Chapter 89: The Mercenary Meeting (5)

 

Several days passed and we left Stockpin behind.

 

Our entire mercenary group gathered, heading to the meeting venue as if we were embarking on a grand expedition.

 

The time had come.

 

“...Ha.”

 

I exhaled deeply. This was because these mercenary talks were so bothersome.

 

I understood that these proceedings were meant to prevent a larger confrontation, but our entire mercenary group had to mobilize to avoid looking weak.

 

In the face of mercenary groups where strength was everything, we couldn’t be overpowered merely by might.

 

Moreover, the Red Flames had fewer members compared to other large mercenary groups.

 

It took a long time to train a single member, so we had no choice.

 

Given our limited numbers, every single one was precious; everyone had to head to the meeting venue. No exceptions.

 

I loosely gripped the reins and looked behind.

 

Ner and Arwin were riding after me, guiding their horses.

 

“Are you ready?”

 

I asked.

 

Arwin and Ner nodded.

 

“...”

 

A significant concern for this meeting was the presence of these two.

 

Perhaps, my wives were going to be the focal point of this meeting.

 

Thanks to my wives, now the Red Flames had nobles backing them.

 

Back then, the meeting seemed naive, but now it made a massive difference.

 

What seemed like an unfavorable exchange in the past was now bolstering our strength.

 

Even other nobles couldn’t underestimate our mercenary group, which was comprised solely of commoners.

 

At that time, the Red Flames was expanding its momentum and influence.

 

I sensed that other mercenary groups might further restrain us.

 

To not be oppressed, they might resort to provoking us, even throwing insults.

 

Perhaps I too was on the brink of countless skirmishes and battles.

 

The nobles who brought about all these changes were my wives.

 

...No, I was certainly on the cusp of conflict.

 

To break the prestige of our Red Flames group, targeting me, the husband of these nobles, would be most effective.

 

That being said, I wasn’t particularly worried about such battles.

 

Rather, I was concerned about my wives who would be hurt by the insults.

 

I let out a sigh and said to my wives,

 

“...I’ve told you, it’s going to get rough.”

 

Both of them nodded silently.

 

“There will inevitably be words you’ll hear that might hurt. I’ll handle it, but don’t be hurt by what you hear.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Understood, Berg.”

 

I exhaled deeply once again.

 

...They responded as if they understood, but did they really?

 

“....”

 

But there was nothing I could do.

 

I nodded my head and spurred my horse on.

 

****

 

We traveled all day like that.

 

As the sky began to be tinged with orange, we set up the camp.

 

During that time, about half a dozen members approached me.

 

“Vice-captain, is there anything bothering you?”

 

I nodded, and one by one, the members began to gather around and converse.

 

“...Indeed, Captain Adam is remarkable.”

 

One of them remarked,

 

“We just followed, but look at us now. We’ve become a mercenary group with nobles at our back. Heading to the meeting feels like we’re the protagonists.”

 

Like me, the other members didn’t comment further.

 

Certainly, no one could disregard the abilities of Adam Hyung.

 

Everyone knew that being connected with nobility made life easier.

 

Yet, the choice Adam Hyung made was one that very few would have the courage to make.

 

Even I initially opposed his plan.

 

“The true protagonists are Ner-nim and Arwin-nim, not us,” another member chimed in after a pause.

 

“...It seems the nobility truly stands out. Maybe it’s the power of their lineage.”

 

While they conversed, I caught Arwin’s eye from a distance.

 

She, who had been staring at me intently for some time, gave a slight wave when our eyes met.

 

I chuckled softly.

 

In return for my smile, Arwin gestured something with her body.

 

She extended her left hand forward and pulled back with her right hand.

 

“...Ah.”

 

She was mimicking the action of drawing a bowstring.

 

Could it be an invitation to practice archery together?

 

I pointed at myself and then at Arwin.

 

I gestured, asking if I should come over.

 

Arwin gave a slight nod in response.

 

With her invitation, I wrapped up my conversation.

 

“...I’ll go.”

 

Then, I started walking towards her.

 

For a moment, I could hear the members behind me fall silent.

 

In that quiet gap, someone whispered.

 

“...Ah, there’s Arwin-nim.”

 

****

 

From a distance, Ner watched Arwin, who was holding a bow with Berg, heading somewhere.

 

Arwin’s actions had become natural, yet still a bit awkward.

 

Lately, being with her always left her uneasy.

 

This tendency intensified after she found the unidentified liquid.

 

Arwin still hadn’t inquired about the whereabouts of the liquid.

 

Ner believed there were two reasons for this.

 

Firstly, the liquid might be insignificant.

 

So, even if it disappeared, she might not have noticed.

 

And secondly, she might still be unaware that it was gone.

 

It had been hidden away in a corner of a box, so it was possible she missed it.

 

“...”

 

What on earth was that substance?

 

If only she knew its identity, this nagging feeling might subside.

 

As Ner let out a sigh, she spotted Baran issuing orders to the members.

 

Noticing her, he approached with a nod.

 

“Ner-nim, is everything alright?”

 

“Yes, everything’s fine.”

