Forced Rest
I watched Cerise, the vice-commander, and the other mercenaries training diligently under the blazing sun. 'They seem to be pushing themselves even harder than before.'
Ever since we subjugated the Nepenthes, their training volume had mysteriously increased. Every member of the group now threw themselves into it with the resolve to die if necessary. Well, it was a positive change. A good thing was a good thing.
'Status window.'
Name: Venice | Age: 29 | Gender: Male | Condition: Moderately Wounded
Unique Ability (Magic Eye): Eyes that can see magic power. You can trace the flow of magic and use it more efficiently.
Unique Ability (Talent Insight): You can discern the talent of others. You can grasp their unique abilities, potential, and current condition at a glance.
Unique Ability (Superior Body): Your body is superior, as if forged by the gods themselves! Stamina, strength, situational judgment... every physical ability is greatly enhanced!
The only change in my status window was the newly acquired Talent Insight. Not only could I see my own information, but I could also view the status of others through this ability.
'It can grow too? Does that mean I might gain even more unique abilities?'
If unique abilities could grow, then perhaps certain actions could awaken new ones. Nice... this was getting more and more interesting.
"Watch your form! Swing harder!! One!"
"One!"
By the way, I wanted to train too. Watching them train so earnestly with those joyful expressions made my own body heat up with anticipation.
There was a reason I could only stand here watching Cerise and the mercenaries train. It wasn't that I wanted to just spectate.
"Hmm... I should start moving a bit."
After regaining my senses, my body had begun to itch from not moving for an entire day. The pain had faded enough that I thought it would be fine to move. I was just about to pick up a sword and begin training when—
"C-Commander...?"
"Vice-Commander Cerise? What is it?"
"How can you already be moving...? You must rest a little longer."
Cerise, who had been watching me, quietly approached and asked. Come to think of it, when did she even get here? I hadn't heard any footsteps...
"It's fine. At this level, I can move enough to—"
"No. You must rest a little longer, Commander."
"...No, it's really—"
"You must rest."
Suddenly, the light vanished from Cerise's pupils. She stared at me with dead eyes. Just how terrifying could someone's gaze be?
"U-Understood..."
"Yes. You did very well."
"...Um."
"Did you have something to say...?"
"No. I'll go rest now."
She leaned her face in with those lifeless eyes again, so I had no choice but to retreat and rest. Only then did Cerise's expression return to normal. She smiled at me.
It wasn't that I ran away because I was scared. I was simply listening to our loyal vice-commander's words. Yes. That's exactly it.
Anyway, several days had passed since then. The moment I showed even the slightest intention of moving to train, Cerise would appear like a ghost with those dead eyes, making it impossible for me to train at all.
Sigh. I guess I'll go organize documents in the office.
As the commander, there were surprisingly many documents that needed handling. The position came with far more paperwork than I expected.
Flip—
'Subjugation request for a 1-star monster? 1-star monsters are below our level now. Pass.'
Flip—
'What's this? They're offering hundreds of gold to find one person? The client...'
"...The Grand Duke of the North? This one is..."
Immediate pass. The North was out of the question. From what I'd heard, it was crawling with horrific monsters. It was always ranked first or second among the most dangerous places in the Empire. That said everything.
The rest were either trivial, didn't match our pay expectations, or simply didn't align with our group's character, so I passed on them all.
"Haa..."
This was exhausting. It felt harder than actually going out to fight.
Then, my eyes landed on a gleaming sword tucked away in the corner of the office.
'That's right. I had this sword too.'
It was the sword I'd taken from the dungeon where we defeated the Nepenthes. Specifically, from the pavilion where the creature had appeared. The blade emitted an ethereal, beautiful glow, and its edge looked sharp enough to slice through any barrier in a single stroke.
'Talent Insight.'
Description: In the past, a hero existed who pacified the entire continent with a single sword. His graceful movements were more concise and beautiful than anyone's. When a calamity that threatened to burn the whole continent appeared, the hero and his eternal companion defeated the disaster, only to perish on that very spot. Though he has been forgotten by this world, his will shall be remembered forever.
Unique Ability (???): Unknown.
Besides its beautiful appearance, I couldn't get any other information from the sword. Out of curiosity, I had used Talent Insight on it. The result taught me that the ability worked on exceptional equipment as well.
The Forgotten Hero's Treasured Blade. Judging by its noble name and description, it was clearly an incredible artifact. The problem was that even my Talent Insight couldn't discern its abilities.
Whether the sword had lost its power or I simply wasn't qualified, swinging it didn't reveal anything special. It just felt like an exceptionally well-made, light, and precise sword.
'It truly is an outstanding blade. However... I don't sense anything special.'
The same went for the other mercenaries—and even for Cerise. That meant there must be some special condition required to unlock it... but I still had no clue what it could be.
