Chapter 48: Tug of War
Calix gazed into the blue eyes. Adrian Deconti, a supre-class knight. The opponent's presence was by no ans light, but his composure remained unchanged.
What mattered was how one reacted in the face of a strong opponent.
"Mountain Rabbits, Calix here."
"Mountain Rabbits! Yes, it was you folks! My escort has arrived! No wonder you've been exuding such a sharp atmosphere since you ca in."
"I heard you are of noble blood from Latia."
"Noble blood, is that what they call it here? Hehe."
"But why are you alone?"
"......You're quite sharp, aren't you? You know how to poke at sore spots."
"Reading what's not visible is also a rcenary's ability."
While Captain Royce watched silently, handshakes were exchanged, and soon a strange atmosphere flowed between the two n.
Even as Calix received continuous warnings from his 'sixth sense', he focused on what he needed to do. He had learned from the rcenaries how to be suspicious. Even if it beca sowhat uncomfortable, boldly stepping forward to gather information was the first step in carrying out a contract.
Of course, Adrian Deconti was no easy opponent either.
"I had forty attendants, but they all died on the way here."
"......Were there combatants?"
He said ‘they all died’ as if it were nothing, and Calix detected a subtle crack in the other's tone. There was sothing unrevealed within his cynical attitude.
"Mm, there were about thirty swordsn and ten servants."
"You were ambushed."
"Ah, yes. They must have been sent from Latia. The number of assassins alone exceeded a hundred. Have you ever dealt with assassins?"
"I haven't, but the other Mountain Rabbits probably have."
"Those bastards are truly vicious. They threw themselves at us with no regard for their own lives, and even elite swordsn fell one by one. When I ca to my senses, I was the only one left."
"......"
The subsequent answer was incredibly honest. He didn't hide the danger he was in and revealed without reservation what he was being threatened by.
"Honestly...... It was a tiring journey. It got worse when they stopped attacking openly. They sched to prevent
from obtaining water and food. There must be traces in the villages I passed through. But now I've t you folks, haven't I? What was your na, Mountain Rabbits?"
"Yes."
"Right, Mountain Rabbits! Pleased to et you! When you think about it, isn't this a very simple contract? Just take
to the Storm Forest."
However, at the sa ti, he didn't spill all the information.
"......But noble one, I know. You are strong. More powerful than anyone in this place. Strong enough that you don't need us. And that is not a simple matter."
"......"
"Why do you need us? Is it for guidance? Or is it simply to use us as a ans to shake off the assassins?"
At the direct question, Adrian Deconti stared intently at the rcenary captain. It would have been reasonable to interrupt what seed like a rude remark, but Royce just watched silently.
'I wondered who this young one was to show such wariness...... Now I see he's a core mber of the rcenary company.'
Right.
He wasn't just observing. He was asking the questions he wanted to ask through Calix's mouth. The Latia prince let out a small laugh and opened his mouth.
"Both are true. I need guidance, and I need help shaking off the assassins. Just because one is strong doesn't an they can handle everything alone. Those bastards won't give up until the end. There's quite a lot riding on my head. I'll tell you everything if necessary. In a place...... A bit quieter than here."
"......"
"What do you say?"
When the prince requested a private conversation, Captain Royce hesitated for a mont before answering.
"Given the nature of the contract, we need to have an internal discussion, but if I may be so bold, may I ask why Your Highness requests to be present?"
Adrian answered readily.
"I'm not simply looking for soone to give a contract to, but a trustworthy companion. So I want to see the rcenary company's decision-making process, their concerns and judgnts as they are. That's how I can determine whether I should entrust this contract to you, isn't it?"
"......"
"I'm soone who values trust over status. So don't worry about formalities and proceed as usual. Additionally, I'll excuse myself if sensitive content cos up. How about it?"
Royce hesitated for a mont but eventually nodded.
***
Inside the rcenary guild's lodging in the middle of the capital.
The Mountain Rabbits engaged in heated debate for a full half day.
The dwarf Basim strongly opposed trusting a crowned human, while Zahira insisted they should accept the contract for Ella's sake. The reason the veteran rcenaries' opinions were so starkly divided was clear.