 

He soon smiled and said,

 

“You’re wearing the ring again. It suits you.”

 

“...Ah.”

 

Ner looked down at her ring upon Baran’s mention.

 

She hadn’t taken it off since that day.

 

Touching the smooth surface of the ring, Ner smiled.

 

“Yes.”

 

Baran nodded, preparing to leave.

 

“Well then, I’ll be-”

 

“Ah, wait a moment.”

 

But Ner had a budding curiosity.

 

Perhaps it could be seen as a concern.

 

She had overheard some conversations while they were traveling here.

 

Among the many members, talks of fights could be heard.

 

Statements like, ‘I’ll knock a few down,’ or ‘I’ll stomp on the first one who makes eye contact...’

 

In the midst of a cheerful atmosphere, violence seemed to be brewing.

 

Berg had clearly mentioned that the meeting would be rough.

 

Was it related to that?

 

Ner inquired.

 

“...Is that place so dangerous?”

 

Baran seemed to immediately grasp Ner’s question.

 

“If you’re talking about the meeting... Yes, it’s a bit risky. It’s where the high-flying mercenaries gather.”

 

Baran then took a deep breath before adding,

 

“...From your point of view, you might feel that their level is too low. So, no matter what those mercenaries say, I hope you won’t take it to heart.”

 

He echoed the same words as Berg.

 

“...”

 

Ner tried to steel herself with their advice, but it wasn’t as easy as it sounded.

 

Whenever someone made fun of the color of her tail or called her Paelyun-a*, she involuntarily shrunk back.

 

Her complex wasn’t something that could be fixed easily.

 

...Of course, after Berg complimented her tail, things got slightly better.

 

Thinking of Berg’s praise made her feel at ease, no matter what anyone else said.

 

However, what truly worried Ner wasn’t just those words.

 

“Do a lot of fights break out?”

 

Ner asked apprehensively.

 

Baran nodded confidently.

 

“Absolutely. They’ll fight just for locking eyes.”

 

Upon hearing this, Ner felt her heart racing with anxiety.

 

“So, does Berg get into fights too?”

 

“...”

 

Hoping against hope, she continued before Baran could respond.

 

“...But he’s a vice-captain, so he wouldn’t fight, right? Surely not even the vice-captain would get involved in brawls...”

 

Baran tilted his head slightly.

 

“...I’m not sure.”

 

“What?”

 

At Ner’s surprised voice, Baran hurriedly added,

 

“Don’t worry. He usually doesn’t engage in fights. He’s always been quiet and never the type to initiate conflicts. Even when minor quarrels arise, he finds it bothersome to entertain them.”

 

Only after hearing that answer did Ner feel somewhat relieved.

 

She let out a short sigh.

 

“...That’s a relief.”

 

At her words, Baran chuckled as if he found them unexpected.

 

“You’re worried about the vice-captain?”

 

“...”

 

“Of everyone, you needn’t worry about the vice-captain.”

 

“Why?”

 

“He’s a good fighter.”

 

“...Just because he fights well doesn’t mean he can’t get hurt.”

 

“...”

 

Ner mulled over her own words in the ensuing silence, her face flushing with embarrassment.

 

“...I’ve asked all I wanted to know. Thank you.”

 

Baran smiled and nodded.

 

“Please take a rest.”

 

****

 

Days passed, and the Red Flames finally arrived at the meeting place.

 

From afar, the large crowd was visible, and Ner’s heart raced at the sight.

 

A vast gathering of mercenaries across the open field.

 

From what Ner had heard, including the Red Flames, four major mercenary groups had gathered.

 

She felt fear whenever she thought of the countless mercenaries inside.

 

She must have felt a similar emotion even before her marriage to Berg.

 

Ner took a deep breath.

 

“Stay strong at heart; I’ll protect you.”

 

All the while, Berg spoke from her side.

 

Ner looked up at him.

 

“.......”

 

Seeing his face, she felt a sudden surge of reassurance and comfort.

 

She was taken aback at how easily her anxious heart melted away.

 

This was a first for her.

 

Stepping into a daunting space, yet feeling as though she had someone on her side.

 

With just a word from him, she felt she could fully trust him.

 

Even if everyone else were against her, as long as she had Berg, she felt at ease.

 

“...Yes.”

 

So she nodded at his words.

 

“Berg?”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Do you think you’ll end up fighting?”

 

At that question, Arwin also cast a sidelong glance.

 

Berg shrugged off the question, avoiding a direct answer.

 

Ner’s expression tightened, and then she hesitantly pleaded.

 

“...Can’t you avoid fighting?”

 

“What?”

 

“...”

 

She didn’t even understand why she was making such a request.

 

But she didn’t want to see him get hurt in a fight.

 

What if something went wrong?

 

In that moment, Ner didn’t avert her eyes.

 

She gazed directly at Berg, steeling herself.

 

He looked back into her eyes, and after a moment... he let out a slow sigh.

 

Then he said,

 

“...I’ll see.”

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

 

[ TL: Paelyun-a ‘패륜아’  is Korean slang which means an immoral person who is unkind to his/her own parents. However, this term is not limited to children, it is also used to call someone a traitor. 

 

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