The Final Expedition

I gazed at the determined faces of the mercenaries before me, their expressions far more resolute than before.

"Yes, Commander!" they answered in unison.

After delivering those words, I returned to my office to conduct one final inspection.

"Haa... This really will be the last time."

Though we hadn't spent an eternity together, this office had grown dear to me. I took one last look around.

'Status window.'

It had been seven days since I barely survived the venom of the Vulture Spider, teetering on the brink of death. By some miracle, everything had healed completely, and I thought I could continue living in this clone body as before...

'Well. Being granted two weeks at all is a miracle in itself, I suppose.'

So many things had happened until now. Whether it was the Nepenthes incident or the Vulture Spider, my body had endured truly grueling trials. Since this was a clone body rather than my true, fully human form, I had assumed there would be no lasting repercussions.

I thought this body would heal as simply as a game character, recovering just as easily. After all, I had been controlling it like I was playing a game all this time.

"It can't be helped..."

But this world wasn't a game, and my clone body wasn't some simple game avatar either. In the end, this was how it had to finish.

If someone asked whether I felt any regret, I would probably say of course I did. Even though it was a clone, it had been painfully real, just like my original body. I had used it to find my own path and purpose in this world.

I wanted to learn everything about this empire. I wanted to explore places I had never even imagined and etch them into my memory.

But enough with these meaningless laments. Nothing would change no matter how much I complained.

I immediately picked up the elegant request letter resting on my beloved desk and looked it over. It was the one that had arrived at our base while I lay bedridden from the Vulture Spider's poison.

This continent was known as the Imperial Territory. In other words, the Empire's influence permeated every corner of this land. And this request had come directly from the Imperial Household that ruled over it all.

After all, they were asking us to subjugate a 5-star monster.

A 5-star monster possessed power on an entirely different scale from a 4-star. Each one was capable of annihilating entire cities, and the mere appearance of such a creature would send shockwaves across the entire Empire.

Even for the Ska Mercenary Group, which had grown strong and risen rapidly in fame, the risk of total annihilation against a 5-star monster was extraordinarily high. That remained true even with Cerise, who had begun making a name for herself across the Empire, fighting alongside us.

In our current position, we could have honestly refused the request without consequence. We had successfully completed numerous missions, securing both stability and massive financial gains. There was no need to take on such an enormous risk.

Frankly, our mercenary group now held more power and wealth than most of the notable nobles in the Empire. Even after investing heavily in our members and our base, our funds never seemed to run dry.

"I will ask you all this once. If even a single person objects, I will not take on this request."

That night, after receiving the letter, I gathered every member of the group—including Cerise—and asked them quietly. Just as I said, if even one person refused, I intended to drop the matter cleanly.

—There's no way we'd refuse...!

—We are invincible!

—As long as the Commander and Vice-Commander are with us, there's nothing to fear. Not even if it's a 5-star monster!

The mercenaries took a moment to consider before unanimously agreeing to accept the request. There was no external pressure or coercion. The competitive spirit and genuine passion shining in their eyes told me their feelings were sincere.

"It doesn't matter to me," Cerise said, her face as cold as the day we first met, giving her consent.

And so, we accepted a direct request from the Imperial Household itself—to subjugate a 5-star monster powerful enough to plunge the entire Empire into terror.

We were given one day to prepare. Everyone chatted noisily as they ate, as if we were heading out on some simple mission. It was their way of pushing down the faint fear and dread blooming in their hearts.

And today, the day of our departure had arrived. We would leave the base and embark on a long journey.

"I thought I wouldn't grow attached."

I gazed at my office with misty eyes for a moment, then took the ornate sword hanging on the wall and left the room. It felt like I was leaving behind a cherished friend I would never see again.

"...Farewell."

"You've arrived."

"Indeed. And... take this."

".....This is..."

Cerise accepted the ornate sword I handed her and fell silent. It was the blade I had obtained after defeating the Nepenthes.

In my current state, I couldn't fully appreciate its true value, and it was far too fine a blade to simply leave mounted on the office wall. It belonged with Cerise, who would one day become a Swordmaster. If she wielded this magnificent sword, she would become incomparably stronger than before.

"Consider it an apology. Will you... accept it?"

".........."

Cerise looked back and forth between the sword and my face, then left without a word.

'Did I fail again?'

Just like the day we first met, Cerise had grown cold once more. I couldn't blame her. After all, I had caused her so much emotional pain. It was only natural for her to feel resentment toward me.

Ever since I woke up after being freed from the poison, whenever Cerise faced me, her expression would suddenly harden and she would turn as cold as if she were speaking to a stranger.

Still, it hurt a little. I thought I wouldn't have to face that icy gaze again. But it was my own fault.

I just hoped we could reconcile before I left.

"Uwoaaaaah—!"

Let's go. To continue our legend. And to bring closure to my... final journey.

With that, we left the mercenary group's base and headed south.

'Goodbye, Ska Mercenary Group.'

Even after I'm gone, a commander greater than me will surely appear. The ones I leave behind will make sure of it.

.........

Cerise remained silent as she watched Commander Venice walking quietly at the very front of the column.

'Why am I acting like this?'

I shouldn't be doing this... Yet every time I looked at Commander Venice, an unbearable anxiety rose from the depths of my heart. Whenever I saw that face, the fear that he might leave my side again made my heart grow cold.

Srrrng—

I drew the treasure sword Commander Venice had given me and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠gazed at it. It was incomparably sharper and stronger than any blade I had used before. Its surface was polished enough to reflect my face, and not a single scratch marred its perfection.

'An apology...'

Commander Venice had clearly said it was an apology when he gave me this sword. But I'm the one who should be apologizing. Why is the Commander... apologizing to someone like me?

I'm the pathetic one here. I'm the one who couldn't control my emotions and ended up lashing out at him.

When I took the sword and left without a word, I had caught the faint tremor in his eyes beneath that expressionless face. The Commander had been hurt because of me.

I wanted to run to him right now, fall to my knees, and beg for forgiveness while crying. To tell him he didn't need to do this, that it was all my fault...

Clench...!

"Damn it..."

But I couldn't smile when I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠faced the Commander's face. I didn't even dare approach someone who shone so brilliantly. Standing before that beauty and radiance made me feel unbearably shabby and pathetic.

I was terrified I wouldn't be able to endure the looks of contempt and condemnation that would surely follow any apology.

...Just imagining the person I loved most in this world looking at me with disgust was enough to make my heart feel like it was being hurled into an abyss.

'I absolutely have to apologize... But...'

Every time I resolved to do so and approached him, my body would tremble and my throat would close up, leaving me unable to speak.

"...Yes. Just a little later... I'll tell him a little later."

That I was sorry. That it was all my fault... Even if I had to kneel and bow my head... Even if I had to throw away everything I had, I would tell him.

Yes. Once ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠this request is over... I will definitely tell him.

...Even if the Commander looks at me with contempt. Even if he abandons me.