Chapter 13
Translator: penny
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Black Wolf Mercenary Group - 6
The next day.
While everyone was going about their day as usual...
Dong! Dong! Dong!
The bell from the watchtower began tolling across the village.
And the villagers who knew what it meant were immediately gripped by anxiety.
"Th-they're really here?"
"Damn it! What are you doing?! Move, now!"
"Honey! Take the kids and run to the spot I told you about!"
"Got it."
The village chief had trained them, and Sian had made preparations, so they were able to evacuate quickly. But that didn't mean everyone could prepare in time.
"D-Daddy!"
"Don't worry about me—run with your mom!"
Those in poor positions couldn't escape in time.
"The rumors are true? This bitch looks delicious."
"Eek!"
But the villagers weren't just sitting ducks.
"Get out of the way, you trash!"
Carlson appeared, long sword in hand, and saved the villagers.
Carlson didn't just swing wildly—he sliced through several mercenaries with refined technique.
The squad leader clicked his tongue at the sight.
"What the hell? A swordsman in some backwater village?"
"We've seen our share of war, too, you mercenary scum."
"Don't get cocky just from one little skirmish, idiot."
Fights broke out between the militia and mercenaries all over the village.
Naturally, the mercenaries had the numbers, and the militia gradually fell back.
"These bastards ain't shit!"
The mercenaries were surprised by the quick evacuation and resistance at first, but as the unskilled militia started fleeing, their morale soared, and they pushed deep into the village.
Waiting for them were the prepared traps.
"What the fuck?"
A massive black log came tumbling down the uphill path toward the mercenaries.
Some dodged, some tried to block with their swords, but they all met the same fate equally.
"Now's our chance!"
Carlson skillfully commanded the militia, cutting down mercenaries one by one.
Having formed the militia from war veterans, their coordination was better than expected.
But it didn't last.
The mercenaries, who lived and breathed war, quickly regrouped and counterattacked. Carlson and the militia couldn't even fight back—they were slaughtered helplessly.
They'd let their guard down because it was a rural village, but when serious, the Black Wolf Mercenary Group could easily handle scum like this.
But they'd forgotten one thing. As in all wars, the tide could be turned by a single person.
"Good work."
A massive man appeared like a beast out of nowhere.
The sudden ambush caught them off guard, but the mercenaries quickly raised defenses.
'Idiot, I've blocked attacks from centurions.'
The shield-bearing mercenary smirked bitterly. He wondered what face the man would make after he blocked the attack and counterattacked.
He had no idea it would be his last moment.
Krunch!
"Huh?"
The mercenary was torn apart, shield and all.
The others couldn't believe their eyes—what had just happened?
It was like a giant monster ripping a person in half.
Terror-stricken, that's why they had to die.
"Die."
As the man swung his sword...
People were sliced horizontally like grass. Two at a time.
This wasn't about superior swordsmanship. It was simply inhuman strength. Realizing this, the mercenaries fled like they were facing a monster, abandoning comrades—but it was too late.
...
I trembled with rage at the number of mercenaries raiding the village.
'Roughly seventy, at least.'
I didn't think they'd bypassed the traps I'd painstakingly set without losses.
In other words, the mercenary group was even larger, and they'd forced their way here despite losing comrades to the traps.
'Fucking bastards. That desperate for loot?'
Of course, I understood their mindset to some extent.
They needed to make up for unpaid wages. A few deaths were fine if they kidnapped women to sell as sex slaves—it balanced the books.
Mercenaries didn't trust each other unless they were special. History was full of them abandoning comrades to save their own skins in war.
"Carlson, any wounded?"
"A few injuries, but it won't hinder the fight."
"Then let's move to the next spot."
Fires began breaking out all over the village.
There were too many mercenaries. Blocking one group didn't end it.
I headed straight home. With most villagers gathered, the yard was packed.
"Anyone who didn't make it out?"
Leon answered quickly.
"Most are here, but one family hasn't shown."
"Who?"
