Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Observing the Mercenaries
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"I'm Johnson, and this is Carlson. Haha, it's a humble place, but please come in. This is our temporary base. Hey! Raymond! Bring some coffee for our guests!"
Johnson and Carlson invited Ester's group into the rundown building that the mercenary band was using as a shared outpost.
They sat facing each other with steaming cups of coffee on the table.
"So, what brings a noble young master like you to the dangerous Daebo Village...?"
Johnson glanced at Ester cautiously.
Ester was a tall, handsome young man.
The star-shaped mole under his eye was physical proof of the Tristy family's signature trait.
"I heard that two mercenary bands around here are teaming up to subjugate demons."
Carlson nodded at Ester's words.
"Yes, that's right. Among the mercenaries operating in Daebo Village, we're the most active."
Daebo Village was home to many mercenaries.
The area was infamous in the Tristy Autonomous Region for having the strongest Curse of Insein.
Just like the chainsaw wolf pack that Ester's group had encountered on their way, threats like that popped up nonstop in this hazardous zone.
"We'd like to observe the Carlson and Johnson Mercenary Corps' demon subjugation. Is that possible?"
"Ob-observe?"
Johnson and Carlson blinked in surprise.
It was no ordinary request.
The timing made it especially unusual.
Not far in the future, the Curse of Insein would reach its peak.
Demons would flood in like a tidal wave, and blood would run through the territory.
They were seasoned mercenaries who had seen it all.
It wasn't hard to guess the young master's intentions.
'For him to come see us at this exact time... he must be sizing up our skills.'
Likely to test how useful their mercenary bands would be against the Curse of Insein.
"Of course, that's possible."
This was their chance.
A chance to impress the next head of the Tristy family.
The upcoming Curse of Insein was probably tied to the successor trials as well.
Just moments ago at the tavern, Johnson had told Carlson that Ester Tristy might not become family head, but that was due to personal reasons, not skill.
Someone who could live freely and well on their own had no reason to cling to the family head position.
From a purely skill-based perspective, though, Ester was the closest to becoming family head.
Even if he didn't take the role, it was a given that he'd land a major position in the Yustina Kingdom.
"You came at the perfect time. Our bands were just about to head to the sand dunes tomorrow. We'll show you our true capabilities this time. Join us tomorrow."
Mercenaries needed confidence and boldness above all.
They lived by the sword, so they couldn't afford to show fear.
"Yes. See you tomorrow then. What time?"
"Come to this spot by 10 a.m."
Ester and his group rose from their seats.
"Take care!!"
Johnson and Carlson bowed politely to the departing guests.
Then...
"Whew, we were gonna take it easy on this subjugation, but no can do now. You ready, Cal?"
"Of course, John. Let's call the staff officers. We'll wipe out the big demons too and really show the young master what we've got."
They clenched their fists, burning with enthusiasm.
***
I followed the mercenary band with Dalpi and Ian.
『I've learned the data on White Cobras.』
『I've learned the data on White Horn Cobras.』
『I've learned the data on Sand Scorpions.』
『…….』
『…….』
The Carlson and Johnson Mercenary Corps were mercenaries well-versed in fighting demons.
"Team 1 and 3, charge in from the left!!"
"You idiots!! Don't just stand there gawking—pull their attention and fall back fast!!"
"That's it!! Raymond, perfect!! Show those bastards what for!!"
The two bands were large.
Each had at least fifty members.
They were well-trained and didn't flinch at demons.
The bands' strategy was straightforward.
They formed a brave formation and subjugated demons in droves.
Once the sword-wielding mercenaries took down the demons, the prepped recovery teams skillfully harvested the valuable parts from the corpses.
"Alright, men!! Move out!!"
Then they relocated and repeated the process.
The bands seemed to be raking in solid profits.
The wagons were piling up with loot like mountains.
There was a reason they kept such a large group together.
"Young master."
"Yeah?"
"I have one question."
I told him it was fine to ask anything he was curious about.
"Young master, are you planning to borrow these mercenaries' power for the successor trials?"
"Why?"
"They seem decent enough to me. And there's no point watching any longer."
Dalpi said this was the bands' true level.
They had no hidden potential beyond what we'd seen.
