Extra's Descent
Chapter 274: Mercenary [2]

The entire Locke Enterprise, consisting of; Brandon, Zed, Deus, Ironaxe, and Matthew, sat on the desk. Across the desk, sat Bellion, who's legs and arms were crossed together, waiting to hear their proposal.

Clap, clap—! Clapping his hands together, Brandon instructed.

"Ironaxe, if you please."

"Aye, aye."

Ironaxe rummaged through his bag, seemingly grabbing something. As soon as he found what he was looking for, he set it on the table for Bellion to see.

"Hm?"

Bellion leaned his head close and scrutinized the items.

"These are…?"

"Artifacts."

As soon as Brandon answered his question, Bellion picked up one of the artifacts and scanned.

"Can I inject mana into it?"

"Go ahead."

Bellion did just that. Injecting mana into the artifact, soon after, Bellion's eyes widened.

"This…."

Bellion raised his head, meeting Brandon's gaze. Brandon couldn't help but smile seeing the expressions Bellion was making.

"Is it the same for the other artifacts?"

"Yes, all of them serve to boost the capabilities of the user. You felt it, didn't you? The way your muscles constrict, your body getting lighter, artificial adrenaline pumping in your veins."

"This is crazy…. To think artifacts like these were being put into auction…. But since all of these are Milis technology, then that means—"

"Weapons of war."

Brandon cut him off nonchalantly, clasping his hands together under his chin.

"But you see, this is where my team specializes in."

Brandon looked at Ironaxe and nodded. Ironaxe nodded back and rummaged his bag once again. Setting the item on the table, Bellion immediately grabbed it.

"A duplicate?"

"An exact replica created by this guy."

Brandon wrapped his arm around Ironaxe's shoulder. Ironaxe held the same stern expression as before.

"I see. So this partnership…. Your team can recreate these artifacts and sell them specifically to the Imperial Army."

"Correct. But if you're still not convinced…."

Giving his signal to Ironaxe, the dwarf set another item on the table. This time, an amulet.

"What's this?"

Bellion asked as he scanned closely.

"Put it on."

"Okay."

The moment he did, Bellion's eyes shot wide open.

"Wha…."

Bellion looked taken aback, astonished even.

Who wouldn't be?

After all….

Crackle….!

"The Ice Affinity…."

It allowed Bellion to harness the [Ice] affinity, despite being a [Fire] affinity mage himself.

"How's this possible…?"

Bellion looked as if he truly couldn't believe it. Brandon couldn't blame him.

There was no need to hesitate.

"This partnership… I accept—"

"Hold on. I have another proposal."

"What is it? Anything, is it resources? The Imperial Army will help you source out the appropriate materials for your projects."

"That too, but I have another request."

Brandon looked at the ring on his hand for a brief second. Then, flicked his eyes back to Bellion, allowing the tension to sink in.

"This partnership, I'd like for it to be under Amelia Constantine's name. Each and everyone of Locke Enterprise's contribution will go under her credentials."

This was the first step into starting an Amelia Constantine faction. Bellion knew just how invaluable Locke Enterprise was. Despite the little results shown at the moment, it was a company worth investing in, especially during war preparations.

"I don't mind it. But I'd like to ask. Any reason why?"

"Because I will shape Amelia Constantine into the greatest Grand Marshal this continent has ever seen."

***

By the end of it, Bellion accepted all of Brandon's terms and conditions. Although he wasn't the Grand Marshal, the rest of the Imperial Army thought otherwise.

For them, even though he rejected the position, he was the current Grand Marshal.

Holy Britannia's Leader.

For resources, Brandon had already decided on which company to form a partnership with.

"A success. Good job, guys."

"I did most of the work."

Ironaxe shot back with a frown on his face.

"Don't worry. It won't be like that soon. I'll handle looking for manpower. This entire business is too much for five guys anyway."

"Good."

"Ironaxe, did you finish that thing I asked you to do?"

"Of course. Who do ye think I am?"

Then, Ironaxe turned to look at Matthew. The guy flinched for a second before composing himself.

"Go get it, Matthew boy!"

"Understood, Sir Ironaxe."

Matthew left the room as Ironaxe instructed. Shortly after, he returned with three artifacts.

In particular, three rings.

Brandon scrutinized the rings closely before sliding one of them on his finger.

"Here, Zed."

He tossed the ring to Zed, who caught it with ease.

"Put it on."

"Alright."

Zed did just as instructed, sliding the ring into his finger.

"Does it work like how I asked it to, Ironaxe?"

"Stop underestimating me, lad, and do yer thing."

"Heh."

Brandon scoffed and injected mana into the ring shortly after.

At that moment, he felt the mana surge through him. But it wasn't his mana.

"What is this supposed to do?"

Zed asked, scanning the ring.

"It will tell you if the user with the same configurations as your ring is still alive or not."

"...."

The mana he felt was Zed's, signaling that Zed was still alive.

Brandon looked at ring and said,

"Looks like it works."

Then, he raised his head and looked at Zed who had a dumbfounded expression, staring at the ring in his finger.

"Now give it back. It isn't for you."

"...."

Zed slid the ring off his finger and tossed it back to Brandon.

"Thanks."

"You don't want to know if I'm still alive?"

"You survived a Wraith. You're not dying anytime soon."

"...."

***

There were a couple more things he had to do for the night.

Sitting on the edge of a rooftop, Brandon dangled his feet and scanned the entire city.

He was quite high up.

And at the moment, he was waiting for someone.

Tak.

And that person had arrived shortly after. His footsteps echoing from behind.

However, despite waiting for quite a while, Brandon didn't look back as he went on to acknowledge the newcomer.

"You're here."

"What's this about, Brandon Locke? I don't know why you called me up here. Heck, do you even have access to this building?"

"I'm sure you're aware of it."

"Aware of what? Why you called for me? If so, no. I have no idea."

"Your Leader's sudden disappearance."

"...."

Their Leader's disappearance.

Or rather, Ciel's disappearance.

"Leader? What are you talking about? Are you saying your sister, Belle, disappeared?"

Brandon finally stood up and turned around, meeting the newcomer's gaze.

The newcomer frowned and crossed his arms.

"This isn't a joke. Why did you call for me? I'm a busy man."

Step—

However, Brandon didn't respond and stepped forward.

The newcomer took a step back. Most probably, keeping his guard up.

Brandon neared him, putting his hand on his shoulder.

Shortly after, Brandon's lips parted open.

"Ivan Millet, an S ranker. Participated in the recent blackmarket raid under General Belle Locke's leadership."

And….

"The Primordial's Tenth Seat."