The Founding Monarch Became the Mastermind

Chapter 19

“Are you really okay with this?”

As they left the Mercenary Guild and headed to the Janstrick Mercenary Group with Stelman, Piotr cautiously asked Si-on after hearing about the situation.

“Huh? With what?”

“The penalty fee. 7.5 million Dien…”

“Hmm. It’s not a small amount.”

In fact, it wasn’t just a matter of being a small amount.

7.5 million Dien.

That was a staggering sum equivalent to about 7.5 billion won in Korean currency.

To spend such an enormous amount just to keep one mercenary group running for a few years?

Moreover, since maintenance costs would also be incurred separately, Piotr—and even Jenna—couldn’t help but be astounded.

“But why… Is Janstrick really worth that much?”

Even though it was a mercenary group that had established itself in a big city like Alphmarine, when you think about it, it was just one of many mid-level mercenary groups in the kingdom.

Moreover, if the situation was so bad that they were considering leaving the Mercenary Guild on their own, they didn’t seem particularly skilled.

That’s what Piotr thought.

“Worth… Well, if we measure worth, there are certainly other mercenary groups that are objectively more skilled and stable than Janstrick.”

“That’s what I mean.”

“But those guys are hard to use for long-term engagements.”

“What?”

“I mean, except for long-term escort missions, it’s very rare for mercenaries to work under one employer for more than a year.”

“Well… That’s true.”

The better the skill, the higher the pay, and mercenaries, by nature, are meant to reduce costs by lending their strength for short periods.

If you plan to use them year-round, you’d strengthen your regular army instead of hiring mercenaries.

“And as you know, I can’t establish a regular military because of my status.”

A collateral branch of the royal family maintaining private soldiers?

Especially when they weren’t even originally part of the household and during such a sensitive time?

It would invite severe criticism from the royal family and high-ranking nobles.

“So, hiring mercenaries on an annual basis is fine?”

“Normally, it wouldn’t be. But I have a clear destination.”

“Ah…”

Their current destination was the Si-on Duchy.

Though distantly related by a long-past connection with a princess, it had no involvement in the current power struggle over the throne that was causing factions to form in the royal palace.

Furthermore, the Si-on Duchy was so far from the capital and nearly an independent state that no one would really care.

“But it still seems too expensive. There’s no guarantee they’ll follow your orders faithfully for several years, either.”

“To address your second concern first, that depends on how you handle it. And I happen to be quite skilled at managing people.”

I can handle it well.

“Uh…”

With nothing more to say after Si-on’s confident remark, Piotr fell silent, and Si-on continued with a smirk.

“And if you really think about it, it’s not that expensive.”

“…?”

“Most of the combat personnel in Janstrick are of semi-knight level.”

“What?”

Surprised, Piotr unconsciously raised his voice, glancing back and forth between Stelman, who was driving the cart ahead, and Si-on.

“A mercenary group at semi-knight level? Are you saying there are dozens of knights? Isn’t that more of a knight order?”

“Well, I’m not sure about their current state, but there are probably at least twenty or thirty.”

“Is that even possible?”

Piotr, shocked and almost accusatory, quickly realized his mistake and lowered his head.

“My apologies. It’s just hard to believe…”

“I understand. But it’s true. Fifty semi-knight-level mercenaries in Janstrick can handle more than ten times their number in regular infantry. During the Oak Dispute, thirty of them defeated five hundred. It’s basic training for well-trained cavalry.”

“Wow…”

“Now, using such high-level combat forces—thirty to forty of them—for five years costs 7.5 million Dien. Still think it’s expensive?”

“It’s not cheap, but I can’t say it’s overpriced.”

In a territory, it generally costs tens of thousands of Dien annually to maintain a single knight.

Even taking an average of 200,000 Dien per knight annually, ten knights would cost 2 million Dien a year.

Of course, in this contract, the employer also bears maintenance costs, so the expense would be higher, but it was by no means overpriced.

“Well, back in my day, they weren’t much different from knights… I wonder if that’s still the case.”

“Sorry? What did you say?”

“Oh, just that latte is a very delicious drink.”

“???”

Muttering in a tone no one in this world would understand, Si-on looked at the Janstrick Mercenary Group’s camp located on the outskirts of Alphmarine and smiled.

“If not, I can whip them into shape on the way.”

Just like he had with the father of the bear-like man up ahead in the past.

* * *

‘What’s with these guys? Are they real mercenaries?’

Facing the Janstrick mercenaries, Piotr swallowed nervously.

These men were different from the mercenaries he knew and the ones he had seen throughout the streets of Alphmarine.

Rough looks were common not just among mercenaries but also among knights, many of whom looked like thugs.

But while their appearances could be similar, there was an insurmountable gap between the knights and the mercenaries—their atmosphere and discipline.

Even among knights who were free-spirited (reckless) and took rules lightly (irresponsible), only two or three out of ten would be like that, while nine out of ten mercenaries were.

Yet the Janstrick Mercenary Group before them looked like elite forces from a regular army.

Seeing over fifty mercenaries standing in orderly rows at ease was a shock.

Moreover, they had just heard a significant speech from their leader Stelman that would change their fate.

Normal mercenaries wouldn’t stand for this.

Overthrowing their leader, even attacking him and his officers, depending on the situation, would be expected.

But the Janstrick mercenaries only looked a little surprised; there was no hint of a mutiny, nor were they agitated.

“…So that’s how it ended up. I’m sorry to all of you. It may sound like an excuse, but I did it because I wanted to open a way for us to survive. But I was foolish. I’m truly sorry as your foolish leader.”

Stelman pounded his chest twice with his right fist and bowed his head.

One of the five mercenaries standing at the front of each row spoke in a loud voice.

