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“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.”

“But, Captain! Those bastards—!”

“We are hillbillies, aren’t we? Just enjoy the sights.”

Ghislain chuckled while Kaor glared from behind, signaling the mercenaries to behave.

The mercenaries scowled. Normally, people would either freeze in terror or go out of their way to avoid them. But here, they were just being mocked, and it was infuriating.

They wanted to lash out, but they couldn’t act rashly with Ghislain and Kaor holding them back.

Feeling thoroughly humiliated, the group walked toward the magic tower with their heads hung low.

It didn’t feel great to suddenly become a public spectacle.

However, as they approached the tower, the mercenaries were once again left speechless in awe, their jaws dropping as they marveled at its size.

It was clear they were overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the tower, which couldn’t even be captured in a single glance.

‘Such simpletons.’

Ghislain shook his head as he followed behind the group of mercenaries.

Meanwhile, the gatekeeper guarding the entrance to the magic tower frowned as he noticed Ghislain and his group approaching from afar.

‘Is this a tour group? Tsk tsk, they don’t look like they’re in great shape, yet here they are, visiting.’

The gatekeeper’s assumption was simple. Nobles often visited the city to meet with wizards or to tour the tower. The large size of the group also contributed to his assumption.

When many people moved together like that, it was usually for one of two reasons: either they were a party of nobles on a sightseeing trip, or they were merchants coming to sell goods.

However, the gatekeeper’s expression grew more discontented as the group got closer.

Ghislain’s group looked too shabby to be tourists, and their appearance wasn’t exactly welcoming.

He would have greeted them with a smile if they had been nobles or part of a prominent merchant guild. But there was no need to put on a pleasant face for the likes of them.

Though he was just a gatekeeper, he represented the magic tower.

Being overly friendly to this ragtag group and being seen as a joke by a bunch of vagrants would tarnish the authority of the magic tower.

In truth, the gatekeeper was a commoner with no real influence. But the massive institution of the magic tower standing behind him bolstered his confidence.

“Still, I work at the magic tower. I’m not just any ordinary person. Ahem.”

It’s said that even if you’re born a dog, it’s better to be a noble’s dog. That’s exactly what the gatekeeper was like.

As Ghislain and the mercenaries came close enough for their faces to be recognized, the gatekeeper also noticed the numerous carts they had brought along.

Only then did he understand their purpose for visiting.

‘Judging by the amount of stuff they’ve brought, it’s not sightseeing—they’re probably here to sell something.’

Occasionally, mercenaries or adventurers would come to the tower claiming to have obtained rare items to sell. Though it was rare for groups to visit in such numbers like Ghislain’s, it wasn’t unheard of.

Given that they were mercenaries or adventurers, their ragged appearance made sense.

‘Hmm, looking at the number of carts, it doesn’t seem like they’ve brought anything particularly valuable. Judging by the shapes under the cloth covers, it’s not wood… probably monster or beast byproducts.’

The gatekeeper clicked his tongue in disapproval.

Although the Crimson Flame Tower had been pushed to second place, it had once been the top magic tower. As such, it had accumulated significant wealth, and the wizards had developed discerning tastes for items. In simple terms, they had become extravagant.

It was partly due to this extravagance that the tower had been overtaken by another. Still, the old habits lingered, and the Crimson Flame Tower only purchased top-tier monster hides and other premium materials.

Naturally, there were exclusive merchant guilds that provided these high-end goods.

If mercenaries had obtained the items, they were likely damaged or of poor quality. Unless they had something scarce, the tower had no reason to buy common materials from mercenaries.

‘It’s probably best to send them away.’

Having decided, the gatekeeper waited for Ghislain’s group to approach.

When Ghislain arrived at the tower’s entrance, he dismounted from his horse. He was about to stride forward when startled Belinda quickly grabbed his arm.

“Where are you going? Let Uncle Gillian handle it!”

Ghislain turned to her with a sullen expression.

“Do I really have to? I ended up doing it myself in Raypold.”

“That was then! You can’t be the one to step up right from the start.”

Still holding onto Ghislain, Belinda gestured to Gillian. Without a word, Gillian walked toward the gatekeeper.

“This man is the Young Lord of Ferdium…”

But the gatekeeper cut him off with a disinterested look.

“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.”