Chapter 104
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: Killing Pappenheim (1)
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The day after the successful decapitation operation, I was summoned to a drinking party just like always.
However, the people attending this drinking party weren't members of our mercenary corps.
They were the captains of other mercenary corps.
Men never really grow up no matter how old they get, and mercenaries remain rough-and-tumble soldiers at heart even after climbing to captain—even if their partying looks a bit more refined than we might expect.
"Hahaha, so that's how I, Erwin Piper of the Red Pig Mercenary Corps, captured that fleeing enemy baron."
"Congratulations on that."
"There'll definitely be a good opportunity next time. The Black Crow Mercenary Corps is a fine outfit, after all."
Look at that. Look at them. The mercenary captains weren't hurling insults at each other since they were all together, but this Erwin guy was totally dominating the Black Crow captain.
As I shot them a pitiful look, Dalton poured me a drink and asked,
"So, I told you there's no need to tense up just because it's a gathering of mercenary captains, right? They're actually easier to deal with than nobles. No one's hiding anything."
Indeed, they were avoiding lines that might cross into throwing down the gauntlet and dueling, but they were all having brutally honest conversations driven by raw 'desire.'
Over there, two captains were bragging to each other about their female slaves while talking about women.
"Man, nothing beats a woman like our Ella—it's all about the face and tits, right?"
"Couldn't agree more. Nothing tops a young one with big breasts like my Natalia."
"You've got real taste when it comes to women. Hope we end up on the same side again sometime."
Looking at the others, I overheard talks about who could earn the most money, and even some thanks for help during risky moments.
If these were nobles, they'd all speak in that cultured tone, saying something like 'Your house fought most splendidly,' which really meant 'Yeah, we were better.'
I poured Dalton a drink and said,
"They're in charge of mercenary corps, so some political talk comes up, but since they don't hide their ulterior motives like nobles do, they're easy to handle."
"Right? So relax."
I smirked and twitched one corner of my mouth.
"You think I'd get tense over something like this?"
Even if I looked like this, I was the guy who'd reined in that damn madman Pappenheim twice.
He was more helpful than anyone when he was the enemy, but as an ally, Baron Pappenheim was as terrifying as a pack of tigers.
Tense up at a pre-meeting booze-up where mercenary captains gathered to bicker about whose achievements were bigger while drinking?
Why would I? Just stay sane and that's enough.
"Fair enough. That said, at this rate, you might end up the most famous in our corps, and I could be left gnawing on hardtack."
I shook my head at that.
"No matter how much I shine, you're still the captain of the corps, Captain Dalton."
In reality, unless someone was paying close attention to our corps, most nobles still asked for 'Dalton von Prime' of the White Beard Mercenary Corps first.
A lot of people saw me as just a promising young fallen knight serving as his mercenary aide.
'In any organization, unless the leader's on Pappenheim's level, the spotlight goes to the boss. That's how it is.'
"True enough. And whether you go independent because you're doing so well or whatever, my own reputation's skyrocketed thanks to you. Worst case, I can always become a house knight for some noble family."
Usually, that kind of talk subtly reveals 'checking the subordinate,' but Dalton's voice was full of amusement.
As we were drinking, another mercenary captain showed up carrying two bottles of wine.
"I'm Kant Robinhood, captain of the Black Lion Mercenary Corps. Mind if I join the White Beard captain and Martin Meyer—the stars of this decapitation op—for a drink?"
Dalton sighed at that.
"Drinking together's fine, but we don't do cheap stuff."
"It's premium from the Montmartre Broten region. Not even the average rich guy could afford to stock it casually. Five gold coins per bottle."
I was shocked for a moment at the wealth that could burn through a serf household's yearly food budget on one bottle of wine.
I could do it if I wanted, but I'd rather buy weapons, armor, or clothes that suit Karin with that money, so I was saving up.
To think he'd bring such expensive booze just to chat.
I scanned his clothes to gauge his wealth—crimson high-grade silk outfit with a gold-inlaid dagger. Yeah...
'This guy's loaded.'
Dalton gave him a slight mocking smile.
"Fine, whatever. Figures a mere captain leading a thousand men would be on another level."
"I'm the one jealous of you, Captain Dalton. With a monster like Martin Meyer under you, and your troops' combat prowess being on another level? You'll probably step into top-tier mercenary status after this gig. Aren't the other noble houses hounding you to enlist as a senior knight these days?"
Dalton's eyes went wide for a second.
"How do you know that?"
"...It shows. I don't have a subordinate like that. That's why I'm here to make an offer."
Kant then looked my way.
"Straight up: you're still doing the mercenary thing just to boost your value, right?"
I nodded in agreement.
It wasn't anything to be ashamed of.
"No time for chit-chat. Here's the deal: vice-captain spot in our corps, 300 gold upfront as signing bonus. Plus..."
He gestured, calling over a girl behind him.
"Her name's Natalia. Turns 20 this year—virgin, obviously. Join as my vice-captain, and she's yours as a slave."
I examined Natalia closely.
Breasts a bit bigger than Karin's, but smaller than Lucia's.
With a face that'd turn eight out of ten heads on the street, and a virgin? She'd fetch a high price...
'Not bad bait—he's tailoring it to what I'd like.'
And the offer for a much higher position was tempting...
'But sticking with a guy this obsessed with climbing...'
"Sorry, but I'll pass. I'm good under Captain Dalton."
"...500 gold."
"Even 2,000 wouldn't sway me."
Kant sighed, then took his wine and Natalia and left with another sigh.
"Any other guy would've lost his mind over those terms. Damn. Dalton, you got some charm spell or something?"
Captain Dalton was the type who never got jealous no matter how high I climbed and genuinely celebrated my successes.
Not just because he was 'a good guy to have as an ally,' but he knew the better I did under him, the higher his own value rose...
'Until some high-ranking baron or above tries to poach me with a title, staying under Dalton's way better.'
Dalton shrugged.
"I've got good character, kid."
As the Black Lion captain left, someone apparently thought the mood had loosened and started clearing his throat to rein it in.
"Ahem. So, about the rewards distribution this time—what do you all think?"
The heated atmosphere suddenly cooled.
"Isn't it obvious? White Beard Mercenary Corps takes top honors."
"Damn, those bastards aren't even that big in numbers, but they fight like hell."
"Can't be helped with that mad dog Martin biting Count Belluga this time."
Normally, these gatherings debate whose achievements are biggest, with everyone claiming their own corps did best.
But our corps' feats were too standout, so even they had to admit we were tops...
I couldn't suppress the grin, my shoulders bouncing on their own.
Dalton next to me was trying for a stern face, but his mouth was grinning ear to ear.
The guy steering the mood looked our way and asked,
"Your corps is probably first in rewards this time, but one question."
"Go ahead."
"Think the payouts will be generous?"
I shook my head.
"No idea if they'll be generous, but someone'll try to cut our share. Probably Baron Pappenheim."
This was my chance to trash Pappenheim's image completely.
After all, forging official documents was a capital crime on its own, but since we were killing him anyway...
Making his punishment as pathetic as possible was only polite, right?