Chapter 44
The Second Race War, which erupted in the year 744 of the Sedeth Calendar, dragged on for decades.
When war continues for a long time, lives are devastated.
Refugees emerge, losing their homes and wandering, while those who should be working in their trades head to the battlefield.
As the workforce dwindles, production decreases. With reduced production, taxes also drop.
Additionally, the decreasing number of soldiers and knight orders protecting the cities was a serious issue.
The very foundation of the promise “pay taxes and receive protection” was shaken, causing unrest among the citizens.
That was the reason why the mercenary profession began to rise.
In truth, the mercenary profession existed long before, but it wasn’t particularly popular.
Whether it was monsters attacking the city or demons appearing nearby, soldiers and knights could usually handle it, making mercenaries essentially an off-season side job where people did trivial favors for others.
But as the influence of the knights waned, people began using their taxes to hire mercenaries instead. As a result, a number of people started making their living solely as mercenaries.
Among those mercenaries, groups with common interests formed “parties,” and when these parties grew or multiple parties gathered, they formed a “mercenary band.”
And during the Second Race War, there was one mercenary band that became the most renowned…
***
“…That’s the origin of the Free Mercenary City, Libery, known as the ‘Libery Mercenary Band.’”
Joanie excitedly explained after arriving at Libery.
Being in the mercenary’s stronghold seemed to have energized her even more than usual.
She was eagerly recounting Libery’s history, a story I hadn’t even asked for, probably because she was so hyped.
She even went through the trouble of explaining in Granic, which she wasn’t familiar with.
But…
“I already know.”
“Oh, y-you do?”
The problem was that it was unnecessary trouble.
Even someone like me, who isn’t particularly interested in history, knew about Libery’s founding.
Well, to be precise, I was forced to learn about it because of someone who used to talk endlessly about it.
As Joanie explained, the Free Mercenary City started as a single mercenary band.
As the band grew in power, fewer people were paying taxes, and naturally, this didn’t sit well with the lords who were collecting those taxes.
This led to a conflict between the mercenary band and the existing ruling class, and when the mercenaries won, they established this place—Libery, the Free Mercenary City.
In other words, Libery is both the name of the old mercenary band, the city, and the organization to which the mercenaries here belong.
‘Hmm…’
I glanced over the city, hidden beneath my hood.
Though I’d heard about Libery countless times, this was my first time seeing it in person, and its scale was quite impressive.
While not as grand as Grasis’s capital, it was certainly bigger than most cities.
At the very least, it was definitely larger than Ordo.
‘…Well, I suppose it makes sense.’
It was once the capital of a small kingdom, after all.
“How long do you plan to stay in Libery?”
“I don’t know.”
I could leave for the Sacred Kingdom right now if I wanted, but it seemed Joanie didn’t want that.
“Can’t we stay for just a few days?”
She listed a dozen reasons, from how important rest was to how it would be a waste not to enjoy some sightseeing since we were already here.
“How about three days? No more, no less. Just three days! Please?”
“Fine.”
“Huh? Wait, did you just say yes?”
“Yeah.”
There were a few things I wanted to ask Edel, but they weren’t urgent. No need to rush.
Most of all, while I was used to sleeping outside or in carriages for days, it wasn’t something I particularly enjoyed.
Joanie’s face lit up when she heard my answer.
“Really? No take-backs, okay? You won’t suddenly say tomorrow that we’re leaving, right?”
“Let’s leave today, then.”
“Oh, come on, don’t be like that~”
Joanie playfully acted cute and grabbed my hand, pulling me along.
Libery seemed quite familiar to her, as her steps were confident without any hesitation as we walked through the streets.
“Where are we going?”
“To Libery’s headquarters! It’s been a while since I last came, so I figured I’d report my results and show you around the base.”
“…Is it okay for me to come along?”
“As long as it’s not a restricted area, it’s fine. The only place we’ll probably go is… what was it again? Oh right, the reception! The reception area is where they handle requests and jobs, so it’s a place civilians visit frequently.”
That sounded reasonable.
As we weaved through the crowd, the large castle that had been looming in the distance suddenly came into view.
Not only did they take over the kingdom’s capital, but they also left the royal castle intact and made it their headquarters.
If any surviving members of the kingdom’s royalty saw this, they might cry tears of blood.
Still, it’s better than some countries that are just ruins now.
As expected from Libery’s headquarters, there were a lot of people—mercenaries, apostles, and ordinary adventurers filled the space.
While I was observing the people around me, Joanie noticed my gaze and crouched down to meet my eyes.
“Are you interested in mercenaries? Or maybe… you want to become one?”
“No.”
“Why not? If it’s you, you’d get exceptional treatment.”
“…I don’t want to.”
Sure, I’d probably be well-compensated. But what’s the point if that’s not what I want?
If I were short on money, I might’ve considered it, but I’ve always earned more than I needed and never spent much of it.
Garid often nagged me to use some of it, but the most I’d spend would be on food, which is nothing compared to what I earned as a commander.
The royal brats were always irritating, like mosquitoes, but at least they paid me well.
Probably because of their influence.
…
Just thinking about that face soured my mood.
Even Garid, who usually shrugged things off, acted strangely uneasy around that guy.
I dislike him, but objectively speaking, he was probably the most sane out of all the royals.
