Chapter 64
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: 14. Crisis, and Cooperation. (3)
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Fortunately, after the first night, there were no more attacks from the necromancer. Either they couldn't keep up with the boat moving along the river all day long, or they no longer saw any value in attacking—one of the two, most likely.
Since they pressed on without stopping day or night, the group finally arrived at the city around noon on the third day.
The mid-sized city, Serju—.
Allen had been worried that this place might have fallen too, but fortunately, it was still holding. The group docked the boat at the riverbank and finally set foot on solid ground.
"Ohhh, fuuuck, Mother Earth. Mmm, mmm—."
The bald blind man threw a fit the moment he stepped ashore, flopping onto the ground and showering the sand with kisses. Life on the boat had been that awful.
Everyone who'd made it here alive shed tears of gratitude. They'd thought they were done for, but thanks to the mercy of the mercenary corps, they'd survived that hell—!
The village elder, who looked a decade older after the grueling ordeal, wept hot tears as he grabbed each mercenary leader's hand in turn to express his thanks.
After basking in the relief of survival for a moment, the group entered the city. Allen figured they'd be held up at the checkpoint for a while, but Leader Rudra went in and somehow got them through with surprising ease.
And with that, the mercenaries parted ways with the villagers. The elder wasn't so shameless as to beg them to stick around all the way. From here on out, the villagers would have to fend for themselves.
"I'm heading to see the baron now. I'm not forcing you to come along. There's no more reason or obligation for us to travel together. Of course, anyone who wants to follow is welcome."
Leader Rudra said as much, but she cast a subtle glance especially toward Leader Allen. Unlike the others, she wanted him to come with her—a look almost like a courtship plea.
The leaders huddled together, eyeing one another, before soon signaling they'd stick together. ...To be honest, it was more like they couldn't leave.
The west was no longer safe. Necromancers were rampant everywhere, so it wouldn't be strange to get ambushed anytime, anywhere. They'd already experienced it firsthand several times—!
"I'll go with you, Leader."
Leader Rudra had been waiting for Allen's words. ...You know those people who just make you feel stronger and more secure by being there? Leader Allen was exactly that kind of person.
"Good. Then let's all head to the baron's castle."
Allen only realized upon arriving at the baron's castle that Leader Rudra had quite a close connection to the lord. Niece and uncle, as it turned out.
That cleared up Allen's lingering question about how she commanded a mercenary corps of that caliber. He'd suspected as much, but yep—she came from a well-off family. No wonder the leaders had unanimously backed her at that meeting.
She did have a certain refined air about her. Her mannerisms and speech were elegant too.
Still, Allen wasn't the least bit intimidated. A guy aiming to lead the continent's top mercenary corps couldn't tremble at something like that. He needed the guts to stand firm and speak his mind even in a one-on-one with the emperor—!
Having faced death so many times, Allen's heart had toughened up considerably. The timid scaredy-cat from before was long gone.
The group soon entered the baron's castle. Before long, an elderly butler hurried out to greet them.
"Miss, you've arrived."
"I was hoping to see His Lordship. It's urgent. And these people need a place to rest."
"The master said to treat the guests well. Everyone in the back, follow the attendants."
As Leader Rudra and the captain stayed behind while the rest prepared to withdraw, she let out a small cough. Allen quickly caught on that it was a signal for him and handed off the rest to Captain Aiden.
As Allen sidled up to Rudra, she quietly spoke.
"I'd like you to come with me."
"Of course."
The two walked side by side, with the burly captain trailing a few steps behind.
"Thank you. It's thanks to you."
Rudra's tone had shifted. From representing the group to speaking as equals between leaders.
"...Well, honestly, I did play a big part, but you handled things flexibly too, Leader Rudra. That's how we made it this far. Jealousy makes it hard to stay objective."
Allen replied half-jokingly, half-seriously, with a straight face, and she shot back with a pouty expression.
"...I wasn't jealous."
"Oh dear, my mistake."
"......Are you doing this on purpose? From someone so proper."
"Depends on the situation."
"And what's the situation now?"
"A comfortable one. Because I'm with you, Leader Rudra."
...A comfortable situation? Because they're together? ......What did he mean by that?
