Farewell 2
"This, this, and this one too."
"Yes, yes, right away."
"Oh, and also..."
The second-floor window seat in a spacious restaurant. Unlike the taverns frequented by mercenaries, it was spotlessly clean. As soon as Jack entered and claimed a table, he grabbed a waitress and began rattling off orders. The rumors of its fame weren't exaggerated—the place buzzed with customers now that lunchtime had arrived.
Hearing that Licht was treating, Jack held nothing back. He ignored Ranin's meaningful glances and heavy sighs, pressing on undeterred.
"Oh, right. He said drink as much as you want. Young master, you up for some booze?"
"...Booze?"
Just when Licht thought the orders were done, apparently not. As Licht fell silent, Jack clicked his tongue.
"Tsk... Even if you're young, not drinking? Back in my day, we were chugging at fifteen."
"Jack, come on, read the room..."
"Hey now. The young master's telling us not to worry about it and order away. How much could a bit of food cost, anyway?"
It took a little longer before the orders finally wrapped up. Only after the overwhelmed waitress scurried off did Jack speak again.
"I figured since he said drink up, we'd share a round."
"It's not that I can't. I just don't enjoy it."
"Really?"
He meant it literally. Licht didn't enjoy alcohol. He could drink it if asked, but he saw no reason to. Some savored the taste, others sought the buzz—neither appealed to him. Fermented liquor carried more bitterness than flavor, and for someone like him, wandering the continent alone, getting drunk was as good as suicide. He trusted no one that much.
"Damn... What a waste. Us mercenaries, we fight like hell by day, but one drink at night washes it all away. Brothers again."
"He said he doesn't drink. Drop it."
"Tch... Well, booze isn't everything. The food here's killer. All great, but especially the suckling pig...!"
Suckling pig. Baby porker. As if recalling the taste just saying it, Jack let out a drawn-out groan.
"How 'bout it? Sound good?"
"...A bit."
"Haha, well, you grew up on fancy stuff, young master. Might not impress."
Licht gave a wry smile. Then he pulled a bundle from his pocket.
Thud. As it hit the table, an invisible barrier enveloped them. A soundproof spell.
Jack and Ranin noticed the magic, glancing around before asking.
"What's that?"
"What's inside, you wonder?"
"We'll settle it here."
Licht eyed the two mercenaries across from him.
"The El Sion commission and the Bailen add-on are complete. And this."
Slide. He pushed the bundle toward them.
"Your promised pay. I added a bit to what Millein Alder gave."
"Pay?"
"Whoa... How much could it be? I said I didn't want any from the start, so it's all Ranin's share?"
Licht shook his head at Jack's words.
"No. It's all in one pot—split it half and half."
"Half? I really don't need..."
Jack trailed off as he peeked inside the bundle. Both mercenaries' jaws dropped.
"Hold on..."
"Five thousand gold. Plus what I added—eight thousand at least."
"Five thousand gold...?"
"I... I don't need it. Really..."
Ranin's eyes wavered. Jack's voice trembled as he finished his thought. Stacks of gold coins, interspersed with gems. Even split, four thousand each. For veteran mercenaries like them, a long-term gig paid around ten gold— this was insane. Enough to buy a prime house in El Sion's mid-district outright.
"This... it's too much."
Ranin pushed the bundle back.
"Yeah. Even as a life-debt, it's overkill. Give Ranin's share separately. I did it to repay a favor, but he risked his neck for real."
"...No choice, then."
Licht took the bundle.
"Fine, a hundred gold sounds fair...?"
"If you don't want unclaimed money, we'll have to scatter it here."
"H-Hey! Wait!"
Jack shot up, blocking Licht who was seriously about to dump it.
"What're you doing?"
"Changed your mind about taking it?"
Mercenaries staked their lives for coin. Friends hale one day, dead the next—that was routine. Licht knew it well from his own mercenary days. They mingled easily but kept bonds shallow. Big scores led to wild sprees, no savings. Death loomed unpredictable; many were orphans or castaways, living for today.
"You two earned this."
He meant it sincerely. Licht wasn't heartless enough to spurn those offering kindness without strings. They'd risked all on his commission—favor repaid in kind. Gratitude mattered as much as grudges. He hoped they'd accept.
"Sigh... We could really say no..."
"You sure it's okay?"
Jack and Ranin took the bundle back almost by force, asking repeatedly. Licht nodded silently.
"If the young master insists..."
"Then we'll gladly accept."
"Oh, look—food's here, perfect timing."
Licht dropped the sound barrier. As Jack said, servers ascended the stairs laden with bread, soup, meats, salads, wines—and a massive roast suckling pig.
"Alright, enough gloom. Let's feast!"
"Show-off..."
"Not eating? More for me."
Jack and Ranin bickered as usual. Licht slowly sampled with his utensils.
"Good, right? Out of this world."
"Definitely."
The star, of course, was the suckling pig at the table's center.
"Crispy skin, tender meat. Forget the rest—this alone's half the Bailen experience. They sell limited amounts daily; evenings, you're out of luck."
"Though the price reflects it."
"Not now. Mmm."
