—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Cyno
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The traveler’s rest was bustling even as the night deepened towards dawn. Judging by the constant clinking of glasses from the inn’s lobby, a private drinking party seemed to be in full swing, and the raucous shouts of someone calling out dice rolls from the second-floor lodgings suggested a secret gambling den had also been set up.
Hah, their luck seems suspiciously good.
Inside the outdoor restroom right next to the traveler’s rest. A burly mercenary with his pants halfway down was gagging and kicking his feet dangling in the air. He had come to relieve himself but ended up with his neck caught in a noose that had dropped from a roof support beam.
As soon as the mercenary stopped breathing, I retrieved the money and identification tag from his pocket and dropped him into the toilet below.
The mercenary’s body, weighed down by his armor, slowly sank into the filthy water. It seemed quite deep, as it submerged completely without a trace of his hair visible.
I threw an empty liquor bottle on top of him.
He went to the outhouse drunk and accidentally slipped and drowned in the toilet. Of course, there were some signs of strangulation, but given the disposition of the Polkin Gate commander, he’d most likely be ruled as having drowned. Or not.
“Another one handled…”
I was whistling as I stepped out of the restroom, only to run into another mercenary coming in. A disgustingly handsome young man.
I immediately wrapped my arm around his neck from behind, dragged him back inside, and suffocated him.
After finishing my… income-generating activities, I pulled his pants down to his ankles and shoved him into the same toilet where I’d dumped the burly mercenary’s body. Then, I forcefully kicked and broke part of the wooden toilet floor.
The story had now completely changed and reached a higher level of completion.
The two had been sharing intense, forbidden love in the outhouse when the toilet broke, and they tragically drowned. And the strangulation marks? They could just be seen as part of their masochistic, forbidden love affair—no problem.
I observed a moment of silence. It was truly heartbreaking and sorrowful that such a beautiful and noble love had met such a tragic end.
As I was about to leave the restroom again, another middle-aged mercenary, seemingly in urgent need, was hurrying toward the restroom with quick, short steps.
Ah, right. Actually, there was an unexpected, secret twist to that tragic love story just now. It was a threesome.
“That’s enough for here.”
Having finished my work in the restroom, I stepped outside. I considered staying to make it a foursome or even a fivesome, but the story was becoming too implausible, so I stopped. The toilet in this restroom was very narrow; it was just too difficult for four or more people to be doing anything in there together.
Turning the corner onto the main street in front of the traveler’s rest, I spotted a mercenary sitting by the inn door. Probably out to get some air.
He was alone, so he caught my eye, but I couldn’t make a move because of the drunkards passing by on the street.
‘Wait, maybe I can send him off too?’
I watched a pair of patrolling soldiers carrying spears approaching from a distance. Thanks to them, a viable attempt was possible. If I failed, I could just apologize. If I succeeded, I could neatly dispatch one more.
I matched my pace to their rhythm with slow steps. As the patrol passed in front of the mercenary, I brushed between them and flicked the end of a spear shaft.
The spear shaft spun round and round. Soon, the sharp spearhead, tracing a peculiar trajectory, pierced the throat of the mercenary enjoying the breeze, moving in sync with the soldier’s walking pace.
Instantly, the mercenary clutched his impaled neck, making a gurgling, boiling sound. The patrolling soldier, bewildered by the absurd accident, hurriedly supported him.
Of course, I was already disappearing into a dark alley.
* * *
As I approached, Sister Armida, who had been waiting in front of the temple, waved her hand in greeting.
“Little brother. You’re here.”
“Yeah. Any other issues?”
“Nope. None.”
“What about the mercenaries outside?”
“Gone now. The ones inside the inn are all that’s left.”
I took a piece of paper from inside my coat and checked the numbers. The mercenaries I’d… strongly encouraged to leave through the west gate earlier: 7. The ones I made to look like accidental deaths in wells or toilets: 4. The mercenaries eliminated and then sent to the Hall of Divinity via spatial movement: 5. So, 16 handled in total, leaving just over twenty mercenaries remaining.
While we were sending those 16 off, almost the same number had run away on their own.
Sister Armida approached me with a look of disbelief.
“But how did they all just run away like that?”
I folded the note and put it back in my pocket.
