Ouroboros Record ~Circus of Oubeniel~

The capital――no, the former capital of Volden Province, Volden.

(TL Note: Yep, remember that the province and former capital city of Volden has the same name.)

Tullius Shernan Oubeniel, who had recently inherited the lordship, chose to maintain Marlan, his old home base, as the administrative center of the province, which had led to the city falling into rapid decline. However, plans for the redevelopment of the roads within the territory had just begun, and there was also the necessity to prioritize the recovery from the war damage of the previous years before anything else. For these reasons, the city of Volden was still the key transportation hub of the province. Consequently, the delegation sent from Omnia would also have to pass through this city, and the meeting with the provincial lord, Tullius, would take place here.

The meeting location was the former lord's residence, coincidentally the place where Elisha had met him for the first time last summer. It was an old, somewhat dilapidated mansion perched on a small hill away from the city.

(How can I put it... It's even shabbier than I expected, or should I say, run-down?)

(Nante iu ka… omotta yori mo boroi tte iu ka, shoboi?)

Although he thought it was rude, Yuuto couldn't help but have that impression as he stepped into the mansion. He had imagined that a promising new marquis and the ruler of three provinces would have a grand and opulent estate. However, upon entering, he found the interior to be extremely modest. As far as he could see, the furniture and furnishings were minimal, and there were even sun-bleached marks on the wallpaper where it seemed like paintings and ornaments had been removed. It felt as though the mansion had either been seized by debt collectors or abandoned hastily, resembling the aftermath of a hurried departure.

"Well, it's quite embarrassing. This mansion was supposed to be vacated by the end of this year…"

“Iya, o-hazukashii. Kono yakata wa kotoshi-chuu ni hikiharau yotei datta mono deshite…”

The man who appeared to be one of the lord's retainers, tasked with guiding the diplomatic delegation, explained while repeatedly wiping his face with a handkerchief.

Even Yuuto had the impression that a noble, and a high-ranking one at that, were wealthy. In fact, in this world, being a marquis meant they were in a position to enjoy a significantly affluent lifestyle. The fact that he would showcase such a bare and empty mansion to foreign diplomatic envoys seemed rather shameful.

"This is quite something. 'Wretched is the lot of a government official', was it?"

“Taihen na mono da. Sumajiki wa miyazukae, ka.”

(TL Note: This is what Elisha said: すまじきは宮仕え, which is a proverb in Japanese that means 'It is better to work for oneself than to work for someone else', but when translated literally it's 'Wretched is the lot of a government official'.)

Elisha beside him blurted out, but even if she said that, Yuuto wasn't quite sure how to respond. After all, wasn't she in a position of a government official herself?

Yuuto tried to evade the question by wearing a vague, wry smile.

"Count, no, Marquis Oubeniel-dono holds quite a distinguished position, doesn't he?"

“Ōbuniru-hakushaku, ie koushaku-dono wa zuibun to ii o-mibun na no desu na?”

Suddenly, one of the members of the delegation who had been guided alongside him chimed in.

"To think that he would make us wait like this after coming all the way from Omnia... I wonder what could be the reason for that. What do you say, uhh――"

“Harubaru Omunia kara maitta ware-ra o, kou mo mataserareru to wa… hatashite ikaga na jijou dearu no yara. Dou na no desu ka, eetto――”

"My name is Laubert."

“Rubēru to moushimasu.”

(TL Note: Ohhh Laubert I missed you!!!)

"――ah, yes, Laubert-dono. We're very curious to hear an explanation for that."

“――sou sou, Rubēru-dono. Zehi tomo sono atari no setsumei o ukagaitaku omoimasu naa.”

They're starting again, Yuuto thought, as he felt a sense of annoyance. The priests within this delegation were generally of this nature. It was said that Cardinal Emilio Callandra had a hand in their selection, but they were most likely his entourage. There's a saying that dogs resemble their owners, and it seemed to hold true here.

