The Regression Of A Grand Mercenary - 75 - Advice Given and Heard

Our conversation didn’t last long after the letter was revealed by Evelyn. She and her sister quickly grew absorbed in their own discussion, their voices rising and falling with excitement as they pored over plans for the coming Spring Festival.

It wasn’t hard to see why.

The invitation was more than just a chance to mingle with royalty; it was a stage upon which the Amber family could finally stand and be noticed. To leave behind their status as commoners and step toward the life they had always dreamed of—nobility.

Their ambitions stretched farther than most villagers could imagine. For them, this festival wasn’t merely celebration; it was the key to an old door that had been locked for generations.

But while they talked strategy in low, fevered tones, I had quietly excused myself.

I found myself out on the balcony of Evelyn’s home, the cool night air brushing against my face. The stars were sharp and unblinking above me, as if the heavens themselves were eavesdropping on my thoughts.

And my thoughts were heavy.

‘Haa… It can’t just be a coincidence, right? Her sending a letter directly to Evelyn… is this her way of telling me she knows where I am?’

Velorria.

Her name alone unsettled me. Not because of fear in the traditional sense—I didn’t cower before her. Rather, I feared the inevitability of our meeting. The day we would stand face-to-face once more.

What would I do then?

Against her, what options do I truly have?

She was not the kind of person one could simply approach with anger, nor with neutrality. Every path would lead to consequences. Every word would ripple like stone-cast waves upon still water.

Truly… I did not know.

“Hmm, so you were here.”

Escanor’s voice broke through my storm of thoughts. He emerged onto the balcony carrying a squat bottle of rum and two glasses filled with ice. The soft clink of cubes against glass was oddly grounding.

“…” I stayed silent, still half-lost in the stars.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, studying me. “You’ve seemed out of it lately… like you’ve seen a ghost. Wait, did you actually see a ghost?” He grinned, tossing the question with mock seriousness.

“N-no,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “My head is just filled with a lot of unnecessary thoughts.”

“Really?” His brow rose.

“To be more precise,” I admitted, “I don’t know what to think.”

“Oh, if that’s the case,” Escanor said with a shrug, setting the bottle down between us, “then at times like today, it’s best not to think at all. Just let the world spin. Here—drink with me.”

He poured, the amber liquid catching the moonlight, and slid one of the glasses toward me.

“Thank you,” I said softly, accepting it.

The rum burned pleasantly down my throat, chasing away some of the unease.

We stood in quiet companionship for a while before Escanor broke the silence again.

“So,” he said, eyeing me sideways, “I noticed your core has developed again. Aren’t you rushing it, growing your core this quickly in your life?”

“I know,” I admitted. “But I’m being careful. Unlike those reckless warriors who push themselves until their bodies collapse, I listen to mine. I know my limits. My strengths. I understand the opportunities in each stage of growth. My body… inside and out. Unlike most people.”

“Really?” Escanor chuckled and took a sip. “If that’s the case, then I don’t have to worry.”

But his words only made my chest tighten.

“…Tell me,” I asked suddenly, “am I doing things wrong?”

He blinked. “What do you mean?”

“The Village Defense Company,” I said quietly. “Was I hasty in involving those boys into trouble?”

“Huh,” Escanor tilted his head. “Are you looking for trouble?”

“Not particularly,” I answered. “But the things I plan to do… will involve trouble sooner or later.”

He swirled the rum in his glass, watching the ice clink softly. “Hmm. As long as it’s not as stupid as pointless killings, I don’t see the harm in your actions.”

“I won’t sink that low. I’m not a bandit.”

“Sure,” he said, his tone lighter but his gaze sharp. “But sometimes, certain situations lead to… unmasked actions.”

“I’ll be careful.”

Escanor studied me for a moment, then suddenly laughed. “You know, speaking of rumors—I heard whispers about you and Evelyn. Are things really moving forward that fast?”

“…” I gave him a flat stare. “I’m not going to answer that trap of a question.”

“Oh, come on,” he pressed with a mischievous grin. “Be honest with me. When did you decide to marry that girl when you’ve barely known each other for a year?”

“…I guess it’s the way we treat each other,” I said after a pause. “I don’t know much about relationships, but I try to be as open as I can. I express myself as much as possible… and I hope my actions don’t anger her.”

“Hmm. That’s good advice,” Escanor said, nodding with the satisfaction of a man who’d tested the same path. “Sounds like you two are really in love.”

“You don’t see any faults in my relationship?” I asked curiously.

He smirked, setting his glass down. “Let me give you six words of advice from a married man. More specifically—a man married to an Amber.”

I leaned slightly closer. “Okay… what is it?”

