Chapter 20: The more people, the better

The Blaze Mercenary Corps is a famous mercenary group on Weilan Giant Island, with operations spread throughout Weilan and also involved in considerable maritime escort business.

Its headquarters is located in the harbor warehouse district; likely to save costs, they simply surrounded four large warehouses with sturdy brick walls.

Although the mercenary corps is fortified like a military camp, no mercenary group would readily refuse a well‑dressed, courteous visitor.

Because such a person could easily become a future patron.

Soon, Luosen met the Regiment Commander of the Blaze Mercenary Corps in a small second‑floor meeting room of a remodeled warehouse.

At first sight of the Regiment Commander, Luosen somewhat understood Klub.

Because this Regiment Commander is very handsome.

Although he is a man, his beauty is not masculine but rather feminine.

He is about thirty, roughly 1.85 meters tall, slender yet strong, with ear‑length golden hair like brilliant sunshine, a delicate soft face, and smooth healthy wheat‑colored skin, giving an immediate favorable impression.

"Sir, what business do you have with me?"

The Regiment Commander's attitude was courteous, his voice slightly hoarse, and he had no beard, making it genuinely hard to tell his gender.

Luosen was pressed for time and did not beat around the bush; he straightaway stated his request.

"I want to hire Klub to work for me, but I'm unsure of his character, so I came to ask the Regiment Commander."

Before his words finished, the handsome Regiment Commander's face shifted slightly, showing a trace of embarrassment on his delicate features.

After a full half‑minute of silence, he finally spoke.

"Klub is a very capable person; the mercenary corps has developed to its present state largely thanks to his efforts."

"He has also saved my life twice, and I am personally very grateful to him and hold him in high esteem."

"But I am forced to dismiss him, because his view of love has serious problems, causing me great trouble and damaging the mercenary corps' reputation."

This matches Ailiya's report.

Luosen then asked: "Besides his twisted view of love, does he have any other bad habits?"

The handsome Regiment Commander shook his head: "No, Klub values feelings deeply and is very generous to his comrades; whenever a brother runs into trouble, he steps in to help."

He paused, then fell silent again, as if pondering something.

After a dozen seconds, he said: "You must have already looked for Klub, sir, right?"

"That's right."

"Did he tell you that if I accept his love, he will willingly serve you?"

"That's correct."

"Oh, Mother Nature~"

The handsome Regiment Commander covered his face with both hands, clearly feeling great distress.

"Sir, to be frank, this matter has made me a laughingstock of the whole mercenary corps, greatly affecting me and also greatly affecting the corps' future prospects."

"If we keep dragging it on without resolution, the mercenary corps might even disband because of it."

Luosen nodded in agreement, because the mercenary corps is merely a civilian organization; once a deviant love affair blows up and attracts the Temple's notice, a bigwig can just move his lips and deal the corps a devastating blow.

After thinking, he used Spiritual Whisper to say: "I actually have a way to solve this problem, but it requires the Regiment Commander to make a small sacrifice."

"How so? Have me promise to accept Klub's courtship? No, that's absolutely impossible!"

"Of course not; I'm a mage who likes to solve problems with magic. I intend to use illusion to untie Klub's emotional knot, but illusion needs a basis in reality to truly work."

"So, I want to gain a deep understanding of the Regiment Commander's bodily details."

He paused, then added: "All bodily details."

The handsome Regiment Commander blushed with embarrassment, but compared to being pestered by Klub, this embarrassment is hardly anything.

Soon after, he made his decision, turned and shouted at the guard outside the meeting hall door: "Tom, don't let anyone in without my order."

"Yes, Regiment Commander." came Tom's voice from outside.

Afterward, the handsome Regiment Commander swiftly undid his belt.

About half an hour later, Luosen left the Blaze Mercenary Corps' base satisfied.

"Ailiya, go tell Klub that the Regiment Commander is willing to accept his love, but there is a condition."

Ailiya looked astonished: "Sir, how did you convince the Regiment Commander? This isn't exactly honorable."

"Never mind how I persuaded him; just tell him that unless he accepts this condition, he should stop pestering the Regiment Commander."

"What is that condition?"

Luosen whispered it into Ailiya's ear; her eyes widened: "Sir, can this be done?"

"We'll know if we try."

"Oh, right, give me half an hour to prepare, then bring the person to the Seagull Inn in the warehouse district."

"Okay, sir, I'll get on it right away."

Ailiya opened the carriage door and jumped straight out to go find someone.

Luosen also immediately began preparing.

About twenty minutes later, he arrived at the lounge on the first floor of the Seagull Inn and waited patiently.

After a quarter hour, Ailiya brought a strange man to the inn.

Luosen observed the man: he stood a bit under 1.8 meters, solidly built, with an ordinary face but sharp eyes, exuding a vigorous, hardy aura.

This must be Klub.

Luosen was quite pleased with him.

White Sturgeon Island is a place with a hardy populace, so it needs such a hardy figure to keep order.

"Over here."

Luosen waved and gestured to the inn's attendant.

"Bring three drinks: one glass of black rum and two glasses of Sarlon mead."

Only women drink mead.

Klub sat down opposite Luosen, took the rum brought by the attendant, and drank it all in one gulp.

Good liquor, another cup!

Then he gave Luosen a provocative look: "Did you really convince the Regiment Commander?"

Really, he's waiting for you in the room upstairs.

A flicker of excitement passed through Klub's eyes, and his expression eased considerably.

Hey~ Ailiya, your master really does have some skill.

Ailiya didn't respond, she shrugged, holding the mead and sipping it slowly; she really liked drinking sweet beverages.

