Chapter 147: Forced Breakthrough (1)
OUrac7M“I’m aware we’re being tracked by the Magic Association. Yet, how could there be no message from them at all? Had I not taught my subordinates the taste of money, our organization would have crumbled by now.”YFM9
6xY“Cut the crap! You’re not in a position to tell me what to do, are you? We’re neither the Parrot Mercenaries nor a band of thieves. We’re just a gang stuck on this island!”HeODvap
SnJRbXr“So… you intend to act like a hooligan to the very end?”HxLz7y
2HV2C“Hmph! I earned it! I earned it and kept the organization running! And you dare to criticize me instead of offering praise? Then what have you been doing all this time?”Ags
pmZ4teN“You don’t need to worry about that. If you’re not going to follow the rules I’ve set, then abandon the name ‘Parrot’ right now.”tX83a
s2FdkQP“Ha, threatening me with that? Fine, I’ll abandon it! Parrot? We’ve been a freeman organization ever since you ran away!”KGI
6K0kcir“Alright. From this moment, you are no longer a Parrot. I don’t know how much you’ve earned, but take it all and leave this place.”0zVDSa
nqk93“Falcoa burst out in a roar of rage. Even Marsha couldn’t have expected such a reaction. The honor of being the strongest mercenary group was not something that could be exchanged for mere money, her blood was mixed in with the Parrots as well.ygKWjyz
6Uikxz“If you can’t give up being a Parrot, then follow my words. I won’t tell you to live a good life, but if you want something, fight for it. I can’t tolerate exploiting the weak.”Ttld
eBQ8gYgFalcoa was fuming. He hated Marsha for using him even though she knew he couldn’t leave the Parrots.U9xKr
DryMng“I always get what I want. You’ll be the same. Someday, you’ll belong to me.”J2Rer
7SO1Instead of getting angry, Marsha soothed him with a gentle smile as if she was calming an unruly child.sNcrW
LAu“It’s refreshing to hear that after a long time. Anyway, do your best. I don’t block men coming to me, nor do I hold back those who wish to leave.”7vI0
5BmaDFalcoa clenched his fist and glared at Marsha, his eyes blazing with fire.iM7sO9R
vqaXYLQHe was indeed using a powerful eye technique, but Marsha’s expression didn’t change, showing her strong mental fortitude.gdZV
z8seM“Tch, you’re as annoying as ever. I’m done here. I’m going out for a drink.”bCd
UYYg“Stay put in the hideout. There’s going to be a meeting with the commanders and above. And from this moment, drugs are prohibited. If I catch anyone, they’ll really have to face my wrath.”88hTpKF
XRgWithout responding, Falcoa stormed out of the warehouse, but Marsha knew. He would attend the meeting and wouldn’t touch drugs. The one who could lead him back to the blood-soaked battlefield had returned.JCf
PcXuOAfter the subordinates left, Freeman returned to being Marsha’s hometown friend and greeted her anew.TUrBvMN
z1c“It’s good to see you back safely. I was worried when I couldn’t contact you.”wQJlz
zRJ21V“I couldn’t contact because I was running. Don’t you have any sense? Did you think I’d be caught that easily? But what’s up with Falcoa? Can he even be used in this state? He was a whirlwind with a sword in his hand, even if he was mad.”YGBYHtr
FjErT“It’s not just Falcoa’s fault. It’s us who took the battlefield away from him.”niTKl2
GLS6“Huh, well, it’s me, actually.”JXOe0
sCtvqaU“But it’s thanks to him that we’ve managed to gather funds so far. I’ve prepared everything so we can flee to another country anytime now that you’re back.”wMh
tyCXMarsha puffed up her cheeks, seemingly displeased. She knew how Falcoa had managed to bring in funds.WPv
j8a7LIn the end, are humans bound to conform to reality? The glory of the once fearless Parrot Mercenaries was now a thing of the past.SOWG
nSDv4When I left home at seventeen, it was the mercenary group I formed with my hometown friend, Freeman.AwzP
ssRwE5aFooled by politicians, I lost the foundation of my life, but I wanted to preserve the value of the Parrot.7b6R
