The Regression Of A Grand Mercenary

After a while, we finally stopped. When I looked outside, strangely enough I noticed that we were now by the cliffside of a mountain where when I looked in front of me, all I could see was the vast ocean. Behind me, on the other hand was a small white house that seemed ever less like a mansion, and simply a house made for a small family. It didn’t boast of strength or nobility…simply simplicity.

Strangely…I could not see the kingdom anymore. Not a single direction where I looked, I could not find the towering marble castle that reached the heavens. From my own conclusion, it seems that on our ride to this location, my senses were dulled by the magic that coated us the moment we got inside the carriage…and the location itself…we must have been able to get here because of the divine beast that drove the carriage.

“Where are we?” I asked.

But as Jenny got off, she only stared at me with caution. It seems that from our last conversation, she was mad.

Thankfully, Amelia gave me an answer instead.

“I’m not sure myself…but they explained it to me that this is a land cut off from the rest of the country. We travelled here thanks to the magic embedded in the carriage.”

“Hmm, I see.”

“Now come inside, with the time we have left…you might get the chance to meet the leader and the vice-leader at the same time.” she said ecstatically.

“Okay.”

As she went up the stairs and to the front door, she stopped and knocked on it seven times.

*Knock**Knock**Knock**Knock**Knock**Knock**Knock*

Once she did, I heard the heavy footsteps of someone behind that door. When it opened, it showed me the face of a familiar friend.

Elgor in his ever so iconic golden armor.

“…You arrived.”

“I’m sorry…but thankfully, I finally brought you guys the man I talked about before!” said Amelia excitedly.

“Ah…so it’s him.” said Elgor as he looked down on me with his tall 9ft height.

“Pleasure to see you again. I believe we saw each other at the banquet yesterday.” I said.

“Ah, I think I remember you that day. Sorry if I’m not really that certain. There were a lot of strong men in that damn castle…you never know which was which with all their fake smiles put up front.”

“W-where is the leader?” asked Amelia.

“You want to introduce him that fast?” asked Elgor with a furrowed brow.

“With how tight his schedule is right now, we don’t have a lot of time left. Especially since he said he would attend a gathering soon at the festival.” she said worryingly.

“Well, you’re in luck. He’s inside the dining room, reading the news that struck this afternoon.”

“I see…is now a good time?” she asked.

“Just go up to him. It doesn’t seem like he’s in a bad mood.”

“O-okay.”

As we walked inside, I was unexpectedly surprised by how normal the interior was as well.

“Hmm, for a secret group, this place is not what I expected.” I said in comment.

“Were you expecting a castle?”

“Something like that…but this place is nice. Its feels very homey.” I said as I walked into the living room. It seemed so peaceful, you wouldn’t expect that inside this entire house garnered strong characters who were capable of waging war against a rising threat of demons.

“They have been using this place as a hideout for 15 years now. No one knows about this place except for us members.”

“Hmm, I see.” I said as she then leads me to the kitchen. It was here that we were surprisingly met with a young woman who wore a mask over her face to cover her identity.

“Vice-leader, I’m back.” said Amelia as she bowed before the young masked woman.

Ah…So she’s the second in command. Normally, mask aren’t enough to fully hide a person’s identity…especially not against someone who was as professional as me.

But when looking at the woman, I could not discern who she was or what she looked like even when facing her face to face. Not the color of her hair, the shape of her body or even her smell…I could tell that just like inside the carriage, my senses were being dulled and tricked with magic.

She was only wearing a mask on her face…and yet that was all it took to hide her entire identity.

‘So this was how they kept their identity hidden from the world.’ I thought to myself as I stared the woman in the eye.

“Ah Amelia, welcome. It seems you didn’t came back empty handed today.” said the woman as her voice then became somewhat even just as indiscernible as the rest of her features. It was as if her voice spoke the voice of ten different women, speaking in perfect unison.

“This is the person who I talked about.”

“I see. Yes, the person who once killed Victor Vandell by his own hands. Quite an accomplishment if I say so myself.” said the woman.

“Indeed, he is.”

“Umm, didn’t we once invited you into our group?” she asked as she looked at me.

“Did you now?” I asked in return.

“Yes…Jenny invited you into the group just a day after you killed Victor Vandell. Yet you denied the offer immediately.”

“Ah, I remember.”

“You denied it at the same day…it didn’t seem like you were interested then, so why are you interested now?” she said.

“Ah- the thing is…” interjected Amelia.

…

A few minutes later, Amelia explained my reason for being here.

“I see…offering to lend a hand in exchange for information.”

“So, what do you think?” asked Amelia.

“Although I appreciate the help, someone who isn’t fully committed to this group is not someone we can trust. It is all or nothing for us…”

“I understand.” I said as I can see she was being cautious. The eyes past her mask…they showed hesitance.

“No matter how strong a person can be, it is not enough if we do not own their life. And I mean that literally. Amelia, you vowed to accept these terms all in exchange for us to help you in your cause to become a full fledged saint. It is a great and grand cause…so we are willing to put our lives on the line for you just as you would for us…but for you Thill, simply helping when you feel like it…it is not enough for us.” she said plainly.