“Respect. Communication. Trust. Patience. Commitment…” He took a slow sip, then smirked as he added the last word. “…and sex.”

“Eh?”

He burst into laughter, the sound ringing through the night air, and for a moment the weight in my chest loosened.

I blinked at him, heat rushing to my cheeks. “Did you really just say that so casually?”

He chuckled again, setting his cup down with an exaggerated shrug. “What? You thought I’d leave that out? A relationship without it is like bread without fire—doughy and unfinished.”

I rolled my eyes, but the corner of my mouth betrayed me, tugging upward. “You’re impossible.”

“And yet,” he leaned closer, his grin softening into something more genuine, “you’re still here.”

The warmth of his words settled over me, and for a moment, I couldn’t find a reply. My chest felt lighter, the night air less cold. I fiddled with my cup just to keep my hands busy.

“…Respect, communication, trust, patience, commitment,” I repeated slowly, almost as if testing the weight of each word. Then I looked at him and whispered, “If we have those… then maybe the rest will follow naturally.”

His eyes caught mine in the firelight, steady and unflinching. “Exactly…and don’t forget the last part.”

And in that quiet exchange, the laughter faded, but the closeness lingered—something far more grounding than jokes or smirks could ever give.

The next day…as early as the dawn came, already, Escanor and Eliana were ready to set out to their journey back to the kingdom.

We had a lot of fun last night. It felt like I had made friends with them…simply put, I grew to love them.

And seeing them off, I felt an emotion that made me remember of my past. In times where I would encounter new people and we would separate in our journey…it was that same feeling.

To be separated…

Truly, I came to understand that to feel these things meant that I cared for those people…

“It’s only been a short while, but I’m going to miss them.” I said to Evelyn as we both waved goodbye to them.

“Really? I see…then if we ever get the chance, lets visit them next time.” said Evelyn.

“I’d love that.”

***

Inside the training ground, all of the boys were already lined up in front of me in the a perfect formation.

It looks like Mario was able call up everyone yesterday.

Now that their here…its finally time that we start.

“I’m sure everyone of you is worried of what we have planned today…its simple. You’re graduating. And from here on out, I’m going to spend the entire day evaluating each and every one of you through combat. I’m sure some of you curious as to what this means…and its honestly simple.”

“For each and everyone one of you, you can choose a weapon that you find is your specialty…and when you’re ready…step into the training grounds circle with me and I’ll fight you one on one. There is no time limit…no limit to consider at all…all except for that fact that if you want to end the fight, just concede your defeat. After that, I’ll evaluate your skills and where you need to go moving from here.”

And before you leave the training ground circle…once I give my evaluation of you, in return, you need to tell me if you want to stay…or if you want to leave my company.”

Hearing my explanation, everyone was nervous…

But simply put, after I told them everything, I simply made my way to the circle and waited.

I sat in a lotus position and waited…

“…Anyone can come into the circle, but they must come ready to take my life. Once you do…I will act not to dominate you, but to teach you.” I said while sitting.

***

Mario’s POV:

No one moved…no, more specifically, we didn’t know what decision to make.

He waited…for minutes he simply sat in silence at the center of the training ground.

He waited…

And for each second that passed by, none of us could make the decision to act.

It was hard to decide what to do. Even though there was only one choice left for us to do, which was to face him head on, something about his presence unnerved us.

We felt fear from his challenge…Fear unlike any other monster could reveal.

But finally…after fifteen minutes of silence, someone stepped up before him.

It was Astin.

“Hmm…so, are you ready?” asked Thill…

And in response, Astin bowed before the Captain with full of respect, and he raised his sword forward. When greetings were made, the captain stood up and faced Astin in the same respect.

Without saying anything, Astin made the first move by rushing in.

Without hesitation, he called to attack at every direction.

Astin’s sword cut through the air with speed and desperation, each strike sharper than the last. His footing was solid, his intent clear—he wasn’t holding back.

The Captain parried the first blow with the flat of his blade, letting the force slide past him as though Astin’s strength meant nothing. The next strike came from the side, then overhead—Astin pushed harder and harder, his teeth clenched, his breath rough.

But the Captain didn’t counter.

He only moved when necessary—sidestepping here, tilting his wrist there, always a step ahead of Astin’s rhythm. Every time Astin thought he’d found an opening, the Captain’s presence pressed against him like a wall.

“Good.” Captain finally said mid-clash, his calm voice cutting through Astin’s storm. “Your form is clean. But your heart—” he blocked another heavy swing and twisted his form, forcing Astin to stumble back two steps. “—your heart is trembling. Do you feel it?”

Astin’s chest heaved. “…I—”

“Fear clouds you,” Thill continued, lowering his blade for only a moment. “You fear failing. You fear me. But most of all, you fear yourself.”

