162 - A Certain Hero’s Resolve (2)

We clasped hands and confirmed cooperation toward our mutual goals.

After that I had various things to ask, but before that the elf man who called himself Shiza said something about leaving early, as if he had no intention of talking.

“It appears your preparations are still far from complete. We intend to remain here for a while, so please introduce us to lodging.”

He seemed unwilling to involve himself deeply with us, but we couldn’t have them stay at an inn after coming all this way.

When I requested they stay in the lord’s residence, they exchanged glances, and after the two attendants nodded, Shiza accepted.

I immediately called a servant and asked for their guidance, but perhaps because elves were rare, he merely stared and did not move.

“They are important guests. See to it there is no discourtesy.”

The lord’s permission could come afterward—though only three, elves participating was still participation.

If I used this fact well, the number of people I could move would surely increase.

I didn’t know their strength, but coming to fight in small numbers meant confidence in their ability.

Seeing them leave the room, I threw myself onto the sofa as the door closed.

“I thought there’d be no elf participation.”

Orland muttered while standing and looking at the door.

“Grudges are the same for humans and elves. Dozens died fighting an unknown monster. There’s nothing else it could be but that Argos.”

“Ah, revenge.”

“Almost certainly. Argos killed too many.”

At my words, Orland nodded in agreement.

“I’m really saved they came. Now I won’t have to make excuses to the lord.”

I laid an arm over my forehead and sighed in relief.

The Argos subjugation had been approved by involving the Republic.

If the crucial elves didn’t participate, all preparations might have been wasted.

‘For now, we cleared the first stage. Next is how much they’ll cooperate…’

From their attitude, cooperation outside battle seemed unlikely.

Conversely, in battle they should be reliable.

If they excelled in magic, they might fill the powerful mage role we needed.

“But aren’t they too few?”

I acknowledged Orland’s words with silence.

Only three—yet the elves themselves proved that wasn’t reassuring.

Unable to respond, I stood and left the room.

There was a mountain of things to do.

Time was precious.

The next day, though it was a joint front, we couldn’t fight however we liked, so we held a meeting with the three elves.

How much damage could they tolerate?

We had to align information and divide roles, hence the meeting.

After beginning with safe topics, I steered the discussion toward cooperation in the tactics I planned.

“We are very grateful for your cooperation. However, I would like to ask one thing: why lend us your strength? You know how powerful that monster is.”

By skillfully drawing out their emotions and empathizing, I aimed to build a better relationship.

Then perhaps they would accept our unreasonable requests.

If giving a speech before mercenaries, elves made a far better impression than I did.

If possible, I wanted them to raise the sense of crisis by describing Argos’s danger, sharing the understanding that missing this chance would be irreversible.

If so, even if I was the Dragonbuster who stepped on mercenaries to rise, they would fight at full strength.

As if betraying that hope, Shiza, acting as representative, casually said:

“It is simple. Some in the village consider that new species… Argos, an obstacle. To bring the Fullretos Great Forest under control, it must be eliminated.”

“…I see.”

An answer unlike my expectation—I never imagined elves interfering with other factions for power struggles.

“Frankly I cannot believe many wish to use Argos. Intelligent or not, it is still a monster. It will be too late after something happens.”

I replied “I understand,” but my mind was not calm.

‘To cooperate for such a reason… it could be a lie, but if true, we’d be involved in elven conflict.’

Still, priority was subjugating Argos.

Even if it were poison, I had no choice but to drink it.

Fortunately they wanted Argos gone at any cost and intended to use powerful weapons, requesting only that we hold it in place.

We also had a holy sword, so both sides possessed trump cards.

Thus we agreed to cooperate to maximize them.

“Not a bad result,” I sighed in relief leaving the room lent to them.

Orland, waiting outside, seemed to sense success and followed silently.

Walking the corridor, I didn’t miss him muttering with a half smile, “Argos killed too many.”

“If you have something to say, say it clearly.”

“Nothing at all, Commander.”

Wondering what to do about this eavesdropping bastard, I felt tension leave my shoulders.

Not because of that.

“…Orland. You can remove that collar.”

I turned and tossed him the key.

“Really?”

He caught it one-handed, confirming, but to involve him, the collar was a clear negative.

“I at least judge you’re not the type of mercenary to run after being beaten.”

I said only that and began walking.

Behind me, something metallic hit the floor.

I almost said not to throw it there, but expecting refinement from him was wrong.

“I’ll confirm once more… really okay?”

“…It’s understandable you don’t believe it, but I can’t resolve things otherwise.”

His checking after removing it proved distrust.

Still, I needed him useful.

“Yeah. I have to give a speech to the mercenaries. The lord’s authority only goes so far. So I need your cooperation.”

“Are you sane?”

I understood the meaning but hadn’t expected him to question my sanity.

“I’ll tell you—more mercenaries hate you than don’t.”

“I know. But it’s necessary, and I have material to persuade them. I just need something to slightly raise the success rate.”

That was why I freed him… but Orland didn’t understand.

Perhaps I acted rashly—I stopped and looked at the ceiling.

Annoyed by my silence, Orland grabbed and shook my shoulder.

I sighed once and shook off his hand, choosing the simplest words to move him.

“We kill Argos. Help me.”