Central Army's 3rd Legion (2)
The leaders of the mid-sized mercenary bands who had returned to Poznyu gathered every mercenary under their command.
Though they were still far short of the three major powers, having around two thousand heads still sparked a surge of confidence where none had existed before.
Buoyed by their momentum, they led their mercenaries in surrounding the Red Wolf Mercenary Corps headquarters in layers. Then, Leo Ben climbed onto the platform and shouted.
"We all came to Poznyu with our own stories to tell. And we've buried countless comrades here, defending this place with our blood. Why? Because of the pride in protecting the Lock Kingdom from the monster waves!"
As the speech continued, pride swelled on the mercenaries' faces. He'd wrapped their thankless job of taking money for commissions into a noble mission no one else recognized.
Those usually scorned as lowly mercenaries felt their chests swell.
"Hundreds of our senior mercenaries—comrades and mentors—died in the clashes between the three major powers. To fill their shoes, we'll have to shed even more blood come next year's monster wave. And yet they still monopolize commission brokerage, fattening their own bellies. Let's fight! Let's fight for the rights we deserve and Poznyu's future!"
"Waaaaah!"
"Fight! Fight! Fight!"
Calix looked down from the mercenary corps headquarters with a sneer. Knowing Earth's history, he could clearly see the future for those enthralled by Leo Ben's agitation.
'The fools down there will be the ones spilling blood, while the ones spouting sweet words like that reap the rewards. Just like always.'
At that moment, Trias stepped out in light attire and bellowed at those encircling the headquarters.
"Surrounding the Red Wolf Mercenary Corps like this—what the hell do you think you're doing?!"
It took real guts. Facing thousands without even leather armor wasn't easy for anyone.
The watching mercenaries paled instead. Overwhelmed by that sheer confidence. Sensing the shift, Leo Ben hurriedly stepped forward.
"The Central Army suspects the Red Wolf Mercenary Corps of rebellion. If you flee, it'll look like you're admitting guilt—and they'll hold us accountable for standing by. Stay put until the Central Army arrives, and we won't fight."
Revealing the Central Army was at their backs shamed the mercenaries, but also relieved them. They vaguely hoped it wouldn't come to blows with the Red Wolf Mercenary Corps, who had subdued the other three powers.
Meanwhile, Trias burned with fury at Leo Ben invoking the Central Army.
"I knew something was off with the Central Army long before you lot. But I didn't run. If we run, Poznyu stops being a free city. And now you stab us in the back?!"
"Don't act like some hero. In the end, didn't you crush the other two powers for your own gain? At least we're banding together to survive—this makes us far more human than you."
"Aaa, you who aren't even proper mercenaries—don't you have any shame?! Leo Ben, do you really not know why we monopolized commission brokerage?!"
"Heh! Why wouldn't I? To suck the blood of free mercenaries like us under the guise of fees and fatten your bellies comfortably, right?"
Trias's face flushed red with rage as he ground his teeth and spoke.
"The other three powers couldn't gouge because we kept fees low. Someone in your position couldn't possibly not know that."
A few looked chastened, but it didn't sway the crowd much. Speaking up for Trias now would brand them traitors too.
Leo Ben brazenly pressed on, face thick as iron.
"Anyway, our demand is simple. Stay put without resistance until the 3rd Legion arrives in two weeks. We won't harm you. Of course, no fleeing either—you couldn't outrun the Central Army's cavalry anyway."
With that, Leo Ben turned and vanished into the crowd, ignoring Trias's shouts. He refused even to talk.
Back at headquarters, Trias downed cup after cup.
His fired-up subordinates grabbed Calix and vented.
"Young master, we monopolized commissions because we wanted as many mercenaries to survive as possible."
"That's right. Do you know the survival rates when Poznyu first became a free city? Ten percent on the first commission, thirty on the second, fifty on the third."
"Out of a thousand, only a dozen or so scraped by after six months."
Calix said nothing.
They just needed an outlet for their rage.
Chiming in clumsily might set off their emotions into something reckless.
Like now.
"Captain! Let's kill 'em all. Even if we're arrested as rebels, we'll just die under torture anyway. If we drag all the big shots in Poznyu to hell, they won't hold the monster wave next year without deploying the Central Army."
"Right! Let's show those noble bastards how much sacrifice Poznyu has endured!"
Trias drained another cup and fell silent.
Waiting for their excitement to ebb, until their fury turned to resignation, he finally spoke.
"...Calm down. If we do that, tens of thousands really will lose their homes and die wandering. What sin did orphans who lost parents commit? Or widows whose husbands became monster fodder?"
"Captain..."
"I took down the Black Wing and Iron Shield mercenary corps because they were always eyeing chances to stir trouble. Saying I had no personal ambition would be a lie. But I didn't want power enough to fight in the city and harm innocents."
