Epic Of The Demonic Sage



Lucius glanced at the two nobles in front of him. 

It was clear that their agendas were out in the open now that Baron Hugh expressed his wishes about their one and only daughter.

From the looks of it, both were easy enough to part ways with Benjamin because they had their disappointments with him and saw that growth and connection were possible if Benjamin left, but it was a little hard for it to be the same case with their only daughter. 

At least for Baron Hugh.

As for the Baroness, she was a little easier to read now. A poker cold face could only take one so far when one's actions and words spoke far more about what the Baroness was interested in.

In the case of the Baroness, it was less with their love of their daughter, and more of the Baroness' own personal desires pushed onto her child and allowing it to come true.

It was Baron Hugh who seemed more emotionally vulnerable.

'A father's love for their daughter is making him both want to have her stay in the household, but also allow her the chance to be with me. It's quite often that a businessman will find himself in this situation, and often needing to choose his business over relationships, but in this case, it might be two birds with one stone.'

"If Miss Lily wishes to stay here, then by all means, I will do my best, Baron Hugh. Rest assured, I will take care of her, and I am sure that Lady Alessa will do the same." Lucius replied.

'She was overly eager to stay here because she was under the presumption that she will be staying closely by my side. The dejection of being put elsewhere might make her just give up altogether. Which I do not particularly mind. She does things fairly well, but it's not executed well enough.' Lucius thought.

In the grand scheme of things, it was hard to find someone who was capable of being someone like Lucius. 

If that had been the case, then there would have been genuine back and forth.

However, so far, everyone he encountered seemed to be a little lacking. They were close but failed to close the gap.

Everyone else had their own weaknesses and strengths, thus it was up to Lucius to find ways to utilize both of those to get the people that he wanted to either work for him or have them fail.

"Thank you, Lord Asher. I can actually rest a little easier with those words of yours." Baron Hugh laughed. "I've… I've never imagined that my only daughter would find interest in leaving the nest so soon, but I cannot stop her aspirations. I am simply happy that she chose to stay here in a place like this. But ah, I'm letting my sentimentality get ahead of me… I think I will be choosing a number among these mercenaries? Where are the others?" 

The Masked Legion wasn't completely a legion yet in number, but it posed no issue to Lucius.

"I've personally curated the ones that might be of interest to you right now, Baron Hugh. If I were to give you the selection of every member, then it will leave you paralyze to choose from among them." Lucius said. "It is far easier to make a selection from a smaller sample size."

"That… that is true. Too many choices can be dangerous. One needs to be able to narrow them down." Baron Hugh nodded as he briefly glanced at the brochure once more.

"Will there be any particular discounts if we hire more than one?" Baroness Hugh asked.

"Of course, depending on the number of mercenaries, then there'll be a certain deduction in percentage." Lucius agreed readily. One had to incentive them to keep them looking for more.

"Mmm, how many do you think we'll need, Lord Asher?" Baron Hugh tapped his finger on the couch.

'I need to consider the expenditures that I am giving Benjamin an allowance and if Lily wants to stay here that is an additional expense. I do not wish for Lord Asher to feel as if I've shirked responsibility from my children or for him to feel that I am taking advantage of his family's generosity. I can't hire too much, but I also do not wish to seem like I cannot afford things.' Baron Hugh thought.

Lucius saw the expression on Baron Hugh's face and knew exactly why he was bothered.

'If I were to cover all the expenses of Benjamin while he stays here, it will be a loss on my part and not necessarily something I can recoup easily. Luckily Baron Hugh needs to save face. And in that turn, the number of mercenaries he needs will be fewer.' Lucius thought.

Everything was premeditated from the moment that Lucius decided to take Benjamin as one of his people… granted that the situation with Lily had also thrown him into a curve ball, but things were still in his control as the possible paths of the woman were also in his mindset.

"The number depends on you, Baron Hugh. Though frankly, each of our mercenaries is quite capable and can do much work compared to others. That is what others have witnessed during their arrival before, against the battle with Viscount Drew. Only a few of them were able to change the tide. So I will recommend perhaps a start of six mercenaries and give a three percent discount upon the hiring of them all." Lucius offered. "Any of them from the two silvers up to the gold ones, if you will."

Baron Hugh knew that he couldn't ask for any more discount. The situation had already been explained to him. 

He ran the numbers through his head and tried to think of how to divide the six among his people.

"Hmm, well, I need not cover all districts right away, only the ones with more crime than others. Thank you, Lord Asher. I think that will be a good number to start with."