Ch.377EP.79 – Conversations Should Be Reasonable (2)

# The Mercenary King

He is a legend.

Not merely a legend in the south, but a figure whose fame resounds throughout the entire continent.

He fought the Sky Emperor [Sky Whale], who was enraged at humans, for a hundred days and nights and calmed its fury.

He was hired by the Sultan of the weakest sultanate in the west and transformed it into one of the top three powers in the region.

It is said that he and his mercenary group, the 34 Wolves of the Wilderness, repelled a hundred thousand monsters…

There are countless other tales about him, but since they all sound equally implausible, it’s not strange that they might seem like lies at first glance.

However, one thing is clear: while everyone may half-believe his tales, no one ever doubts his “strength.”

He gathered the scattered mercenaries of the continent, established the massive organization known as the Mercenary Union, revolutionized the existing mercenary market, and became the first chairman of the Union.

The fact that he has complete control over mercenaries who are as fierce as wild dogs speaks volumes about his greatness.

If he had wanted to, he could have ascended to the throne in any continent and founded a new nation without anyone finding it strange.

– [Mercenary King Caesar de Wolf.]

He was such a man.

And now, this great man was standing right before him.

In a way, it should have been a heart-pounding moment…

“The parent-guardian meetings ended some time ago, didn’t they?”

“?”

…Ihan merely looked at him not as a legend, but as a parent who had arrived far too late.

‘I’ve met so many legends already.’

Though unintentional, Ihan had met quite a few legendary figures, and now…

‘Even if the Mercenary King shows up…’

It felt somewhat anticlimactic, and he wasn’t particularly impressed.

If someone wanted to surprise him, they should have come around this time last year at the latest.

Therefore, Ihan wasn’t particularly surprised and was treating him as a guardian rather than a legend.

“Since you’ve come from so far away, let me tell you about your disciple. Overall, he’s excellent. He’s enthusiastic about learning. However, while he gets high scores in physical classes like swordsmanship, he fails in liberal arts and academics. It seems he’s been neglecting his studies to date women…”

“Ahem!”

“Oh, and please tell your disciple when you meet him to stick with just one woman. He’s not only two-timing but has so many relationships that the women nearly came to blows. He didn’t touch our chicks, so we let it slide, but what fault is it of those girls? They’re all precious daughters at home, tsk tsk.”

“…I’ll have to break all three of that boy’s legs.”

“Three?”

“A man has one more leg, you know.”

“Oh…”

Ihan understood the meaning of those words and immediately realized they weren’t empty threats.

After all…

“Bringing shame to the face of the mercenary group is one thing, but failing? A boy who said studying wasn’t that important is failing…!? Good grief, I trusted the wrong person.”

The Mercenary King’s face turned ferocious as he thought of his disciple.

He was utterly embarrassed by him.

…That day, a certain man in the royal capital felt a bone-chilling sensation, they say.

* * *

“But are you really the Mercenary King?”

On the way home.

Ihan was walking with him, planning to deliver some fish to Leira, and voiced a small doubt.

“Hmm? Do I seem like I’m lying?”

“Not exactly, but from what I’ve heard, the Mercenary King is in his late 70s, yet you look like you’re in your late 30s or early 40s at most.”

“Ha ha! Such flattery!”

“It’s not flattery…”

He was being completely honest.

It was natural for Ihan to be doubtful, as Caesar Wolf appeared remarkably young and handsome.

Though Ihan had said late 30s, this was only because of the wisdom in his eyes; without that, he could easily pass for someone in his 20s.

Moreover, he was well-groomed, with neatly arranged hair and eyebrows, and his clothes were tidy and quite luxurious.

Honestly, if he had introduced himself as a nobleman rather than a mercenary, it wouldn’t have seemed strange at all.

“Haha! Is that so? My, how embarrassing to receive such praise.”

“You took that as a compliment?”

In a way, Ihan had implied he didn’t look like a mercenary, which made his interpretation rather baffling.

But Caesar Wolf was sincere.

“Of course it’s a compliment. Why do mercenaries do what they do? They all earn vast sums to achieve success. So looking like a nobleman is indeed a compliment for a mercenary. It means I appear to have succeeded to that extent.”

“…When you put it that way.”

“Besides, I am the chairman of the Mercenary Union. My face represents the Union, a symbol of success. I need to show the mercenaries how successful I am. Wealth, honor, power, strength! By showing that I have all these things, the mercenaries in the Union will work harder, aspiring to become like me in the future, heh heh.”

“I see.”

“And one more thing, I’m actually quite modest in my appearance. Among prominent mercenaries, some gild all their teeth or embed jewels in them. Some even embed jewels in their skin. Well, such individuals often become targets on the battlefield due to their flashiness. But that’s only possible because they’re confident in their skills. Without skill, they’d die.”

“……”

…As he listened, Ihan was somehow reminded of his previous life.

Occasionally, famous people from abroad, especially successful rappers or influencers, would dress ostentatiously to show off their success.

It wasn’t something to criticize.

The desire to flaunt one’s wealth is common to everyone.

