Chapter 63
It was a simple message saying that they were sorry they couldn’t come and would send someone in their place.
Aden was once again impressed by Sierra’s ability to command the Mercenary King, someone even the emperor couldn’t control.
Thanks to getting the Mercenary King involved, they could fill the shortage of people.
Also, they managed to silence the mercenaries who wouldn’t budge unless they were paid a life allowance.
“I’m curious. What’s your relationship with Sierra?”
“I told you, didn’t I? It’s just a professional relationship—hired for money.”
“You think I’ll believe that?”
Aden gestured with his chin, and Dwayne let out a small laugh.
He scratched his bearded chin roughly and turned his body.
“It’s not exactly a lie. Brilloxen isn’t just a place that buys and commands mercenaries. It supports them with funds and locations, allowing them to grow. Most mercenaries are displaced knights or soldiers, but some are orphans. Brilloxen builds orphanages and takes care of them, raising those who want to become mercenaries.”
“Is that where you grew up?”
“Yes. We don’t just swing swords aimlessly and curse like other mercenaries. We’re trained in strategy and tactics and gain knowledge. I survived thanks to Brilloxen’s support. The previous Mercenary King was also raised there.”
Dwayne explained calmly, and Aden gave a small gasp.
This was news to Aden as well.
He knew Brilloxen cared a lot about welfare, but he didn’t know it was tied to mercenaries.
Even Datum, his butler who collected information, hadn’t uncovered this.
“Brilloxen is the only true ally to mercenaries. They’re here, not because of my orders, but because Brilloxen asked them to come. So, you don’t need to thank me. Thank Brilloxen, who treated us humanely, and Lady Sierra, who personally bowed her head to me and made the request.”
“…She even bowed her head?”
“She didn’t need to go that far, but she did.”
Aden strapped his sword to his waist and glanced away, his chest aching slightly at the thought of Sierra bowing her head.
“I just keep piling up debts.”
As Aden put on his coat with a sour expression, Dwayne spoke up quietly.
“She’s a good person. Kind, and she never judges others based on appearances.”
“I know.”
“As long as she’s around, Brilloxen’s future is bright. No doubt.”
Those weren’t the kinds of words you’d expect from a mercenary, someone who the nobles often despised, even hated.
Aden gave a small chuckle at the strange conversation and nodded.
“I think so too.”
* * *
“Now, would you mind lowering those swords? Even if it was a misunderstanding, pointing your weapons at me is pretty annoying.”
“S-Sorry! What are you all doing?! Put down your weapons!”
The knight commander let out a groan before hastily yelling at the knights.
As the knights hesitated and lowered their swords, the knight commander rushed over and bowed respectfully in front of Benicia.
“Commander of the Bozbourne Knights, William! I greet the former Duke of Rippleton!”
In sync with the knight commander, all the knights knelt on one knee before Benicia.
Their loud voices and precise, sharp movements were full of energy and discipline.
Benicia Ripleton.
I’d only heard the name before.
She was the one who regularly drove back the barbarians trying to cross the western borders, practically a grim reaper on the battlefield.
They said her temper was so fiery that anyone who raised their sword at her ended up dead.
She was known for cutting off the heads of those who defied her authority and cutting out the tongues of those who criticized her.
But all of this was from 15 years ago.
After the war ended, she returned to Rippleton and lived quietly, handing over her position to Aden six years ago.
Rumors said she was either dead or crippled while hunting down monsters.
But contrary to all the rumors, the Benicia standing in front of me was completely fine.
“You know Lady Bozbourne, right? I think I saw you two together a few times. Or were you too young to remember?”
Bellieta, who had been frozen in place, flinched at the sound of her voice directed at her.
Biting her lip, Bellieta shook her head frantically.
Benicia let out a hum, amused by Bellieta’s reaction, and tilted her head.
“Well, it happens. Anyway, since it looks like the event’s over, how about wrapping things up? It seems like we’ve gathered quite a crowd, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to start dispersing.”
“Ah, got it. So, like…”
“While you’re at it, if the Duke of Bozbourne is around, let him know I’d like to see him for a bit.”
