episode_0043

The 2nd Division Commander stared at me without saying a word in response to my proposal.

He looked so bewildered that he seemed at a loss for words.

“I understand if it’s confusing. Our village is soon going to be upgraded to a city. When we upgrade to a city, a security force will be established. We will convert all the current militia members into the security force. But if it’s a security force, they must fight crime in the city, right? To do that, we should focus on training a small number of irregular forces rather than large-scale rotations like now.”

As I kindly explained, the 2nd Division Commander asked, “I understand that, but… um, so…”

“It’s difficult to find experts in irregular warfare. Active soldiers won’t come to such a rural area unless they’re crazy. So, you will be the instructors. After all, these fugitives have nowhere else to go, right?”

The 2nd Division Commander bit his lip, pondering the validity of my point, and shook his head.

“If you stay here, we’ll provide food, shelter, and basic living conditions. If you work hard, we’ll gradually increase your pay. But if you cause trouble, we’ll report you to the Imperial Army immediately.”

“Oh, no! Not the Imperial Army, please…!”

“So, work here.”

“Ugh….”

The 2nd Division Commander, glancing nervously between me and Adelheid, said, “Then let’s start with the antidote… I’ll talk to the commander when he’s better and get permission…”

He took out a healing potion from his waist and offered it.

“I meant the antidote.”

“This is the antidote. Drinking this healing potion will cure most ailments.”

“Really…?”

“It’s not bad to doubt, but don’t overdo it.”

Taking the healing potion from my hand, the 2nd Division Commander opened Adelheid’s mouth and poured the potion inside.

“Commander… Swallow it… They say you can survive if you drink this… Please…”

Watching the 2nd Division Commander shed tears, Adelheid’s face, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy myself.

When he was furious, he seemed insane, but now he appeared pitiful.

After drinking the healing potion, Adelheid slowly opened his eyes.

“Commander, are you back to your senses…?”

“Where are we…? Huh?!”

Pushing the 2nd Division Commander away, Adelheid suddenly stood up.

“Holy Knight! We must stop the Holy Knight!”

“Commander! It’s all over now.”

“Over?”

“It’s already over… The mercenary group has disbanded… and all our men have fled…”

“What are you talking about! That can’t be true! Get the weapons right now!”

“Commander, you seem delirious.”

Adelheid turned towards me hesitantly upon hearing my voice.

As she scrutinized my face, her eyes widened in shock.

“You, you…! You fed me poison!”

“It’s not poison; it’s a berserker potion. And technically, you drank it willingly, not me.”

“You little…!”

Adelheid, as if ready to attack me at any moment, staggered and collapsed to the ground.

“Commander! You mustn’t push yourself!”

“I’ll kill that bastard!”

“He saved us from the Imperial Army! Without him, we would all be dead!”

Adelheid stopped struggling upon hearing the 2nd Division Commander’s words.

“What do you mean?”

“This is Starting Village, Commander. This is where that guy lives. Just now, an Imperial Army special unit came and went, and they hid us in this store.”

“An Imperial Army special unit…? The ones who were chasing our mercenary group?”

“Yes, Commander. So, for now, please calm down…”

“Sigh….”

Adelheid sighed heavily, lowering her gaze.

“There are two people here. You need to discuss matters with the local administrator regarding your homes and such.”

“In case they stab us in the back later or…”

“Did I just say that? It’s not good to be too suspicious. And if they were going to betray us, wouldn’t they have done it when the Imperial Army was here?”

She smiled, closed the door, and went downstairs.

It’s solely my decision to bring those two into the village.

There’s no need to reveal their identities to others.

Since no one in the village knows the faces of the commander of the Remugen Mercenaries and the two deputy commanders there.

Not even the Liberone who attacked the mercenary camp saw their faces.

So, it should suffice to say they are former special forces recruited gradually from places we know.

But a problem arose.

“A home…? As you know, there are no vacant houses left now….”

