The Nuisance Girls
"The hostages are probably stashed in the warehouse. The rest of you, go find your families."
At the main gate of the Artem Adventurers' Guild, the adventurers swallowed hard and nodded at my words.
"Be careful. If things look bad, I'll toss a smoke bomb, so escape through the back door."
A flicker of worry appeared in Milen's eyes, but I ignored it and kicked the door open with a bang.
Take this, you rookies!
Boom!
The door burst open in a cloud of dust—clearly no one had cleaned it lately—and a wave of booze stench, sour sweat, and the hot reek of rough men hit me like a wall.
As I stepped inside, dozens—no, nearly a hundred—mercenaries all turned their heads in unison. An Afro-headed guy, a woman who looked like a barbarian... Man, takes me back.
"Who the hell is this punk?"
"You got a death wish or what?"
Two burly thugs immediately blocked my path, staring at me with burning eyes, like obsessed stalkers.
"......"
A bit creepy. I wasn't into eye-contact games with a bunch of dudes.
"You're Budong's crew, right? The boss man."
"What?"
"Bring him out."
A moment of silence swept the room, followed by an explosion of laughter.
"Puhahaha! Haven't seen a lunatic like this in ages."
"You know Budong personally? Balls must've popped out your gut."
"Heh, what makes this idiot so cocky? Thinks he's a swordmaster or something?"
As expected, mocking snickers rippled through the crowd.
"...Won't say it twice. Bring Budong."
"This bastard—!"
"Guess he needs a bone broken to wise up! Let's grant his wish!"
Two ugly-faced guards lunged at me with fists raised.
"Arrogant prick, you think this place is— Urk!"
"Wha—!"
Thwack! They punched each other square in the face and dropped unconscious.
"What a couple of clowns. Why fight right here?"
Somehow, a young man had already sat in a chair, chuckling as he munched on some snacks.
"......"
Silence crashed down instantly. A hint of fear crept into the mercenaries' eyes.
Wasn't it weird? Even an idiot wouldn't land a cross-counter that knocks both out. And not a single one of these mercs saw the young man sit down.
Flow control and agile footwork, huh? More useful than I thought.
I was slightly surprised by the bizarre sensation of the authority I'd gotten back from my party members—something I'd never felt before in my life.
"......"
I smirked and pulled a pouch from my pocket, tossing it onto the table. It landed with a heavy thud, narrowing the mercenaries' eyes.
"Don't get so tense. I'm here to do business with your boss."
Had he heard the commotion? "Boss..."
"C-Chief."
A warrior in black iron plate armor descended the stairs slowly.
"You the negotiator the adventurers sent?"
"You got one hour. Get out."
Budong snorted like he'd heard a lame joke.
"Too bad, you're late. We've already signed with the Springfield family."
"Contract? Oh, you mean that suicide pact?"
I casually propped my legs up on the table as I replied. Budong's brow furrowed.
"Think about it. Why are all the local barons fleeing right now?"
"Obviously 'cause of..."
"Sure, the demon army's part of it, but Gondor Viscount's buying up all the land and pressuring them. The only ones holding out are the Springfields, and their family head's bedridden with a serious illness."
I pulled a stack of documents from my pocket and slapped them on the table—routes Milen had scouted from nearby territories.
"So, what do you think the viscount'll do with this chance?"
"......"
"Let me rephrase: Did you really sign with the Springfields?"
"......"
"Funny how mercenaries hired to protect a territory are illegally occupying an adventurers' guild."
"......"
"Use your heads, for god's sake. If the viscount shows up with his regular army, you're branded 'territory invaders' and executed first. Holding hostages gives him all the justification he needs."
The hall stirred. Mercenaries exchanged uneasy glances.
"N-No, we didn't mean to—"
"I'm innocent! I didn't know anything!"
Then—
"Don't get played, everyone! We're already in too deep!"
Budong hurled a massive axe at me. I didn't dodge.
Thud! The sharp blade sank deep into my shoulder. But I stared him down without flinching, then slowly pulled it out.
It was the effect of Firm Oath.
"What the...!"
Budong's eyes widened in shock. The shallow wound was already healing.
An axe that could cleave a direwolf in two, stopped cold like that...
"H-How is this...?"
"Release the hostages now and clear out of the guild. We'll send you west after the trial."
Killing them would be easy, but then I'd lose witnesses.
His hands trembled. He'd realized there was no chance of winning.
"...Who the hell are you?"
