Chapter 24
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Chapter 24
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: 6. Recruitment Battle (1)
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Ten days passed.
The Romeln Plateau ultimately became the territory of the Herrera House. Elena slowly turned around, leaving the red flag she had planted on the stone pillar untouched.
The group that returned to Mahbana was greeted with fervent cheers from the city dwellers. The magician of Mahbana, leading the way, waved graciously with a beautiful smile, responding to their acclaim.
In truth, for the prideful folk of the East, it hardly mattered whose the Romeln Plateau became. All that counted was that they had triumphed over the Wirgang House.
The red-robed mage Elena strode forward confidently and met her father, who stood waiting personally before the count's castle. Mahbana's lion was now quite aged, yet his dignity remained undimmed, alive and vital.
"Well done, my daughter. I knew you could pull it off."
"It was something we all accomplished together."
"Yes, everyone did splendidly. It's the achievement of all..."
The Herrera Count offered words of praise to the entire returning band. He provided them with the guest lodgings prepared within the count's castle—a gesture of consideration, urging the heroes who had brought victory home to rest easy for the day.
Elena lingered amid the welcomes and celebrations for a good while before finally making her way back to her own room.
...I'm back....
She headed straight to the bathroom and sank into the steaming water. Her body, stiff from over ten days of cold and exhaustion, melted away like snow under spring sun.
"Haaah..."
The maids climbed up beside her, meticulously removing the matted strands from her hair one by one, scrubbing away the grime and restoring its luster.
In the meantime, Elena quietly closed her eyes and calmly reflected on the recent war.
...The victory wasn't hers alone. Allen the Mercenary Leader surely deserved more than half the credit.
During her ten days there, she had heard endless tales of the Allen Mercenary Corps' exploits—enough to make her ears ring. Even the captain of the Roakin Mercenary Corps, whom she was temporarily commanding, had occasionally sung his praises. He had clearly held back to avoid offending the lady of the house, but she could feel the fervent heat in his tone.
- He's an incredible man.
...Yes, he was an incredible man. She acknowledged that much. There was no petty jealousy in her heart. Everyone had their own talents. And in her case, she wielded magic.
In any event, it was all in the past now. It had been a valuable experience for her to reflect on her shortcomings, and she intended to improve them bit by bit. In time, she would grow even stronger—strong enough to become a leader who earned acclaim from all, just like that man. She absolutely would.
After finishing her bath, she went straight to her desk and opened her grimoire. She simply couldn't bear to do otherwise. Though her battered body begged her to lie down, she ruthlessly ignored it.
Her eyes blinked slowly open and shut, over and over. She tried desperately to stay alert, but she couldn't overcome eyelids heavier than a thousand pounds.
...I need to... work harder...
In the end, Elena's forehead thudded against the grimoire. She knew she had to get up, but she couldn't muster the strength.
Unable to resist the crushing physical and mental fatigue, she fell asleep right there, head planted on the book.
That was her first night back from the war.
"Everyone, you did great."
Allen greeted each of his hardworking members with personal words and handed out their pay. The share for the one unfortunate soul who had died in an enemy night raid would be forwarded to the mercenary guild later.
"It was a blast serving under you, Leader."
"Call us anytime. We'll come running."
"Even if you become a great man someday, don't forget about me—!"
The mercenaries departed the count's estate. Kallisman and Aiden, who remained under long-term contract, quietly stayed by their leader's side.
Of course, Allen didn't forget their bonuses either. They had risked their lives in battle; he couldn't just wipe his hands clean of them. He was frugal with money, but when it was time to spend, he spent.
Aiden, bearer of the [Greed] trait, bowed deeply in thanks and accepted. The old hound Kallisman initially declined, but after Allen insisted once more, he finally took the coin.
"Time for us to get ready too."
"Yes, sir."
Their business at the count's castle was done. They had achieved their objective successfully.
Allen planned to linger in Mahbana a bit longer, negotiating with a few mercenary groups. During those ten days on the Romeln Plateau, he had used his Status Window to scout some promising mercenaries in advance.
Of course, poaching mercenaries under contract would require hefty transfer fees, making it practically impossible to snag everyone he wanted. His capital was limited, after all. At best, maybe two. If luck soured, he might fail entirely.
Still, the war had cemented his reputation as an excellent leader among the mercenaries, so those he had his eye on wouldn't balk at switching over. Contracts between groups were one thing, but if the target mercenary himself didn't want to move, it was all for naught.
