298. Growing from the Ruins (2)
298. Growing from the Ruins (2)
- 1 -
A harbor surrounded by rocks—literally a rat hole of a port.
What lingered in this place where even the fierce sea breeze died away was only a desolate emptiness, utterly devoid of any human presence.
'Good heavens.'
Sonia couldn't hide her bitterness.
For her, who had only ever lived in the bustling ports of Echidna, the shabby sight of Tremilite City was a shock.
It was practically a visual lesson in this nation's hardships.
'But if Master's power reaches this place...'
Defending this nation's coast was a means to strengthen Master's power, and that, in turn, would bring stability to this nation as well.
Sonia steadied herself and squared her shoulders.
"Everyone gather here! Today, you stand with more determination than usual!"
"Ah, we know! Centurion!"
Beyond her gaze, the mercenary company brought from Echidna was bustling about.
They hadn't unloaded the cargo from the ship yet, but at the very least they needed to demonstrate the mercenary company's discipline and spirit to properly fulfill the new contract.
Sonia watched the scene, placed a hand over her chest, and drew a deep breath.
[I trust and cherish you. Take care and come back safely.]
Her master's words echoed once more in her mind, making her heart flutter.
With feelings different from the old days.
The hatred of the past had turned into Fate and love-hate, Fate and love-hate into understanding and pity, and those had turned into affection and adoration.
Now, Sonia loved Libertas. She simply could not hide that feeling.
"Are you done with the preparations, Sonia?"
When she raised her head at the husky voice, a woman with reddish-brown hair flowing over her armor came into view.
"Maria unni."
Maria Olas.
The rough, warrior-like impression of old was nowhere to be seen; now the dignity of a proper knight cloaked her.
Armor that would stand out even in the middle of a battlefield.
A red cloak fluttering in the wind.
And a steady gaze that seemed as if it would never waver in any situation.
Libertas's power had completely transformed her.
"Yes, it's all done."
"You know this, but you're the one meeting the nobles. If push comes to shove, we have Master's standing to fall back on, so you don't need to be too nervous—but we should do our best not to have to bring that up."
"Unni. Don't put too much pressure on her. Sonia will do well."
Beside her was Artemis, her dark blue hair hanging down beneath her hood, her eyes carrying a slightly cool gleam.
"...Ah, sorry."
Maria scratched her head sheepishly and apologized to her.
At the sight—so much brighter than in the past—the glance that brushed past Artemis seemed to hold a subtle pink hue.
In the past, they were sisters. And even now... they might still be sisters.
The being who was originally Sonia's friend 'Lemia,' and Lemia's sister, had accompanied her on this long journey.
To escort her, and to demonstrate the mercenary company's capabilities more forcefully.
'Lady Echidna's monsters...'
Sonia's eyes turned toward the monsters gathered on the ship's lower deck.
Most were close to humanoid form, but some clearly had visible scales and fins.
Lizardmen, mermaids, fishmen—even monsters and spirits born from aquatic plants.
They were beings of remarkable variety, yet all possessed a strange beauty that suited Echidna's tastes.
"Lady Sonia. The mercenary company's preparations are all complete as well."
As the three emerged, a Lizardman approached and reported.
His resonant voice echoed through the surroundings, and his blue scales glittered in the sunlight.
"You've worked hard. Sir Jarax."
Sonia bowed her head in reply.
It was a polite greeting as always, but the being standing before her was not human.
A massive physique easily exceeding two meters, a reptilian face with sharp teeth protruding, and a luxurious ceremonial robe draped over that body.
It was the Lizardman chieftain Jarax, possessing etiquette more refined than most humans.
Echidna had willingly dispatched her most cherished subordinate to the north, to accomplish the mission Libertas had given her.
"Please, just call me Jarax. That will suffice."
At the chieftain's words—now spoken without any lisp, fluently in the human tongue—Sonia shook her head.
"I'm more comfortable this way."
"Oh. I see. Understood."
Jarax immediately understood and accepted it.
He had heard plenty about how his master's master—that is, the great lord Libertas's disciple—possessed a humble and gentle personality.