“My father…?”
“It’s been a while since I’ve been here, so I should at least see his face, right? We’re old friends, and there’s a lot to talk about and plenty to settle. Oh, and if you could take care of the monster corpses lying around here, that’d be great. I don’t get why everyone’s so proud of these things. I’d like to think no one with half a brain would be happy about receiving such trash as a gift.”
Benicia kicked the flattened monster’s head lightly and clicked her tongue.
Bellieta’s face scrunched up as she suddenly became one of those “empty-headed” people happy to receive such a gift.
“A real monster gift should be at least this big, don’t you think, Sierra?”
Benicia turned to me, but instead of answering, I looked away.
Humiliation, anger, embarrassment, and shock—all these emotions mixed on Bellieta’s face as she stared at Benicia and the wyvern’s corpse before gasping softly.
“…William, let everyone know the tournament is over and have them disperse. I need to inform my father that the former Duke has arrived.”
After bowing slightly to the satisfied-looking Benicia, Bellieta turned to leave.
I watched her as she moved and opened my mouth just as she was about to walk away.
“Bellieta.”
“…What?”
She glanced back at me, tilting her body slightly. I looked at her and softened my expression.
Just as Bellieta had done earlier, I wore a mask full of pity and sympathy.
“Don’t take it too hard. A river is made from countless raindrops. Receiving something like that isn’t such a big deal. The time we spent talking together was much more valuable.”
“…”
“You know that, right, Bellieta?”
When I threw her own words back at her, Bellieta flinched hard and clenched her fists tightly.
Even in a situation like this, she managed not to change her expression. I have to give her credit for that.
“…Of course, Sierra. I know that all too well.”
“I’m glad you do.”
“It is something to be glad about. Congrats, Sierra. You finally got something, so you must be happy. But you know what? Even rivers made from raindrops will eventually dry up and disappear. Nothing lasts forever. Rivers, too, will run dry someday.”
Bellieta smiled faintly as she loosened her expression and turned away.
“I hope you take good care of that river.”
With that final remark, Bellieta walked away, followed by Fiorétte.
As I stood there watching, Benicia came up beside me and tilted her chin leisurely.
“Still as rotten as ever, huh? I could tell from the way her father spoiled her back then.”
When she made that blunt comment, I glanced up slightly.
Benicia, who had been looking down at me, smiled silently.
“Don’t you think so too, Sierra?”
“No.”
I shook my head, and Benicia’s eyes widened in surprise.
‘Then what?’ her expression seemed to ask as she tilted her head curiously. I turned my gaze away from her and looked at the giant wyvern corpse behind us.
Remembering Bellieta’s face, frozen in shock, I turned my back to it.
“She’s a nightmare to me—past, present, and future.”
A demon that gave me pain I could never forget.
“That wasn’t nearly enough.”
A demon who caused endless suffering, whose image remained vivid even with my eyes closed.
To me, Bellieta was that kind of existence.
In the silence, I lifted my head and met Benicia’s gaze.
Her expression didn’t change as she watched me.
“More than that, I didn’t expect you, the former Duke, to come in person. I apologize for the late thanks. Thank you for coming, Your Grace.”
“Just call me Benicia. I don’t expect any special treatment from someone who saved my life.”
Benicia smiled widely, her words bringing Aden to mind.
Feeling unsure of how to respond, I gave an awkward nod.
Benicia glanced around at the many onlookers and spoke lazily.
“More importantly, how about we move to a different location?”
“I’ll lead you to my room.”
After asking Jin and Rippert to handle the cleanup, I led the way.
“While you’re at it, take care of this one’s corpse too.”
“Huh? You mean the wyvern?”
“What? First time seeing one?”
“…It’s just that high-level monsters like this aren’t exactly common…”
Benicia pushed Rippert, who had trailed off, assuring him it was fine, and then followed me.
When I glanced back, I saw Rippert standing there with a dazed expression, looking to Jin, unsure of what to do.
As Benicia passed by me, I caught the strong scent of blood coming from her. I turned away.
“Let’s go.”
Following Benicia’s words, I hurried after her, as if being pulled along.
