CHAPTER 27

IS THAT A GOOD BOSS?

Sneaking into the mercenaries was easy, they were preparing for a very large job, so they recruited without contemplation anyone who would prove to know how to use a weapon. I passed the test immediately and joined their ranks, which were heading towards a small town almost on the eastern edge of the continent.

Along the way, we looted almost a dozen small villages, they simply couldn't do anything against such a large number of men. Fortunately there were few victims, almost no one dared to resist.

When we finally arrived at the place, we met an army of Iren. I did what I could to put myself at the head of the group, so that I could hear what they said. It was because of this that I saw how the Acme Commander inspired fear in everyone present, including me.

It reminded me of how formidable the Acme soldiers are, so famous among the bellicose Irenits.

The boss of our group gave us our orders. We would divide, my group would take the clothes of the townspeople and go to Galia the mountain city and wait for the army of Iren to arrive, at that time we would take care of the resources of the city from within, burning the forest and warehouses.

Of course, when the time came, the veterans in our group wanted us to steal things from the city's stores, instead of burning them. I don't know if they are greedy fools or if they are secretly smart. If the siege was prolonged, and food was scarce, we would be affected as well.

Again fortune smiled, we never got to that.

When we were to start taking action, Iren's soldiers appeared by the city gate, guided by a group led by a man wearing a really unique suit, in all my travels I never saw an equal one. Suddenly all the people gathered in what looked like a stage, as if a show was going to happen.

My mission was to join the mercenaries, because apparently they were hired by the demon general of Iren himself, that way I could know their plans and my people could act accordingly.

The fragile balance of the nations of the east was devastated with the coming to power of the demon general, it is necessary to be prepared for the coming storm. Worst of all, it's how fearsome the general can be, even more than the other generals of Iren.

I stopped caring about that mission as soon as I saw him ...

In front of my eyes, the man in the suit defeated the Acme Commander in less than a blink. I take pride in my keen senses, which allow me to be an efficient spy. Even so, I couldn't see anything. At one time, the commander named Jemur had the spear in his hand and was at about to use it to pierce the throat of his opponent, the next was he who had the spear around his neck.

Not even considering the light of the explosion I looked away or blinked, but I couldn't see the moment he did it anyway.

This man, if the word does him justice, may be an existence at the level of the demon general. To think that someone like that was hidden in this lost corner of the world.

After the confrontation, everyone went to the site of the explosion and once again the man proved to go beyond expectations, convincing Commander Jemur to leave the city promising to leave it alone.

I find it hard to believe that someone who has reached the rank of commander of a complete legion may be so foolish to believe that the destruction of the academy is a coincidence, but the fact that the academy was destroyed doesn't change, whether accidental or not. Without the academy in the middle, the commander decided to keep his word and give up the invasion of Galia.

As if that weren't enough, in his conversation the man I later discovered is called Argent, was clear that all the invaders had to leave, implying that he knew about us and would not allow us to stay or try anything. Commander Jemur announced that we all would leave without exception. Disobeying equals a death sentence, so the next day we began preparations to leave.

Taking advantage of the last days in the city and the fact that this Argent will not usually wander the streets, I gathered information from citizens who, even after all that, remained ignorant of what had really happened and still treated us as refugee guests in their city.

In addition to his name, I could also find out that money is no problem for him, that I could intuit among other things, because he hired a third of the city's contractors to reform the academy and even so decided without contemplation to destroy it for the good of the city. That also says a lot about his personality.

But the most important detail I could acquire was that he planned to leave the city. It's not that people knew, but I was able to deduct it after finding out how many purchases he made in the last few days.

Arrive, save the city and then leave ...

Such a man could ...

...

"I think we should run away".

Faces of confusion and surprise was what my colleagues returned to me in the mercenary group.

Among the more than 50 men who joined at the same time as me, these are the ones I can entrust this information to.

During the looting in villages or in the town of Galatea, they never really hurt someone. I cannot feel in them the same scent of blood as in the rest and most importantly, I can perceive it in their auras, they are people who have never killed in cold blood. I don't know their reasons for joining this band, whether or not the despair of poverty and hunger or something else, but they are the only ones I want to save.

