We are mercenaries. If the superiors tell us to go left, we go left. If they tell us to go right, we go right. If they tell us to take off our pants… only if we are female.
“Eh?! Aren’t we going to Runelius?”
“…Yes. The White Lily Corps has been instructed by the Guild to serve in Anaheim Offen.”
Anaheim Offen is located about half a day’s journey west from here. I thought Runelius would be the target if they were going to be attacked. After finally arriving here, we have to move again.
“Understood, let’s move. White Lily Corps, march towards Anaheim. Everyone aboard, and you drunkard, hurry up!”
“Let me rest a little, seriously, what a demanding Captain…”
I pulled Christine’s hand, got into the carriage, and pushed the drunkard’s backside to stuff him into the carriage. Lady Marte’s destination has been decided, and those who fled from Lauenstein will have to fend for themselves from now on.
When we parted with everyone, that Auntie was leading the charge of the refugees. Should I have scouted her after all?
“Do your best, don’t die.”
The Auntie is asking for the impossible. I waved my hand without looking back. I don’t want to die either, so I’ll try my best.
Just as I was starting to feel a little down from her impossible words, I was suddenly pulled by my neck and dragged onto the cargo area.
“The payment was as you wished, right?”
Damn it, drunkard! I just paid you, didn’t I?! The members are looking down at me with shining eyes as I’m pushed over. It seems like it will be late getting to Anaheim.
The city of Anaheim Offen. It’s a mid-sized fortress city, about half a day’s journey from Runelius Fine.
People are funny; when they’re having fun, time flies, and when they’re doing something unpleasant, time drags. There are exceptions, but from my perspective, it felt like less than an hour before we could see the castle gate of Anaheim.
I’m driving the carriage; it’s usual for me. The fact that I’m only wearing underwear is unusual. Alana, who should have been sitting next to me, is not here. That’s unusual. It’s also unusual that I’m driving while giving a lap pillow to a Dark Elf shadow.
Even more so, the lightly clad Dark Elf is sleeping on my lap pillow. …Is something wrong? I thought I assigned her to Lady Marte’s guard duty. Did she miss me and come back?! How troublesome.
I glanced down slightly, unsatisfied with the angle where her lightly clad clothing was almost visible, and decided to adjust it. I was kicked on the sole of my foot as if stamped.
“What are you looking at, you bastard!”
I focused my gaze downwards, confronting the sole of her foot pressed against my face. That angle isn’t right. You can see too much from there. You shouldn’t be able to see, but you should also be close to being able to see. Don’t you understand this supreme sensation?
“Good morning, Priscilla. Is everyone behind us well?”
“Aaaah, you don’t need to look.”
What do you mean I don’t need to look?! Did something happen! What happened? Come to think of it, I paid the reward in the cargo area…
“Priscilla! Move your foot. Is everyone alright?!”
“They’re fine, you don’t need to look.”
I resisted Priscilla’s increased force with my own. I can’t back down, I mustn’t back down. As the Captain, I have to confirm what’s happening behind us.
“Pu-ri-ci-lla-saaan~”
“You bas-tard~”
A stalemate where neither of us will yield. Shadow, the Dark Elf, is still sleeping blissfully on my head, unaware of what’s happening.
Fool! Don’t underestimate me! I momentarily relented my strength and let Priscilla’s leg pass. Priscilla, propelled by the momentum, moved her leg forward. The moment I saw Priscilla’s ankle, I turned back from the right.
There should have been a secret garden, a world of sensuality, but all I saw was Priscilla’s well-trained shin.
“Pgyaa”
Even though Priscilla lost her balance due to my feint, she jumped up on the spot and delivered a right kick to my face.
“Sophia, that bastard is rampaging again, fix him.”
“Again? …Captain, you’ve fallen out of the carriage, and your eyes have fallen out too.”
“Just spit on them and put them back in. Hey! Wake up, you guys. We’ll be in Anaheim soon. Put on some clothes.”
“Priscilla, do you know? Eyes have EPA and CIA, which make your skin smooth.”
“…Want to eat?”
“I can eat yours, Captain.”
I heard it before I passed out from the pain. I really heard it.
The chirping of small birds, a pleasant breeze. And a soft lap pillow. When I woke up, the beautiful Dark Elf Shadow was looking down at me.
