If we can find Alana, I’ll annihilate one or two towns like this.
“We’ll head for the lord’s mansion when it gets dark. If Alana is here, it’ll be there.”
“What if she’s not there?! Do you have any other leads?”
“I have no other leads. I went to the slave traders because demi-humans are treated the same as slaves in this town. I think she’s at the lord’s mansion because I suspect she was scouted and captured.”
“Knowing Alana, she’s probably having tea with the lord right now.”
Rufina’s best attempt at a joke pained me. I was the one who ordered Alana to scout. The responsibility for this situation is mine. I should have sent her back sooner…
“Please rest a little for now. I’m begging you.”
I knew I said that weakly.
I knew I was powerless.
I couldn’t help but wish I had the power to protect someone.
Even as the sun dipped below the horizon, the town remained bright. We decided to split into two groups to head for the lord’s mansion, as it would be conspicuous to move as a whole unit in our mercenary armor.
Priscilla, Sophia, and I went through the front, while Christine, Rufina, and Orietta went around back. It was supposed to be the sides, but Priscilla rejected that, and we went straight through the front.
As we approached the front gate, a man stood there as if waiting for us. I had intended to sneak in without being seen, but Priscilla kept rejecting my plans, and in frustration, I touched his backside, only to be met with a swift backfist.
“I have been expecting you, members of the White Lily Corps. I am Erihio Tordola, confidant to Marquis Fugen.”
“Hmph! Well done. You know why we’re here, right?!”
Priscilla, please stop leaning on the gate while you reply. You look like a gorilla in a zoo. Or a Lycanthrope in a zoo?
“Of course. You mean that small, adorable demi-human young lady.”
Upon hearing that, Priscilla drew her sword. It was a brief conversation. I had wanted to stay quiet until we at least knew Alana’s condition, but it can’t be helped.
“Give her back!”
Wait a bit longer! If possible, I want to be guided to Alana. The mansion looks big, and if I take her hostage, she can be my shield. Priscilla’s power is fine to unleash when needed, even if it’s more than necessary.
“There was a slight misunderstanding, but the young lady has been treated with the utmost courtesy.”
Courtesy?! I thought she was being tortured. If I were to torture someone, I’d tie their limbs so they couldn’t move, strip them, and throw them on the bed!
“I am Mikael, Captain of the White Lily Corps. We wish to take her and leave immediately…”
“It’s awkward to stand here and talk, so please come inside the mansion. My master, Marquis Fugen, has something to discuss with you.”
Discuss? What could he discuss with an enemy Marquis? If anything, it might be… he might be thinking of recruiting us, but maybe he’s here to ask for permission for Alana’s marriage!? If so, it’s definitely recruitment. What should I do then? I’ll prioritize Alana’s happiness…
“Understood. Before that, we must stop our members who went around to the back. Those who go around the back tend to be less inclined to listen.”
“Understood. I shall accompany you. This servant will guide you to the mansion.”
A woman in a maid’s uniform, hidden behind Tordola, emerged and bowed. She’s a cute girl, but her eyes are the same as a mercenary’s. Those are eyes that have killed people, but I don’t mind!
“Please wait here.”
We were led from the front gate, and Sophia and I struggled to keep up with the maid’s unusual speed. We were made to wait in a large, plaza-like area after crossing the entrance, and the maid disappeared deeper inside.
Who is this maid, too? I thought Tordola was the only one there, but she suddenly appeared, and her walking speed isn’t that of someone guiding guests.
After a while, Tordola, walking at a normal pace, led Christine and the others in.
“Were you unharmed?”
“Not at all. About thirty of my men were defeated.”
I wasn’t worried about you. I was worried about Christine and the others. But to have thirty men defeated and still be unharmed against Christine and the others… Tordola doesn’t seem like an ordinary person either.
“I will guide you to my master.”
“We want Alana back first.”
“The young lady is with my master, so you will see her then.”
He’s being so coy. If he does anything foolish, I’ll make Marquis Fugen disappear. I won’t do it, but Priscilla would. At least wait until we hear what he has to say.
The room where Marquis Fugen, whom we were guided to, was as large as a conference room, and the richly decorated lights illuminated it excessively.
“Alana!”
Alana was playing something like chess with Marquis Fugen on an応接 sofa in the room. She wasn’t bound at all and was stuffing her face with cake.
“C-Captain has arrived!”
