Deadmeat Saga

The following morning, Gerhart stayed in the guild and ate breakfast.

But while he was eating, he saw a luxurious carriage arrive through the window. From the coat of arms, Gerhart recognized it as House Camden's coat of arms.

The adventurers staying in the guild began to murmur as they saw two men enter. One was a plump man in his early twenties that Gerhart thought looked like a merchant, and the other was an aged butler.

"Why is a noble here?" One of the adventurers whispered.

"Dunno... I think it is Rufus Camden, the heir of house Camden. The other one is the head butler, Dorian." Another adventurer whispered back.

"How do you know?" The first adventurer asked.

"I did an escort mission two years back. He is much better and level-headed compared to that Flyx." The second adventure replied.

Gerhart eyed the duo as they approached the reception desk. Today, Abiah was strangely not at the reception desk. "Where is Abiah, anyway? Did he have something to do?"

While thinking of that, Rufus patiently waited in line until it was his turn, not showing any arrogance. After briefly chatting with the receptionist, the receptionist stood and guided them upstairs, assumingly to the Guild Master's office.

"Are they here to discuss compensation with Abiah?" Gerhart guessed.

Soon, the guild clerk returned, looked around, and spotted Gerhart, who just finished his breakfast.

"Gerhart? You are Gerhart, right?" The clerk asked.

"Yes?" Gerhart curiously looked at the clerk.

"Please come to the Guild Master's office." The clerk said and returned to the reception desk.

"They need me for the negotiations?" Gerhart wondered as he stood up and gave the food platter to Ernest, who was cleaning a cup by the bar. "Thank you, Ernest. It was delicious."

"No problem, lad. I don't know what's going on, but good luck." Ernest smiled.

"Thank you." Gerhart smiled back and went upstairs under the curious eyes of the adventurers and guild staff.

Reaching the Guild Master's office door, Gerhart knocked.

Knock* Knock*

"Come in!" Scarlet's voice sounded from inside.

Gerhart then opened the door and saw three people.

The first one was Scarlet, sitting by her desk and doing paperwork. The second was a plump man in his early twenties sitting by the guest table. And the third one was an aged butler standing behind him. Gerhart also noticed a sheathed sword next to the butler. The sheath was green, had fiery patterns, and looked expensive... And it looked familiar.

"Where have I seen it before..." Gerhart thought.

"Gerhart, you have a guest. This is Young Master Rufus Camden, the eldest son of Viscount Camden and brother of Flyx Camden." Scarlet said. She purposely added Flyx's name.

"Greetings, young master Camden... What do you require of this poor and illiterate F-rank Adventurer?" Gerhart made a light bow, giving the bare minimum of courtesy, but deliberately lowered his value. At the same time, he kept a lukewarm attitude, not being too humble or defiant.

He now had the strength of a C-rank Adventurer, even if that of the weakest among them, and with his growing stats and talents, he gained more confidence when facing those in power. The once-lofty nobles he feared now didn't faze him much... At least, not a son of a Viscount.

Gerhart's attitude didn't go unnoticed, however. Both Rufus and the butler raised their evaluation of Gerhart.

"Father was right... He isn't simple. Although he dresses like a poor man, he has his wits on him. My foolish brother didn't suffer an injustice." Rufus thought without changing expression.

"This feeling and confidence... He hid his strength well. He should be at least D-rank... And has the bearings of a future powerhouse. The second young master was indeed too rash and shortsighted..." The butler narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Mr. Gerhart, you jest! Please, feel at ease and have a seat." Rufus gestured to the opposite chair.

"Thank you, young master," Gerhart dryly replied and sat on the chair, not showing any attitude, and turned toward Scarlet.

"Scarlet, where is Abiah?" Gerhart asked.

"Father went to the dungeon." Scarlet lightly smiled.

Abiah hates nobles, so he especially goes to the dungeon... To avoid accidentally punching them. But Gerhart didn't know that.

"I see, thank you." Gerhart nodded and looked toward Rufus and Dorian, noting they turned more tense.

"Hm? What's wrong with them?" Gerhart wondered.

He didn't know the significance of Abiah allowing him to call him by his first name instead of Guild Master or Sir. Even in the guild, only a handful could call him by name, and he only allowed A-rank adventurers to call him by name... Unless he liked them. In a way, casually naming him was the same as declaring he was under Abiah's protection.

