A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles — Chapter 123

Chapter 123

‘What kind of people‍ are these? Why‌‌ are they all‌ so huge?’

The‍⁠ figures that appeared‍ were five adult‍ men. Thick beards,‍ muscular bodies, and leather garments that‍ covered them entirely.‌‍

They‍‍‍ were so thick‍‌ they didn’t look‍ like ordinary clothes,⁠ but rather armor‌ capable of stopping‌‍ spears and swords.⁠

But⁠ what stood out⁠ most was their‍ height, far greater‌‌ than any Imperial’s.‌‍

‘They’d⁠ barely reach an‍ average adult’s chest.’⁠‍⁠

If it had been⁠‍ just one that‍‌ big, it wouldn’t‍‌ be strange. In⁠ the Empire, although⁠ rare, there were‍⁠‍ giants like that.‍

But⁠‍ all the ones‍‍ who appeared had‍ similar height. What‍ was an exception⁠⁠ in the Empire‌‌ seemed to be‍ the norm here.‍‌

“Well,⁠ it really is‌ Miss Helen.”

Just⁠ as Lucian’s group‌‍‌ was surprised, the‌ other side also‌‍ seemed shocked to⁠ see Helen.

The‌‌ only one who‌‌ wasn’t startled was‌ Helen herself, who‌ already knew them.⁠‌

“It’s been a while. I see you’ve‍ become even more‌‍‍ imposing.”

“Imposing?‌‍ No need to‌ flatter me out‌ of politeness. Just tell me why‍ you’re here.”

“So‌⁠ harsh. Does it‌ bother you that‍⁠ I used the‌ path despite being‍‌ the master’s disciple?”‌‍‍

“If‍ you had come‍ alone, I would’ve welcomed you. But‍ from what I see, you’ve brought‌ quite a few‌ intruders.”

The‍ man with the‍‌ chest-length brown beard,‍ Gunstein, scanned Lucian’s‍‍ group with his‌ eyes.

In‍ them passed discomfort,⁠‍⁠ contempt, and a strange sense of‍ mockery.

“A‌ brat, two weaklings‌ playing warrior with sticks, a woman—I‍‌ don’t even know‌‍⁠ what she’s doing⁠ here—and that man…”‍

“He’s⁠‌ my senior in‍⁠‌ training. We studied⁠‍ the Guide of⁠ the Stars together‌⁠ under the master.”‍⁠‌

“Hmm. Then he’s the‍ only one that’s‍‍‌ worth anything.”

Gunstein⁠⁠ spoke as if‌ everything was already‌ decided and looked‍‍ straight at Colin,⁠‍ as if he⁠‌⁠ were the only‌ one worthy of‌ conversation.

“Hey,⁠‌‌ guide.”

“G-guide?”⁠‍⁠

“Come‌ with us. I’ll‍ take you to your master.”

Colin,⁠⁠ who had been‌ called a guide,‌ was left bewildered,‌ but Gunstein didn’t‌⁠ pay him any‍ mind.

Since‌ he shared a master with Helen,⁠‍ he simply assumed‌⁠ he was a guide too.

Before Colin could explain,‌‍ Gunstein muttered to⁠ himself.

“The⁠‍‌ rest… well, we’ll‍ take them and⁠ put them to‍⁠ work on menial⁠‍ tasks. And the‍ woman’s husband—we’ll pick‌‍ him later.”

“Please,⁠‌ wait a moment!‌‌‍ They are my‍‌ guests—and the master’s!⁠ Yes, they are‍ outsiders, but they‍ came by invitation.‍⁠ I ask that‌ you show them⁠ the proper respect.”‌

Helen raised her voice‌ urgently, but Gunstein gave a crooked⁠ smile and shook‍ his head.

“Guests?‍ I haven’t heard‍⁠ anything from the‌‍⁠ Guide. If there was no prophecy,⁠⁠ why should I treat them like guests?”

“What…?”⁠‍

“If they really were‍⁠ guests, then just capture first, confirm⁠ later, and release‍⁠ them. And if⁠ they’re not—make them‍‌ slaves.”

“Helen.”‌‌

Seeing‍ the conversation take a strange turn,‍‍ Lucian looked at‌‌ her. Noticing the‍⁠ growing coldness in‍‌⁠ his eyes, Helen‌ quickly bowed her‌‌ head.