“I see…” said Amelia as she was reminded of her position.

“…Still, what about your leader? Is he in the same position?” I asked.

“That depends. Since you came here, you are obligated to meet him so that he can judge you for himself…Now come to the dining room, I made us a snack we can eat while talking to the leader.” she said as she pulled something from the oven. It was cookies.

“I’ll help you.” said Amelia.

When we went by the dining room, all of my hopes were not lost. I didn’t really come here to gain their approval, I just wanted information. And the best possible way I can get that was through their leader.

Information can cost up to anything…and if a person has that information, I am willing to lend my strength to them. It was one of the ways I got by in life when I was living as a mercenary. Everything had a price…especially for my abilities as a blacksmith, hunter and warrior.

When we got by the dining room, I saw another man who seemed older simply by his presence, yet because of his mask that was similar to the vice-leader, I could not figure out anything of this man’s nature. Although he was reading a piece of letter that seems to contain vital information, I could feel that he was already aware of my arrival.

He seems oddly distant. but I could tell that already from the moment I stepped into the room, things would seem difficult.

“…Are the cookies done?” he asked as he puts down the letter.

“Here they are.” said the woman in the mask as she placed them in front of him.

“Thank you.” he said as he got a piece from the tray.

“So what did the letter say?” she asked.

“It is surprising. It contained a detailed report of what’s happening at the exhibition. It seems that a certain family will take first place yet again. Also, regarding the recent attack at the blacksmith street, it seems that there was a man sighted leaving the premises in a rather oddly manner… right Mr. Cicial…” he said in a rather playful smile as he turned to look my way.

“…”

“Hmm, for a boy who is barely reaching adulthood, I never expected you to be this…big. Maybe it’s the armor?” he said as he looked at me with a fascinated grin.

“…I’m guessing, You know of me?” I asked.

“I do…I saw you at the banquet.”

“I see…”

So he was in the castle on the first night of the festival.

“And I know why you came by. To hunt the person responsible for targeting the Ambers…right?” he asked, but despite his question for affirmation, it was pointless to agree. It seems that he knew already.

“…” so I stayed silent.

“You’re in luck, I know the man responsible for that attack…or at least, I know the mage who attacked you and your friend’s family business.”

“There’s more than just one man in play here…” I replied, hinting toward the cult’s involvement.

The leader chuckled.

“I see…so you want to catch the entire school of fish, not just one…sad to say, if you did do that, you’ll only be putting on a trail of blood for the sharks to follow.” he said as all of a sudden, his entire tone changed.

“I don’t mind…”

“Heh, Of course you wouldn’t mind. People like you tend to be very….direct in confrontation. It’s what they called a warrior’s mindset.” he said as his voice was heavy with intent.

“…”

“But I’m not saying its ineffective, I’m not saying that you can’t handle them yourself…People like you will always get the job done…always. Its just that if you did act, it won’t only be you who will be affected. These people you’re after…their more than just a bundle of troublemakers. They are people capable of starting wars simply because it shortens their path to reaching their goal.”

“I’m familiar with such people.” I said plainly.

“I’m sure you are. Either way, I’m not willing to give away information simply because you approached me.” he said, hinting at his disinterest towards my approach.

But I knew better…

“I didn’t come here empty handed. What I have to offer in return is my capability. Whatever mission you have that you think you lack in succeeding, I can compensate for that.”

“I can see that you are capable simply by looking at you. But even so, is that really enough? My price tends to be very high.”

“So is my worth…me killing Victor Vandell was not by mere luck, I can tell you that much.” I rebuted.

“…Killing an apostle, that sort of record really puts you high on the list. Because of what you did, I was very intrigue by your history…I asked myself, how could a child like you be capable of defeating an apostle just like Victor Vandell. Did your family have a secret that goes beyond the knowledge of this country? So you know what I did…I looked into your background, and I was surprised to what I found.”

“…”

”Your family on your father’s side…the moment I looked into it, I was shocked to find that their history was being guarded by something unknown.” and to his mention, everything surrounding this entire house suddenly became suffocating.

“…” but I maintained my composure.

“You don’t seem surprised.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“…When I looked into the background of your father, I was met with a hurdle so difficult, I had decided to no longer pursue it. If you knew who I was, you would know, I don’t give up that easily…but this…it puts fear in my heart to know that something outside of this world was protecting the history of your family. The uncertainty of your history…I am intrigue by it.”

“…”

“…It was almost like a God was watching over your kin’s history.”

“.…I-is this true Leader?” asked Amelia as she spoke out of her own interest.

“It is true…I don’t lie Amelia. This boy that you brought here today, he’s hiding something from you…no, from the entire world. And I’m curious to know if the reason why you were capable of defeating Victor was because of this secret…is that it? Is that the possibility?” he asked quite intently.

