38 - A Certain Mercenary’s Perspective (3)

“This is bad, isn’t it?”

“Yes, extremely bad.”

“Just to be sure, the location isn’t wrong, right?”

At the words of the mage we had managed to hire temporarily, Loyd and I both nodded.

Everyone’s expressions hardened as we spread the map out inside one of our base’s rooms—and with good reason.

“The first time you encountered the new species was here… next, where we clashed with it was here. Then there was a sighting between Grenda and Lecole. It’s not confirmed, but there may have been an appearance in Eilqueel as well. And the most recent sighting was on the northern highway—where a caravan was attacked and some supplies stolen.”

Loyd pointed at the marked spots on the map as he confirmed them.

I muttered in agreement with the implications.

“That’s way too wide…”

“Yes, far too wide.”

“It’s really wide…”

Currently, Dawn’s Battlefield aimed to subjugate the new species, but the information we had gathered to narrow its range only revealed a discouraging truth—its activity area was absurdly large.

Loyd drew a rough circle on the map.

Taking the most distant sightings as the radius, he drew overlapping circles around the markers, but the area covered was still far too broad.

Worse yet, the range stretched east into Seizeria and west into elven territory.

“This is just a possibility, right?”

Diera, the mage, muttered with a weary voice.

“If we’re being realistic… this much, perhaps?”

As Diera sighed and crossed her arms at the circle Loyd drew, my gaze kept drifting in her direction. Annie’s chest was large, but this mage’s was even larger—it was hard not to glance over.

“With an area this big? Then I wonder if the elves have confirmed its presence.”

Honestly, without enough mages, we would need to make use of elves or anyone else, or the hunt would be impossible.

“You planning to rope in long-ears? Forget it. Some of those lunatics call monsters ‘a part of nature.’ At best, you’ll manage to hire a stray.”

I scratched my head and sighed, only for Loyd to scold me,

“Captain, don’t shake dandruff everywhere.”

Apparently I’d improved compared to before, but they still complained.

Even our cooperating mage looked displeased.

As always, women who sold themselves were the best to deal with.

“Honestly, we don’t have enough power to do this alone. Like I’ve said before, normal magic swords can’t even scratch the thing. I’d want at least five or six weapons on par with my Giant-Killer.”

“That means realistically, we’ll need either other mercenary companies or high-ranking knights to join.”

I nodded at Loyd’s words.

Truthfully, after all our talks, the only conclusion we ever reached was that “alone, we don’t have the power.”

“Damn… Edward was no help regarding the new species, and Lady Karsel refused to support us. I thought at least she’d share what she’d learned.”

“Orland, you have ties to the Karsel Trading Company?”

“Ties? Not really. I just managed to earn some favor through work. Because of that, I’ve had them help out from time to time. I even tried to get them to procure a magic sword this time, but… it was impossible.”

I threw up my hands in a gesture of surrender, lamenting the lack of results.

“Even so, just getting quality weapons was good enough. It’s not sufficient, but with heavy weapons, there’s still a chance to hurt it. Since they prioritized sending those to us, the situation has improved.”

“Let’s hope so,” I muttered, leaning back in my chair.

Just then, knocking came at the door, and when answered, a member entered.

“Captain! The guildmaster summons you! He requests your immediate presence at the guild…”

“Got it,” I replied curtly, standing up.

I sighed again, wondering what on earth they wanted at such a time.

“This isn’t about the new species… right?”

“I hope not. We’re not ready yet.”

I truly hoped Loyd was right.

The messenger’s gaze followed Diera as she left the room ahead of us.

That woman had a fine chest, but her rear was just as good. I understood perfectly.

Stopping briefly for skewers at a food stall, we hurried to the mercenary guild.

Inside the room where the guildmaster Arngeil waited, formidable figures had already gathered.

In addition to Unyielding Greatsword, the largest company in Lecole, there was “Golden Spark,” led by the elder mage Marcus, along with Steel Axe and Firelance Ravagers—famous enough that few here wouldn’t know them.

With Dawn’s Battlefield included, the major mercenary companies of Lecole were all present.

Others were there too, but they were too minor to bother naming.

With me, the final member, arriving, Arngeil began.

“Now that nearly everyone is here, let’s begin. I’ll be brief. The lord has issued a direct extermination order. With 250 soldiers of the lord’s army and the mercenary companies here, we are to slay the new species.”