"Well, we deeply apologize for the inconvenience. However, I believe he will arrive from Marlan in no time, so…"

“Iya, sono ten wa makoto ni moushiwake arimasen. Desu ga, mou ma mo naku Maruran no hou kara kaketsukeru to omoimasu no de…”

"Even so, it's quite odd that he didn't station himself in this mansion. We did inform you in advance that our delegation would be passing through your territory, didn't we?"

“Ikura nan demo kono yashiki ni tsumete inai to iu no wa okashii deshou. Jizen ni ware-ra shisetsu-dan ga ryounai o tsuuka suru to no tsuutatsu wa, o-tsutae shita hazu na no desu ga?”

"Exactly. At this rate, the extent of his lordship's piety will be kno――oops, I spoke too much."

“Masa ni. Kore dewa ano gojin no shinjin no teido ga shire――otto, kotoba ga sugimashita ka na.”

"…We're terribly sorry."

“…Sumimasen.”

Yuuto marveled internally at the bureaucrat, who introduced himself as Laubert, who kept bowing his head with a perfectly blended expression between forced smile and gratitude amidst the barrage of verbal attacks.

(If it were me, I'd definitely lose my temper along the way.)

(Ore dattara, zettai tochuu de kireteru na.)

It was truly commendable to keep dealing with them, even in the midst of being surrounded by such haughty and vexing individuals, all without displaying the slightest revulsion.

Then, at that moment,

"Stop this."

“O-yamenasai.”

Irmaella, the representative of the delegation, raised her voice firmly.

"Originally, the decision to send this delegation was rather sudden. Imposing ourselves upon someone as busy as the lord of three provinces and relying on his generosity, it is us who should be in his debt, don't you think so? Furthermore, to insist on immediate personal hospitality, it seems somewhat presumptuous in my estimation."

“Moto moto, konkai no shisetsu haken ga kimatta no ga kyuu na koto na no desu. Sore o san-shuu no taishu to iu o-isogashii kata no shita ni oshikake, sono go-koui ni amaete iru no wa watashi-tachi no hou na no dewa? Kono ue, hayaku jiki jiki no kantai o to semaru nado, isasaka samoshii furumai ni omoeru no desu ga.”

She spoke with an air of detachment that contrasted starkly with her usual meekness. In her presence, she embodied the image of a nun suitable to be dubbed the saintess of the present age by the people of the church.

"Irmaella-sama… B-but――"

“Irumaerra-sama… Shi, shikashi――”

"But what?"

“Shikashi, nan desu?”

"――No, it's nothing."

“――Ie, nan demo arimasen.”

In the end, she managed to prevail over her older subordinates and make them withdraw.

Her purity and unwavering determination bore no resemblance to her unpleasant father. If anything, these corrupt priests seemed more fitting to be Callandra's children. Not to mention her looks, it was fortunate that she really didn't look like him at all.

(…Why am I trying to see her in a favorable light?)

(…Tte, nande koitsu no koto o ii you ni kangaeyou to shite iru nda yo.)

Yuuto chastised himself for starting to feel a slight fondness for her.

He mustn't forget. It was Irmaella who had performed the hero summoning and dragged him into this world. He could harbor some resentment towards her, but there was no reason to hold her in high esteem. He reminded himself not to be swayed just because she had a somewhat cute face.

Beneath the deep hood that concealed his face, Yuuto went through various expressions when the distant sounds of hoofbeats, wheels, and neighing reached his ears.

"I apologize for the wait. It seems the master has finally arrived."

“O-matase itashimashita. Youyaku shujin ga touchaku shita you desu.”

Laubert must have heard it too, since he said it with a sigh of relief.

After a while, before the delegation who had been led to the miserable-looking reception room, came that person, walking in a somewhat hurried manner.

"Hello there, everyone from the Omnia Empire. I apologize for keeping you waiting. It's a pleasure to meet you all. I'm the lord of this land, Tullius Shernan Oubeniel."

