awareness was also high.

During his days as the King of Mercenaries, Ghislain had visited cities with magic towers in other countries, but none were as developed as Brivant.

‘The security and city layout are outstanding... but the people and the streets are immaculate. Did the magic tower do something?’

Usually, wizards were only absorbed in their own research and rarely took actions that benefitted others. While areas around magic towers typically developed faster than other regions, it was mostly due to merchants catering to the wizards, which happened naturally over time.

However, the area surrounding the Crimson Flame Tower was far cleaner and more developed than other magic tower districts.

‘It might be true, as the rumors say, that the tower master is a neat freak.’

It wasn’t impossible that the master of the Crimson Flame Tower, who couldn’t tolerate dirt, had taken measures to ensure the cleanliness of the area. Or perhaps he had become obsessed with playing lord and had developed the area in such a manner.

Whatever the reason, for someone like Ghislain, who planned to develop his own estate in the future, this city had much to learn from it.

“Wow, it looks like people here are really wealthy.”

“All these houses look like mansions where nobles live, don’t they?”

“Just look at the streets. They built this city with serious intent.”

The people of Brivant, dressed in luxurious clothing and exuding pleasant fragrances, passed by, casting curious glances at the mercenaries as they wandered about. The mercenaries, who usually strutted boldly down the streets, found themselves shrinking back under the overwhelming atmosphere.

“Damn, we look like complete hillbillies, don’t we?”

Though grumbling, the mercenaries were too busy taking in the city’s sights. Such a sleek and pristine city was a sight even Raypold, one of the wealthiest estates in the North, couldn’t match.

As the mercenaries continued to wander, their ears picked up the whispers of the locals.

“Are those mercenaries from the north? Just look at their clothes. They look so unsophisticated.”

“Don’t they seem to smell a bit too?”

“We’re the ones who are clean. Everywhere else lives like that. How pitiful. Tsk tsk.”

“What would mercenaries want to come here for?”

The mercenaries, feeling embarrassed, blushed with shame.

Under normal circumstances, they would have scowled menacingly and started causing trouble. But now, intimidated by the city’s luxurious scenery and the refined appearance of the people, they couldn’t muster the courage to retaliate.

Still, there was always at least one hot-tempered mercenary in the group.

“Damn it! So noisy! You wanna die?”

A few members of the Cerberus Mercenary Corps drew their weapons, threatening the people around them. The bystanders, who had been gathered in small groups chatting, quickly stepped back in surprise. But even as they retreated, they didn’t seem all that frightened.

“Oh my, what a spectacle. Why are they so angry?”

“It’s because they’re uneducated, that’s why. Tsk tsk tsk.”

“Do they even know where they are, trying to cause trouble like this?”

“Watch out—hang around too long, and you might witness a murder.”

One of the Cerberus mercenaries, grinding his teeth at the bystanders’ comments, looked like he was about to charge at them.

However, Ghislain firmly stopped him.

“Enough. Ignore those words and keep moving quietly.”

“Not buying.”

“...What?”

“I said we’re not buying what you’ve brought.”

The gatekeeper’s expression remained arrogant.

It wasn’t the kind of attitude one would show to a noble, but to the gatekeeper, who saw them as nothing more than a group of mercenaries, his response was natural.

Behind them, Ghislain crossed his arms, inwardly letting out a sigh.

They were being dismissed wherever they went because they were traveling in shabby attire.

During his days as the King of Mercenaries, even when he and his subordinates dressed in rough clothes, no one dared to underestimate them. The sight of the banner symbolizing the King of Mercenaries was enough for people to bow their heads or flee.

But now, with no one recognizing him as the King of Mercenaries and even the name Ferdium being relatively unknown, he had no choice but to be judged based on his appearance.

‘This is troublesome... I’ll have to invest in better appearances once we have more money.’

Ghislain didn’t blame the gatekeeper.

It was only natural to judge strangers based on their looks. Back in the day, the banner had done all the work of identifying him.

Ghislain understood the situation but did not intend to waste time arguing at the gate.

In the end, he stepped forward.

“I don’t want to waste time haggling with a gatekeeper. Bring out the person in charge of transactions at the tower. Actually, no, I want to meet the tower master.”

The gatekeeper looked at him incredulously.

“I told you, we’re not buying anything. The Crimson Flame Tower doesn’t just buy any random goods. And you want to meet the tower master? Even the lord can’t meet him at will.”

Gillian, unable to tolerate the gatekeeper’s insolence any longer, growled.

“How dare a mere gatekeeper act so arrogantly? Do you have two lives? I said, go call them right now.”

Intimidated by Gillian’s fierce tone, the gatekeeper flinched and stepped back.

He was shocked—no one had spoken to him so roughly since he’d started working at the tower’s gate. But he quickly shook his head, regaining his composure.

‘Don’t be scared! I’m the face of the magic tower!’

He felt confident because he knew that just a couple of the tower’s wizards could easily deal with this group of ragtag mercenaries.

“D-Do you even know where you are? How dare you cause trouble here! Get lost immediately!”

Watching the gatekeeper throwing a fit, Ghislain sighed.

‘At this rate, we won’t get inside today.’

Without a word, he gestured to Kaor.

Kaor looked around cautiously, then discreetly took out a piece of Runestone from one of the carts and handed it to Ghislain.

If word got out that they had carts full of Runestones, it would cause a commotion, so they had to be careful.

‘He’s the captain for a reason. At least he has some sense.’

Ghislain, pleased, took the Runestone and held it up in front of the gatekeeper’s eyes.

“You work at the magic tower, so you should know what this is, right? I’m here to sell this.”

The gatekeeper scrutinized the stone in Ghislain’s hand, turning it over and inspecting it. The crystal piece emitted a soft, ethereal glow, almost mesmerizing him.

At first, the gatekeeper frowned, puzzled. But soon, his eyes widened in shock as he realized what it was: a Runestone.

As the gatekeeper stood frozen, Ghislain smirked mischievously and spoke again.

“Are you really not going to buy it? Really? Should I just leave?”

Only then did the gatekeeper snap out of his daze as if cold water had been thrown over him.

Lately, the wizards had been in a foul mood because the Crimson Flame Tower had lost ground to the Scarlet Tower. If word got out that he had turned away a guest bringing that many Runestones, not only would he lose his job, but he might also lose his head.

Panicked, the gatekeeper frantically waved his hands.

“P-Please wait! No, actually, just come inside! Right away, please!”

There was no guarantee that the rest of the cargo on the carts was all Runestones, but the gatekeeper wasn’t in any position to think that far.

As they passed by the now overly welcoming gatekeeper, Ghislain patted him on the shoulder.

“I’ll be sure to tell the tower master that their gatekeeper does a great job.”