Astin’s grip tightened. With a roar, he surged forward again, this time faster, stronger, as though he could crush the fear with raw will. Their blades rang in rapid succession, steel against steel echoing across the silent training ground. It was in that moment he ineffectively activated his core without his notice.

But to the large gap between their strengths, nothing barely changed.

Each swing made the irons ring across the ground…each swing made everyone feel the difference in power between them. And they knew it was impossible to overcome the Captain.

At last, He shifted. He met Astin’s downward strike head-on, their swords locked, and with the slightest motion of his wrist, he disarmed him. The boy’s weapon clattered to the ground.

The Captain’s blade rested just an inch from Astin’s chest.

“Concede.” he said softly.

Astin’s eyes widened. His body shook—not from the danger of the blade, but from the weight of everything Thill had said. Slowly, he lowered his head.

“I concede…”

Thill sheathed his sword in one smooth motion. “You fight well, Astin. Your courage is real, but your fear chains you. Break that chain, and you will stand taller than most.”

Astin bowed deeply, sweat dripping from his brow. He stepped out of the circle without another word.

The Captain looked back at the line of boys. His voice was calm, unwavering.

“Next.”

And without hesitation, I followed next.

I stepped forward with a blank, emotionless expression. Unlike Astin, who fought with a sharp aggression, I carried myself with steady beat—I didn’t want to be reckless…and that should have made me a bit more confident in myself, but from the moment I stood before Captain, all of my confidence faded away.

I knew I couldn’t win…none of us could.

But still, I fought to prove myself…to convince myself that I had changed.

For a moment, the training ground grew quieter. The boys watching leaned forward, eager to see how long I would last.

The clash began. I struck first, testing the Captain with a flurry of controlled blows. My strikes weren’t wild, but measured, pressing in without giving him too much room to counter. We both moved back and forth, blades clashing in rhythmic bursts that echoed like drumbeats across the yard.

Yet, just like before, his calm, deliberate movements slowly began to unravel my rhythm. He wasn’t rushing. He wasn’t panicking. He was simply… waiting. Watching to see how I was compared to before.

And when the opening came, he exploited it with frightening precision. A single twist of his blade sent my weapon flying, the tip embedding into the ground just a few paces away.

I blinked, leaving me with hard breaths, my pride stung but not entirely broken. I had lasted longer than most would have thought—but the result was the same.

The boys whispered among themselves.

“Again?!”

“Mario too…”

“He didn’t even look tired…”

The spar moved on to the others. Garon, Relin, Dellen, Bannis, Vern, and even Malvoy. One by one, they took their turn. One by one, they fell.

Some didn’t last a minute. Relin, despite his speed, made the mistake of lunging too eagerly and found himself disarmed in under thirty seconds. Bannis tried to overpower Thill with sheer strength but crumbled the moment his guard slipped. Vern’s attempt at clever footwork was read and countered with almost insulting ease. Dellen barely managed to lift his weapon again after Thill’s first strike sent him sprawling.

The only ones who pushed him past two minutes were Me, Malvoy, Garon, and of course Astin.

Malvoy’s defense was stubborn, his shield-work absorbing blow after blow, but Thill’s persistence eventually cracked through. Garon’s dexterity and accuracy forced Thill to adjust his footing more than once, yet it was still not enough.

And so, as the sun climbed higher, the matches continued until midday. Sweat glistened on foreheads, clothes clung to backs, and the smell of dust and effort filled the air.

By the end of it, the results were clear.

Every boy had fallen.

Every attempt had ended the same way—with Captain standing victorious.

He was untouched. While our bodies were left with marks along our bodies and sweat dripping downour jaws, his breathing on the other hand was steady, his composure unshaken.

Many sat slumped on the benches or lay sprawled on the grass, groaning from sore muscles and bruised pride.

Astin still scowled, I scratched my head with a begrudging smile, and Malvoy crossed his arms with a thoughtful frown.

But the truth was undeniable.

Captain had beaten us all.

“Get some rest…all of you. And once you’ve decided, come to my office..and tell me if you want to stay..or you want to leave. The choice is entirely yours.”

My choice was obvious…I wanted to stay. Looking at my progression since I joined his company, I have obviously grown stronger compared to my once fragile self.

But what about the others?

What about those who dreamed of becoming adventurers…

I know some of them who already want to stay behind as well. Like Garon who only wanted a stable job to support his family, and Relin who was the grandson of the village elder, they wanted to stay. Yet I couldn’t say the same thing for the others who had their own ambitions ahead.

Especially Astin who had the most talent out of all of us…

He always bragged about being an adventurer once before we all joined the Captain’s  company…but know, I can see the uncertain face of his even from the distance.