The Regressed Mercenary’s Machinations Chapter 667

Episode 667: Should I learn some magic? (2)

“This is my hometown. I’ve been working at the top for a long time, so most of the people in Yeongji will know me. I also know a lot of people in Yeongji.”

Rio led the upper class and traveled around the territory. Since he mainly dealt in daily necessities, there was no way people wouldn’t know Rio.

“I know very well how they live. Most of them live in poverty.”

Baron Magrel was a greedy lord who imposed excessive taxes and tried to take as much as possible from others.

Naturally, people living under such a lord could not live well. They were all suffering under the burden of heavy taxes.

“I don’t have any business, but I have a lot of experience as a merchant. I have personally seen what problems there are in the territory.”

Once he started talking, Rio gained more confidence and continued to speak.

“Baron Magrel has stored up a lot of gold and food in his warehouse. We must first distribute it to the weary people of the domain to help them live. You need to recover your stamina before you can do anything.”

“and?”

“We plan to lower taxes and lend money at low interest rates to stimulate the market. This will lead to more consumption.”

Rio continued speaking, pointing at various places on the map.

“I know what is needed and what is lacking in every part of the territory. I plan to repair the broken facilities in each city and town and build new ones where they are lacking.”

Rio now seemed to be in high spirits. His eyes sparkled with the thought of developing the territory.

“Public security is not that good. We will strengthen public security so that the upper class and the people of the territory can move freely. We also plan to recruit knights and soldiers.”

“It won’t be easy to recruit knights, right?”

“For now, I plan to invite retired knights and free knights. I must not spare any expense in order to protect the territory.”

This incident made Rio realize that he needed strength to protect what was his.

To gain that power, he also needed money. But since he had a gold mine, he was confident that he could solve the financial aspect.

That’s why Baron Magrel also tried to swallow up the Lacus family before it got any bigger.

Rio has since talked about various policies and plans, all of which were meant to speed up the development of the territory.

He smiled and told Giselle his thoughts.

“Although it will cost a lot of money at first, it will eventually come back as a bigger tax when people’s lives are stable. If the people of the territory live well, the territory will naturally become rich.”

After hearing Rio’s words, Yulien, Deneb, and Kyle let out exclamations of admiration.

I always thought he was a naive and innocent person, but it seemed like he had changed in just a few days.

Only then did the three of them understand why Giselle had said that Rio was more suited to be a lord than a merchant.

Jiselle nodded after hearing Rio’s words.

“Yes. The difference between a merchant and a lord is determined by how they earn and spend their money. Don’t forget that feeling.”

Rio’s plan was flawless. It seemed that all he had to do was secure the still-unstable power.

The process of investigating the management of the territory and the vassals and assigning tasks took several days. Rio, who knew the territory well, selected the appropriate personnel.

All the traitors at the top were also captured. Rio used the useful ones among the remaining ones as his inner circle.

After that, the treasures that Baron Magrel had stored in his warehouse were released into the territory. The people of the territory were very happy and praised the new lord.

“Hmm, you’re doing well. Then I guess I need to lay a little more foundation.”

Jisel focused on maintaining discipline in the army, because Rio could easily run the territory if he controlled the army.

First, he reshuffled the military by selecting capable new commanders and giving them command of the army. The newly selected commanders had no choice but to be loyal to Rio.

Julian and Deneb couldn’t help but be amazed at the rapidly changing territory.

“So this is how it can be… … .”

“If those in power wanted to, things could change quickly.”

Rio carried out all kinds of policies with Giselle on his back. No one opposed him.

As soon as Rio spoke, money was released and policies were implemented that day. So the lives of the people of Yeongji also changed from day to day.

The two people who watched the scene for a few days gradually came to understand what Jiselle had said.

“I never thought so many people’s lives would change.”

“This is truly the power to change the world.”

The evil Baron Magrel was defeated, and in his place was taken by the good-natured Leo.

Just by that alone, this territory changed drastically and the lives of many people were changed.

The two men also helped out a lot while staying in the territory, but it was the new policies and systems Rio created that changed the entire territory.

Julian muttered to himself as he watched the people rejoicing.

“If only the demonic realm could be eliminated… … .”

And if people like Rio take power and do politics.

Then, we can definitely change the world.

They just need to be like Giselle, punishing evil and empowering good people. That’s what the two of them do best.

As Julian and Deneb stayed with Giselle, their beliefs became more and more solid.

