Translator: Nox

Ch#39

* * *

Pearl City pier.

Behind the large passenger ship Death Hound had bought, Tiye's even bigger Ghost Sail Ship cut through the waves and entered.

They were returning after completely subjugating the mid-sized Mana Stone that had risen from the sea.

The Monster Cores loaded on the deck alone exceeded a meter in length.

“Agabert! Agabert is back!”

The pier was packed with people who had returned to the village.

“Thank you, truly thank you……!”

The crowd surged forward, in tears, toward Tiye and her group as they disembarked.

The sailors who had nearly drowned or been killed by Death Hound were the same.

As Tiye blinked in a daze, Nordix, who had come to greet them, stepped forward.

“Everyone, please calm down. The Necrolord has used a great deal of power and needs rest.”

The people reluctantly backed away.

Tiye scratched the back of her head, feeling strangely odd.

‘……Tiye’s fine though.’

It was the first time anyone had thanked her like this.

She wanted to say ‘Tiye’s okay!’ to each and every one, but Basto approached.

“Unit Leader. Time to go in and rest now.”

Tiye thought for a moment, then nodded.

“Yeah. Kinda feelin’ sleepy too.”

Was this what mana depletion felt like?

Since becoming a mercenary, her members had drilled it into her.

Mages like Tiye always had to beware of mana exhaustion.

But Tiye still didn’t know her own mana capacity.

So she couldn’t tell how many super strong techniques it took to run out.

It hadn’t felt that hard today, so it was no wonder she couldn’t guess.

‘Arms and legs feel all whoosh-whoosh though…….’

Was it just from not sleeping, or really from using so many techniques? It was ambiguous.

As she pondered seriously, a splashing sound came from behind.

Turning, Tiye’s Ghost Sail Ship was returning to the sea.

The massive wrecked ship vanishing rapidly into the depths was overwhelming enough for the gathered crowd.

But while everyone stared entranced at the scene.

Something burst from the foam and swiftly darted through the crowd.

It slipped into Tiye’s cloak at a speed no one noticed.

Not even Tiye herself.

* * *

Agabert headed not to the inn, but to the Governance Hall.

Governor Marianne had invited them to the finest guest room in the Governance Hall.

Tiye fell into a deep sleep the moment she lay on the guest room bed, while Basto, Veil, and Nordix gathered in the parlor.

To sort and maintain the collected Monster Cores and weapons.

Raoul and Enzo came looking for them around lunchtime the next day.

“You want to join Agabert?”

Veil, seated at the head of the parlor table, crossed her legs leisurely.

Raoul and Enzo swallowed hard at her stern demeanor.

Enzo spoke first.

“Yes! Please let us meet the Unit Leader! I don’t know what you saw, but we can handle swords decently.”

“Same for me.”

Veil tilted her head with an intrigued look.

“If that’s so, you sure didn’t show it at sea earlier. You two were about to die helplessly—you know it’s thanks to me you survived, right?”

“We know.”

Raoul’s expression turned serious.

He hadn’t taken his eyes off Veil since earlier.

Because he’d watched her fight the sea monsters on the ship the whole time.

‘No matter how I look at her, she’s worthy of respect.’

Veil wielded two swords, her movements far from orthodox.

But that didn’t mean she had gaps or was sloppy—no way.

‘Her movements are efficient and fast.’

It meant no unnecessary flair in her swordplay.

For a woman to reach that level—it was almost unbelievable.

Honestly, Raoul wanted Veil as his master to hone his own swordsmanship.

Enzo seemed to admire Basto more than Veil, though.

“Is it that the Unit Leader doesn’t like us?”

Enzo asked, recalling the Necrolord’s image.

The Necrolord was a frighteningly powerful mage.

She’d smiled innocently, lulling him into ease, then suddenly whipped up waves of death…….

Enzo’s tone grew a bit less confident.

“Of course, I know we might not meet her standards……”

“The Necrolord listens to everything I say anyway?”

Veil cut Enzo off then.

Veil looked oddly excited.

“I’m the member who receives the most favor from the Unit Leader in the group.”

Raoul and Enzo’s eyes widened.

But at that moment,

“Watch your words, Veil.”

Basto interjected gruffly from a bit away.

He’d paused checking his weapon and frowned.

“The Unit Leader relies on and likes me most. She always calls for me in emergencies.”

“What’re you saying, you muscle pig.”

Veil continued incredulously.

“What does the kiddo—no, Unit Leader rely on you for? We suffered plenty because of you. Fact is, you caught Karl Warben thanks to the Unit Leader.”

Basto clamped his mouth shut.

“That’s……”

“Enough, both of you.”

Then Nordix, who’d been peering into a thick book at one end of the table, spoke up.

He smiled kindly at Basto and Veil.

“Wouldn’t the most reliable one be me? Nothing beats experience, after all.”

Veil’s mouth fell slightly open.

“Why’re you butting in, old man?”

“Not butting in. Just stating facts. Back at Tenebraum Cave sieging the Mana Stone, if not for me, the Unit Leader would’ve been badly hurt.”

“That’s cheating! That was even before the group formed!”

“Regardless, the Unit Leader owes me her life. In short, I’m in the opposite position from you two.”

“Nordix, I don’t think so. Fact is, the combatants are me and Veil. You stayed on land the whole time today……”

Raoul and Enzo stared dumbfounded at the three arguing.

One thing was clear, at least.

‘These guys…… really adore the Necrolord.’

So they were fighting like concubines vying for the lord’s exclusive favor.

Raoul swallowed hard.

‘Not just strong, but excellent leadership and charisma too.’

The Necrolord was, truly, an amazing mercenary.

Recalling how she dominated the sea with dark attribute magic made Raoul want to pledge loyalty too.

Meanwhile, Enzo thought similarly.

‘Guess I have to do it.’

Become the member with the Unit Leader’s greatest favor.

Raoul was a bit stiff and awkward, but Enzo was confident in his social skills.

Back in the Order, he’d always monopolized the superiors’ affection.

‘Wonder what kind of talent she wants.’

He grew curious about the type of subordinate the Necrolord preferred.

The quietly diligent type who just did their job?

Or the flexible, quick type who moved on their own?

Strong ones were often lonely, so maybe she liked strategic types for deep talks.

‘What to do, I can do all three.’

A strange tension spread among the five in the parlor.

None knew Tiye lay spread-eagled on the bed, dreaming.

‘Tiye. Who’s the best?’

‘Answer, kiddo! Who’s the best.’

‘Astie. Ate with crumbs on your mouth again.’

Tiye’s brows furrowed in her dream.

She groaned in distress.

And understandably—Basto held pizza, Veil fried chicken, Nordix a hamburger.

‘T-Tiye…….’

Unable to decide, she fidgeted anxiously when.

[Benefactor.]

A gentle voice called Tiye.

Opening her eyes at the hand stroking her shoulder revealed iridescent rainbow eyes.

The eyes gazing at Tiye soon curved prettily.

[Sea god Seradin greets her lifesaver. You freed me from my chains.]