The Evolution of a Dungeon Master

"I see, so it's one gold per to keep a silver mercenary group active after changing the leader. Might there be a charge during the month, too?" Leon focused his eyes, narrowing them at the sheets of paper Aella brought out with details and information.

Earlier, she had taken his picture using a photographic magic tool, and then he filled out several forms and dripped blood on a weird device. 'So complex... but I am a little excited.'

"Fufu, yes. The cost per month is ten silver, but this is to help cover the cost of insurance for losses and ensure fair payment for completed tasks."

Leon nodded, though he couldn't quite understand the existence of insurance. He had seen several documents about its importance earlier and thought about checking them once he finished here.

"No problem, thank you."

Aella handed him several small parchments with the information and details the pair discussed. Then, with a sudden click, a black rectangular piece of plastic popped out from the black spherical magic tool.

"Then here is the updated license with your details. Mercenary Leon, make sure you don't lose your card again, as a service replacement fee will be added to your account." The helpful guild receptionist seemed to have done him a favour this time. 

He grasped the solid rectangular card—in the top left corner was an image the dark elf created using a magic tool. The right side showed basic details about Leon and, on the back, various spell circles and markings to prove its legitimacy in the kingdom.

『Oh... the money owed is written on the front, too.』

• Money Owed: 1 gold

"Thank you. I didn't expect so much help." 

Leon's eyes narrowed, curling his lips into a smile, causing the dark elf's face to melt; her ears flopped down while she swayed on the spot.

"No, it's my pleasure... usually customers are sweaty and annoying brutes."

"Aella. Does this mean that I can use this license for a month, but until then it's only temporary?"

The gazes from the other queues made Leon's back crawl with an uncomfortable tingle. Their sharp stares and muttered insults made his patience crumble.

Aella tilted her head and scrunched her nose slightly. "Yes, don't worry."

Her eyes scanned the room as if searching for something before returning to Leon's face with a smile. "You can still accept missions and quests, but know some clients might dislike a mercenary group lacking funds. Though some might also take advantage of such a thing."

Somehow, the muttered insults and glances vanished after Aella did that.

However, Leonhardt paid little notice to humans.

"I see, well, thank you very much, Aella."

Ding!

[Congratulations!]

[You have become the leader of the Crimson Hawks!]

Ifrit spoke with a lovely voice, yet the tone of her nasal breathing and slight chuckle made it obvious she was mocking Leon. 

『Shut it!』

Leonhardt didn't leave the guild immediately because he wanted to learn more. He was curious about the massive wall and couldn't help himself. So he walked to it, which was covered in quests and missions from various clients.

"It's interesting... from random people to nobles like a duke."

All the missions looked neat and well-ordered, which made the images in his mind crumble because of Axel and the others. 'Were they just bandits after all?'

He grasped the coins remaining from Zafira and Gobbolas, along with the red lace handkerchief that the succubus offered him before leaving. 

『It smells like Zafira after the bath...』

[That's just her body odour...]

『She smells good...』

[Tsk! Men!!]

Leon held the soft cloth, stroking the smooth surface while he noticed the scent reminded him of Zafira, causing his head to feel light. 

The initials Z & A were sewn into a gold material in the corner.

Although he was unsure if he would need it, he still placed it in his front chest pocket, like the men in his memories. 

[You will look handsome too!]

『Thanks, Ifrit.』

Thus, he folded Zafira's sweetly scented handkerchief into a diamond shape and tucked it into his black waistcoat. 

He lifted his head, noticing the guild become rowdier since he entered, more people eating meals, and several groups pointing at missions he could only dream about. His fingers lifted the guild card and noticed his current rank with a bitter smile.

[E-Rank (Temporary)]

Because he lacked members and couldn't prove himself to the guild, his rank seemed to have been capped at this level. 

『What missions can I take alone?』

The idea of gaining more people started to form at that moment. He couldn't use the goblins, so meeting humans or people of other races would be nice.

With this in mind, he turned away from the mission board.

He strode towards the bar and restaurant with a thick scent of roasted meat, ginger, and ale that met him upon pushing through the door. The delicious fragrance caused even him, a Chimera who didn't need to eat, to feel his stomach growl.

"Let's eat something..."

The dining section's atmosphere wasn't as wild as that of the tavern or entrance.

Instead, there was an air of camaraderie among those seated here, enjoying drinks and meals together. Some gambled with cards and stacks of copper and silver coins placed at their centre on large circular tables.

On the counter, a group of mercenaries dressed in leather armour laughed heartily over cups of ale and exchanged stories of their day, most of which involved how the monsters they fought were weak. 

Leon looked around, his eyes shining at the interesting stimulus, before someone walked into his shoulder and stumbled back, followed by the sound of water splaying and a cup falling.

A gruff yet feminine voice grunted. "Ah!? What the fuck! Why is there a noble in here!? Watch your damn step, fucker!"

The event happened quickly. Leon turned to face the fallen mug of ale and a woman shouting at him, her eyes narrowed and her nose flaring. She was wearing brown pants and a thin white shirt, which exposed her stomach and back. 

The scene shows a female with long red hair, like the evening sun, smooth, fair skin with scales along her spine, and a lizard-like tail coming from her behind, thick and powerful as it slaps the ground.

"Hm?"

Leonhardt felt his chest flutter the moment he smelled her scent—it felt strange and a little nostalgic, though he couldn't put his finger on where that feeling came from.

Then her beautiful eyes narrowed, and she glared at him.

"How are you going to repay me?"

The female lizard stepped forward and thrust at him with her right hand.

However, when she reached for him, he seized her arm, wrapping it around her back and pinning her face first against a wooden table next to them.

"Argh! Let go!"

While holding her arm twisted behind her back, Leon leaned over her body, forcing himself closer and taking in a deep breath, smelling her neck and scales.

He didn't understand this action—it wasn't planned, but it was instinctual as a Chimera.

His nose pressed against her neck before quickly pulling away as she stopped resisting and froze, with her pupils dilating, before she snorted.

"I'll buy you another drink if you calm down." He released the young woman and backed away.

Her entire face turned scarlet as if she'd been dunked in the water again, her mouth agape and eyes darting around while holding her wrist.

"Ha... you... what did you do just then?! Damn it..."

Leon didn't know what to think about this woman, but for now, he wouldn't kill her. Since he was short on staff, he wanted her to join his mercenary group.

Meanwhile...

Asuka came to the guild because, unlike Kenta, they sometimes took on mercenary missions for the bonus reward and avoided his eyes, but during her moment of irritation.

The others went to find an inn and more information on the goblins in the forest, so she wanted to sneak away for a drink.

But then, a noble male caused her to drop her drink on herself, angering her.

Yet, the moment she tried to struggle, he quickly disarmed her and pushed her down. Then, he sniffed her scales and neck, the place where her scent was strongest.

"Y-You better not be lying...!"

Her face turned beet red. It wasn't from embarrassment, but instead, a strange feeling of defeat and being treated as a woman that made her feel butterflies in her stomach.

Now wary of the handsome-looking noble... she followed him to the bar, unable to stop her tail from swaying close to the floor.

Unaware of the future in store for them.