...The mage is a shame to miss, though...
Allen didn't push his luck. She was fruit too far out of reach in his current state. Even in [Guild Master], you needed a certain fame threshold to recruit her. If she took over the Roakin Mercenary Corps, recruitment would become near impossible...
Unless it was for concept play, she was just a spectator prize—something to admire and pass by. That's why he hadn't recalled her at first.
In any case.
As Allen prepared to leave the count's castle himself, an unexpected visitor appeared. ...Speak of the devil.
It was the red-robed mage Elena.
"Might we have a word?"
He couldn't help wondering why she, silent for ten days, chose now of all times.
"As long as you don't chase me out when time's up, sure."
She gave a slight smile, surprised that this man could crack a joke.
"...As if."
At that, Kallisman and Aiden tactfully slipped away to give their leader space for his "romantic endeavors."
Elena sat across from Allen.
"No tea to offer..."
"It's fine. This won't take long."
Allen nodded lightly.
"Alright then... what did you want to talk about...?"
The red-robed mage tightened her grip slightly on her hands resting in her lap. As she drew a breath, her ample bosom rose just a touch. ...From the way she hesitated, it seemed she needed resolve for whatever this was.
"...How do I become like you?"
A smile slowly crept across Allen's lips.
"Like me?"
"Managing the troops, giving orders, tactics... Honestly, I have no feel for it. No one to teach me properly either."
He simply gazed at her with a smile, saying nothing. She filled the silence once more.
"And especially those tactics. I want to fight well too. I want to know how to fight."
"That doesn't happen overnight."
Playtime alone was over twenty thousand hours. He'd been at [Guild Master] for nearly a decade...
"I'll study. I'm confident in that. I'm a mage, after all. Just tell me what to do."
"Combat isn't something you master with theory alone. Experience matters more."
"...Fine, got it. Then what about managing the troops? Your leadership was impressive."
"Hard to put into words unless I show you directly. I'm not the theory type like you."
Her shoulders, which had perked up slightly, slumped again. ...In the end, she'd gained nothing.
"I see... Thanks for your time."
"Sorry I couldn't help."
"No, it's fine. I know it's hard to articulate. ...Just had to ask, that's all."
They exchanged light nods and went their separate ways.
A spark flew with a hiss, igniting the cigar.
Mahbana's lion, the Herrera Count, drew deeply on it, then exhaled a plume of smoke as he gazed into the distance. The garden's scenery, like a work of art, stirred no emotion in him anymore.
"So, that man's really something, eh?"
"Yes, my lord. Undoubtedly a man headed for greatness."
"Your eyes wouldn't fail you."
The count took another deep drag and exhaled.
"Then Elena has no hope?"
"Hard to say definitively... but as things stand, yes, she doesn't yet have what it takes to lead a mercenary corps."
The Roakin Mercenary Corps' captain answered thus. She was a girl he'd grown fond of over long years together, but his judgment remained cold.
"And in the future?"
"...Frankly, it looks tough if things stay this way."
"I see... So be it."
Of course, the count knew his daughter's level well enough. He'd given her a chance just in case, but the result was predictably harsh.
In truth, Elena wasn't particularly inferior to other leaders. On the contrary, she even surpassed them in some areas. ...But the position of leader in the Roakin Mercenary Corps wasn't for someone merely a cut above average.
Since the Herrera Count's retirement, the corps had failed to live up to its former glory. In other words, interim leader Elena's inadequacies had been laid bare.
"Postpone her formal appointment indefinitely."
"Yes, sir."
"Scout for someone qualified. Propose that Allen fellow too."
"Understood, my lord."
No sooner had the words left than both men's gazes flicked toward a certain spot. ...They'd been pretending not to notice, but they knew Elena was eavesdropping on their conversation from hiding.
Only after she scurried off did the captain let out a hearty laugh.
"Even you, my lord, haven't changed a bit."
"...Wonder if I spoiled her too much."
"No one would think that."
The count took a long drag and exhaled.
"They say a lion throws its cub off a cliff. I gave her the chance, and if she couldn't seize it, then trials must follow."
"Still..."
"She can't think the leader's seat is hers by right. That halts growth. I believe in Elena. She'll overcome it. She's smarter and more talented than I ever was."
"...As you will, my lord."
"Yes... yes..."
The Herrera Count turned his gaze back to the horizon.
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