But to his enticing question, I simply shook my head…

“I see…very well then. If you won’t tell me, I won’t pry any more…” he said honestly.

“…”

“But I also won’t waste the opportunity of having to claim the helping hand of a boy as capable as you. So let’s make a deal…prove yourself first before we move on to anything worth calling out to. In this case, you want information for the man who attacked the Ambers.”

As he mention this as a form of challenge, he called out to Elgor.

“Elgor, come here for a bit.” he said.

Soon, I could hear his heavy footsteps.

And soon, I saw him peek through the door from the other side of the room.

“Bring out the seven candidates to the field. Using this chance, I want to end all this test, this tension…it’s time they prove themselves if their worthy or not to join our cause.”

“And how are you going to do that?” asked the vice leader.

“Pit them all against him…if he really wants that information, he will have to fight his way through.”

“Doesn’t that seem a bit barbaric?” she asked.

“Of course it is…but I’m making use of their willingness. Also, we don’t have a lot of time left before the masquerade ball this evening. I have someone I need to talk to about a certain issue.” he said as he got up from his chair and left the dining room.

As the leader left, Amelia was left to talk to the vice leader.

“Don’t you think it’s a bit unfair? The seven candidates are willing to go through the test just to join, but for Thill who just wants to gain information in exchange for his help, he has too fight them all? That doesn’t make any sense.”

“I know. Sometimes, I don’t understand how the leader decides on these matters…but if he says this is what’s best, then we must follow. In either case, it doesn’t seem that Thill minds the challenge.” she said as she turned to look at me.

When put in such a daring challenge, I couldn’t help but smile at the chance.

“…Thill, is there something you’re hiding from me?” asked Amelia.

But to her question, I remained quiet…unwilling to even say.

***

As the Leader left the house, he was seen outside, staring out to the vast sea.

His thoughts were simply out to his own mind…in a whirling motion of his inner self. Contemplating on the events that happened and will happen.

“…Leader, I’ll start making my way to collect the seven candidates.” said Elgor as he was seen holding on to his spear.

“Do it fast. We don’t have much time left before I leave this place…”

“Of course, but…Is something wrong? You seem troubled.” said Elgor.

“That boy…I have an unsettling feeling about him. Something about his entire standing, from the way he breaths, the way his eyes stared into my soul. His intent is clear, he seems like your typical straight-forward warrior, but I just can’t seem to get a read on his potential…it’s like staring at…my father.”

“…You are not wrong, brother.” said a feminine voice that suddenly came out of nowhere.

“!!?”

When the leader turned his head, he came to find that someone was able to enter into their domain.

A person who he never would have expected to arrive here of all places.

“Y-You?!”

“That boy…if I were you, I would have just given him the information. Because whatever choice you make, he is going to win either way.”

“H-how did you get here?!” he asked as his entire nerve shook at the sight of this person.

“Simple really, I just used a trick up my sleeve.” she said playfully.

As she arrived, Elgor stood ready to attack…but the Leader raised his hand, ordering him not to take action.

“…How did you recognize me even with this mask on.” he said cautiously.

“I could tell, because you’re my brother…my blood. Also, I’ve been looking into your actions lately in the past few months. Whatever magic you used, it lead me to here.” she said.

“…But why? Why are you here?” he asked.

“Simple really…to decide on what to do with that.” she said as she pointed to the skies.

To the direction of where her finger was pointing, a large magical circle appeared out of nowhere up above the house.

The Leader and Elgor could feel the sudden shift in pressure.

The next thing they knew, from that magical circle appeared four men. All wearing dark-red robes to cover their identities.

They all reeked of demonic energy…and by their arrival, came the sight of thousands of demons that gushed out of the magic circle behind them.

They rained upon the island like locust…

“No…they came!?” he said as a hint of fear flooded his voice.

To the commotion that was happening outside the house, Amelia, Jenny, the Vice Leader and Thill came out rushing.

And when they did…

““!!?”” everyone was shocked to find her standing by her own…unguarded, but fully incomprehensible.

And for Thill who saw her, he couldn’t help but seem threatened.

“V-Velorria.” he said, calling out to the woman who arrived uninvited.

”Hello Thill, it seems that surprisingly, you’re here as well.” she said.

And as she did, she also turned to the vice leader and smiled the same way she did to the leader.

“…And hello too, sister.” she said as she came upfront to their identities.

The vice leader froze at the mention…

“…V-Velorria.” she said in return.

In this surprising turn of events, one just can’t help but wonder what would happen next. Amelia herself wondered what was happening currently…

But none of their curiosities mattered. What was put before them now was the reality that an army of demons have invaded their domain.

And nothing but the thought of survival mattered at that very moment.

As more and more demons covered the sky with their flesh-like wings. The sky startedd turning ever so red and the air became even more harder to breath in.

To take command of the situation, the leader puts himself upfront and he raised his hand forward.

To his command, a magical staff appeared before him, and his pressure suddenly grew into something more threatening.

As a leader would, he took order of the rising threat.

“Everyone! Get ready to fight!!” shouted the leader.