Getting that priest to come to Inanis city would be a difficult task and would probably end up costing more than the herb. And if they asked the church directly for a priest, the cost would end up being much higher than that too.

This left them with only one option, which was nothing but to use the herb.

"When can we get the herb healer Delia?" Lucius asked.

"If the fee is paid to the supplier today, I think they should be able to get it by tomorrow. But you may need to hurry as the Emberian Herb is always in demand and hard to get. If it is sold, you may not be able to get another one in time." Delia answered.

If one heard healer Delia's words, they may think that she was trying to pressure them into buying the Emberian herb so that the supplier could profit. But in reality, it was not so. One must not forget that healer Delia was the resident healer of the Inanis family and she had no reason to do so to Lucius.

Lucius thought about it a bit more and decided to do it. While it may seem to cost a bit more right now, he knew he would get a good team of mercenaries working for him from now on.

He looked at Gellor and the rest before speaking.

"I'll do it." Lucius stated. 

The eyes of Gellor and his companions lit up with joy and they felt like a mountain was lifted off their backs.

"But on certain condition…" Lucius added.

Hearing this, their excitement was dampened slightly but then Gellor perked himself up. They were already rejected by many other people before they had come to Lucius and they had no routes left.

If they missed this opportunity, they did not know if Finch, who had been their companion since the start of their group would be gone. She had helped them a lot in their times of difficulty, and now it was their turn to do the same.

"We'll accept any condition you put forth, Lord Asher." Gellor replied in a determined tone.

His companions looked to have the same expressions, and they were fully in support of this. Memories of Finch kept on running in their minds, making them feel emotionally compelled to do so.

Lucius gently smiled and knew that he had hooked them now.

"Perfect…" Lucius muttered.

"But what is the condition, Lord Asher?" Gellor finally asked.

"What I want is… for you all to work for me exclusively," Lucius answered.

"Exclusively?" Gellor heard and felt a bit regretful.

To mercenaries as strong as them, they could have become the subordinates or guards of any noble if they wanted to. They could have even become a soldier in the kingdom's army. But they did not do so.

The main reason behind it is that most mercenaries valued their freedom and choice to do whatever they wanted at whatever time they chose to do so. Making them work for a noble was basically shackling them, which they did not like.

Lucius could see the traces of change on their faces and knew exactly what they were thinking. But this was also a part of his scheme. If he gave a truly win win option to them, they would likely take it for granted and he would not be able to reap enough benefits.

But if he showed them a carrot after making them suffer for a bit, they would be far more thankful and may even feel psychologically inclined to be in favor of him. Such was the play that Lucius had learned in his past life and used many times.

"Of course it is not indefinably that you need to work for me," Lucius added.

"Oh?" Gellor and the others spoke in surprise.

"You will basically be working for me till you pay off the cost of this, in addition to a few more jobs that I will have in continuation. The only other condition is that you cannot do any other jobs that come from the union." Lucius explained.

Gellor and his companions thought over it and found it to be reasonable. In fact, to them, it just seemed like a long Job commission. They had been on jobs such as these before that took over a year to complete.

And since the job was not complete, they were technically employed by only one party. This would be the same as that for them and thus they nodded to each other.

"We are fine with this, Lord Asher. We shall do as you say." Gellor replied in his capacity as the Leader.

"Good, I'll send the steward with the payment and we shall see to Finch's treatment," Lucius stated.

"That will not be necessary, Young Lord Asher. I can get the herb in advance and you can pay us after the treatment." Healer Delia spoke.

"Oh? How come?" Lucius asked, feeling a bit confused. Before she was saying that they needed to pay for the herb beforehand, but now she was telling that she would heal Finch in advance.

"Since it is you who will be handling the payment, as your authority of the Young Lord of Inanis family, we can get the herb in advance. I doubt the supplier will not take this as a guarantee." Healer Delia explained.

"Ah, I see. Fine then, get the herb as soon as possible and get her treated. We'll do the rest as you said." Lucius replied.

"Very well," Healer Delia said before leaving to do her work.

Gellor and his companions were a bit surprised upon this change in paradigm and wondered if they should have come to Young Lord Asher earlier.

"I thank you again, Young Lord Asher. Had it not been for you, I don't know how long Finch would have to suffer." Barty spoke.

"Yes, Young Lord Asher. We shall be indebted to you for a while now." Gellor added.

"It is fine. I'll leave you here for the time being. I have some work to do." Lucius said before leaving the hospital.