episode_0131

“Really… are you really the leader…?”

“Yes, that’s right. If this person is not the leader, who else would be the leader?”

“I can’t believe it…”

When Seris spoke with a smile in response to Hans’ question, the kneeling mercenaries began to sob loudly once again.

In the case of Ariel and Kali, they looked puzzled as if they didn’t understand the situation well, but they just stayed silent as they cried out so pitifully.

In my case, I felt like I was overflowing with unknown emotions.

Is this… a happy feeling that comes from being able to reunite with these people, or is it a slightly depressed feeling because I feel so sorry for them?

“…It’s been a while, everyone. How have you been?”

I don’t know. So, I just smiled at them and said hello.

***

It took quite a while for them to calm down after sobbing profusely, but we quietly waited for them to let out their accumulated emotions.

“Is that so…”

“Yes. That’s how it happened.”

“Oh my god… something like this…”

“Huh…”

What we’ve been through. And we talked about everything.

As the story continued, their expressions, which had been tinged with sadness, changed to astonishment or as if they were looking at something transcendent.

“…It doesn’t matter. Wouldn’t it have been better if the leader was still alive?”

“Of course! For us… this is enough.”

“Haha… It’s a miracle. It’s a miracle..”

However, they soon smiled brightly and continued talking cheerfully. The reason their expressions are so relieved and they seem to have no regrets left is probably because they have shaken off all their emotions.

Meeting them was the worst. They always had a confident and cheerful expression in front of me, but it broke my heart to see them show an empty expression as if there was a hole in their heart.

But it’s okay now. Everything was completed well, and in the end, everyone was happy.

“… I guess the leader has no plans to return.”

“Yes? Probably… I guess so.”

“In that case… Vice-captain Seris too.”

“Yes. I… have to assist the leader. Because he’s the vice-captain.”

“”…….””

The base of the Scar mercenaries, where cheerfulness had returned, is once again silenced.

There’s only one reason… I, the leader, disappeared, and had no reason or ability to return to the Scar mercenary group.

This may be because it is expected that it will be difficult to maintain the Scar mercenaries since even Ceris has declared that she will follow me.

“Phew… Is that so? Then, the Scar mercenaries…”

“Disbandment…? ”

“”……..””

Dismantled…d. Is it possible for the fruits of our hard work and hard work to disappear so easily?

I quietly looked up at Cerise.

She seems restless but has a determined expression. She doesn’t want to give up on the Scar mercenaries, but she seems to have decided because she wants to follow me even more than that.

“….Seris.”

“Yes? What’s going on?”

“Scar mercenaries… don’t disband.”

“…Captain, you can’t believe me…! It’s not possible. Please… please…!”

I don’t know what she was thinking, but Cerys had a desperate look on her face and knelt down and held my hand tightly.

…Did she think I was going to abandon her? That will never happen…

“Please…please…”

“…is one person eliminated?”

“Hmm…”

“Hehe..”

Cerys just held my hand with tears in her eyes, and only an uncomfortable current flowed through the base.

The mercenary members also looked at me a little uncomfortable, which seems to have increased the misunderstanding.

“Oh, no. That can’t be possible. Don’t misunderstand!”

“Huhhh… Then…”

“First of all, let’s not disband but continue to operate as before. We can’t just play and eat forever, right?”

That’s what I thought. Over the next few months, I’ll be playing, seeing, and eating as much as I can.

It was clear that if I spent the rest of my life just playing and eating, I would become a bad person. Of course, their wealth and abilities could cover up even such incompetence, but… I didn’t like that.

And there are limits to playing. If you just play every day, you will get bored and sick of it.

Even for that time, I think it would be better not to disband the Scar mercenaries first.

“And… it was Ceris’ wish, right? Protecting this mercenary group.”

“…………!”

“Don’t live too hastily, let’s. The time we have left… is truly countless.”

“Captain…!”

Cerise hugged me with a deeply moved expression and then shed tears.

After a while. After everything was resolved well and everyone was talking about various things.

Growling-

The sound of a boat horn began to sound loudly in the lobby.

Everyone laughed at the loud sound of someone’s boat horn and started looking for the culprit, and they were looking at me…?

…for a moment. Why are you looking at me!

“…..It’s not me!”

“Really? It was this way.”

“It doesn’t matter, cluck cluck.”

“Sensitive.”

I hastily made an excuse. Of course, it had been quite a while since I ate and I was hungry, but the noise just now wasn’t me!

Gurgling!

And at that moment, a series of loud ship horn sounds began to echo. The epicenter of the sound was… not me, but the mercenary members!

They also looked puzzled and started caressing their bellies.

