Chapter 7
Chapter 7
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Mercenary Companions
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“Hello there.”
Eugene raised one hand in greeting, just like the burly mercenary.
“Is that kid with you? Mind if I ask where you’re headed?”
It was a typical question from mercenaries, casual on the surface but really probing to figure out who he was dealing with.
Eugene knew from his past life’s days on the run that hesitating or lying here would only arouse more suspicion. So he nodded readily.
“That’s right. We’re on our way to Lord Tiwin’s castle.”
“Oh, really? What a coincidence. We’re headed there too. Sorry about this, but mind if we share your spot? We’ll share some booze or water, and some mutton.”
“No, boss, they look like drifters. Why treat ’em so nice? Hey, let’s squeeze in with them too. Got a problem with that?”
At that moment, a somewhat younger-looking mercenary stepped forward with a jerk of his chin.
“Shut your trap and stay back.”
The burly leader instantly shifted the mood and growled, startling the young mercenary.
But as if he’d never sounded so menacing, the mercenary leader flashed a broad, friendly grin and turned back to Eugene.
“Sorry about that. He’s new to the group. Name’s Partek. And you?”
“Eugene. Yan Eugene.”
“……!”
Partek’s eyes widened slightly at Eugene’s response. The other mercenaries seemed pretty shocked too, glancing between Partek and Eugene.
People with such unusual attire who gave both a first and last name were almost certainly knights.
But unsure if he was genuine or not, they waited for their leader Partek’s judgment.
“So you’re Sir Eugene. Apologies again for my subordinate’s rudeness. Raban, apologize to Sir Eugene.”
“Huh? No way, where’s the proof he’s a real knight? He doesn’t even have a horse, and no armor!”
“Raban, you little shit…….”
“It’s fine, he didn’t know. And you—enough with the rudeness. Doubt me one more time, and you’re dead.”
“What? No……. Gah!”
Raban’s words cut off midway. Partek had spun him around with a punch to the jaw.
Thud.
Raban collapsed like a rotten log, out cold from one hit. Partek turned away from him and bowed his head again.
“My apologies, Sir Eugene. We’re short-handed, so I hired him on the fly, and he really doesn’t know a thing.”
“I see. Anyway, apology accepted. Just set up camp somewhere.”
“Thank you. Bilmore! Greet Sir Eugene.”
At Partek’s urging, the middle-aged man who’d been tense ever since Eugene gave his name hopped down from the driver’s seat.
“I’m Bilmore of the Feilin Merchant Group, Sir Eugene. I apologize again for the hired mercenary’s mistake.”
“I’m Yan Eugene. And enough with the apologies. Set up camp.”
“Yes, sir. If you’ll excuse me.”
Under Partek and Bilmore’s orders, the mercenaries—all except the passed-out Raban—sprang into action.
Some parked the wagons in a suitable spot and pitched simple tents. Others quickly built a fire and dumped water and ingredients into a large pot. Still others patrolled the campsite’s perimeter with torches and weapons.
They moved with crisp efficiency, like a group that had been together far longer than a day or two.
‘Minus the one who got knocked out with one punch, they’re all proper mercenaries.’
He didn’t know much about the Feilin Merchant Group, but guarding a merchant wagon with their banner meant they had solid experience.
‘But why did House Tiwin hire trash like those guys back in Broadwin Village near me, when they could’ve used mercenaries like Partek’s crew?’
Eugene recalled the mercenaries he’d killed near Broadwin Village.
Partek’s group seemed far more reliable and sturdy. So why?
‘Or they could’ve just sent their own soldiers. Something’s off.’
But Eugene didn’t dwell on it.
His goal was to deliver Pellid safely and get his identity verified by Lord Tiwin.
‘To avoid needless suspicion, becoming a knight is the best play. Focus on getting Pellid there and meeting the lord.’
After the awkward first greeting, Partek and his men deliberately kept their distance from Eugene.
Eugene reread the village chief’s letter, reviewing the writing he’d just learned, while Pellid poked at the bonfire, stealing glances at Eugene and the mercenaries.
About ten minutes later, as night fell and Eugene’s heightened hearing kicked in, he caught the mercenaries’ conversation.
* * *
“How’s Raban doing?”
“Still out cold. Should’ve gone easy on him.”
Partek scowled as his subordinate clicked his tongue.
“He shouldn’t have given me a reason to hit him in the first place. Can’t you train the kid right? It’s been over a month, and he still can’t control himself?”
“I’ll handle it. But boss, between us, can’t blame Raban too much, right?”
“What?”
Partek narrowed his eyes at the subordinate’s low whisper.
“Come on. That knight’s kinda weird too. No horse, and the kid with him doesn’t seem like a proper squire. Plus, in this line of work, I’ve never seen a knight carrying just a shortsword. You ever have?”
“Nope.”
“See? Gotta be a fake. He’s resting at camp and hasn’t taken off his helmet. Suspicious as hell.”
“Idiot. Look at the robe he’s wearing. It’s lined with Lycanslope leather. What crazy commoner drops at least ten silver coins on something like that? And didn’t you see him reading that letter? He’s a knight who knows his letters.”
“Uh… yeah, guess so.”
“Plus, he’s headed to Lord Tiwin’s castle. Word is they might open that dungeon found recently soon. Probably angling to join in.”
“Whoa, they say even knights risk their lives opening a dungeon or labyrinth for the first time. Must be a heavy hitter.”
“By the way, boss. Lord Tiwin’s in bad shape? I heard he’s not long for this world.”
“Yeah. They’re pouring mana crystals into him, but no hope. House Tiwin isn’t swimming in coin, though. Can’t keep feeding him those pricey things forever.”
