Chapter 331 – 78. Vermandois, Now… (One)
The exhausted crowd spent the day in front of the last remaining god statue of the Holy Kingdom.
His curse was so terrible that it could not be properly purified even with divine power, so Allen, the money ghost, had no choice but to throw away the luxury cloak he loved. Not only that, but most of the mercenaries also had to abandon their own cursed soldiers. They’re superstitious mercenaries, and they hate it when it comes to curses.
After finishing the work of the Holy Kingdom, the group departed early the next morning on the Vermandois.
… Looking at the land that was getting farther and farther away, with no place to return to, the Smell Saintess shed tears.
Returning to the mercenary city of Vermandois, Allen spread the news of what had happened in the Holy Land to the people. Now that the work was done, he had no reason to hide any longer.
Some rumors were spreading because the Merchant Merchant and part of the mercenary corps, which had already evacuated quickly from the Holy Kingdom, arrived in Vermandois first. However, they did not even dream that Seongguk would fall to hell with the devil. I just know that the Holy Kingdom is in danger and Allen’s group told me to run away.
The evaporation of the holy kingdom.
Some people were quite shocked by the disappearance of the sacred land that boasted hundreds of years of history. … But that has already happened!
To be honest, creating a residential area to accommodate tens of thousands of people was not usually difficult. Even if the construction is done, the construction cost is at a level beyond imagination. The Smell Saintess invested all of the property of the Holy Land, but in fact, she did not even bother with it.
Thus, after long agony, Allen touched the heartstrings of the believers in Vermandois.
– Please lend a helping hand to comrades who have suffered misfortune, brothers and sisters!
Allen actively promoted donations for homeless believers. In addition, he declared that he would donate a part of the sales to the comrades of the Holy Land in the newly started grain and clothing business.
As long as believers are creatures that eat, sleep, and wrap, they have to buy something for a living anyway, but if it’s something like that, it’s better to buy Allen’s stuff, which is even donated to poor believers.
In addition, the Cathedral of Vermandois also actively carried out relief activities.
They distributed free meals to those who had fled from the Holy Land and treated the sick.
Suddenly, numerous believers from the Holy Land rushed in and Vermandois suffered for a while, but the mercenary city, like a crucible of all desires, quickly recovered to its original state. After all, the more people there are, the better the business, so the Merchant Corps and the mercenaries welcome it.
Vermandois, which had been slowly growing in size due to steady population growth, has now become truly gigantic. In the rent-free free market on the outskirts of the market, there is really no room for people to step foot with people who come to sell and people who come to buy.
In the meantime, the economic activities of Vermandois, which had been moving slowly in the static economy of the holy country, but were not dynamic enough to take out the souls of the newly arrived believers.
The newcomers knew about Allen’s declaration of donation, so they bought his business in case it might be useful to them. Even if such people have a thousand units, there will be a noticeable change in sales, but since it is a whopping 10,000 units, Allen’s business is literally flying! New believers were the main customer base anyway, so they didn’t pose a particular threat to other existing businesses. On the contrary, their sales increased.
Most believers quickly got used to the spicy taste of Vermandois. Of course, there were quite a few people who couldn’t adapt and miss the life of the old kingdom, but what should I do with it already becoming like this? I don’t even have a kingdom to return to anymore. Whether it be porridge or rice, I have to somehow adapt to this life.
Thanks to constant efforts from inside and outside, the relocation of believers went smoothly. When the temporary accommodation was completed, the construction of the residential area was further ignited. There were not a few believers who even claimed to be construction workers. It is impossible to just sit and watch the poor believers living together in shabby tents in groups of dozens.
Anyway, the work of Seongguk ended like that, and Allen finally let out a sigh.
He planned to convene the committee, which had been infrequent for the past few months. In particular, to deliver a commemorative badge to the forty-six-year-old mercenary who fought a direct battle with the sky stingray in the east.
… Originally, mercenaries are a tribe that likes to show off, so they tend to be very crazy about commemorative badges like that. You don’t have to say that I’m this kind of person—you can show it with just one badge. Just as there is not a single member of the Council who does not wear an elder badge.
– The 3rd, regular meeting of the committee.
As soon as news of a regular meeting is heard, sober drinkers who like free drinks roll their eyes.
And on the day of the meeting, mercenaries gathered like bees in the auditorium of the grand market.
· · ·
Aiden is now in his 4th year as a Danju.
His mercenary group is a mercenary group that has a little name value in some areas in the south, but in Vermandois, the holy land of mercenaries, the reality is that he does not dare to show his name.
Coming to Vermandois after a long absence, he heard rumors that a regular meeting of the committee would be held just in time.
– Danju! You said you were so close with Lord Allen? Come and have a look!
Aiden, who had been bragging about his friendship with Allen Danju to the members of the crew, decided to participate in this gathering that coincided with the right day. … Of course, I also coveted free alcohol.
In fact, he had gone to the front of the hideout to meet Allen Danju several times before, and then turned back. It was doubtful whether Allen Danju could remember those days as a new chick, and he might not be very pleased with him, who is no different now.
Moreover, the opponent is a whopping 10! How dare a lowly mercenary leader dare to meet such a person.
Anyway.
Regardless of whether Aiden’s inner thoughts were flustered or not, the day of the regular meeting had finally dawned. He entered the Grand Mayor’s auditorium with the Budanju accompanying him, with his chest tight. … He pretended to know for nothing, but he was very worried that only the side was being sold.
There were hundreds of people in the large auditorium. Not only the sobers who are said to be a bit out of place in the region, but even the sobers who have heard their names many times while working as mercenaries! … However, even these people are often like crushed stones.
– Mercenaries, do not boast in Vermandois.
To the extent that there is such a proverb, there were outstanding mercenaries scattered throughout Vermandois.
