episode_0012

“Please take a seat. I guess I made him stand there for no reason.”

“……Yes.”

“….I understand…”

With Kahlo speaking with a slight smile, we awkwardly sat down on the chairs.

Squeak-

“Do you like tea? Let’s take a drink each.”

Tea was poured into the teacups that were on the desk, so Cerise and I tasted the tea without refusing.

‘It’s warm.’

As the warm and subtle scent of tea filled my mouth, I felt a little at ease.

Just standing in front of this person named Calo was like sticking my head into the maw of a tiger.

“Listen while drinking tea. As I just said, I am the general manager of the Imperial Mercenary Guild. It’s called Calo.”

He was a more confident and strong man than anyone else. Do you have to be at this level to be able to sit in the position of general manager of the imperial mercenary guild?

“And… you guys. Did you say ska mercenaries? I caught Nepenthes this time.”

“Yes. Yes.”

This was the first time I knew that he was a man as strong as a sword, and that he naturally used honorifics when addressing older people.

“Nepenthera. It’s a really strong monster… There was even a case where a city was destroyed with just one Nepenthes.”

Calo stroked his beard and stared into space for a moment, perhaps remembering what happened back then.

“They subdued it in a place that was no different from a new mercenary group… Is it really the return of the glory of the past?”

Kalo looked back at me and Seris with a kind yet sharp gaze.

It feels as if every corner of my heart is being explored.

Cerys and I had no choice but to swallow and remain silent, like mice in front of a cat.

“So. For some business.”

“…Hoo.”

I decided I couldn’t back out any longer, and I didn’t like the time I spent hunching over, so I mustered up the courage to ask Calo.

Carlo looked at me as if he was interested in my question.

“Okay. Let’s just talk about business quickly.”

Huh-

“A mercenary group directly under the Empire. Do you intend to be incorporated there?”

Join the mercenary group directly under the empire. Kahlo certainly told us that.

It probably means to bow your head and be loyal to the empire.

“…….”

When I looked at Seris sitting next to me for a moment, I noticed that she looked somewhat uncomfortable.

It seems like they are looking at me with an earnest expression.

‘Hmm…maybe it would be good.’

Imperial mercenary group. Obviously, if the Scar mercenaries are incorporated into the imperial mercenaries, great benefits will follow.

You will be able to receive all kinds of support, including training facilities, salaries, and equipment that are incomparable to those of today.

Recognition within the empire will naturally follow. There was not a single condition that was unfavorable to us.

If a third party were to see it, they would have immediately accepted the offer without having to refuse it.

good. decided.

After thinking for a moment, I gave Calo the answer.

“I appreciate the offer, but I have no intention of being incorporated into a mercenary group directly under the Empire.”

“Hoo.”

“Sweet…Blind…”

You might think I’m foolish. You choose to forsake the enormous benefits and the fame and wealth that will follow, and live as you are now.

“Can I ask the reason?”

“…just to keep my promise.”

In the past, although the Scar mercenary group ruled the entire empire, it did not belong to a mercenary group directly under the empire.

To inherit the Scar mercenary group. I promised Seris that I would try to regain its former glory.

‘And I hate people who break their promises the most.’

I believe that breaking a promise is no different from declaring the end of a relationship with a human being.

Thinking that way, it would be contradictory for me to break my promise.

“In that case. I don’t need to ask again. I just respect your choices.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“You are a polite young man that is rare these days. Hehehe..”

Carlo smiles like a kind grandfather.

I was prepared to give up an arm in return for rejecting Carlo’s offer, but I was glad I was able to get away with it so easily.

“Then you can go out and have a look. I will make sure to compensate you for the magic stones and Nepenthes core you brought.”

“Yes. Well then, let’s go.”

Nod.

I left Calo behind, who nodded slightly, and walked out of the room with Seris, who bowed her head and said nothing.

“I’m glad I finally found a good leader. Serion…”

***

“Vice-captain Seris. Is something going on…”

“Ugh….”

A person like you… How can you penetrate my heart so much?

Seris couldn’t bear it any longer due to the warmth of Venice, which seemed to care about her, and she shed tears.

Just before. When I met Kalo, the general manager of the legendary Imperial Mercenary Guild.

“A mercenary group directly under the Empire. Do you intend to be incorporated there?”

‘no…’

When Calo made such a suggestion, Seris could not help but despair.

Following his father’s path, he tried to regain its former glory without being incorporated into the empire…

“………….”

As soon as I heard Kahlo’s words, I looked at Venice’s worried face as if I had heard something interesting.