“Mind if I ask something? Just to be sure…”

I raised my hand at Arngeil’s words.

“Of course, Dawn’s Battlefield, the only ones with combat experience against the new species, must participate.”

“Thought so.”

I slumped my shoulders, while Arngeil ignored me and asked the room,

“Any companies wish to decline?”

An elderly mage raised his hand.

“Sorry, but our main force is away. If we go, we’d only be a burden.”

It was Marcus of Golden Spark.

Against the new species, their participation would have been essential.

“That’s unfortunate…”

I voiced the honest thought. Without them, it might be wiser to abandon the attempt altogether.

“Oh? I’m glad to hear Dawn relies so much on us.”

“Your mages are top-class. Can’t you at least come yourself?”

Knowing it was impossible, I still tried to recruit their strongest. As expected, Marcus only shook his head.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’ve long since left the frontlines.”

I wanted to insist, but another voice cut in.

“Ha! What a coward you are. So anxious without the Spark’s old man?”

It was Grant, leader of Unyielding Greatsword—our companies had bad blood, so this was inevitable.

Bigger than me, a halberd user. Ever since he got himself a fine magic spear, this “Greatsword” leader was something of a name fraud.

“We need skilled mages. Having you instead won’t help at all.”

“You’ve said it now, loser.”

Grant snorted and turned to Arngeil.

“Unyielding Greatsword will take the vanguard. No objections.”

He shot me a glare, to which I gestured “be my guest.” He sneered and left the room.

Once he was gone, I pressed Marcus.

“Fine then. It doesn’t have to be you. Just give me as many skilled mages as you can. How many?”

Marcus only shook his head with a weary sigh.

“None. They’re all away.”

“Seriously?”

I grimaced, but figured we could gather more elsewhere.

After all, nearly every major company leader was here. With enough effort, we might manage.

“Orland, something bothers me. From what you said, magic works better than weapons. But why are you so fixated on mages?”

It was Cain, leader of Steel Axe, confronting me. He’d noticed something.

I decided there was no point hiding it and shared the truth.

“The fact is, we didn’t accomplish nothing against the new species. We managed one strike. But it was unhurt. The one who cut it was Annie—our magic sword wielder.”

The room erupted.

Of course.

My words meant “ordinary weapons can’t scratch it, so be prepared.”

In other words, the lord’s army was useless.

“Orland! We never heard this!”

“I never said it. Besides, it took the combined effort of three men and one woman risking their lives to make an opening. Annie’s blow landed—but left no wound. Can you imagine the excuses? ‘It didn’t cut because the woman was weak’? That’s all we’d hear.”

I answered Arngeil coolly despite his protest.

“What kind of magic sword was it?”

“Not telling. But it doesn’t enhance sharpness. The blade itself isn’t much different from a quality weapon.”

I hated being evasive, but the sword’s origin was… problematic.

So I couldn’t reveal it.

“Ah, so that’s why you wanted ‘top-grade magic swords.’”

Arngeil mused, stroking his chin.

“Honestly, my Giant-Killer is too well-known. It’ll never land a hit. We need several weapons of equal caliber.”

“What about Grant?”

“You want me to work with him? Don’t joke.”

I shot back at Firelance’s Frank, who didn’t know the feud between Dawn and Unyielding.

The words slipped out reflexively, souring the mood.

Marcus moved to my side.

“Sorry, Or-boy. Truly, we can’t spare anyone. I’m not coming either. I’ve no wish to die yet.”

“You’ve lived long enough already, old man.”

Marcus chuckled. He had clearly sensed the danger, choosing to withdraw entirely.

(Damn, his instincts are sharp. No convincing him.)

I had desperately wanted Golden Spark involved, but it was impossible.

“Still… according to reports, it’s only attacked one caravan so far. Strange to issue an extermination order so soon. What happened?”

Cain frowned at Arngeil.

“Since you won’t say, I’ll assume it’s nothing important.”

Frank of Firelance laughed, pressing the point.

Arngeil sighed and reluctantly explained.

“The caravan had a replica of the Water Goddess Statue’s urn. The lord is planning to build a town for southern development, and wanted the statue for its fountain. Even a replica serves as a limitless water source. It was worth a great deal.”

I urged him to finish.

“So?”

“In short, it’s just the lord’s will. Nobles are always troublesome like that.”