The Regression Of A Grand Mercenary - 9 - To Meet Old Friends

Evelyn Amber.

The youngest daughter of the grand family known as the Amber Family. A wealthy family known for it’s large spread of influence in the matters of a merchant’s business.

In other words, the Amber Family was one of the greatest merchant families known in the kingdom.

Back in the past, Evelyn Amber was taken away by a few bandits on the road. That bandit in particular wasn’t the bandit with the hook, but a different bandit altogether.

This bandit group was more stronger…more experienced in the work.

Under the orders of the great bandit king, they would kidnap Evelyn Amber and put her on a ransom with a value of over 50,000 gold coins.

To make sure that she isn’t found, they would transfer her from one bandit camp to another. And she would only be returned once they pay the exact price.

And it was just a coincidence that after she was taken away, two days later, she was transferred to a base camp that was being lead by the bandit leader with the hook hand.

In that time, she spent an entire week trapped in a cage with a few other women along the bandit with the hook.

In the original time when Thill had not arrive to kill the entire bandit group, Evelyn would have been taken away the next day to another bandit camp and soon enough, it was in that third transfer that she would lose her life to the bandit leader of that group.

Thankfully, Thill arrived and prevented that entire event from ever happening.

But all of this was stopped by Thill without him knowing.

And because of this rescue, Evelyn vowed to herself that she would pay in return everything that Thill has done to her.

Despite the fact that Thill didn’t want to be mentioned, Evelyn simply could not ignore the nature of her savior’s actions.

He was kind…

Strong…

And gentle to the women…

Even when he wasn’t obligated to help, he fed them and helped them leave the crooked forest.

To her, it was as if he was a knight in shining armor, coming on the perfect day to rescue her and the rest of the other women.

On her way to the city, she could not forget the face of her savior.

His actions simply buried an impression down unto her heart. Like a nail to a coffin.

***

About early next morning, I finally arrived at the city.

Namely its called Samsel City, which was named after one of the great heroes of the past.

Samsel was the greatest spear wielder ever to live. And because of his passion for the spear, the city was formed like the spear’s head, where it spanned like a long line instead of a circular kingdom. The very point of the city’s entrance itself is made in a way that acts as a shield against enemies of different countries. The city was architectured in a way that stops anyone from damaging the front lines.

It’s hear that we moved after we were driven out of the village from the bandit’s invasion.

But now since I destroyed that group, there’s no chance of that ever happening.

Now then, since I’m here I can finally do what I originally intended to do.

Go to a blacksmith and sell my things.

And this city, I know of only one person who can see the same value of my sword the same way I do.

As I traversed the city streets, I can see just how much things have gone back to the way things were.

Back in the past…or at least what was the future, this city was nearly destroyed by two wars in my lifetime.

One was was started by an enemy from an opposing country and another war was through a rebellion to stop the leading duke who ruled over this city with an iron fist.

But for now, It’ll take a few more years before the city will be at war. As for the future dictator, I don’t really care for it. I don’t want to involve myself in any wars at all, because there are some things that aren’t worth the act of dripping blood for a country.

***

“…Huh, this place is just as I remembered.”

As I stared at a simple looking shop in front of me, I couldn’t help but reminisce of the memories I had here.

At the times when I was still starting off as a mercenary, I would usually end up sleeping here after every job. I didn’t have a place to stay back then and by my luck, the owner was kind enough to help me out.

It was this store that helped me out the most when I had lost everything.

As I stepped inside, I was immediately drawn to the sight of the owner.

Mr. Churi…

A simple man burly man with a mustache, raising a family here in the City of Samsel.

He runs a local blacksmith shop and he’s good with making weapons just like me.

But he wasn’t the person who taught me how to make a sword back then. It was a different person. Mr. Churi was simply a man who knows the value of a great sword.

Back then, when I was still being helped out by them, I didn’t really had an interest in blacksmithing. All I ever did was job after job, living day by day as rough as it was…

“can I help you?” he asked as he was polishing a sword with a piece of cloth.

“Good day, I was wondering if I could trouble with looking at my swords.”

“Hmm? You a blacksmith as well?” he asked as he turned to me with a curious expression.

“Yes.” I said as I put on a soft smile.

“…Hmm, sure why not.”

As he puts down his sword on the counter, I pulled one of my swords from my backpack.

“My name is Churi by the way, pleasure of meeting you boy.”