Alana, delighted like a cat, rushed and hugged me, but her full-speed dash hurt, so stop it. For now, I’m glad she seems unharmed. Since she’s safe, let’s leave quickly.
“Are you the Captain of the White Lily Corps?”
He’s so arrogant! He’s important, but if he did anything to Alana, I’d kill him! The corps rules state that only the Captain of the White Lily Corps can do anything.
“Yes. I am Mikael Sin, Captain of the White Lily Corps. Thank you for taking care of Alana this time.”
“Hmm, actually, we kept Alana here because we have something to discuss with you, the White Lily Corps. I apologize for not being able to contact you.”
Huh? I’m surprised he’s being so humble. If he had something to discuss, why didn’t he use the zombie birds? If he had contacted me, I would have come alone… I came with Priscilla as a guard because I was scared.
“We will not surrender.”
I haven’t fallen so low as to be swayed, but am I being underestimated? We’re a mercenary group with the epithet “Annihilation Brigade.”
“I’m not saying that. If necessary, I’ll give you Cresta.”
Cresta? “Give you Cresta”? Is he trying to make a bad joke?! My sense of humor is better than his. But what could be more valuable than the town of Cresta?
“What kind of discussion is it, then?”
“I want you.”
That’s a confession that makes my heart stop. I don’t have that kind of hobby, and while hearing those words from a girl would be nice, it’s a bit much from an old man like this.
“Let’s hear the details.”
Should I listen to Marquis Fugen, an enemy, offering Cresta and asking to hire us?
“Regarding Count Hart of Cresta, he’s not thinking beyond Cresta. Therefore, if Cresta is given to you, the White Lily Corps will no longer be needed.”
Indeed, we were hired to defend against an attack from Cresta, but if Cresta becomes Count Hart’s, the White Lily Corps would be unnecessary.
“We want the White Lily Corps to fight with us.”
“We will not fight Count Hart.”
We have some obligations. I’m not so detached as to think “today’s enemy is tomorrow’s friend,” but if there’s a request from the Mercenary Guild, that’s another matter.
“The enemy is a Demon.”
“What?!”
While everyone else is surprised, I’m on the outside. What is a Demon? Are they delicious? I’ve never heard that word since coming to this world.
“I didn’t expect you to be unfazed. You’re quite something.”
What is a Demon? I’ve encountered Goblins, but the White Lily Corps fights people, not monsters.
“Captain, the opponent is bad. You should stop.”
That’s unusual for Priscilla to be so passive. But when I looked at everyone else, they were looking down, is the opponent that dangerous?
“I can’t say that. Demons don’t stop their advance until they’ve devoured everything. Eventually, Count Hart’s Keibeck Kingdom will also be attacked.”
That’s bad. Should we ask Count Hart for his contract money and escape to a quiet place together?
“It’s better not to think about running. After Harmonia, it’s Keibeck.”
I’m in trouble. The opponent seems very strong, and if we advance, it’s a tough enemy; if we run, we’ll be isolated and picked off one by one. Don’t let the Demon Lord be in front of me and… well, behind me.
“If that’s the case, why is the territorial army advancing on the town of Cresta? If Demons have appeared, shouldn’t you be heading towards them?”
“That’s right. But in a week, the National Knight Order will also arrive and conquer Keibeck.”
What on earth are they thinking? What’s the point of doing something like that? Harmonia in front, Keibeck behind.
“You must find it strange. This is the worthless pride of our Harmonia royal family. Knowing they cannot defeat the Demon Army, they attack other countries so that only the royal family can survive.”
“There’s no point in doing that…”
“The royal family intends to flee to the ends of the earth…”
Silence. I had never considered the meaning of conflict. Even for the White Lily Corps, who had only fought as mercenaries, this felt like the most meaningless battle.
“…So, what is the reason for wanting to hire the White Lily Corps?”
“We want you.”
“The council of nations will consist of Harmonia, Keibeck, and Rothfar? Harmonia and Rothfar are currently at odds. Keibeck was also attacking Count Hart not too long ago. Do you really think a council of nations can be formed?”
“That’s why we have the Demon Lord. If we don’t form an alliance, no one will survive. I want to believe that only our royal family doesn’t understand this.”
Marquis Fugen’s words are probably correct. However, that doesn’t mean we can easily join hands and fight. The… the rear, I want to be careful.
