Free Web NovelChapter 270: Brian’s Reputation [2]
They rested in their house for a few hours until someone from the principal’s office arrived, reporting an announcement from the officials present for a meeting.
Nervousness rushed to Brian’s body, but Jake had him calm, which gave him confidence. He smiled and gave him a nod before following the person who gave the report. Jake then left the house and went somewhere else while Brian was still doing business with the officials.
Brian arrived at the principal hall’s wide meeting hall, and at the end of the hall was the seat of the mercenary group leader. On the sides, 4 seats each were for the officials, commissioners, family heads supporting White Lead, and also reputable warriors of White Lead.
He stood there in front of them all as if he was facing some kind of monster, as their auras were too overwhelming for him. Their different gazes gave some kind of vibe of judging, looking at the deepest parts of his soul.
Releasing an exhalation, he walked to the red carpet and presented himself, starting with a greeting.
"Big Boss, the mercenary leader, I have arrived. I greet all the officials as well."
"This meeting is held for the recognition of your contributions, Brian. You don’t have to be tense."
’Finally... What I wanted... They were starting to recognize me and some will surely give a look at me. They will try to assess me and see if it would be good if, in the future, they support me. There is no need to be nervous about it, Brian. This is just the beginning.’
He smiled and lowered his head.
"I am elated to hear that. I would like to show my gratitude."
"No need. Just stand there and listen to all the officials." Banglang stated, darting serious eyes at Brian. He did not show any particular expression.
’Recognizing one’s effort is not something to be underestimated. For the officials to gather here just to recognize my contribution must not be all about it. They would definitely give me tasks, each of them to fully consider my participation in the race to become the successor. Father must have already mentioned this to them.’
With his head still facing the ground, he listened to each of the tasks that he had completed in the past few days. They did not miss one, which made him delighted as it was pleasing to his ears to listen to each of them. Recognition was also one factor in raising one’s ego.
"Monster raid clearing. Monster core contributions. Raising bandits clearing. Rebelling villages clearing. In all categories, Brian, the third young master, contributed 5 each within just two weeks after his return to White Lead."
And there, as the announcer reported his contribution, everyone in the hall, including the officials, started talking about his feats.
"Five each... it would be a total of 20 tasks completed. For him to do that within just two weeks is something not to be underestimated and note-worthy."
"In two weeks, there are 14 days. Then, the extra six tasks completed must be from a day that he did some double tasking. Wow... he is fast. It would be bad if he didn’t get any higher rank. He must be using some methods here."
"Indeed, I think that Third Young Master Brian must be using some method to utilize his time to do some double tasking for just a day. Let’s say that he could clear a rebelling village within just a few hours. Just defeating them won’t suffice since he must fix the village as well."
"Then, to do that, he must fight them not just with violence and brute force, but also with his mind."
"That would be what’s plausible in this one. If he fought them physically, it would turn bad."
"Hah... I am curious how he did that. Should we ask him?"
’Fools... Even if you ask how I did that, I won’t answer. There would be no benefit to me if I revealed my methods.’ Brian clenched his teeth from excitement as he looked at each of their burning eyes.
They were obviously excited about him, and seeing how they were curious about his methods, Brian couldn’t hide his schemes anymore.
"Third Young Master, is it possible if you share with us what method you use to finish 20 tasks within two weeks?"
"Yes, I think that it would give the group an advantage if you shared it with us."
Brian smirked and faced Banglang, who showed no interest in the other topics. He was just silently sitting in his seat without prying into the matters of the officials.
"If this is an order from the Big Boss, then I will surely share it, but please don’t expect that I will give it away for free. White Lead would surely benefit from it, but it won’t benefit me since I am just working for the group."
’Cunning eyes. It is what I can see from Brian’s eyes. He really has changed. He is no longer the weak-spirited kid that I raised and pushed to have an interest in White Lead. But, even though he has changed to have some interest, I am not the reason behind it, which gave it a bad aftertaste. He must be thinking differently.’ Banglang thought as he had some suspicions of Brian rising within him.
"Brian, I don’t know if you will abide by my words if I tell you that you must share it with us. But, just to be fair to everyone, I won’t force you. Instead, I will listen to your condition. As this recognition of your contributions has raised some questioning of your methods, then we must listen to your conditions as well."
The official’s breathing started to change. Their heartbeats started to change from their constant rhythm. But what could be the reason behind it? Was it all about nervousness? Were they afraid that Brian might exploit this opportunity?
’Even if I am the third young master, I cannot exploit this offer. Instead, it could put me more at a disadvantage if I try to exploit it. The reason their expressions had changed was because of Father’s offer. Fairness? That is absent in him. Why would he mention fairness when he is not a fair person.’
Brian already had an idea of what to do. And as his scheme must have shown at this point, he lowered his head and then shared it with them.
"For me to share my methods, I request the board to give me a position higher than I currently have. I want to be a company leader."
"What?"
Of course, they would be surprised. Brian was acting as an individual mercenary member of White Lead, and for him to ask for a Company Leader position was absurd. A company could be equal to a number of a hundred. And for him to have that huge number of members under him would surely show that he had gained some influence.
’Influence is what I need for now. I can not hold my reputation any longer as an individual member. Then I should have people under me, following my commands and also my teachings. That is why these geezers are shocked by my request.’ ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
"T-That is absurd. You just returned two weeks ago, and you are already asking for a high position in the group. Forget about your methods; it is your obligation to contribute to White Lead. Share it with us, or you will be punished." A roar came from one commissioner from some office, and also a member of the officials.
Brian just smirked. It was a stupid blurt out from that official.
"Silence!"
Banglang yelled, drowning out every whisper and rising tone. Banglang was just observing Brian’s actions as well as the officials. And as he saw what Brian was aiming at, he could help but release a frustrated sigh.
’He is well aware that I am being fair with him since he still has a name as my son. Since he contributed and was recognized for his efforts, he must be thinking that he can exploit this.’ Banglang clenched his fist.
"Brian, what you are asking is impossible." Just after Banglang said it, everyone sighed in relief. It was just the obvious absurdity of jumping through the ranks. Even though he was good, there were traditions and practices that White Lead had to follow and preserve.
"However, I will consider it if you do one of the board’s requests to demonstrate your worth."
And just after that, everyone gulped from nervousness since it was starting, the exploitation that Brian was aiming for.
"I will listen to the board’s request. I’ll do whatever you want me to do just to prove my worth as a company leader. It would be a difficult task, I will lend my power as well as my methods for White Lead to prosper more."
