novelraw Chapter 83 : Our Price Is Set by Us
Chapter 83 : Our Price Is Set by Us
Chapter 83: Our Price Is Set by Us
Inside a temporary barracks.
The officers, including Leonolf and Admiral, were in the middle of an operational meeting to respond to unexpected variables.
“The enemy has learned our information, so it is correct that we should change the operation date.”
“Alternatively, it might be better to revise the operation itself. Instead of retreating, if we stand and fight, we can whittle down the enemy’s forces. If they know our strategy, Betterot will send hollow troops three days later.”
“Whether hollow or not, they will send the Demon Tribe, and we have two ways to respond. Either deploy mercenary bands or use war weapons. Ordinary soldiers are useless before the Demon Tribe no matter how many there are.”
“We should not use the hard-earned weapons just to catch a few young demons.”
“Everyone knows that. But realistically, the operation has already gone awry. We could end up catching neither while trying to get both.”
“They are only a single mercenary band. If we use them as bait, we can lure them in to some extent.”
A heated argument broke out among the officers.
Every argument made sense.
Admiral, who had been listening in silence, finally opened his mouth.
“Whether we change the operation or the date. The core strength of the enemy is the Demon Tribe. If we take down the Demon Tribe, the odds will be in our favor.”
In terms of overall forces, Wilcock held the advantage over Betterot.
Even so, the reason the war had dragged on into a sluggish war of attrition was because of the sudden appearance of the Demon Tribe.
With the Emperor’s tacit approval, Betterot had recruited the Demon Tribe and had gradually gnawed away at Wilcock’s domain.
That was why they had sent people as far as the lands of distant races to counter this.
Fortunately, Wilcock’s situation was not bad.
Their debate was about how to efficiently eliminate Betterot, not about worrying over defeat in the war.
War weapons were consumables that could not be used again once expended.
They could not afford to waste that opportunity.
As the discussion dragged on, a soldier suddenly burst in.
All eyes turned toward him as he rushed in without even saluting.
“The enemy is coming! More than 100 monsters and over 500 humans, knights of the central nobility, and even the Demon Tribe……!”
“What are you talking about. Take a deep breath and speak slowly.”
Even after taking three deep breaths, he failed to calm down and explained the situation.
The tent fell silent.
“We were caught off guard.”
“Are they planning an all-out attack?”
Leonolf sank into thought for a moment.
‘This is a chance to remove an eyesore.’
“This is an opportunity. The schedule was moved up, but isn’t this what we wanted?”
“So I wasn’t the only one thinking that.”
The officers agreed with one mind.
They had been worried because information had leaked out, but now the prey had walked straight into their mouths on its own.
Preparations were not yet complete, but it was not a bad situation.
“We retreat immediately. Leave only the minimum necessary forces and pull back.”
“Commander-in-Chief, someone must stay behind to buy time.”
“That’s right. And they must be very strong ones. Attach 100 elite soldiers to the Calimacos Mercenary Band.”
“Brother!”
Admiral raised his voice, but Leonolf ignored him.
As someone responsible for countless lives, he did not act on emotion alone.
He was thoroughly calculating.
To inflict maximum damage at the minimum cost, he had chosen the mercenary band as a disposable card.
“They have devoted themselves to Wilcock and to Runeberg until now. They are not people who should be discarded like worn-out shoes!”
“Is there anyone here who has not offered their body for Wilcock?”
“The mercenary band is a valuable force. It would be better to hold out at the barrier and buy time instead—”
“Admiral, I will accept no dissent. What are you all doing, why aren’t you moving.”
At Leonolf’s order, the officers left the tent.
Admiral tried to persuade Leonolf but was dragged out by the guards.
When he saw the mercenary band that had just arrived, he could not raise his head.
‘At least Robin must be pulled out.’
He could not abandon even his lifesaver.
Admiral steeled himself and went to find Robin.
The mercenaries who had arrived at the main force caught their breath.
They had retreated hastily due to the sudden appearance of a massive enemy force, but not a single person had fallen behind.
This was a very positive sign.
It was partly because they had made a quick decision, but also because the enemy’s advance speed was not fast.
This news immediately reached the ears of the officers.
Sure enough, the commander who had finished the meeting issued orders to each unit.
The Border Count’s well-organized soldiers moved at once.
Watching them, the mercenary band took a brief rest.
Robin once again expressed the joy of reunion after a long time.
“I’m glad everyone is safe. I missed you.”
“To say such embarrassing things so casually. Well, we were curious too. We heard through letters that you were growing well, but seeing you in person is different.”
Calimacos looked at Robin’s changed height and extended the hand he had placed on his own head toward Robin.
The two were similar in height.
It even seemed that Robin was just slightly taller.
“Robin is a bit taller. I can’t even call you a kid anymore.”