“Makes sense. If the dungeon had shown up just a year earlier, he might’ve lasted a few more years. Right?”
“Tch! You think finding a dungeon solves everything? You need troops to enter, money to keep and pay them.”
“R-Really?”
“Yeah. And if you send your meager soldiers in and they die? The territory crumbles overnight. That’s why they’re not rushing to open it. With Lord Tiwin down, the only knight left is the second son.”
“Man, even a hotshot knight in his youth is done once he ages and loses his edge. That family’s got it rough. Oh? The knight’s up.”
Partek glanced over as his tongue-clicking subordinate side-eyed that way.
The ‘self-proclaimed’ Sir Eugene rose from his seat, reached for his helmet, and slowly removed it.
“Huh…….”
Partek and the mercenaries alike gaped.
Even they, who’d traveled far and wide, couldn’t help but be stunned by the handsome face revealed.
* * *
‘Now they’ll fully believe me, right?’
Eugene relaxed completely at the mercenaries’ reaction the moment he took off his helmet.
He’d planned to do it as soon as the helmet came up. He needed to show he wasn’t suspicious.
But from overhearing their talk, Partek at least didn’t doubt him—unlike the others.
Wearing an expensive robe and knowing how to read had clearly paid off.
He was about to remove it to seal the deal when talk of his destination, House Tiwin, piqued his curiosity.
‘The lord’s on his deathbed?’
There was dungeon talk too, and the mercenaries seemed more interested in that.
But for Eugene—who thought Lord Tiwin was just bedridden from illness—the news of his dire state mattered more.
‘Will he hold out till we arrive? What if he’s already dead?’
As that thought crossed his mind, he noticed Pellid staring up at him, mouth agape.
“What’s with you?”
“Huh? Oh, nothing, sir.”
Maybe it was the firelight, but Pellid’s face seemed to flush as he ducked his head.
‘Is he really as weird as Mirian says?’
Deciding he’d shown his face enough, Eugene sat back down.
“Urk!”
Just then, the mercenary who’d been out cold on the other side jolted awake with a choking gasp.
“You up? Drink some water and sit. Camp’s all set.”
“That punk didn’t wanna work and took the hit on purpose, huh?”
“Better than three straight nights on watch with Partek boss liable to spin your jaw.”
“Spoken like someone who’s been there.”
Raban’s face flushed beet red at his comrades’ teasing laughter.
Then his eyes met Partek’s.
“What? Got a problem?”
“N-No.”
“No problem? Then eat. I held back, so the swelling’ll go down in a couple days.”
“Y-Yes.”
As Raban slumped toward his seat, something occurred to him, and he whipped his gaze toward Eugene.
‘That fucking bastard… Huh!?’
In the dying firelight, Raban caught a glimpse of Eugene’s face and his jaw dropped.
“H-Holy shit, he’s gorgeous…….”
“Right? That’s the guy some rookie mercenary punk tried picking a fight with earlier. You, yeah, you.”
“…….”
Partek poked Raban’s temple, but he was speechless.
“Raban, you lucky bastard. One more word back there, and that knight might’ve taken your head.”
“Huh? What joke is…….”
“Punk, you see how that knight was positioned when you spoke last? Right hand slipped into his robe, left foot dragged back a bit.”
“W-Was it?”
“Yeah, dumbass. Knights close that distance before you blink. Then slice—head rolls.”
“……That guy might be stronger than you, boss?”
“Probably.”
Raban gulped dryly at the casual reply. He glanced warily at Eugene, far off, then asked again.
“What if we all rushed him?”
“We’d all die, or if we’re lucky, me and maybe one more survive.”
“……!”
Raban, who knew Partek and the veterans’ skills well, went wide-eyed.
Partek said coldly to him,
“Listen up. Bravado gets you killed in this job. We kill if they strike first, but avoid pointless fights.”
“…….”
“Wanna pick fights with anyone you see? Join a big mercenary company. Fight territory wars, real battlefields, risk your neck for fun and plunder. Survive five years lucky? Might even become a captain, some noble’s lapdog.”
“Keuk! If that was possible, why’re we stuck here?”
“Raban, you’re damn lucky. Most guys we started with around the same time? No word from ’em. We’re the only ones unscathed after three-plus years.”
“Got it. Geez. Let’s just eat.”
The mercenaries’ talk ended in laughter.
Then, a tapping came from Eugene’s belt pouch.
Tap tap! Tap tap tap!
Mirian signaling to be let out.
She’d been cooped up a while, so it was about time. Eugene uncorked it.
Mirian floated up in front of him, looking glum.
“Forgive this ignorant fool, milord! This lowly one yammered on without knowing his place. I’m just so ignorant! I can’t tell when to pipe up or shut it. I’ll work hard from now on to become a refined spirit who aids Lord Eugene without ignorant blabber!”
“Help?”
Eugene, who usually let Mirian’s words go in one ear and out the other, suddenly had an idea.
“Yes! I’ll shed my ignorance and become a spirit who greatly helps… Huh? Where to?”
Mirian plopped onto Eugene’s shoulder as he stood abruptly and started walking.
“Pardon the interruption.”
Up close, Eugene’s face made the mercenaries swallow dryly without thinking.
But Partek kept his guard up, eyeing him sharply.
“Something you need from us, Sir Eugene?”
“You said your destination’s Lord Tiwin’s castle too, right? Might as well travel together.”
“……!”
They fully bought him as a knight now. They might agree to companion him.
‘They know a ton of info. Definitely useful.’
(To be continued next time.)