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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Teottry
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Ninety percent of the mercenaries in existence were unskilled and unreliable, lacking any sense of integrity. They were greedy for money, quick to flee at the first sign of danger, and even quicker to feign death if escape was impossible. Betrayal was also not uncommon.
Finding trustworthy mercenaries was as difficult as reaching for the stars, to put it mildly. While a few renowned mercenary companies honored their contracts without fail, they were exorbitantly expensive and chose their clients carefully, making them unattainable for someone like me.
‘That’s why Fiore is so valuable.’
The swordsmanship guild’s tuition was high. Therefore, most of its members were nobles interested in duels or wealthy commoners. I was interested in the small minority of mercenaries.
While the other ninety percent of mercenaries squandered their earnings, these individuals invested in training to improve their skills and future prospects. This type of mercenary was generally skilled and trustworthy.
Fiore, a veteran of the guild, was quite close to them. She had even considered becoming a mercenary herself at one point, due to their influence.
“There are more of them than I expected.”
I greeted Fiore at the gates of Polton and commented as we walked through the city. Thirty elite mercenaries followed behind us, and the streets were crowded with people who had come to see them.
“I was lucky. Quaran is teeming with mercenaries drawn by the scent of money due to the conflict with Dressten. I asked around and managed to recruit a few more capable individuals. Didn’t I do well?”
“Your voice… is a bit unsettling.”
Her voice was strangely androgynous. This was due to her naturally husky voice, which she had deliberately lowered.
“Do you want to die? Why aren’t you smiling? You were the one who suggested the disguise.”
It seemed Fiore had taken my childish dream, offered as bait, to heart, which explained why she kept wearing the visor.
“I’ll have to create an opportunity for you to shine soon. I prefer your real voice.”
“R-Really?”
Fiore quickly turned her head away. I wondered if her face was flushed beneath the visor.
“Anyway, you did well. You’ve taken a load off my mind.”
“Don’t celebrate just yet. Because I carefully selected the best of the best, as you requested, the cost was quite significant.”
“How much?”
“Enough to last us barely thirty days.”
Contrary to expectations, the herring catch in Quaran was steadily increasing, while Dressten, the traditional source, was experiencing the opposite. This was the reason for the escalating conflict between the two territories.
Therefore, the fishing rights I had leased were generating a substantial income. The problem was that even that wasn’t enough to sustain thirty elite mercenaries for long.
Perhaps things would change once the herring fishing grounds shifted permanently. For now, though, funds were tight.
Fiore continued,
“But don’t worry too much. My father said to let him know if we need more. He’ll help us.”
I shook my head. Nothing in this world came for free. Lord Andrei was a knight and a seasoned politician. I didn’t want to be indebted to him and be unsure how I would have to repay the favor.
We reached the lord’s castle as we spoke. Segeric approached us as soon as we entered the main gate.
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“Sir Allen! What is the meaning of this?”
“What do you mean?”
“Where did you find these mercenaries?! Was the Tolbatz manor so wealthy?”
Segeric’s eyes gleamed with greed. He was just like his father, coveting a vassal’s assets.
“Hardly. I was able to hire them at a discounted rate thanks to my swordsmanship instructor.”
“Your swordsmanship instructor, you say? Sir Roland?”
“He was preoccupied with other matters and neglected his duties.”
“Other…? Ah, ahem. Who are you referring to?”
Segeric coughed awkwardly when I subtly alluded to the scandalous affair between Roland and Sophia and asked again,
“Lord Andrei of Quaran.”
“Lord Andrei? The strongest knight in the region? I didn’t know you were acquainted with him.”
Segeric’s expression darkened. Dressten, with whom they were in conflict, was his mother’s family.
I feigned ignorance and continued,
“He’s the only one qualified to instruct me.”
“Lord Segeric.”
A group approached from behind Segeric. They were armed soldiers on horseback, equipped with high-quality gear.
It was Segeric’s entourage, the ones he had introduced at the banquet. While Ailgar’s followers were disinherited sons or wealthy commoners, Segeric’s were heirs to prominent families and their retainers.
