Savage Ascension: Starting with God-Tier Plunder Ability-Chapter 101: My Work, His Glory

Even though Commander Gesilian recognized the Tracking Mercenary Group, mercenaries couldn't participate in the round table meeting. It was a place where things got pretty raw. Even if they heard, it was meant for other ears—and also an excellent method of evading responsibility.

Like how the situation of a zombie biting and taking down a soldier while a decision gets deferred from platoon leader to company commander to battalion commander to regiment commander is very convincing to anyone who's served—it was to avoid problems when information mercenaries shouldn't know got in.

In the Southern Kingdom, while countless beasts and monsters could wreck small or large villages, there was no war. The more peace stretched on, those with a lot to lose liked their rights just fine but hated responsibility.

It was clearly because they didn't know the terrible consequences of such behavior.

Senior Soldier Bulsheben, in that sense, was no different from Commander Gesilian's first line of defense. Commander Gesilian had to secure minimal safety, and Bulsheben was positioned in just the right place to maintain that safety while keeping up appearances with Rowan.

"Where are you coming back from? I waited quite a while."

Bulsheben was waiting outside the military tent. Having spent years alongside Commander Gesilian, he knew he was treating Rowan with considerable regard, so he didn't presume to wait inside.

It wasn't respecting Rowan—it was acting like he respected Rowan on the surface because he respected Commander Gesilian.

It was respect stripped of sincerity. And since the real-world markers for judging that were meager, Rowan couldn't tell.

Since Rowan had come under Commander Gesilian's umbrella, Bulsheben's tone had changed too. Since Gesilian had sent him directly, this order had raised the respect level toward Rowan by another step. Rowan felt satisfied seeing that.

'So that's how people get ahead.'

Being spoken to respectfully by a greenhorn mercenary and being spoken to respectfully by a noble's adjutant were very different.

Nothing was more enjoyable than being respected by others. But Rowan knew it was never truly his. Though he couldn't be certain Bulsheben's respect was fake, he knew this situation had come about because Commander Gesilian had taken Rowan under his wing.

'Still, just a notification. Even if I couldn't participate in the round table, I at least thought I could watch from the sidelines.'

The regret was significant. He worked that regret off in sweat climbing mountains with Espin and Doren. When he returned, Bulsheben was waiting and began the briefing. It was a thoroughly contradictory situation.

Since they were outside mercenaries, they couldn't observe the round table meeting, but since Commander Gesilian had given his word, he couldn't not share the contents either. Senior Soldier Bulsheben had to cross that dangerous, contradictory bridge one step at a time.

Nobody knew when or what might happen in this world. Was Rowan trustworthy? Not a chance. Bulsheben didn't trust him. More precisely, he thought that because Rowan's foundation was light, he could leave at any time.

'At the end of the day, he's just a mercenary and a knight without a family.'

It was no different from established powers telling young people to have dreams and challenge things they haven't tried. Same as telling free knights to dream of rising in the world and to use their power according to their convictions.

The way to use smart but young people was similar everywhere in the world. The world was full of people who said you had to pay your dues while you were young and work for exposure before it counts as real experience. Any way they could save a coin.

"Are you going to tell me right here?"

"Yes."

At that, Espin and Doren perked up their ears. There was something they were allowed to hear! They were amazed.

"Through the accomplishments demonstrated so far, the Tracking Mercenary Group will be conducting scouting activities. The objective is to find a mid-sized robber gang of thirty or more."

These were the types hard to find at the Southern Golden Plains chokepoint where small robber gangs were plentiful.

"Based on what's already been learned through interrogation of the robbers—threats, persuasion, and torture—there's said to be one and only one mid-sized robber gang called the Back-Door Gang. They apparently extort loot from other robber gangs monthly, so they're said to be positioned at a fair distance from the chokepoint to the Southern Golden Plains."

Of course, this wasn't information to trust one hundred percent.

"Tracking them, finding a route for soldiers to move without being spotted by other robber gangs—that's your mission."

Rowan's eyes lit up. He was literally the main player of this subjugation campaign.

'Quite the ambition.'

What was done under the Tracking Mercenary Group's name would quietly be erased and Commander Gesilian's name would go up. He was convinced Rowan had military power on par with a knight and was planning to use him accordingly.

'Wow. He's really something else.'

He couldn't even feel anger. Only regret at himself for letting his military level get found out.

"Since it's no ordinary job, the commission fee will be raised."

"By how much?"

"Including Commander Gesilian's personal funds, the total will be fifteen silver coins."

Espin and Doren jumped.

"Fifteen coins!"

They didn't know Rowan had pocketed the gold coin, so they knew those silver coins would be split equally. Their expressions were screaming for a victory shout. Espin calculated the money he'd receive every single night before falling asleep.

The Tracking Mercenary Group was already riding such a great money wave that another wave made of money had slammed into them. They couldn't help but gasp in admiration.

Bulsheben gave Rowan a slight bow. He went straight on his way.

