A Feast for the Victorious
"Kuk kuk. I was about to step in, but Vice-Commander Cerise took care of it in one swing—chack!"
"...Exactly. How can she possibly be that strong.."
The lobby of the Ska Mercenary Group's headquarters quickly transformed into a scene reminiscent of a tavern. Savory snacks, chilled beer, and plenty of stories to tell—those were more than enough to raise everyone's voices.
"Mm. This is good."
I sipped the delicious otherworldly beer and recalled the events that had led our small mercenary group to this moment. We began retracing our steps in silence, just as we had walked them earlier. Of course, we had carefully brought back the Ironclaw Monkey's head and magic stone as proof of the subjugation. Magic stones, by the way, were like the mana cores found in all magical beasts; their price could skyrocket depending on size and quality. I'd heard they could be used for many things, though I didn't know the details yet.
Anyway, we moved quietly and at a faster pace than when heading into the forest, arriving at Leria Village in no time.
"Huk! You really subjugated that monster?!"
"Mm. That's how it turned out."
Leaving behind the guard who was making a fuss over the Ironclaw Monkey's head—larger than a carriage wheel—we entered the village.
"Insane! They actually caught that thing?!"
"Hah. Is the Ska Mercenary Group finally making a comeback.."
Just like the guards, the villagers couldn't hide their shock at the sight of the massive monkey's head. We walked with our shoulders squared, basking in their awestruck gazes. Of course, I couldn't show it due to my concept.
"Everyone, head back to headquarters first. Vice-Commander Cerise and I will settle the reward and return shortly."
""Yes, Commander!""
"Vice-Commander Cerise, let us depart."
"Yes, Commander!"
There was no need to drag the entire group to the Mercenary Guild just to collect the reward. After sending the members back, Cerise and I headed for the guild. Since it stood in the center of the village, we arrived quickly.
The Mercenary Guild was a facility that provided convenience to mercenary groups throughout the empire. It mainly handled requests on their behalf and processed reward payments.
Creaaak—!
When we pushed open the swinging doors that looked straight out of a western saloon, the previously noisy guild fell silent in an instant, all eyes turning toward us.
Thud. Thud.
Carrying the still-dripping head of the Ironclaw Monkey, I strode confidently toward the reception desk.
"Crazy. They actually caught that? Those idiots?"
"Those bastards... How the hell did they do it? Weren't they finished?"
Shocked and admiring stares poured over us. Most faces wore the same expression: 'How on earth did those guys manage it?'
"Hmph."
Cerise shot a brief sneer at the stunned onlookers before walking to the desk with a smile. We had visited the guild together once before to properly register the mercenary group and receive requests.
"Hello. Welcome to the Mercenary Guild. How may I assist you today?"
"Ah... We'd like to register the Ska Mercenary Group."
"Pfft! Aren't those the ruined idiots?"
"Ah~ The ones whose glory was all in the past? I heard their idiot commanders ran it into the ground."
"Kik kik! Why are those losers back again?"
Back when we had come to register, the moment we mentioned the name 'Ska Mercenary Group,' everyone in the guild had burst into laughter and mockery. Cerise's eyes had reddened as she trembled, unable to offer a single retort—it had been rather pitiful to watch. That was when we promised each other we'd show results.
"This feels pretty good, doesn't it, Commander?"
"I'm glad to hear that."
Seeing Cerise walk with such confidence and good cheer lifted my own mood. It was satisfying to watch those loudmouths fall silent, sending only envious and reverent glances our way.
"Hello. Mercenary Guild... Huk!"
"Hmph. Here you are. The head of an 'Ironclaw Monkey'!"
Thud.
The receptionist covered her mouth in shock at the sight of the massive head. Cerise, looking satisfied, placed the heavy trophy on the desk.
"Please wait a moment."
The receptionist carried the head into the back room, then returned shortly after.
"Confirmed. The subjugation of the 'Ironclaw Monkey' has been verified. I will report this to my superiors immediately."
"Great! Hup! Ah... My apologies, Commander."
"It's fine. Feel free to celebrate."
"...Hehe."
Cerise beamed like a young girl who had just completed her first successful request. No one in their right mind would tell her to stop.
"Additionally, combining the 10 gold coins offered by Lord Ver with the guild's 20-gold subjugation reward, you will receive a total of 30 gold."
Clink—
The receptionist rummaged beneath the desk and handed us a pouch brimming with gold coins.
"Well then, I hope to see you again."
"Thank you."
"Thank you very much!"
With the heavy pouch in hand, we left the guild with light, joyful steps.
"Wow. 30 gold... Such a huge sum all at once...!"
Cerise's eyes sparkled as she opened the pouch again and again. To put it in perspective, a single ordinary meal cost about five coppers. One hundred coppers made one silver, and one hundred silvers made one gold. With a single request, we had earned 30 gold—roughly 600 million won in original-world currency. We had been lucky; the Ironclaw Monkey had gone unclaimed for so long that the reward had accumulated, and the client, Lord Ver, seemed quite wealthy. In short, we had finally escaped poverty! Hooray! No more dry, tasteless bread!
"Vice-Commander Cerise. You did well. It seems we owe much of this to you."
"It was all thanks to you, Commander. Without you, we wouldn't even have had this opportunity."
We exchanged warm words as we headed back to headquarters.
"Ah. Vice-Commander. Let's buy some food and drinks on the way."
"Suddenly?"
"Indeed. Once a task is complete, proper rest must be provided."
"Yes! If that is your will, Commander!"
Thus, we ordered large quantities of food and drink from a nearby establishment before returning.
"Ah, you've returned, Commander, Vice-Commander!"
"Mm."
