Chapter 73
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Chapter 1, Conclusion (2)
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Rudra, feeling exceptionally good lately, handled her paperwork while even humming a little tune. Especially after discovering the joys of womanhood, the world seemed a bit different somehow.
No worries about the future anyway. Taking care of one new family member like Allen was no big deal. She could appoint him as vice-leader for now, then hand over the leader position later and entrust the mercenary corps to him. Or she could just start his own from scratch right away... Anyway, there were plenty of options.
This kind of sprawling, octopus-armed marriage that ignored status, background, or even gender was a hallmark of western nobility. Her father, Marquis Nawishal, already knew all about the exploits of the Allen Mercenary Corps, so if she wanted to marry, he wouldn't object. He'd probably be thrilled to gain a reliable son-in-law.
...Kids, about seven should do it? Four sons and three daughters. What should we name them...?
Lost in fantasies of a happy married life, she got aroused again. Just thinking about her new groom made her body heat up so lewdly... But it was unavoidable—his cock was enormous, and he was so damn good at sex. For a woman like her, freshly hooked on the taste of dick, this reaction was impossible to fight.
Finish this up and go see him.
With thoughts of meeting Allen spurring her on, she quickly reviewed and signed the documents when someone knocked on her office door. It was the captain, Modilak.
"Come in."
The burly man set a few more stacks of papers in front of her. That pushed back her time with Allen, so she let out a small sigh.
"......Why are all these tasks suddenly piling up after things were so quiet?"
"Everyone's getting ready to move out. Looks like a lot of mercenary corps are leaving too."
Of course, Rudra didn't really care if other mercenary corps came or went. Unaffiliated ones like that came and went all the time anyway.
...As long as I have Allen.
As she took the papers and gestured for him to leave with an "I see," the captain cautiously spoke up.
"How's the romance business going these days?"
"......Who knows. Why?"
Rudra replied with a cool expression but didn't deny the "romance business." Anyone who needed to know already did, so no point hiding it. She didn't particularly want to anyway.
"No reason. Just... you seem in a really good mood lately."
"Me? No way. ...I'm fine. Same as always."
"......Then that's a relief."
The captain's trailing words felt oddly vague, sharpening Rudra's gaze.
"What's with the tone? Got a problem?"
"It's not a complaint, exactly. More like... a concern, just in case."
"Spit it out."
Rudra listened calmly to the captain's words.
"Men and women dating is natural instinct, but I worry it might make you neglect your duties as leader even a little..."
"Won't happen, so don't worry. ......Is this about those few days I took off? That was unavoidable. No need to fret so much."
"Then I'm truly relieved. Sorry for overstepping."
"No, it's fine. I think a captain should worry about that kind of thing."
The captain nodded in satisfaction. Rudra figured this was a good chance to stake out her position more firmly.
"I won't neglect the mercenary corps for romance. I swear it. ...I'm Rudra, through and through! You didn't think otherwise, did you?"
"Of course not."
"My top priority is always my role as leader."
She pounded the desk with her fist for emphasis, declaring it solemnly.
"Even if something unavoidable forces me to part ways with Leader Allen—! I'd let him go willingly. Because I'm the leader of the Rudra Mercenary Corps...!"
"I... I'm leaving."
Rudra, nestled in Allen's arms with a blissful, languid expression, bolted upright in shock. What the hell—this was like a bolt from the blue.
".........What?"
Avoiding her gaze, Allen repeated himself like a parrot.
"I... I'm leaving."
Rudra's mind went blank, as if she'd been struck on the head with a hammer.
"No......, why......?"
"That's how it is."
Then what about me? Our relationship? Our four sons and three daughters? We haven't even named them yet!
Rudra shifted to face him directly.
"Why are you leaving? Tell me the reason—!"
"I have to, so I'm leaving."
"Stop repeating yourself—!"
Allen gave a wry smile, as if to say it had finally come to this.
"Sorry. I can't stay here forever. I'm a mercenary leader. I have people to be responsible for."
"...Why not? All of a sudden like this! ...What about me? What am I supposed to do? Why are you doing this now? Weren't we good together?"
Rudra beat on her chest pitifully as she spoke. ......She'd told the captain her top priority was her leader role, but that wasn't how she really felt.
As her voice rose a bit, he stayed silent for several breaths, letting the heated atmosphere cool.
