Chapter 46
Vroom!
Finishing parking in front of the Commercial Building, Ludwig got out of the Driver’s seat and opened the door.
The moment the Godfather stepped out through the open back door, his eyes met with Ellen Clements, who was returning from the Convenience Store.
Seeing Ellen lightly waving her hand while holding snacks, the Association Personnel immediately bowed their waists.
“We greet you, Ellen Clements.”
“Old Man. Hurry up and go up. Max has been waiting.”
“I will do so. Meredith. Did you bring the materials?”
“Yes. I have even finished double-checking them.”
The Association Personnel followed behind Ellen and headed to the office.
Arriving at the 2nd floor via the stairs.
Ellen took the lead and threw the door open with a bang! as she went in, and the Association Personnel entered after her.
Seeing the office, the Chairman stiffened like a stone statue.
“!!!”
Because the people in the office today did not end with Max and Ellen.
There was one more Girl with red hair and Wolf ears in the office.
A face that anyone who grasped the power structure of Haze could not fail to know. The Association President lowered his eyes and bowed his waist.
“…I greet you, Flora Crimsonhowl!”
Meredith and Ludwig followed suit and showed their respects. The situation was already grasped just by the mentioned name.
The Association President gulped down his saliva in tension.
“I thought I might run into her someday if I kept getting involved with Max Steiger, but… did it have to be today.”
The Association President knew that Flora Crimsonhowl, unlike Ellen Clements, had a serious personality devoid of playfulness.
Thinking back on the figures of Crimsonhowl he had faced so far, basic courtesy would be important.
“I am not an Employee of the office, so do not mind me and proceed.”
“…I will do as you command.”
Even though he answered like that, how could he not mind her?
The Association President endlessly engraved the resolve to stay sharp into his mind.
“Look at this Girl~ acting all tough when she’s got nothing.”
“Be quiet. If you’re an Employee, start by responding properly like an Employee.”
The two from the Magic Noble Family started a verbal argument. The Association Employees, facing this situation for the first time, found it hard to dare make a move in this atmosphere.
A few seconds passed with the Association President standing awkwardly at the entrance.
Max came out of the room with good timing. He strode over and welcomed the Association people with a smiling face.
“Association President. You’ve arrived.”
“…Mmm, it is nice that the office is lively.”
The Association President shook hands with Max and quietly expressed his impression that he was quite flustered by the unexpected Customer.
Max knew but just laughed it off. He simply guided them to the Reception Sofa.
Once they were seated, Ellen placed the coffees down with a clack! clack! and stepped away.
The Association President was thankful that it was not bottled water, unlike his last visit.
“I will drink it gratefully.”
“Thank you.”
Just as the Association President and Meredith expressed their thanks, wet their throats, and were about to start the conversation.
Max clasped his hands together and drew their attention.
“Association President. Before we get to the main point, may I deliver one piece of important news? It is a matter that might cause a disruption to the request.”
“Did something happen?”
Max paused for a moment before giving a bland smile.
He dropped a bomb with a light voice.
“This is well… I do not know if it will be good news for you, Association President, but I reached the 5th tier today.”
“Hmm?”
“Pardon?”
Not only the Association President, but even Meredith, who was preparing the materials, froze.
It looked as if time had frozen.
The Association President was letting coffee drip down with a dumbfounded face.
“Wow, I was surprised too when I saw Max’s tier go up. Right?”
“Yeah. I was really surprised too.”
Ellen and Flora, who were away from the sofa, chimed in and provided a sense of reality firmly.
Max pushed his momentum.
“Meredith. I apologize for not telling you in advance this time as well. My tier suddenly went up today, so could I request a Measuring Device?”
“That is…”
Meredith spared her words and waited for the Association President’s answer.
The Association President even stuttered as he interjected into the conversation.
“No, well, I am absolutely not doubting you, but…! Hasn’t it only been a short while since you… reached the 4th tier…?”
“It is thanks to the Angel’s Feather.”
“…”
The Association President could not be convinced by those words.
It was not just the Association President. It was a story that anyone who knew the situation would not easily accept.
“Hah, what in the world?”
Even if the energy compressed in the Angel’s Feather was incredible, when that energy acted on a human, the end of it was increasing their magic power capacity.
The tier was not a simple system that went up just because magic power capacity increased. Saying this out loud would only make one’s mouth hurt.
It was not like a vending machine drink that popped out when you put magic power in.
“…From the 5th tier onwards, it is impossible to measure with a Simple Measuring Device.”
“Then what should we do?”
“You have to use the machine installed at the Association. The other method is… Ludwig. Would it be possible?”
The Bodyguard standing behind the Association President rolled his prosthetic eye to capture Max.
