Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: There Are No Eternal Secrets
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Slowly turning around, a familiar face came into view. A beautiful lady with golden blonde hair and blue eyes. Just having those sapphire-blue eyes fixed on me was enough to make me feel like I was under some kind of status ailment.
Normally, it wouldn't have affected me like this, but given my current situation... If I got caught sneaking a prisoner out, it would mean instant execution. No questions asked, straight to the gallows.
"Milady."
"So it was you after all."
This noble lady's voice sounded a bit brighter than last time, though what was she thinking? Well, with the victory in the war, that was only natural.
"Ugh..."
As I bowed my head, the elf tucked in my bosom let out a small groan, as if she was feeling cramped.
"Your name is Kyle, right?"
"Yes, it is."
Please don't notice. Please... It seemed heaven had heard my prayers—the lady in front of me showed no sign of picking up on the elf's groan.
"Your exploits this time left quite an impression."
"It's an honor that you've viewed them favorably, Milady."
As I said that and slightly raised my head, the noble lady's once-cold expression melted away like snow meeting spring, and she let out a soft, girlish laugh.
"You're surprisingly timid for your size. Nothing like how you were on the battlefield."
"Is that... so?"
"The way you rampaged out there was like a wild boar caught in a wildfire. Or maybe closer to a bear? Hehe..."
What was so amusing? Anyway, never mind that—I could feel the elf lady in my bosom trembling and just prayed this moment would pass quickly. If we got caught, both our heads would roll. Well, maybe not this elf lady—she'd probably just get sold off as a prisoner.
"I've kept you too long. You should enjoy the festivities too. You haven't had any alcohol yet, have you?"
She must have misunderstood since I didn't look drunk at all. But this misunderstanding was actually welcome. Please just go... She gave me a gentle smile.
"Ah, I've held you up too much. You must want to catch up with your comrades. I'll commend you separately for your achievements later. Farewell, then..."
The count's lady, who had suddenly appeared and set my heart pounding, departed just like that. Watching her retreating figure, I finally let out a sigh of relief. They say when it rains, it pours—why did I have to run into her of all people in this vast camp?
Anyway, after that, I made it to the edge of the camp without further incident and glanced around. Even the sentries, who I'd thought would be reliable, were passed out snoring with liquor bottles clutched to their chests.
Seeing that, I set down the elf lady I'd been carrying. Freed from my arms, she stared at me intently, all traces of her earlier ferocity gone as she politely bowed her head.
"rhakqek. sksms eo zksdml Ekf fktpfldp fhakshvm. djswpsrk dl dmsgPfmf rkvehfhr gkrpTek."
"I told you, I can't understand Elvish. Anyway, get going before anyone else sees you."
"rhakqek."
The immature elf lady, captured on the battlefield, left just like that. I hadn't given her back her gear or weapons, but as an elf, she'd probably manage to survive and return home somehow. Or not—who knew? I couldn't predict my own future, let alone hers.
I watched her vanish into the darkness until the end, then turned away. Go safely.
"Alert! Alert!"
Ding-dong-
The next day, as soldiers writhed in hangover agony, someone bellowed and relentlessly pounded the alarm bell, jolting them awake.
"Ugh... what the hell..."
Cutter, who'd been thoroughly plastered, clutched his messy hair as the bell made his head throb and barely managed to sit up. What was the commotion so early in the morning?
"Alert! Alert! A prisoner has escaped!"
Already? I'd thought she'd hold out a bit longer. As expected of a rare female elf. If it'd been one of the enemy soldiers missing, they might never have noticed.
"All troops, assemble! Assemble!"
After a while of clamor, the order for full assembly came down. They usually didn't bother with the mercenaries, but with a prisoner escaping right in the heart of camp, the higher-ups must have been sweating bullets. Especially since it was a female elf who could fetch a fortune.
"Line up, you bastards!"
Crack!
The soldiers who'd been on sentry duty at the prison and camp were already getting lashed as a group. Each strike from the whip with iron barbs tore into their bare flesh, drawing screams.
"What's going on, bro?"
Cutter, crawling out of his tent clutching his head, asked—but I kept my mouth firmly shut. Better to say nothing than spout half-baked excuses.
"You fucking dogs! The sentries got drunk and fell asleep!"
"Aaagh!"
As the screams and curses of the whipped soldiers filled the camp, the clanking of full armor announced the arrival of knights—and among them, a beautiful woman—heading this way.
Gone was yesterday's relaxed demeanor; they exuded a heavy, razor-sharp aura like honed blades.
"The commander is here! Attention!"
Whether misfortune or fortune, the whipping stopped at their appearance. The sergeant major holding the whip rushed forward, dropping to his knees and slamming his forehead into the ground before them.
"C-Com-Commander... I-I'm terribly sorry... We lost the elf wom—er, the woman..."