Although it was within their expectations, hearing it made them feel more strained. However, Rufus quickly recovered from it and made his statement.

"Mr. Gerhart, I won't take much of your time. I am here as the heir of the Camden family to formally apologize in the name of House Camden for my brother's transgressions." Rufus lowered his head. "As punishment, we wish to exile Emerald Flame from this kingdom, sending them off with only a thousand silver coins and some adventuring equipment. Of course, we will publicly donate 20,000 Silver Coins to your orphanage and give you 10,000 Silver Coins and the Emerald Flame Sword. Dorian! Show him the sword!"

"Yes, Young Master." Dorian picked up the sword and gently placed it on the table.

Gerhart picked up the Emerald Flame sword and unsheathed part of it.

Shing*

He saw a green-tinted blade with emerald-colored flame-like patterns. Just one look was enough to know this sword was extraordinary, even to a layman like him. Of course, it was nothing compared to things he saw as Deadmeat... But as Gerhart, this sword was top-notch.

"I see you took a liking to it." Rufus smiled. "So, how about we give you this and write off all grudges?"

"..." Gerhart couldn't help but frown and ponder.

His orphanage could use the money, and he was tight on cash. These 10,000 Silver Coins were enough to kickstart a man's life! Any ordinary man could buy a small house and open a shop. As an adventurer, it was enough to buy high-quality gear, enabling him to take on riskier requests or dive deeper into the dungeon. He could even buy a combat slave if he wanted.

On the other hand, letting Emerald Flame go into exile like that... It seemed like too much of a light punishment. But the money and sword were tempting, like an oasis in the desert.

"I..." Gerhart greatly hesitated.

"Wait." Before he could answer, Scarlet intervened.

Rufus had a subtle change in expression, a bad feeling creeping in.

"Emerald Flame violently robbed a Basic Swordsmanship skill book, murdered two innocents, and tried killing a third one twice. Once by themselves and the second time through hired killers. The compensation you quoted is painfully lacking." Scarlet coldly said.

"Lacking? How come?" Gerhart asked, not knowing the exact laws.

Gerhart was initially a bit too dumb to remember the exact fines, and he had Mylo and Hazel, so it was fine in a way. But now, he started realizing he was being hoodwinked.

"You don't know? Then I will explain it." Scarlet smiled and began explaining.

"By kingdom laws, any item valued over 100 Gold Coins is considered Grand Theft. The punishment is a 100 Gold Coin fine to the authorities plus the value of the item stolen, given to the one it was stolen from. An additional term of hard labor is also applied, depending on the item's value. A Basic Skill Book is usually evaluated at 2,000-3,000 Silver Coins, but a Basic Swordsmanship skill book is worth 10,000 Silver Coins by auction due to the small supply and high demand. Emerald Flame would receive ten years of hard labor, or 2.5 years each.

For murdering two commoners, Emerald Flame needs to compensate 20,000 Silver Coins to the victim's family as blood money, and that is the lightest sentence. Repeat offenders are also forced to ten years of hard labor, exile, or death. A severe sentence is criminal slavery without rights, sold in a public auction where the family cannot own them, and would be branded for life even if released. Deliberately sending hired killers and providing information also counts as murder, which means they are repeat offenders. They also tried killing you twice, which adds up to four murder charges, or 40,000 Silver Coins.

In total, monetarily speaking, Emerald Flame owes 50,000 Silver Coins in compensation money and a sentence comparable to 12.5 years of hard labor... But considering the gravity of their transgressions, they will likely be executed or sentenced to criminal slavery, branded with slavery contract magic." Scarlet explained.

She then gave Rufus a playful smile. "I wonder... are 30,000 Silver Coins and a magic sword worth a few thousand Silver Coins enough excuse to pardon them from death?"

"Damn... Why did she have to get involved..." Rufus inwardly cursed.

"A-Ahem... Miss Scarlet... There is no proof they committed grand theft or murdered two innocents..." Rufus tried to negotiate.

"We all know what they did, so I don't need any proof. It is my word over yours." Scarlet said, narrowing her eyes. "Besides... Does it look like I am a lawyer? I am the JUDGE." Red light shined in her emerald eyes, chilling bloodlust in them. "And you are no lawyer either... You are a DEFENDANT."

