“Priscilla, thank you…”
“What is it, it’s nothing.”
Marte and I barely managed to evade the pursuing demons and were heading towards the rendezvous point with Rufina. Reina and the White Lily Corps’ carriage were also there, with Sophia and Rossa working diligently to heal the injured escapees.
“I’d like to walk if it’s alright? We’ll be meeting everyone soon…”
“It’s fine. Walk if you want to.”
There were two horses and three people. Since each horse could carry two people, no one should have to walk. I wasn’t even allowed to walk. Few people could answer this calculation. It’s like, “You try it too.”
After the demon left, I hesitated to mention what happened afterward. There’s no need to explain what happened!
There’s one thing I’m grateful to the demons for. They poured magic power into Alma Rosenberg under the guise of an experiment. Thanks to that last infusion, I managed to avoid being devoured by Priscilla. The thought of being drained of magic power and turned into a petty knife sends shivers down my spine.
When everything was over, it was morning, as usual. Battered by the demons, then torn apart by Priscilla, I greeted a refreshing morning.
Poor Marte had fainted on her horse. She must have been terrified. I wonder what she saw. Priscilla led Marte’s horse next to hers as we headed to the rendezvous point.
Now, let’s check the answer.
Priscilla and Marte each took one horse. My place was on the ground. Just like in the old Western movies, where good guys are tied to a rope and dragged by a horse.
The answer: One person per horse. One person being dragged. Did anyone get it right? It was an easy question.
“What are you mumbling about? I’m giving you a ride.”
Kind Priscilla called out to me as I was about to start walking, being dragged, and let me ride with her. Unfortunately, my clothes were in tatters from the demon’s torture, with hardly anything left to wear.
I hugged Priscilla more than necessary to hide my private parts, and she became inexplicably shy, as if I weren’t the woman who had just subjected me to a torture-like experience.
“Priscilla, thank you…”
“W-what is it, it’s nothing.”
At the rendezvous point with Rufina, Reina and the White Lily Corps had gathered, and Sophia and Rossa were healing the injured. They were supposed to be heading towards the town behind us in their carriages, but they turned back out of concern for me.
The biggest concern was for Alana and Orietta. The magic cannon couldn’t be repaired and they were caught in the explosion. Although their injuries were quite severe, Priscilla managed to rescue them, and they were now fully recovered thanks to Sophia’s healing magic and were sleeping in their carriage.
Anyone could have died in the incident at Lauenstein. Things were only going to get more intense from now on. How far could I go as the captain?
In my previous life, everyone was alive until we defeated the Demon Lord, but this time it might not be the same. This life is slightly different from my past life’s memories. Though my memories of my past life are fading, I’m sure of one mistake: I was in the Northern Hemisphere in my past life, but I’m in the Southern Hemisphere in this one.
We lined up our carriages and headed straight for the town of Runelius Fine, south of Lauenstein. To think we had to turn back just before changing into our swimsuits and playing, after coming all this way. Was the sea so hateful, or was it the work of the gods?
The town of Runelius Fine was the place we had come from on our way to Lauenstein. There are three main roads leading south from Lauenstein.
Runelius Fine is the fastest and largest town to the Royal Capital, while the towns to the east and west are of medium size. To the east is Etovaar Tabaul, and to the west is Anaheim Offen.
Since entering Harmonia, I’ve noticed that the names of people and towns here are long! I can’t remember them all. Runelius Fine, you say!? Why not something short and easy to remember like Shinjuku or Harajuku? …Though I’ve never been there.
Runelius… the rest omitted. The town was bustling with people fleeing from Lauenstein. The atmosphere in the town was tense, with the news of the Demon Lord’s invasion.
“We’ve come this far, what do we do now?”
We haven’t officially received a quest from the Mercenary Guild yet. Of course, we’ll receive some reward for this battle as a post-report, but it won’t be comparable to a formal contract.
“I’m going to the Mercenary Guild to get a formal contract. I suspect we’ll be fighting here in Runelius, so you all can rest.”
“Ah, what about these people?”
He gestured with his chin towards the three carriages. The fifty women we brought back from Lauenstein. They were all healed and no one died, but they were captured and had only the clothes on their backs.
“What do you mean, ‘what about them’? We can’t just take them with us. This is likely to become a battlefield, so they’ll have to escape quickly.”
“…Boring. Too obvious, it’s boring.”
Huh? “Obvious” is usually boring, that’s common knowledge. What are we going to do with fifty people?! Sell them to a brothel? Make them mistresses? That Auntie, though, is desirable for the White Lily Corps for different reasons…
“It can’t be helped. If they can’t fight, they have no choice but to escape.”