“Iyaa, Omunia koukoku no mina-san, o-matase shite moushiwake arimasen. O-hatsu o-me ni kakarimasu, boku ga touchi no ryoushu, Turiusu shurūnan ōbuniru desu.”

The man who appeared was… not as big a deal as he had imagined. Yuuto had expected someone older, given his prestigious title as a marquis, but his cheerfully smiling face was brimming with youth. He couldn't have been more than in his early twenties. While his appearance was pleasant enough, it lacked a certain imposing presence, appearing more nondescript than handsome. If he hadn't been dressed in fine, noble attire and adorned with numerous expensive-looking accessories like rings and the likes, he could have easily passed for a foreign exchange student in Japan.

(Isn't Elisha-san being a bit too threatening?)

(Erisha-san no odokashi sugi ja nai no ka naa.)

He didn't bear much resemblance to the character Yuuto had heard about during the carriage ride. The gap between what he had witnessed along the way made him feel dizzy, wondering if this man was truly the one who created such a scene.

Rather, what really caught his attention was the intimidating swordsman standing right next to him. And――

"Woah…"

“Fuwa…”

He involuntarily let out a dumbfounded sound.

――the woman who knelt respectfully behind Tullius. Judging by her attire, she appeared to be a maid. The moment he laid eyes on her, his heart skipped a beat. She seemed as though she had stepped out of a painting in an art gallery or that a sculpture had come to life, possessing an intricate and enchanting beauty. Her eyes shimmered with a mystical green radiance, and her lustrous black hair, unlike that of the Japanese he was familiar with, had an exotic sheen, glistening as if it were wet. To put it frankly, Yuuto was captivated by the maid.

And then,

(…That collar, wasn't it a symbol of slavery?)

(…Ano kubiwa tte tashika, dorei?)

The silver shine around her neck brought him back to reality from the pleasant enchantment. In this world, a silver collar was a magical device used to control slaves and, consequently, a symbol of the lowest social status, as Elisha had explained. Unintentionally, he recalled the view of the previous slave plantation, and a sense of pity washed over him.

"Ahem…"

“Kohon…”

He suddenly snapped to attention at the unexpected cough. There, he saw Irmaella turning towards Tullius and the others, her expression now bearing a different kind of firmness from before. Maybe she was nervous. After all, the other person――even though he didn't seem like one――was a marquis, a noble of a much higher rank that couldn't be compared to the baron they had dealt with in the port town. The pressure as the representative of the delegation must have been even more significant.

"Excuse me… I am Irmaella Aurelia Callandra, the representative of the envoys dispatched to St. Gallen. Your Excellency, we are greatly thankful for your gracious hospitality, providing us shelter for the night."

“Shitsurei shimashita… Watashi, kono tabi Zankutogaren e to haken sareru shisha no daihyou o ousetsukatte orimasu, Irumaerra oreria karandora to moushimasu. Koushaku-kakka ni hago houjou kara hitoban no yado o o-kari suru hakobi to nari, kansha no nen ni taemasen.”

"That is very polite of you. As you can see, it's just an empty residence, but please make yourselves at home and rest from your journey."

“Kore wa go teinei ni. Mite no toori nani mo nai yashiki desu ga, dou ka tabi no tsukare o iyashite itte kudasaimase.”

The young marquis, receiving Irmaella's greeting with a smile, took a seat facing her. He then shifted his gaze and recognized a familiar face.

"Oh? Could that be Lady Balbastre over there?"

“Oya? Sochira ni irassharu no wa, moshikashite Barubasutoru-kyou desu ka?”

Elisha, the person who had fought alongside Tullius as an ally in the war that had taken place last year, just as Yuuto had heard. She nodded to his greeting without any hint of affectation towards someone with a higher status and replied.

"Nice to meet you, Your Excellency. It's been a year since we last met, but I'm glad you still seem as healthy as ever."

“Doumo koushaku-kakka. Saku-nen irai to narimasu ga, aikawarazu go-souken de irareru you de nani yori.”

