Chapter 73
Chapter 73
Saint, You’re So Vulgar! – Chapter 73
A massive sand-colored city wall loomed in the heart of the desert.
On days when sandstorms raged, people would pass by without even realizing it was a fortressearning it the name Mirage Castle long ago.
'Baern...'
Asher murmured the name inwardly.
He tried to push it aside and suppress it, but seeing fragments of the time he'd spent here stirred up a flood of thoughts.
In any other time, any other situation, Asher probably never would have even approached this gateway.
He wouldn't have dreamed of returning to this desert in the first place.
But things were different now.
No headaches on that front, at least.
"We're almost there."
"......"
"Want to practice? O. Ppa."
"......"
It hit him anew: humans fear nearby violence more than distant tragedies.
As Versia whispered teasingly, Asher felt his teeth grind.
That was right.
No time for sentimentalitythe real ordeal awaited right at that gate.
"...Th-then thomething like that."
"Can't hear you."
"...!"
No chance to bicker or glare.
They'd already reached the gate.
Guards in desert garb narrowed their eyes at the group from beneath their hoods.
They scanned the four atop their camels, then snickered.
"Fresh meat's here."
"Heh, still green as they come."
"Hair's blue too. Heh heh."
Asher knew they were trying to assert dominance.
No discipline, of course.
These were mercenaries too.
Baern's guards were just off-duty main force members pulling shiftsno one expected drill-sergeant precision.
Amid it all, Asher felt their gazes lock on him.
Desert robes or not, underneath was thin fabric.
The wind revealed his curves inevitably, and even a fool could tell they were leering.
Diego furrowed his brow.
Asher signaled he'd handle it himself.
Braving the sand-blasted wind, he stepped forward with a bright smile.
"Lowly gate trash talks big."
"...!"
"Think you can act tough leaning on the captain's name? Wrong way to size up strength. Survival of the fittest. The desert's only rule, right?"
The guards' eyes bulged.
Their rising fury didn't faze him.
Even elite mercenaries pulling guard duty were reserves at best.
Besides, for Baern's goals, a bit of rumor-spreading was ideal.
"You rotten bitch!"
One swung his sword suddenly.
Dead serious swing.
'Feels nostalgic.'
Couldn't enter Baern if you couldn't block a guard's blade.
That was the consensus among the city's mercenaries.
In other words, they were the first test for aspiring hires.
"Pathetic."
Ting!
"...!"
He flicked the flat of the blade with his finger.
Then lifted a leg.
Stomped the incoming side slash heel-first into the ground.
Disarmed. But that wouldn't convince them.
Crunch!
"Gaaahhh!!!"
Sword sheath crushed the guard's knee.
Grabbed another's collar, slammed his head down.
Not permanent damage.
But he'd clutch that throbbing knee through the shift, sticking to gate duty meekly.
"Oh ho."
Halia stroked her chin, turning to Versia.
"You teach him that?"
"Yes, he's come along nicely."
"Kid's got real talent."
Embarrassment from their chat was fleeting.
Asher dusted his hands, steadied his breath.
Straightened up, clasped hands at his waist.
"Blue Sword Mercenary Company. I'm Tia. The lady in the middle's our captain, Miss Lia. White-haired guy beside her is Ergo."
Mid-explanation,
"And the one behind..."
Asher faced the true trial.
Feigning calm, turmoil raged inside.
"...O."
Words jammed.
Face twisted.
His inner masculinity wailed.
For some reason, he heard it.
-Stop! Stop, Asher Terbion! Not that! Don't deny yourself!!!
"O..."
But he couldn't heed it.
Doubt was creeping over the guards' upturned faces as they grunted.
Any slip here could draw suspicion from Baern's elites backing them.
In the end, Asher yielded.
"...Oppa. My big brother."
His head drooped toward the sand.
Cheeks and ears burned red.
Body shivered.
Overwhelmed by shame, but how it looked to others? Beyond him.
Inner masculinity despaired.
-Nooooooo!!!
And Versia laughed.
"Little sis, you like big bro that much?"
Arm slung over his shoulder, she told the guards.
"Sorry about that. My sibling's shy. So, can we head in now?"
Guards gulped, staring up at Versia.
Then gritted teeth, nodded.
"...Blue Sword. We'll remember. Not just any ragtags."
"Pardon the trouble."
The group entered Baern.
Asher finally beheld its vista again after ages, but no room for nostalgia.
Heart ached, stung.
Eyes squeezed shut.
* * *
After the painful entry, they secured lodging.
Not hard.
Baern, the mercenaries' haven, had a unique housing market.
Few owned homes outright; short-term rentals boomed instead.
Simple reason.
No massive company? Mercs never knew when they'd drop deadno point sinking coin into property till retirement.
Thus, landlords welcomed outsiders seeking rentals.
How'd they see this newbie four-person band buying a house?
"We got scammed?"
Halia's eyes blazed.
Her earlier glee at comfy desert digs melted away.
She loathed being dismissed.
He'd heard, but not to this degree.
Dawned on him now.
Halia's constant grins at the Church? No one there to slight her.
Anyway, veins bulging in her whites, she geared to confront the sellerAsher calmed her.
"No scam, Lady Halia."
"What? Explain, Asher!"
"I overheard it all. Let me."
Asher spoke softly.
Recent discovery: gentleness soothed her fast.
Fifteenth-century looks, but such childlike traits.
"We said we'd stay a month or more, right?"
"Yeah! Upper crust linked to witches!"
"Explained the city's setup too?"
"Royals pick top merc bands! They run the place that era!"
"Exactly."
"Huh?"
"We're targeting the 'Lion Brigade' here."
Impossible, of course.
Lion Brigade slots went to century-old powerhouse mercs.
How could a fresh four-person outfitled by a young girlaim for that?
Words hid the truth.
"Need to be candidate-level when the next heir picks. Show as holy power outside..."
"Royal connections?"
Asher nodded with a smile.
"Baern's crown prince just hit adulthood. Time to shed boyish ways, build his faction. Perfect timing, no?"
"...Yeah, I'd chat up any promising Church knight too."
"Exactly. He'll approach. Buying this house is key."
Halia nodded, anger subsidinggrudgingly.
Still felt ripped off, face not fully relaxed.
Fine by him.
Asher declared confidently.
"One week from now, I'll make 'Blue Sword' Baern's holy sensation."
No unease in his eyes.
Impossible otherwise.
This land raised him on the backs of Baern's greatest lions in history.