“Is there any need?”

Covering his mouth with his sleeve, Matapju squinted his eyes like a fox and smiled.

As he flicked his fingers, two magical contracts appeared on the table.

“Our mercenary group has already concluded negotiations with the village chief.”

Karun placed one of the magical contract documents in front of the village chief, and together with Bireta, they stood up from their seats.

“Negotiation. It seems like the mercenary group has already taken everything valuable.”

“It was a negotiation for a symbiotic relationship, so you can rest assured.”

At Matapju’s remark that they had already fairly divided everything, the village chief hesitated and cleared his throat.

In reality, negotiating with a mere village chief was unnecessary. Once Matap took decisive action, everything would be straightforward. However, to play with Viscount Bridend and feed him a bitter pill, cooperation with this village and the Kropel Mercenary Group was necessary.

Seeing the pitiful face of someone who didn’t know what to do after losing what was rightfully theirs, following Bireta’s advice seemed wise.

“Let’s make a proper introduction. I’m Matapju, here for negotiations.”

Matapju chose coexistence over domination. If the alliance with Newton’s imperial family was endangered by the existence of the noble faction, it was wise to establish another symbiotic relationship.

There was no reason not to gain both military and magical power at the same time.

“Well, we’ll excuse ourselves now.”

Karun and Bireta, who were initially just wind chasers, left their seats.

Afterwards, the village chief calmly accommodated Matapju’s demanding conditions one by one. The magical contract, which was gradually being added to, was nearing completion.

Leaning on his chin with a vague expression, Matapju looked at the village chief attentively.

“Village chief, why did you make such a decision? It could lead to complete destruction. Aren’t you afraid? Having raised things to this point, don’t you fear?”

“I am afraid.”

The village chief replied calmly.

“Having lived considering it rational to quietly hide the village’s secret and die, every minute, every second, I realize how crazy of a thing I’m doing now.”
Even in Matapju’s eyes, it was evident. Just by seeing that they hadn’t left the village with a mana-addicted body out of lingering attachment, one could easily guess the deeply rooted, musty stories within their years.

“But there was someone who, if we expressed a desire to live and asked for help, promised to assist us. An outsider genuinely convinced us by pledging to save us at all costs.”

Matapju raised an eyebrow. Quite an audacious outsider, it seemed. Undoubtedly, someone with an unwavering spirit of sacrifice. Matapju judged this with a touch of sarcasm.

“People have moments where they must make choices. That outsider made the right choice, and we witnessed the results of that choice with our own eyes. So, we couldn’t make a misguided choice.”

“Well, in the end, since I’m sitting here, the results of that choice weren’t bad.”

Matapju, no longer interested, cut off the tedious story. Only when the day began to fade did Matapju come out with the village chief, each carrying their respective magical contracts.

“Oh, should we settle the contract fees first?”

Following the guidance of the village chief, Matapju leisurely headed towards the cabin where the patients were located.

The surroundings of the cabin were chaotic due to the presence of mercenary mages and the families of the patients.

“Hmm?”

At that moment, behind the cabin, two figures in thick robes were seen hastily avoiding Matapju.

Among them, Matapju’s gaze was drawn to the larger figure.

The unique mana that filled the entire village clung only to that person.

“Looks familiar?”

The physique resembled that of a noble who once allied with the Newton Empire.