“That’s right, let them escape with money!”
What is this person talking about? Where would we get that kind of money? Should I show you what’s in my wallet? It doesn’t even have silver coins, only copper.
“We have the money from the Sand Dragon we defeated the other day. Use that money.”
“You mean, use it? It’s guild money.”
“There’s a big battle coming up, right? If that’s the case, we can earn as much as we want. Let’s spend it all as a pre-celebration!”
What a bold thing to say. Could he be a reincarnator from the Edo period?! Doesn’t he believe in not holding onto money overnight?! It’s true that the Sand Dragon money is there, and we have enough savings to give them some immediate funds without issue.
It’s better than taking them with us or worrying about what happens next. It would be easier for me if they just ran off with the money… Although I’d like to keep a few of them.
“Understood. Let’s spend it. How about fifty gold per person?”
“Don’t be so stingy. A hundred! Let’s go with a hundred per person.”
Is he a government official, since his own wallet isn’t affected? Most of the money from defeating the Sand Dragon will be gone. My sword money will also be gone. I’ll have to make do with second-hand stuff again.
“Understood! One hundred gold per person! I can’t carry it all alone, so Priscilla, please help me. Christine, you too. While we’re handing out the money, please get the contract done.”
“I’ve had some drinks, so I’ll pass.”
You son of a b! You were the one who suggested this! When did you start drinking! Fine, I guess I can’t push it further. I turned towards the three carriages, explained the situation, and got that Auntie and Rufina to help me carry it.
There was a long line at the Mercenary Guild reception. As we were only here to withdraw money, we finished faster than Christine and decided to head back to the carriages.
I spoke to each of the people who fled in the carriages, explaining their future and gave them gold coins, and fondled some specific women’s breasts. There was some truth mixed with lies, and I avoided any further involvement.
Despite avoiding deeper involvement, some oddballs approached me…
“P-please let me join the White Lily Corps.”
Marte Rosenlinde Lauenstein. Why would that ill-tempered woman say that? She can’t wield a sword or hold a shield, how can she be a mercenary with her delicate body?
I’d rather have the Auntie. It’s not that I like older women, but I thought having someone in a motherly role would make the members happy. I’d welcome her then, but I would never apply the guild rules.
“Lady Marte, we are mercenaries and cannot possibly accept you.”
“I can fight too! I can cook and I can sew! Please take me with you.”
Take her along… She must have been deeply hurt by being left behind in Lauenstein. But I can’t take those who can’t fight.
Fighting, huh…
“Lady Marte, I will admit you to the White Lily Corps temporarily.”
“R-really!?”
“Yes. There’s something I want you to do. I want you to go to the Keibeck Kingdom and mobilize the army.”
“Eh!? The Keibeck Kingdom army…?”
“Yes.”
Lady Marte is a noble of Harmonia. Her father referred to him as the lord of the castle, not a territorial lord or a rank, so Lauenstein is likely a direct dominion of the Harmonia royal family.
If that’s the case, she’ll have more influence than any ordinary noble. Her daughter going to the Keibeck Kingdom to negotiate would be sufficient. Moreover, her words would carry more weight if she spoke of the fall of Lauenstein Castle.
“You can’t use a sword or a shield. However, you are a noble. Nobles have their own way of fighting. The Demon Lord’s army is powerful. Harmonia alone cannot handle it. We desperately need Keibeck’s strength. We need your strength.”
I embraced her shoulders and said this. We need Keibeck’s strength, but I have no connections in Keibeck. I don’t know if she has that power, but right now, she’s all we have to rely on.
Lady Marte listened to me, looking into my eyes. Like a maiden in love… Wait. Did I make a mistake?
“I’ll go. I will definitely mobilize Keibeck.”
I gave Lady Marte a knife for self-defense and assigned one of the Shadows as her escort. Honestly, I thought assigning a Shadow to Lady Marte would reduce our information-gathering capabilities. However, I learned something interesting from the Shadow.
The Dark Elf sisters of the Six Shadows can share consciousness. This is like a smartphone, allowing them to communicate even from a distance.
When I asked why she hadn’t told me, she said she was afraid that it would result in one Shadow being exclusively assigned to stay by someone’s side, and she wanted a reason to return and meet me.
I told her to handle it smoothly, but then again, people want to be by the side of a “good person.” Apparently, that means being by my side. I’m lucky to have such good Shadows.
The happy time passed, and reality came crashing back. Christine, who had completed her formal contract, returned.
“…The next battlefield is Anaheim Offen.”
…After coming all this way.
