novelraw Chapter 87
Chapter 87
Epsiode 87
TN: Changes: Basi → Basil.
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One day, while mechanically performing his duties as always, a hot topic recently emerged among the sharply alert mercenaries.
It was only natural for him's gaze to turn toward them.
Starting with their neat attire, unlike anything seen on mercenaries, as if someone cared for them, to their well-forged weapons and the way they enjoyed properly prepared meals. It was filled with a leisureliness never found among mercenaries.
〈Didn't they say they built a village for the guild members this time?〉
〈What? Is that true?〉
〈Yeah, they secured land and built a village for mercenaries, and if others besides mercenaries want to move there, they'll accept them willingly.〉
〈No, even if a village is built, ordinary people wouldn't want to move in, would they?〉
〈Apparently not, I heard quite a few ordinary people want to reside there. Isn't there a rumor that the North is less discriminatory toward mercenaries than other regions?〉
Being an area without the Executor Bureau's help, the North was a place filled with trust for the traitorous Lucifer, the knight order, and the mercenaries.
〈It certainly seems like you could trust and work under such a lord.〉
Weren't the Lucifer Ducal House and the knight order the only ones who treated them like people whenever they gathered for monster subjugation?
〈But I heard the Deshimo Ducal House also created a guild this time?〉
At someone's question, a man nearby suddenly shouted angrily.
〈Damn it, don't even mention that name! It ruins the mood!〉
〈No, why are you getting so angry? I'm just talking about what I heard!〉
〈They say they won't accept those who don't meet certain qualifications and make a huge fuss about it.〉
〈"Fuss" is putting it nicely! They said to bring my main weapon for the test, so I brought it, but they said it was filthy and didn't even let me in!〉
The weapon the angry man presented was a giant axe he cleaned meticulously every day.
It had many signs of use, but overall, it was a perfectly functional weapon.
〈Those bastards try to grade mercenaries according to their own standards! It's not about how many monsters you can kill or if you have the strength to protect comrades! They evaluate based on how "human-like" they deem you, not your strength!〉
He endured the contempt, worse than that shown to zoo monkeys, and barely attended the interview, only to receive a rejection notice saying he lacked the qualifications to be a guild member.
〈But when have they ever treated us like people?〉
He tried to endure it.
But even if others treated them like monsters, they were people.
〈I've never been treated like a human, so I guess I couldn't pass their test!〉
As if he couldn't hold it back, his resentment burst forth.
〈Nobles are all the same. No matter how well Lucifer treats us, it won't be any different!〉
At the voice filled with anger, the gathering fell into silence.
Familiar feelings of frustration and failure surrounded them.
Then, a young boy's voice broke the silence.
〈Lucifer is different.〉
〈What's this, kid?〉
At someone's question, the boy, Basilian, pointed to his own chest with his hand.
A mercenary tag showing his affiliation with the Mercenary Guild created by Lucifer was proudly displayed.
Although it was a tag made of wood, engraved on it was the guild's emblem: a fierce red serpent.
〈It's a place that accepts even a kid like me just because I have the will to live.〉
Saying that, Basilian recited the rules of the Mercenary Guild created by Lucifer.
Any mercenary can join.
As long as they are not criminals, they do not discriminate by age, gender, or status; all are treated as equal guild members.
Disputes between mercenaries are heard from both sides, evaluated, and judged fairly, ensuring no guild member suffers injustice.
As long as they are guild members, the protection of the Lucifer Ducal House will always follow.
They will provide a refuge so guild members don't have to live a wandering life.
Here, refuge means a home where one can rest peacefully, a place where friends and family live.
The Lucifer Ducal House will never abandon a guild member, no matter what happens.
〈It's still in its early stages, but it's a pretty great place. At least, that's how I felt. If you're curious, go check it out. No one will turn us away.〉
With a final word not to get too emotional and cry, Basilian disappeared.
No, the moment he was about to leave, he rolled up his sleeve and proudly showed an item on his arm.
〈This is a protective bracelet researched and developed by the Lucifer Ducal House. Just wearing it can reduce threats from monsters. They don't even attack; they run away. They're distributing it in limited quantities only to early guild joiners.〉
After skillfully advertising the enticing item, he waved his hand defiantly and vanished.
It was only a short while later that a commotion arose among the silenced group.