“…Ah. Come to think of it… It’s been quite a while since I haven’t eaten.”

“That’s right…”

“I didn’t even think about food.”

It seems that they went out on a quest without even eating properly.

This… as a former leader, I can never ignore this! I’m not Korean… but humans live by food!

“Birrong!”

“Yes….Yes?!”

“It’s been a while…. I want to eat ‘that stew’! It’s possible, right now!”

“….Of course!!! I’ll prepare it right now!”

With a little confidence, he shouted weakly, but Birong immediately burst into laughter and ran into the kitchen.

“Haha… I really feel like I’m back in time.”

“It’s been so long… I finally remember.”

“….No more worries!”

Only then did the mercenary members burst into laughter and say something one by one.

“Stew? That stew I know?”

“Yes. Birong’s cooking… I’m really looking forward to it!”

“Stew is all stew.”

“Ha! Let’s see if you can do that after trying it once!”

“Is this… something I’m looking forward to?”

Seris, the mercenary members and I, who knew the taste of Birong’s special stew, were filled with anticipation, while those who had no way of knowing the taste had an expression of ‘no way’.

***

“….This is crazy! How did you make this!!!”

“Huh… Of all the stews I’ve ever had, it’s the most delicious.”

“Hoo… this taste is…!”

“What did I say!”

After a while, Birong, who had finished the stew quickly, put down a bowl of stew one by one, and the girls’ expressions were filled with surprise as they took a spoonful.

Well… Birong’s stew was really the best! I can’t wait to try one too!

Slurp-

“Kiyaa…”

Mimi. It is truly a beautiful taste.

The clean soup is exquisitely seasoned, and although it is oily, it doesn’t feel greasy.

The ingredients were prepared so that it was easy to swallow in one bite, and there were no tough parts of the meat.

Really… even though it’s been a long time since I’ve had stew, I couldn’t forget the taste. No, I think it tastes much better since it’s been a while since I ate it.

“Delivery!!”

And at that time, the fried chicken and beer I had ordered earlier arrived.

The mercenary members look at the items placed there, one glass at a time, with expressions of admiration as if they are lost in memories.

“Sleep! Everyone focus!!!”

When the table filled with memories and happiness was set, Seris stood up and shouted loudly.

Thanks to this, everyone’s eyes turned to Seris. However, no one expressed negative feelings.

Seris, the mercenaries, me and them. Everyone looks at them with eager expressions, hoping for a hopeful future filled with joy and happiness.

Since Cerise was holding a wooden beer glass in one hand, everyone noticed and raised their beer glasses high.

“…Although there were difficult and difficult days. Those were really painful and sad days…!”

Stars rise in our eyes. The days of hardship and pain will pass, and there will be no more sadness for us who are left with only a bright future.

“Let’s live. From now on, no sadness or tears!!!”

“For our brilliant future!”

“”For!!!!!””

With a cool yet bitter beer. I swallow up all the emotions that have built up over time.

Scar mercenaries. Although we started out insignificant, we have now established ourselves as the strongest mercenary group in the empire.

Our hope to brighten the empire and our desire to become the strongest mercenary group.

It will happen here and now, forever.

***

next day. After a short but intense after-party, we prepare to set off on our journey again.

“Really… if you want, you can leave.”

Before I leave, I ask them again.

If you really want to leave the mercenary group and achieve what you want, go for it. Because they already had the ability and qualifications to do so.

“No. That can’t be possible.”

“You’re still young… You should move while you can!!”

“Later… When I get old and my dentures start to crackle, I’ll think about it then!!”

“Puhahaha! That’s a good idea!”

But no one accepted my offer. Everyone decided to stay together and protect the Scar mercenaries.

“Captain, Vice-captain. Any time is fine… at least show your face. We will always be waiting here.”

Finally, Hans takes a step forward and speaks to us.

Among the mercenary members, Hans was the most responsible and loyal. He was still the same.

“…Yes. I will definitely… come back. Let’s see it again then!”

“Please, take care of yourself.”

“I’ll be back. Hans. And everyone! You must be doing well!”

We leave the base with nothing but smiles. There are no more remaining emotions.

“Mercenaries, pay attention!”

chuck-!

At Hans’ loud shout, everyone adjusts their angles and postures.

We look at it with a smile. The mercenary members also smile and keep their posture.

“Captain and vice-captain… salute!”

“”Have a nice trip!!!!!””

Everyone’s loud roar goes beyond the base and resonates so loudly that it seems to reverberate throughout the huge city of Leria.

Remembering their revived passion and roar of hope.

We get on the carriage again. For the final destination.