Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Victory and Rewards (3)
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Words like "rewards" and "promotions" have the power to make anyone's heart race wildly.
"Fuck, if I get passed over for promotion again this time, I'm gonna hang myself."
"Shut your damn mouth, you idiot. A worthless piece of shit who can't even swing a sword properly, always whining about promotions. It's only been a few years since you made Veteran Mercenary, and you're already talking about dying?"
"Lord Deus, please, please let me get promoted. Fuck, if you do, I'll pay my tithes faithfully."
Martin and his squad were standing a little ways off from the cluster of rowdy guys making all that noise, watching them.
"Look at 'em swarm like ants to honey. It's not like they're gonna get even one more copper for all that bullshit, the idiots."
"Even as you say that, aren't you secretly hoping for a promotion yourself, Squad Leader Martin?"
I gave Baker a light smack on the back of his head.
"Cut the crap, you punk. It was only a few months ago that I made Squad Leader. You think I'm getting another promotion already?"
"You never know."
I wasn't completely without expectations, but it'd only been a short time since I became Squad Leader... the odds were slim to none.
"Anyone with enough seniority or skill can make Squad Leader unless they're total trash, but Platoon Leader? You need both in spades. And this body of mine is short on seniority, you damn punk."
"Is that so? Still, you never know."
Karin patted my shoulder from the side, chiming in.
"Captain Dalton was grumbling lately about how the corps is growing, but there aren't enough competent officers to go around. Who knows? You were the star of this war, Squad Leader. He might just promote you straight to Platoon Leader."
"And you, Senior Karin? Aren't you up for Squad Leader this time? Five years of experience, and you've been killing it lately."
At that, Karin turned her head slightly and said,
"Wouldn't it be better if you and I got split into different units?"
"No way. I just want you to get promoted quick and get the recognition you deserve."
"I see. Well, I'm not really thinking about promotion yet."
She flashed me a bright smile that only I could see.
"So for the time being, I like working in the same unit as you, Martin."
"I'd like that too, Senior."
As we were having our friendly chat, the cloth covering the rewards noticeboard was suddenly pulled away.
The guys swarming in front of it reacted in all sorts of ways when they saw it.
"Fuck yeah! Five years, and I finally got promoted! I'm out of this damn Veteran Mercenary hellhole! Fuck, this feels so good!"
A guy jumping around in joy after getting promoted for his war merits.
"Ha, fuck. Not only did I fail promotion, but the reward gold is shit too! This sucks, fuck."
A guy sunk in despair after failing both promotion and rewards due to his own incompetence or bad luck.
"Eh, whatever. Fuck it, guess I'll drown my sorrows in booze with whatever reward I got."
Reactions ranged all over—even guys who weren't disappointed or excited, just planning to get plastered. All kinds.
Watching them, I started getting curious myself, my heart pounding.
"Squad Leader Martin, spots are opening up over there now. Shall we go check?"
"Yeah, let's see how much our star squad got."
With that, I led the guys forward, pushing through the crowd to check the rewards.
I scanned eagerly for my name to see just how big my reward was.
"Lemme see... Martin Meyer..."
Then, Baker next to me let out a huge cheer.
"Fuck, 2 gold! The reward alone is 2 gold! We're rich!"
"Whoa, this is why we risk our necks as mercenaries even when it sucks? That's a whole year's income for my family dropped right here, fuck."
"From now on, fuck it, I'm sticking to Squad Leader Martin like glue. Die together, live together like a damn leech. 2 gold, fuck, what should I spend it on?"
Count Zaltzheim nearly got his ass handed to him without us, so he showered us with gold. Proper gentleman.
The kind of guy who's annoyingly good at making people feel good.
This makes it easier to laugh off that crap from the banquet where he tried dragging ladies under him.
"Whoa, Senior Karin! Congrats on the promotion! You buying tonight?"
...If Karin got promoted, does that mean I did too? Nah, probably not.
Harboring that thought, I kept searching until I finally spotted my name on the notice.
[Squad Leader Martin Meyer promoted to Platoon Leader. Collect reward gold separately later.]
I hadn't expected promotion at all... but Platoon Leader? I was so shocked, words wouldn't come out.
