C458
There was very little information about Ala, the great rcenary from the Gaifa Islands, despite her reputation as one of the Three Great rcenaries.
Everyone praised her anonymity, and special articles about Ala were published every year without fail.
Ala would take at least one war-related assignnt each year and always achieved "remarkable" results as if it were second nature.
However, this information was superficial.
Ala rarely t with journalists in person, and she was seldom seen at public events, so it was safe to say that the articles were purely imaginary.
In his previous life, Jin had also co across Ala through those articles.
But only once.
His teacher, Valeria Hister, had spoken about Ala.
"Does Ala wear the skin of the people she has killed? I often think so, but there are certainly strange stories about this person."
"Doesn't she bother correcting journalists who make up false stories?"
"True. However, she has no idea at all how those articles affect her image among the people, and the fact that journalists write those stories about her."
"Completely unaware?"
"Yes, she's the kind of person who doesn't care much about how the world works. At least, from what I observed. And she was incredibly pure."
"Pure? Even I find it hard to believe she wears people's skin, but it's undeniable that her combat skills are extraordinary. But can soone like that be pure?"
"Being pure doesn't necessarily have only positive connotations. Anyway, once you finish your tea, you should start your training."
In his previous life, they had breakfast together one day and discussed while looking at newspapers.
At that ti, Jin didn't hold Ala in high regard, so he didn't attribute any special aning to her.
Being pure doesn't necessarily have only positive connotations...
Now, looking back, the aning of those words was clear.
Ala is a human with a very blurred sense of right and wrong.
"Why do you think that?"
Valkas asked the final question.
He wanted to know the reason they needed to recruit or keep Ala in check.
"It's because of the alliance I made with the Black King and the Phantom Legion rcenaries."
"It's not an alliance but rather a lord-vassal relationship; you don't need to be so careful with your words while considering our feelings."
"Now everyone knows this fact. I wanted to keep it hidden until our power was even more solid. Anyway, now the two biggest neutral powers left in the world are Ala, the great rcenary, and the Hidden Palace."
"That's true."
"The fact that the Hidden Palace is my ally hasn't been revealed to the world yet, but the major factions must have so suspicion."
"Well... I think people around the world consider them not only as allies but also as potential family mbers. Rumors about marriage between you and the lady from the Hidden Palace have been circulating for quite so ti, my lord."
"The only one left is Ala, and anyone who is. It would be a bit awkward even for to persuade her. Although I haven't acted recently, other powers must already be trying to contact Ala. If we're unlucky, she may have already joined sowhere."
Jin's recent actions have changed the course of the world.
Forces that had been neutral for a long ti joined the Twelfth Flagbearer of Runcandel, further escalating tension among the major factions.
Those in the gray area had to make a decision.
Which side to align with?
Neutral forces were disappearing one by one.
"She might not be affiliated with anyone, my lord. She's quite an elusive character," Valkas said.
"Do you know her?"
"We might be quite close considering Ala's standards. In general, we've crossed paths a few tis on the battlefield and have eaten together a couple of tis."
Since both Ala and Valkas were famous rcenaries, they had received different assignnts and had encountered each other on the sa battlefield a few tis.
Valkas' forehead furrowed as he rembered those monts.
"You know, my lord. Ala doesn't have her own rcenary unit."
"Yes, she operates alone."
"Even so, I've never defeated her even once when I faced her on the battlefield."
"Are you saying there's such a difference between Ala and you?"
"Not between Ala and , but between the Black rcenaries and Ala."
Jin widened his eyes.
"What...?"
"I hate to admit it, but at least in terms of combat skills, Ala outmatches both and the Black rcenaries. Maybe in a one-on-one duel, it might be different, although she has the potential. But we've never had a chance to test it."
Valkas looked Jin in the eyes as he continued.
"That ans we must recruit Ala. It's entirely different when you temporarily fight on different sides due to different bosses and when you beco declared enemies. Personally, I think you should consider the possibility of having to kill her if you think she can beco an enemy."
Jin nodded decisively in response to Valkas' determined tone.
