Chapter 33 : Days in the Free City of Loren (9)

Chapter 33: Days in the Free City of Loren (9)

“Urrrgh…!”

The moment he came in, Shatien collapsed onto the bed as if fainting.

Arms, legs, shoulders, calves…

There was not a single uninjured spot.

He was covered with cuts that looked like they had been made by something sharp. Anyone who did not know the circumstances would be horrified to see him.

In fact, Miles had jumped back in shock at the sight.

“What the… Are you being abused by that old man? Rookie, why is your body covered in knife marks like this! You really are learning swordsmanship, right?”

“Ghh. Yes. Damn it. I should have dodged it back then, but I did not, and now look at me.”

Shatien rubbed his abdomen as he spoke. His belly, struck with the flat of a blade, was already a deep, bruised purple.

“Good grief. You are going to ruin your health at that rate! Our rookie will collapse before he even gets to do proper Centurion work.”

Out of pity, Miles clicked his tongue.

If it were him, he would rest comfortably instead of training that brutally in swordsmanship, no matter how good it might be.

In many ways he thought this rookie was remarkable. Then Miles suddenly tilted his head, sensing something odd.

“Wait. Rookie, it is not time for you to be back yet, is it? Why are you here so early today?”

“He told me to rest well for two weeks starting today.”

“Who? That old man?”

“Yes. Master said to rest and come back. He said I have overworked my body, so resting is also training or something like that.”

“Ooh… So you are taking a break from training huh?”

Miles scooted right up next to the sprawled Shatien. He wore a face full of eager anticipation, but Shatien could not be bothered.

“Ugh, you’re being gross. Go away.”

As he turned over and said so, Miles cried out, sounding completely impatient.

“No, really! Do you remember what I told you last time? I told you it’s amazing.”

At that, Shatien searched his memory.

‘Hmm… Is it the yeti hide job that the merchant association commissioned?’

The city festival to pray for a prosperous start to the year was scheduled to be held soon.

The merchant association had commissioned the mercenary company to procure a yeti hide to present as a gift to Count Bellua during the festival.

The awesome thing Miles was talking about was exactly that.

‘Ugh. I just want to rest right now.’

He was sorry to Miles, but he was not keen on the idea. Had he not already been going through grueling training? He felt keenly that resting was also training, just as his master had said.

“Hmm... I’m not sure if I remember.”

“You bastard! How can you not remember? I told you last week. A private job. Yeti hunt. One hundred silver coins! You still don't remember? Hmm?”

“A-Ahem, ahem.”

With him insisting that much, Shatien could not help but feel guilty. Moreover, he remembered that he had thrown out a promise then, saying he would go if the time came.

‘Damn it. I only said it to be respectful.’

Who knew he would actually be given time off?

“Let us go. Hmm? It’s one hundred coins. This is not a common job.”

“That is true, but still…”

Private jobs were a kind of side work that mercenaries could take only while the company was on break. If they did not fill their meager income this way, it would be hard to endure the jobless winter season.

Of course, Shatien was wealthy enough that he would not feel it even if he skipped the job.

“Hmmmm. I should rest well though...”

“Come on! Mercenaries rest when they are dead! You even promised last time. I have been looking forward to this. If not, you can rest a few days and then go. I will wait for you. Please? Rookie. No, Centurion!”

Good grief. He must have lost big at the gambling hall. Shatien clicked his tongue inwardly.

“Then I will go to the merchant association first.”

“Huh? Why the merchant association?”

“I should get permission from my Master. He ordered me to rest. If I strain my body and he finds out, I might get chewed out.”

If he was unlucky, this time the old man might put a blindfold on him and start swinging the blade. That would be truly chilling. Considering the master’s eccentric personality, it was entirely possible.

“Ooh! So you are going, right? Together?”

“If Master permits.”

“Great! Of course he will. Ahahaha. Our old man will not raise you to be soft.”

“…”

He had no idea when Master had become “our old man,” but in many ways Miles was a very interesting man.

“Sigh. Then I will be back. don't cause trouble here and wait. All right?”

“Yeah, of course. I will wait. Hurry back. Eheheh.”

* * *

“What? A monster hunt?”

“Yes, Master. I need to hunt a yeti, and…”

“Then go.”

The old man cut off Shatien, who was about to explain at length, and replied indifferently.

“Ah, right? I should go— Wait, what? You said I can go?”

“Yes. Didn’t the merchant association commission that?”

“?”

Has the rumor spread that far already? Shatien was baffled.

“How did you know? Are you interested in such things, Master? If you are, would you like to come with us?”

“What kind of pathetic question is that?”

The old man’s expression said it was absurd.

“Why would I care about some white bear that runs on two legs?”

“Uh… First, Yeti is not actually a bear, Master?”

