Building a Safe Zone with My Harem In The Post-Apocalyptic World-Chapter 112: Elaine’s Commision

"Then how do you explain the pin? It’s not something just anyone can get," Elaine said, which left Jade silent for a moment as she picked it up, turning it between her fingers, feeling its weight and texture.

"They moved like professionals too," Delilah added, her tone steady. "At the very least, they were trained, more disciplined than your average men."

"As far as I know, the number of mercenary agents with a military background is limited, and the closest match would be Eagle Union. As for the government..." she hesitated slightly, choosing her words carefully, "I don’t think they would take a job like that."

Jade noticed the pause, the subtle hesitation in her voice, but didn’t press it.

"Even if it is Eagle Union, it still doesn’t make sense," Jade said, leaning back in her chair as she tapped the pin lightly against the desk.

"Why would they take a job like that, and even more reckless, use Skull Fang’s symbol while carrying their own pin? They’re professionals. They wouldn’t make something that obvious."

"Then what do you think is going on?" Elaine asked, this time pushing harder.

"We won’t know unless we ask both sides," Jade replied calmly, her gaze shifting to Elaine. "You already put in a commission to wipe them out, didn’t you? Freebound will take it."

"Really?" Elaine narrowed her eyes. "I was planning to handle it myself."

Jade clicked her tongue. "I know you want the loot. Why not split it evenly so you don’t have to dirty your hands?"

Elaine crossed her arms. "You’ve been trying so hard to keep Freebound’s image clean, far from being seen as bandits, and yet here you are acting like one. Not surprising."

"Oh, come on," Jade said with a tired sigh. "We’ve known each other for what, over ten years? Don’t act like that now. Let’s just get this done quickly, I have more than enough on my plate already."

Elaine rolled her eyes. This was exactly why she preferred sending commissions to the mercenary guild instead of going through Jade. She hated sharing, especially with someone who was annoyingly good at negotiating.

"Fine," she said at last. "It needs to be done by tomorrow or the day after. Tell your men not to destroy everything, and bring Piggy back alive. I want to talk to him."

"Deal," Jade replied without hesitation. "You can take all the medicine, if there’s any left in their base."

She tilted her head slightly, then added, "And whoever’s behind the door, you can come in now. Stop snooping."

A brief whisper followed from outside before the door slowly opened.

Gideon and Summer stepped in, both of them avoiding eye contact in an awkward silence.

"What do you guys want? I sent fifteen of my men. That’s not enough?" Jade asked, clearly in a bad mood.

She needed a lot of manpower to prepare for winter, and she still had to send people out on missions before the weather turned harsh to secure their funds.

Gideon had paid well for her men, but the way he stood there with that grin, she already knew what he wanted.

"Well, you know, I need another twenty-five men and about ten kitchen staff," he said like it was nothing.

Kitchen staff were easy to find. Many of her residents were desperate for extra work just to fill their stomachs.

The problem was their mouths. They talked too much. That was why she always assigned anything involving Gideon to Freebound members.

Jade groaned, pressing her fingers against her temple "I have a commission that needs to be done by tomorrow, and then about five more after that. I need my men focused, not splitting themselves between jobs."

She paused before continuing. "As for the kitchen staff, are civilians fine with you? Though you should already know the consequences."

"Huh. Even your men couldn’t stop talking about the new hero who defeated the Devourer. Though, I prefer someone you can trust." Gideon answered.

"About Elaine’s commission, I can take it. All five of them too. It’ll be fast and effective. You just need me and one other."

Jade glanced at Elaine, who gave a small nod. "Alright, but why one other? Can’t you handle it alone?"

"You know I don’t know the roads around here. I’d rather not get lost or kill the wrong target." Gideon grinned, the same cocky expression as always. "So, do we have a deal?"

Jade let out a breath. "Three of those commissions involve killing humans. And as far as I know, that’s different from killing aberrants. Are you okay with that?"

Gideon raised a brow, confused. "Yes? What makes you think I can’t do that?"

"I don’t know. Maybe because you’re a hero who saves people, brings them to your territory, gives them nice houses, and more?"

In Jade’s eyes, what Gideon did bordered on charity. He didn’t just help people. He gave them a comfortable life, even money to build their own homes.

And the food there was good. Even the water tasted clean, like something from the old world, not something filtered through an aberrant’s stomach.

She had never once wanted to join someone else’s territory more than his.

"Yeah. That’s exactly why I need more men. If I can get them by killing a few people, I don’t mind."

The so-called benevolent Gideon spoke about killing like it was just another transaction. No weight, no hesitation. Just work.

What a surprise.

’Riftan is right. There are no purely good people in this world. Some of them just have a skewed sense of morality.’

"Alright. We’ll go tomorrow. I’ll accompany you myself," Jade said, making Delilah flinch. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"But you’re buried in work right now," Delilah said, both worried and confused.

Jade waved her off. "Don’t underestimate a procrastinator. We work best under pressure, especially when deadlines are breathing down our necks."

She leaned back and gestured lazily toward the door. "Now go. I need to focus."

***

Gideon walked behind the group, watching Summer chat with Elaine, asking her to check on her "health," which the doctor agreed to.

Delilah lingered slightly behind him, looking like she wanted to say something but couldn’t bring herself to do it.

He already knew what it was. The lab in her bunker. He hadn’t forgotten her promise.

Still, he let her make the first move.

"Gideon, can we talk for a bit?" she finally asked.

"Sure. Just don’t take too long. I don’t want us getting close."

His words came out cold, sharp enough to make her expression falter into something hurt. It only annoyed him.

’Why is she making that face? She’s the one who wanted distance,’

He frowned but said nothing as they stepped aside to a quiet corner.