To the soldiers, the sergeant major was the grim reaper himself, but before her, he was just another worthless commoner. To save his neck, he groveled like he would lick her boots if asked.
The commander lady silently regarded him, then spoke.
"Raise your head."
"Y-Yes? Yes!"
"This is an unfortunate incident, but I have no desire to punish the count's soldiers over something like this. My own fault lies in allowing drinking this time."
"My deepest apologies!"
As it seemed she'd let it slide, the sergeant major's deathly pallor brightened. But... the commander lady wasn't done.
"However, we can't just overlook it entirely, so I'll deduct two months' pay from you, the responsible sergeant major, and the sentries."
Two months' pay docked—meaning they'd work nearly for free. But keeping their heads was something. The sergeant major and soldiers praised the commander lady's mercy, bowing before her.
And as she listened to their praises, she turned her gaze to me.
"And... you. Kyle, was it?"
"Yes, Milady."
"Your achievements in this battle were great, so I'll grant you a separate reward. Follow me."
How could a mere mercenary defy the commander's order? Like it or not, I had to follow. She led me to the commander's tent, sat in a chair inside, dismissed the surrounding knights, and wanted to be alone with me.
"You look uncomfortable."
"How could I not, sharing a tent with nobility?"
"Feel free to speak casually. And 'Milady'..."
She muttered that, then looked at me and curled her lips upward.
"I'm really curious who it was that so calmly lied right to this 'Milady's' face."
"Pardon?"
I reflexively blurted it out. My heart pounded at the completely unexpected words, but I fought to stay calm.
Lied. Had anyone ever dared deceive the commander? And why tell me this? Why dismiss the knights and stay alone with me? There was only one conclusion. She had known everything that evening already.
Thud!
I dropped to my knees so hard it echoed, slamming my forehead to the ground. Lying to a noble and sneaking out a war prisoner—this warranted summary execution.
"..."
I didn't open my mouth. Half-assed excuses would only make it worse. In the heavy silence filling the tent, the commander spoke first.
"Your contributions were key to this war's victory. I asked the other mercenaries—they said it was you who repelled the elves and rallied the fleeing mercenaries back to the battlefield."
"...Yes."
"But... you sneaked out a prisoner and lied to me, your commander."
"I have no excuse, even if I had two mouths..."
The commander clicked her tongue.
"I originally planned to reward you with 500 gold coins. But since you freed that elf... you'll receive punishment instead."
"..."
"Chopping off your head here wouldn't even be excessive for such a grave crime. You know that, right?"
"Yes."
A small sigh escaped her lips.
"Before that, just one question. Why did you free that elf?"
Why? Maybe a fleeting moment of pity. The kind this world would call idiotic. And after killing in the war, now playing the good guy? Sure.
"That elf was still young. I know what a slave's life is like. And what happens to young female slaves. I just couldn't stand by and watch."
That's why I'd saved Ren before—the pathetic, wretched child. Some might call it hypocrisy, but even if it was, could anyone really say saving someone from a miserable life was bad?
"Raise your head."
At the commander's words, I looked up. She was smiling.
"But given your great service in the war... I'll let it slide this time. Be grateful for your achievements—they saved your life."
That was the end of her words. The atmosphere was still heavy, but inwardly, I was cheering with relief. I survived. I'd really thought I was done for.
As I wondered when to stand, pondering, her voice came again.
"Now your sins are forgiven. Of course, so are your achievements. But this is my second proposal."
"...?"
What proposal?
"The valor and courage I saw on the battlefield... and the honor of saving the weak. It's a waste for a man like you to remain a mercenary. I'd like to offer you the position of my escort soldier and captain of the vanguard swordsmen. What do you think?"
The utterly unexpected offer left me speechless. Escort soldier and captain of the vanguard swordsmen for the count's lady—what kind of position was that? I didn't know much about vanguard swordsmen, but a unit captain was practically minor nobility. And as the lady's personal escort? That said it all.
I didn't know the pay, but considering the perks, refusing would be idiotic.
"Not interested?"
"No... I'm just surprised..."
Satisfied with my answer, she smiled.
"Then think it over a bit more. There's still time, isn't there? Time for plundering remains."
But though she said that, our march to Sarisa Count's city never happened. The captured Sarisa Count requested a meeting with her, and afterward, the army turned back.
Still, there were no complaints. The commander promised war reparations equivalent to plunder in compensation for forgoing it.
Plundering isn't easy. You could get your skull split by some crazed townsfolk wielding an axe or sword from behind. If they got good rewards without the risk, most soldiers and mercenaries didn't particularly crave looting anyway.
"Ah~ I wanna go loot~"
"Don't say it so loud!"
Though there were always lunatics like that. From guys raving about how tasty married women were during looting, to those who preferred killing people over plundering.
Unlike proper soldiers with real jobs, the mercenaries—practically a prison camp—had plenty who ignored danger and chased raw thrills.