Episode 016.
"The hostages were probably moved to the warehouse. The rest of you, go look for your families."
At the main gate of the Artem Adventurers' Guild,
the adventurers gulped and nodded at my words.
"Be careful. If things look bad, I'll throw a smoke bomb, so escape through the back door."
A hint of worry bloomed in Milene's eyes, but I ignored her and kicked the door wide open.
Take this, rookies.
Boom—!
As the door opened in a cloud of dust—it clearly hadn't been cleaned—
the stench of alcohol, stale sweat, and the rowdy heat of men hit me all at once.
As I stepped inside, dozens—no, nearly a hundred—mercenaries turned their heads in unison.
A man with an afro, a woman who looked like a barbarian, and others.
Damn, this brings back memories.
"Which bastard is this?"
"Have you lost your mind wanting to die?"
Two burly men immediately blocked my path.
They looked at me with heated gazes.
Like obsessive fans brimming with enormous interest.
"……."
This is a bit uncomfortable.
I don't have a hobby of locking eyes with men.
"The leader here is Budong, right?"
"What?"
"Bring him here."
For a moment, silence fell—
then explosive laughter burst out.
"Puhahahahaha—! It's been a while since I've seen such a crazy bastard."
"Is Lord Budong your friend? Looks like your guts have spilled out of your belly."
"Oho—what's this brat relying on to act up like this? Is he some sort of Swordmaster?"
As expected, mocking voices rang out from the surroundings.
"…I won't say it twice. Budong, bring him here."
"This bastard, really!"
"Seems like he needs a broken bone or two to come to his senses! I'll grant his wish!"
Two menacing-looking guards thrust their fists at me.
"You insolent bastard, how dare you here—ugh!"
"What—!"
Puk!
The bastards punched each other in the face and collapsed on the spot.
"Funny guys. Why are you trying to fight each other here?"
Before anyone knew it, a young man sat in a chair, snickering as he picked up a snack.
"……."
Silence fell in an instant.
A small fear seeped into their pupils.
Isn't it strange?
It's not like they're fools, yet they both knocked each other out with a cross punch.
And not a single mercenary gathered here had seen the young man sit down in the chair.
'Flow control and agile body movements, was it? More useful than I thought.'
The authority received back from my party members—
I was slightly surprised by the bizarre sensation I'd never felt before in my life.
"……."
I smirked and pulled a pouch from inside my coat, throwing it onto the table.
A rather heavy sound rang out, and the mercenaries' eyes narrowed.
"Don't be so on guard. I came here to do business with your leader."
Perhaps he came down hearing the commotion.
"Lord Budong…."
"C-Captain."
A warrior clad in black iron plate slowly descended the stairs.
"A negotiator sent by those adventurer bastards?"
"I'll give you one hour. Get out of here."
Budong smirked as if he'd heard a lame joke.
"Unfortunately, you're a bit late? We've already finished our contract with the Springfield family."
"Contract? Ah, you mean that suicide contract?"
I replied leisurely, crossing my legs onto the table.
Budong's brows furrowed.
"Think for a moment. Why are all the barons in this region fleeing right now?"
"Well, that's obviously…."
"Yes, it's partly because of the Demon King's army, but also because Count Gondor is buying up all the land and pressuring them. The only ones holding their ground are the Springfield family here, and the family head is gravely ill."
I pulled a bundle of documents from inside my coat and threw them on the table. It was the movement route of nearby territories that Milene had obtained.
"So what do you think the Count will do with this opportunity?"
"……."
"Let me ask differently—did you really sign a contract with the Springfield family?"
"……."
"Isn't it funny that mercenaries recruited to protect the territory are illegally occupying the adventurers' guild?"
"……."
"Please think about it. If the Count leads a regular army here, you'll be branded as 'criminals who illegally occupied the territory' and executed as first priority. Since you've even taken hostages, he'll have more than enough justification."
The hall began to buzz.
The mercenaries checked each other's expressions and grew agitated.
"No, we didn't intend to…."
"I-I'm innocent. I didn't know anything!"
Then,
"Don't be swayed, everyone! We've already stepped into this!"
Budong threw a huge axe at me.
I didn't dodge.
Puk!
The sharp axe blade dug deep into my shoulder.
But I stared straight at him without any reaction.
And slowly pulled out the axe.
It was the effect of 'Sturdy Oath.'
"What—!"
Budong's eyes filled with shock.
Because the shallow wound was slowly healing.
A one-hit kill—
An axe that could split even a werewolf in two had been stopped so futilely.
"H-how is this…?"
"Release the hostages immediately and get out of the guild. After the trial, I'll send you to the west."
Killing them would be easy, but then I'd lose witnesses.
His hand trembled.
He realized there was no chance of winning.
"…What the hell are you?"
++
[The Mercenary Group 'First Charge Squad' has accepted your proposal.]
[You have sincerely subdued Mercenary Captain 'Budong.']