"I assume you've been diligently training to become a Holy Knight in Omnia. How has it been since then?"

“Omunia e wa sei kishi to narareru shugyou ni hagende irassharu koto ka to omoimasu ga, sono ato dou desu?”

"Regrettably, I seem to lack the necessary talent and still remain a mere candidate. Being included in this delegation, it feels like I'm receiving more recognition than I deserve."

“Hazukashi nagara hisai no mi dearu you de, ima da ni ichi kouho domari desu na. Koushite shisetsu ni kuwaete itadaketeiru no de, mi ni amaru hyouka o ukete iru to omoimasu ga.”

"Not at all, please don't be so modest. With your talents, I'm sure formal appointment as a Holy Knight is not far off."

“Ie ie, sou go-kenson nasarazu ni. Kijo hodo no saiki ga o-ari nara, seishiki na jonin mo sou tooku nai koto deshou kara.”

The unfolding conversation consisted of unremarkable polite pleasantries. Tullius maintained the same somewhat distant smile he had when he first appeared, and while Elisha's words were courteous, her demeanor seemed a bit defiant. Although they shared a history of facing life-threatening situations together, it was evident that there was some unease between them, an air of tension hanging in the atmosphere.

(She mentioned that she doesn't want to get too involved with this person, but… is the chemistry between them really this bad?)

(Amari fukairi shitakunai aite, to wa itteita kedo… konna ni sori ga atte inai no ka?)

Even Yuuto, who was oblivious to murdering intent, could sense the palpable tension. Then perhaps the bodyguard-like swordsman at Tullius' side was already wondering when the bloodshed might commence. Elisha previously mentioned that he wouldn't be compatible with Yuuto or Irmaella, but it seemed like the person herself was even more incompatible with him.

"By the way, speaking about last year… I heard you've implemented rather unconventional policies for the post-war recovery in this region."

“Tokoro de, saku-nen to ieba… kono chi no sensai fukkou ni wa, ippuu kawatta seisaku o mochiite oide no you da.”

Elisha was likely referring to the scene they had glimpsed from the carriage――a vast number of slaves toiling in the fields. For Yuuto, this was only something he had overheard recently, but using slaves in wheat production wasn't a very common practice. While they may not require wages, their purchase and upkeep could be quite costly. You still had to feed them, provide sleeping quarters, and attend to their basic needs. It wasn't the most humane way to describe it, but it was an expensive investment. For small and struggling farmers, it was quite an expensive choice, to say the least.

Moreover, even without slaves, a family working together as a single unit could serve as unpaid labor, and some slightly larger landowners would employ tenant farmers.

Farms that purchased slaves were typically focused on producing high-value crops that could justify the expenses, such as fruit orchards. It was something akin to a plantation. Yuuto couldn't help but think back to the geography and economics classes at school.

(In other words, the fact that those farmers are using slaves and doing weird things… it means that this lord must be the one advising and investing in this, right?)

(Tsumari, noumin-tachi ga dorei o tsukatte myou na koto o shiteiru to iu koto wa… kono ryoushu ga irejie nari shusshi nari shite saseteiru tte koto, da yo na.)

At Elisha's words, Tullius shifted his gaze, looking into the distance with a somewhat absent expression.

"…Aah, you mean the agriculture involving those slaves? That is, you see――"

