The Regression Of A Grand Mercenary

Despite his request for wanting to learn to use his power correctly, I declined it.

Simply put, I had no interest in teaching a man such a thing. There was no benefit for it on my end. So I simply ignored him. After saying no, I continued on my work.

For hours, I cut down tree after tree with no rest.

Each tree was taken down with only a single slash of my axe and for each tree I took down, my axe became duller and duller.

Until finally on the 50^th tree, I stopped and rested while sharpening back my axe.

During that time, Evelyn came by.

“I can’t believe you already cut down this many.” she said as she strolled by with her butler by her side.

“Hmm, at this rate you’ll finish faster than you can expect. How goes the design for your home and shop?” I asked.

“it’s halfway done. I already had an image I had in mind when I was given this project by my father, so it won’t be long now before we finish this.” she said.

“Great. And so far from what I can see, there’s barely any monsters that came by to disrupt the clearing. That’s a good sign.” I said.

“Hmm, I see. So tell me, how did you attain such a skill? I doubt anyone would be capable of cutting down a tree with just a single swing? Are you more than a blacksmith?” she asked as she smiled at me with a glint in her eyes.

But judging by our history together, I know she already has a hint that I’m more than just a blacksmith. To her asking me this is but a playful banter.

“…I know how to a wield a weapon. To me, it’s just as important for a blacksmith to understand how a weapon is formed just as much as how one is able ot wield a sword properly.”

“…Hmm, that’s a pretty intriguing logic. To us, not a lot of our blacksmiths that work for our family’s business comes close to your skill in the areas of a sword.”

“Mr. Thill, from what I’ve seen…the business of being a blacksmith isn’t really as lucrative here in the village. It’s more ideal to sell swords and armor out in the city.” said the old man as he joined in on the conversation.

“Hmm, that’s true. What I did just a couple of days ago was that I went to the city to sell my swords. It’s a bit of a hassle to leave my family behind while I go to do business, but there’s no other way for me to sell my work.” I said.

“If that is the case, how about we form some sort of contract. Our family isn’t shy to being a bridge for selling works that are worth their gold. If you can show an item that you personally made and it’s evaluated to be quite a promising work, we can do business together.”

“So your saying that you can help me sell my work through your connections without me leaving my home?” I asked.

“Of course.” said Evelyn with a smile.

“Hmm, I like that. Sure, I’ll agree to that.”

“Great, oh and speaking of work, I heard that there was a bit of conflict just a few hours ago. What happened?” she asked.

“Hmm…one of the mercenaries wanted to know about my skill. It’s not really something you should worry about.” I said as I tried to stir away her interest in the issue.

“Really?”

“Yes, they just wanted to see how I can use the axe the way I can.”

“Hmm, seems like it’s a problem on their end I guess. If it has nothing to do with the work here, then don’t mind yourself with something as pointless as that.”

“I know. I’ll get back to work soon once I finish up with sharpening my axe.”

“Hmm, from the looks of it, the sun is already setting. How about we end today’s work early.” she said.

“That sounds…nice.”

“Good. Desmond, what else do I have to do today?” she asked as she looked to the old man for her schedule.

“You have an appointed meeting with the town elder. He wants to talk about the possible exports that might help flourish the village.”

“Hmm, that’ll take a while…I guess I won’t be able to visit your family then, I’m sorry Thill.” she said.

“Eh? You were planning on visiting my home again?”

“Yes, your sister invited me. Is that a problem?”

“N-no, not really. It’s just that I didn’t hear anything like that from her.” I said truthfully.

“Hmm, since I can’t visit tonight, kindly inform your sister.”

“I will.”

***

As Evelyn left with Desmond to go to the village elder, I also made preparations to start going back to my home.

As I packed my things, I was unexpectedly met with Andel waiting by the very entrance of the lot. I thought he had given up, but I was wrong.

With his arms crossed and his presence overflowing with rage and bloodlust, I can easily tell that he wants to confront me. And it wasn’t just him…

11 of his other men stood beside him while adding their own form of bloodlust down my way. It seems as if they were all trying to intimidate me.

“…Is this how it’s going to be? Even when I clearly told you to leave me be?” I asked as I showed a bit of annoyance in my tone.

“That doesn’t matter in the slightest. You will adhere to my request, whether or not you like it!”

“That isn’t how a mercenary should work.”

“Huh?”