"Uncle Garom's family hasn't come."
"What? Is that guy still clinging to his pride?"
He might've had it good as mill owner once, but the waterwheel I built ruined him. Even his followers abandoned him for us. Proof of how much he'd gorged himself.
Karma's a bitch. But with the village under attack, he was still holding out?
This was lone wolf territory.
"Just let him die. It's natural selection at this point."
"But his wife and daughter aren't here either."
"Ah."
Parents being assholes doesn't make kids assholes.
Genetics might play a part, but I couldn't let children die for their parents' sins.
"Damn it. I'll be quick. Leon, hold the line if anything happens."
"Got it. Be careful!"
Black smoke rose thickly from all over the village.
Some mercenaries had set fires, it seemed.
'Bastards.'
This would leave people homeless and destitute.
Winter was coming—preparations would be tight.
'I'll kill every last one.'
Cursing inwardly, I headed straight for the windmill house.
Farthest from the entrance, but not safe.
Mercenaries came to loot, not fight.
Thinking your distant home is safe? Only an idiot would believe that.
"Honey, we have to go now!"
"Shut up! Listen to me, you bitch!"
Looks like it really was an idiot.
...
Jealousy drives people mad.
Seeing someone effortlessly do what you can't brings despair, and watching them easily claim what you can't twists your guts.
That's jealousy, and Garom was consumed by it.
Blinded, he ignored Sian's warnings and stayed home. At least, his pointless pride screamed, "I won't listen to the likes of you." Even as village men fought to defend it.
His wife couldn't stand by.
"We have to go now!"
"Shut up! I said shut up, you bitch!"
Garom yelled at his wife, Elsia.
"I'm the head of this house! You obey me!"
"You can't even fight!"
Garom avoided conscription because of his limp.
A leg cripple couldn't do much. If even one mercenary burst in, escape was his only option.
"At least let me and Elin go."
"Shut up!"
"Kyaaah!"
"M-Mommy!"
In a rage, Garom struck his wife himself.
His daughter screamed at the sight.
"Defy me once more, and I'll smash your legs!"
Elsia gave up persuading her violent husband. She just hugged her crying daughter and prayed the mercenaries wouldn't come.
But prayers went unanswered. Mercenaries knew the mill owner had filthy lucre stashed away.
"Look, some didn't evacuate."
"That woman's prime meat."
"The little one's cute too. Want big bro to love you up?"
Heading to the mill for money first, the mercenaries lit up like they'd found treasure.
Better woman than expected.
"Kyaaah! Please, at least spare my daughter..."
"Jackpot—mother-daughter combo!"
They started tearing at Elsia's clothes.
She resisted, but three men overwhelmed her.
"Honey! Help!"
All she could do was call her husband.
"What? Gonna fight back?"
"Hiiik!!"
Faced with burly, sword-wielding mercenaries, Garom cowered with a sycophantic grin.
"N-No, go ahead and enjoy. Heh heh."
"Huh? Smarter husband than he looks."
When death loomed, Garom sold his wife and daughter. Then bolted on his bad leg.
"Honey?!"
Elsia shook with betrayal. The mercenaries laughed.
"What a pathetic husband."
"Don't worry—we'll comfort you."
"Be good, and we won't touch the girl."
She knew they'd break the promise, but to save her daughter, Elsia had to believe.
"I'll serve you, just spare my daughter at least..."
"Whoa, what a body!"
"Me first!"
With resistance broken, the mercenaries went wild like unleashed stallions.
Then.
Boom!
A man burst through the wall.
He grabbed one mercenary's head, looked at Elsia, and said,
"Close your eyes."
She hugged her daughter tight and shut her eyes.
Explosions, screams filled the air. Then silence fell.
"You can open them now."
She did. Dead mercenaries and a man wiping blood from his blade.
Someone she knew well—the son of the man her husband envied so much.
"Quick, take my hand."
She couldn't as a wife, but Elsia didn't care. She grabbed it.
It was the only lifeline for her and her daughter.