"Yes. We're back."
As we entered the lobby, the members greeted us while pausing their conversations.
"Everyone worked hard. Now then, take your rest."
""Yes! Thank you!""
-...Tsk. Isn't there anything to eat? My mouth feels bored.
-Just stay put. We finished the request, didn't we?
-I want a cold beer. Everyone looked somewhat dissatisfied. Well, that was why I had prepared food and drinks.
"Hmm... I suppose it's about time. Everyone, prepare yourselves."
"Pardon? What do you mean...?"
Ding—!
"Delivery! Thirty servings of fried chicken, snacks, and fifty mugs of beer! Let me know if you need more!"
Ah, perfect timing.
""Commander...!""
The bewildered members' expressions turned to one of deep emotion upon hearing my words. Yes. When it was time to work, we worked hard, and when it was time to rest, we rested properly—that was how morale stayed high. Of course, lines had to be drawn.
"Good. Eat well and rest plenty."
""Thank you, Commander!!!""
-Kya! This is what a real commander is like!!
-The best! The benefits are amazing!!
-This is it—!
The moment my words ended, the Ska Mercenary Group's lobby turned into a tavern once more.
Glug—
"Mm."
Of course, I drank as well. I hadn't been much of a beer person originally, but lately I'd been craving it quite a bit. ...That said, why did this beer taste so good? It felt like I could drink forever. The fried chicken was delicious too.
"Commander."
"Vice-Commander Cerise. You should rest as well now."
"Um... May I join you?"
"Of course."
After hesitating, Cerise gathered her courage and sat beside me.
"Would you like some beer?"
"Ugh..... Hoo. Yes! I'll try it!"
"Drink slowly. No need to rush."
"Ugh...."
Shake shake— Gulp gulp.
It seemed this was Cerise's first time drinking. She looked nervous at first, but soon shook her head and downed the entire mug in one go.
'Whoa. She might pass out at this rate?'
"Puhah! This... is more drinkable than I expected."
"..Is that so. I'm glad."
Downing an entire large mug on her first try? Cerise seemed to have a strong tolerance for alcohol.
Gulp.
".........."
".........."
After that, we quietly continued with beer and fried chicken. There wasn't much to say, and I simply wanted to enjoy the atmosphere.
"Commander....."
At that moment, Cerise called out to me in a lowered voice.
"What is it, Vice-Commander Cerise."
"....Truly... thank you."
"...?! Why so suddenly, Vice-Commander Cerise!"
Drip— Drip.
Cerise suddenly began to shed tears, sobbing softly. I quickly moved to shield her with my body so the other members wouldn't see. Fortunately, I was large and she was relatively small, so it worked.
"This... was a moment I had dreamed of my entire life. Successfully completing a request with no casualties and celebrating like this... I had only ever imagined it in my dreams."
".......I see."
Cerise, having stopped crying, began to speak, and I listened quietly.
"After my father passed away... I truly worked hard. To restore our former glory... to fulfill my father's request."
Gulp gulp—
Cerise poured herself another mug and continued.
".....Haa. But after meeting those trash-like people... I gave up on everything. My future, my father's request... all of it..."
Of course she had. Meeting those idiotic former commanders must have caused her immense heartache.
"Commander. Truly... thank you. Thanks to you, I can dream again. I can look toward the future."
".....Is that so."
"Yes. It is. It is all... thanks to you, Commander."
Really? I didn't think it was all because of me.
"It is because Vice-Commander Cerise has worked hard and done well that we achieved such excellent results. Even with this request, most of the credit belongs to you."
Even without me, Cerise would have advanced splendidly on her own and become a legend. I had simply been lucky enough to tag along and take a share of the glory.
"........!"
Cerise stared at me with flushed cheeks and dazed, spinning eyes.
"Command...er. Truly..... tha—"
Thud.
Whatever she had been trying to say, Cerise's words slurred, and she collapsed onto the table, falling fast asleep.
Well. She probably wanted to say thank you. No need for that, though.
"......"
I lifted the soundly sleeping Cerise in a princess carry and headed upstairs. Across from the office was the room where Cerise stayed. I opened the door and laid her on the bed.
"........"
Completely unaware, Cerise slept deeply. At this rate... anyone could carry her off and she wouldn't notice.
Swoosh—
I reached for the blanket and pulled it up to her neck. Sleeping after drinking could lead to catching a cold. Better to be careful.
"Sleep well."
Alright. Time to head back down for a bit more to drink before going home. Today had been a very fulfilling day. There would be many more ahead, but this was the first.
Thus, another day passed.
The next morning.
"Is everyone gathered?"
"Ughhh... My head..."
"...Uurk."
"....Kuuugh... I'm dying..."
I conducted the morning roll call as usual. Everyone was suffering from hangovers after yesterday's heavy drinking. ...I told them to drink in moderation.
"Ugh... My head..."
Cerise seemed to be suffering just as badly. She clutched her head, her face pale as she complained of the pain.
"Are you alright, Vice-Commander Cerise."
"Ah. Yes. I'm fine. But yesterday..."
"Mm. If you're referring to that, let's keep it between us. I left after making sure you were asleep."
"....Eh?"
I had tucked her in and told her to sleep well, after all. She must have slept fine.
"Hmm... I understand you're all suffering from hangovers, but we still have things to do, don't we."
""Yes... That's true...""
"Then let's do two hundred laps. I'll go easy on you today."
""Aaaagh...!""
At my command, the members—looking as though they were dying—began running, cursing yesterday's selves for not resisting the temptation of alcohol.
"....Eeh...?"
Cerise still seemed to have a headache. Her face was red, and she was making strange noises. I should tell her to rest a bit.