“It’s difficult. We can’t have the Knights’ instructors living in Panchavillage.”

“For now, I’m sorry, but they’ll have to stay at the store…. There are still a few rooms on this floor of the store….”

“That will do. But how do you know there are rooms available on this floor of the store?”

No answer.

Judging by the expression, it seems he has an idea of how she found out.

I should check if anything is missing or new in the room.

Anyway, those two will have to stay at the store for the time being.

So, with me, Mirella, Liberone, Brasha, and the two deputy commanders, that makes six people living together.

It’s going to be chaotic.

Although I’m hardly at the store these days due to my duties as assistant administrator, it shouldn’t matter much.

On the way back, I stopped by the Knights’ training ground and informed Hostante and Liberone about the situation.

“If they’re irregular warfare specialists, they’ll definitely be helpful.”

“Yes. They are former mercenaries specialized in small-scale combat units of five or fewer members.”

“Guard units usually consist of three members each, so it fits perfectly.”

“I also agree with recruiting them as instructors.”

Since Liberone also agreed, it’s settled now.

“What?! That’s ridiculous!”

Upon hearing that the two would stay at the store, Mirella started to protest.

“It’s already unbearable, and now two more women are coming in! This is outrageous!”

“Why is it outrageous? There are three rooms available. Just give them one. They can share a room.”

“Still no! Brasha alone takes forever in the bath, it’s driving me crazy!”

Brasha, who was being scolded, just grinned.

“When pigs are taken for a walk and cared for, they sweat a lot. It can’t be helped, Mirella.”

“Just wash in the river! Because of you, I keep getting delayed with the Knight!”

“Hehe. Then let’s wash together.”

As Brasha tried to hug her, Mirella recoiled in horror.

“Come on, let’s do that. It’s not forever, just until the additional housing construction is completed.”

“At this rate, that Alio kid might show up.”

They’re talking about Alaina.

Even though he acts cool, he’s always thinking about Alaina deep down.

Funny, really.

By the way, what is Alaina up to these days?

The last letter I received was from the Predegrund Army, so the next destination is obvious.

I’d like to give some advice related to that region, but by the time my letter arrives, they may have already moved on to the next area.

I’m not sure if the letter will reach properly.

“What are you thinking?”

Mirella poked my cheek with her finger.

“I wasn’t thinking anything.”

“Hmm.”

Seeing Mirella looking at me suspiciously made me burst into laughter.

* * * * *

And so, Adelheid and the two deputy commanders ended up living in our village.

The official titles of the two will be Irregular Warfare Instructors and Assistant Instructors, and that’s how everyone in the village will address them.

Libero became the chief instructor.

Adelaide drank the healing potion a few more times and quickly recovered her body.

The second-in-command risked his life for Adelaide’s care.

Even if Adelaide’s breathing got a little louder, her eyes turned slightly, her lips twitched a bit, he would rush over, kneel down, and look up at his captain with pitiful eyes.

“Do you need anything? Are you feeling unwell?”

Oh dear, tsk tsk.

Libero, who stuck by Adelaide without eating, drinking, or washing, forcibly dragged her away to the bathroom.

At first, they had seizures when they realized that Libero was an ambush holy knight, but fortunately, he did not show such behavior in person.

Libero never knew they were former members of the Remugen Mercenaries unless they revealed it first. So, to avoid causing trouble, he warned them not to reveal it.

Therefore, Libero just thinks the two are experienced wandering mercenaries.

Mirella is overly cautious just because she’s a woman, while Brasha is thrilled that the shop is bustling.

“So when exactly are you going to start working?”

While the second-in-command bathed Adelaide after being dragged by Libero, he scolded her.

Adelaide sat on the bed hunched over, saying nothing.

“Hurry up and go perform your duties as an instructor. That’s the condition you agreed to. If you keep this up for a week, what will happen?”

“I…,”

Adelaide opened her mouth with a severely trembling voice.

“I meant it….”