“…Aa, ano dorei o tsukatta nougyou no koto desu ka. Are wa desu ne――”

~~~

Here, the timeline significantly rewound. It's winter, shortly after the Volden Campaign, and just before St. Gallen plunged into a full-fledged civil war.

The southwestern part of the St. Gallen Federation, the Margravate of Balden. This region was situated on the other side of the Riney River, bordering Roatlergen――now known as a territory of Arquell, Roanne. It was an abundant land that had long been known as a resort for royalty and aristocrats due to its hot springs. However, in St. Gallen, a land teeming with natural abundance also meant it was inhabited by powerful magical creatures. The "Black Forest" tainted with the country's unique magic was notably darker and more concentrated than forests in other regions. Superstitious elders of this land would tell their descendants that these woods, permeated with magic and tinged with darkness, were the result of absorbing the blood of many knights and adventurers who fell victim to the magic-laden wilderness, causing it to turn black instead of red.

While it was a picturesque vacation spot, it was also known as a battlefield where warriors contended with these magical creatures. Furthermore, it shared a contentious border with the Arquell Kingdom, putting it on the frontline. A place where warriors went to battle, recovered from injuries, and subsequently found moments of respite. A region that symbolized the continued conflict and the temporary respite that followed. This was the Margravate of Balden.

However, despite the time of year――winter, immediately after the war with the Arquell Kingdom――there was no sense of respite in this place.

They were preparing for a new battle and the conflicts that lay ahead.

"How is the recruitment of mercenaries going?"

“Youhei no koshuu wa dou natte iru?”

"Yes, sir! It seems that we're having trouble gathering them…"

“Ha, sore ga ima hitotsu atsumari ga warui you de…”

"I see… Hmm. It's the usual thing, but the scale is different from when dealing with Arquell, after all."

“Sayou ka… Fun. Itsumo no koto da ga, Arukēru o aite ni suru toki to wa katte ga chigau kara na.”

Seated on the throne in the palace, the Margrave of Balden listened to his subordinate's report and snorted in annoyance.

Yes, the palace, and the throne.

The margraves in St. Gallen were slightly different from those in other countries. Since the federation was originally a union of highly independent regional lords, the local nobility considered themselves not as vassals of the Heiderlecht Dynasty of Grandenburg Grand Kingdom, but as equal allies. For them, even their titles were just symbols of their standing as sovereign states within the federation.

For the people living in this land and the ruling margrave family, Balden was still a small independent kingdom.

However, at present, they stood at a critical juncture, uncertain if they could maintain their independence.

"Indeed, if we were to confront the direct subordinates of Heiderlecht, the mercenaries would also hesitate."

“Sasuga ni Haiderurehito no jikisan-domo to yariau to nareba, youhei-domo mo ni no ashi o fumu ka.”

Due to the recent defeat in the Volden Campaign, the prestige of the St. Gallen Federation had suffered significantly. Many of the federation's member states had criticized this and expressed their distrust towards Heiderlecht, the Grand King of the federation's dominant league, Grandenburg Grand Kingdom. They were plotting to restore their independence, which had been gradually being taken away in recent years.

(TL Note: In earlier chapters it was also stated that Heiderlecht is the dynasty's name, but here, for the first time the raw said Heiderlecht is also the Grand King's name. I'm quite confused, so correct me if you notice that I'm wrong.)

Of course, the Grand King was not sitting idly by. The damage caused by the campaign was greater for the member states that were in charge of actually sending troops. So instead, he used this as an opportunity to send in the military forces under his direct control which he had kept under the pretext of keeping things in check in the north to intimidate the member states in earnest.

To counter this, gathering military forces, be it for a show of force or as actual combat strength in the event of a civil war within the federation――which the member states saw as a war between countries――was essential for Margrave Balden. Whether from the knights under his command, conscripted civilians, or hired mercenaries, the number of soldiers had to be increased. However, as mentioned earlier, the recruitment of mercenaries was not going well. They might be facing off against St. Gallen's elite forces, known as the strongest on the continent and considered the finest troops of Grandenburg. For mercenaries who sold their services in exchange for gold, engaging in such a conflict could lead to significant losses. It was only natural that fewer would respond to the call for recruitment.