FjVeBut now, aren’t we no different from them? We had to scheme and look out for those with power before fighting for our beliefs, just to make money.IDNn
7delc7“Ah, when did we become like this?”EfQ4
Ky3U“We’ve been betrayed by the state. It’s inevitable if we want to survive.”Gc2uW
a3h“Yeah, I guess so. But Freeman, you haven’t gone bad, have you?”GVPKI2g
LJdFreeman remained silent. He felt no prick of conscience. It was just disappointing to be doubted by a friend he had admired since childhood.Drz4b
CK6fLQv“The organization, the name Parrot, none of that matters to me. I only wish for your safety.”eDJkmT
4RePgEFMarsha shivered, feeling creeped out. Even a dog wearing a Parrot tag would know Freeman’s feelings. It wasn’t particularly moving, yet he always appealed in this way, which was infuriating.vLDZyTs
zVneS“You only wish for my safety? Why on earth?”E40oH
k6U“You are…”bldf0y
SpAMJMarsha asked, knowing the answer, just to rebuff him. Freeman struggled to find the right words among many that came to mind.xUhNYK
VSGH4R“Because you’re our leader.”nNim5g
lQrMarsha snorted. Hearing his answer, it seemed there was no need to worry about Freeman. His annoying nature hadn’t changed, whether in the past or now.zfrthNE
tGyf‘Anyway, now that I’m back, we need to reorganize.’DfTw
Ygq3BXMarsha intended to lead the organization and seek asylum in another country for a fresh start, but first, she had to clean up the mess her subordinates had made.Pzg
6ZIJ“Sob! Sob!”kwFayO
9XnlTWMarsha turned at the sound of weeping. Yuna was crying pitifully, unable to even think of escaping.PZD
wtnPofAlthough she was spared from a terrible fate, Marsha could understand. Just the fact of being mishandled by an unknown man was enough to wound a woman’s heart deeply.82C
W41JU“What happened? Where did this child come from?”BtV6
8VyC“One of Falcoa’s men had a street solicitor brother. This is his sister.”GCWk
kw15U“The madman. He’s now laying hands on his subordinate’s sister?”YFdAq
IdcQj“Who knows? His head was shaped like money.”dPd
AgA2“Is there something I don’t know?”HtZt1vM
lPi7kVAFreeman relayed the stories he heard from his subordinates, from the anecdotes between Zis and Amy to Shirone storming the palace, and how they ended up bringing Yuna here.5R4
q5VMarsha, who had been listening with interest, lit up when Shirone’s story came up.q8j3q
kTIA“Ah, now that I think about it, I know this story too.”LmmrQDT
0U3j“You know? How could you know about this incident?”jIYK
nFtMarsha smiled and touched her lips.ugHQ
v8AI“I told you, I’m a genius. Life is entangled in such ways, after all.”H4qZ
SCok“What happened? Tell me.”Vp6
9msjBIf Marsha wouldn’t say, Freeman had no intention of pressing. She had always stirred things up when bored, and that was her only escape in this world.RGqq0
VBHNWLpMarsha received numerous agendas from Freeman.hjkCvOX
ocfRThere wasn’t anything particularly troubling. The funds Falcoa had gathered were more than enough for a fresh start in another country, and Freeman’s troops were not lacking in combat strength.DXCn
TpZ8r“It’s all good. Well done. But should we just leave the assets as they are?”Wb9e4uh
08Q5“Are you bothered by the funds Falcoa gathered?”pD3C0IR
6X3w“It’s a bit… you know? It’s time for Parrot’s resurgence, but starting the organization with money earned from selling drugs.”dkvitv
Jwh“That’s unlike you. Money is money, after all. I don’t like how it was earned either, but burying money just because of that seems childish.”zaM
n4e3Q2“I know. Anyway, let’s leave this matter for the meeting later. For now…”lev
C6DYAt that moment, a member burst into the room. Marsha and Freeman looked at him, puzzled.JhHY
D4UThis place was beyond the reach of government influence, so there shouldn’t have been any reason to rush in gasping for breath.2o1D6
3k7Z2zMarsha smiled and said, “What’s wrong? Got a stomachache? There’s no bathroom here.”KcejY
qVRK5“Oh? Leader? You’re back?”wWHTRQV