“Here,‍ those who aren’t‍ warriors aren’t treated‌ equally. Also, there’s‌ a rule that⁠‍ anyone who invades⁠‌⁠ another tribe’s territory⁠‍ without permission can‍ be captured and⁠ used as a slave.”

“And⁠ that whole thing⁠ about how maybe‌ we could avoid‍ a fight?”

“I’m‌‌ sorry. From what⁠‍‍ I remember, he‍⁠ used to be⁠ someone you could‍ talk to…”

Faced with the unexpected situation, Helen lowered‍‌ her head. She‍‍‌ had stepped forward‌⁠ with confidence and‌‌ achieved nothing.

Lucian‍ stared at her‍ for a moment,‍‍ his face reddening,⁠ and sighed.

“So‌ in short, unless⁠‌ I prove I’m⁠‍ a warrior, they⁠ won’t even listen⁠ to me.”

“…That’s right.”

“Always‌⁠ the same, forcing everything with strength‌‍‍ from the start.⁠‌‍ Well, it already⁠‌ happened to me⁠ once in the north. Nothing new.”‍‍

“Hah.”‍‌

Gunstein‌ scoffed with disdain.‌ He hadn’t understood⁠ all of the‌‍ conversation, but he‍ picked up that Lucian meant to‌⁠‌ prove himself a warrior.

“Forget‌‌ it, kid. You’ll⁠‌ just get yourself‌‍ killed. I won’t‌⁠‌ waste time taming‍‌ a rebellious slave.‍‌ If you want‌⁠‌ to live, stay⁠ still.”

“A dog is barking.”

“What?”‍

“With those dog eyes of yours, you⁠ bark at anyone.‍ They say you⁠‍⁠ cure rabid dogs‌ with a beating.⁠ Maybe after a few, those dog‍⁠‍ eyes will improve‍ a little.”

“Hehehe.”‌

Gunstein‌ was left speechless at the insult. If someone with‍‍ a beard like‍‌ his had said‌‍ it, he would’ve‍ lost it.

But‌⁠‌ coming from a brat with peach‍ fuzz on his‌‌ face, it just⁠ felt ridiculous. Even‍ so, not being‌‍ angry didn’t mean he’d forgive him.‌‍

“That’s‍ enough. Die.”

Whoosh.‌‍‌

Gunstein⁠ pulled the axe⁠‌‍ from his back‍‌ and swung it⁠⁠ in one fluid⁠ motion. He didn’t‍‍‌ use all his‌ strength, but it‍ was more than‍⁠ enough to behead‌⁠‌ a kid.

The‌ moment he looked‌‍ up to see‍ the boy’s expression⁠ in the face of death—

Clang!‍

A metallic crash shook⁠‍ the area.

At‍ the same time,⁠ Gunstein’s body went‌ flying through the‌ air.

Why‌ was he suddenly‍ seeing the sky?

When‌‍⁠ he blinked, dazed—‌‌⁠

Thud!⁠

“Ugh!”‌‍

His⁠‍ back slammed into‍ the ground and‌⁠‍ the air burst‍ out of his⁠ lungs. A pain‌ like his spine⁠‍ had shattered ran‍ through his body.‌

“Chief!”⁠‍‌

“Damn⁠⁠ it…!”

Crack!‍⁠‍ Thump!

The‍ panicked shouts of‍‍ his men rang behind him—but only⁠‍ for a moment.⁠ After a few‍ blows, everything fell into a deathly⁠‌ silence.

To‍ understand what had‌ happened, Gunstein slapped‍‌‌ himself. When he‌ finally regained his‍‌ vision, the first‌ thing he saw‍‍ was a dark⁠ shadow cast over⁠ him.

“Get‍ up. If you⁠‍ sleep here, you’ll‌ freeze.”

Realizing⁠⁠⁠ the shadow was⁠ Lucian, Gunstein’s body trembled. Lucian, with‍‍ a cold smile,‌‍ tossed Gunstein’s axe‌⁠‍ aside.

“Come on. Pick up your weapon. Let’s‌ continue.”

“What…‍‍ what did you⁠ do…?”

Gunstein⁠ managed to ask⁠‍ through the pain,‍ and Lucian smirked.‌‌

“Do you really not‍ know? Or are⁠ you pretending not‌‌ to?”

“…”‌‍

“Take‍⁠‌ better care of⁠ your axe. At‍ this rate, how‌ many more times⁠‍⁠ do you think‍‌ you can even⁠ use it?”

