Ch.9: Weeding Out (2)
Immediately after the territorial war, the week-long rest held multiple meanings. Internally, it was a process of taming the newcomers, and externally, it was to receive new missions. Therefore, it was natural for quite a lot to change the moment the mercenary captain returned from the nearby village.
"Wow, the quality is different."
"If time passes, it'll be a complete treasure sword."
"Right, they should give us at least this much to fight with."
During a brief rest in the journey, the newcomers couldn't hide their excitement as they examined what was given to them. The reason is that the captain had loaded a wagon full of weapons and distributed them. High-quality blades were like a second life.
"Are you going to use three by yourself?"
"The more the better, isn't it?"
"You ignorant bastards, it's one weapon per person."
"......Yes, sorry."
All kinds of human nature could be seen, from those who got scolded for trying to take several to those who immediately started swinging them upon receiving. Of course, Calix was an exception this time as well.
"Would this be good? What do you think?"
"......Well."
Volga picked up a large longsword that suited his build and asked, but the response he got back wasn't very satisfying.
"Aren't you going to choose?"
"I already have two."
He repeatedly patted his waist. One sword taken from an enemy and one broken spear shaft. It wasn't an excellent armament condition, but it wasn't inferior to what was loaded in the wagon either. More importantly, they were currently on their way southwest for their first mission. In his mind, there was something truly important.
'Even in the territorial war, it wasn't because I lacked weapons that I lost.'
What mattered was how to fight. To find out that method, Calix lifted himself up.
"Hmm? Where are you going?"
"I have something to ask."
"Hadi isn't here. She's been missing ever since she went out to guide the way."
"Not Hadi."
"......Then who?"
Sometimes actions serve as answers. His steps passed through the center of the group, past where the existing mercenaries sat in a circle, and reached the core personnel of the 'Mountain Rabbits'.
"What?"
There were two people sitting with their backs against the wagon. One was a dwarf—Basim—whose height only reached an adult's waist and who provided countless topics of conversation among the newcomers, and the other was a woman with dark, firm skin.
'Her name is......'
"Zahira."
According to what he heard from Hadi, she was a combat specialist from the western desert. She had extensive knowledge in both martial arts and weapon techniques, so despite her slender figure, she shouldn't be taken lightly. And she even had a bold personality.
"I've never received any title. What's with Zahira, sir? Just call me Zahira."
"Yes."
"So, what matter brought you all the way here to speak to me? Everyone's glaring at you like they want to kill you, so think carefully before you speak."
"I want to learn how to handle weapons."
Indeed, after just a few words of conversation, the gazes pouring from behind felt piercing. Despite the scar near her eyes, her red hair and thick eyebrows, large brown eyes, and prominent nose bridge. Was it because of the beauty characteristic of desert origins? Even so, he had no intention of backing down.
"You found the right person....... But why should I go to such trouble? I don't understand. I need to be convinced before I can teach you."
"Including myself, we may all be novices, but our desire to survive is the same."
"Didn't you hear the commission details? It's just a bandit group subjugation. It's not that difficult."
"But—"
A moment requiring him to rack his brains. Calix didn't miss even small clues and used them as grounds for judgment.
"There's no way they'd call the 'Mountain Rabbits' for subjugating a mere bandit group."
"......"
"Of course, it wouldn't be difficult for the existing members. However, we are different. Right now we're just burdened by consuming food....... But we want to live. Please tell us the method."
Grin.
Had he succeeded in persuasion? Zahira showed a pretty smile as if trying to enchant those watching. However, her subsequent answer proved that her personality was far from ordinary.
"Not bad. I was already thinking that two among the newcomers looked the most promising anyway. That big guy over there and you."
"Then......"
"But that's a bit weak as a reason to move my body. We're mercenaries. We don't move without payment. Besides, you're not even an official member, are you?"
There would be no malice. She meant to pay a price and take what you want, mercenary-style. However, since a novice who just joined the mercenary group couldn't possibly offer anything, the existing mercenaries watched with interested eyes. In reality, this was a familiar situation for Calix.