“Common occurrence. I’ve seen a captain abandon hundreds of his subordinates and sneak away in the dead of night. The gate’s sealed shut, can’t move an inch. Plus, the atmosphere is weird, and suddenly a few people quietly disappear. Then, in an instant, everyone starts running for it.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. That’s the nature of those who live by the sword.”
Sister Armida looked somewhat understanding.
“But I guess that Alron guy must have some charisma? Over twenty are still left, right?”
I let out a hollow laugh. This sister is really naive.
“Why do you think they’re staying?”
“Isn’t it out of loyalty?”
“Sure, some might be. But not the majority.”
“Then why are they staying?”
“They’re after the money Alron has. It’s frustrating to just run away empty-handed, but Alron has enough money to change one’s fortune. By the code of blade-for-hire, they can’t just let that go.”
Sister Armida’s eyes widened.
“Really?”
“So we need to finish this quickly. If we drag this out any longer, Alron’s head will roll. Right now, they’re drinking and gambling, even though nearly thirty of their comrades have vanished. Does that make sense? They’re clearly plotting to lull Alron into a false sense of security.”
“Whoa~.”
I headed back towards the ‘Traveler’s Rest’ inn and gestured for her to follow.
“Come on, quick. No time. If Alron dies, we’re in big trouble.”
“Got it. I’m coming with you.”
I took Sister Armida to the ‘Traveler’s Rest’ inn. It was time to finish this. I asked the sister to cast a ‘Soundproofing Magic’ over the entire inn. Then, starting with those passed out drunk in their rooms, I proceeded to eliminate the mercenaries at the gambling den and those drinking, one by one.
And the deceased mercenaries were honorably laid to rest within the Hall of Divinity, thanks to the consideration of the esteemed Valkyrie sister, the lord of the divine.
* * *
Dawn was slowly breaking. The ‘Traveler’s Rest’ inn, which had been noisy all day yesterday, was now eerily quiet, as if completely empty.
Alron was tossing and turning in a light sleep on his bed. But soon, a sinister sound coming from somewhere in the room made him crack one eye open.
*Scurrrrunch. Scurrrrunch.* Having been a mercenary for so long, he knew exactly what that sound was. It was the sound of sharpening a blade.
Alron, knowing his time had come, bolted upright and grabbed the sword he had hidden by his bedside.
“You bastards! I knew you’d betray me eventua—?”
Sitting in the shadowy corner of the room, I grinned, flashing my teeth, and waved my hand.
“It’s me. Remember? Long time no see. Been well?”
Startled, Alron flinched so violently the blankets rustled.
“W-White Mask?”
“Sorry to wake you from your deep sleep. If you’re tired, sleep a bit more. It’ll take me some time to finish sharpening this.”
“N-no, it’s fine.”
“Good. Then just sit on the bed there and watch quietly.”
I ignored him, sprinkled water on the whetstone, and began sharpening Yōjo again. Of course, sharpening it wouldn’t make the blade any sharper, but that wasn’t the point, so it didn’t matter.
Then, Alron mustered his courage, drew his sword, and shouted at the top of his lungs, desperately calling for his men.
“Guys!”
Annoyed by the noise, I rubbed my ear.
“Don’t shout. No one’s coming no matter how loud you yell.”
“Huh? Why?”
“Everyone’s already left.”
“Gone where?”
I looked at Alron with a sinister smile on my lips.
“Where do you think they went?”
Alron’s face turned pale as he slumped down on the spot. In a noticeably quieter voice, he spoke as if pleading.
“Master. What brings you here?”
“I’m here on important business. You see, someone’s been spreading vicious rumors about me in Kara and then ran away here. They call me a thug who specializes in threats and a cruel murderer. How do you think I feel, suffering such unjust slander? Portraying a kind-hearted, benevolent Master like me as some kind of insane psycho. Of course, it makes me furious. Right?”
Alron wiped his face.
“No, who on earth is that person?”
“There is. A guy about a *zon* tall.”
“Wait, Master? How can a person be a *zon* tall?” (Note: ‘Zon’ is a unit of length, roughly 30cm/1 foot, used humorously here.)
Oho, he can even banter back in a situation like this. Truly fitting for a veteran mercenary captain who’s seen all kinds of battles.
“That’s because you don’t know. If you diligently slice a person up, they can become about a *zon* tall. I’ll slice you up with all the care of a mother’s heart, so don’t worry too much. But just becoming about a *zon* tall is enough, right?”
As I stood up holding Yōjo, Alron trembled in fear and backed away.
