Chapter 95
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: Lucia and Karin
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Right after the battle ended, I got nabbed by the guys from our Hundred-Man Platoon.
Of course, if I'd really wanted to, I could've shaken them off easy...
While I was lost in those idle thoughts, Otto—our platoon's senior squad leader and number two—hoisted a mug brimming with beer high overhead.
His face was lit up with a grin like he'd conquered the whole damn world.
"Alright then! A toast to Hundred-Man Platoon Leader Martin, who on his very first day in command chopped off two enemy mercenary captains' heads!"
The others bellowed with laughter and clinked their mugs right along with him.
"A toast to the Platoon Leader!"
"Cheers, hoping to bask in the Platoon Leader's glory!"
"Take good care of us going forward!"
With that, the bastards went ahead and wrapped up the toast speeches among themselves, as if I—the man of the hour—wasn't even there.
This was a celebration for my performance in my first real combat command as platoon leader. Shouldn't they have let me handle at least the drinking toast?
'Gonna have to grind these assholes in some brutal guerrilla training someday...'
As I ground my teeth over it, Otto snickered and topped off my mug with beer.
"You wouldn't be sulking just 'cause I snatched the toast, right?"
Sulking ain't manly, and I don't have a speck of that petty crap in me.
I'm not sulking at all. A random thought just popped up about making that guerrilla training even rougher.
"Not sulking, Otto. Hell, I'm grateful you saved me the hassle of that damn toast."
"Says the guy whose face is screaming sulk."
"Ah, seriously, I'm not."
"Never met a guy who says that and actually isn't."
Sure, the mercenary company's like an army, but without rigid class bullshit, folks get casual when ranks are close.
A green recruit wouldn't dream of messing with a squad leader, but senior mercs? Teasing that's not too far over the line is fair game.
So yeah, our platoon's number two razzing me like this? Totally normal.
I let out a sigh, throwing in the towel.
"And if I was sulking, then what?"
"We knock back a drink and call it square. What's the big deal?"
Military law keeps us from beating the shit out of each other—mess that up, and both our heads roll—so everyone reins in the violence when boozing.
But mercenaries are rough sons of bitches. Booze gets the grudges flowing, turning into shouting matches more often than not.
Which is why drinking, brawling, then drinking to make up is stupid common.
'Otto planning to unload some bottled-up feelings over drinks too?'
I figured he'd aired all his gripes before the battle kicked off.
"Fair enough."
Otto shot a warm smile at the rest of the platoon.
"I trusted Platoon Leader Martin's skills, but on your first day commanding? Didn't think you'd crush it this hard. Figured you'd play it safe like other new platoon leaders, sticking to your lane..."
For some urgent reason, the guy poured himself another round.
"Never dreamed you'd take down two enemy captains on day one. Served under plenty of bosses, but none like you. The others think so too."
Otto paused, like he wanted me to overhear the chatter around us.
"Platoon Leader Martin, thought you were something special since day one. Fuck, today sealed it."
"What, trailing him guarantees a spot at the top? Platoon Leader's badass, sure, but not with your skills."
"I've leveled up fighting beside him. Mastering Aura any day now. Gonna climb to platoon leader under him."
Mercs jump ship anytime for better gigs or pay.
For those types to swear loyalty to me? Means they see me as the golden ticket to rewrite their fates.
It's a different high from proving myself and cashing rewards.
'Guys with real shot at the top always draw a crowd.'
My mouth stretched into a shit-eating grin.
"So like those guys said, I'll stick with you even if promotions lag. Who knows? Might snag a knighthood off your coattails."
"Didn't you say that last time?"
"Gotta repeat it a few times to stick."
"True enough."
Memory's sharp, but hammering home key pitches without pissing 'em off? Way more effective.
Otto's warm smile flipped in an instant.
His eyes went sly, one corner of his mouth quirking up.
"That said, trusting you is trusting you. But first day as platoon leader, you lead us to glory—gotta share some spoils, right?"
Otto made the universal money gesture, wiggling it side to side.
'Otto helped big-time locking down this platoon.'
footing the bill for over a hundred thirsty bastards stings, but bounty's coming.
Spend now or lose hearts...
Might as well splash big and manly.
Plus, Lucia's tail-wagging across the way, Karin's right there—perfect chance to look badass.
"Tell the camp merchants to tab the first round, seconds, snacks—all on Martin Meyer for everyone here."
I waved him off.
Otto scooped up the platoon and vanished like a goddamn whirlwind.
Just echoes of their presence, gone in a blink—like watching the wind whip through.
As I sat there stunned, Karin dragged Lucia over and smirked.
"Squad Leader Otto reads the room like a pro. Cleared out the second we showed."
"Who doesn't know we're hitched minus the ceremony? Probably sick of watching us flirt."
"Reads it too well—turned Martin footing a huge bill into reality in seconds."
I shrugged.
"They earned it, first day with the title. More fights ahead—gotta rev 'em up."
"You're terrifying, Martin. Scary at night, rough on allies by day."
Nights with Karin? Early twenties me, late twenties her—prime horniness, can't help it.
Daytime tough love? All to make our platoon's mercs filthy rich.
We bullshitted for about fifteen minutes.
Then Karin got dead serious, eyeing me.
'Here it comes—Lucia talk.'
"Few days back, Lucia hits me up. Says she likes you so much she can't live without you."
Lucia's ears and tail drooped on cue.
To buck her up, Karin stroked and tweaked those ears.
Playful move for the heavy vibe, but it screamed: whatever's coming, it's good.
Bad news? No way she'd goof around.
"Got jealous hearing you might have other girls."
I listened close. Lucia's tail and ears wilted further.
"Still, I'm not against her being your woman. Knew what you were from jump."
Told her that first meetup.
Gonna rise mercenary-style to title-worthy heights, build a harem en route.
Karin pinched my cheek—hard.
"But, Martin."
"Yes, senior?"
Blushing a touch, Karin declared it.
"If you go all googly-eyed for Lucia and slack on me, you're done. You chose this—treat her and me right."
"Got it, senior. You're both precious to me."
Lucia grinned, tail shooting up and wagging like mad.
"Now with this, Karin Ten-Man Leader and..."
Karin cut her off.
"Lucia, call me big sis Karin. Sharing a hubby—no need for stiff vibes."
Lucia's tail swished; she blushed and fumbled.
"Y-yes, Karin Ten-Man Leader. I mean, uh, big sis."
Karin beamed like Lucia was the cutest thing alive, petting her head nonstop.
Every stroke, those fox ears perked and flopped.
"Hehe."
Then some asshole crashed the healing view.
"Yo, Martin."
Glanced back—Dalton.
Clueless about our heavy convo, he looked hella awkward.
"........"
Dalton tsked and scratched his head.
"Sigh, fuck. Sorry, but loan me Martin a sec. Got shit for this guy."
War or not, work or whatever—this is crossing a line, right...?