Chapter 9: How a Mercenary Takes a New Request (5)
Normally, Regina would have scraped together the money somehow. But now, the guild’s vault was completely empty—there was no way.
And even if they tried to quickly sell the treasures stored in the warehouse, it was impossible to find someone who could sell large and expensive items in under a week.
Besides, taking the treasure directly to the palace would only make things worse. They’d ask where it came from, wouldn’t believe mercenaries, and treat them like thieves.
They’d lose the treasure, and maybe more.
“What do we do, miss?”
Regina glanced at Rosie’s worried face, then looked around at the other guild members.
One of them even offered his gold—even though his second child was on the way.
“Right now, the fastest way for a mercenary to earn big money is…”
Going to war.
But that… she could never allow. There had to be another way.
“Then where can I get cash—right now…?”
She found her answer quickly.
“No way… Duke Julius? But wait, this is a special tax directly from the palace.”
It was unlikely that the “crazy” duke in powerless Valmen could change royal orders. This was just bad luck. The worst timing.
“…I’ll step out for a bit.”
“Huh? Miss Regina!”
Before Rosie could stop her, Regina was already gone like an arrow.
Gael, who’d just come down after hearing the commotion, asked, “What’s going on?”
“She saw this tax notice and suddenly ran out.”
Gael grabbed the notice from Maut’s hand. When he saw the large number, he almost tore it in half. Rosie quickly snatched it back.
“Where could she be going? Is there any way she could get money?”
“I don’t know.”
“…Or maybe, she’s thinking about that again…”
Gael muttered nervously.
“Damn rats,” Thomas cursed during training.
Half the soldiers in the castle were low-ranking royal guards or mercenaries who had slipped in during the duke’s absence.
The rest were his own men—and spies from Count Renziénr’s household.
They pretended to train, lazily swinging wooden swords. It was obvious they weren’t serious soldiers.
Some even asked boldly for secret maps of the castle, claiming to be senior guards. They insisted on guarding the duke personally.
They were nothing like real knights—dishonest and twisted.
“I need to deal with them somehow…”
He thought about bringing in reinforcements from the territory, but the spies had blocked that plan too.
Thomas wanted them gone. But there was no proper excuse.
“Still, letting a low-born mercenary in is not a move I support.”
“Commander!”
A guard ran up, out of breath.
Thomas frowned. Guards weren’t supposed to leave their posts.
“What is it?”
“That mercenary from before… she’s here. She insists on entering.”
“I’ll go.”
Regina stood at the castle gate, quietly counting the guards.
A habit of hers—always checking the defences.
“What are you doing here?”
Thomas came walking up, clearly looking down on her.
“This is not some cheap tavern you can just walk into,” he snapped.
Regina looked at him calmly. He had slicked-back hair, a puffed-up chest, and perfect posture. A classic noble knight—the kind who always hated mercenaries.
“I’m here to meet the Duke.”
Valentin, his master, had asked her to come. But Thomas, who despised “dirty mercenaries,” wanted to insult her first.
“He’s not someone you can meet so easily.”
“Then at least tell him—I’ve come to give him my answer.”
“What answer?”
Regina pushed back her hood.
Why were people in this castle so nosy?
Her irritated glare made Thomas flinch, almost without realizing it.
He had never seen a woman with eyes like that.
“Are you the Duke?”
“…You!”
“I’m here to respond to the offer your master made. He’ll want to hear it directly.”
Thomas clicked his tongue. He wanted to kick her out—but Valentin was probably expecting her.
“…Follow me.”
Knock, knock, knock, knock.
A loud knock rattled the room. Of course—it was Thomas again.
“Sir, she’s here.”
Told you so, Valentin thought with a smile.
“Let her in.”
The door opened. Regina stepped in confidently, standing right in front of him.
“What brings you here, this late at night? And just one day after leaving?”
When she glanced at Thomas, still standing by the door, Valentin waved him out.
Thomas looked annoyed to leave her alone in the room, but he obeyed.
“Do you still want me to take the job?”
Regina’s forehead was slightly sweaty—proof she had rushed here.
“What made you change your mind?”
“Something came up. Did you expect I’d come back?”
“I was looking for an excuse to call you again. But I see—you’re short on money.”
His gaze felt like it could read her mind.
Regina answered honestly.
“Yes. I thought I could survive by pushing through the next three years, but it turns out, I can’t.”
“Then how about… 5,000 rel up front, 7,000 upon completion. Plus danger pay.”
Regina narrowed her eyes.
He was raising the price himself? That meant the job was serious trouble.
Still, she didn’t have any choice. She’d already made up her mind before even arriving.
“Tell me what the job is.”
She pulled a scroll tied with red string from her coat.
“You’ll be my wife—for as long as I need you. And as my wife, you’ll protect me.”
“That’s… vague. Didn’t you say this would last only a year?”
“I changed my mind. There’s no promise this castle will be safe in just one year. But if it does become safe before that, you’re free to leave.”
In other words—it depended on results.
Regina stared at the clever, smug noble in front of her.
“If time runs longer, we’ll renegotiate. Think of it like renewing a contract.”
It was an open-ended deal, with just enough hope sprinkled in.
Regina didn’t like that kind of contract. But she couldn’t say no now.
“And divorce is guaranteed?”
Valentin nodded. He didn’t want a real partner either. That made things easier.
Regina didn’t look away. She studied his eyes—trying to see if he was lying.
“This is a two-way contract. I have conditions too.”
Valentin raised his eyebrows, interested. Even now, she didn’t back down.
“First—I might have to leave sometimes for guild missions. We’re short on people.”
“That’s… troublesome.”
Valentin tapped his chair arm in annoyance. He didn’t like that she might not put his contract first.
Regina quickly added,
“But I promise—this request will be my top priority. Persona work won’t interfere.”
Her blue eyes shone with determination.
After a moment, Valentin nodded.
“If you say so.”
“Thank you. And… one more thing.”
“Yes?”
“During the contract… let’s not develop any feelings for each other.”
Valentin was speechless.
She looked embarrassed but serious.
“Are you asking me not to fall in love with you?”
“Yes. I won’t have those feelings for you either.”
“…Why?”
What kind of woman makes that kind of request?
Valentin wanted to pry open her lips and ask.
