Is That My Alter Ego

6 – This is the Leader

“hehehehe. I was going to step up there myself. But Ceris, the vice captain, took care of it in an instant!”

“…So, how is she so strong?”

The lobby of the Scar Mercenary Unit’s headquarters quickly turned into a scene reminiscent of a tavern. Delicious appetizers and refreshing beer. And the perfect condition for voices to grow louder with plenty of gossip.

“Mmm, it’s delicious.”

As I drank the delicious beer of this new world, I recalled the recent events that led to our small mercenary unit becoming like this.

We silently returned to the path we had walked without a word.

Of course, we kept the evidence of defeating Iron Claw Monkey, the headache and the magic stone, safely with us.

By the way, the magic stone, called Majungseok, is like the core of magic power that all demons have, and its price skyrockets depending on its size and quality.

I’ve heard that there are many things you can do with a magic stone, but I still don’t know the details.

Anyway, we quietly, and faster than when we headed towards the forest, arrived at the village of Leria.

“Wow! Did you really defeat that monster?!”

“Mmm. That’s what happened.”

The guard who saw the head of Iron Claw Monkey, which was even larger than a large car wheel, put aside his surprise and entered the village.

“Insane! The Scar Mercenary Unit has truly revived this time!”

Buzz buzz –

Just like the reaction of the guards, the villagers couldn’t help but be astonished when they saw the giant monkey head.

We all walked with pride, our shoulders held high, as we were filled with reverence for those expressions. Of course, I couldn’t show any signs of excitement because of the concept.

“Everyone, go to the base first. After Sergeant Ceris and I finish settling the accounts, we will return.”

“Yes, Captain!”

“Sergeant Ceris, please proceed.”

“Yes, Captain!”

There was no need for the members to accompany us when we had to stop by the mercenary guild for settlement anyway.

Ceris and I headed towards the mercenary guild, sending the members to the base.

Since the mercenary guild was located right in the middle of the village, we arrived quickly.

The mercenary guild is a facility that provides convenience to the imperial mercenaries. They mainly handle requests on their behalf and carry out the process of payment.

Creak-!

As we pushed open the door, which seemed like something out of a Western movie tavern, the bustling noise inside the guild suddenly quieted down and all eyes were on us.

Thump, thump.

Holding the head of Ironclaw Monkey, blood dripping, I confidently made my way to the guild reception.

“Did they catch that lunatic? Those idiots?”

“What the hell did those bastards do? Wasn’t it a complete failure?”

Astonished and admiring gazes were directed towards us. Most of them had expressions that seemed to ask, ‘How on earth did they do it?’

“Heh.”

Ceris sent a sly smirk to the astonished onlookers and walked towards the reception desk with a smile.

In fact, Ceris and I had been to the mercenary guild together before. We went there to properly register as a mercenary unit and to receive requests.

“Hello. This is the mercenary guild. How may we assist you?”

“Over there… the Ska Mercenary Corps. We’d like to register.”

“Ha! Aren’t they the losers who hit rock bottom?”

“Ah, the ones with only a glorious past? Didn’t their idiotic leaders screw everything up?”

“Giggle! Why did those guys even come back?”

When we went to register our mercenary corps, mentioning the name ‘Ska Mercenary Corps’ made everyone in the guild burst into laughter and mock us.

Seeing Seris tremble with reddened eyes, yet unable to retort, looked somewhat pitiful.

That was when I had promised Seris we would show them our worth.

“Isn’t this really pleasant, leader?”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Seeing Seris walk confidently, looking quite pleased, seemed to lift my spirits too.

It was also satisfying to see those big mouths unable to say a word, sending us looks of envy and awe.

“Hello, Mercenary Guild…. Oh!”

“Ho-ho. Here, take this. The head of an ‘Ironclaw Monkey’!”

Thud.

The receptionist at the Mercenary Guild covered her mouth in surprise upon seeing the giant head of the Ironclaw Monkey.

Seris, with a satisfied expression, carefully placed the hard-earned head of the Ironclaw Monkey on the counter.

“Just a moment, please.”

The receptionist, after taking the Ironclaw Monkey’s head to a room inside, returned shortly with it in hand.

