"A guild, huh?"
Eren paused, allowing the weight of Sofiya's question to settle before he embarked on formulating his response. Contemplation etched across his features as he began to address her inquiry.
"Hmm... That was indeed an excellent question, Sofiya," Eren mused, his voice laced with thoughtful consideration.
"However, I have finally decided not to transform my mercenary unit into a guild ever in the future, even if it becomes a success story. Forming a guild would bind me to time-consuming guild matters and subject me to the kingdom's restrictions. That is not something I wish to deal with. I also don't have the necessary skills and patience needed to act as the guild master.
And let's not forget the fact that success is fleeting in nature. It might not travel with you when you take sharp turns. While there are examples of mercenary units that have found continued success after evolving into guilds, there are also countless instances where such units have faced turmoil and ultimately disbanded.
Conversely, there are daring mercenary units that remain true to their origins, achieving greater monetary success and fame than many fledgling guilds. I would want something like that for my unit. I aim to forge a path of success for my mercenary unit while preserving the core principles it was built upon."
Sofiya couldn't help but be impressed by Eren's comprehensive response to her sudden question. It was evident that he had meticulously considered every aspect of establishing and shaping a mercenary unit's future.
This was not a decision made on a whim, and his realistic goal-setting provided her with a measure of reassurance. Yet, a hint of dissatisfaction creased her features as she scrunched her nose and voiced her concern.
"All that sounds well and good, Eren, but it seems the benefits of forming a mercenary unit are predominantly yours. What about the potential members of the unit?" she inquired, her tone tinged with a hint of discontent. "You've stated that money isn't your primary concern, so does that mean we would be slogging our asses without proper compensation merely to facilitate your growth as an artifact forger?"
Eren chuckled in response to Sofiya's complaint, understanding the underlying frustration behind her words. With a playful glint in his eyes, he offered a clarification.
"Haha, I did mention that earning money isn't my main focus in forming the mercenary unit. However, I would be lying if I said I didn't relish the possibility of wealth alongside our investment of time and effort in this endeavor," Eren explained, his gaze meeting Sofiya's. "Moreover, let's just say that I have a bit of hidden stash in the world of Gilaahan. I just need to uncover its whereabouts," he added, his mind racing with thoughts of reuniting with Ariadne and Lagartha, eager to claim his share of the loot they had acquired.
Eren's response alluded to a promising prospect for potential riches, providing a glimmer of hope for Sofiya and the other members of the unit.
Sofiya's mind drifted, seemingly lost in her own thoughts as she processed Eren's mysterious plans and intentions. Her contemplation led her to consider the various aspects of accepting Eren's proposal, weighing the potential benefits and risks.
Observing Sofiya's demeanor, Eren pursed his lips, his eyes narrowing with determination. He cleared his throat, infusing his voice with renewed vigor as he sought to convince her of his vision.
"Look, Sofiya," Eren began, his voice brimming with conviction. "By forming a mercenary unit, we can undertake high-revenue missions that are often exclusive to such groups. The greater the risk and the more illicit the nature of the tasks, the greater the rewards.
Of course, I believe in taking calculated risks. This way, once I've repaid all my debts and no longer require the protection afforded by the Stardust Guild, I can devote my time and efforts to our mercenary squad whenever necessary and focus on honing my skills as an artifact forger whenever convenient for me to do so."
As Sofiya delved into her own thoughts, she noticed that the sky had turned dark outside the window, enveloping the region in a serene night. Unaware of her musings, Eren continued to share his perspective in an effort to sway her.
"Furthermore, it's not as if you wouldn't reap the same benefits as I do," Eren elaborated, his words filled with optimism. "Eventually, both of us can sever our ties with the Stardust Guild once we've fulfilled our obligations and dedicated ourselves fully to the growth of our unit. And once we've firmly established it, we can expand it enough to allow ourselves some well-deserved personal time."
Eren ceased his pacing, turning his gaze towards Sofiya, hoping his responses had addressed all her concerns. Now, it was her turn to provide a definitive reply.
In truth, Sofiya had merely been probing Eren's intentions through her line of questioning. Her decision to join his mercenary unit had already been made, and she sighed, relaying her confirmation.
"Alright, alright. Don't give me those puppy eyes of yours," Sofiya remarked, rising from her bed. She approached the window with a leisurely stride, taking in the tranquil suburban view of the City of Dafur. "I'm in," she finally declared, turning her head to meet Eren's gaze with unwavering confidence.
Eren chuckled in response to Sofiya's words, his excitement palpable as he took steps toward the window, joining her side. Standing together, he couldn't help but express his satisfaction.
"That's great to hear, Sofiya," Eren exclaimed, his voice tinged with excitement. "We don't yet know how successful our mercenary unit will be, but we need a strong start to make it big. Having Rankers like you on board is an excellent beginning for me."
Eren had another motive behind his decision to form his own mercenary unit. It provided him with the potential to evade prying eyes. After all, his infinite mana core was the biggest secret he had to keep to himself. A smaller group was more manageable and easier to manipulate, unlike the scrutiny that came with an official guild's squad.