From the first small robber gang: hidden wooden case money of five silver coins and nine hundred copper coins. Capturing four robbers alive: forty copper coins. Spoils of war: nine silver coins and four hundred copper coins.

From the second large capture: capturing thirty-one robbers alive: three hundred ten copper coins. Spoils of war: twenty silver coins.

Special commission from Commander Gesilian: fifteen silver coins.

Total: forty-nine silver coins and one thousand six hundred fifty copper coins. Each person would be distributed sixteen silver coins and fifty-five copper coins.

A greenhorn mercenary's income in under a month was the equivalent of over ten thousand dollars. Literally unbelievable, and impossible without Rowan. If it were a typical mercenary group, even earning this much, there'd be so many members you'd only get about one silver coin per person—and the mercenary captain's cut would be large too.

'Hehehehe!'

His face couldn't help but split into a grin. Money turned directly into loyalty toward Rowan.

'I'll follow him to the end!'

Espin had burning eyes. Doren was the same. It was truly a dream job. Like meeting a leader in a world full of bosses.

Rowan was actually having regrets. Just thinking about total income, five silver coins each would've been enough, but he'd insisted on equal distribution. He realized too late that he'd poured in exactly the kind of refined modern hogwash.

'Even big company owners don't do this—and here I am!'

Regret always comes too late. Espin and Doren's abilities had come into full bloom, and Rowan had grown fond of them too. If he changed things now, it was obvious there'd be problems. They probably wouldn't leave the mercenary group, but things couldn't be the same as before.

After Senior Soldier Bulsheben left, the Tracking Mercenary Group got busy. They made plans to depart first thing tomorrow. It was spontaneous, but Espin and Doren didn't object at all.

The biggest issue, without question, was the hoop rhinoceros leather armor. Espin wanted to wear it, but ran into Rowan's opposition.

"Look at the leather armor I'm wearing. One scratch like this and it tears right away."

"It doesn't fit the current mission."

"Grit and sheer will!"

Rowan smiled and raised his fist. Unlike his ordinary-looking frame, this was Rowan who'd consumed the undead knight's remnants. His hand stung something fierce. Espin, who had a strong tendency to say whatever was on his mind, had earned a smack from Rowan several times.

He'd yelped like a little kid. Because the sting was way stronger than expected.

That's why Espin recoiled and whimpered like he was having a fit.

"I haven't even hit you."

"Ah, yes."

The pain of getting stabbed in his vulnerable armpit by Rowan was deeply etched into Espin.

"Anyway, it doesn't fit right now. Haven't you climbed a mountain in that thing once?"

"That's true, but..."

The style was something else. It was on a whole different level from his second-hand leather armor. While Espin couldn't let go of the back-alley street cred in his head and kept bickering with Rowan, Doren was steadying his mind.

'I absolutely won't make a mistake this time.'

Doren was sloppy at everything and guaranteed to mess up anything he was doing for the first time. The most easygoing member of the Tracking Mercenary Group, Doren was being influenced every single moment by Rowan's exceptional ability and Espin's rough edge.

He couldn't help but feel tense.

In the end, Rowan made Espin give up on wearing the hoop rhinoceros leather armor. He'd pushed his reasoning through straightforwardly—he himself would be wearing it while not letting a member wear it, and he made that logic stick.

The next day, having received the report in advance, Commander Gesilian Faerun met Rowan, who'd finished preparing for departure, at dawn.

"Impressive, in this early hour."

"It's a knight family habit—dawn training. Are those two your members?"

"Yes. Both young."

At that, Gesilian gestured with his chin and Espin answered perceptively.

"My name is Espin. Seventeen years old."

"I'm, Doren. Seventeen years old."

Doren almost said Bearded Doren but corrected himself. He figured it would seem rude, and also because Espin hadn't said Large Shield Espin. Of course, Commander Gesilian would forget both their names.

"I want them found as soon as possible, so I'll attach one veteran soldier to you. Whatever you're doing and wherever, he'll be helpful."

"Yes. Thank you."

As soon as Commander Gesilian finished speaking, Rowan answered without hesitation, and one soldier stepped forward from the group the commander had brought. It was Four-Year Soldier Ulas. Young among veterans but four years of experience under his belt.

"My name is Ulas."

"Nice to meet you."

Rowan instantly scanned his outfit. He was wearing a breastplate, but had prioritized convenience in other areas. It was different from Rowan, who'd given considerable thought to defense. And with that, they departed. Espin and Doren chatted with Ulas.

He got along with the two just fine. He especially told them about things he'd seen during his military service.

'Putting a set of eyes on me. I would've done the same, but I can't say I feel great about it.'

He'd probably be checking on how Rowan did his work. He'd also be helping the mercenary group while playing the role of a shackle.

'He'll investigate me too.'

He'd hear about Rowan through Espin and Doren. There was no way to stop that. He knew well it would only cause bigger misunderstandings.

Rowan's mind was getting crowded with thoughts.