Unless something unexpected happened, they would replace the Baron’s current vassals when Segeric inherited the title.
They were also the troops who would accompany me to the battlefield. Segeric greeted them and turned back to me.
“And who is this?”
“My squire, Fiore.”
I felt several sharp gazes directed at Fiore at the mention of “squire.” I imagined hostile glares behind that perforated helmet.
Fiore offered a curtsy. She was clearly reluctant to speak, despite her earlier confidence.
“A quiet one, I see.”
Segeric shrugged it off and addressed us,
“Actually, I was summoned by Father after agreeing to support you. He reprimanded me for needlessly wasting our resources. However, I disagree. We have Sir Allen, a knight worthy of being called the strongest, thirty elite mercenaries, and you, who are willing to lay down your lives for me.”
One of Segeric’s followers, who seemed to be their leader, stepped forward, his eyes fixed on me with a strange smile.
“However, there’s one thing that concerns us.”
“Bolton, what is it?”
“We acknowledge Sir Allen’s skill, but this is his first time leading troops, is it not? This concerns your future, Lord Segeric. Appointing someone without experience as commander is a risky decision.”
The atmosphere had been tense even when Segeric had declared his support for me. They seemed to believe that if even the Baron couldn’t defeat the enemy, how could a mere knight?
“Bolton, wasn’t that already settled?”
Perhaps that was why no one had objected to my appointment as commander at the time. So why were they suddenly questioning my authority now?
I stared intently at Bolton, the leader of Segeric’s faction. Bolton, standing slightly behind Segeric, met my gaze.
“We simply dismissed it as bluster at the time. Hot-blooded young knights often make such pronouncements.”
Bolton was using my age and lack of experience as an excuse. No one liked a newcomer. The fact that I had killed knights who were close to them likely played a part as well.
I chuckled and stepped forward.
“Or did you only now realize there’s a chance of success?”
Age and experience were just excuses. Their change of heart was due to the arrival of thirty elite mercenaries. If they could achieve victory in the war, they would earn Segeric’s favor. They were also trying to keep me, the newcomer, in check.
So, they were after the same thing as me. They were both allies and rivals.
Bolton’s relaxed expression faltered slightly.
“I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean.”
Segeric couldn’t hide his discomfort at our confrontation. He was torn between me, a sharp sword with strategic thinking, and his long-serving vassals.
I decided to make the decision for him.
“Bolton, you seem to have forgotten, but this is my war. My war, funded by my family fortune to retrieve my father’s remains. By convention, the command should rightfully belong to me.”
The justification was on my side.
Moreover, the vassals, lacking confidence in the war, had only contributed a small number of troops. Ten vassals had gathered only seventy soldiers, less than ten per vassal.
“However…”
“Bolton, I believe Sir Allen is right about this.”
Segeric settled the matter before Bolton could object. Bolton glared at me, his expression sour. It seemed I would have to watch my back during this war.
A wave of exhaustion washed over me.
Perhaps realizing he couldn’t refuse assistance entirely, the Baron hosted a send-off feast.
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Segeric and his followers ate and drank as if the world was ending tomorrow, and the troops they had brought, along with my elite mercenaries, celebrated outside the castle.
As the feast was in full swing, a servant discreetly slipped me a letter.
The letter contained only a single word: “garden.” Yet, I knew who had sent it. The familiar scent clung to the small piece of parchment.
After glancing around, I quietly excused myself. Those already drunk didn’t even notice the guest of honor’s departure.
The garden at night was a labyrinth. The carefully pruned shrubs formed walls, and the large trees blocked even the faint light emanating from the castle.
If it weren’t for the occasional open spaces and the torches placed within them, I would have been truly lost.
The sender of the letter was standing by a small fountain. The flickering torchlight illuminated her smooth skin.
“My Lady.”
It was Usebia. Her back was to me, but her face lit up at my voice. The light was fleeting, and she quickly averted her gaze, fidgeting with her hands clasped in front of her.
“Sir Knight…”
“I didn’t expect to receive a letter from you, My Lady.”
I was being sincere. I hadn’t expected her to make such a bold move, especially under her parents’ watchful eyes.
