The Regression Of A Grand Mercenary

As I hid myself on top of a branch, looking over the vast white ground that was stacked with snowy powder, I leaned over to the sight of a butchered leg tie over to another branch from a distance, waiting for a certain monster to come around.

’Hmm…Its been four hours. Should I just give up?’ I thought to myself.

But right before I could give up, it finally came.

Out bursting from the deep thick layers of snow appeared a monster who’s sharp teeth were reaching out to bite off the butchered leg I hanged over a tree.

But before it could take the leg, I threw my spear and pierced it in its back.

The monster died before it could take the bait.

“Geez, I’ve been waiting for you all day.” I said as I walked up to the dead monster.

Clear to the sight of its snow-white fur which was drooling with its own blood, the monster known as the Alba-Fox, was known for its ability to sneak past any environment like an assassin and take its prey by leaping with its strong hind legs and catching them by surprise. Standing over at around two meters in height simply by standing in all four legs, and going to about three and a half meters in length, the Alba-fox is quite large in size.

From animals to monsters and even humans, the Alba-Fox is known for its sharp teeth that are quite tougher than steel itself. And along with its ability to cloak in the environment, the fur is quite valuable if a blacksmith can turn it’s ability down to a suit against the climate.

If I make a jacket out of this, I can easily sell a fortune. But ever since I showed my skills to the Amber family, I got worried of what would happen if someone were to take advantage of my weakness simply because of my great work.

For now, I’ll settle by making a pair of swords for Liondel made from the fangs of this Alba-Fox. As for its fur which it quite large, I’ll make a jacket out of it, but I’ll keep it for myself.

We’ll make our way to the city two days from now, so I only have time to make the swords.

After an hour of carrying the fox from the deep forest, I finally made it back home.

As I put in inside the workshop, I started butchering it right away.

Because of its large size, I was able to finish it in over an two hours. With this much meat, we don’t really have to worry about our supply. Other than fox meat, we also had the other local meats in stock for the winter.

As I put the meat into the storage, I then took the fox’s skin and started to stretch its pelt…after that, I started tanning it. After a while, the sun finally rested and I put the fox skin in the side.

I did so much for the day, but I still had to work.

If I continue this work, by tomorrow mid-day, I will be finished and I can show my work to Liondel.

***

The day passed on as it should, as as the afternoon finally settled, I was done with my work.

“Phew, just in time.” I said as I gazed at another masterpiece.

From the shine of the blade alone, it reminded me of the powerful presence brought about by the Alba-fox…if I can assume the price alone, a single sword alone will cost around fifteen gold coins. Which are ten times more expensive than the previous swords I made for Liondel.

“Okay, lets end this for now and start packing my things.”

As I put the swords into their scabbards made from the bones of the Alba-fox itself, I then went home to find that everyone was busily managing thir things.

“Did you know where the winter jackets were placed by mother? I can’t find Tilly’s jacket anywhere.” said Theresa as she was packing Tilly’s things for the journey.

“No, maybe its in the attic.” said Thalia as she was folding her clothes neatly into her suitcase.

“Agh! I can’t find it! Where is it!!” said Thomas as he was digging through his cabinets.

“What are you looking for?” I asked.

“My lucky gloves! Remember last winter when I was able to throw a snowball so far, it hits an owl hanging by the tree, well…I can’t find it! I remembered putting it in my cabinet, but its not here!”

“Hmm, I think I last saw father using it when we both went into the woods to hunt. If I remember it right, the gloves got all torn up while we were venturing across the woods…so father decided to leave it behind.”

“What!?”

”Well, don’t be so mad. You were right about one thing. You’re gloves were lucky. We found a deer and brought it home right after father threw your gloves away.”

“Why didn’t he told me?!”

“He probably forgot…the deer was so heavy back then, we barely remembered your gloves when we finally got back home. We had to go over a mountain and down while carrying a heavy dead deer.” I explained.

