Chapter 12
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Kept Being Mistaken for a Pro (8)
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“Whoa! You're doing great!”
“Not bad at all, miss!”
The mercenaries all leaped to their feet, clapping like seals.
It was because Asha had caught the dagger perfectly.
“Hey, honestly, didn't it spin way faster than yours?”
“...Bullshit.”
“Look at you, still got your pride.”
While the two mercenaries bickered, Asha threw the dagger again.
It spun much faster than before.
Fast enough to whistle sharply through the air, yet Asha caught it in her hand without so much as blinking. It was a feat worthy of an acrobat.
“Hmph...”
Satisfied with herself, she let out a little sniff.
She shrugged her shoulders, thrusting her chest forward.
Her triumphant pose and adorable figure drew stifled laughs from all around.
Some mercenaries even clamped their hands over their mouths. It was hard to keep their twitching lips in check.
'Why is everyone laughing?'
Asha blinked and tilted her head.
Her long hair cascaded over her shoulder. She tucked it behind her ear and scratched her cheek for no reason.
Gazing curiously at the mercenaries who averted their eyes, Asha handed the dagger back to its owner.
“Ahem, hem! Asha? As a senior mercenary, mind if I give you a pro tip?”
“Sure. What is it?”
The mercenary who took back the dagger plastered a serious expression on his face.
“In our line of work, seizing the initiative is half the battle. One of the simplest ways is to startle your opponent.”
“Hmm... How do you do that?”
“By cursing like it doesn't match your looks. Something like, 'Die, you fucking bastard!' Simple, right?”
Asha stroked her chin, lost in thought. It sounded oddly plausible.
Fights involved all sorts of variables, and surprise could be a powerful weapon.
She might never use it, but Asha dutifully memorized the advice.
The seniors smiled warmly at the budding young mercenary.
That's when Rina, who'd been watching from afar, finally lost her patience and shrieked.
“What the hell are you teaching an innocent girl?!”
Her voice was so sharp that all the mercenaries flinched in unison.
Even Elysia, who was resting comfortably, jolted upright and turned her head.
The next morning.
Rina woke up in the cramped tent and slowly sat up.
Rubbing her eyes, she stepped out and scanned the surroundings.
'...Where's Asha?'
She wandered around idly.
Then she spotted Asha sitting motionless on a rock far away.
Perfectly still and serene.
Her beautiful golden hair swayed in the breeze, shimmering softly in the morning sun.
It was a picture-perfect scene.
'No matter how many times I look, she's just so pretty...'
Rina stood there blankly, staring at Asha's back.
How long had she been like that?
When she came to, Asha had turned around and was looking at her, waving with a fresh smile like a blooming flower.
Rina finally waved back and approached the rock.
With Asha's help, she climbed up.
Catching her breath, Rina sat down gently beside her.
“You're up awfully early.”
“Yeah, it's just a habit.”
“I see...”
Rina thought to herself.
Even amid the fatigue of marching and camping, waking early wasn't a habit—it was diligence.
This elf girl definitely had something special about her.
What created this difference?
What kind of influences had shaped her...?
Lost in those thoughts.
Before she knew it, the camp was packed up, and it was time to move.
Rina climbed onto the wagon and absentmindedly gazed behind them.
She sat quietly, watching the receding scenery.
Then suddenly.
'...Huh?'
Rina narrowed her eyes to sharpen her vision.
Something had flickered at the edge of the forest, just for a moment.
“...”
But it was quiet.
Nothing but tree branches swaying in the wind.
'Just my imagination?'
Rina tilted her head and looked away from the forest.
Her gaze naturally shifted to Asha walking leisurely beside the wagon—
“???”
Her brain froze.
Asha was strolling along with such ease.
So much so that she was holding something in her hand.
A book.
And not just holding it—she was reading.
Flip—
Her footsteps perfectly steady, she calmly turned the pages with her fingertips.
So immersed that her expressions shifted constantly.
Like an innocent child sharing secrets with the protagonist, her eyes sparkled one moment, her lips pouted the next, and sometimes her brows furrowed.
A vividly lively reading scene.
'What on earth is she reading to react like that?'
Unable to resist, Rina asked.
“Asha, Asha. What's that book?”
“This?”
Asha held up the cover toward Rina.
“It's a children's biography of great figures.”
“B-biography...?”
“Yeah.”
Rina alternated between staring at Asha and the book with utter incomprehension.
'An elf... actually enjoying reading?'
While marching, no less?
Even scholars probably wouldn't go that far...
As her conversation partner fell silent, Asha gave a cheeky grin and dove back into her book.
She occasionally asked Rina about unfamiliar words, diving deeply into the biography with serious focus.
And the crowning touch.
“Asha, what books did you buy at the bookstore?”
“Hm? With Rina...'
“Rina?”
“...Oh, nothing.”
Asha's face flushed beet red as her eyes darted around.
