You're All Fired
"Get rid of them all! "Tell them to prepare for training...!" Cerise was furious to the very tips of her hair today. She got angry every single day, to the point where I wondered if she might actually develop a stress-induced illness.
"Ah, let's just slack off~ Right? She's so damn nitpicky."
"Kekeke. What can the Vice-Commander even do if we slack off? What's she gonna do about it?!"
"I really like this Commander, though! He's so chill and nice, you know?"
The root of her anger was, of course, these thugs who refused to listen. Mercenary members were supposed to follow the orders of the Commander and Vice-Commanders. Fat chance of that happening—they simply ignored every directive.
"Haha... It's all over now..."
Cerise, who had been watching the scene with her arms crossed, eventually put on a resigned expression and let out a hollow laugh. She stared into empty space with dead eyes, smiling like someone who had given up on everything.
It had already been a week since I took over as Commander of the Ska Mercenary Group. Why did time feel like it was flying by? Watching Cerise's bitter smile, I suddenly recalled the way she had come to see me a few days ago.
Crash—!
I had just finished organizing documents in the office and was pondering improvements when Cerise burst through the door like she was trying to break it down.
"Commander."
"...What is it, Vice-Commander Cerise."
The way she glared at me like she wanted to kill me made me instinctively want to run away. Because of my persona, I stayed frozen in my seat and could only ask the question.
"Are you... really not going to do anything at all?"
"........."
"How many days has it been now since you've just been standing by and watching... Damn it..."
I knew exactly what Cerise was trying to say. She was asking why I wasn't taking any action despite claiming I would show results. The mercenaries' increasingly defiant behavior must have looked to her like I was ignoring even her growing anxiety.
"I'll say it again—wait just a little longer."
Though I understood how she felt, that was all I could say. I really was almost done. Couldn't she just wait a bit more?
"Again! Is that all you ever say—wait?! How long am I supposed to keep waiting?!"
Drip... drip...
"...You."
After shouting, Cerise lowered her head and began to shed tears. Her hands were clenched tight, trembling uncontrollably as if she could no longer hold back.
"Hic... Just how much longer do I have to wait...?! I've told you over and over—this is my mission, my life's goal!"
".........."
"I've met nothing but worthless Commanders until now. They only ever spouted pretty words and never actually did anything."
Cerise took a deep breath, wiped her tears, and continued.
"I thought you would be different. That confident attitude of yours... I thought you'd actually do something."
"........"
"But you're just the same. You only watch from the sidelines without taking any action, while constantly raising my expectations."
Cerise let out a long sigh and put on a resigned expression. Every emotion was written across her face—regret, despair, pain, anger, sadness, guilt... Words could never fully capture it.
"....You."
"That's enough."
Crash—!
When I tried to comfort her, Cerise stormed out of the room as if she didn't want to hear it. After that, she never once tried to speak with me. She never came looking for me again.
"Ha... haha... This fucking... khkh..."
Now Cerise was laughing while crying like a madwoman. ...Why were her eyes so dark? What the hell... It was terrifying.
"Kekeke! Did she finally lose it?"
"Krahaha! This is hilarious! Hey! Everyone, look at the Vice-Commander!"
"Puhaha! Khkhkh...."
Wuahahahaha—!
Instead of helping or comforting their Vice-Commander who was acting like she'd gone insane, the mercenaries were busy mocking her.
'Talent Appraisal.'
☆☆☆☆☆ (Worse than insects!)
☆☆☆☆★ (You have no talent!)
☆☆☆☆☆ (Worse than insects!)
☆☆☆☆☆ (Worse than insects!)
Every single one of them was a gathering of trash. It wasn't just that they lacked talent—their personalities were completely rotten as well. Their very existence reinforced my decision.
'Alright. Let's get started.'
The long period of preparation had come to an end. Now only decision and action remained.
"Everyone, attention."
I stepped forward in front of them all, lowering my voice as I played the part of a charismatic Commander.
"Ha... haha... This fucking... khkh..."
It was over. This fucking... Ha. All I could do was laugh now. My tears had all dried up; they showed no sign of returning.
'.....Father.'
I'm sorry, Father. I really tried my best... I wanted to revive the mercenary group according to your wishes. But it didn't work out. It's all over now. I poured every last coin into hiring that dogshit Commander, and all that's left are these insect-like mercenary scum. Let's just give up. Yeah. I'll kill them all, then kill myself too.
"....Kill them."
Killkillkillkillkillkillkill. I'll cut those insect bastards in half, kill that arrogant Commander too, and hunt down every previous Commander and slaughter them all.
'Father.'
I'll be joining you soon. Just wait a little longer.
"Everyone, attention."
The damn Commander who had never once stepped forward was now gathering everyone for some reason. Fine. I didn't know what stupid stunt he was trying to pull, but let's see it. I'd kill him first anyway.
"What? So the Commander actually knows how to assemble us?"
"Oho~ Is there some kind of special event?!"
The insects, thinking whatever they pleased, gathered in front of the Commander one by one with grins on their faces.
"An event, huh. Yeah. It's an event."
""Ooh—!""
"Hah."
Sure. Let's hear what he has to say. It didn't matter anymore—everything was already over.
"All mercenary members are hereby dismissed."
""..............""
"....Huh?"
Everyone froze at the Commander's sudden announcement. Even Cerise, who had been staring blankly at him, was no exception.
"....Puh.."
""Puhahahaha—!""
"Commander, I didn't know you were this fun! Wahaha, it's been a while since I laughed this hard!"