"SHIT!" Rufus shook, cold sweat covering him.

Behind him, Dorian was also shaking, but he prepared himself to defend his young master, even at the cost of his life.

"Scarlet is scary!" Gerhart also shook. He felt like he was locked in a cage with a predator.

"M-My apologies, Miss Scarlet... I assure you we will give a satisfactory compensation..." Rufus shakily said, covered in sweat.

"Hm... Fine. I will let it slide... Once." Scarlet's eyes returned to normal, the atmosphere calming down.

"Thank you..." Rufus sighed, feeling as if he was pardoned from a death sentence. "Then, is 30,000 donated to the Vlita Orphanage and 20,000 given to you, plus the sword, sufficient?" Rufus asked, feeling pained in his heart.

50,000 Silver Coins... That was the same as a year's savings for the Camden family. These savings were usually used for construction, buying better equipment, gifts to other nobles for bribes, and relief money for hard times...

Gerhart was taken aback. Suddenly, he gained 20,000 just from Scarlet saying a few words.

"Thank you, Scarlet... But you are still scary..." Gerhart thought.

However, this time, Gerhart didn't immediately agree to accept. "The money is fine... But why are they still only exiled? They should be executed for their actions!" Gerhart frowned and pointed out.

"Mister Gerhart, I know you are justifiably angry with them... But can you please show them some leniency? Exile means they are stripped of their family and all titles, starting from scratch in a foreign land..." Rufus tried to negotiate.

"No! They brutally murdered Mylo and Hazel! Flyx stabbed me through the gut! They sent hired killers after me! And I still didn't forget they used your connections to know where I was doing Sewer Sweeping!" Gerhart yelled, feeling enraged.

Rufus was taken aback and didn't know how to respond. He knew that saying more would only make the man angrier, so he stayed silent.

"Now, now... Gerhart, I think you should give them a chance to repent." Scarlet gently said before grinning at Rufus. "Isn't that right, Young Master Rufus?"

"Oh no... This fiend..." Rufus felt like crying, knowing that his family would pay even more...

"What do you suggest?" Gerhart asked.

"Simple... How about 20,000 Silver Coins for each member of Emerald Flame, with Flyx fetching 40,000 Silver Coins? That way, they would give another 100,000 Silver Coins if they wished to exile them all and be forgiven. If you agree to this, we will also pardon your family. That sounds fair, right?" Scarlet said, dangerously narrowing her eyes at Rufus.

"Extortion! This is Extortion!!!" Rufus shook. He wished he could argue but found it impossible.

If together with the previous 50,000, it amounted to 150,000 Silver Coins. That was close to the taxes they received on a good year from a small town and several villages. They would have to sell many of their assets to gather an enormous sum since the Camden family didn't have that amount of liquid assets.

"M-Miss Scarlet... Our family doesn't have that much..." Rufus warily said.

"Then sell some of the Emerald Flame members as criminal slaves to recoup losses. Let's say... You donate all the auction profits from selling Aeraf, Galya, and Yrenea to the Vlita Orphanage, and we will let Flyx go and consider your family pardoned. Also, give all the 50,000 Silver Coin compensation money to Gerhart." Scarlet said and turned to Gerhart. "Is this alright with you, Gerhart?"

"Yes, I think this would suffice." Gerhart nodded.

Sure, he hated Flyx, but the amount of money given was enough for him to swallow some of the hatred. Besides, three of the four would become criminal slaves, which is a fate worse than death.

Generally, there are five types of slaves. From best to worst, they were indentured slaves, born chattel slaves, new chattel slaves, war slaves, and lastly, criminal slaves who performed murder or treason. Criminal slaves had no rights whatsoever and were branded with a magical mark, so even if they were freed, they would never be able to live a proper life. Even if, by some freak chance, they escaped, they would live the rest of their life as outcasts and outlaws.

Gerhart was okay with this ending.

"I need to speak to my father about this," Rufus said with a tired look.

"You have three days. Oh, and give the money to Gerhart now. You may transfer it to his Guild Account." Scarlet gave a look that said, "If you don't pay, you die."

"Okay... Union Bank transfer is fine, right?" Rufus resignedly said, taking out a crystal card from his pocket.