Gunstein⁠ flinched and looked⁠ at his axe.‌‌ It was full⁠‌ of cracks, as‍ if it could⁠‍ shatter at any‌‍ moment.

Only‍‌ then did he⁠‌ realize Lucian had⁠ blocked his attack with a sword,‌ and the impact‍ had sent him‍‍ flying.

‘Damn⁠ it.’

Gunstein swallowed the curse‌‌‍ rising in his‍‍⁠ throat. He thought⁠⁠ he was dealing‍ with a newborn‍ pup, but it‌ turned out to⁠‍ be a crouching‌ beast.

He had made a huge mistake—but he⁠ couldn’t back down.⁠ If he lowered⁠‌ his head after‍‌ a single blow,⁠‌‍ he’d never be‍‍‍ able to call himself a warrior‍⁠ again.

“Fine.⁠ Perfect. Let’s do⁠‌ this.”

Gritting‍‌ his teeth, Gunstein‍‍ gripped his cracked‍⁠ axe tightly.

He⁠⁠ didn’t know what⁠ kind of monster‍‌ stood before him,‍ but he was‍ a warrior too—a‌‌⁠ descendant of the‌‍ dragon.

He⁠⁠ planned to prove⁠⁠ he wasn’t someone‌ to be looked‍⁠ down on.

***⁠⁠

Thud.‌

“I‌‌ lost.”

Gunstein‍ knelt before Lucian.‌ His initial determination⁠⁠ had completely vanished.‍‌

On‍ the second strike, his axe shattered,‍ and from there‌⁠ it became a one-sided massacre.

If‍ Lucian had killed‌⁠ him immediately after‍ he lost his‍⁠‌ weapon, at least‍‍‍ it wouldn’t have‍‌ been so humiliating.‍

He‌‍‍ said the duel‍‍ had to be‍ fair and threw⁠⁠‍ away his own‌ sword, only to‌⁠ start pummeling Gunstein‍⁠ with his fists.‍⁠

‘With that small body…‌‍ where does such⁠ strength come from…?’‌⁠

When⁠ Gunstein tried to⁠ lower his head,⁠ his body trembled.⁠ During the previous‍‌‌ beating, several internal organs had been‌ damaged and it‍‍ seemed like multiple‌ ribs were broken.‌

If‍‍ his opponent hadn’t⁠ held back, he’d‍‍‌ already be dead—either⁠ with his insides‍‌ ruptured or impaled⁠⁠ by bone fragments.‍‍‍

“You are a warrior.‌‍ I failed to⁠⁠‌ recognize your people⁠‌ and was disrespectful.‍ I beg your⁠‌‍ forgiveness.”

“You‌ were quite disrespectful.‌‍ So much so‌⁠‌ that, even kneeling,‍ I don’t feel‍⁠ like forgiving you.”‍⁠

“…Then‌ what do you‍‌⁠ intend to do?‌⁠‍ Kill me right⁠ here?”

“Brother!⁠ Keh!”

Desperate‌ cries rang out‌‌ from the subdued‍ subordinates behind them,‌ but before they‍ could say anything‌ more, Lucian’s allies‌‍ quickly subdued them‌‍ again.

Seeing‌ that, Gunstein clenched‌‌‍ his teeth and‍ looked up at⁠‍ Lucian.

“It’s‍‌ clear you’re the‍⁠ victor. If you‍ wished, you could‍ kill me at⁠‍ any time. I’ve‌‌‌ also committed the⁠⁠ sin of failing⁠ to recognize a warrior, so I won’t hold a grudge. However.”

“However?”⁠

“You’re⁠‌‌ a foreigner. If‌ you shed the‌ blood of the‌ dragon’s descendants even⁠‌ before entering their‌‍ territory, it will surely cause many‌‌⁠ problems.”

“Is‌‍ that a threat?”

“How⁠ could a defeated‍ man threaten the⁠‌ victor? Consider it⁠⁠ advice. If you⁠ release me and‍‍‍ treat me as⁠⁠‍ a warrior, I’ll⁠ announce that you‍ are a great‍ warrior and—”

“That‍⁠‌ won’t be necessary.”‍⁠

It‌‌ was Helen who‌‌ interrupted Gunstein.

Before⁠ the surprised Gunstein‍‍ could say anything⁠ else, Helen’s cold‌‍ explanation continued.

