Ch.16: Bright Eyes
Humans are creatures of learning, and this principle applies vividly to the new recruits of the mercenary company.
Huu, huuk.
Romance closes the distance with ragged breathing. His grip on the sword is tense with strength, but the look of fear that was there before is nowhere to be found.
This is his third real battle. However, if there's one difference from before, it's that the numerical advantage has been secured with just the recruits alone.
"Die!"
"Hieek!"
Whiik, seoreok!
The first sword strike only manages to cut the hem of clothing, but the battle is already as good as over. The street bandits have long lost their will to fight and have chosen to flee rather than fight.
Romance pursues the fleeing ones to the very end.
'I need to be acknowledged too. I need to stand out to be acknowledged!'
Puuk!
"Aaa-aak! Please, please spare me! Please!"
When he stabs the back with clumsy swordsmanship, the bandit screams and begs for mercy. However, there is no longer any mercy left in Romance's eyes.
Amidst the spurting blood, his pupils gleam with killing intent. While part of it stems from desperation to be acknowledged, the biggest cause is the side effects of the low-grade neural accelerator.
That thing that makes the user's temperament violent.
"If you just let me go like this-"
Puk!
Kkeusip!
The surrounding recruits also show no mercy. Volga and Wheatley, Kotchap and others. Among them, the standout individuals take the lead in taking lives.
"We've stood out enough by now, right? We can do just as well as Calix!"
"......What are you saying, idiot?"
"Ah, is it uncomfortable to hear because you're close to him?"
The moment the battle situation comes to an end in the blink of an eye.
Volga's eyebrows twitch at Wheatley's exaggerated expression.
"It's not uncomfortable."
"Then why?"
"It's funny how you can't say a word in front of him but talk like you're something behind his back."
"......"
"I get that you're excited, but keep your mouth shut. Got it?"
"......Got it."
The battle of wills quickly goes his way, but his furrowed brow doesn't seem likely to smooth out easily.
'Guys I don't like.'
They always get help when they need it, but they're subtly jealous of Calix, who became a regular mercenary. Not everyone is like this, but the impression of a ragtag bunch can't be erased.
Romance's words as he sheathed his sword and approached were the same.
"Volga, why are you so angry? Who doesn't know Calix is strong? I was just saying it based on my mood. It's also the first time we've finished faster than Calix."
"......"
"Really. Look over there."
Indeed, at the place Romance pointed to, Calix and one frightened bandit were facing each other.
Haven't they finished fighting yet?
Chaeng!
The puzzlement flies away like a momentary echo. Even though Volga doesn't know much about swordsmanship, he could infer what was happening from just one sword strike.
"He's messing around. He's playing with him."
"Playing with him? How?"
"Can't you see? He deflected the weapon but didn't cut his throat. Do you think that vicious bastard can't do what you guys can do?"
"......Maybe he's injured."
Whiwhi.
Volga gives up on explaining further and moves his feet.
Tiing!
Meanwhile, Calix deflects the rusty blade again.
Defense using the basic movements of 'Dance of the Wasteland'.
In his head, the advice of the old man with the shield passes by.
'Cook comrade, there are rules in combat. What do you watch when you fight? Do you try to read the enemy's thoughts? Or are you only focused on blocking? Or will you cling to the swordsmanship you first learned? No, no. Those are just secondary factors.'
'Don't be greedy. Whether the ground is muddy, how many enemies there are, how to overcome disadvantages, and so on. A cool reason should be shown before fighting. On the contrary, once a fight breaks out, you must focus on the opponent in front of you. If you really want a goal, just do one thing. Trying to implement everything perfectly is truly excessive greed.'
Even thinking about it again, it's sound advice.
The reason the battle time unexpectedly lengthened was because he paid excessive attention to the accuracy of sword movements.
No matter how outstanding his talent, he couldn't perfectly display the swordsmanship he had learned not long ago, and only layers of dissatisfied emotions accumulated.
Also, this was unfair to the opponent.
[Power Increase]
[Reality Acceleration 1.7x]
[Physical recovery speed may decline. Please be careful of excessive use]
When Calix decides to end it, the neural accelerator's notification follows as if it had been waiting.
As he takes steps with time stretched out, the opponent's pupils can't even properly follow those few steps of movement.