Leader Rudra clamped her mouth shut and racked her brain furiously. She was utterly clueless about romance between men and women, so she couldn't easily grasp his intent.
Allen felt his [Womanizer] trait slipping out unbidden again and tried to rein it in. ......That timid little punk—now that he had a dick, it was kinda funny how he got all flirty around pretty girls.
They soon arrived at the baron's office. The baron, with his hair streaked gray, let out a small "Oh!" of delight at the sight of Rudra and welcomed her warmly.
"Oh, Rudra—!"
"Your Lordship. It's been a while."
"None of that 'Your Lordship' formality. Call me Uncle."
"...Yes, Uncle."
They capped off their greeting with a light hug.
"But what brings you here so suddenly?"
"...We have a problem."
"A problem?"
With that, Leader Rudra explained the situation from the beginning, step by step.
The Rudra Mercenary Corps' arrival at Hegel at the earnest request of the city lord, Baron Qurli.
Gathering mercenaries in Hegel to form a group and drive off the black mages terrorizing the village.
Escorting the villagers back to Hegel, only to find the city already fallen to the black mages and reduced to ruins.
Facing enemy ambushes while traveling down the river by boat.
Pressing on nonstop for three days to reach Serju.
Just hearing it made clear that something enormous had gone down.
The baron in particular looked stunned at the news of Hegel's fall. ...Honestly, it was hard to believe outright. If his niece hadn't said it, he'd have dismissed it as nonsense.
"Hegel, fallen to those bastards...?"
"Have black mages attacked villages here too?"
"...There were reports like that. But I didn't think it was that serious."
"It's dire right now, Uncle. Not just a crisis—the whole west is shaking. ...Frankly, we can't say this place is safe either."
The baron dropped his gaze and fell silent in thought. After a long pause, he spoke in a heavy tone.
"...So, what do you want me to do?"
"Prepare. They might hit here too."
"We're always prepared. And Serju's walls are high and sturdy. Can't compare to Hegel."
That's when Allen, who'd been listening quietly, chimed in.
"The enemy has a lich."
The baron glanced at Allen, then back at Rudra as if to ask who this young man was.
"A capable mercenary leader. I trust and rely on him greatly."
"Is that so? ...What did you just say?"
"A lich, Your Lordship. The necromancer's demonic beast. A monster that hates all living things, having lost its human reason—a servant of devils."
"And?"
"Their tactics are bizarre. You can't rest easy just because the walls are thick and high. Hegel didn't fall solely due to lacking that. Strict vigilance and constant readiness of forces are key."
The baron grasped Allen's point right away. ...But Allen's follow-up exceeded expectations.
"Declare a state of emergency. Gather everyone who can fight and brace for attack."
"A state of emergency? Isn't that overkill?"
Allen had expected that response.
"Consider the massacre at Hegel."
The baron fell silent for a moment, then nodded lightly.
"Hard to answer right here. I'll think it over seriously."
Fortunately, it wasn't a bad reaction. Not rejecting outright meant Hegel's fall had shocked him too.
They exchanged a few more personal words before leaving the office.
"You've done well. Go get some good rest now."
"You too, Leader Rudra. Great job."
With that, the two parted ways.
As Allen left, the captain sidled up to her.
"He's quite the charmer."
"...What?"
"At flirting with women, I mean. Leader Allen's no ordinary guy."
Her voice rose a notch at that.
"That's not it. Flirting? ...You think I'd fall for that? Please. And he's not some sleazy playboy. I know him. You think I can't judge people after all I've seen? He's an excellent leader. And a great business partner. That's all there is to it."
Rudra's tongue was running longer than usual. The captain backed off, claiming he'd misread her agitation.
"Hmph, you need to sharpen your eye for people, Captain. ...Sure, Leader Allen's handsome, but I'm not the type to care about that. In a man, it's ability that counts—ability. Got it?"
...So basically, he had both ability and good looks.
But the captain swallowed those words.
"Don't go thinking I've misjudged because I trust people a bit. ...Leader Allen, you oughta tone down the handsomeness. Look at me now, getting weird misunderstandings—!"
...The miss is already smitten...