Chapter 32
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: 8. Circumstances. (1)
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The group finally emerged from the canyon on the evening of the third day. Among those overjoyed to have survived, one even went so far as to kiss the dirt road repeatedly.
There had been quite a few sacrifices from the beast attacks, but the majority made it out safely. It was thanks to the Kalim Mercenary Corps handling most of the beasts up front and the Allen Mercenary Corps taking out nearly all the beast-transformed black mages.
In truth, the enemy assaults weren't all that fierce, but the curses stacking up over days had worn their bodies down too much. With both mind and body exhausted, they couldn't even perform half their true strength.
At any rate, they'd resolved the incident in the canyon and escaped without major losses. That was enough for Allen.
"Any dead guys?"
"No one's dying here."
The burly Frank raised his hand slightly as he spoke, and everyone chuckled. With the curses gone, they finally had the leisure for some banter.
"Good. Everyone did great. Really."
"Merc work is all shit anyway, but this was the worst by far. That curse was fucking awful. First time I ever lost the will to even fuck."
Surprisingly, everyone nodded in agreement without complaint—even the muscle woman who usually recoiled at Frank's words.
The curse had been that bad. Allen was even contemplating upgrading the "shit sorcerer's" title to "curse sorcerer."
Honestly, in the game, he'd ignore debuffs like [Confusion] or [Weakness] on his character, push until they were on the brink of death, then recover in town. But now he realized how brutally hard that was in reality. He regretted his ignorant past self, who would just curse "fuck this shit" when attacks missed under [Confusion]. ...There was a reason for it all.
"Don't hold back on food tonight. We're almost to the city. ...Still, save some for breakfast tomorrow."
The mercenaries pulled out nearly all their emergency rations. They finished a hearty dinner and gathered around the campfire.
Allen wandered a bit away from the campsite and sat on a flat rock, gazing at the dusk sky gradually darkening to purple. Maybe because they'd suffered so damn much, his emotions felt especially poignant tonight.
...At least he'd made a strong impression on Kalim's leader, so it should pay off later somehow.
In [Guild Master], once the mercenary business hit mid-game, pure scouting couldn't keep up with talent recruitment. You'd have to poach proven members from other corps, but if they were rivals or on bad terms, it was tough. Maintaining good relations smoothed negotiations—that was best.
Of course, befriending every corps was impossible, but unless you were going for a madman gimmick, better not to make enemies.
As Allen sighed lightly, lost in thought, someone sneaked up beside him. He turned, and his eyes immediately locked onto a lewd pair of tits. It was the red robe mage.
"Elena... what is it...?"
"Mind if I sit for a bit?"
"Sure, go ahead."
Elena sat demurely beside the leader. Even as a fellow mercenary, her speech and refined air set her apart from the others. ...Nobles were nobles.
Even after sitting, she hesitated before speaking.
"...Thank you."
"For what?"
"For helping me."
"Help? You helped me. I owe you the thanks."
The red robe mage shook her head slightly.
"No. You snapped me out of it. ...Honestly, I was terrified then. My hands and feet were shaking—I couldn't do anything. If I'd stayed like that, the monster would've gotten me."
"...Doesn't look that way to me. You held up way better than you'd think. Enough to make me grateful."
"R-Really...?"
She stole a sidelong glance at his profile. ...She still couldn't forget his intense voice echoing in her mind.
- Don't chicken out. The moment you retreat in fear, it's over. Got it? Hold onto your mind till the end. I'll be right here. I'll stay with you till the end—!!
The leader never made empty promises. He'd said he'd stay, and he kept it to the end.
Even when the monster charged in frenzy, he was by her side.
The leader was brave. Competent, outstanding... Watching him, Elena was coming to understand what a leader's position truly entailed.
...He was cool. It was the first time she'd ever thought someone was cool.
"Squeezed in some magic training amid the chaos? You cast those spells so smoothly. I was impressed. Now I get why you're a mage. ...Might be hogging some prime talent here."
"Hogging? I'm learning so much from you. Really. Stuff money can't buy."
"You're gilding my face too much."
"No, truly...!"
"Enough. They're teasing us over there right now."
"...Huh?"
Allen nodded toward the mercenaries huddled by the fire. The red robe mage followed his gaze.
Ah—.
Not only were all eyes on them, but they were making weird noises and gestures. Frank had even stood up mimicking a thrusting motion.
- The wagon's empty, so use that.
- Everyone's asleep, so don't scream too loud.
The flustered red robe mage shot up, bowed quickly to the leader, and scurried back to her spot.
...Cute.
Her lack of immunity to pranks showed an innate innocence. Of course, that innocence would eventually wear off.
As the sunset fully faded, Allen stood, brushing dust from his butt.
When the leader lay on the blanket the mercenaries had laid out, Frank snickered.
"She totally fell for you, huh?"
"Well, our leader's pretty cool. If I were a girl, I'd fall too."
"...Hey, you lot sleeping or not? Bored? Wanna head back into the canyon?"
The mercenaries grinned lecherously and flopped into their spots. Only Aiden, first watch, sat back by the fire.
Chirrr-chirrr. Some unknown insect buzzed nearby. The muscle woman grumbled, "Damn bug—," grabbed a pebble, and chucked it toward the sound. It went quiet briefly, then chirrr-chirrr again.
Allen closed his eyes to the chirping lullaby. With the canyon behind them, his mind felt much lighter.
Cool night air settled gently over faint snores.
The next day.
The group rose at dawn and raced along the paved stone road.
By the time the sun peaked overhead, the outer walls of the city finally appeared in the distance. A true central region metropolis.
The Iron Fortress, Karlshtadt—.
Flanking mountain ranges connected to the city walls, making it unavoidable on the path to the imperial capital.
In centuries of history, this fortress had fallen only once—and even that was a voluntary opening of the gates, so strictly speaking, it had never been conquered. Given the empire's decades of effort perfecting it, that was no surprise.
As the hub for most logistics from the east to the center, its scale dwarfed the previous metropolis, Laplhaus.
Whether scenery, history, or entertainment, everything thrived here, earning it a spot among the continent's top five cities.
...Finally feels like civilization.
Where crowds gathered, businesses boomed—mercenary work especially.
Long after it came into view, the group finally reached Karlshtadt's gates.
The checkpoint was packed, but when Kalim's leader flashed the certificate from Duke Binternhorn, the officer cleared them immediately.
Thus ended the Kalim Mercenary Corps' mission. They'd escorted the group here safely, so now a day or two of rest before heading back to Laplhaus.
Before parting, Kalim's leader called for Allen alone.
"You called?"
"You've worked hard."
"No big deal."
"Hate to let fate slip away like this. You helped us a lot too."
"I'm fine. Wasn't expecting repayment."
"If it's burdensome, just call it a gift."
Kalim pulled an envelope from his pocket and handed it to Allen, who accepted politely.
"If you ever head to Bermann dua, drop this at the Viola Mercenary Corps' guild house. Mention my introduction—they'll welcome you."
Viola Mercenary Corps—!
The name made Allen's eyes widen in shock. He even stuttered slightly from surprise.
"Th-Thank you."
...Allen realized this old man thought even better of him than expected.
"Take care."
"You too, safe travels."
Kalim's carriage soon vanished down the avenue. On his way back to the group, Allen glanced at the envelope in his hand.
Viola Mercenary Corps.
One of the continent's top ten mercenary corps.
Kalim had arranged a meeting between Allen and her.