As the day drew to a close.
The group checked the setting sun and began preparing camp.
It wasn't as ideal for sentries as the previous spot, but it was serviceable enough.
The mercenaries bustled about, each handling their tasks.
Asha approached one who seemed relatively free.
It was Logan, the mercenary captain.
“Logan.”
“Hm? You need something?”
Logan paused his work and looked at her.
“I'd recommend keeping a tight watch tonight.”
“Why's that? Not accusing you or anything—just curious.”
“Hmm... How should I put this?”
Asha tilted her head slightly, thinking.
She decided to explain it straight.
“My ears are pretty sharp. When I focus, I can hear far away, and I caught some unnatural sounds mixed in with the forest noises.”
“...Really?”
“Yes. But they haven't gotten closer. I don't know why.”
“Hmmm...”
Logan rubbed his chin and eyed her long ears.
“Alright, got it. I'll pass the word.”
If an ordinary girl had said that, he'd have brushed it off as a joke.
But this was an elf—a premium variant mutant, no less.
No harm in believing her.
'Just keep a sharper eye out than usual.'
Sentries were routine anyway.
As Asha headed back to the merchants, Logan gathered his men.
He ordered stricter watches for the night.
Most had witnessed his talk with the elf girl, so they nodded without objection.
Dinner passed, and everyone but the sentries drifted off.
First watch was Logan and a mercenary named Bram.
“It's quiet.”
“...”
Logan nodded instead of replying.
The elf girl's warning replayed in his mind.
Be cautious tonight.
No hard evidence, but it carried strange conviction.
That's why he'd grabbed his shield too—ready to snatch it up anytime.
“Yawn...”
Bram stifled a yawn beside him.
Imagining what antics the variant elf might pull tomorrow...
That's when it happened.
Swish...
“...!”
A sudden rustle of grass!
Logan snapped up his shield, glaring toward the sound.
It came from the nearby forest.
But nothing happened. Nothing visible.
As he thought it was nothing and lowered his shield, Bram muttered beside him.
“Damn, that weird warning got me all jumpy for nothing...”
He sighed, relaxing his shoulders.
Night deepened, even the crickets quieted.
Time to switch watches.
Logan maintained a steady tension, while Bram dozed, waiting for relief.
Swish...
Another rustle!
Heeding Asha's words deeply, Logan checked the direction just as swiftly.
And.
Clang!
He barely blocked a flying bolt with his shield.
“Gaaah!”
Bram, slower to react, took a bolt through the arm.
Blood sprayed as he clutched it and rolled on the ground.
Logan grimaced, filling his lungs.
“Ambush! Ambush—!”
Shield up, he fixed on the arrow's origin.
Figures emerged from the darkness, one by one.
“A crazy bastard standing watch with a shield.”
“No kidding. What a pain in the ass.”
Pain from their perspective.
Since the surprise was blown, the bandits stepped out boldly.
Easily over ten at a glance. Fierce-looking bunch.
Logan realized it was worse than thought and spat curses.
“You fucking dogs!”
The bandits ignored him, of course.
They charged with weapons raised, no respite.
Thud!
Logan calmly held his defensive stance behind the shield.
He had to hold until backup arrived.
Petty mercenary captain or not, he was experienced.
Blocking the path to fallen Bram, he repelled approaches.
Impacts on the shield grew fiercer.
Gritting his teeth, Logan gripped tighter.
“Captain!”
“You held out great!”
Fortunately, his men joined quickly, geared up.
Thanks to Asha's warning, they'd slept ready to fight despite discomfort.
“Heh heh heh.”
The bandits withdrew with eerie chuckles, oddly calm despite the fast response.
Soon, both sides faced off in tense standoff.
“Why are those bastards so relaxed?”
“We outnumber 'em a bit, but...”
Seven combat-ready mercenaries.
Bandits had more, but not overwhelming.
With the sneak attack failed, why stand their ground?
“They got some trick up their sleeve?”
“Nah, probably just gonna run now.”
Keeping eyes forward, they murmured gravely.
Then some bandits casually glanced elsewhere.
The mercenaries caught on.
This wasn't all of them!
“...Shit!”
“They're after the merchants!”
That meant hostages. Might have to surrender—their job was protecting merchants.
Mission failure imminent!
Some mercenaries instinctively looked back.
Please no. Let it be a mistake.
The bandits turned toward the wagons too.
Same direction, but their faces smirked with leisure.
Your mission's over. We win.
As clashing thoughts and gazes converged.
“Gurk!”
A death rattle from the darkness.
Everyone thought: It's over.
Similar yet opposite sentiments crossed.
“...!”
A small figure appeared like a ghost.
Mercenaries and bandits alike widened their eyes, staring at one person.
Brief silence.
Then reversal.
“What the hell is that bitch?!”
“It's Ashaaa!”
The bandits' and mercenaries' moods flipped exactly opposite.