A light briefly flashed in one eyeball.
There were various methods for an individual to read a tier while facing an opponent.
The representative ones were an overwhelming difference in martial prowess, innate senses like Flora and Ellen, or scientific technology.
Ludwig’s prosthetic eye was a product of scientific technology belonging to the last case.
The downside was that it took a little time and required continuously looking at the opponent until the result came out. The Person being observed would even feel a sense of alienation, so it was an impossible method without their consent.
Beep - !
A mechanical sound rang out, and the light in the prosthetic eye turned off.
Having finished the Assessment, Ludwig bowed his waist and quietly informed the Association President of the result.
“Hah.”
The Association President was dumbfounded even after hearing it directly.
He covered his mouth, pretending to think, with the intuition that he would not be able to control the corners of his mouth.
“For things to work out exactly as I wished like this? Is it the will of the heavens?”
He had been at a loss because there was no suitable Person even though he wanted to send a 5th tier. Even if they were good at their jobs, sending two 4th tiers was a mountain of worry.
But Max had reached the 5th tier and possessed the perfect qualifications? It was safe to say that the heavens had granted him permission to enjoy his natural lifespan.
“…May this Old Man also say a word before we get to the main point?”
“Of course.”
“Do you have any intention of signing an Exclusive Contract with the Bohemian Mercenary Association?”
At the Association President’s recommendation, Meredith and Ludwig, who were keeping their seats, opened their eyes wide.
Flora and Ellen, who were further away, pricked up their ears and listened attentively to the conversation.
“What is an Exclusive Contract?”
“Mercenaries are like migratory birds, are they not? Even if you belong to the Bohemian Association now, you might belong to another Association a month later.”
“Well… I will not say there is no possibility. Depending on the situation, that might be the case.”
“It is a contract that prevents such cases. I promise high-quality requests periodically, and the Exclusive Mercenary does not leave for another Association.”
“Is the advantage just continuously receiving requests and that is it?”
“Of course not. I promise to remove the Request Reward upper limit and give you a hefty bonus as well.”
Max stroked his chin and repeatedly thought it over.
“How long is the Contract Period?”
“It starts at a minimum of 5 years.”
5 years was too long. He was not particularly drawn to it.
Anyway, with his current tier, requests would continue to come in depending on the position.
‘Even if I refuse, he won’t be able to pressure me.’
Because if he gave Max a disadvantage for not accepting, Max could really leave for another Association.
Knowing the fact that 5th tiers were extremely rare among mercenaries, Max had no intention of moving according to his wishes.
“It seems difficult to give a positive answer due to personal reasons, but I will consider it as much as possible.”
When Max indirectly refused, the Association President neatly accepted it as if he had expected it.
“I hope this recommendation conveys that our Bohemian Association considers you special.”
“That was definitely conveyed. It is an honor that you recommended an Exclusive Contract.”
“Tell me anytime if you change your mind.”
“Understood. And I have a question. My tier has changed, so will the request be changed like last time?”
“That is not the case. We will calculate it with a 5th tier compensation, so you will continue in the position.”
Now the light exchange of information was over.
Finally, the main point for the request began.
“I would like you to attend an Auction House that doubles as a Social Party.”
“I do not know the details, but it is a new style of request.”
“Suitable clothing and face, the name to use, and other items deemed necessary will be provided by the Association.”
“Oho.”
“Even if we decorate your exterior to fit the occasion, wouldn’t your Conduct ultimately be important? Figures are scheduled to participate from corporations and families with their own considerable size.”
“Conduct… Was I chosen because I am from Steiger?”
“That is right. You are a rare talent in the Mercenary world. Are you not very suitable for this request?”
At this point, there was nothing to hide.
Max had vaguely noticed it.
Not only the Association President, but Meredith must have known as well from the beginning.
Just looking at Meredith’s competence and the things she could do with a single phone call, she seemed to be a fairly high-ranking Person in the Association.
He had continuously suspected that they attached her to him because he was from the Steiger Family.
“I am confident in acting normally. What is the task I have to do there?”
“Haha, there is still an explanation left, so do not rush and listen. It is not a job where you move alone.”
Max unconsciously moved his upper body, which had leaned forward, and pressed his back against the sofa.
“It seems I have a Comrade this time as well. Good.”
“First of all, the name you will use in the system of the Agency is a married man, so you will enter as a married couple with another Mercenary. Is it not simple?”
Without even giving Max a chance to express his thoughts.
Ellen, who had been occupying the computer chair, jumped up and raised her voice.
“Disguise as a married couple?! What kind of suggestive request is that?”
The office fell silent in an instant.
Everyone’s gaze pierced into Ellen.