“M-Master?”
“And I’ll leave your *thingie* intact. I’m a man too, so conscience-wise, I just can’t bring myself to cut that part off. Well, if someone finds it, they can use what’s left to pay for the funeral or just throw it in the trash.”
Sensing his horrific death approaching, Alron dropped his sword and prostrated himself flat on the floor.
“Master. I was wrong. Please spare me. If you spare my life, I will never forget this mercy.”
“It’s too late to take it back. My reputation has already hit rock bottom. People in Kara avoid me like I’m a murderer; I can’t even show my face there anymore.”
“Then I will go to Kara and quell the false rumors! If I, the source, vehemently defend you, everyone will believe in your innocence, won’t they?”
There it is. I pretended to be slightly interested.
“That might be true, but I need to be able to trust you. Let’s start by cutting off a finger first. Pain needs to be involved for actions to become swift.”
As I reached for Alron’s finger, he pulled his hand back and pleaded almost shouting.
“I will definitely keep my promise. So please…”
“This guy, such a drama king. You won’t die from a cut finger. Spit on it and blow on it, and it’ll heal right up.”
Alron’s face crumpled. His expression said my words made no sense.
“Master… Why do you keep doing this? I’ll go. I’ll go.”
“You’ll really go?”
“Yes.”
“Then when will you go to Kara?”
Alron lifted his head slightly.
“Can’t I go a bit later? My circumstances aren’t great right now.”
“Oh? Then let’s just make you a *zon* tall right now.”
“No! I’ll go as soon as the gate opens today!”
Alron finally started crying. His emotional state was satisfactory.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. But I have one request.”
“What request?”
“I’m currently being chased by the Kasim bandits. If they catch me, I’m truly done for. So, please protect me for a while. If you protect me, Master, they won’t dare do anything.”
I scratched the bridge of my nose awkwardly. This request isn’t particularly difficult, but it’s one headache after another. Whether it’s the client or the culprit, everyone I meet is busy setting troublesome conditions.
Frankly, part of me wants to just beat him senseless and drag him away, but considering my schedule for today, there’s a part of me that finds it a waste to just let Alron die here; I feel some lingering attachment.
Actually, Alron’s Mercenary Company committed a tremendous act today. They dared to invade the Hall of Divinity and left dozens of corpses there. It’s an atrocity that would outrage the world, a heinous crime. The Divine Dominion Temple will surely be searching for the captain, Alron, with burning eyes.
If I hand over Alron’s head to the church then, it seems I could make a lot of money.
“I can’t be bothered to go that far, but I’ll write a letter for you.”
“What kind of letter?”
“Roughly, it’ll say to spare you for my sake. If they still refuse, well, I, Old Man Zenbe, and a very scary sister will come over with the kids in tow, and I’ll tell them it won’t be for a pleasant reason.”
It was essentially the same as saying he’d kill them all. It seemed like a decent condition, as Alron finally stopped complaining.
“It’s not bad, but will they really believe the letter’s contents?”
“They’ll have to. I’ll sign the letter myself, and because such a thing will really happen. Actually, I am curious how much I’d get from raiding the Great Desert bandits. I’m sure it’d be a lot…”
“Then I understand. I’ll trust you, Master.”
Alron ultimately accepted my proposal. It seemed he judged that gambling on this was better than dying by my hand right now.
Thanks to that, I successfully completed this request and smiled brightly. Ah, so satisfying. The harvest gained through sweat in the field of labor is so sweet.
“Good. Then let’s get going slowly. The sun will be up soon.”
Afterwards, I asked Sister Armida to cast a ‘Tracking Magic’ on Alron’s body. I needed to know his location for when I go find him later.
And after exiting the gate in the morning, I took all of Alron’s money and handed him over to the escort guards. Alron screamed that he’d been tricked and poured out curses, but I just humbly accepted it all.
So, the harvest from this job was: basic request fee of 800 leaf gold, an additional 150 leaf gold for the client’s extra demands, and incidental income of 1,053 leaf gold from looting Alron’s Mercenary Company, totaling 2,003 leaf gold.
All in all, it was quite a good income. Even compared to the last Freyaker hunt, it wasn’t a shabby amount at all.
Alron’s Mercenary Company. As expected from a group that operated in Kara for a long time, the funds obtained from looting them were quite substantial.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
[Your Text Here]