I’m sure he’ll accept it. Because there is no reason to refuse…

money. honor. And everything else. If you become a mercenary group directly under the Empire, you will be able to obtain them all.

I wanted to ask him to refuse, but I couldn’t get it out of my throat because I didn’t have the shame.

It was entirely thanks to Venice that it allowed me to grow to this level. Because I can’t cause any more trouble here…

Seris was depressed and could only lower her head.

Because of my own selfishness, I feel like I have developed a bit of hatred towards Venice.

The leader hasn’t done anything wrong, but I just feel like his will is being tainted by my selfishness.

“I appreciate the offer, but I have no intention of being incorporated into a mercenary group directly under the Empire.”

“……..!”

However, contrary to Cerise’s assurances, Venice rejected Kahlo’s offer.

why? why? It wouldn’t have been of any help to you…

Cerise opened her eyes wide and looked at Venice’s profile with her mouth open.

“…Just to keep my promise.”

Cerise’s question was resolved with Venice’s concise answer, which was ridiculously simple.

promise. It was a promise to follow his father’s request and do his best to help Seris in reviving the Scar mercenaries.

I thought you must have forgotten. I thought I was pursuing practical interests more than promises that were only important to me.

‘Captain…’

How can you only send me pure and brilliant light?

Why are you showing me that warm warmth?

The leader always had infinite trust in himself. It was always he who betrayed trust.

I feel guilty for betraying the leader’s trust. The depression that seems to be coloring the brilliantly shining person into darkness.

Seris could only lower her head, feeling grateful for the refusal that had no benefit.

Unlike myself, who is dirty and filthy, I feel like it is a sin just to look at you, who always moves straight forward.

Just looking at his face made me feel like tears were pouring out, so I couldn’t look at him.

Even as she left the room where Calo was, Cerise’s guilt continued.

“Vice-captain Seris.”

“….Ugh. Yes…”

“Don’t cry. Pop.”

Excited, Excited…

His always expressionless face makes my heart pound like crazy at the slightest consideration.

Even though I promised myself not to be a nuisance to him, I hate myself for trying to make him laugh with just the slightest touch.

“From now on, I will go buy new armor with my salary. Would you like to go together?”

“Sniff… Nehe…!”

I’m not sure anymore. I’ll just do whatever the leader tells me to do.

I want to make everything he wishes come true.

Captain. My leader… I will move forward. I will follow only you forever.

Seris shed happier tears than anyone else in the world and looked at her leader with a smile.

A face that you will never get tired of even if you look at it for a lifetime.

***

phew. Fortunately, Seris also seemed to enjoy buying new armor.

I loved it so much that I stopped crying without even knowing why.

‘hmm. Before that, I need to get the settlement first.’

I almost forgot the most important payment.

Iron Claw Monkey also received 30 gold… but how much will they give for Nepenthes, a 4-star monster?!

I was excited and took light steps towards the reception desk with Cerise, who was now starting to laugh.

Of course, I couldn’t act frivolously, so I had no choice but to keep a solemn expression and walk slowly.

“Ah, you’re here. Then we will settle the settlement immediately.”

“Hmm. Thank you.”

“….Hi!”

The receptionist suddenly looks next to me and looks appalled.

“…?”

I looked at Seris next to me just in case, but she just looked up at me with brighter eyes than usual.

Well, I guess I found a big bug. Because bugs were common in this world.

Rattling- rustling.

“Tch…tea! Well… then you will get 200 gold in total, including Nependeath’s core and magic stone…!”

….what? 200 gold?!

‘…Fuck life!’

I couldn’t even use up the 30 gold I received last time, so I ended up with a whopping 200 gold!

I thought it would be about 100 gold at most… but this is really crazy!

“Then thank you. Let’s just go. See you next time.”

“Yes…ah..no…”

“….?”

Am I uncomfortable? The receptionist replied that she did not want to see me again next time.

Looking at the uncomfortable, frightened expression on his face… I thought maybe I had done something wrong.

But what did I do wrong? I’ve never been scared or anything like that…

“Um…I’m sorry. Then I’ll go…”

I felt a little depressed without realizing it. If you hate something so openly, it will hurt the country too.

“Captain! Then, shall we go to the armor store right away?!”

“Hmm. Don’t do that.”

Seris is very excited. okay. You’ve finally got a lot of money, so let’s relieve your mood by spending it!

“Hehe…Hehe… I protected it…”

“…Huh?”

“Any problem?”

It seemed like Ceris was muttering something just now… I guess I’m feeling a little dispirited these days.

anyway. I took a light step with an excited heart.