"The risk is far too great for a simple escort mission. A supre-class knight asked for help, and there are even political conflict elents mixed in, right?"
"Rather than political conflict—"
"They sent assassins, didn't they? From their own kingdom too. In situations like this, being a prince is more dangerous than being a slave. I may be illiterate and can't read, but I know one thing for sure. This slls really fishy."
"So you won't accept this contract? You want to go to the battlefield where Duke Saitz is waiting? If we want to avoid the kingdom's conscription order, we need a viable alternative."
"Well, I'm just saying......"
Which is more dangerous?
If they join the battlefield, Duke Saitz will certainly make moves, and if they accept the Latia prince's escort contract, there are more than a few suspicious aspects.
This didn't change even after speaking directly with the contract party.
"Why did I co all the way to the Astria Kingdom? To explain this, I need to start with why I'm going to the Shadow Lands...... To summarize simply, it's because I'm a mber of the investigation team."
"What's an investigation team?"
"Mm, those who gathered to look into the Shadow Lands. You can think of it as a group directly ford by royalty or influential figures from various nations across the continent to prepare for the ergence of evil forces."
"No, what's so important that a prince of a nation goes in person?"
"Rulers are suspicious. They won't believe unless they see for themselves. For example, from Kalahim, Varga, the Great Chief's son, was supposed to co, and from the Niboria Empire, the successor of Duke Akron is coming. Not only that? The Elvra Holy Empire sent Archbishop Isabella, and from the Trinora Alliance—"
"Alright, I get it, I get it. They're all people who have so clout, aren't they?"
"Hahaha, that's right. That's exactly it."
The stakes are too high.
Seven royals gathered from seven nations across the continent. And there's one more na added that cannot be ignored.
"Still, you can't ignore this na. Yelayen is coming in person."
"......Yelayen? Surely you don't an the mage?"
"Yes. The 'Pointing' Mage Yelayen gathered us. If not him, who would dare command the royals of each nation, and who would follow?"
"Goodness, Yelayen is still alive? Isn't he from thousands of years ago!"
"I'm skeptical too. According to what I heard from my father, he appeared after half a century. But what are mages? They're called immortals who protect the world, aren't they? It's hard to believe, but it's not incomprehensible."
"Huh, the appearance of a legendary mage."
Thud! Thud!
At that mont, everyone's gaze gathered at one point at the sound of a hand striking the wall. It was Royce, the Mountain Rabbits' captain.
"We're not accustod to running away. That's why we don't step on aningless battlefields in the first place. Right now, we need to think about what this choice will an for us. Things like investigation teams or mages are rely secondary factors. Everyone, stay focused."
"Yes."
Just as Adrian sensed the change in atmosphere and quietly left his seat. He wouldn't tolerate the topic drifting sideways, and thanks to this, Vice-captain Marik and other key personnel quickly straightened out the direction of the conversation.
"No matter how many tis I think about it, participating in battle is a bad move. If we get entangled with Duke Saitz, we'll only be able to respond passively. Conversely, if we take on the escort of Lord Adrian Deconti, even from the Astria Kingdom's standpoint, they won't be able to touch us easily. It could escalate into a diplomatic issue."
As the Vice-captain opened the discussion, Gregor naturally picked up the thread.
"Right, right. A distant enemy is better than a close one. More than anything, isn't Latia just a millet-sized island nation far away in the southern sea!"
"......Gregor, it's best not to use that expression when the prince is present. Saying the Kingdom of Latia is millet-sized."
"Then I'll call it a severed fish head! In any case, it'll be hard to send assassins twice! It'll reek terribly once it's thoroughly spoiled!"
"......Ugh."
The veteran rcenary's way of speaking was quite rough, so Zahira's composure wavered briefly, but anyway, what's good is good, isn't it?
"What do you think?"
"M-?"
"Yes, you, Volga. You're an official mber now. Don't you have any opinions?"
"I, I'm in favor."
"In favor of what?"
"Of anything......?"
"......"
And soon, after passing the turn of Volga, who had beco an official mber, the baton was passed to Calix.