Even Aiden Danju, who had been rolling on the dirty and terrible mercenary floor for ten years, couldn’t fully develop his spirit here.
Danju, a country boy who was staring around in a corner and staring at the surroundings, saw a person come up on the podium. Then, the noisy auditorium really became quiet like a lie!
Ah.
It was a long distance, but Aiden Danju knew at once that the person on the podium was Allen Danju. … Isn’t the sound that his face is shining just talking about something like that?
First of all, he awarded commemorative badges to the forty-six mercenaries who risked their lives together to defeat the stingray. When a silver badge the size of a coin was hung on their chest, smiles bloomed on the faces of the sophomores. They earned the envy of sophomores watching from under the podium. For mercenaries, it’s a great honor to have something to talk about getting a free drink at the bar.
Right now, just talking about the sky ray battle makes me crazy. Are you the person who directly participated in that battle? Go crazy-.
Aiden Danju was also not aware of the legendary story. A shudder ran down my spine when I heard the description of a flying monster as huge as a city shooting mana beams out of its mouth. It is said that there were thousands of monsters that filled the sky black… Honestly, if it weren’t for the numerous sightings, I wouldn’t have believed it.
And the legendary figure who defeated such a tremendous monster was Allen Danju, the money demon who could be said to be the spiritual support of this committee.
… Of course, Aiden also thought Allen would become a big person, but he didn’t know that he would grow this big. If I had known, I would have worked like a dog for no money. How lucky is it to work alongside a living legend of the mercenary world!
To be honest, every time I thought about that, Aiden kicked off the blanket and woke up. … He’s an idiot who’s never had the luck of his life.
But what if I regret it now? It’s already past.
Whenever sophomores were awarded badges, long applause erupted. Aiden Danzoo also clapped hard, and sometimes, to the Danzoo next to him, he even boasted about himself, saying that he was acquainted with Allen Danzoo. Of course, because there are so many braggarts claiming to be close to Allen in Vermandois, the owners don’t seem to believe him at all.
After the ceremony ended, the mercenaries started drinking free alcohol in earnest.
Aiden is also a mercenary who can’t use his hands if it’s free, so he gulped down three or four glasses in an instant. Bu Dan-ju, who was slightly drunk, secretly encouraged Dan-ju to talk to Dan-ju Allen.
“Ah, okay. There are a lot of people, but what…”
Of course, I wanted to pretend to know, but I was more worried about what to do if I didn’t welcome it as much as I thought.
… In fact, you may have already forgotten me. It’s been close to ten years. It’s no longer remembering…
The more Aiden Danju drank, the more he resigned himself. As if slowly letting go of his lingering feelings for an ex-lover.
He groped for old memories that were beginning to fade.
The first time he faced a monster with Allen Danju.
When he fell into a terrible labyrinth.
When he came close to dying by falling into the feeding den of the Queen of Shalber.
When we spent the night enduring the early morning cold, holding each other’s bodies close together.
As he recalled countless memories, a bitter smile bloomed on Aiden Danju’s lips.
During his long mercenary life, has there ever been a time when he was as dynamic as that time!
… It was a time I missed.
That youth then. And courage.
“Sweet Lord. Let’s say hello to Lord Allen. I heard they worked together before.”
“… It’s okay. It was ten years ago. You probably won’t even remember.”
“I heard you were close friends?”
“I thought so… , I thought it might not be. … Let’s just have a drink or two.”
Sudanju, of course, that’s right, the expression.
“It was all a lie, right? Right?!”
“It’s real, son of a bitch! Have you been deceived!”
“Anyway, honestly, didn’t Danju Allen go out too much! I’d rather believe someone else…”
“… Yes, believe it or not.”
Aiden Danju was slightly annoyed, but he still calmed down with alcohol.
… Just then, the neighborhood started to buzz.
The eyes of the two, who had been drinking to their heart’s content, also turned to that direction.
And a great figure who came into their sight!
It was Allen Danju, the money ghost. He was walking exactly where they were, accepting each and every handshake that was asked countless times here and there.
Aiden’s heart skipped a beat and he lowered his head.
And Allen stopped right in front of him.
“Aiden.”
… Ah…
“Long time no see.”
Aiden Danju raised his head very slowly and looked at Allen Danju, who was smiling lightly.
He remembered it clearly.
To Aiden.
First mate.
“Allen, my lord… I… , Do you remember… ?”
Then, Allen made a whining sound.
“Of course, don’t remember… How can I forget my first comrade.”
Aiden felt the aura of excitement and excitement explode in his chest.
“Nice to meet you, Aiden.”
And Allen hugged Aiden tightly.
“But, Lord… !”
Aiden was truly moved and shed tears right there.
The mercenaries around were also surprised to realize that this man was really close enough to give Allen Danju a hug like this. The surprise of Bu Dan-ju, who did not believe Dan-joo’s words, was even greater.
“On this fine day, why are you crying, man?”
“… It’s not crying. Just, in the eye, for a second, dust got in. Haha!”
Aiden laughed out loud, as if trying to cover up his little tears.
“Come visit me at the hideout sometime. There are comrades who will like you when you see them.”
“All right. I’ll come right over tomorrow!”
“Okay. Then, see you then.”
Allen, the money ghost, patted Aiden on the arm and left.
Aiden stayed still with his back bent deep until he could not see Allen’s back as he left.
And Danju, who raised his upper body again, smiled proudly at Budanju, who was surprised as if he had seen a ghost.
“… Baby, did you see it?”
“Really, was it?”
“Really! Am I the one who would lie about something like this?!”
“Really, I respect you! How could our Danju, with Danju Allen… !”
“So, respect me!”
Aiden Danju smiled the happiest in the world and tapped his chest with the palm of his hand.
“I’m really close with Danju Allen!”