Whiii-iiik.
The reflexively thrust blade passes widely by Calix's head.
Kkuuk, paak!
At the opponent's hasty decision, Calix boldly takes one more step forward. Simultaneously penetrating into the enemy's embrace, he steps forward with weight on his right foot.
Seureureureuk-seoreok!
The finishing move is a cut from bottom to top.
The blade that reached the enemy's right chest instantly cuts through to the right collarbone and comes out cleanly.
"Ueo...... Uheuhi, kkulleok!"
"......"
Calix furrows his brow at the sensation that travels up his grip. Taking a human life is something one cannot easily get used to.
However, at the same time, this series of processes is a satisfying result.
"Cook comrade. Here, you shouldn't have taken the enemy's life."
"......Did I make a mistake?"
"That's right. Then I could have scolded you. I should have rebuked Cook comrade's inexperience, pointed out how complacent sympathy for the enemy is, and at the end warmly embraced you...... Tsk tsk."
"......"
"Still, well...... At least the end was excellent. It was an outstanding cut. You felt it too, didn't you?"
"......Yes."
Gregor runs over with excitement to examine the bandit's corpse. Without even glancing at money, equipment, or clothing, he pokes around with his fingers at the path the blade had taken.
"The blade went into the flesh and cut the air sac. The reason he died instantly without even screaming must be because of that. Looking at where it was cut, the strength control was perfect, too. The depth is consistent, and there was no obstruction until the moment of withdrawing the sword. When using a neural accelerator for the first time during sword training, your posture should naturally become disturbed...... You're really strange!"
Just a continuous stream of admiration.
His face was flushed, and his voice was so loud. Soon, the dwarf Basim, combat specialist Zahira, and Vice-Captain Marik approached and nodded their heads.
"He really has talent. Gregor, you picked a good person, didn't you?"
"Of course, how could I have been wrong!"
"He cut through the bone, too. It's not completely severed, but it's a clean cut."
"......I was lucky."
"Ha!"
Calix's modest tone only has the opposite effect.
"You bastard, are you some nobleman's bastard or something? Half-hearted modesty is worse than none at all. Your weapon isn't bad, but it's not good either. Cutting through human bone joints isn't something just anyone can do."
"......"
"Basim is right. Rather than saying you were lucky, focus on engraving that sensation from earlier into your head. Talent creates the same kind of thing as that 'luck' you mentioned, but if you keep running with that as your standard, you'll find yourself completely changed at some point."
"Yes. I'll keep that in mind."
***
While Gregor rejoices as if he himself had been praised, the mercenary company's supply wagon enters Radakia County, their destination.
Radakia County is a modest territory centered around a small castle, with Radakia Castle, the backbone of the county, situated on high ground.
The castle walls are more practical than majestic. Built using abundant local stone resources, the walls surround only three sides, taking advantage of the terrain.
Below that, fields and hills, houses and farmland are harmoniously arranged.
In the village's central square, instead of various goods, an agricultural market is set up, and the streets have turned into muddy swamps due to overnight rain.
In every way, it's a landscape far from being a military or economic strategic point.
Cheolbeok, cheolbeok.
Deureureureuk, chwaak-
Therefore, it's natural that attention is drawn to the appearance of strangers.
Eyes mixed half with wariness and half with curiosity.
However, soon, thanks to a child who recognized the mercenary company's flag, the village residents' reaction changed dramatically.
"It's the Mountain Rabbits!"
"......Ah, it's the Mountain Rabbits. No wonder the scale seemed large."
"What brings them all the way here?"
"They must have stopped by to rest."
"The inn isn't that big, though."
"Mountain Rabbits, Mountain Rabbits!"
As the wariness completely subsides, its place is filled with light reverence. For Calix and the other recruits, this is the first moment to feel the mercenary company's reputation.
The merchant who received help from them can't hide his shock with an expression of 'These guys were those Mountain Rabbits?'.
But that's brief.
While Volga puffs out his chest, conscious of the children following behind him, the mercenary company's procession stops in front of a brick house precariously standing in a corner of the square. It's an old building with moss growing on the bricks here and there, without even a single sign.
"This place is......"
"The county's only inn and a place where the mercenary guild's influence reaches."