"But, Your Excellency, there's some good news."

“Shikashi henkyou haku-kakka. Rouhou mo gozaimasu.”

The kneeling retainer spoke, trying to provide a glimmer of hope.

"The mercenaries who responded to our call are indeed small in number, but instead, there is a promising individual among them."

“Yobikake ni oujita youhei wa sukunaku gozaimasu ga, sono bun, kitai ga moteru mono ga orimashita.”

"Oh?"

“Hou?”

The Margrave raised an intrigued eyebrow. Mad mercenaries who willingly joined the fight against Heiderlecht were either desperate to the point of being unable to choose their enemy or battle-thirsty warriors seeking formidable opponents. It seemed that his subordinates had found the latter among the gathered mercenaries.

"A mercenary group that claims to come from Canales has an elven mage in their possession, whom they keep as a slave."

“Kanaresu kara kita to iu youhei-dan ga, erufu no madou-shi o dorei to shite kakaete orimasu.”

"An elven mage!"

“Erufu no madou-shi!”

Speaking of mages, they were living weapons capable of taking out several people at once with a single incantation from a distance. Just having one of them as an ally was more reassuring than having ten or even a hundred ordinary soldiers. And if that mage happened to be an elf with exceptional magical abilities, they might even have the potential of a force equivalent to a thousand. It was only natural to have such high expectations.

"…But, a slave, huh? I've heard that elf slaves are difficult to control, though."

“…Da ga, dorei ka? Erufu no dorei wa oshi nikui to kiku ga.”

"It's true that their proficiency in magic means they could potentially remove the obedience collar. However, from what I observed, I believe there's no need to worry about that."

“Mahou ni takete iru to iu koto wa, fukujuu no kubiwa o kaijo sareru osore mo arimasu kara na. Shikashi, watashi no mita tokoro dewa sono shinpai wa go muyou ka to.”

According to his retainer, it appeared that the elf slave in question had been thoroughly tamed by their owner, a mercenary. The slave's expression had lost all signs of vitality, and they obediently followed orders without needing to use the magic in their collar. It seemed like they had undergone extremely subtle and harsh training.

"But it makes me worried instead… Can a slave who has been mentally broken to that extent be useful in actual combat?"

“Gyaku ni fuan da na… Soko made kokoro o orareta dorei ga, jissen de yaku ni tatsu ka?”

In matters of life and death, it was not just about physical strength, skills, and intelligence; the mental aspect played a crucial role. Many ancient military texts persistently emphasized the importance of soldiers' morale. On a battlefield where both allies and enemies put their lives on the line, unwavering determination in critical moments was essential. The wellspring of that determination was the will to survive. Soldiers who had too much of it could be troublesome, attempting to escape or refusing orders out of fear for their own lives, but having too little was also problematic. It would be unbearable since they would calmly accept their demise, potentially dragging their allies to death.

Furthermore, slaves who obeyed out of fear could easily lose control when subjected to even greater fear. If they had been following orders because they were scared and then were commanded to act against an even more terrifying force, they might not remain as obedient as they were before. This was what concerned the margrave.

However, his retainer smiled confidently.

"If there were just one elf slave, there might be cause for concern as you mentioned. However, the mercenary group in question has five elves in their service."

“Erufu no dorei ga hitori to araba, sono you na kigu mo gozaimashou. Desuga, kudan no youhei-dan wa go-nin kara naru erufu o kakaete orimasu.”

"Five…!?"

“Go…!?”

The margrave widened his eyes as if he couldn't believe it. Elven slaves were expensive, and it was possible to build a new fortress or two in the margravate――and a splendid one at that――with the price of just one. To buy a group of five of them at once, the financial resources required for that were unimaginable.

"…Are these individuals truly a mercenary group? They wouldn't be trying to sell us slaves under the guise of mercenaries, would they?"

“…Sono mono-ra, hontou ni youhei-dan ka? Yomoya dorei no oshiuri nado dewa arumai na.”