"The quiet guy pulling a prank like this! Khkhkh!"
Suddenly firing everyone! The mercenaries burst into laughter at the 6th Commander's adorable and amusing joke. Some were even rolling on the floor clutching their stomachs!
"Khkh.... Ah, that was funny. So Commander, what's the real reason you called us?"
"Yeah! Let's hear it!"
Since the Commander had only ever watched passively, they had thought of him as a pushover. But from now on, he was their favorite Commander. Even if it was a bit troublesome, they were willing to play along since it had been entertaining.
"I'll say it once more. You are all dismissed."
"...The joke's over now. Stop messing around..."
"Do I look like I'm joking right now?"
Hoooooo—
""........!""
The Commander, now cloaked in red and black mana, radiated a killing intent so intense it made their bodies tremble.
"...Ugh."
Even Cerise felt a hint of fear. For the insects who couldn't even reach her level, it must have felt like the terror of death itself. The mercenaries could only stare at the Commander with terrified expressions, like prey facing a predator.
"I'll say it again. All mercenary members except the Vice-Commander are dismissed."
"D-don't talk nonsense! What authority do you even have—!"
"...What did we do wrong?!"
That's right—! Why should we—! Their fear lasted only a moment. Once one mercenary gathered the courage to resist, the others began raising their voices as well.
"Mercenary Group Contract, Article 1, Clause 3. 'If a member refuses the orders of the Commander or Vice-Commanders three or more times without reason, immediate dismissal is permitted.'"
"....Huh?"
"You lot didn't listen to Vice-Commander Cerise's orders—not three times, not even once. Do you still have anything to say in your defense?"
The Commander, who hadn't retreated a single step, presented irrefutable evidence. Any normal person would have backed down quietly at this point.
"B-bullshit! Who the hell do you think you are—!"
Would these blockheads be normal? When their words failed, they immediately drew their weapons and charged at the Commander.
"D-dangerous—"
Cerise nearly shouted for him to run without realizing it. There were so many of them, and their killing intent was real.
"Huu. How troublesome."
However, instead of retreating, the Commander began walking toward them, maintaining his overwhelming and heavy mana.
"Kill him—!"
""Yaaaaah—!""
"....Come."
While the larger group charged in fear, staking their lives on the attack, the smaller side calmly lowered his stance.
"Die—!"
Shwaaak—! Crack—!
"Kuhk..."
Effortlessly dodging the flurry of blades, his fist connected and sent one insect flying, knocking him unconscious.
"Next."
In a fight of many against few, the many should have the advantage. However... what if the difference in power was overwhelming? And what if that violence reached them?
The dogs who thought they were wolves saw their leader crushed pathetically by the tiger they thought they could hunt, and immediately tucked their tails between their legs.
Tremble tremble— Gulp.
Their bodies shook violently; they couldn't even muster the courage to approach the tiger. The mercenaries stood frozen in place, staring at the Commander with eyes full of terror.
"If you won't come to me, then I'll come to you."
Shwaaaak—!
"H-huh?!"
The Commander dashed forward at a speed no ordinary person could follow with their eyes. The insects had no chance to react. What followed was one-sided violence. Overwhelming, with no room for resistance.
Crack—
"Kuaaaak..."
When the last one standing finally collapsed, only I and the Commander remained in the training ground.
'What... why? Why now, all of a sudden?'
Cerise's head was spinning; she couldn't understand the situation at all.
"Huu. How truly troublesome. These insects."
Having single-handedly overwhelmed dozens of adult men, the Commander calmly caught his breath and dusted off his clothes before slowly approaching Cerise.
'What? Is he going to attack me too?!'
Still cloaked in mana, the Commander radiated killing intent directly at her. Cold sweat ran down Cerise's back as she prepared for battle.
"Vice-Commander Cerise."
"...Come."
I'll tear you to shreds. I'm different from those insects. The moment you approach me, your neck—
"Sorry for making you wait so long."
"....Eh?"
Instead of attacking as she expected, the Commander apologized. He was sorry for making her wait, sorry for only watching without acting.
'What? What's happening right now?'
She couldn't comprehend the situation. He had done nothing until now, suddenly fired everyone, and now he was apologizing?
"I understood everything you were feeling. How hard you worked to fulfill your father's request."
"....Eh..?"
What... was he saying? Suddenly claiming to understand her? She couldn't comprehend it, but the unexpected comfort made Cerise's chest swell with emotion.
"Well then. Shall we move forward together?"
"W...hat..?"
"What else? The revival of the Ska Mercenary Group starts now."
Standing with his back to the sun shining down from above, the black-haired man spoke calmly.
"Y-yes... Commander..."
Cerise found herself answering without realizing it, moved by his reliable figure.
'...This is truly the last time. Just one last time, let's believe in him.'
This person seemed a little different somehow. Even if it meant being deceived, she'd believe in him just once.
Thump-thump—
Without even realizing that warmth was filling some corner of her heart, Cerise tried to deceive herself.
'Whoa. This actually works?'
Since they came charging at me like they wanted to die, I fought back while controlling my game character as much as possible... and it worked. It was my first real fight, but it was easier than I thought. Nice.
Anyway, all the troublemakers had been dealt with... so now it was time to recruit new mercenary members.
"Vice-Commander Cerise. Post the recruitment notice. We need to find people who will join us for our new beginning."
"...Understood."
Great! Time to make a proper start!
The Ska Mercenary Group begins now. I would definitely make it shine brighter than its past glory—more than that, even.