"Listen. Originally it was expected that this would be a great job, so they decided to recruit us and many more, but the reality is that the biggest looting, that of the city of Galia, became impossible to get. If you think about it, all we have is what the other group took from Galatea".

Eleven pairs of eyes watch me closely. In the last weeks we were together, they learned to trust me. I must say that it was in my plans to choose a group of people whom I could trust for some things, which I slowly gathered in this group of twelve. Now we all feel closer than with the rest, most have shared their story with the rest of us. It's this trust that leads them to give me the benefit of the doubt and listen to me in silence now.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

"In other words, our group now returns empty-handed. Honestly, I don't think the veteran mercenaries want to share the loot with us, not now that any future work with Iren seems unlikely. The reality is that maintaining such a large group as ours is more problematic than beneficial".

The concern in their eyes told me that they understood what I wanted to say. Their ability to understand these things is another thing that I like about these guys.

"As I see it, there are 3 possible conclusions: One night during the trip, the veterans will occupy all the guard posts and while the rest of us sleep, they kill us all. Another possibility is that they simply strip us of our equipment and leave us To our luck.

Of course, I also don't deny the possibility that after having killed the majority, they decide to wake up the few that are left to have fun killing us, some of the veterans have already proven to be that type of guys.

The other possible situation is that they leave us alive until we meet with the other group later, or rather, until we have carried our things for them. Then they will kill us, either quickly or with the intention of having fun. In any case we will be dead".

"You mean ... all newbies like us?"

This question came from Arno, perhaps the most naive of the group. It's something you expect from someone so young, just 17 years old.

"Most likely, they may forgive 2 or 3 who they particularly like. But most likely, by the time this is over, their band will be the size it was before".

"Damn!"

"Calm down brother, we don't want to be heard".

The calm of the Shooter brothers, Estor, made his younger brother Patrick see the recklessness of raise his voice. During the time we have been together, they have shown good aim and ability to handle the bow, despite the poor quality of the equipment we have.

"What would happen if we try to resist? Most of the rookies are in this group, if we attack first we could win".

"I doubt it very much, Estor. To begin with, I doubt that we can convince all the rookies to join us. Nor can I say that the idea of trusting my life to them reassures me, they could betray us as soon as we tell them our intentions. Even if we do it, most have little experience in combat and veteran's leather armor pieces can withstand the onslaught of our rusty weapons that have almost no sharpness".

"From the beginning they gave us the worst weapons ... It's normal for newbies, but it's another reason to think you're right about their intentions".

"That's why our only chance is to run away. We must seize the moment when they let us get away from the group carrying weapons, that is, when we go out to gather food. At that time, when we have moved far enough away, we will run to a predetermined place and we will flee in the direction of Galia".

"Why Galia?"

"It's the only viable road. To the west is where the group is heading, it would be convenient for them to persecute us, in addition to that, we risk encountering the other group. Even with all the time ahead they are from us, they cannot be so far away, after all they carry a large number of goods and slaves".

"What about north?"

"I thought about that, but we would be traveling for a long time before getting anywhere, you may have noticed, but game in this area seems especially scarce, I think those of Iren decimated the wildlife when they passed by. And the south is out of the question, there are great chances that the army has returned to Galatea to receive new orders and if not, surely they have left some detachment to transmit reports".

"As one can expect from Zilan, you've really thought about it ... I trust your judgment, I support you one hundred percent".

"My brother and I too".

One after another, everyone gave their approval.

I regret using them like this, but it would be very suspicious that I alone asked to join the group of Argent, and for granted they would watch me all the time if so. But if we are a dozen, they won't be able to put their full attention on me.

Of course I do believe in everything I said, even if it's a theory of mine, mercenaries really are likely to kill newbies.

...

All went well. I make no mistake thinking that Argent would leave the city, just one day after fleeing our group, we met his.

He immediately showed suspicion, but I could convince him that we are just a group of desperate fools.