“I still have a long way to go to catch up to Paul. My growth period isn’t over yet, so wait.”
At Paul’s confident assertion, Calimacos grumbled.
“This hurts my pride a little. Still, to me, this guy is the brat from back then.”
Brandok and Felix also properly exchanged greetings.
Surprisingly, the two were no different from seven years ago.
One might excuse Brandok since he always wore a helmet, but Felix was exactly the same.
Felix, with his spear slung over his shoulder, spoke up.
“Wow, Robin is now the age I was when we first met.”
“Felix, are you twenty-four this year?”
“My birthday already passed, so yeah. By the way, blond hair suits you pretty well?”
Even though his hair color had changed enough that they might not have recognized him, the mercenary band recognized Robin at a glance.
Seeing the orphan who had once been wounded and wandering the streets grow into a fine young man, they all smiled with satisfaction.
The stress that had accumulated subconsciously through countless battles vanished in an instant.
The casual chatter shared with Robin was enjoyable enough to make them forget the harsh situation.
As the squad leaders’ voices grew lively, the mercenaries under them gathered around as well.
And that joy did not last long.
A commander wearing chainmail over a gambeson approached. It was Leonolf.
“Calimacos Mercenary Band. A new mission. Ninety-seven mercenaries will engage in guerrilla warfare against the enemy forces that will soon attack. One hundred elite soldiers of the Wilcock family will accompany you.”
The surroundings fell silent.
The total number of mercenaries was ninety-seven. They had just retreated after seeing the size of the enemy force.
Even with one hundred elite soldiers attached, there was no chance of victory.
In other words, it was tantamount to telling them to die.
Calimacos stepped forward calmly.
“If you look at the enemy’s scale, you wouldn’t be saying that.”
“Don’t worry. The enemy isn’t foolish either. Like us, they divided their main force and a detachment. You will face the detachment, buy time, and then retreat.”
“How much time do you need?”
“Thirty minutes. Clash with them and buy thirty minutes. You’ve probably heard the rumors. That we’ve acquired a new weapon. You’ll be buying us time to use it.”
“If we can’t get out in time, won’t we be swept away too?”
“That’s right. So get out on your own. In return, if you come back alive, I promise one gold coin per person.”
Calimacos withheld his answer.
All eyes turned to him.
They had never faced a risk-free mission, but this operation was different.
It was a mission that could change the course of the war.
After making his decision, the one-eyed mercenary spoke.
“One gold coin per person is too little. We might be wiped out. Let’s make it ten gold coins per person. Fifty for squad leaders. One hundred for the commander.”
“…Don’t be greedy. That amount is a typical domain’s annual budget.”
“We set our own price. If you refuse, we’ll pull out from here.”
“…….”
Leonolf’s expression twisted.
The eldest son of Count Wilcock, and the supreme commander of the front line.
Even for him, it was not an easy decision to make.
Beside Leonolf, a knight in full plate armor put on his helmet.
He slowly moved his hand to the hilt of his sword.
Calimacos stared at Leonolf with his arms crossed.
The tautly drawn tension did not last long.
“Fine. Ten gold coins per person, fifty for squad leaders, and one hundred for the captain. I promise that. If you understand, move out immediately.”
“I like that decisiveness. You all heard him, right? You brats! Time to make money!”
Ten gold coins was an amount one could easily live off without working for five full years.
The mercenaries’ morale shot through the roof.
Leonolf glanced at them indifferently, then turned his back.
“Wooooaaah! The captain’s generosity is incredible!”
“Is this our chance to finally turn our lives around?”
“Whether Demon Tribe or Monster, let them come! My halberd will take their heads!”
At the words that they would receive a full ten gold coins, the mercenaries were fired up with excitement.
Those mercenaries who had survived until now were veterans hardened by war.
With skill, combat sense, and even the ability to read the flow of the battlefield, each of them was comparable to a commander of ten.
They did not deny that it was a dangerous mission, but neither did they think it was impossible.
That was what seasoned warriors were like.
They finished preparing to head back toward the place they had fled from only minutes earlier.
Since they had already been in the middle of battle, there was hardly any preparation to speak of.
They just needed to move their bodies.
‘Promising a large reward for a dangerous mission makes sense, but something feels…….’
Robin felt a sense of unease.
An unpleasant feeling lingered, though he did not know what it was.
“Captain, I’ll go too.”
“I knew you’d say that. You go with the main force. You’ve got companions who came with you, don’t you?”
“They can all take care of themselves. More importantly, something the commander just said…….”
“Robin.”
Calimacos cut Robin off and firmly grasped both his shoulders.
“Can you beat me?”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“Answer.”
“…I wouldn’t know unless I tried, but it wouldn’t be easy.”
