27 Episode 25: Mercenary Scouts (1/2)
Originally, Millard territory was a small territory with a population of 3000. The minimum number of troops required is 150. It is true that the development of the village of Toto in recent years has led to an increase in the population, but still a good place for 500 people. Not very much, but I can't get 150 people out.
Here, the Empire hasn't said a word about getting 150 people out of the Millard people. Conversely, they encourage the hiring of mercenaries and adventurers in combat positions rather than peasants who are unfamiliar with combat.
Of course, I was thinking of hiring Caesar, an S-rank adventurer, but at an untimely time, he is currently on a crusade expedition for a catastrophic demon that has appeared in the East with his buddies, and for a few more months, he won't be able to return to Straheim.
Therefore, I made up for the shortage of personnel with mercenaries who are war professionals.
”Right here?
A two-story house on the southern corner of Straheim.
As the Chamber of Commerce grew larger, it became easier for robbers and bandits to target it, so Rhina was giving me a list of the mercenaries present in this Straheim because I needed self-defense. I never dreamed I'd be visiting for this reason.
Stepping into the house from the front door, my gaze concentrates on me at the same time.
”Boy, this isn't where the kid comes in. Lose it.”
Placing a wooden cup of ale on the central circular table, a long, coloured black man standing before me, more than two meters long, comes intimidating.
I know you're doing the best you can, but it's the inside eye. If you look at me with these eyes, I'm sure a legitimate child will cry out. Naturally, when the contents are adult (old man), I don't even have the slightest dust such as lightheadedness.
”I have a request for the Red Phoenix Brigade.”
”Please? Hey, did you hear that? You guys? Since when did this place become a place for kids?
Laughter curls up from all over the room. At first glance, you seem to be judging by my appearance, but as someone alone, I'm not only releasing my guard against my child. Apparently, it's a hit.
I am blind to the mercenaries, and I proceed on my steps and sit in the opposite seat of the young man with the naked eye (sesame cancer) on the red hair sitting at the circular table in the centre of the room.
”Hey kid!!”
A skinheaded, meticulous man grabs my shoulder and absurds my voice.
”Accept the request or not. That's all you have to answer. Hey, I'm telling you, Captain.”
I raise the end of my mouth and demand it, not even on my teeth, such as a skinhead man.
”Why do you think I'm the captain?
”Would it be obvious if I looked at your position?
Slowly reaching for the hips knife and gripping the pattern, he can point his weapon at the mercenaries around him.
”See?
Blah, I knew at a glance that this red-haired young man was the leader of the regiment from the time I entered the building.
Firstly, the center of gravity of what was at this table, other than the man with the eye of the ship, moved forward only slightly. My body would have moved unconsciously so that I could take immediate action to protect the captain.
This red-haired man was too good. That could be the case.
”Well, I don't think he's very hungry.”
As he was slightly dazed, the red-haired, eye-catching man smiled.
Apparently, he's on the negotiating table, too. Quickly, I decide to cut the story out.
”Thank you for your order to crusade the Immortals in Millard territory. Seeking personnel.”
Often, the captain put his hand on his jaw (chin) in a tender mood, thinking, but raised his face.
”You, you know what we're called in the world?
”Sure, was it the 'Fools'?
In my words, all the other members of the group have bitter feelings all over their faces.
According to Rhina's materials, a consortium of mercenaries who were behind orders from their employers, the biggest contraband to mercenaries, died in violation of that order. Therefore, despite their considerable strength, employers throughout the empire have turned their backs and are now making a living with this Straheim against demons. That's why I'm qualified for this job.
”Why do you want to hire us?
Why do you want to hire me? That's settled.
”Of all the mercenaries, he seemed stupid.”
My disrespectful words surround me with angry, face-dyed members.
”Stop it!”
When he controls his men with his right hand, the red-haired young man turns a sharp gaze when he is a raptor.
”Looks like you know what we did. You, aren't you afraid of us?
”Scared? This me, you guys? Are you kidding me?”
Please don't. I am not young enough to be afraid of any fool who has given precedence to his beliefs over the mercenary code. First of all, if they could hurt me enough, these guys would be singing in some fucking aristocratic hall by now.
”Don't you dare...”
The skinhead grabbing my chest barn. The men around me, too, are killing me.
”I told you to stop.”
Again, the captain tells that quietly.
That will be enough. Stop playing with words. Let's get down to business.
”There's only one thing I want to know. Make sure you answer.”
This is an important factor in deciding whether I hire or not. If you don't get a satisfactory answer, you have to give up hiring.
”What?”
”Do you regret raising your hands to your employers?
Unfortunately, they will never have the same excesses again. If we don't even choose the means in the future, it will be possible to become an officer to a well-known nobleman. But I don't want anything like hatred (unfortunately) and such boring people.
”Of course I am.”
”Right...”
Apparently, it was a misprospect. Trying to raise your heavy hips,
”At that time, I should have killed that inferior nobleman. Don't even remember how nauseated I am by my opportunism.”
I laughed from the bottom of my heart a long time ago when strange laughter crept up from the back of my body at the words of a red-haired young man who was throwing up and throwing up.
”You're really weird.”
After a thoughtful, loud laugh, I express such a simple (some) sentiment.
”I don't want to be told only by a spooky hungry ghost like you.”
Throw away the cloth bag you were wearing on your hips before the red-haired young man who is sick and tired of stating such bad feelings about people.
”That's an advance to hire you.”
They showed me the truth. Then I guess I'll have to answer, too.
”Hey, scatter, keep your mind up, it's just like that.”
Such a sarcastic sentiment of one of the members shivers the tympanic membrane, and I raise the end of my mouth.
Sure, I only put ten coins in it. Wouldn't look like a big deal.
”Confirm.”
When the red-haired captain prompted him to confirm, the skinny man next door grabbed the cloth bag and peeked inside. He then opened his eyes wide and stiffened them.