Rosen Ziran also drank mead: "Ailiya has already told you the Regiment Commander's conditions, right?"

That's right, I can fully accept it.

Klub took the second glass of black rum, drank half of it in one gulp, his eyes remained clear, but there was now a hint more excitement than before.

He rubbed his hands together somewhat excitedly: "Can I go up now to see the Regiment Commander?"

Of course you can, but I need to remind you that some things aren't as wonderful as you imagine. If you get hurt because of it, don't blame me. "What do I have to blame you for? I'm grateful you came, I can't thank you enough."

Then go, the last room at the end of the hallway.

Alright!

Klub downed the drink, took a stride to the stairwell, another stride, and vanished around the stair turn.

Downstairs in the hall, Luosen and Ailiya sipped their mead slowly, waiting patiently.

But they weren't just idling.

Luosen took out a money bag containing 200 Ogre in cash and quietly handed it to Ailiya.

This money is for you and Shitou to use as operational funds.

Ailiya gasped slightly: "Master, did you rob a bank? How did you suddenly have so much money?"

Not long ago, they were still worrying about money.

Luosen gave a hehe smile, continuing the Spiritual Whisper: "This is the Princess's dowry."

"Oh." Ailiya was half-believing, half-doubting.

Luosen didn't elaborate further, continuing to remind: "By the way, my identity is very sensitive right now; you and Shitou must be extra careful, absolutely do not reveal your identities."

He only has two trusted attendants, who grew up together since childhood; if they were lost, it would be truly a pity.

Ailiya smiled, pursing her lips: "Got it, master; Shitou and I are both very careful. Besides, not many people know our relationship with you."

Just then, footsteps came from the direction of the stairs.

The two turned their heads and saw the "handsome Regiment Commander" appear at the stairwell, neatly dressed.

He strode down the stairs full of spirit and quickly walked out of the inn.

After waiting a while longer, Klub still hadn't appeared.

Luosen then got up and headed to the second floor: "Ailiya, go attend to your business first; I'll go upstairs to check."

Yes, master.

Luosen went up to the second floor, all the way to the innermost room of the hallway, and saw the door half-closed, with low, pain-filled groans coming from inside.

Mage Hand pushed open the door; in the dimly lit room, Klub lay naked on the wooden bed, a pool of glaring blood slowly spreading beneath him.

Upon hearing the movement, Klub weakly turned his body; seeing it was Luosen, he turned his head again and continued to moan while lying on the bed.

Luosen drew the Guardian Knight's magic sword and cast a weak healing spell on Klub's wound, staunching the bleeding.

He gloated teasingly: "It seems the Regiment Commander's love for you is extremely ardent."

Ardent? No, it's brutal!

He almost killed me just now!

I think he's taking revenge on me!

Klub's voice was weak, yet it was filled with intense anger.

If it weren't for the excruciating pain of his wound, he would definitely have jumped up and shouted curses right now.

Luosen cast another healing spell on him, slightly easing his pain: "Do you still love him?"

Love? No, he's utterly unworthy of my love. I was truly addled before, actually thinking he was kind and lovable.

Klub braced himself with both hands, trying to sit up, but as soon as he put force on his buttocks, he immediately winced in pain.

Sir, please give me another healing spell? I beg you.

Luosen, as he wished, consecutively cast three healing spells on him, restoring his ability to move freely.

Phew~~ I feel much better.

Klub cautiously sat up; his face looked somewhat pale from excessive blood loss.

Luosen then put forward his own request.

My domain needs a government administrator; the annual salary is 200 Ogre, with food, lodging, and clothing extra. If you want to marry and have children, I'll also give you a generous settlement fund.

How generous is it?

1000 Ogre, plus a plot of land for building a house. Of course, you must truly marry, not just go through the motions for me.

Mm~ I'm indeed at the age to start a family. Alright, I'll work with you. When do we start?

Let's start now; I need you to handle something for me.

Besides, this is your salary for this year.

Luosen tossed over a money bag containing 200 Gold Ogre.

Klub snatched the money bag; its heavy feel and golden gleam left him very satisfied.

He's been short on cash lately.

Paying you is really refreshing, sir—I'll start calling you master from now on.

Master, what exactly are your orders?

Luosen gave a faint smile: "Tonight, around eleven o'clock, something big will happen near the Blue Whale Mansion. I need to gather a crowd of onlookers nearby."

The more people, the better—ideally they should gather quietly, without arousing anyone's suspicion.

Can you manage that?

Klub's expression twitched slightly: "Master, may I know what this big event is?"

Luosen's smile remained faint, his dark eyes flashing a thread of deep, icy light.

"Klub, I'm sure you've guessed something, but I won't help you confirm your speculation."

"Don't go probing on your own, either—for the waters here run deep, and they could easily drown a lowly mercenary."

Klub had weathered many storms, witnessed many grand scenes, and seen many important figures.

Yet when facing this person before him, he still felt an inexplicable palpitation, as if stared down by a giant dragon.

He immediately knew this was absolutely not someone he could provoke.

Thus he immediately promised.

"I understand, master—I'll keep my mouth shut tight."

He had self-awareness, knowing he was just a nobody, and that knowing too much would surely get him killed without a clear reason.

Luosen was pleased with his discretion: "You needn't worry about your safety—my people will secretly protect you."

Klub gave a wry smile inside, knowing that once the other party spelled out the task, he had no chance to back out.

And the so-called secret protection was actually surveillance.

So he could only grit his teeth and go through with it.

The good news was that, for him, the task itself wasn't difficult.

He chuckled: "Master, these days people lack everything—except onlookers."

"Just watch—I'll rustle up at least five thousand people for you."

(End of chapter)