“Eh…my gloves…my lucky gloves!”

“Oh don’t be so down, at least we didn’t go hungry that night.” I assured him.

“Here, use this.” said Thalia as she handed her brother an extra pair of gloves that were a bit worn out.

“Wha- this is old!”

“Don’t complain, its better than not having gloves at all in this time of winter.” she retorted.

“Where’s Theodore?” I asked as I couldn’t find him inside the house.

“He’s out in the back. He’s things were already prepared, so now he’s just tending to the horse and the carriage.”

“Okay…”

After a while, I too had my things prepared. And when everyone was ready, Theodore brought the carriage to the front of the house. Little by little we started putting our things into the back.

And as we did, soon enough, Evelyn and Rosker came by to our home.

“So today’s the day you leave?”

“Yep, by tomorrow mid-day, we’ll arrive in the city.”

“Okay, and do you have the name of one of our father’s friends. The one who wwill help you manage your place in the city?” asked Rosker.

“I have your father’s recommendation in my satchel. And we’ll quickly make our way to him as soon as we arrive.” I said.

“Good, and what about your horse? Do you think a single horse alone can manage all six of you? Asked Evelyn as she looked at the horse.

“Don’t worry, the horse can manage. And besides, we’re not really in a rush to go to the city right away. We’ll take our time if needed.” I said.

“How long do you think you’ll be gone for?” asked Evelyn.

“A week at least…maybe more if my plans in the city ever delay.”

“Plans in the city?” asked Rosker.

“I’m planning on meeting with Liondel to seel my swords.”

“Liondel…the Hundred Blade master? That Liondel?”

“Yes…” as I confirmed, I pulled the swords I made from the Alba-fox material and showed it to Rosker.

he gazed down on the sword and admired the sheer beauty it showed.

“Incredible, how long has it been since you made this?” he asked.

“I completed it an hour ago…after I hunted the Alba-Fox yesterday.”

“Haha, you never cease to amaze me.”

“Tell me, as an experienced merchant, how much do you think this will go for?”

“Hmm, knowing you, you made this to its utmost potential and from an Alba-Fox no less…if it were up to me, I would have made the price to about 15 to 30 gold.”

“Really?”

“Of course, if you guarantee its quality simply by the beauty of its creation, 30 gold is the utmost I could sell it for.”

“Haha, well, I evaluated this to be about 15…I guess I can raise the price then.”

“You better. If not, you’ll fail to recognize the value of your talent. I’ve learned from my father once that to those who have the talent, they must always bring about its utmost greatest, and in exchange for it, they shall witness a greater reward.”

“I see. Your father really does say a lot. Like from what I’ve heard, there’s always money from a satisfied customer.” I said as I turned my gaze to Evelyn.

“Yes, he is a man with many great advices. My father may have an interest towards the warrior life, but in his heart, he is ambitious and as willing as any great merchant in the history. If he wasn’t so brave in the conquest of growth, we wouldn’t be a known name.”

“True, you’re father is worth every respect.”

“Thank you, anyway, I should be going now. Evelyn, you came here to see them off, I on the other hand have business elsewhere.”

“Okay brother, I’ll see you at home.”

As Rosker left, Evelyn was on her own as she watched my brothers put their things on the carriage.

“Evelyn?”

“You’ll be gone for a week… it doesn’t seem like a long time, but the thought of you leaving makes me feel uneasy,” she murmured, her voice trembling. Her hand pressed lightly against her chest, fingers curling as if trying to still her own heartbeat.

I sighed softly, my gaze shifting to the busy scene outside where my family packed for the journey. “I can’t leave them on their own, Evelyn. You know how dangerous the city can be, especially in the slums.”

“I know… I’m sorry for feeling this way,” she whispered, her eyes downcast, guilt lacing her words.

As her worry lingered in the air, I turned back toward her. The noise of my family faded as I stepped closer.