“I-It’s just… this could be our last chance…”
Despite her embarrassment, she bravely confessed her feelings.
I felt obligated to reciprocate her courage. I stepped closer.
As she didn’t retreat, we were close enough to feel each other’s breath.
Up close, I noticed her clothes were thin. She must have left in a hurry and hadn’t had time to grab a coat. Her eyes widened as I removed my cloak and draped it over her shoulders.
“I’m worried you’ll catch a cold. If you were to fall ill, I would suffer even more.”
“But you’ll be cold, Sir Knight…”
“My heart has been ablaze since the moment I saw you, so this is nothing.”
“Sir Knight…”
Usebia looked up at me with dreamy eyes, then drew a handkerchief from her pocket and offered it to me.
“This is…?”
It was different from the one she had given me before the duel. The center was embroidered with my family crest, a griffin. The faint floral scent was also much stronger.
“F-For you… so you can return safely, just like last time…”
“A token of good luck.”
“Yes…”
Her shy demeanor, her head bowed low, was too much to resist. If this shy woman had gone so far as to request a secret rendezvous, I shouldn’t hesitate, should I?
I gently tugged on her fidgeting hand. She readily stepped into my embrace, then looked up at me, her eyes flickering nervously.
“Um…”
I gently lifted her chin. Her throat bobbed nervously.
“A duel and a war are on completely different levels of danger. A mere handkerchief isn’t enough to guarantee my safe return.”
“Th-Then what do you need…?”
“A more potent lucky charm.”
She acted as though she would provide anything I asked for, and fortunately, she possessed what I desired.
I stole a kiss. She froze, stunned, even after I pulled away, my lips brushing against hers.
“This should be enough to ensure my safe return.”
I suppressed my rising desire. While Usebia was clearly inexperienced with men, she wasn’t completely naive. The Baroness wouldn’t have neglected her education in such matters.
This meant I couldn’t easily sway her, like Anya. So, this was enough for now.
“Ah…”
Usebia, finally regaining her senses, blushed crimson. She touched her lips tenderly, then, just as she was about to speak,
“Haa…!”
A moan echoed through the garden. It seemed a young couple, who had likely hit it off at the banquet, were indulging in some passion. Even the shy Usebia had been brave enough to seek me out. However, the timing was unfortunate.
Usebia’s eyes darted around, startled. She didn’t find the source of the sound, and the sounds ceased.
“I-I should go now.”
Despite this, Usebia hurriedly excused herself and left. I didn’t have a chance to stop her. I smacked my lips and looked in the direction of the sound.
“Your games are getting out of hand.”
There was no reply. I continued to glare in that direction. Finally, the source of the moan emerged from the bushes, covered in leaves. It was Josephine.
“Oh dear, I apologize. I seem to have interrupted you.”
Josephine brushed off the leaves and smiled sweetly.
“You interrupted us intentionally.”
Josephine met my gaze and hummed.
“Hmm, how did you know?”
“The moan was loud, but it lacked genuine emotion.”
“You seem quite experienced.”
“Even a virgin would give the same answer to such a question.”
“Well, men and their bravado.”
Josephine crossed her arms and smiled coquettishly, accentuating her cleavage. It was clearly deliberate.
I, too, openly stared at her cleavage.
“When will you apologize?”
“Shouldn’t I be thanked instead? I saved you from a wasted effort.”
Josephine sat down on a bench by the fountain and crossed her legs, her skirt riding up to reveal her shapely thighs. Her bare feet, freed from her shoes, wiggled playfully.
“Do you really think you can seduce Usebia? Her parents are watching her like hawks. If the Baron finds out about this meeting, he’ll either lock her in a tower or send you away. Moreover, she’s not one to disobey her parents, so it’ll only end with you pining after her.”
I stepped closer to her, until her face was a handspan away from my groin.
“Are you any different?”
“Would you like to test it out?”
Josephine smiled coquettishly and opened her mouth wide, revealing straight, white teeth, glistening red lips, and a tongue longer than most, darting out invitingly.
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Are we going to do it outdoor now?! 
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