Having heard such stories, A naturally didn't even bother looking at the guild created by Duke Deshimo and chose an unplanned trip to the North.
'Of course, it might be a lie, so I decided to see and judge for myself.'
He was looking around the lively streets with hazy eyes.
"Ouch!"
A child's voice reached his ears. Right near his legs!
"Hey, hey, are you okay?"
Lost in thought for a moment, he hadn't properly seen the child passing by.
"Hic."
The boy who had collided with A's knee held his forehead and started crying.
'This is bad.'
He made a child cry; the villagers watching would chase him away now.
'I haven't even been to the mercenary village yet!'
Just as feelings of injustice and sorrow washed over him.
Then, the whining boy lifted his head, saw his face, and suddenly beamed a bright smile.
"It's okay!"
"Huh?"
"Mercenary ajeossis are always fighting monsters to save us! If you're tired, it can happen!"
As the boy declared proudly, what appeared to be the boy's parents approached from not far away.
"Oh my, I'm sorry. I saw our child running without looking ahead too late."
"You're a mercenary, right? If you're going to the mercenary village, just go down the road to the east. I heard the test is tough, but good luck."
"……Yes?"
"Is that not it?"
When the man, presumably the boy's father, asked in a cold voice, he realized his mistake and shook his head.
Then, the man's face, which had hardened for a moment, bloomed with a smile again.
"Thank you for always protecting us. I wish you luck."
"Uh, uh. Thank you."
He didn't know how things unfolded after that.
People expressing gratitude with kind faces, not contempt; children looking at him and smiling brightly, not crying.
And the moment he encountered mercenaries living ordinary daily lives, laughing alongside regular people, he could confirm the boy's words were true.
He could live like a human being.
That fact pierced him to the bone.
Like every mercenary who arrived here, he, despite his fierce appearance, burst into loud, incongruous tears.
It was an event on a certain day when a new guild member was born.
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I don't know what you're up to or how far ahead you're planning, but I want to help as much as I can.
"Oh, what brings you here."
So I'm diligently promoting the guild everywhere. The guild rules, benefits, how people around here treat us, free gifts—everything. Did the number of guild members increase dramatically by any chance?
Just the other day, Isaac and Xenophia were ecstatic, acting like excited three-year-olds, saying they had surpassed the break-even point.
"If it were me, I'd take credit for it."
I tried to be mature since I'm your oppa.
I'm saying this hoping you'll acknowledge me. Praise me next time we meet.
It seems Basilian is still a kid after all.
'Of course, I can praise you anytime if you just come back.'
Flora giggled and began reading the rest of the letter.
After that, it was Basilian's stories.
About how effective the Shalias fruit bracelet Flora sent was, and how he hunted a monster alone for the first time this time, etc.
It was distinctly different from the previous letter, which was just about swinging a sword straight like training out of frustration, but it always ended with him saying he missed her and telling her to stay healthy.
'I've finished reading already.'
Regretfully stroking the letter, which came about once a month, Flora soon placed it in the bottom drawer and got up.
After the business contest, as expected, Marquis Strode was defeated in the territory war.
Atanas showed final mercy by sending him, who was in prison, back to his marquisate, but there was no way he could win the territory war without help from anyone in the North, not even from the Duke Deshimo side, which had aided his betrayal.
Marquis Strode was executed before everyone, and his surviving family merely had their noble status revoked.
Originally, a territory defeated in a territory war should have its family line extinguished for three generations, but Atanas showed them mercy, saying collective punishment was a barbaric penalty.
Thanks to that, they left as if fleeing to a monastery, expressing gratitude for sparing their lives.
With the Strode Marquisate in hand and acquiring all his businesses, assets, and everything else, the already soaring Lucifer Ducal House's development inevitably accelerated even faster.
'Thanks to that, our dad has gotten much busier.'
She found out later, but after the territory war ended and until Marquis Strode's execution, Atanas did not send the vassals home.
He cast aside his usually gentle demeanor and warned them.
That the fate of a traitor would be that wretched.
Simultaneously, by taking care of Xenophia, who showed passion for the business, he impressed upon everyone that punishment and reward were certain.
'Both Lucifer and the North are changing.'
In a very good way, in the direction Flora wants.
Flora hummed and went to the window.
Perhaps he was returning from an outing, she saw Atanas and the vassals following him below the window.
"Dad!"