"I understand what you an. Our top priority is to understand what Ala wants. Do you have any specific information?"
"Scouting."
"Scouting?"
"Ala has been wandering and exploring the world all her life. I asked her about it when we shared a al after a battle. She seed to have a strong desire to find sothing, but she didn't exactly tell what it was."
"If I can figure out what that sothing is, recruiting her will be easy." An intense intuition crossed Jin's mind.
She doesn't seem very interested in how the world works.
Perhaps that's why my teacher described her like that in my previous life; maybe she's completely dedicated to her goal.
Jin realized that he might have to ask the current Valeria if she knew anything about Ala.
Bringing Valeria with him could also be a good idea.
"In any case, I should et with her and have a conversation."
"Indeed, my lord. And it might be helpful to bring the Proch siblings."
"Do you an Lata and Fey?"
"Ala seed to find those two strangely likable when they crossed paths on the battlefield. Although Lata didn't seem to appreciate it."
It was hard to imagine anyone finding Lata cute, but having him along wouldn't hurt.
"Understood."
"In that case, I'll go back to overseeing the construction. If Ala cooperates, please convey my best wishes to her."
As Valkas left, soone was already waiting for Jin.
Gilly.
"Young master."
"Yes, Gilly."
Jin had noticed a long ti ago.
Or, to be more precise, Gilly had been trying to start a conversation with him for a while, especially lately.
He had been waiting to have his thoughts sorted out.
'She had been restless because of the situation with Dox.'
The McRolan Family hadn't sent any greetings when he beca a Flagbearer, and Dox, who had been rescued by Jin, had left without a word.
(In fact, from Jin's perspective, it seed more like he had been given a ssage to be even more attentive).
Gilly acted as if she had committed a sin.
"Oraboni... No, the Black Knight. I worry about what to do if he doesn't follow your orders, young master."
"Why does that worry you, Gilly?"
"For my family."
Gilly paused for a mont, then continued with an uncertain voice.
"Because he is from my family..."
"Family ans nothing to a Black Knight. And as I said last ti..."
He stopped for a mont, suppressing the growing anger.
Of course, the anger wasn't directed at Gilly but at McRolan, who made Gilly feel small.
"I won't hold any particular grudge against McRolan. As long as they don't harm you directly. So don't worry, Gilly."
When it ca to Gilly, Jin struggled to control his emotions.
He told her not to worry, but his eyes were filled with an intense desire for revenge against McRolan, enough to end them instantly.
Gilly couldn't raise her head, troubled by the situation, and Jin realized the situation a beat too late.
'Ah...'
His priority should be Gilly's feelings and not the anger.
He had always known it, but putting it into practice was difficult.
However, Jin understood it because he rembered it clearly.
In their past lives, McRolan didn't extend a hand to Gilly when she also suffered the sa fate as him and was exiled from the Family.
McRolan's position in Hufester was significant, so they could have done a lot to help Gilly if they had wanted.
Of course, they couldn't turn her back into an active Flagbearer of McRolan, but they could at least have prevented her from having a lonely and miserable death.
That was the reason for Jin's anger toward McRolan.
"Hmm, whether the Black Knight obeys that order or not, I'll obtain important information. If he doesn't obey, we can assu that all active Black Knights are involved with Rikalton. If he obeys, it will reveal Joshua's secret."
Jin spoke again, suppressing his anger.
"Moreover, Joshua will stop trusting that Black Knight, and it's very likely he'll beco my person before I beco the patriarch, as long as I don't kill Joshua."
"Oh..."
"I will save him."
"What?"
"If Dox is in danger of being killed by Joshua, I will save him. As I said, he's not just another mber of McRolan; he's a Black Knight. He's one of the most important mbers of my Runcandel Family, so I won't let him die aninglessly. I saved him this ti for that reason."
Gilly nodded, and Jin shrugged.
"You have nothing to worry about anymore, Gilly. I'll be leaving for the Gaifa Islands soon, so please prepare our things. I want to leave with the feeling that I'll still be under your care, Gilly."
"Understood, young master. I'll prepare it right away."
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