“It’s been verified. The extermination of the ‘Ironclaw Monkey’ is confirmed. I’ll report this to the higher-ups.”

“Awesome! Oh! I… I’m sorry, leader.”

“It’s alright. Feel free to be happy.”

“…Heh..”

Seris was as delighted as a young girl, having successfully completed her first assignment. No sane person would tell her not to be, seeing her like this.

“Additionally, combining the 10 gold for the request given by Lord Ber and the 20 gold bounty from the Mercenary Guild, we will pay you 30 gold.”

Clang-

The receptionist quickly rummaged underneath the counter and handed us a pouch full of gold coins.

“Then, I hope to see you again.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you very much!”

With the heavy pouch in hand, we left the Mercenary Guild with joyful and light steps.

“Wow. 30 gold… Such a huge sum at once…!”

Seris opened the pouch of gold coins several times with sparkling eyes.

To understand how substantial this earning was, a regular meal cost about 5 coppers. And it took 100 coppers to make one silver, and 100 silvers to make one gold.

We had earned about 30 gold from just one assignment, which roughly equates to about 600 million in our currency.

We were lucky. The Ironclaw Monkey had not been eliminated for a long time, so the bounty had accumulated, and the person who offered the request, Lord Ber, seemed to be quite wealthy.

As a result, we could finally escape poverty! Hooray! No more dry bread to eat!

“Vice-captain Seris, you’ve worked hard. It seems we owe much to you.”

“It was all thanks to you, Captain. Without you, I wouldn’t have even had this opportunity.”

We exchanged words of gratitude, warmly making our way back to the mercenary group’s base.

“Ah, Vice-captain. Let’s buy some food and drinks on our way.”

“Is this sudden?”

“Yes, it is. If we’ve completed the task at hand, we must certainly provide a proper rest.”

“Yes! If that is the Captain’s wish!”

So, we ordered a large amount of alcohol and delicious food from nearby restaurants and returned to our base.

“Ah, you’re back! Captain, Vice-Captain!”

“Hmm.”

“Yes. We’re back.”

As we entered the base building’s lobby, everyone who had been chatting stopped and greeted us.

“You’ve all worked hard. Now, everyone should take a rest.”

“”Yes! Thank you!””

-…Sigh. Isn’t there something to eat? I’m a bit peckish.

-Just be there. Completing the mission is what matters, right?

-I’d love a cold beer.

Everyone seemed to have a slightly longing look on their faces. Yes. I knew it, so I had prepared food and drinks.

“Hmm… Then it’s about time to start. Everyone get ready.”

“Eh? What do you mean…?”

Ding-dong-!

“Delivery here! 30 servings of fried chicken, snacks, and 50 beers! Let me know if you need more!”

Ah. Perfect timing.

“”Captain…!””

The mercenaries, who were taken aback by the sudden arrival of the employee, looked at me in confusion and then seemed to be moved by my words.

That’s right. When giving orders, be clear and when releasing, be clear. That’s the way to prevent deception. Of course, we must also keep our word.

“Alright. Everyone, eat well and rest.”

“Thank you! Captain!!”

-Kya! That’s the captain!!

-The best! The welfare is amazing!!

-This is it-!

As soon as those words were spoken, the lobby of the Scar Mercenary Corps turned into a scene from a tavern.

Clank-

“Hmm.”

Of course, I also drank beer. I didn’t used to like beer that much, but lately, I’ve been craving it a lot.

…By the way, why is this beer so delicious? It feels like it can go on forever. The fried chicken is delicious too.

“Captain.”

“Vice Captain Seris. You should also rest now.”

“Um… May I join you?”

“Of course.”

Seris hesitated for a moment but gathered the courage to sit next to me.

“Do you want some beer?”

“Um… Ah. Yes! I’ll try it!”

“Drink slowly. Don’t rush.”

“Ugh….”

Dori-dori-

Gulp gulp.

Whether it was her first time drinking alcohol or not, Seris seemed scared at first, but soon nodded and downed the beer in one shot.

“Oh… That’s actually not bad.”

“Well, I guess that’s a relief.”