Kugugung... Kung!
"Look over there."
"...Monsters? Could those rumors really be true?"
"They say humans and monsters live together in the central region..."
"Hey, isn't that heresy?"
"I heard it isn't. Some saintess even acknowledged it."
As the ship docked, the mercenaries began disembarking one by one.
The dockworkers couldn't hide their astonished gazes at the sight of humans and monsters together.
"Look at them. Acting like they've seen ghosts."
"Well, to those fellows, we're beings they've only ever encountered as enemies. Just ignore it. They'll be scrambling to befriend us soon enough anyway."
"Ah, the grace of our great Lady Libertas. Let's go. Let's change their minds. Come, my monster friends."
"Good grief."
It was the chatter among the monsters passing by Sonia's side.
Hearing it, Sonia soon seized upon a stray thought that followed.
'Shouldn't we stop calling them monsters at this point...?'
How could one simply call beings who were trying to coexist with humans 'creatures related to demons'?
It wasn't an immediate matter, so she didn't get bogged down in the topic, but she filed it away in a corner of her mind.
Thinking she ought to suggest it to her master when she returned.
"There's not a single intact place..."
Heading toward the harbor office, Sonia surveyed her surroundings.
Just as she'd glimpsed from the ship, this city was devastatingly desolate.
Destroyed docks and ships under repair, and a half-collapsed lighthouse lined the coastline.
"Astaroth's attacks must have been truly severe."
At her words, Maria nodded.
"If this place, which isn't even close to Astaroth's domain, is in this state, I can imagine how the east must look without even seeing it."
Sonia gazed at the people around the harbor.
Fear and despair were lodged in their eyes.
Children were nowhere to be seen, likely kept inside their homes, and young people were hard to find as well. Most of those who could exert strength had gone to the military, hoping to improve their families' circumstances.
Right now, Ulland was treating its soldiers exceptionally well.
"They look hopeless."
"They probably don't even know we've come to help Ulland. And even if we told them we're helping, the only response we'd get back would be, 'So what?'"
"Can't be helped. We'll have to make it a reality and shove it right in front of their eyes."
As she slowly nodded along with Maria and Artemis's words, Sonia couldn't tear her eyes away from the people.
'I hope these people's circumstances improve...'
She murmured inwardly as she looked upon the exhausted city.
Into those blue eyes, the city's horrors were being deeply etched.
'And that the cause might be their own actions.'
It was ironic.
She hated 'people.' But at the same time, she did not wish to see them plunged into misery.
It was a complex emotion her past self, before meeting Libertas, could never have imagined.
She slowly caressed her chest.
It felt as if her master's warmth still lingered there.
- 2 -
It was five days later that Sonia arrived at Tropos Palace, the center of the domain governing the Tremilite area.
A monster attack on the carriage road to the capital had delayed them.
"Thankfully, we were able to communicate. That was a relief."
As Sonia murmured quietly, Artemis answered with a chuckle that escaped her.
"It went way beyond just being able to communicate. Master would praise you quite a bit if she heard about this."
Sonia had spoken with the orc tribe that had been bandits and succeeded in absorbing some of them into Echidna's mercenary company.
Of course, it was something made possible by several conditions aligning.
First, these orcs were maintaining a secluded existence but needed a livelihood; Echidna's mercenary company was a monster mercenary company; and Sonia had been granted Libertas's power.
But in any case, the merit of Sonia persuading enemies with words and turning them into allies could not be obscured.
Sonia blushed.
"D-do you think so..."
This time, Maria stroked Sonia's head.
"Honey is practically dripping from your eyes, our Sonia. How did you end up like this."
"Should I say it's how she ended up? Or should I just call it fate."
Artemis's voice was indifferent, but her black eyes beneath her hood were gently curved.
"Unni and I are also in the 'if we can gain favor, that's good' faction, you know."
"Uh, well..."
"Why are you so bashful?"
Maria averted her gaze, and Artemis laughed as she wrapped her arms around her (former) sister's waist.
After watching that strange relationship between the two with a wry smile, Sonia looked out the carriage window.
There, the shape of the lord's castle gradually approaching came into view. And that shape was...