Dwarf Basim, who opposed, showed a dissatisfied expression but seed to reluctantly accept. There was no alternative to avoid the Astria Kingdom's conscription order.
Calix also hadn't considered joining the battlefield. More important was estimating the escort mission.
"Calix?"
Clunk.
"What's the young friend thinking so hard about?"
After a period of silence, eyes gathered, and Adrian, who had just returned to the room, also asked curiously. The Mountain Rabbits' sensitive discussion quickly sank below the surface. A light tension filled the room again.
The answer ca imdiately.
"Swordsmanship."
"Swordsmanship?"
"Yes. I was thinking whether it would be possible to wound you if I fought against you."
"......Heh, hehehe."
Had he decided to cross the line of rudeness?
However, since it wasn't entirely sudden, he waited for the subsequent explanation instead of getting angry. If it were rely due to competitive spirit, there would be a price to pay, but if there was a valid reason, he would feel satisfaction as an employer.
"In my view, there are two risk factors. First is the level of the assassins. In any case, Adrian Deconti—"
"Just call
Adrian."
"Yes. Those people couldn't wound Lord Adrian's body. Then we can infer the opponent's martial level to so extent. If we can gauge it in advance, it's worth confronting. If not, we'll have to choose our battlefield."
"Good, very good. Then what's the second risk factor?"
"The place you've never ntioned."
"A place I haven't ntioned?"
"Yes. The final destination, the Storm Forest. You haven't made any ntion of that place. Not even once."
"......Yes, I haven't."
The Latia prince smiled wordlessly. The joy of finding a truly capable rcenary company that wasn't passive. Finding a lion cub was a bonus.
Then he could reveal a bit more of his true feelings.
"I won't tell lies. Darkness is approaching closer than you think. But soone...... Wants to turn away from it."
"Wanting to turn away ans......"
"For example, that millet-sized island nation far away in the southern sea is like that. War ans money. But you want us to dispatch an expeditionary force to face evil forces? Right in the center of the continent? They don't want the truth. They want sweet lies. They desire an unchanging daily life. The situation isn't different for other kingdoms either."
"......"
"However, reality cannot be ignored. Just as I was born a prince of the republic and struggle desperately to maintain the decrepit royal family, you also won't be able to live peacefully by ignoring evil forces. A shadow has been cast over the Storm Forest."
Adrian Deconti, just as he was tested, presents the Mountain Rabbits with a new test.
"What do you an a shadow has been cast?"
"It ans the forest is collapsing."
"Look here, Your Highness. A forest isn't a drinking cup, so how can it collapse?"
"I knew you wouldn't believe ."
He smiled coldly, then suddenly recited lyrics that didn't fit the situation.
[When the storm subsides, the shadow spreads.]
[When the wind stops, darkness will seep in.]
[Circulating mage, where is your body?]
[Do not sleep deeply and let us hear the song of the wind.]
And at that mont, a fierce wind whipped from outside. The window fra rattled and the rcenary guild's door shook, and the drinking cups vibrated faintly.
Several rcenaries sitting on the first floor looked outside and murmured.
"What's this, suddenly the wind......"
"The sky's getting dark. Is it going to rain?"
At the ominous on, the Mountain Rabbits' complexions darkened slightly. Even without faith, they couldn't help but believe in superstitions.
"Recently, I heard the Storm Forest has been devouring humans. So we need people who can determine whether it's a simple anomaly or a sign of evil awakening. Naturally, they must have courage, know how to confront rather than run away, and possess strong ntal fortitude that won't bend to evil forces. That's why we've been searching for qualified people through the Kriya Order."
"......"
"How about it, Mountain Rabbits. Will you give it a try?"
Silence naturally flows, and the Mountain Rabbits stare intently at their captain instead of adding comnts.
It's a mont of choice.
Will they go to the battlefield and continue the conflict with Duke Saitz, or will they head to the Storm Forest where anomalies are occurring?
Before long, Royce made his decision.
"We'll accept the contract. We'll depart at dawn tomorrow. However......"
"However?"
"We'll have to raise the contract fee. 200 gold coins. Pay the full amount upfront."
"......"
It was a truly rcenary-like conclusion.
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