Drinking alcohol for the first time and downing a big glass of beer in one shot?

Seris seemed to have a strong tolerance for alcohol.

Gulp.

“……….”

“………”

After that, we quietly enjoyed beer and fried chicken. There was nothing much to say, and I wanted to savor this atmosphere.

“Captain…”

At that moment, Seris, with a lowered voice, called out to me.

“Why so serious, Vice Captain Seris?”

“…I’m really… grateful.”

“?! Why are you suddenly saying that, Vice Captain Seris!”

Thump-thump.

Seris suddenly started shedding tears and softly sobbing. I quickly shielded her with my body so that the other mercenaries couldn’t see.

Fortunately, my rank was higher, and I could cover Seris because she was relatively small.

“This. It was a moment I’ve been picturing all my life. Successfully completing the mission, enjoying it without a single casualty… I had only dreamed of it.”

“…….Is that so.”

Stopping her tears, I quietly listened to Seris as she struggled to begin her story.

“After my father passed away. I really tried hard. To regain the glory of the past… to fulfill my father’s request.”

Gulp, gulp-

Seris poured another cup of beer and continued speaking.

“…..Sigh. But because of meeting those trash-like authors… I gave up on everything. The future, even my father’s request… everything. That’s all.”

That must have been tough. Meeting those idiots who were like former commanders must have made the honest and upright Seris suffer a lot.

“Commander. Really… thank you. Thanks to you, I can dream again. I can look forward to the future.”

“…..Is that so.”

“Yes. That’s right. It’s all… thanks to you, Commander.”

Is it? I don’t think it’s thanks to me.

“All these excellent results came mainly because Vice Commander Seris worked hard and did well. Even if it’s just this mission, it was mostly the Vice Commander’s effort.”

Even if it wasn’t me, Seris would have advanced splendidly on her own and become a legend. I just happened to join in with a bit of luck.

“……..!”

Seris looked at me as if she were surprised, her cheeks turning completely red, and her eyes spinning around as if she were drunk.

“Commander… really….. th…ank…”

Thump.

As Seris, who seemed like she wanted to say something, became increasingly incoherent, she simply rested her head on the table and fell into a deep sleep.

Well. I was about to express my gratitude. It wasn’t necessary.

“……”

I carried the soundly sleeping Ceris in my arms, heading towards the second floor.

On the opposite side of the office, there was the room where Ceris stayed. I opened the door and gently placed Ceris on the bed.

“……..”

Ceris, soundly asleep and oblivious. Like this… I wouldn’t know even if someone carried her away.

Ssweuk-

I reached out my hand to the bed just like that –

I pulled the blanket up to her neck. If you drink and sleep in the cold, you’ll catch a cold. Gotta be careful.

“You sleep well.”

Hmm. I’ll go back down, have a bit more to drink, and go home at a reasonable time.

Today was a very fulfilling day. There will be many more fulfilling days ahead, but, well, it’s the first.

So, another day passed.

The next morning.

“Is everyone here?”

“Ughhh… my head…”

“…Ugh.”

“….Urrgh… I’m dying…”

I conducted the morning roll call as usual. Everyone seemed to be dying from a hangover after drinking so much yesterday.

…Well, that’s what happens when you drink moderately.

“Ugh… My head…”

It seemed Seris was also suffering from a severe hangover. She appeared in pain, clutching her head with a pale complexion.

“Are you okay, Vice-Captain Seris?”

“Ah. Yes. I’m fine. But, about yesterday…”

“Hmm. You mean that? Let’s just keep it quiet among ourselves. I watched over you until you fell asleep.”

“…Huh?”

I had even tucked you in last night. You must have slept well.

“Hmm… I understand everyone is suffering from hangovers, but we still have duties to perform.”

“”Yes… Of course…””

“Then, let’s start with a light 200 laps. I’ll go easy on you today.”

“”aaagh…!””

At my command, the mercenaries, looking like they were about to die, started running, cursing themselves for not resisting the temptation of alcohol last night.

“…Eh…?”

Seris still seems to have a headache. Her face is red, and she’s making strange noises.

I should tell her to take it easy for a bit.