Epic of The Demonic Sage - Chapter 481: Business Rates

“At last, I can finally have some peace,” Lucius told the two that he was heading to the library, but that was a lie.

‘The most important thing that you’d have to learn to increase your security is to never reveal your true location. While they can easily verify it now, it’ll at least give me some time to work.’

There was a familiar room that Lucius stayed in after the attack of the assassin, it was modified to his liking, but while it functioned well enough to be searched upon, he went to the original room he first stayed in.

‘The renovation is mostly done. I just haven’t moved in yet to keep this room isolated and away from the eyes of everyone else.’ Lucius thought.

It was perhaps a case of paranoia to hide within the confines of one’s own private mansion, but while Lucius waited for the assassin to arrive back then, in this situation… he clearly didn’t wish to be found.

“Everything has been burned back then with my fireball, but they’ve done a great job at doing it.” Lucius said as he eyed the room’s current condition.

From the bed, mattress, cabinet and everything was completely new and even remodeled slightly to fit with the aesthetic that originally belonged to Asher Inanis but also adjusted to perhaps not remind the young man of the unfortunate incident.

“I suppose it is my mother who must have felt the need to do this.” Lucius said.

The man distinguished them accordingly in his head, feeling not much of an attachment to the family and seeing them as separate to his own identity, but in ever the occasion that he was being heard by others, it was better to keep it safe.

Lucius’s eyes glanced at the several corners of the room and he quickly started to check each one, under the bed, the cabinets, drawers and every possible spot that he knew of that might have possibly included an Artifact.

‘According to my lessons with Bishop Reynolds, it is possible to create Artifacts that function really close to surveillance. Of course, I’m not exactly sure if the Arkaves Guild produces their own artifacts or makes them themselves… but that is actually a good inquiry. If there’s anyone who might know and have contacts, if not Leif, then Bishop Reynold might have a lead.’ Lucius thought.

Once he was satisfied with how he scoured the room, Lucius went to the new study desk and took out his notebook. The original script of his old world lay before him and he continued to write while thinking of his proposal.

‘While I was busy speaking with that young Lord, I had taken the liberty to speedread through the documents about mercenaries. I am sure that Benjamin might have more comprehensive information about the rates and I have already asked around here in the city beforehand… so since they are an up and starting mercenary group in new lands, it is natural to have it all discounted to entice.’

The basics of business included sometimes having to lower your initial cost to entice consumers to try your product. It was only big brands that allowed them to charge however they liked.

“I suppose Bergan’s Band is not going to have any much leeway.” Lucius said to himself as he scribbled down. “Of course, they have full control of the city there so they might not even look much… except for the recruitment and everything.”

Lucius listed down the names of each ‘Mercenary’ he had under his employ and easily recalled all the information about who they were and what their gifts were.

‘I may know it innately through the connection via Hell Aether, but I have to adjust everything when it comes to explaining it to potential clients.’ Lucius thought to himself.

This was usually the job of someone more business oriented, but as a Scholar in his past life, Lucius had countless experiences in creating a pitch to have his ideas approved.

All those years of experience helped him to create a list of the Mercenaries and their now ‘new’ Gifts.

“I’ll have to ask Kiana to create fake identities through Leif for this to work. Hmm, if I were to let him do it, then he’d really have a way to trace it all back to me though. Although they are professionals for a reason.’ Lucius thought. ‘I’d have to recheck how Arius and the others are doing in Gisir. I don’t have to think about it now though, it’ll take a while. Back to the mercenary guide price.’

In addition to the inquiries that Kiana made for Lucius when he was trying to “relearn” everything, there was also the time when he talked with Gellor and his mercenaries.

It had allowed him to get a current grasp on how things were for every kind of mercenary.

“Two silver a day. The ones that Alessa hired said that they were normally paid three to five silvers per week, but we settled with ten silvers. Mmm, two silvers is quite cheap due to the danger associated with the line of work of mercenaries. Well, these ones from Masked Legion will primarily perform as guards and enforcers within the city and not exactly go out to get creatures for me or like other mercenaries.”

If the task was mindless enough, it was easy enough to let one of the Lost do it, but if it required more critical thinking then it paid to find an actual person.

“However, pricing them all at two silvers would do a disservice to the current Gifts that they have. Some are far more suited for the position of the tank other than the one with landed the finishing blow.” Lucius said as he glanced down at the document.

The amount that Bergan’s Band was exorbitant and the people in Aisse Territory and around the general vicinity were under Bergan’s control.

“Hmm, for now, let us set the rate at two gold coins for the strongest ones as well. Still cheaper, but will bring me profits.”