It seems I had passed out. Hmm? I can see. My left eye was slow to heal due to poison, so I was worried.
“Good person…”
The Dark Elf looked down at me with concern. Did I do something to make her worry? Even if I did, that’s normal. It’s business as usual.
“Good person…”
Her eyes, seeming to well up, closed as she approached. This is a good morning kiss. I’m okay with waking up like this anytime. If she’s willing to grant requests, I’d like the lap pillow to be with bare legs.
I pushed away the approaching Dark Elf by leaping up with my arms where her shoulders were. The Dark Elf looked at me with a surprised expression. She’ll surely be more surprised from now on.
A platinum light shone where the Dark Elf’s head had been, now where my arms are. The Dark Elf couldn’t hide her shock.
It’s always like this. Sophia’s Platinum Laser pierces both my arms. Of course, she’s not nearby and can’t be seen. All that was visible was a hole in the castle wall of Anaheim and smoke from the scorching.
Th-th-that is, how do you know where I am? Why do you know this timing?! Besides, we’re about to go to war, so don’t make holes in the castle walls! Even a small hole can break a dam, you know.
“Good person…”
The same “Good person” was trembling with fear for the third time. Don’t worry, it’s normal. I passed through the castle gate of Anaheim with the Dark Elf, blood spurting from both my arms.
It’s easy to find out which inn the White Lily Corps is staying at. Inns always have a bar or dining area, so if you hear familiar laughter or cries of despair, you can assume the White Lily Corps is there.
As I walked down the street, I saw a man who looked like he deliberately broke the door of a wonderful, old inn exuding a sense of history, followed by the drunken laughter from inside… It seems this is our lodging for today.
As I entered, I dodged a halberd thrown by a drunkard, which flew between me and the Dark Elf, who had deliberately linked arms with me. I then calmly prepared two seats and sat down.
“As expected of Priscilla, spending lavishly before a big job. The repair costs will come out of Priscilla’s pocket money.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! That man fell over on his own!”
“And the explanation for the halberd?”
“Ah, th-that… my hand slipped…”
She’s revealed herself. Who would believe such a story? I’ll have to apologize and make compensation to the inn later. But since war is coming, let’s postpone the guarantee. I might not have to pay it.
“Enough! Did you go to the Mercenary Guild? Or to the Lord’s?”
“That’s your job, Captain. Work.”
Would you make a man whose eyes are about to pop out and whose arms have been pierced by lasers work?! You would, wouldn’t you, White Lily Corps. I silently ate what was served, and as I was about to head to the Guild with the Dark Elf Shadow… sadly, Priscilla grabbed me by the scruff of my neck and made me join their drinking party. …Rest in peace.
Christine and I headed to the Mercenary Guild. It would have been strange if the Demon Army hadn’t arrived yet, but they hadn’t. I don’t know if it was my delay tactics with Rufina and Rossa, or if they were afraid of the demon’s cries.
Anaheim is a mid-sized city, but it doesn’t have an independent Mercenary Guild. It was a small counter parallel to the Adventurer’s Guild. The Mercenary Guild is indeed neglected. However, beside me is Christine.
Envious, you men! This is Mikael Sin, the Captain of the White Lily Corps, walking arm in arm with such a beauty.
Hmm, there are so few people. And those who are here are mostly Aunties. I’ve been thinking about my luck with women lately. Am I lucky or unlucky?
“…Mercenary, the White Lily Corps. We have been ordered to serve in Anaheim.”
I left the contract to Christine and asked the past beauties of the Adventurer’s Guild, who seemed to have nothing to do.
Anaheim Offen has been put on a wartime footing, and adventurers have also been conscripted as mercenaries, but few townspeople seem to be fleeing.
It doesn’t feel like monsters will attack so soon after yesterday. Fortunately, I can sleep in a clean bed at the inn, but I hope the townspeople will flee quickly.
I don’t want to run away with prisoners like we did in Lauenstein. If you’re going to run, you have to be light.
After Christine finished her registration, we officially came under the command of the Lord’s army. If the Demon Army comes, it will be tomorrow at the earliest. Today, I want to sleep soundly. Alone, without anyone disturbing me…
“Today’s guard duty is voluntary!”
Damn it. I forgot to mention the application of wartime regulations…