“He’s‌‌ someone who failed‌ to recognize a warrior and tried⁠⁠ to enslave him,⁠‌ only to be⁠ subdued in return.⁠‌‌ Moreover, it was‍‌ a one-on-one duel,‌⁠‍ so even if⁠ his head is‌ taken here, it⁠‍ wouldn’t violate tradition.”⁠‌‌

“L-listen…”

“There’s‌‌ no need to‍ worry about misunderstandings.⁠ The master will‍ personally vouch for‍‌ His Highness’s identity.‍ So dispose of‍ him however you‌‍ wish.”

“Helen!⁠‍‌ What are you‍ saying?!”

Gunstein‍⁠‌ shouted in horror. They weren’t strangers,‌⁠ and yet instead‌ of pleading for⁠ his life, she⁠⁠ showed complete indifference‍ toward his death.‌‍

However,‍⁠ the look Helen‌‍ gave him was‌ icy cold.

“You ignored my mediation,⁠ insulted the master’s⁠‍ guests, and lost‌‌ in a legitimate‌‍‌ duel. There’s not‌‌ just no reason‌ to spare you—there⁠ are plenty of reasons to kill‍ you. What are‌ you complaining about?”‍‌

“N-no,⁠‍⁠ I…”

Gunstein couldn’t even finish⁠‌ a few words⁠‍ before falling silent.⁠‌

It‌ was true that‌ he had ignored‍‍ the mediation out of his own ambition, so no⁠‍ matter what he⁠ said, it was⁠‌ useless.

After⁠⁠ a moment of‍ silence, Lucian picked⁠ up the sword‍‌‌ he had set aside.

“Do⁠‌⁠ you have any‍‌ last words before⁠⁠ dying?”

At⁠ that voice, completely‍‍ without hesitation, Gunstein‌ shut his eyes⁠‌ tightly. No matter‌ how he thought‍⁠‌ about it, dying‍ like this was‍‍ unacceptable.

He‍ hadn’t died gloriously‍‌ in battle against an enemy, but⁠⁠ after trying to enslave a foreign‍ warrior and being‍‌ defeated.

He’d‌ be remembered for generations as “the‌‍ stupid Gunstein,” the‌ fool in a story told to‍ children.

‘Damn⁠ it… there’s no other way.’

Letting⁠ out a deep‌‌‌ sigh, Gunstein played⁠‌ his final card.‍‍

“I failed to recognize‌⁠ a great warrior,‍‌ and that is‍‌‌ my sin. The‌⁠‌ only one who‌‌ can atone for‌ it is you,‍⁠ so I wish‍ to serve you and cleanse this‌⁠⁠ guilt. I beg‍⁠ you to allow it.”

“…?”

Lucian tilted his head,‌ confused by the‌ unexpected turn.

From‌⁠ how it sounded,‌ he seemed to‍ be offering to⁠ serve under him,‌ but the timing⁠ was too strange.‌

If‌ he was going‌‍ to beg for⁠‌ his life, shouldn’t‍‍‌ he offer something‍ in return first?‌‍

“Helen,‌‍‍ what does this‌‌ mean?”

“That’s…”‍⁠‌

Helen,‌‌‍ surprised, glanced around‍ and gestured behind⁠⁠ them. It was a signal to‌‌ step aside for a moment where⁠‍ they couldn’t be‌‍ heard.

Once⁠ they were far⁠‍‌ enough away, Helen⁠ spoke.

“Whoever‌‌‍ subdues a warrior‍⁠ from another tribe⁠ gains the same⁠ status that warrior‍‍‍ held within their⁠ tribe. Rather than⁠ stripping the defeated‌‍‌ of their rank,‍‌ it’s given to‍ the one who⁠ proved strong enough to deserve it.⁠⁠‍ It’s an ancient⁠‌‌ tradition meant to‍‍‌ prevent the wrath⁠⁠ of powerful warriors⁠⁠ and the massacres‌‌⁠ that wrath could cause.”

“So,‍⁠ if that guy‌‍ comes under my‍ command, I’ll receive‍‌‌ the same treatment‌ he had in‍‌ his tribe?”

“That’s‌‌ right.”

“And‌ how high is‌ his status?”

At‌‌ Lucian’s question, Helen‍⁠⁠ leaned in and‌‌ whispered in his‌⁠ ear.

“He’s the chief’s son.”‌‌‌