“A mercenary, to differentiate themselves from those of the bandits we find on the streets, ambushing us and killing and taking things from us forcefully, the mercenaries on the other end should act more humble to the people. They are not suppose to act as bastards when they are declined of what isn’t theirs…if you play this game, you’re no different from the bandits.”

“!?”

“So, tell me. Are you bandits or are you mercenaries?”

“…” being shocked by my words, the others turned to one another, looking for some kind of clarity on what to do next, and then when they couldn’t gain an answer, they turned to their leader.

“…” he was silent. But he looked to me as if he felt cornered.

“…Answer me. For a person who has lived as a mercenary for over most of your youth, where is your pride?”

“!?”

“If you can’t find pride in being a mercenary, then I suggest that you leave this kind of work and look on to other things.” after I said this, I walked pass by them and made my way down to the main road.

But as I did, I soon heard his scream.

“Wait!!”

“…”

“I…I do have my pride!”

“…”

“But there are some things more important than pride! Please! Teach me how to wield a weapon properly!” he pleaded to me with such a desperate voice.

“.…” If I don’t help him now, how long before he goes far in his plea.

I’ve seen many of his kind before. The desperate ones who are always aiming for power and improvement. But in the efforts of helping them, some turn to a worse faith than most.

With their newly found power, they become arrogant, selfish and egotistical.

They turn out to be worst than bandits.

“What will you plan to do if I will teach you?” I asked.

“W-what?”

“Answer me.” I said as I pushed through with my question.

“…” he was silent. For a man much older than I was, he was not clearly looking ahead of his own future. This was a sign that showed he clearly wanted power but didn’t think ahead of it.

“If you can’t give me an answer, then don’t bother asking for power when you clearly don’t have a goal in life.”

As I said this, I walked pass him and his men and started making my way home.

***

As I arrived at my home, I found Theodore waiting by the front of the door. He was leaning on it with every strength he could muster.

“…You should be resting.” I said as I could see his face as red as a tomato.

“N-no, I’m ready to go again on my training.” he said as he shakily stood up by himself.

“…”

“You…you said that I wouldn’t be able to go to the academy if I missed a single day of our training….well, here I am.” he said as he heavily breath like a dying animal.

…that tenacious look.

That desperation…

‘Hmm, he was willing to even risk his life to go forth with our promise…good.’

“Go to the backyard, I’ll go there soon after I put down my things.” as I said this, I made my way to the workshop.

As I did, I could see him slowly making his way to the backyard on his own.

‘…Looks like he really is serious of doing this.’

After a moment, I came to the backyard and I could see him leaning by the fence.

“Are you ready?” I asked.

“Y-yes…” he said.

“Before we start, where are your brother and sisters?” I asked.

“They all…went to the village centre. Some of the merchants came by today and Big Sis and the others were curious about what the merchants were selling.”

“I see. Well then, we don’t have a lot of time. In this case, since you’re so weak, produce a fireball in your current strength.”

“O-okay.”

As he held out his arm and opened his palm, he concentrated.

Seeing such determination, he gave it his all and produced a ball of fire the same size as my fist.

It was the usual strength of power from his past achievements.

‘Good…he’s doing well even with a fevered head. This is good for him.’

“Okay, again and this time produce a second fireball without extinguishing the first fireball.”

“!…O-okay.”

From his reply, I can see that he was bewildered. Well, don’t be so cocky Theodore. Just because you have a fever, I won’t go easy on you since you were this compliant on continuing our training.

We’re moving on to stronger levels of conjuring magic.

On his next attempt, he tried his best, but the flames wouldn’t produce.

‘Hmm, looks like he’s lacking control.’

I’m not a mage so I clearly don’t know what I’m doing. All I’m ever doing is going by instinct and letting my brother go past his current limits in using magic.

‘…this won’t do. It’s been over a minute and he’s barely able to produce a second flame. And from the looks of it, the first fireball is barely keeping itself together.’

“That’s enough.” I said.

As I said it, he quickly lost strength in maintaining his arms up and he fell to his knees.

“From the looks of it, you still lack control in manipulating your fireballs. I guess I was wrong on that part.” I said as I admitted my mistake.

“W-what should I do then?” he asked.

“For now, create a fireball and fire it to a distance.”

“W-where should I fire?” he asked.

“…Here, hit this.”

I raised a wooden bucket and I placed it on a fence.

“Hit it from where you’re standing.”

He was about ten meters away from the bucket. At this distance, it should be a challenge for him.