“Six of one, half a dozen of the other.”

Shatien felt it was a bit much to put a normal bear and a monster like a yeti on the same level.

“You know, that cat beastkin. The uh, the branch manager.”

“Lady Marhen?”

“Yes. Marhen came and asked if she could borrow you for a while. I told her to go ahead. There is nothing better than a monster hunt to sharpen your senses for real combat.”

“…”

So he had been sold off without even knowing… He could only lament.

Whether he knew Shatien’s feelings or not, the old man continued.

“Use this chance to put to work what you have learned. It is a pity it is only a yeti, but the mountains in winter are perilous. Keep your senses open and watch your surroundings at all times. It will be a good test.”

“Hmm... Understood.”

“Is that all you needed?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Then go. I want to be alone.”

It felt a little strange, but somehow he had achieved his goal.

Miles would be truly delighted to hear this.

* * *

Shatien ordered Miles to find one more person.

The two of them could probably manage, but it would be more convenient to have someone to support them.

Fortunately, the well-connected Miles managed to rope in a rather decent colleague.

“Long time no see, Swordbreaker!”

“My. Hudson! You are healthy and unhurt.”

“Haha. This guy. Of course I am fine!”

It was Hudson, a Decurion whose bones had been hardened in the army of Count Bellua and who had once done a scouting mission with Shatien. With his wealth of experience and skill in tracking, Hudson was certainly a good helper.

“You know I didn’t mean it like that. Heh.”

“I know.”

“What about the Count though? Do they allow private actions like this? The army of Count Bellua.”

“Hmm? Did you not tell him? Miles.”

“Oh, whoops. I forgot. Ahahaha.”

“…”

At his glib tone, Shatien sighed and looked at Hudson.

“Don't tell me you quit?”

“Yes. Ehehe. The reward was quite a lot, yes? With that, and the money I have saved, I can retire and spend a comfortable old age.”

What kind of wind had Miles blown in his ear to make this happen? Miles seemed incredible in many ways.

Putting aside those thoughts, Shatien discussed shares with the team. In truth, it was hardly a discussion.

In terms of ability, Shatien, who would lead the party, would take five, Miles three, and the late-arriving Hudson two.

Hudson’s share looked small, but he had no real complaint. Originally a job that needed ten people was being divided among three.

“Thank you. Honestly, I expected less.”

Hudson was grateful instead.

Having seen Shatien’s fearsome skill with his own eyes, he did not think this division was stingy.

“Ehehehe. Good. Then let us go. We should officially take the job, yes?”

“I have already heard. The branch manager Marhen was looking for me.”

Saying so, Shatien went to the merchant association with his companions.

Fortunately, there must have been prior arrangements, as they reached Branch Manager Marhen’s office without hindrance.

“Come in.”

Branch Manager Marhen’s office was the same as always.

It was so tidy that even a speck of dust would show, a workspace always kept spotless, very much in keeping with a fastidious cat beastkin.

Shatien thought it was a touch extreme, but so be it.

“You heard everything from the Elder, right? What the job is about.”

“Yes. He said he had lent me out.”

“Hehe. You heard right then!”

Branch Manager Marhen giggled at Shatien’s words.

“In case you need it explained again, it is to hunt a yeti and bring back its hide. As you know, the hide will be presented to Count Bellua, so the condition must be good. If someone brings us a hide first, we are not obligated to buy yours. If you need more details, ask me.”

“Has any mercenary gone ahead of us?”

“No. A yeti is not an ordinary monster. You are the first.”

“Then it does not matter.”

Shatien nodded.

The situation was not much different from before. Mercenaries willing to hunt a yeti would probably gather by next week at the earliest.

If the worst came to worst, he could sell the hide on the market.

A yeti hide with thick, glossy fur fetched whatever the seller asked.

“I have no objections.”

“Same here.”

“They all agree. We will undertake the job.”

“Great! Then let us proceed with the contract.”

Receiving Shatien’s signature as representative, Marhen dripped melted wax onto the parchment that listed the terms and obligations and stamped it.

“Then, is there anything you would like to request from the merchant association? You will need some people to hunt a yeti. Shall we provide wagons for transport?”

Putting the papers into a drawer, Marhen swished her tail and asked.

She wanted to provide a little service, satisfied with their quick decision. These three were surely the representatives of a larger group, and even just carrying food for the rest would be a tiresome task.

If they provided wagons, the yeti hunt would go more smoothly.

Yet…

“No, it is fine.”

“Pardon?”

The answer was not what the branch manager expected.

“The three of us are the entire team. So there is no need to provide anything. We will return as soon as possible.”

“M-Meow??????”

She let out an involuntary cat’s cry, as if her brain had shorted out.

Tip: Tap/click the left or right side of the screen to go to previous/next chapter.