"Sigh. I don't know. I'll figure it out someday."
It was a little disappointing that I couldn't uncover the sword's secret, but there was definitely some fun in the process of discovery.
'By the way, was it today?'
When I brought the Nepenthes core and magic stone to the Mercenary Guild, they said they couldn't provide appropriate compensation right away. The Leria Village branch simply didn't have the capital to calculate its true value. So they asked for a little time and promised to settle it today.
Upon hearing that we'd subjugated a 4-star monster, not only did the receptionist look shocked—the lazy bums hiding in the guild nearly fell over in disbelief. That was the level of awe a 4-star monster commanded in the Empire.
The receptionist had said the news would likely spread across the entire Empire. And today was the day she had mentioned.
If I went with Cerise now, we should be able to receive our reward.
"Shall we go, then?"
I carefully retrieved the Nepenthes core and magic stone from the office safe and headed toward the training grounds.
"...Watch your voice! One!!"
"One...!"
Cerise was still completely absorbed in training, drenched in sweat.
"Vice-Commander Cerise!"
"Se— Ah! Yes! Commander! What is the matter?!"
"Do you have a moment?"
"Yes! Of course!"
The moment she answered, Cerise dashed over to me in the blink of an eye. Lately, I'd noticed she seemed to be getting stronger with each passing day. She definitely wasn't this fast when we first met. Well, that was probably a good thing.
"It's nothing major. Today is the day we're supposed to visit the Mercenary Guild. I wanted to ask if you'd like to come with me."
"Ah, is that so!"
"Yes. Sorry for interrupting your training. If it's not a good time, I can go alone..."
"No, no! It's perfectly fine right now! Let's go together!!"
"Everyone, continue with individual training!"
Cerise shouted to the mercenaries, looking oddly excited.
"Commander, could you wait just a moment? I'll wash up quickly and be right back...!"
"...Hm. You really don't have to..."
"N-No! I've sweated so much... I must smell...!"
Cerise briefly pressed her nose to her collar, then declared she would wash up quickly. But I didn't think it was necessary.
"If you're doing this because of me, there's no need. You don't smell bad at all..."
"...Pardon?"
"Actually, you smell rather fragrant. I'm really fine with it."
In truth, a faint citrus scent wafted from Cerise. It was sweet and pleasant.
"...Eh... Ehhh...?"
"Then let's head out right away."
For some reason, Cerise's face had turned bright red. Why was she acting like this all of a sudden? Was she feeling unwell? Well, someone like Cerise would probably be fine.
"Uh... Uhh... Ehh..."
After confirming that the strangely murmuring Cerise was quietly following behind me, I headed straight for the Mercenary Guild.
Clack.
Jingle~
The noisy Mercenary Guild fell deathly silent the moment we entered. It was like stepping into a library—only the faint rustling of papers and small movements could be heard. The mercenaries, who looked somewhat terrified, quickly averted their eyes when they met our gaze.
"Hah."
Cerise seemed pleased by their submissive behavior and let out a mocking laugh.
"Ah, you've arrived!"
"Yes. Today is the day we discussed, correct?"
"Yes! Everything is prepared. Before that... could you spare a moment?"
"I have time, but..."
At the sudden request, I turned to look at Cerise.
"............"
Her mocking expression had instantly turned into a chillingly blank face. She stared at the receptionist with those dead eyes again.
"Vice-Commander Cerise?"
"...Ah! Yes. I'm fine."
Only when I called her name did she return to normal. I had no idea why she kept doing that. Had some unpleasant memory surfaced?
"Th-Then... please follow me...!"
'Oh dear.'
The receptionist, who had been sweating bullets, seemed to have bitten her tongue in her haste. Poor thing... she should have been more careful. There was no need to rush.
While rubbing her cheek, the receptionist hurriedly led us somewhere deeper inside the building.
"He's waiting inside. Then I'll take my leave—!"
After guiding us to a room deep within the guild building, the receptionist practically fled from the spot. She must have had some urgent business.
Creak—!
There was no reason to hesitate, so I immediately opened the door and stepped inside.
"............!"
"........!"
The moment we entered the room, an intense fighting spirit washed over us. I had never encountered such refined and honed killing intent before.
"...You've come."
Though white frost had settled on his hair, his strength was impossible to conceal. An old man with neatly combed white hair and a large scar over his left eye rose from his seat.
"Nice to meet you. I am Karlo, the supreme administrator of the Empire's Mercenary Guilds."
Even if Cerise and I attacked him with the intent to die, I couldn't sense any chance of victory. He was that overwhelmingly powerful.
'Monster. Or perhaps a hero.'
There was no other way to describe him. We had only come to receive payment for the magic stone, yet we had suddenly come face to face with the man who oversaw every mercenary guild in the entire Empire. A powerhouse so strong it was beyond imagination.