“I-I’ve never done this before.” he said.

“Yes, I know. All you’ve been doing is producing a flame in the palm of your hand. Here, If you can launch a fireball to a distance willfully, I can see that you have a sense of controlling your magic. If you fail, it means that you don’t have that much of a control over your magic.”

“…I’ll try.”

“Good.”

As he made another fireball, he threw it willfully.

And on his first attempt, the fireball flew to the direction of the bucket. But before it could strike the bucket, it lost its aim and instead made it’s way to me.

“Oh no! Look out brother!” he screamed.

But as the fireball came close, I only swatted it away with my hand. Easily was it erased with my hand.

*Fwosh!*

“…make another one and do it again.” I said as I look to him with a strict gaze.

“A-are you hurt?” he asked as if he was concerned.

“Yes, I’m fine. At your skill level right now, you can barely even hurt me with your flames. So don’t worry about me and try again.”

“I-is that so?”

“Yes, so do it again.” I said with a look of confidence.

“Okay…” from the looks of his condition, he was looking somewhat better than before.

It was strange. This shouldn’t be the case with how he was feeling.

Maybe it was because of his use of magic. Maybe magic is altering his condition in some way.

“…” but I shouldn’t abuse it.

After a while, he continued producing his flames and he kept firing his attacks. But not a single one got to the bucket.

He fired ten times, all at the size of a fist. But not a single one came close to scrape the bucket.

‘Impressive, they were all the same size, but he still hasn’t fallen yet. He’s improing alright.’ I thought.

Soon enough, on his 12^th attempt, he finally lost all power on his legs and he fell to the ground.

But before he could collapse, I caught him and carried him inside.

“W-wait, we’re not done yet.” he said.

“No, you can’t tand anymore. So we’re done.” I said.

As I put him on his bed, I wiped off his sweat and noticed that his fever has gone down.

“…”

“…Big bro?”

“Get some rest.”

“O-okay…”

As I left his room, I contemplated.

‘Hmm, looks like he’s improving…I don’t know how much, but he’s improving nonetheless.’

As I walked downstairs, I came to see my family return from the market.

“How were things in the village centre?” I asked.

“Hmm? Oh yeah…the usual. I both some things that’ll help with Tilly’s education.” said Theresa as she walked in carrying a basket filled with fruits and vegetables.

“Look big bro, I bought a new pencil and paper!” said Tilly as she walked up to me carrying her school supplies.

“Oh, that’s wonderful Tilly.” I said as I patted her head.

“Did you check up on Theodore?” asked Thomas as he came carrying a bag of rice.

“I did. He’s fine.” I said.

“Hmm, and how was the job given by Ms. Evelyn? Did you do a good job?” asked Theresa.

“I did. For now, we just did a clearing as per the plan and the same goes for tomorrow as well.” I said as I sat down on the sofa.

“Brother, we also bought some cookies from the bakery. Here, have some along with this new coffee beans we got on the centre.” said Thalia as she brought with her a paper bag that was smelling good with all sorts of goods from a bakery.

“Hmm, for some reason, we get to splurge now with things like coffee and bread. It’s a really great day today!” said Thomas as he puts down the rice near the kitchen.

Thomas was quite the spoiled brother who likes to eat. From sweets to bread and food, he’s never one to shy away from such an opportunity. He was a foodie.

“I’ll grind some of the coffee bean then.” I said as I approached Thalia.

“Um brother, is it okay for us to splurge like this? I asked Sister and she said that it was okay.” said Thalia.

“It’s okay. With this job given to me by Ms. Evelyn, we don’t really have to be worried about going hungry. Along with the fact that I sold all my swords just a couple of days ago, we got a lot saved up to not go hungry this month, so don’t worry about it Sis.” I said as I patted Thalia’s head.

“Hnn, if you say so.” feeling unsure, Thalia looks at me with a furrowed brow.

From then on, I started grinding the beans.

After a while, I made myself some coffee and paired it with the cookies brought from the bakery.

As I sat down on the table, I sipped my coffee and started to finally relax.

*Knock!**Knock!**Knock!*

Or so I thought.

“…Bro, there’s a guy out here and he looks pretty tough.” said Thomas as he looked outside the window.

“…damn.”

“Should I let him in?” asked Thomas.

“No, I’ll go to him.”

“Okay.” after this, Thomas went up to the kitchen and made his own coffee.

Feeling a bit hesitant, I still stood up and walked to the door.