Chapter 25
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: 6. Recruitment Battle. (2)
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“Cheers.”
Clink. Three iron mugs collided in midair. Allen poured the contents straight down his throat without pause. Kuuh. How long had it been since he'd last felt the burn of alcohol?
“You've both been through a lot these past years. Must've been tough cleaning up after an incompetent leader like me.”
Aiden waved it off with a laugh, as if it were nonsense.
“What're you talking about? There are plenty of captains who work their men to the bone and then stiff them on pay. Compared to those bastards, you're practically a saint, Captain.”
“You can tell just by how eager the guys are to keep working under you. They instinctively know you're different.”
“Gilded bullshit. …No more money coming?”
“Whoa, then we won't.”
The three chuckled softly. They downed more beer, and old hound Kallisman spoke up.
“You mentioned going all-in on recruitment, right? …Got any specific targets in mind?”
“A few, but… honestly, poaching them would be a bitch. The war wiped out so many already. We're desperate just to fill our ranks, let alone steal from others. And now that they've got fat paychecks lined up, they're not hurting for cash anytime soon.”
“So what's the plan?”
“Hell if I know. No sharp ideas off the top of my head. I'll try negotiating, but if it doesn't pan out, no skin off my back. I'm not swimming in gold, and they're not that irresistible. …Just testing the waters.”
“I see.”
More beer vanished in gulps. The mugs emptied in a flash, and Aiden shot his hand up. “Three more beers here!”
A woman who looked like the innkeeper's daughter sauntered over with a tray, wedging herself right up against Allen to place the mugs on the table one by one. She even brushed against him slyly….
“Anything else you need, just holler.”
She trailed her fingers over Allen's shoulder with a sultry wink before sauntering off. Aiden leaned in toward his captain, whispering with a grin.
“I'd be all over that in a heartbeat.”
Allen just snorted and shrugged it off lightly. Aiden's eyes lit up as something clicked.
“Oh, right—what were you two chatting about earlier? …Wait, classified stuff?”
Allen fiddled with his full mug, thumb rubbing the rim, before meeting Aiden's gaze.
“Nah, that? Nothing big. Just… small talk.”
“Man-to-woman small talk, you mean?”
“Jesus, you're like a dog in heat. Go blow off some steam somewhere.”
“Come on, Captain, don't play dumb. Life boils down to three things: money, booze, and women. We've got cash, we're drinking—women are next on the list.”
Old hound Kallisman chuckled from the side. “He's got a point.”
“It wasn't like that. Just… mercenary corps stuff. She seemed a bit troubled.”
“That's how romance and business always start.”
Aiden raised his voice, preaching his gospel of love forged in the beds of countless whores.
“You never know—she might pop back up begging you to take her away!”
Allen started to scoff at the absurdity—
—when the door flew open and someone burst into the tavern. Every eye in the place snapped toward the commotion.
…It was the busty mage. Panting hard, like she'd been searching high and low for him.
Elena scanned the room once, locked eyes on Allen, and marched straight over without hesitation.
“Good… you're still here. Haa. I thought… haa. You'd left already….”
“…Lady? What brings you here all of a sudden…?”
“I need to talk. …Or rather, I have a favor to ask.”
“A favor?”
The captain glanced around, feeling the prickly stares zeroing in on them. No surprise—a bombshell like her storming into a dingy dive like this? These money-, booze-, and pussy-crazed thugs weren't looking away anytime soon.
“…Let's head upstairs to talk.”
As he stood, Aiden smirked from across the table, whispering just loud enough for the captain.
“No need for us to head up anytime soon.”
Have your fun, don't worry about us—that's what he meant. As if.
The pair slipped into the second-floor room they'd booked earlier. Up on the third floor, someone was already going at it in broad daylight; faint creaks and moans leaked through. Of course, he pretended not to notice.
Allen sat her on the plush bed, dragged over a chair, positioned it facing her, and took a seat.
“…So, what's this favor? I doubt I'm qualified to grant any requests from you, Lady.”
The busty mage took a deep breath in and out first, steadying herself. …Her eyes looked a touch red-rimmed up close.
“Before that, I have a question.”
“Sure, ask away—as long as I can answer.”
“If my father offered you the leadership of the Roakin Mercenary Corps, would you accept?”
…What the hell? Some random event trigger?
Allen couldn't parse the intent behind it. Why bring up the Roakin captaincy out of nowhere?
“…Dunno. I'm not the type to work under anyone.”
“So you'd turn it down?”
“Yeah, pretty much. …Can't say it flat-out or it'd burn bridges. Gotta be tactful.”
They shared a light chuckle at the quip, easing the tension.
“Alright… so, mind spilling what this favor is? Or more questions first?”
“No more questions. But… it might be a bit much to ask.”
“Just say it. I'll decide after.”
She glanced at him hesitantly, then laid it bare.
“I want to work under you. And learn from you. …How to run a mercenary corps.”
He stared at her silently. She rushed on.
“Our captain praises you endlessly. Says you're an outstanding leader. I think so too. There's got to be plenty I can learn from you.”
Aaah.
Allen could hardly believe his luck. A prize he'd never even dreamed of was rolling right into his lap.
…But he didn't bite just yet. Better check if it was poisoned first. Slim chance, sure, but you always tap the rickety bridge.
“What made you decide this out of the blue?”
“I need experience and knowledge. I decided it's time to leave this place.”
“…What about the captaincy?”
Elena shook her head firmly.
“I'm not ready for that. I need to learn more. …I'm still unqualified.”
Allen hadn't pegged her for someone with such a burning thirst for growth—and such clear-eyed self-assessment. …Mages really were a breed apart.
“Honestly, it's hard to buy this on the spot.”
“I get it. It's sudden. But there's no hidden agenda. I just want to learn under you.”
He studied her in silence. In his mind, he pieced together what might've happened.
Probably got royally screwed over by the count. That guy's got it in him.
“If this is just heat-of-the-moment impulse, I'm passing. The world's no playground for kids.”
The busty mage thumped her hefty left breast with her fist.
“I'm a mage. Emotions don't sway me. This is a cold, clear-headed choice. …I've been too stubborn until now.”
No amount of flailing would magically fill her experience gap.
“You said it yourself. Combat isn't something you master with theory alone. You need real experience.”
In the end, she had to leave the nest and clash with the world.
The southern noble he'd dismissed as a coward was already out there scrapping, while the eastern noble she'd seen as brave was hunkered safe in her cozy nest. …The gap between them had widened dramatically.
“I'll do it too. I'll go out into the world… and learn.”
Allen nodded slowly.
“Got it. I see your resolve. …But I'm not looking for a student. I need a squad member. Can't take you on just to teach—can't afford kid-gloves treatment. We're mercenaries. Either you're the captain or you're crew. That's the line.”
She nodded vigorously, as if she'd already steeled herself.
“I didn't expect cushy lessons. I'll be a full member. …Will you have me?”
Of course he'd take her. Hell yes.
A rare mage like her? When would lightning strike twice?
But he kept his cool captain act intact.
“Fine. You've got plenty of corps experience—you know what being crew means. Right?”
“Yes.”
“…And pay?”
“Just enough to get by. …I'm the one begging here; can't ask for much.”
Allen couldn't suppress his rising grin. A mage's going rate was no joke. Pay had been his biggest worry, but if she was volunteering a discount… jackpot.
“Deal. Welcome aboard for real, Elena.”
He stuck out his hand. She took one last deep breath and gripped it hard.
“Yes… please take care of me.”
The busty mage's enlistment was sealed in the blink of an eye.