When I asked Garid why he disliked him, he never told me. To this day, I still don’t know.
“If you really want to know, try acting cute. Then I’ll tell you.”
“….”
He said that once, but I didn’t care enough to find out.
In any case, I didn’t need fame or fortune, so there’s no reason for me to play mercenary.
And honestly, I don’t have great feelings toward Libery either, though they’re not as bad as the Empire.
Joanie didn’t seem too bothered by my refusal and moved on without much hesitation.
She looked at the long line at the reception and sighed.
“It might take a while… Do you want to look around by yourself? I’ll find you once I’m done.”
“You’ll find me?”
I hadn’t told her where I’d be, so how would she know?
In response to my confusion, Joanie pointed around us.
Following her gesture, I scanned the area and nodded.
It was true. It would be hard to miss me.
I’m not some caged monkey, so why are people staring at me like that?
So many apostles were whispering and pointing at me that even the other mercenaries, who initially had no interest, started looking over to see what was going on.
It was a chain reaction. One person attracted another, and that person attracted another, completing a vicious cycle.
“Alright.”
I had a feeling people would follow me no matter where I went, but standing still and becoming a spectacle was worse.
Leaving Joanie behind, I began to explore Libery’s headquarters.
The contrasting effect of the elegant interior and the rugged mercenaries was a strange sight.
As I wandered, avoiding the mercenaries, I occasionally encountered people who blocked my path.
“This area is restricted. If you’re authorized, please show your credentials.”
Their firm tone and the way they physically blocked the door made their intentions clear, even if I didn’t fully understand their words.
During those moments, I would turn around without hesitation and head elsewhere.
If they said not to go in, then I wouldn’t go in.
There was no need to be stubborn if there wasn’t a good reason to insist.
So, as I wandered around exploring the various parts of the castle, with curious onlookers watching me, I suddenly heard something.
Prick.
“…?”
“…Ha!”
“Faster! Swing faster!”
Faintly, I could hear shouts and the dull sound of clashing metal.
Drawn by the sound, I began walking toward its source. As I approached, the indistinct noises became clearer.
Eventually, I arrived at a courtyard that was part of the castle.
Before being seized by Libery, this space would have probably been used for its original purpose, maybe as a garden for growing flowers, but now it had become a training ground for mercenaries.
Some were diligently striking wooden or straw practice dummies, while others sparred with each other using weapons.
Among the trainees, I could spot a few Apostles as well.
I thought they would never train in their lives, but…
‘Surprising.’
Their skill was still lacking, but I had to give them credit for their dedication to training.
It seemed that those practicing alone were likely beginners, just starting their mercenary lives, while those engaged in duels were at a slightly higher level.
The more skilled ones were receiving guidance from a mercenary acting as an instructor.
There was even an instructor.
I had thought this place was filled with a ragtag bunch who barely knew how to fight, but to think they would go as far as to train them systematically.
It was more organized than I expected.
— “Hm? …Take a break!”
The instructor, who had been sternly instructing the mercenaries, noticed me.
As he raised his hand, the mercenaries who had been sweating profusely and swinging their weapons let out sighs of relief.
In contrast to his earlier strict tone, the instructor spoke to me kindly.
— “What brings you here? Did you follow an older sister or brother?”
“I don’t know Arkish.”
Reciting the first phrase I learned from Joanie, the instructor scratched his head.
— “Hm, are you lost? That’s troubling…”
“…”
— “You might get hurt by a stray sword if you’re not careful.”
The instructor, who was stroking his scruffy beard in thought, gestured to me.
It wasn’t some special mercenary hand signal, but a common gesture to follow him.
Not knowing where he was taking me, I obediently followed.
He led me to a door near the training ground and knocked.
Knock, knock.
— “Captain, may I come in?”
“Yeah, come in.”
I followed the instructor into the room once the door opened.
It appeared to be someone’s office.
A man sat at a large desk, buried in paperwork.
“What’s the matter?”
— “I found a lost child. She seems to have lost her guardian, and it’s too dangerous to leave her by the training ground, so I brought her here for now.”
“Is that so?”
The man, who had been wrestling with documents, raised his head.
Though his features had faded slightly with age, the handsomeness in his face had not been completely lost to time.
He must have been quite popular with women in his younger days, considering his tall, striking appearance.
And I knew his name.
“Aeron.”
The bluish eyes turned towards me.
Confusion, surprise, disbelief.
Aeron’s eyes went through these three changes in an instant, eventually settling into shock.
“No way, it can’t be… could it be… really?”
— “…Are you the Captain’s daughter?”
“…Daughter.”
At the instructor’s careful question, Aeron stopped being startled and smiled bitterly.
He was already standing up before I realized.
“I’ll take care of this matter. You should head back.”
— “Yes, sir…!”
After the instructor closed the door and left, silence fell between us.
Although Aeron seemed mostly certain, there was still a trace of disbelief on his face.
Wanting to help him, I pulled back the hood I had been wearing.
My pink hair, once hidden under the hood, gently flowed down.
“It’s been a while, Vice-Captain.”
“No way, you…!”
Aeron let out a breath of disbelief as our eyes met.
Now that I had removed the hood and faced him properly, there was no trace of doubt left on his face.
“It truly has been a long time.”
After hesitating for a moment, he spoke again.
“…Captain.”
—
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