If anything, Ihan’s image of mercenaries might have been too narrow.

“I was wrong to imagine mercenaries only as dirty men in worn leather armor who haven’t bathed for over a month.”

“That’s not wrong. Most mid-to-low-tier mercenaries do look like that.”

“Then why does Garand look like that? He goes around looking exactly like a mid-to-low-tier mercenary.”

“…I won’t let that fellow off easy when I meet him. He’s ruining the dignity of mercenaries.”

Caesar was accumulating more anger toward his disciple, but he was a person of great self-control and concealed his anger in the blink of an eye.

Instead, he…

“By the way.”

“?”

“Is that all you want to ask?”

“Pardon?”

“Well, I revealed my identity rather grandly, but your reaction seems rather subdued.”

“Is there something else I should react to?”

“…When you put it that way, I have nothing to say, but… ahem.”

Caesar scratched his cheek.

Despite revealing his identity with flair, the lack of curiosity was rather deflating.

He had thought himself quite famous.

“Aren’t you curious why someone of the Mercenary King’s stature has come to meet you?”

“You said you were curious about the person who hit the king.”

“Well, yes, but…”

“I’m sure you have other reasons too. You’re probably not someone with that much free time. But… I’m not particularly curious.”

“Why not?”

“I have a feeling I’ll get caught up in something troublesome. Just a hunch.”

“……”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“No, it’s just… you’re so different from Baltar.”

“?”

“I thought you’d be similar since you’re his disciple, but you’re completely different, hehe.”

“…Who is whose disciple?”

Ihan was genuinely annoyed.

Then…

“If not a disciple, then… let me ask hypothetically…”

Caesar’s eyes flashed like a wolf that had found its prey, with a meaningful smile on his lips.

“—Would you not care if I killed that man?”

“……”

“Haha, don’t take it so seriously. It’s just a joke.”

“It doesn’t seem like one…”

……Ihan wasn’t foolish enough to be unable to distinguish between a joke and a serious statement.

*

*

*

“…Woof?”

Blink-.

Orthos opened his eyes.

He had no idea how long he had been unconscious, but the sundial was pointing to 12 o’clock, and Orthos was still dazed.

His head was throbbing as if he had a hangover, and Orthos was planning to remain sprawled out, but…

“Yellow, if you’re awake, stop resting and do some work. How long are you going to be lazy?”

“Woof?!”

Orthos jumped up instantly as if he had heard the most unfair accusation, but soon had to recoil in shock.

“Bark!?”

“Ah, you’re that rude puppy from yesterday. Yes, did you sleep well?”

“Grrrr!”

Although Orthos hadn’t seen the face of the person who had struck the back of his head, his sense of smell was good enough to remember the scent, and he immediately bared his teeth in threat.

But…

Thwack!

“I told you to help with work, not threaten people, you insolent mutt.”

“…Whine.”

“Don’t act pitiful.”

No, this is genuinely unfair!

Orthos, having received another knock on the head, grumbled that it was unfair.

The human had wronged him first, so why was he the only one being treated this way?

“Stop the dramatics. …Stop feeling wronged. I’ll help you get your revenge without you having to say anything.”

“…?”

“Can’t you see what we’re doing right now?”

“……”

At the human master’s words, Orthos could see what the two humans were doing.

He saw a square stage about 16 feet wide.

Of course, it was hardly worthy of being called a stage, as it was merely marked with lines, and Orthos wondered what these humans were up to.

“We’re about to have a ‘mercenary-style debate.'”

“Woof?”

What’s that?

Orthos tilted his head in confusion, and understanding his question, the human master explained while wrapping a bandage around one of his hands.

“To put it simply, it’s how mercenaries resolve disagreements. You can only use one fist, and kicking or biting is prohibited. Of course, weapons are also forbidden. It’s truly a ‘rational means of dialogue’ and a ‘method of reconciliation.'”

“I agree. Where else in the world could you find a more effective means of communication?”

“Though the dialogue might get a bit intense and one side might end up with a broken jaw, but well, that’s a minor issue.”

“Indeed, a very minor issue. It’s not like anyone becomes half-paralyzed or dies, haha!”

“……”

…Orthos showed doubt that this was in any way minor, but regardless of his doubts, an hourglass was placed in front of him.

“You’re the referee. Signal every 3 minutes.”

“…Woof.”

“As long as you understand.”

“Woof!?”

Orthos wasn’t saying he understood; he was asking what on earth was going on, but this time his meaning didn’t get through to the human master, who had already entered the 16-foot square.

Seeing this, Orthos, still utterly confused, wondered if he should fetch a writing board, but…

“Oh, left-handed?”

“I use both hands well. What about you?”

“I’m also ambidextrous. Oh, and I hope you block well. I’m worried I might break your jaw.”

“Hmm, I think it’s your fist that might break…”

“?”

“Well, never mind. —Let’s begin.”

“……Woof.”

Orthos didn’t have the courage to stand in the way of these ‘monsters’ who were already prepared, and so…

[Awoooo!]

Orthos’s howl sounded as a signal.