As always, information comes from Hadiya.
"Do you often stop by here normally?"
"No. Coming directly to cities is about four or five times a year. Even then, we choose places without outer walls, like here. This place...... Has it been about 3 years?"
Kkiiiik.
While the recruits and those in charge of odd jobs organize the supply wagons, Calix is grabbed by Hadiya and dragged into the shabby door.
"Official members don't do things like organizing supply wagons. Our mercenary company has rules, too. You need to follow that, right?"
"Yeah. Got it."
Calix agrees and looks around the inn. The hearth in the center of the interior was cold, and a foul smell was flowing from the pot hanging above it.
Due to something unidentified stuck to the bottom.
While both inside and outside were hopelessly shabby, only the middle-aged man sitting at the table greeted them with a dignified voice matching his generous appearance.
"Long time no see, Royce."
"Darmitz. Have you been well?"
"I've been waiting for you to come. So, what can I help you with?"
The greeting is brief, but the content is not.
"I need to send travel money."
"......Damn. Who is it?"
"Kenta."
Since it was hard to understand from just the name, the man approaches the bookshelf and brings out a ledger. It took some time because he couldn't read or write properly, but fortunately, there was content written in a way only he could understand.
"Kenta, Kenta. Here it is. He's from Gardia."
"Right."
"Gardia is the kingdom of mercenaries, isn't it? But crossing the border toward the southeast will cost a lot. Is that okay?"
"If I promised, I'll do it."
"That's like you. I understand."
After that comes the time for the beer to be passed around the table.
Teong!
A toast for Kenta, who died in the previous battle.
"That bastard used his hand axe amazingly. Stupid bastard. I told him to fight with a shield. He wouldn't listen......"
"That was Kenta. Shut up and drink!"
They praised his skills while reminiscing about the past, expressed their longing through foolishness and regret, and sometimes let beer overflow by clashing wooden cups to substitute for tears.
"Come on, you have a sip too. When it comes to beer, it's Radakia, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"I'm saying this because I saw you fight earlier, but it's not really about surviving on talent alone - you know. On the battlefield, life and death can be divided by the length of weapons, by their type......"
Calix is caught by Zahira and the dwarf Basim, listening to all sorts of lectures about 'weapon usage formulas' and 'battlefield experience'.
At the end of that, a meeting for the next mission is held.
"Everyone, pay attention."
Captain Royce, immediately after proposing a toast for Kenta, places the mission proposal he received from the innkeeper Darmitz on the table.
"I'll briefly tell you exactly what I received from Darmitz. The next mission has the client specifically requesting the 'Mountain Rabbits'."
"......Designated missions are always fucking terrible. If you refuse, they don't just revoke your mercenary qualification but put out a bounty on you. Anyway, who's the client? You don't accept just anyone, do you? It's probably some pompous bastard."
He pretends not to hear the grumbling of the veteran mercenaries and only gives a concise answer to the question.
"It's the Saitz family."
"That Saitz? Do you mean Duke Roderick Saitz?"
"Yes. Those who went to trade with the desert nomads have disappeared."
"Shit, we're properly fucked now. If it's Roderick Saitz...... He's a guy with no blood or tears. And if nomads are involved too...... Is there even a slight chance we could refuse?"
"......"
"Well, he's someone above the king, so of course not."
"Watch your words."
"......Sorry, everyone."
While everyone makes sour faces at the news that the kingdom's highest authority figure is the client, the mercenary captain belatedly tries to console the members.
"It doesn't seem like the worst mission. What happened is inside the kingdom and in an area close to Radakia. There seems to be no room for nomad involvement. Plus, the mission completion reward reaches 40 gold. However, according to information Darmitz told me, Radakia County seems to be showing signs of getting involved in territorial wars recently, so we need to be careful about that."
"......At least the travel money will be plentiful."
"Ah, you know what to do at times like this."
"Just drink, damn it!"
Uaaaaa!
Soon, the indoor bonfire blazes up, and in the pot, salted meat and turnips, oats and rosemary, and hard bread pieces that will serve as side dishes boil up with water, presenting a visual shock.
While the mercenaries scatter their worries and concerns in the sloshing of beer, Calix's gaze reaches the mission proposal placed on the table.