"Gregor."
"......What?"
"I will take responsibility and care for Gregor. In exchange, please teach me how to use a sword."
Learning is something you seek out yourself. Just like in his childhood at the Marquis house, it was a matter of offering what the other party needed.
***
Once a channel opens, the passage naturally widens. Such was the case with the newcomers.
"You want me to teach you how to use a sword? What can you do for me?"
"Anything!"
"You damn bastard, you're going to burst my eardrums."
"Sorry!"
"Anyway....... Then you'll handle my chores for the time being."
Calix's brave action (at least in the newcomers' eyes) quickly spread around, and the existing mercenaries also began to help with the basics, as if suppressing their spirit was enough. And this also meant a reorganization of power relationships.
"Wait, wait. Why is Calix the little captain?"
"Uh....... Everyone calls him that? Weren't you calling him that, too, Volga?"
"......"
Volga let out a groan.
'These bastards....... How much have I carefully looked after them!'
However, human hearts are naturally like that. For a leader, taking care of others is important, but above all, they must present a path forward. Since Calix hadn't openly stepped forward until now, the newcomers had been divided between volunteers and conscripts, looking down on each other, but the single title of 'little captain' changed everything. Since Volga couldn't just brood over his dissatisfied feelings, he soon strode into the center of the mercenary group.
"You came."
"Yes!"
"Work quickly. There's a lot to do."
In fact, the person who became his teacher was also one of the core seven of the 'Mountain Rabbits’, so his vengeful spirit grew along with the dwarf Basim's teachings.
Swish, swish, swoosh!
"......But don't I learn how to use a sword?"
"Don't try to slack off and keep sharpening. It's important for the blade to be evenly sharp."
The only problem was that his teacher's instruction was focused on sharpening blades.
Srrrrk, shak!
Meanwhile, right next to him, true swordplay was in full swing.
"How was that just now?"
"A bit uncomfortable."
"Then let's put the scabbard on the right side."
"I'm right-handed....... Don't you usually wear it on the left side in cases like this?"
"You do usually hang it on the opposite side of your dominant hand. But that's not the standard. In urgent situations, you might accidentally cut yourself with your own sword. Actually, Vice-Captain Basim and Gregor are also right-handed but hang it on their right waist."
What Zahira was teaching was the basics of basics. But that's why it was most important.
"Which foot feels comfortable?"
"What do you mean by comfortable?"
"Literally. To give an example, when you take your first step, which foot do you lead with?"
"Hmm, my left foot."
"Then I'll explain based on your left foot. The foot you step forward with should always face the enemy. It acts as a rudder showing which direction you'll go."
"I see."
"Keep your right foot comfortable, but don't forget to put your weight on it. Your body's center should be stable. After that, when you decide to attack, you shift your weight to your left foot."
Each piece was precious knowledge for survival.
Tap, tap.
As Zahira adjusted his stride by touching his heel with her toes and he positioned himself accordingly.
"No, that's not it."
"......Gregor?"
Just then, the old man who had been sitting quietly on the dirt ground and watching was suddenly interrupted with cloudy eyes.
"Blocking and hitting won't do. That's a method only for those who mistakenly think they have leisure. Kill or be killed."
"But he's a complete beginner. I need to teach him from the basics—"
"That's exactly why he needs to attack more. Otherwise, he'll die without being able to do anything. Dying is bad. If the cook comrade disappears, there'll be no one to fill my plate."
"......Cook comrade?"
His expression became strange at the odd title, but only briefly. She didn't argue back and instead demanded an alternative.
"Then what should I teach him?"
"Bend your left knee more, and step forward with your left foot first. Step lightly and shortly. Instead, kick out powerfully with your right foot. Then thrust your sword—that's truly a desperate attack! This is the dragon's breath of the Niboria Empire!"
"......Tsk."
At this, Calix looked at the old man, then turned his head toward Zahira.