This was just an extension of business for Allen, after all. Emotions had gotten involved, but he needed to stay rational. Proper persuasion and tact were called for.
He gently pulled her into his arms and whispered softly.
"My heart aches just as much as yours. ...I did consider staying, but in the end, I can't."
"Why? What's the problem? ......I'll fix it all. You know I'm a successful woman despite how I look. Don't you know me? I can take care of one guy like you no problem."
"...That's why I'm leaving."
"......What?"
Allen's tone grew firm this time, to clearly show her the ambition he harbored.
"You might not know this, Leader Rudra, but when I started this mercenary business, I had a grand ambition."
"...Ambition?"
"To become one of the Ten Greats on the continent...!"
It was a solemn declaration.
The Ten Greats—!
As a mercenary leader herself, Rudra knew full well the prestige they commanded on the continent. No matter how famous she was in the west, she was like a child compared to them.
The might of the continent's top ten mercenary corps surpassed even mediocre nobles by far. Their power could sway the tides of war.
The Ten Greats were the idols of every mercenary corps.
Of course, every corps aimed for the top ten... but it was practically impossible in reality. Even reaching the upper ranks below them was a struggle.
One might laugh it off as nonsense. But Rudra, already head over heels for Allen, couldn't mock his solemn vow. She was even more emotional than usual right now.
"...Allennn...!"
Of course, this wasn't some excuse Allen pulled out of thin air to escape. Knowing this was the [Guild Master] world, the moment he'd resolved to start his mercenary business, he'd set the goal of reaching the Ten Greats. And not stopping there—he'd sworn to become the continent's number one...!
I can do it. Me. ...In this country inside [Guild Master]. Without a doubt...!
Tied down to one place meant he couldn't grow big. Not in the west or anywhere else—east, west, south, north.
Mercenaries had to run wherever they were called. To grow, you devoured whatever came your way.
"So I can't be tied down here. I have to keep moving, keep growing. ...Others might laugh at my ambition. But I want you, at least, to understand."
Persuasion built on bluffing alone lacked power. True conviction came from sincerity.
Especially to keep his relationship with her intact—he needed the west as a key business partner going forward.
Truth be told, Allen was a bit desperate too. Things had gone this far unexpectedly, but he couldn't abandon his big dream for it.
No woman could mock a man she cared for pouring out his heart like this.
...Besides, as a famous western mercenary leader herself, she'd dreamed of the Ten Greats too. Lying if she said she hadn't. Sure, she'd quickly given up against reality's walls, but she didn't want to call him unrealistic for pushing on. That courage deserved applause.
Of course, postponing the sweet happiness they'd briefly enjoyed for an uncertain future hurt... but resolve seemed necessary.
This was clearly an unstoppable tide. Letting him go was something she'd have to endure as a future partner. ...For an even happier tomorrow.
"...Okay. I get it. Go ahead."
That was it.
She didn't drag it out. Nothing uglier than clinging to a man who wanted to leave.
...But just for tonight, she didn't want to let him go.
"Then tonight, hold me as much as I want. ......So I won't regret my choice."
Allen kissed her forehead.
"...As you command."
The Allen Mercenary Corps left the city in the early dawn. The western dawn air, swirling with desert sand, was far chillier than other regions.
Sitting at the rear of the wagon, Allen watched the receding city and let out a long sigh.
...And the slowly brightening sky.
Heading east, they couldn't see the sunrise. Instead, the red, beautiful light gradually touched the tall, massive city walls.
Another long sigh, like an exhalation. With that, Allen's lingering regrets faded.
He turned his attention back to his members. ...Especially the petite saintess, whose neck and hands seemed laden with more jewelry than before.
Bald, blind-eyed Billy snorted at the extravagant blind saintess.
"Our saintess is a full-fledged mercenary now, huh."
"...Pardon? What do you mean...?"
"Nothing. Just saying."
"Oh ho ho."
The petite saintess, who had sold her faith for 40 gold coins, looked utterly delighted.
"I guess His Holiness finds me very commendable these days—good things keep happening!"
"Glad to hear it."
"Ah, thank you, O Lord—!"
The petite saintess clasped her hands and shook them prayerfully toward the sky like rattling dice.
......I hope she doesn't actually get struck by lightning or something.