"Yes." Scarlet gave a bright business smile. "Gerhart, come here and give me your card."

"A-Ah... Right." Gerhart replied and stood up.

Scarlet took out a machine from her desk, and after confirming some things, including pricking their fingers to draw blood, Gerhart received 5,000 Gold Coins in his Guild Account.

Guilds also doubled as banks for their members, and a global organization such as the Adventurer's Guild had much influence. However, banking also came with a cost, depending on guild rank, so poor adventurers like Gerhart never used it.

Since hauling 50,000 Silver Coins or even 5,000 Gold Coins would be problematic, putting it in the guild account was the right call. He could later use it in guild-affiliated shops and other guilds, including the Dungeon Explorer's guild, and even the Union Bank publicly recognized it.

"Okay... The money was transferred successfully. Thank you for doing business with our guild." Scarlet gave a brilliant business smile.

"Thank you for your time and forgiveness..." Rufus squeezed those words while bleeding in his heart.

"Damn you, Flyx! You useless thing! Why did you have to screw us over like this?!" He cried in his mind as he walked to the door. "Let's go, Dorian."

"Yes, Young Master..." Dorian followed Rufus, a complicated light in his eyes.

"This isn't a coincidence... Abiah is sponsoring Gerhart... But why? Merely liking his character is insufficient... Does Gerhart have some special ability...? Or is it..." Dorian thought, suspicious.

However, it was only suspicion, and he couldn't confirm anything.

As Gerhart saw the door close, he was left dazed.

"50,000 Silver Coins... I have 50,000 Silver Coins..." He thought, feeling dazed.

That was what a laborer would earn after about 25 years, half a lifetime of work.

Technically, he could now retire if he wanted. He could become a well-off landowner, buy a farm, get a wife, and live the rest of his days in relative peace. If it was the previous Gerhart, this might be what he would choose since his prospects were not high. After all, the retirement age of an adventurer was young since by the age of 35 or 40, their body would begin to weaken, making fighting monsters unsuitable.

But now...

"I would be a fool to retire now. With the relic, I can achieve so much more..." Gerhart thought.

"Gerhart," Scarlet spoke at this time, waking him up from his thoughts.

"Yes?" Gerhart turned to Scarlet.

"Now that this business is done with... It is time to discuss your guild taxes." Scarlet gave a bright smile. "You have used the guild as a mediator, so we are eligible for 10% of the money. Also, there is the 100 Silver Coin registration fee we waived before... So we will be deducting this from the money you received. You now have 44,900 Silver coins." Scarlet said with the same bright business smile.

"..."

"I should have known it wasn't for free..." Gerhart inwardly cried.

"Oh, and I am also informing you that you are eligible for a special E-rank promotion," Scarlet added.

"Hah? Is that alright?" Gerhart was surprised.

To advance in the Adventurer's Guild, reputation was essential, followed by strength. Even if you had the strength of a legend, without a good reputation, the guild would never promote you. Of course, you would also be tested that you are suitable for the promotion, but that was secondary.

In light of that, Gerhart would be expected to complete F-rank requests for a month or two before being eligible for promotion.

"You killed four E-rank criminals who were tarnishing the guild's reputation and brought back incriminating information, leading to the arrest of Fraser and Emerald Flame. You earned your rank elevation through merit and strength." Scarlet explained.

"I see..." Gerhart nodded.

"So, in light of this, please pay the 200 Silver Coin elevation fee if you want to be elevated. Also, your new monthly dues will be 20 Silver Coins instead of 10." Scarlet said with a business smile.

"..."

A few minutes later, Gerhart was promoted to E-rank.

"Thank you for the help, Scarlet. I will be taking my leave now." Gerhart said goodbye.

"Sure thing, Gerhart. But if you want to thank a lady properly... How about buying a dessert for my lunch break? A pudding from the market district would be lovely." Scarlet gave a sweet smile, making Gerhart almost forget she was a scary demon in human skin.

"I-I... Sure. I'll buy you something delicious next time..." Gerhart blushed and stiffly left the room, unable to endure her charms.

.

.

.

After Scarlet saw Gerhart leave the office with his new sword and updated guild card, a playful expression crossed her face.

"So you are a half-awakened late-bloomer, hah? For now, Father wants me to help you... Hmhmhm~ I look forward to what the future holds... Gerhart~"