"What should I do?"
"Do as you please. It's not a wrong method. Even though he's a grandfather whose memory comes and goes, his skills are real. Just keep in mind that Niboria Empire swordsmanship is all aggressive. Taking a stance while sober is easy, but moving in an accelerated state is a completely different story."
The decision was his to make.
"But, cook comrade, if you really want to survive, you need to fill your belly too. Being so skinny like this, tsk tsk."
And Calix chose to follow Gregor's advice exactly.
***
The 'Mountain Rabbits' reached near their destination on the sixth day. In the middle of a plain where no village could be seen even if you searched with your eyes wide open, Captain Royce set up a temporary camp as soon as Hadiya returned. This was a story everyone needed to hear to complete the commission.
"Hadiya."
"The village appears immediately after crossing the hill in front. Like emerging beyond the horizon, three or four peaks rise high with forests densely packed around the surrounding plains. It's quite a wide area for mere bandits to operate in."
"It's indeed not an easy mission. According to information received from the client, six villages are said to be scattered around the mountain area."
"Yes, it's an environment suitable for that. Due to the forest, visibility isn't secured, so it would be difficult to notice even if many people moved."
Experienced mercenaries frowned as soon as they heard Hadiya’s information. The environment of the commission area was problematic, but what was more irritating was the fact that this place was in the northwest of the Astria Kingdom.
"We need to handle it in one go. They may be called bandits, but eight out of ten will be deserters. We should assume they're equipped with neural accelerators."
"That's why the knight bastard called us to protect his money source."
"Haha, that's right."
The one who voiced the obvious was Vice-Captain Marik. It was to instill appropriate tension in the existing mercenaries while also warning the newcomers. However, the flow of conversation soon moved to subjugation methods.
"How about disguising as a merchant group?"
"Damn, does your face look like someone who sells goods? You should quit eating sword rice starting tomorrow."
"This bastard."
"......It's not a bad idea."
"Captain, why are you doing this, too?"
"No. It would be hard to look like a merchant group, but we can show that we have abundant supplies. Enter the village openly and lure them. Make them come even knowing we're there."
"Ah."
Those sitting around the wagon immediately understood and nodded, but Volga couldn't understand what they were talking about at all and needed translation.
"What are they talking about? Did you understand?"
"Since bandit groups wouldn't have proper discipline, aren't they saying to lure them by showing food or things they need? Originally, soothing hungry people is the most difficult thing."
"Hmm hmm, same thought as me."
"......"
The gazes around were piercing at this typical piggybacking, but the person in question, Calix, was busy stuffing dried fish into his mouth. The reason was that he was building flesh and muscle according to Gregor's advice. Fortunately, the 'Mountain Rabbits' mercenary group never lacked food, even if alcohol ran out, so his body was doing its job with the abundant calories given for the first time in his life. This could also be confirmed by the neural accelerator's biometric indicators.
<Balder Valefor, N0>
Name: Calix
Age: 19
Biometric Indicators
Strength: 3/10 [Recovery Complete, Growing]
Agility: 4/10 [Recovering]
Endurance: 3/10 [Recovering]
Reality Acceleration: 1.6x [Limited Output]
Maximum Oxygen Intake (VO2 max): 8/10
Vision: 6/20 [Partially Damaged, Recovering]
Physical Recovery: 4/10 [Recovering]
[Mental State]
Mental Contamination: 72% [Stabilization Needed]
Neural Network State: 99%
[Physical Development]
Muscle Development: 44%
Bone Density: 79% [Enhancement Agent Fusion Complete]
The designation ‘recovery complete’ was added to strength, and vision and physical recovery showed rapid improvement, with positive signals everywhere else as well. Most importantly, the reality acceleration output had risen to '1.6'. Although the phrase 'limited output' was still attached, which was concerning—
Srrr.
Since Volga sharpened the blade, no irritating sounds came from the scabbard, and his physical condition had definitely improved. Calix had finished preparing for his second trial.