[Mission Proposal]
It's a familiar language.
Since it's natural for mercenaries, even the captain, to be illiterate who can't read, no one was interested.
Since the common language of the Astria Kingdom included that of the Niboria Empire, Calix pulled the document toward himself and examined the detailed contents.
「Mission Proposal」
From: Astria Kingdom, Star Haven, Mercenary Guild Central Branch.
To: Mercenary Company 'Mountain Rabbits'.
Client: House of Saitz
Mission Name: Northwest Kendal Barony Carriage Whereabouts Investigation and Related Party Elimination.
[Mission Summary]
A trading carriage belonging to House Saitz has gone missing in Kendal Barony. This carriage was used for transactions with western nomads, and while the nature of the goods is disguised as trade items, it appears to contain cargo with military purposes.
Mercenary Company 'Mountain Rabbits' is required to perform the following tasks:
1. Track the whereabouts of the missing carriage and determine the cause of its disappearance.
2. Recover and protect the contents loaded in the carriage.
3. Identify and eliminate individuals involved in this incident.
[Detailed Instructions]
Investigation Area: Main roads within Kendal Barony and nearby forests. Proceed with an investigation centered on the major points of the trade route.
Goods Recovery: The list of cargo loaded in the carriage is not provided for confidentiality reasons.
All discovered items must be returned to the client without damage, and if lost items occur, additional investigation will be conducted according to the mercenary guild's internal regulations.
Elimination of Involved Parties: Those related to the carriage disappearance incident are considered 'infringement on House Saitz's property', and authority is granted to eliminate them immediately upon discovery. The same rule applies even if the related individuals are nomads.
Compensation
Base Amount: 70 gold coins
Additional Rewards:
20 additional gold coins if goods are recovered without loss.
Additional compensation if important information is secured during the investigation process.
......
......
......
[Precautions]
This mission does not appear to be a simple trading carriage disappearance incident. As some of the cargo loaded in the carriage is suspected to be military supplies, extreme caution is urged during the investigation process.
Information: The location where the carriage went missing is involved in inter-territorial conflict areas, so there's a possibility it could escalate into regional disputes.
Risk Level: Possibility of unexpected armed force intervention due to exposure of military supplies.
•Warning: Serious post-action response from the client may occur if carriage contents are examined or leaked.
Please act cautiously with full awareness of the mission's importance and danger.
Issue Date: Year 353, Spring, 15th Day
Issuer: Star Haven, Mercenary Guild Central Branch Chief
Seal: Please confirm the official seal.
After thoroughly reading the mission proposal.
After briefly pondering, Calix sought help from Hadiya, who was sitting to his left.
"Hadiya."
"Yeah? What?"
"Could I talk with the captain? Briefly, even just for a moment, would be fine."
"Huh, suddenly?"
The problem is his immediate neighbor. The demented old man who was eating soup from his shield also heard everything.
"Royce! Royce!"
"Hmm? Yes, Gregor. What's the matter?"
"Cook comrade says he has something to tell you!"
Having witnessed the previous battle with his own eyes, no mercenary dares to ignore Gregor. At his single word, the noisy interior instantly became quiet.
"Calix, you have something to tell me?"
"......Yes. Is what you told us earlier all the detailed mission content? I heard you only received it verbally from Mr. Darmitz."
"That's right."
Should he tell the truth?
If he reveals that he can read, there will surely be more people who become suspicious of Calix's past status.
In this era, being able to read had such special meaning.
"I asked because I saw several precautions attached to the mission proposal. There are completely different parts too...... I think it would be good to review them."
"......You could read?"
"Yes."
"Good. What parts are different?"
However, he can't not say it.
Whether it was because there are limits to verbal transmission, or whether someone had the intention to downplay the incident, too much content was missing.
Above all, a specific item was completely different from the facts.
"First, the basic reward amount is different. The basic mission fee isn't 40 gold but 70 gold, according to what's written."
Whiik.
At this, about 70 pairs of eyes from veterans and recruits alike all turn toward the innkeeper.
"Uh, that, that's......"
"......Boys, block the door."
"No, no! Please listen to what I have to say-"
They say an illiterate person can't even read the letter 'ㄱ' after seeing a sickle, but they're well-versed in wielding sickles.