After untying all the guys I restrained, I asked Silver If I could request a few thing right now.
Unfortunately, I couldn't.
For some reason, their business was in the red, and I mean the deep red, but he assured me it'd turn profitable once they resumed work, and that at most it'll take five weeks for their business to return to normal.
Wonder what caused it to lose so much?
…
…
…What're you looking at me for, huh?
So, for now, I won't be able to have anything like roasted beef, vegetable soup, a wardrobe—anything of that sort.
I think the ultimate goal, for me, is to contract housemasons through Silver to make a home in the forest.
Would they be willing to go as deep as where I lived?
I hope so.
But, really, I'll just wait.
Wait-wait.
***
"What did the beast do to you, sir?"
"Are you alright?"
"Hey, get Urian to the front! Master Silver needs to be checked!"
My men swarm around me, worry and concern evident in their voices. How could they not? To them, a wild monster appeared, snatched them, and then picked one of them and dragged him off to a campfire, and strangely enough, didn't start eating him alive.
Fortunately, their worries are unfounded.
"Enough. If you have any questions, raise your hand and ask in an orderly manner."
Raising my voice, I asserted my position as leader and called to everyone's attention.
"Sir, what happened with you and that beast? We weren't able to hear a thing."
Before I added anything else, Tomas was the first to raise his hand and spoke.
Other men followed suit and asked the same questions:
What did the beast do to you?
To ensure that no misunderstanding arose with my new business partner and workers, I made a clear statement to them.
"He is no beast; he is Grul. A person living in this forest. I've made a deal with him in regards to our presence in Quintus forest; if you see him, treat him as an honored guest and do not disrespect him. Simply tend to him until I arrive."
"What? That thing, a person? How…"
"Why's it living inside of Quintus forest? Is it eccentric?"
"Maybe it's a dark mage's failed experiment? It escaped and was able to make its home here…"
"It did look like human…at least its body did, but its face—"
"Bet you the reason it's living inside that forest is because it's hiding some fine wine all to himself, eh?"
"Ho!"
"Hey, rookie, you pissed yourself back there, didn't you? You went like 'No~ I don't wanna die~ I wanna live, waaaah~"
"S-shut up!"
"Enough."
After my declaration, they all chattered chaotically once more, already making up stories about Grul's past and reason for living inside the forest. The atmosphere was more casual because of the realization that their lives weren't in any real danger anymore. I silenced them again to finally give my final order and end this busy night.
"Not one of you will speak of this to anyone for a year. Is that clear? …Good. With that said, let's return to our main camp; some revisions for the acquiring of the natural resources of the Quintus forest are necessary. To the hired hunters of the south, you will be provided with your requested five sets of Dakar Root. For the legionnaires, you will have your gold. And to father Urian—"
"No need, Sir Silver. Instead, all that I ask is that you allow the Theocracy to build a church in your campgrounds."
I was surprised at the sudden change of heart in the priest. Hiring a Theocracy priest was by no means cheap. Plus, when the Theocracy builds a church in a place, that place usually gets more travelers and acquires free healing. Which means that there was no downside to taking Urian's offer. Silver knew that this was by no means a free offer, and that the priest, or more likely, the Theocracy itself, had a hidden agenda. Despite that, he could not refuse it now due to the tight budget of his business.
"If that is what you wish for, father, then so be it. As for the rest of you, an increase in salary will be in effect once our business achieves profits once more."
All the men were confused, but slowly nodded their heads and agreed once they heard about the compensation they'll receive. I knew that my order to keep quiet would be disobeyed eventually, but I hoped that rumors will only spread after I've made an official deal with Grul. For the sake of both of us.