Average, nothing more or less.
"If there's no other reason, maybe we should tell the captain and head back."
Ah.
We weren't actually hunting demons with the mercenaries right now.
We were just comfortably trailing behind in the carriage.
Dalpi wanted to save time, it seemed.
"The successor trials have a set preparation period, after all."
"There's another reason. Don't worry."
Dalpi nodded.
"Understood."
My goal was Nob AI's training.
The mercenaries here knew the Tristy Autonomous Region's terrain well and were experts at facing demons firsthand.
I figured tailing Daebo Village's most famous bands would let us encounter tons of demons, and I was right.
About three days after we started following the Carlson and Johnson bands...
『I've now learned data on a total of 84 demon species.』
『Based on the learned data, factoring in the curse's intensity over the Tristy Autonomous Region and various environmental conditions, I can now infer info on demons that existed in the past or might appear in the territory in the future!!』
Nob AI had completed its training on the region's demons.
I planned to use this to bulldoze straight through the successor trials.
Of course, I wasn't aiming for a top score myself.
But with Haniel's high scores in mind, preparation was necessary.
My other siblings wouldn't be slacking off either.
"You idiots!! Grip your swords right!?"
"I said if I see anyone slacking, I'll come back and kill you myself!!"
"S-sorry!!"
'Why are these guys trying so hard...?'
Even outside of battles, their rest vibes and all screamed sharper than any soldiers.
"Good form. Their mindset is excellent even off the battlefield."
Ian looked pleased as he spoke.
As a former knight, he clearly approved of their tight discipline.
Oh, right—I had a favor to ask Ian.
"Ian."
"Yes, young master."
"Before we head back to the mansion, mind sparring with me?"
Ian was taken aback.
It was rare for a novice who got trounced even by beginners to challenge a knight.
No wonder he was surprised.
"Sparring... what kind of sparring did you have in mind?"
"A real-combat style match, please."
"Uh, well, I'm fine with it, so sure."
There was something I wanted to test against Ian.
I needed to see how far my auto-defense program held up against a skilled opponent.
Dalpi was always by my side as a sturdy bodyguard, but situations varied, and 'just in case' scenarios could happen.
Plus, I was a public figure in the kingdom.
This world was full of dangerous people.
Just look at Felix, rolling around in the military right now.
There was that letter from those weird Wonderland folks last time too. Better safe than sorry.
"Combat end!! Good work, everyone!!"
The subjugation wrapped up safely.
Johnson and Carlson came sprinting over to me.
"Young master, you must be exhausted!!"
"Trailing us into such a risky battlefield—truly, great job!!"
The ones exhausted were you all, who were actually fighting.
"Thanks for indulging me. It was a great show. Everyone, good work."
"Yes!!"
Carlson and Johnson beamed.
They lingered without leaving even after time passed, so I spoke up.
"Is there some business you still have with me?"
"Huh...?"
"Food and camping fees have been paid in full, right, Dalpi?"
"Yes. We've paid the mercenary bands everything owed."
For some reason, Carlson and Johnson stared at me like the world had ended.
"If there's an issue, feel free to speak freely."
"N-no, it's nothing...."
Carlson and Johnson trudged back to their men with dejected faces.
'Did I mess up somehow?'
No matter how I thought about it, I'd behaved properly without getting in the way. Hmm.
That was when we were preparing to return to the mansion with Dalpi and Ian.
The ground began to rumble.
Something massive was crawling beneath our feet.
This was no ordinary vibe.
"Young master."
"Young master, stay close to me!"
Dalpi and Ian stuck to my side excessively.
Suffocating. Guys...!!
The mercenaries' faces looked grim too.
"Damn it!! Everyone!! Prepare for battle!!"
"Shit!! Out of nowhere!?"
They gripped their weapons and bellowed.
Then, in the spot thickest with mercenaries, a colossal entity burst from the earth with jaws agape.
Kwaaaang-!!
"Gyaaaaaaaah!!!"
Screams and noise mixed in an instant.
As the sand dust cleared in the wind, the mystery attacker finally revealed itself.
"Why is a sandworm here...?"
A ridiculously massive, terrifying worm glared at us with murderous intent.