Giselle stayed in the territory for two whole months, helping Rio consolidate his power.

When things seemed to have settled down, Giselle went to see Rio and said.

“Should we settle our accounts now?”

The contract was changed from the initially proposed 30% of the gold mine profits to 30% of the profits earned by the Lacus family.

However, the Lax family took over the entire territory. This also meant that 30% of the income of the Lax Barony went to the Yulien Mercenary Corps.

Rio asked, swallowing hard.

“Are you sure this was what you were aiming for from the beginning?”

“Of course. It’s a territory with a gold mine.”

“… … .”

Rio looked at Giselle with a hollow laugh. The more he looked at her, the more amazing she seemed. To come up with such a bold plan and make it work.

If I had heard the detailed plan from the beginning, I would have neither believed it nor opposed it. Even now, sometimes I doubt whether it is realistic.

Anyway, a contract was a contract. I didn’t feel any regrets as I was in a position of receiving a favor.

Anyway, if Jiselle hadn’t come forward, I would have lost everything I had, not to mention the territory.

“Okay, of course I should give it to you. I will give 30% of my annual tax to the Yulien Mercenary Corps.”

Giselle smiled at Rio’s cheerful words. The rest of the warriors looked bewildered.

‘Wow, wow… … We really became rich.’

‘Gisselle is really amazing. She made so much money all at once.’

‘Why can’t I just retire? If it’s a gold mine, I can just sit around and eat for the rest of my life, right?’

The sad truth is that there won’t be any opportunities to spend money happily for the time being. Hellish training awaits.

However, there would be no more obstacles to training because of money. I don’t know about other things, but Jiselle never spares money when it comes to training.

Rio tilted his head and asked, suddenly curious.

“But… …you said you were leaving soon. Where should I send the money?”

The Yulien Mercenaries had no base, so they had no idea how to send them.

No matter how small the territory is, it is a territory with a gold mine. For now, all profits will be invested in territory development thanks to Jisel’s consideration, but once the territory is fully grown, that 30% will become a huge amount of money.

You can’t always go to the Yulien Mercenary Group with that much money.

Jiselle said as if there was no problem.

“Pile it up separately for now. I’ll send someone whenever necessary, so just give them the amount you request. And deduct the expenses yourself.”

“Okay, I understand. But it might be inconvenient to do that every time… … . How about you establish a base instead? I’ll give you any place you want in the territory.”

“That’s not bad either. But not now. I need to give those guys a lot of experience.”

It was not yet time to rest. He had to spread Yulienne’s fame and build up his skills.

This time, Astion’s(?) fame grew more unintentionally, but Yulien was also gradually gaining fame by defeating the best knight in the territory.

The same was true of Deneb. She had been caring for people with her divine powers all this time.

Although it was a small amount of divine power, people were grateful for it alone. Even that was difficult to obtain once in a lifetime.

Kyle also won the knight in the duel, so he gained some notoriety, although not as much as the other two.

The three of them have become quite famous in the newly transformed Lacus Territory.

So, Giselle also made a new offer to Rio.

“I’m the older brother, so my friends are older brothers too, right? You have to be especially nice to Julian. Got it?”

“Okay, I will do that.”

Rio readily accepted, but Yulien and Deneb blushed in embarrassment.

Becoming sworn brothers with the lord of a territory was too much of a burden for those from the countryside.

But Rio treated Yulienne politely, as if he was truly grateful.

“Thanks to you, I was able to win my first match. Thank you so much.”

“Uh, uh… … . Okay… … .”

“Thanks to my older sister taking care of me, my father’s condition didn’t get any worse. I’m also really grateful to the people of Yeongji for taking care of me.”

“Uh, yeah… … .”

“Thank you too, Kyle. The second match was really impressive.”

“Well, that’s to be expected. If anyone is bothering you, just tell me. I’ll come running and scold you.”

Only Kyle spoke with an arrogant expression, unlike the other two. On his shoulder, Dark, who had been resurrected, was wearing an equally arrogant expression.

Rumors quickly spread that the Yulien Mercenaries had become sworn brothers with Rio. And that rumor also helped Rio solidify his power.

Many people have seen the skills of the Yulien Mercenaries. The fact that they are on Rio’s side gives Rio a powerful boost.

It wasn’t just Rio who received help. If the Yulien Mercenary Corps asked for it, the Lacus family would become their strong supporters.

It was a good relationship that was beneficial to both the Lax family and the Yulien Mercenary Group.