“It’s not just that it wouldn’t be easy. You can’t beat me. If you go out there with that level of skill, you’ll most likely die, so give up on following us.”
His tone was one that stated an all-too-obvious fact.
It was also a blow to the pride.
Robin answered with a hint of defiance.
“It’s hard now, but in five years… no, within three years, I’ll catch up.”
“You think that’s possible without a mentor?”
“I have a mentor. And he was an incredibly strong knight.”
Calimacos looked slightly surprised, but quickly regained his composure.
“If you say that much, I’m curious.”
“You’ll be shocked too, Captain. He’s not exactly all there mentally, but… he’s a good person.”
“We’ll talk about it when I get back. I’ll bring back a hefty haul, so wait.”
With those words, Calimacos turned and walked away.
Mirian, who had been watching, approached and spread her arms wide.
Robin could feel the gazes of the surrounding mercenaries.
Mirian waved her arms as if urging him to hurry.
Robin swallowed his embarrassment and threw himself into Mirian’s embrace.
“People are watching…….”
“What does that matter.”
“Do you really have to go?”
After finishing a short, tight hug, Mirian stretched Robin’s cheeks outward with both hands.
“This is how I make my living. What are you talking about?”
“But this time it’s really dangerous.”
“I’ve done missions far more dangerous than this. I’ll go earn some money, so you stay here flirting with your girlfriend.”
“She’s not my girlfriend.”
Paul, Torgen, and Felix each tossed in a word before turning away.
The last one remaining was Brandok.
“It’s been a while since I saw you, so it’s a shame we couldn’t talk much. When we get back, let’s set a date and have a meal together.”
“I too regret not being able to catch up on all the stories I owe you, Robin, but there will likely be no next time.”
“What? What do you mean by that?”
“I was planning to leave the mercenary band soon. I’ve achieved my personal goal, so there’s no longer any need to stay.”
It was the first time Robin had heard this.
“If circumstances allowed, I would like to keep an eye on you, Robin, but this battle will be difficult.”
“Do the others know?”
“I gave notice that I could leave at any time. I didn’t expect it to be now, but in any case. It was good to meet you.”
There were many things he wanted to ask, but Brandok ran off after the mercenaries.
Before Robin could organize his tangled thoughts, Imelda called out to him.
Admiral and Serena were with her.
“Robin! Over here! Mr. Admiral says we need to move quickly!”
Imelda shouted while vigorously waving her arm.
“I am worried, but… just like the captain said, it’s not something at my level to worry about.”
Robin walked toward Imelda.
The mercenary band and the hundred elite soldiers were already far away.
Calimacos loosened his shoulders as he looked at the approaching enemy forces.
As Leonolf had said, not all of the enemy had come forward.
Fifty medium-to-large Monsters and children who resembled the Demon Tribe.
After several battles, Calimacos had concluded that those children were not Demon Tribe.
They were weaker than the Demon Tribe.
Even so, the reason for the heavy losses at the beginning was likely hesitation.
If asked whether that hesitation had completely vanished, he could not answer confidently.
“Still, what needs to be done must be done. Those kids are pitiful too.”
Paul drew his sword beside him.
It was a longsword still stained with blood.
Calimacos still had his arms crossed.
Paul asked from beside him.
“What the commander said earlier. Do you think he’ll keep his word?”
“He’ll keep it. If we come back alive.”
“That means…….”
Calimacos’s eyes coldly fixed on the enemies.
“Was it Leonolf? That bastard has no intention of letting us live.”
“As expected… no matter how much of an eldest son he is, he can’t just throw gold coins around like that.”
“That too, but he said elite soldiers, didn’t he? I don’t know what he thinks he can accomplish with troops at that level.”
The soldiers positioned beside the mercenary band were advancing in formation.
They raised their spears high, and their drill was excellent, but that was all.
“Maybe he got irritated because I raised my price.”
“The others don’t seem to have noticed. Do you have some kind of plan?”
“A plan… of course I do. Do you think I’d jump into a death trap without thinking?”
“…….”
Paul’s eyes showed no expectation.
“The strong ones are coming.”
“For someone who ran away scared by the numbers, they look pretty bold.”
“It’s different from earlier. At this level, we can handle it on our own, right?”
“That’s true.”
“Even if the main force pushes in from over there, all we need to do is buy time. Let’s play along with that sissy Leonolf. Since it’s come to this, we should draw out the main force too.”
“Are you trying to invite madness?”
Calimacos twisted the corner of his mouth upward.
“Turning the impossible into the possible. Granting everyone’s wishes. That’s the kind of thing that can be called an achievement.”
“Geez… this is going to be rough.”
Despite his sigh, there was no tremor in Paul’s sword.
Just before colliding with the approaching enemies.
In Calimacos’s eyes, standing on a battlefield where everything had to be poured out, fighting spirit roared.