Jack shoved in sliced pig and chugged beer. He'd drained a full mug already.
"Still, it all worked out. Thought we were goners."
"That underground cathedral was brutal..."
"Hey, we're alive, paid handsomely. Good's good, right?"
"Couldn't do it twice... but the road home'll be light. Time to play big bro again."
"...Big bro?"
Licht paused his precise cuts to ask.
"Oh, didn't mention? Ranin here's got a little sister."
Jack burst into boisterous laughter.
"Fifteen now. Just the two of 'em. Grown real nice. Real nice."
"Joined the Vurnek Academy last year. The patronage fees were breaking my back... You saved us."
Ranin added his thanks again. Licht stared at his plate.
'Just the two of them.'
No parents. Not uncommon. Mercenary life meant hardship; survival cash was a top reason. Orphans abounded—abandoned, separated, whatever.
"Vurnek Academy? Hold your head high anywhere. Nobles pour tens of thousands and still can't get their kids in."
"Compared to you, Licht, it's nothing."
"Hey, cut it out. I know you poured your youth into raising her. Be proud. The young master's a freak anyway—who compares to that monster?"
"Monster?"
"Compliment. You offended?"
Jack teased. Licht shook his head dismissively.
"Anyway, jobs done, paid up. Heading back to El Sion to settle down."
"Settle?"
"Yeah. Can't swing a sword forever. Buy a house, open a shop, maybe. Gotta marry before it's too late, right?"
"True... You've talked retirement forever."
"Parents gone years now. Getting older, wanna root down, start a family. Sly fox wife, bunny kids..."
Licht listened quietly. Mercs spilled life stories over drinks sometimes, but this felt different.
"What about you, young master? North as planned? Palenia Holy Kingdom, specifically?"
"That's the idea."
"Perfect. Got something for you."
Ranin pulled out a map.
"This...?"
"Southern continent map. Marked the route to the Palenian Papal Court."
It brimmed with his hand-drawn lines and notes.
"Shortest path, with danger spots. Wanted to go to Girga Kingdom, but it'd get too big..."
"......"
"Licht?"
Licht didn't reply right away. How much time went into this? A pro guide might whip it up quick, but the effort for him touched him.
"...Thanks. I'll use it well."
"Glad. Thought you hated it."
"Alright, enough of that."
Jack raised a mysteriously filled glass.
"Last day toast!"
"Jack, he said no booze... Huh?"
"Knew you'd step up."
Licht took a small wine glass beside him. Ranin looked worried.
"No need to force it..."
"One's fine."
"See? Quit grumbling—raise your glass."
Ranin reluctantly complied. Clink—clear chimes rang out.
"To our brilliant futures!"
Jack downed his heedless of stares. Ranin sighed in defeat. Licht sipped his wine, gazing out the window. Midday sun, carefree folk hustling through the day.
'Tomorrow, then.'
His glass emptied soon after. Jack collapsed after ten-plus drinks, as dusk fell.
***
Early morning. At six, Licht stepped out of the inn. Spring yielding to summer meant longer days, shorter nights—the sky already blue despite the hour.
'Packed yesterday.'
Hardly any luggage. Unlike others, his subspatial pouch swallowed everything; pocketed, done.
"Ugh... Overdid it last night."
"Told you to pace yourself."
Jack was the hungover mess. The burly vet who'd binged solo couldn't even pack. Licht and Ranin handled it.
Ranin patted Jack's back with a wry smile.
"Sorry. He's caused you needless trouble..."
"Don't worry. Same road back as coming?"
"Yes. Taking it slow—about five days."
"Got it."
On the quiet morning avenue before the central district bustled. Licht would exit the north gate for Palenia; Jack and Ranin, south for El Sion.
Time to part. Ranin spoke first.
"Licht, short time, but fun. Life-risking, sure."
"......"
"Safe travels to the Holy Kingdom."
As Ranin turned, supporting the groggy Jack—
"Wait."
Licht halted them, producing a small mana stone. Ranin blinked curiously.
"This...?"
"Made it myself. Infused with my mana—break it if trouble hits."
A late-night project: communication artifact with inscribed spell. This half-stone signaled its pair when shattered.
"You didn't have to go this far..."
"Mm... What, young master? Leaving already?"
"Jack?"
Ranin shoved the now-alert Jack away. He'd shaken off the booze with a vigorous head shake.
"Mana stone...?"
His eyes widened at the yellow stone Licht offered.
"If you want, I'll escort you to El Sion myself."
"Hah, knew it was something like that."
Licht was dead serious. Jack chuckled dryly.
"We're not chumps getting jumped by bandits."
"......"
"We'll take it, though. You've got your path—don't waste time on us."
Jack pocketed the stone.
"See ya. Hope we never need it."
"Take care, Licht."
"Swing by El Sion later—my treat!"
With that, the mercenaries headed south. Crisp, brief—true to form.
Licht watched their backs a while, then turned.
"...Time to go."
To Palenia Holy Kingdom. Then Orkin Empire.
Jack was right. His road stretched far. Shaking off lingering thoughts, Licht strode swiftly toward the north gate. The streets gradually filled with people as time passed.