His concerns took an unusual turn. With such substantial wealth at their disposal, they didn't need to engage in a risky and potentially unrewarding profession like being mercenaries. They could purchase property in a peaceful countryside, surrounded by the elven slaves, and enjoy their retirement in peace. Or if they needed more money, they could always sell one of the five elves. If they desired more wealth, they would be better off engaging in a legitimate business. Normally, one would opt for one of these routes.

"No, without a doubt, they are mercenaries. And they are quite the battle enthusiasts. I had a meeting with their unit leader, and the impression I got was that he was very much a rough-and-ready type. He can endure the smoke and dust of the battlefield, but he can't endure the peaceful life that comes with gold and women."

“Ie, magire mo naku youhei desu. Sore mo soutou na sen-kurui to mimashita. Butai o hikiiru mono to mendan shimashita ga, sono inshou wa tadashiku ara ni shite no. Senjin ni nureru tekkaba ni wa taeraredo, kane ya onna de erareru annon nado ni wa taerarenu to itta fuzei desu.”

"Well, that's something."

“Nanto mo maa…”

The margrave let out a sigh, a mixture of amazement and exasperation. He was struck by the peculiar persuasiveness of it all.

The belief that the more insane you were, the stronger you became was a famous jinx in adventurer circles. This could apply to other fields as well. Incomprehensible talents could be perceived as madness, or they might be obtained at the cost of one's sanity. To have the financial means to acquire expensive slaves and yet continue to immerse oneself in a dangerous job like being a mercenary was nothing short of madness. Moreover, to survive while being insane meant that their talents were most likely genuine.

"Well, it seems they could become powerful aids."

“Sore wa mata, kyouryoku na suketto ni narisou dewa nai ka.”

"Yes, indeed."

“De, arimashou.”

"Then, where are these mercenaries? I'm rather curious and would like to see them in person."

“Shite, sono youhei wa doko da? Sukoshi kyoumi ga waita. Kao o mite okitai.”

When the margrave urged to arrange an audience, the retainer seemed somewhat hesitant.

"Well, as luck would have it, they're currently recruiting."

“Sore ga, oriwaruku bohei ni dete orimasu.”

"What? They're recruiting?"

“Nani? Bohei to na?”

"It seems that they injured their foot soldiers in their previous job, and they're looking to make up for that."

“Nan demo, izen no shigoto de zouhyou o sokonatta yue, sono hoten ga shitai to ka.”

As mercenaries engage in combat as their profession, a reduction in their numbers is unavoidable with each job they undertake. Some may die in wars, others may suffer injuries that render them incapable of continuing, or some might succumb to the fear of battle and desert. Thus, there's a need to replenish the ranks with new recruits.

"If it's for those reasons, then it can't be helped. Let them know they should visit once they return."

“Sono you na riyuu deareba, shikatanakarou. Kikan shitara kao o dasu you, tsutaete oke.”

"Understood."

“Ha.”

With the retainer taking his leave, the margrave rested his chin on his hand.

He was also a warrior from St. Gallen, the land of forests and elite soldiers. Controlling such fierce fighters as mentioned in the report would be challenging, but at the same time, he liked it. To have five elves attending to them in the midst of battle, they must be an unapologetic war lover. Such individuals were undoubtedly greedy, rapacious, arrogant, and most importantly, strong. To face, interact with, and have them under their command was an honor for any warrior.

He chuckled while thinking about encountering such a yet unknown strong warrior that had joined under him.

"Hiring recruits in our battle-impending region, huh. Most of the able-bodied population has likely been taken into the army… In that case, those mercenaries would go on a wild goose chase, I assume."

“Gassen no sematta waga ryou de bohei ka. Chouhei ni taru dake no tami wa, sudeni arakata ga gun ni torarete iru kamo shirenai ga… da to shitara, kudan no youhei ni wa muda ashi o fumaseta koto ni naru na.”

If they seem to be struggling, depending on the outcome of the meeting, he might consider allocating some of his own troops. Regardless, having five elven mages is an extraordinary asset. He considered that he should extend them some convenience.

He eagerly anticipated meeting these mercenaries.

…However, his expectations were about to be shattered in the worst way possible.

~~~

To be continued...

TL Note:

Yea new 'masterpiece' lesgoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!

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