QgwSThe member was surprised to see Marsha but immediately reported the urgent matter without any delay.PxJ
oeEG“Leader! It’s a disaster! We’re under attack!”I4UbEW
PydK“Attack? What sudden attack? Is it the government?”xYj
DLzkOO“It doesn’t seem so. They’re just kids, a group of four. According to the report, it seems like two mages and two swordsmen.”7i7z
etGGMarsha knew who they were just from hearing this. It was odd that they would come to rescue the street solicitor’s sister they had fought at the port, but Marsha couldn’t deny one possibility.chgE0
AzYHg3X“Huh, if it’s that detestable brat, it’s quite possible. Is there a kid named Shirone among the attackers?”IC8qCM
iTFYlj“I’m sorry. I don’t know the names…”YkKClCB
m2PRDWFreeman, suddenly changing his tone, politely suggested.wkT
aE4H“Leader, wouldn’t it be better to just hand over the girl? It’d be troublesome to stir up a commotion while we’re trying to regroup.”Vomk
yC8uU5zMarsha thought about it, considering the earnest man’s words.MYSo
7J08i“Hmm, handing over the girl. Wouldn’t that be a bit absurd? Kidnapping her and then returning her when they come looking. Or what, you think they might actually breach this place?”SFkD
hDt“There’s no chance of that. While you were away, I’ve fortified this place thoroughly. The magical formations and magical artifacts are strategically placed. Unless they’re quite skilled, they’d die before even reaching the first barrier.”ZQmZ9
WM92L“Then there’s no problem, right? Go and kill them. I’ll take care of this girl. Have you lost your touch after a few years off? You’re completely clueless.”v2xb
gYtNTAs soon as Marsha spoke, Freeman immediately ordered his men to prepare for battle.KKPLOL
nMOQvvIt was embarrassing to show a lack of discipline in front of the leader, especially when he thought he had prepared well.tQ5
DXext“Everyone to your training positions. This is a real combat situation.”Ui0fF3
6Hricq“Yes! I’ll relay the message right now!”HMr
DIM2WQFreeman’s men moved swiftly, gathering their arms and forming units. It took less than 5 minutes for everyone to move to their positions.Wd3J
mEXFMarsha then sat down with a satisfied smile.psWu5Cm
rlBk“You’ve worked hard, at least. I thought you’d been slacking off all this time.”O8I
Ynfz“Everyone’s been waiting for today. They’re working harder because you’re back.”lcuaj
CzkGCPv“Hmph, how long do I have to baby you? It’s time for you to manage on your own. What about you? Aren’t you going to fight?”itJ
kHeHrK“I’ll stay here. Protecting your side is my duty.”AvYfS
6AnFMarsha looked up at Freeman with an incredulous expression. True, as an initial member of the mercenary group, he had performed bodyguard duties. But every time, Marsha had to brush off the goosebumps on her arms.wOaTGc
XfvLF“Seriously, you’re so pathetic. You think I find you impressive with this?”9OI4M
gcAH9gSFreeman, having made up his mind, didn’t seem to plan on leaving Marsha’s side.nyB
h2p7Q9Marsha’s face turned red with anger. She had always disliked this about him since childhood. His inability to express emotions and his stubborn behavior had irritated her more than once.Clzz9g
l3EG“Hey! Don’t just stand there, get out! What, you think you’re my husband or something?”4Y70y
1H89DWSitting in her chair, Marsha lifted her leg and kicked Freeman’s buttocks.cV9d
5T46a7NWith that, as if propelled by inertia, Freeman moved. He kept silent till the end and quietly left the warehouse.lK7Ad
lXt1QgqOnce everyone had gone, Marsha stretched leisurely, as if nothing had happened, and smiled freely.oQP
7kRRkThe anticipation of battle was real, but she was more curious about Shirone.uqw
vc0SCIShirone was the kind Marsha despised the most. Those who truly embrace others’ pain do not exist in this world.oniy
N8XfXzHer adoptive father had also revealed his true nature in the end. The mercy shown to an orphan was in fact the footprints of vile desires, and when Marsha realized this, she awoke.IvvSC
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