Mercenary Corps 'Charge First Squad' has accepted your proposal.
You have sincerely subdued Mercenary Leader 'Budong'.
Every time adventurers or mercenaries mention your story, Fame increases. Current value: 5
A short while later, the door opened, and rescued hostages poured in alongside the adventurers.
"Sis, you okay?!"
"Father, you're safe!"
"Thank goodness. Really, thank goodness."
Among them emerged a blonde girl in a dress, looking anxious despite her finery, leading a group of knights.
Finally here, my disciple.
Screeech—Boom.
The massive gate swung open, and a woman with waist-length red hair stepped down from her carriage with deliberate grace.
Who in the kingdom didn't know her? Clad in pristine white armor that suited her perfectly, she was Ersha Kingdom's sole swordmaster—and the only one personally granted the rank of duke by the king himself.
In the past decade, she'd slain over a hundred demons and saved dozens of villages... the kingdom's living legend.
Helena Ronain.
Each step she took flowed like a beautiful melody.
"Lady Helena, welcome home."
"You've returned?"
The servants lined up on either side bowed deeply, expressing their reverence for their mistress.
Her sparkling eyes, like stars woven into the night, scanned the surroundings once before she smiled faintly.
"That's enough. Everyone, return to your duties."
She gestured for them to disperse. But not a soul moved.
Of course not—they all idolized her like a goddess.
"......"
Helena's expression turned troubled for a moment, but she silently headed toward the mansion, her steps slow and dignified.
"...Look at that elegant gait. Like a goddess's apostle, right?"
"She's our mistress! No need for words."
"How can she be so beautiful?"
Entering the central hall, she ascended the stairs without hesitation.
"Lady Helena, do you need anything...?"
"It's fine. Just the head butler, follow me."
Screech—Thud.
The moment she entered her room—
"......"
She glanced around, confirmed no one else was there, and let out a sigh of relief.
"Haa..."
"Lady Helena... you've worked hard today. I'll ensure no one comes to the third floor."
It was a deflated look that would shock anyone who saw her public persona.
"Thank you."
"No trouble at all."
"Leave dinner outside the door. I'm holing up here till tomorrow."
The endless tasks of the past few days had left her utterly exhausted.
She flopped onto the bed, grabbed a cookie, and thought about rewatching Imperial Martial Tournament footage. She'd seen it a million times, but the berserker sword vs. barbarian warrior matchup was just...
"...Lady Helena?"
She'd waved him off with the guest dismissal, but the butler hesitated, standing there.
What's up?
He'd served her since childhood, so if he was acting like this, there had to be a reason.
"Head butler, something wrong?"
After much hemming and hawing, he bowed apologetically.
"I hate to disturb your rest, but... Lady Helena, there's a guest waiting in the drawing room. You may need to meet them briefly."
A guest? She'd specifically said no visitors without her.
"......"
"I'm sorry... I did my best to block them, but they barged in anyway."
"Uncle?"
"No, people from different places."
If they showed up unannounced like this, it was obvious. The First Prince's faction again...
"Haa... Let's go right away."
"Lady Helena. This way."
Not even giving me time to rest?
Ever since clearing the hero's name, these idiots kept coming.
She only cared about punishing the evils hiding in the kingdom like copycat demons—no intent to target the First Prince's faction specifically.
But that petty man was raging that his reputation had taken a hit...
No matter how I look at it, the First Prince isn't fit to be king.
It was a headache, but she had no regrets. Someone had to do it.
"The head of House Ronain, Lady Helena."
The butler and maid opened the door, and—
"Ah...!"
"Finally!"
Four girls in the drawing room rose and gave slight bows.
"......"
Faces she'd seen once at the palace.
Saintess candidate from the Ersha Church, proxy from Tyr Church, second daughter of Argent... The last one's a ranger type, judging by her gear.
All from powerhouse factions, and they shared one thing: former party members of the hero I'd helped.
Here to say thanks, huh.
All tension drained from her body as she leaned back into the plush sofa.
It wasn't for gratitude, but she couldn't just send them away empty-handed.
Still—
"Lady Helena, it's an honor to meet you."
"I'm pleased to meet you all as well."
"No time to waste, so straight to the point, Swordmaster."
What?
Had the servants slipped up? Their attitude was rude, faces laced with hostility.
"Give him back."
"Hm? What do you mean?"
Practically strangers, yet acting like I'd borrowed something?
She glared with resentful eyes.
"Where the hell did you hide my Tanas?!"