*Your fame increases whenever adventurers and mercenaries speak of your tale.
Current Value: 5
++
Not long after,
the door opened and adventurers poured in with the rescued hostages.
"Sis, are you okay?"
"Father, you're safe!"
"Thank goodness. Thank goodness."
Among them, a blonde girl wearing a dress but looking somewhat anxious appeared leading knights.
Finally, she's here.
My companion.
******************
Squeak—
Thud.
The huge gate opened, and a woman with red hair reaching her waist slowly stepped down from the carriage.
Was there anyone in the kingdom who didn't know her?
She whom snow-white armor suited so perfectly—
the only Swordmaster in the Ersha Kingdom,
and the woman personally bestowed the rank of Duke by the King.
Over the past ten years, the demons she had felled numbered over a hundred, and the villages she had saved numbered in the tens…
The kingdom's living legend.
Helena Ronaine.
With each and every step, she walked with beautiful strides as if tracing an elegant melody.
"Welcome, Lady Helena."
"Have you returned?"
The servants lined up on both sides bowed their heads in unison, expressing their reverence for their master.
With eyes sparkling as if embroidered with starlight, she looked around once.
"That's enough now. Everyone, please return to your duties."
She smiled faintly and gestured left and right.
But not a single person moved.
And for good reason—everyone here worshipped her like a god.
"……."
Making a troubled expression for a moment, Helena moved toward the mansion without a word.
Slowly through the middle of them,
yet with dignity.
"…Look at that elegant gait. Isn't she just like an apostle of the Goddess?"
"She is our master! Need you say more?"
"How can she be so beautiful?"
Entering the central hall of the mansion, she ascended the stairs without hesitation.
"Lady Helena, if you need anything…."
"It's fine. Butler, only you need follow me."
Squeak—
Thud.
The moment she entered her room,
"……."
she looked around, confirmed no one was there, and let out a sigh of relief.
"Haa…"
"Lady Helena… you've worked hard today as well. I will inform everyone that no one is to come to the third floor."
It was an utterly exhausted appearance that would shock anyone who saw it.
"Thank you."
"Not at all."
"Leave dinner in front of the door. I'll be resting in my room until tomorrow."
Due to the continuous work these past few days, truly…
she was utterly exhausted.
I'll lie on the bed, eat cookies, and watch the Empire's martial arts tournament footage.
I've already watched it several times, but the battle between the Berserker Swordsman and the Barbarian Warrior is really…
"…Lady Helena?"
Despite waving her hand in dismissal, the butler hesitated and remained standing still.
'What is it?'
Since he had assisted her by her side since childhood,
there must certainly be a reason for his behavior.
"Butler, is something the matter?"
The butler, who had been fidgeting for quite a while, apologized and bowed his head.
"I'm sorry to disturb your rest… but Lady Helena, there are guests currently waiting in the reception room. I'm afraid you must meet them for a moment."
Guests?
I'm sure I told them not to let anyone in when I'm away.
"……."
"I'm sorry… I tried my best to stop them, but they forced their way in so unreasonably…."
"Is it my uncle?"
"No. They are people from different places."
If there were people who would barge in without an appointment, it was obvious who they were.
Those First Prince faction bastards again…
"Haa… let's go right away."
"This way, Lady Helena."
They won't even give me time to rest?
Ever since I cleared the Hero's name, these idiots kept coming.
I only intended to punish the evil hiding within the kingdom, like the Copy Demon.
I had no particular intention of attacking the First Prince's faction.
But that petty man was flying into a rage, saying their reputation was damaged because of that incident…
'No matter how much I think about it, the First Prince is not fit to be king.'
Honestly, it's a headache.
However, I don't regret it.
Because it was something someone had to do.
"The head of the Ronaine family, Lady Helena."
As the butler and maid opened the door,
"Ah…!"
"Finally!"
four girls inside the reception room rose from their seats and offered slight greetings.
"……."
Faces I'd all seen at the royal palace at least once.
'The Saint candidate of the Iries Order, the proxy of the Tyr Order, and the second daughter of the Argento family…'
I didn't know who the remaining one was, but judging by her equipment, she must be of the Ranger class.
Anyway, girls all belonging to prominent powers,
and one thing they had in common was that they were party members of the Hero I had helped this time.
'They've come to give their thanks.'
Strength drained from my whole body as I leaned back against the soft sofa.
I hadn't done it to receive thanks, but
they had their hearts set on it, so I couldn't just send them back.
However,
"Lady Helena, it is an honor to meet you."
"I am also pleased to meet you all."
"We're both short on time, so I'll get straight to the point, Swordmaster."
'What?'
Did the servants make a mistake?
Such a rude attitude,
an expression somehow full of hostility bothered her.
"Return it."
"Hm? What do you mean?"
It was practically our first meeting—had I borrowed something from her?
She glared with a resentful expression.
"Where did you hide my Tanaseu!"
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