After joining his group (according to him, as employees) we go to the northwest, I have a couple of ideas of our destination, but it's still too early to rush with that. For now I must gather the information I can and report. My village must know about this man as soon as possible.

Something that I find curious, is the fact that every few hours of walking, we always stop so that the young man who accompanies Argent trains in the use of the sword with Captain Rad (as the other guards called him).

During this time, Argent looks for a rock or some other appropriate place to sit and starts reading while watching us sideways. Honestly, I am still surprised at how quickly our presence was captured at our first meeting. I can understand that he detected the others, but his gaze was most of the time fixed in my position, as if he could see me clearly.

I know that I am not the perfect spy, but I don't think it possible for someone to be able to detect my presence at that distance with such precision. The fact that he paid more attention to me than others, also implies that he knew that I was hiding from him with more skill than the rest.

Maybe that's why he has his men watching me more closely ... I hope that's it.

Something that I could also notice, is the quality of the equipment used by their guards, without a doubt proof of his trust in them after many years of service ... Or so I thought.

"Wow, those armors looks amazing, I never really saw someone who was not a knight wearing such good protection".

"Isn't it great? When our lord Argent took us under his wing and appointed us his Argent guard, he gave us these weapons and armor the next day".

Eh?...

"Oh! I had heard that some guards receive equipment as an advance so that they can perform their tasks, but I had never seen that they will be given such quality things. How many years of work will it take to pay them?"

"No no, Mr. Argent was very clear that we don't have to pay them. According to him, it is absurd that employees must pay the tools they need to perform their tasks. In terms of quality, Mr. Argent said he could not put price to our lives ... JOOOO !! It still moves me every time I remember it. What greater proof of the esteem he have for us, than to give us the best possible armor? "

While talking with Estor and his brother, the guard - named Khaden - didn't bother to hide his respect and appreciation for his benefactor.

Everyone in our group, me included, were amazed at what we heard. Not even someone who does dangerous work all the time like me receives such a treatment, rather, the people of my village do not have the slightest appreciation for me, I had to work hard so they begin to value me.

"Don't be surprised to hear this, but I heard that when we get to the next city, Mr. Argent plans to give you a good equip too, after all he said he hired you".

A-Absurd ... Does he really plan to hand over such valuable equipment to some mercenaries he just hired?

Ridiculous! When people hire mercenaries, they don't give equipment unless it's as part of their payment.

Who is Mr. Argent really ?!

Khaden's words gained credibility that night, when we only got a few berries to eat and Mr. Argent shared his meal.

Even if he easily carry many things with that item bag of his, it's not easy to feed a dozen mouths that you didn't expected, but he still showed no doubt when he asked his servant, the young Zera, to serve a portion of food to everyone.

I can say that after a couple of days of receiving such a good treatment, everyone began to show respect and appreciation for Mr. Argent. There really is more to him than just his fighting ability or his intelligence.

But I can't forget my mission. This morning I decided to take advantage of the loneliness of the food search to make my report. One of the skills that make me such a good spy is my ability to invoke a minor familiar, with whom I can send discrete messages over long distances.

According to my estimate, our next destination should be the city of Kalifa, where an academy is. From my conversations with the group, I found out that Mr. Argent is a science and knowledge enthusiast who travels the world visiting academies. Normally he should keep a low profile to explain how he haven't become a famous figure at this point.

Honestly, after meeting him, I'm surprised he didn't decide to go to Garush to save the townspeople of the captain and the others. Although the logic in his reasons is unquestionable.

Another person who has earned my respect is Captain Rad. He is very diligent in the training of the young Ryuuji, who at first glance can be said to be a beginner. Although for some reason I feel a strange presence in him. Is it a noble thing?

"Zilan, you always watch our training, would you like to participate?"

"Seriously?"

"Lord Argent said I could invite you, if you want we can start at our next session".

"It will be an honor".

After agreeing to my answer, the captain called everyone's attention.

"By decision of lord Argent, from now on we will head west to the city of Garush ... My friends, we will see the townspeople again".

Eh?

EEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHH?!