“Okay, now we’ll take our leave. Let’s keep in touch often.”

Jiselle was now planning to move on to another area.

In this way, the idea was to increase the power of Julian and gain experience.

Just before leaving, Rio asked Giselle curiously.

“Didn’t you say that you were a wizard?”

I only saw him using a staff and not using magic, but he still insisted that he was a wizard.

Jiselle nodded.

“Yes. I am a wizard. But why?”

“By any chance… … may I know which tower you are from? I will make a donation there as well.”

It was a suggestion made out of gratitude. But Jiselle blinked.

“I… …what kind of magic tower was it?”

“yes?”

“No, just a moment.”

Jiselle immediately woke Astion up from his consciousness.

‘Hey hey, wake up.’

– Uhm… why?

Astion’s sleepy voice was heard. Giselle asked immediately.

‘But have you ever learned from the magic tower? You said you’re from the countryside? If you learned from the possessed, then there’s no magic tower?’

― Right… … I didn’t learn it at the Magic Tower. I learned magic from the possessed people.

‘Really? Hmm… … Do you have a name in mind for the rooftop?

― There’s no way something like that could happen… … .

‘Then I’ll name the Magic Tower. Do that.’

– What are you talking about? Why did you suddenly name it Magic Tower? I didn’t build it. I don’t have the skills to do that.

‘Oh, just know that. When you build the magic tower later, you can use that name. I’ll make it for you in advance.’

– No! You! Why! Are you naming someone else’s magic tower without permission?

Jiselle smiled brightly. Astion was clearly the founder of the tower where Jerome was. So it would be okay to use that name now.

No, rather, I felt that I absolutely had to use that name. I didn’t want to let the past influence the future.

Giselle decided to drive a wedge in while the subject was on the line. He told Rio with a proud expression.

“I am not from the Magic Tower. But I plan to build a Magic Tower later.”

“Excuse me?”

“Yes, I’m telling you because it’s you. The name of the tower I’m going to build is… … .”

Jiselle said with a snicker.

“It is the ‘Tower of Glory’.”

The name of the tower that Jerome would later inherit was decided right here.

* * *

The Yulien mercenary group, who received a generous allowance from Rio, even acquired a sturdy horse. This was to ensure their comfort while traveling.

Jiselle muttered, stroking the horse.

“I wonder if our Kongi is doing well.”

Here, Giselle spent a considerable amount of time. But in reality, it would not have been that long.

So, the Black King must still be eating well and sleeping well.

Everyone must be worried, but Jiselle calmly thought that she would be okay.

“They’re not dead anyway… … so they’re probably doing well. The time flows differently here.”

The Salvation Church was destroyed and the last dragon was dead. There was no enemy that could threaten the continent right away.

They are all good at what they do. They are also some of the most powerful people on the continent. So there was no need to worry about running the kingdom and territory.

The only thing that bothered me was the existence of an adversary, because if he were to be resurrected, there’s no telling how things would change.

“Hmm… … Won’t you wake up before then?”

Deneb had clearly called him here to tell him something, so he had a feeling that he too would wake up before his adversary was resurrected.

It seems like I’m changing the past little by little, unintentionally.

“Well, have you been feeling comfortable so far?”

During the move, training began again. Whenever she had a chance, Jiselle would harass the three of them… no, she would make them train hard.

Still, the three accepted the teachings differently than before.

‘Like Jiselle… … I have to become strong!’

‘That’s the only way to save the world!’

‘I’m going to make a lot of money too!’

They also realized many things through this experience. In particular, they realized that they had to become stronger to achieve their goals.

While practicing like that, Julian asked with a slightly worried expression.

“Gisselle… … Are you okay?”

“Umm… … . It’s okay.”

Jiselle was bleeding from her nose. Her complexion was also very bad.

Jiselle had a vague idea of ​​why.

‘My body… can’t hold out.’

Because it was not his own body, the balance between his mind and body was gradually broken.

If this continues, I won’t be able to stay in this body for long.

‘No. I can’t leave this body yet.’

I had to create a foundation for the three people to stand on their own. And I had to know what was going on in this era.

‘I guess there’s nothing I can do.’

Who is Giselle? She is the one who can perceive the will of the world and move it.

He figured out a way to stay in the body a little longer.

‘Should I start learning some magic?’

Jiselle always pursues the best, so naturally her goal is the 9th circle.

To that extent, it might be quite helpful when returning to reality.