The fourth woman strode in with an air of calm confidence. She had dark brown hair tied back into a sleek ponytail, and her bronzed skin glowed as if kissed by constant exposure to the sun. Her eyes, a piercing hazel, sized up with curiosity rather than fear.
She was also half Darrack, a race of demi-human with armored scales on so part of their body, but in her case, I could barely see it on her exposed skin. They were also strong against intense temperature.
But the most unique trait of them all was the fact that their body was craving soap.
They eat soap.
"Callista, forrly Callisto, 24," she said as she took the seat in front of without waiting for permission. Her boldness was expected, and I raised an eyebrow at her audacity. She grinned back at , clearly unbothered.
Callisto, or in this case, Callista, as she self-proclaid, had been a thief within the group, but unlike most bandits, she had a strange code of ethics. She didn't steal for the thrill or the profit but saw it as a ga—a way to test her skills. She spoke with an ease and confidence that made think she'd been in similar situations before.
I could tell Callista was sharp, probably sharper than most of the other recruits. She had the kind of clever mind that could be dangerous if left unchecked, but if I could keep her ambitions aligned with mine, she could prove to be a valuable asset in gathering intelligence or slipping into places others couldn't.
Or just overall, soone whose opinion was worth to ask for.
"It is a great pleasure of mine to serve such a beautiful figure in all of Carcosa."
"Flattery has its place." I smirked. "As long as you prove your worth, I won't hesitate to craft you so of these equipnt made from Calamity Objects."
"Hahah, you really know what people want the most! Is this because you're a fae?"
"Even if I'm not, you need to make sure that you keep your tongue intact." I playfully chuckled. "Have you ever heard of the saying, 'Never probe a secret from a fae?'"
"Heh, you really are a fairy, alright."
After Callista left, the door opened again, and this ti a young woman stepped in with her eyes cast down, her shoulders hunched as if trying to make herself smaller. Her hair was a tangled ss of auburn curls, and her skin was dotted with freckles. There was sothing almost childlike about her deanor, though I knew better than to be deceived by appearances.
"Sera," she murmured, barely loud enough to be heard, "Age... 22." Her voice wavered slightly, and she fidgeted with the sleeves of her tunic.
Sera had been a forager, soone used to finding food and supplies in the wilderness. Though timid, she had an impressive knowledge of herbs and plants, sothing that could be useful in ensuring the survival of my growing bastion, especially outside of my ability to open detail screens.
However, her skittish nature made wonder how she would fare in more dangerous situations.
"I will try my best to be helpful under your care, madam Narcissus!" Sera said in a spirited manner after our motivating talk.
"Likewise, I will ensure the best guidance if you maintain your loyalty to ."
Overall, she was quite the sweetheart.
Makes wonder why she even joined that brute group to begin with.
The sixth recruit strode in with an air of authority that surprised . Her short aqua-colored hair frad a strong, angular face, and her blue eyes t mine with unwavering confidence. She moved with a soldier's precision, her posture rigid and controlled.
"Alia. I'm 31." There was no hint of hesitation in her voice, and I could tell imdiately that she was soone who had been used to giving orders.
Alia had been a rcenary before joining the bandits, though it seed her ti with them had been brief. From what I could gather, she had been in it for the money, nothing more. She decided to join after Verina listed all of the benefits that I could bestow, which far exceed a simple paynt in bloodies form.
Her military background would be useful, and unlike so of the others, I sensed no imdiate threat of rebellion from her. She understood discipline, and I suspected she would follow whoever could provide her with the stability and structure she craved.
"I shall be in your utmost care from now on, ma'am," her eyes glinted with excitent despite her stone-cold expression.
The next woman who entered was tall, with exotic chocolate skin and silverish hair l that fell to her shoulders. Her deep yellow eyes were striking, filled with a mixture of defiance and wariness. She looked older than her 27 years, the wear of a hard life etched into her features.
"My na's Naosi," she said curtly, her voice low and gravelly. Naosi had been a weaponsmith for the bandits, though her true talents lay in crafting traps and fortifications. From what I had read in the logs, her work had saved their camp on more than one occasion from being overrun by Ordeal-driven beasts.
Naosi was a pragmatist through and through, but I could sense a deeply buried bitterness in her. She wasn't here because she believed in , but because it was the best option available. I'd need to watch her closely, as she could prove to be a destabilizing force if her resentnt festered.
Not to ntion, the only reason why I need her in the first place was that I'm the only builder in this bastion. I need another one who could give input and suggestions, also maintaining what I left behind.
"Leader, do you perhaps need a good partner in bed in this bastion of yours?" Naosi said as she gave a thumbs up. "I might not have my mighty rod anymore, but I'm good at giving pleasure if you happen to be stressed with your job."
"Feel free to try, but I will dismber that arm if such a thing happens."
"Don't worry," she gave another thumbs up. "I still have my slippery tongue."
"That would be two body parts that I need to dismber then."
I couldn't imagine if I recruited them while keeping their rod attached.
The final recruit walked in with an almost regal bearing, her posture perfect and her chin held high. Her long, straight black hair shimred in the dim light of the office, and her olive skin gave her an air of elegance. She looked to be around 25, but her sharp gray eyes carried the weight of soone who had seen much more.
"Lydia," she said simply, taking the seat opposite with grace. There was sothing cold and calculating about her deanor, and I could already tell she was soone who weighed every word and action with precision.
Lydia had been the main strategist for the bandits, advising them on their raids and defenses against the Ordeal. Unlike most of the others, she seed to have a genuine intellect behind her decisions.
I questioned her for longer than the others, sensing a potential ally or a future rival depending on how I played my cards. She was ambitious, that much was clear, and while she wouldn't openly challenge , I suspected she was already plotting her path forward.
"If you're still suspicious of , be mindful that I only care about plotting to steal your heart~"
"... I shall see if you're able to accomplish that, then."
Nevermind, almost all of them were hornier than rabbits.
As I finished interviewing the last of the recruits, I leaned back in my chair and sighed. Each one of them had their own quirks, strengths, and weaknesses. None were imdiately loyal, but I could work with that.
For now, they were my recruits—whether they accept it or not.
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