Trias had a humanity rare in a battle-hardened mercenary.
If not for self-destructing like this, he'd have remained a mediator between the two powers.
Even in the game's future, he only dominated Poznyu much later because of that moderate nature.
Even now, betrayed by mid-sized bands, he sought persuasion over revenge.
Calix didn't dislike him for it.
A bit frustrating, sure—but compared to local nobles who saw serfs as livestock, this modern soul found it far easier to empathize.
"There is a way, though..."
All eyes turned to Calix.
Desperate situation or not, their gazes held a glimmer of hope. Thanks to the insight and judgment he'd shown so far.
Vitality returned to Trias's dulled eyes.
"Young master, what should I do? Please guide me!"
"First, you have to give up the commission rights. Expect backlash from within the guild. You up for it?"
"...It won't be easy, but I'll make it happen. To me, the only values that matter are keeping Poznyu free—and no more needless blood spilled."
Red Wolf executives rose as one and shouted.
"We'll follow the captain too!"
"Thank you...!"
Calix didn't mind the burly men exchanging heated gazes in that creepy way.
"Step one: spread rumors to drag those reps who talked big and hid into negotiations."
"What kind?"
"Simple. No one likes traitors."
Soon enough, Leo Ben had no choice but to show up at the meeting hall with a few reps.
He looked thoroughly displeased. No point irking Central Army commander Grima Baron over it.
But he had no choice. Poznyu's public sentiment had turned against them.
Especially among low-rank free mercenaries unconnected to the profits—the rumor that Leo Ben had sold out fellow mercenaries to nobles spread like wildfire.
'Those pig-dogs! Guess I have to at least pretend to negotiate.'
Grumbling inwardly, Leo Ben spoke sharply.
"I don't know your game, but don't try sloppy tricks to fool us."
Despite the aggression, Trias began calmly.
Unlike before, he used polite address just enough to subtly acknowledge them as equals.
"Hear me out first. You know our grievances. I was planning to open commission brokerage to everyone soon. Just delayed for two reasons."
"You expect us to buy that?"
"Believe it or not, your call. Not forcing you. One reason I monopolized it: I thought other bands lacked the skill to properly gauge commission difficulties."
"Arrogance!"
Trias nodded as if agreeing.
"Fair point. Even if you'd grown enough, the brokerage turning into a profit racket made it hard for us to let go too."
Frankly admitting their sore spot left Leo Ben speechless. He glared incredulously, but Trias pressed on.
"The other reason: if we compete too fiercely among ourselves, pay rates would tank."
"Urgh!"
Leo Ben glanced around involuntarily. This exposed another industry dirty secret.
If clients heard this, it wouldn't end with headaches. Naturally, his voice lowered.
"Isn't that the logic the three powers always peddled while monopolizing brokerage? Just set standards and collude on pay—no need for excuses."
"Collusion or not, I'm glad to drop it cleanly this time."
"Wouldn't the Central Army just take it anyway once they arrest you? Cut the crap."
As the talk flowed exactly as Calix predicted, goosebumps rose on Trias's arms. But he hid it.
Time to drive it home.
"If you really think that... you're awfully naive."
"What? You done?"
"Think hard why the Central Army wants us gone. They want order in Poznyu—one they control. But will rowdy free mercenaries obey anyone meekly? The only sure way is grabbing the rice bowl. Like we did."
Silence fell over the hall. Trias meant Grima would seize the commission monopoly they'd just abandoned.
If it sounded impossible, they wouldn't have listened. But Leo Ben dimly sensed it too: Grima had no intention of handing them the reins.
Leo Ben and the other captains agonized. But ultimately shook their heads. They couldn't side with "traitors" on a few words.
Besides, after mustering thousands and making a big show, backing down meekly would shatter their authority.
They needed justification.
"Not sure if you're sincere, but we'll remember what you said today."
Leo Ben could only leave with that lukewarm response.
Moments later, Calix entered the now-quiet hall. Trias bowed his head in apology.
"Young master, persuasion failed. I'm sorry."
"No. That's plenty. They want to back off now but lack the excuse, so they're stuck. As long as they don't rashly provoke a clash to curry favor with the Central Army right away, we're good."
"But their agonizing won't last. Less than a week till the 3rd Legion nears Poznyu. We need to settle it before then."
"Right. Now we uncover Grima Baron's real aim in moving the Central Army."
"Possible?"
"Forgot? I'm from the Szczecin County heir. Who's the Northeast Garrison commander?"
"Gasp!"
"Let's go see that hotshot legion commander's face."
Calix headed to the 3rd Legion camp with Krout, his guards, and Edirn for backup.
Edirn, dragged from research, grumbled.
"Did you have to drag me along?"
"Haha! Just in case. If your walking research specimen kicks the bucket, you'd be in a real bind, right?"
"Hmph!"