Volume 23 Chapter 15-2 Aftermath
"People like Brook, who belong to Viscount Eugene, and others serving the Marquis Prentis family, such as Cole, will be handed over to Viscount Parker. The remaining servants in this mansion, along with the surviving members of the Shining Shield and Black Knife Gang, will be placed in the room where we were held, without being killed. Some servants have family status, and not all members of the mercenary group are here. Given the relationship between Viscount Eugene and the Marquis Prentis family, I wonder what they'll do when they return to the territorial capital."
Guildmaster Levy smiled gently and said, "I see. If we use this situation well, we can spread rumors in the territorial capital. Hopefully, they'll cause trouble among themselves."
And if they win against Viscount Eugene, they can hold the mercenary group accountable for their crimes once more.
"The problem is what to do with Seventh Snake and the lower ranks of the Marquis Prentis family. Some are injured and can't move, so I thought we might have to kill them. Most wagons were given to His Excellency Viscount Morgan and others, leaving only one. We can probably fit the confiscated evidence and Brook in it, but that's all."
Even if they take a back route, tying them with ropes and making them walk would be too noticeable. With only one wagon, Fitz and the others will have to walk too. Wait, though.
"There's the wagon Cole was riding in. Mr. Eric and the tied-up Cole are likely on it now, with Mr. Desmond and others. Plus, there are two more wagons, though their horses are dead. Do we have extra horses for the wagons?"
Al remembered Whitton storing his wagon in his button-shaped Magic Bag. The horses are dead, but the harnesses should still work.
"If I remember right, there should be replacement horses for the wagons."
"Then, we'll take as many prisoners as we can carry. If possible, I'd like Mr. Eric and his disciples to ride in the carriage. They're not used to walking. Plus, they can use defense spells from there. I'll keep lending the Magic Bag for the evidence, so storing it there will free up space."
If they hand them over to Viscount Parker, they'll likely be executed after questioning. If they become a burden on the way to Parker's border city, killing them might be unavoidable, but the battle is over.
There's no need to kill them unnecessarily. Al doesn't want that burden on his conscience.
"Understood. That helps. Al, will you come with us to Parker? If you want to part ways here, I was thinking of giving you a small reward..."
"Do you really have that kind of leeway? Even now?"
Guildmaster Levy smiled warmly.
"There's a safe in the villa belonging to Viscount Eugene's family. It has letters that could be evidence, and nearly 5,000 gold coins—likely military funds from the Marquis Prentis family. I'll report this to Viscount Parker, but I thought it acceptable to give Al 500 coins and Orson 100 coins."
Will the Levy merchant guild keep the rest? Or will they give it to Viscount Parker? That thought crossed his mind. Still, some mercenaries from the guild are dead.
Considering them, 500 coins for Al might be more than enough... no, there was something else he wanted.
"I also have something from Whitton..."
As he said this, he stopped trying to use the button-shaped Magic Bag. He noticed people staring, so he lowered his voice.
"In Whitton's Magic Bag, there's a box with letters exchanged with Prentis mages, and a large bag likely filled with gold coins. We'll hand it over with the carriage, so please report it to Viscount Parker. There's also a box Cole treasured, containing a spellbook I don't recognize—I'd like that. And may I take the Magic Tool installed for security in this villa? There were 6 reactions to the 'Detect Magic' spell, so that's probably it. If I can have that, I don't need money this time."
The Magic Tool has 'Detect Magic,' 'Detect Invisible,' and 'Detect Illusion' abilities—it's quite valuable.
Combined with the unlearned spellbooks, it's worth about 500 gold coins. He wanted to set up bases at the River of Death, Channing Village's father's mansion, and the iron mine, if possible.
Listening to Al's wishes, Guildmaster Levy exchanged looks with Edmund, then shook his head slightly.
"The Magic Tool here—I didn't expect that. Of course, you can take it, and since Cole will likely be executed, the spellbook is fine too. Other treasured items will be needed to investigate Cole's actions, so they should be submitted. But if you include a list of spells, Viscount Parker probably won't object, as long as they're not prohibited spells."
Prohibited spells? There probably aren't any, so it should be fine.
"Understood."
Seeing Al nod with a satisfied face, Guildmaster Levy looked troubled and sighed.
"As for the bag of coins and other evidence, I'll hold onto them for now. Regarding your reward, Al, aside from the spellbook and Magic Tool, I'll leave the rest to Viscount Parker. Is that okay?"
"Yes. By the way, do you know where Orson is?"
Al wondered how his injuries were.
"Oh, he's being treated by our mercenaries. He should still be near the stable. They said it'll hurt for about two weeks but will heal completely without issues."
That's a relief. Al sighed with reassurance.
"Then, I'll go check on him. After that, I'll get some sleep."
When Al said this, Guildmaster Levy and his son Edmund nodded slowly.
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