'...Shabby.'
At a sight she could hardly put into words, Sonia had no choice but to swallow her impressions.
Though it was said to be at the level of a countdom, it was hard to see it as the castle of a lord who ruled land sufficient to form a single 'nation.'
"I heard you are the representative of the mercenary company."
Sonia, having entered the lord's audience chamber, met the lord about thirty minutes after arriving at the countdom's castle.
Considering she was meeting the ruler of a domain, the wait was so short it could almost be called 'immediate.'
It was enough to see how proactive a stance this nation was taking regarding the business she had brought.
"Yes, Your Excellency. I am Sonia Medib. I am the vice-captain of the 1st Battalion of the mercenary company led by Countess Echidna."
Sonia bowed her head politely.
She had disguised her identity as a mage from Arilit noble lineage.
"Such a young lady? How unexpected."
Watching the lord's surprised eyes turn toward her, Sonia offered a gentle smile.
Mimicking that of her teacher and master.
"Hmm..."
Seeing the elegance that naturally emanated from that smile, the lord corrected his attitude and demeanor.
'To be serving as the vice-captain of an army at such an age.'
He had inwardly held a measure of contempt, seeing how very young Sonia was and how her etiquette was slightly clumsy.
But her background was not something even a lord could ignore. Whether it was because her ability was exceptional, or her 'backing' was.
"I heard your mercenary company fights alongside monsters."
"That is correct, Your Excellency. We fight together, humans and monsters. We possess particular expertise in combat on and beneath the water."
"Is that true?"
Watching the lord's eyes begin to fill with interest, Sonia nodded.
"Yes. I believe it would be best for you to meet them in person. May I introduce the captain of our 1st Battalion?"
Lord Oscar seemed to ponder for a moment, but unable to hide his curiosity, he granted permission.
"Very well. I am curious about your 'colleagues.'"
Sonia signaled Maria with her eyes, and Maria immediately left the room.
And a moment later, Jarax entered alongside her.
At the sight of the massive Lizardman easily exceeding two meters, the knights immediately drew their weapons, but the lord raised a hand to restrain them.
"This is Sir Jarax. He is Countess Echidna's closest aide and the de facto commander of our mercenary company."
Jarax politely inclined his waist.
His bluish scales glittered in the sunlight streaming through the window.
"Lord Oscar. It is an honor to meet you."
At the clumsy yet courteous display of etiquette, and at the sight of Jarax greeting him in perfect Eastern Continent speech, the lord's eyes went wide.
"Excuse my impertinence, but this is truly fascinating... You are a Lizardman, correct?"
"Yes. I have long served as a subordinate to Countess Echidna."
The lord gazed at Jarax with even greater interest for a long while, then turned to Sonia and asked,
"How many of these monsters... no, these individuals are there?"
Sonia answered with a gentle expression.
"Out of a total of 120 mercenaries, 80 are monsters. The remainder are human mercenaries."
The lord stroked his chin and fell into thought.
"A guarantee that they won't betray us... My apologies. That was not something to say to your face."
A lord who displayed remarkably open-minded thinking for a noble.
Before Jarax could answer, Sonia spoke first.
"We have already concluded a contract with Countess Echidna. The coexistence of humans and monsters has already become daily life in the central continent. Our comrades fight to feed their families and neighbors. They have no reason to betray us."
An unerasable suspicion flickered in the lord's eyes, but it did not delay his decision.
"Very well. I wish to hear your terms."
"First, we will defend the coast of the Tremilite area for one month. Free of charge. After witnessing that outcome, you may decide whether to extend the contract."
"Free of charge? No—is that truly the case? What if I simply cheat you?"
Sonia answered, kindness and confidence curving the corners of her mouth.
"The thought... would never even cross your mind."
The lord looked at her strangely, but Sonia was confident.
Confident that Echidna's army she had brought—and Libertas's subordinates mixed among them—would not be pushed back by Astaroth's 'pirates.'
- Kyaaaak - !!
And that confidence of hers was realized one day after she returned to Tremilite.
It was merely four days after concluding the contract at Tropos.