“Follow me inside,” I said as I instinctively reached for her hand.

Her amber eyes flickered with curiosity, but she followed without hesitation.

“W-where are we going?” she asked as we entered back into our home.

Once we climbed up the stairs and into my room, I turned to face her.

She was curious as to why I brought her here…

But to answer her curiosity, I simply let my actions speak for me.

Before she could question me more, I lifted my hand and I caressed her cheeks. Her skin was soft and warm under my fingertips, and I could feel her breath hitch as I leaned closer.

“A week feels long to me too.” I confessed, my forehead resting against hers.

As we stood here in my room for a moment, with me caressing her cheek,

She in turn, moved her hands up to my chest, resting them as she felt my heartbeat.

“I’ll miss you,” she said softly, with her voice carrying a vulnerability that made my chest tighten.

As her fingers lingered, tracing the rhythm of my heartbeat, I placed my hand over hers, then slowly moved to feel her heartbeat in return. Beneath her delicate frame, it beat quickly, echoing the tension in the room.

When my hand brushed her bountiful chest, a soft, involuntary sound escaped her lips—an innocent, unguarded reaction.

“Hnn~.” she moaned so innocently…

Heat rose between us as our emotions for one another were clear to the idea of taking action…but I held back even with my thoughts racing. The urge to pull her closer, to touch her, to explore every inch of her, surged within me. Yet, I hesitated, unsure of what she truly wanted.

“…”

But before I could withdraw, her hands caught mine, pulling me closer, guiding me.

“Touch me…” she breathed, her voice thick with desire as her gaze locked down on mine.

And to her request, I complied.

Her flushed cheeks and trembling form drew me in further.

As my other hand was busy touching her breast, my other free hand moved to her waist, sliding hesitantly down to her hip, until finally I came to touch her round arse…

“!?” She shivered at my touch, a whispered moan slipping from her lips.

“Ahh~”

Time seemed to stop as we gave in to the moment, our emotions intertwining simply by touch alone…but our hands were not enough to explore our current desires…

For every moan she made, I stared at her expression with such a lustful wonder…

I couldn’t take…and I knew she felt the same…

So before we could think otherwise, Her lips found mine, and we kissed deeply, passionately, as if the world outside no longer mattered. Her hands explored my back, pulling me closer, and I responded in kind.

Making out as we are…filled with the emotion to rip each other’s shirt and dress, I slowly but surely guided her gently to the bed. With my weight pressing her down as I hovered above. Our eyes met, and in that shared glance, words were unnecessary. She pulled me in, her kisses trailing from my lips to my neck, igniting a fire that I struggled to control.

And because of our lust towards one another, I couldn’t help but feel the heat coming from her privates…

So heated…so alluring, I couldn’t stop myself from reaching in and touching her there…

“Ahh..~” she moaned for a bit, but soon held my hand, stopping me as I tried satisfying her.

“N-not yet,” she stammered, her voice trembling but resolute.

I froze, meeting her gaze. Her flushed cheeks and swollen lips betrayed the same yearning I felt, but her words carried a promise.

“Once my family leaves… and when you return… I’ll let you take it, my body, my innocence, my love…I’ll let you take it all…” she said softly, her tone a mix of apology and anticipation.

I exhaled slowly, pulling back as she adjusted her dress, her playful smile returning.

“Sorry,” I murmured, rubbing the back of my neck. “I got carried away.”

“It’s okay,” she teased, her tone light despite the tension. “If things were different, I wouldn’t have let you stop.”

Before we left the room, I embraced her one last time. I let my arms linger around her slender frame, hoping to convey what words couldn’t. She leaned in, placing a final kiss on my lips.

“I’ll think of you every night and day,” she whispered, her breath warm against my skin.

“Me too,” I replied, my voice low.

When it was time to leave, I glanced back one last time. Evelyn stood there in the village, her soft eyes following me, silently saying everything her lips couldn’t.