“So, are you saying that by following our foolish leader, we’ve been fools, too? I’m getting offended, so cut the apologies.”

“At least that much is true for you, isn’t it?”

Ha ha ha ha ha!

As the two squad leaders bantered, the tense atmosphere eased with laughter.

Si-on watched them quietly.

‘From the looks of it, they’re not in bad shape.’

The group seemed disciplined and tightly bonded.

This was an impressive mercenary unit, likely in the top 10 percent of all mercenary groups.

‘I’ll check their skills gradually, and if they’re lacking, I can train them myself. Not bad at all.’

While Si-on was raising his evaluation of the Janstrick Mercenary Group, Stelman’s voice echoed again.

“The contract fee from the Jetman family will be divided among those leaving. It totals 500,000 Dien.”

‘Hmm?’

Si-on tilted his head.

The total pay the Jetman family owed Janstrick was 1.5 million Dien.

While conventionally, only 10% of the total remuneration was paid upfront as a contract fee, he’d heard that the Jetman family had paid 30% to quickly secure Janstrick due to their urgent need.

‘That would be 450,000 Dien, so the extra 50,000 must be… Ah.’

The bear had pooled his remaining personal wealth.

Running a mercenary group for so long, and yet he had only 50,000 Dien left.

Moreover, the camp grounds were reportedly to be sold off to pay off the support staff, over twenty of whom were employed there, leaving little remaining funds.

‘Tsk tsk. He’s become quite the pauper, but I can’t complain.’

Having secured high-quality forces that were hard to hire long-term with money, Si-on saw this as advantageous.

“Those who are leaving, step forward.”

At Stelman’s words, about twenty mercenaries hesitantly stepped forward.

‘Hmm. This is better than expected.’

Si-on had anticipated that as many as half might leave, so he nodded approvingly.

His original goal was thirty, and he had negotiated the contract for that number.

But by the looks of it, there were slightly more mercenaries still standing than he had expected.

“Sorry, Captain. I just can’t leave my wife alone for years.”

“No matter how nice the South is, staying in one place for five years isn’t appealing.”

The mercenaries expressed their personal reasons and apologized.

But there was no need to apologize.

In the world of mercenaries bound by contracts, those that didn’t guarantee such freedom and rights had long since failed and vanished.

Their heartfelt explanations only underscored the strong bonds they shared.

“I’m the one who should apologize. Riven, make sure to distribute the money fairly.”

“Yes, Captain.”

A mercenary nodded and led his departing comrades away.

“Well then.”

Those leaving and those staying exchanged no special farewells, just the Janstrick Mercenary Group’s customary salute of pounding their chests twice.

‘Clean. Extra points for that.’

Si-on was even more satisfied, having expected some quarrels or disputes.

It suggested that Stelman and his squad leaders had been effectively managing the mercenaries.

‘Aside from his lack of administrative skills, he’s quite a usable fellow.’

Stelman resembled his father in many ways.

But since managing a mercenary group didn’t require exceptional skills, Si-on had left him to it, only for it to fail within two generations.

‘Maintaining it through two generations might be a miracle. I guess that’s my fault.’

Had he anticipated things several decades ahead, he would have been more involved or monitored more closely.

But when Si-on helped Stelman’s father organize the Janstrick Mercenary Group, he had no specific plans to use them for anything in the future.

He had simply taken a liking to the rare capable and clear-headed man and his loyal subordinates, supporting them in forming a mercenary group that might someday aid the Si-on Ducal Family.

‘Depending on how they perform, bringing them directly under my command wouldn’t be bad.’

Lacking administrative skills?

Then he’d make sure they didn’t need to manage anything.

In return, he’d work them hard and reward them handsomely.

Just as he was contemplating this, Jenna and her two subordinates, who had gone elsewhere per Si-on’s orders, entered the mercenary training grounds.

“Sir Salen.”

“Oh, hey. Did you handle it well?”

“Yes. But something seemed… off.”

“Hm?”

Si-on narrowed his eyes.

Jenna, acting on Si-on’s command, had gone to the Jetman family with personnel from the Mercenary Guild to cancel the contract with the Janstrick Mercenary Group and handle the compensation.

More precisely, to the inn where the representatives of the Jetman family were staying.

There was no issue resolving the contract termination and compensation since the representative of the Jetman family who had contracted Janstrick was present.

“What do you mean, off?”

“They were quite flustered when we offered the compensation at first. Then, later on, they started making various excuses to avoid canceling the contract.”

“So?”

“I handed over the check you gave me.”

It was a check from Brelian Bank, the same kind Jenna had received before.

Known for its top-tier credit, Brelian Bank’s checks were accepted without issue not just in the Kingdom of Obla but in other countries as well.

“Then it’s settled, right?”

“Yes. The Mercenary Guild staff who accompanied us certified it, so there was no issue with the cancellation. But those guys…”

Jenna paused briefly, scanned the surroundings, then spoke in a low voice.

“No matter how I looked at it, they seemed to be planning something. They probably won’t act within the city, but I suspect they’ll try something once we leave.”

Given that Jenna was the head of an information guild branch, having experienced all kinds of situations from a young age alongside her father, her instincts were reliable.

“And I checked just in case; the Jetman Territory has over three hundred mercenaries besides those stationed here. Even in an emergency, they could gather at least a hundred.”

“Oh, really?”

It meant there might be a fight of 100 (or more) against 40.

“That’s perfect.”

“Pardon?”

“As soon as we leave here, we’ll see if these guys are worth keeping or if they’re just trash I need to whip into shape. It’ll save us time.”

Thinking about how things were aligning so well, Si-on laughed heartily, genuinely pleased.