A brief silence fell, then my squad erupted around me.
"Fuck, our Squad Leader's now a Platoon Leader! Awesome, so fucking cool!"
"They say even the most competent need 10 years in the mercenary life to snag a promotion like that. Fuck, Platoon Leader Martin, you're a legend in the mercenary world now, right?"
"Honestly, Platoon Leader Martin deserves it. Knight moga heads? Two of 'em. And he turned that clusterfuck war around from total shovelwork? Bluntly, without you, we'd all be fucked."
In the unaltered history where I didn't intervene, Count Zaltzheim got crushed by Baron Pilor, and the White Beard Mercenary Corps faced crisis. Yeah, spot on.
Even Lucia wagged her tail in agreement.
"I agree we would've lost without the Platoon Leader. It'd be weirder not to promote someone who shone like that."
Lucia, who rarely shows her personal opinions, coming out strong like that caught me off guard for a sec.
"Right?"
"Yes!"
"Alright, fuck it. To celebrate my promotion to Platoon Leader, drinks on me tonight. Rent out a whole tavern if you want—order whatever."
Baker smirked at that.
"Fuck, you serious? Then we'll rent a whole inn. No take-backs, Squad Leader?"
...Wait, what the hell?
"Guys, Platoon Leader Martin says fuck it, rent a whole inn for his promotion! Find a good spot nearby! Time to bleed his wallet dry!"
I tried to rein them in, but Baker and the other guys had already bolted.
"Ha, fuck those assholes. Turtles in training, but lightning fast when it's go-time. Cheating bastards."
Every time I see this shit, I just sigh.
"Platoon Leader Martin, you gonna chase 'em? They might actually rent an inn."
"Let 'em be. We earn the coin to blow it on shit like this—when else?"
If I hoarded like that old Squad Leader Pior I served under, I'd never earn respect from the men or climb the ranks.
So if you wanna make money and get ahead as a mercenary, pinch pennies when you must, but spend big when it counts.
"Fair enough. I was thinking of hitting the next city to upgrade my bow and sword now that I'm promoted..."
Karin trailed off, her face flushing red.
"Wanna go together? Now that you're Platoon Leader, Martin, you should at least swap out the armor even if the sword's fine."
My armor was still solid, no need to change, but this was clearly an invite to shop for weapons and... date.
'When opportunity knocks, bow and fuck her—that's human nature.'
"Sounds good, Senior Karin."
"Great. The city of Zaltzburg next? I know it well. Famous for top-notch blacksmiths too. So we check my bow first, then your armor. They got tons pre-made, so we'll find something that fits perfect easy. Or we could stick around and get a custom job from a master smith."
Zaltzburg's renowned for weapons, armor, and all sorts of rare goods gathering there.
I knew a bit about it myself, but matching her excitement for a solo shopping date with her was priority.
"Then show me the bow shop first, and after, hook me up with a good armor place."
"Obviously. I'll take you to spots with the real premium stuff you can't find elsewhere."
"Looking forward to it."
It won't be a bad shop if Karin's recommending, but honestly... I'm more hyped for alone time with her.
"So, what's Zaltzburg like..."
I didn't finish the sentence.
"Aigoo, our Platoon Leader, fuck. Couldn't even eat at Zaltzheim Castle 'cause he was busy charming the young ladies, and now here too..."
Karin's face turned beet red at that, and I whipped around to see who the hell was spouting that bullshit.
"Captain Dalton?"
Dalton slapped my shoulder and back hard, laughing heartily.
"Yeah, you little shit. Fuck, congrats on Platoon Leader."
"Thank you."
"Seen all kinds of crazy bastards as Mercenary Captain, but you're the first to prove your chops and rocket to Platoon Leader like this. I approved it, but fuck, I had no choice. You were just that damn good."
Dalton grumbled and cleared his throat.
"Anyway, fuck, follow me quick."
"Why? Can't I rest today?"
"Cut the whiny shit. Platoon Leader and up are officers. We decide where to go after Zaltzheim, then rest, you idiot. Shut your trap and come on."
Hearing that, I started pondering our next destination.
Head for the elixir, or chase a big war?