“The pleasure is all mine. Here, I just made it a couple of days ago and was thinking of selling it.”

“Hmm, why not sell it then?”

“I’m young and eager…so not a lot of the people that come by me, believes the true value of my sword. I need a confirmation from a blacksmith at least to actually give my work some kind of credibility.” I said.

“Hmm, true. It is hard for some blacksmiths that are just starting out. At best, to gain the recognition of your work, you need to at least have the backing of one of a few recognizable people here in the business of selling armors and swords.” he said as he picked up my sword from my hand.

“Now then, lets see what we have here…”

As he pulled a sword from its scabbard, the blade shined across his face, blinding him for but a quick second.

“!?”

His very reflection was being seen at the front of the sword.

“T-this is incredible. You said that you were the one who made it?!” he couldn’t contain his excitement.

“I am…and I was wondering if you would be willing to help me in selling the swords I made.” I said.

“…What’s your name boy?”

“Thill…Thill Cicial.”

“Cicial? I’ve never heard of that name before, but seeing this blade…you might as well be a genius.”

“How much do you think can you sell this sword for?” I asked.

“Hmm, if it was me who was selling it, I would price it at around a gold coin each.”

“I know, but no one is willing to buy that much for a single sword.”

“No one normal that is…but if you want to sell this sword to someone who won’t deny it’s value, you need to introduce it to a true sword master.” said Mr. Churi.

“…I see.”

“Judging by your expression, you don’t know anyone who’s a sword master. But luckily for you, I know a guy here in the city.”

“Who is it?”

“He’s a great man with a great reputation here in the city. And he’s also my friend.”

‘A friend?…Ah right, there’s only one man in the city here that Mr. Churi considers one of his greatest customers and friends.’

Although I do know a couple here in the city, I don’t have a connection to them at all. If I were to just walk up to them and show them my sword, they’ll probably attack me before we could reach an agreement.

“Are you really willing to help me out?” I asked.

“Of course. I wouldn’t have agreed if your sword was just like any sword at a shop…but the sword you showed me today is clearly more greater than anything I’ve ever seen. You’re a genius and to support a growing genius, I wouldn’t mind lending you a hand.” he said.

Mr. Churi was always generous…

This side of him has never changed. Not even to his death.

“His name is Liondel, you can find him at the Guild. And if he ever ask, just tell him that the Murly sends his best.”

Murly, a fun way of saying Burly Mustache. That was his nickname here in the city.

“How do you have a connection to a sword master?” I asked.

“I tend to his weapons from time to time…anyway, use this chance well.”

“I will…thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

***

I know full well who Liondel was.

A great master swordsman who is working for the Samsel Guild here in the city.

Guilds are often used as a way for adventurers, mercs and warriors to find work.

It’s here that most of the strong people gather.

And for a swordsman like Liondel, who was among the top five strongest here in the city, you can’t help but be amazed by their achievements.

Slaying dragons and orcs and so many monsters. Their names were spread wide all over the kingdom.

Back then, I would come to the Guild to earn some work and usually, I would find Liondel standing around the corner waiting for some work as well.

He was a sort of silent type. Barely ever said a word to anyone he doesn’t really have a close connection to. But you could tell that he was a decent man.

At one time, we exchanged blows against one another using nothing but our skills. He won of course, but that was only when I was still mastering the Tempest Blades of the Gale.

Either way, now that I gained the recognition from Mr. Churi, I can finally move forward with selling my swords.

As I made my way to the guild, I came across a lot of soldiers on the street. They were marching like a uniformed group.

Steady but also heavy, they made their presence known to the people who were also drawn in by their marching. Continuing my observation, I finally understood why they were marching at a time like this.

They were escorting the noble family that was ruling over this city.

The family known as “Spiel Family.”

Duke Samson Speil, the great grandson of the once renowned spear hero, Samsel Speil.

Having passed the name and greatness of the hero, even to this day, the Speil family continues to protect the hero’s legacy.

Samson’s reputation around the city was decent. He was a great ruler and a kind father. Equal in giving and punishment and reward.

To see them roaming the streets with such a show of power, I can only imagine that this was some sort of way to remind the people of their existence.

But I have no way of knowing how nobles think…so I don’t really care either way.

After the ducal family passed through, I finally was able ot cross the street and make my way to the guild.

It was here that I took my first ever job as a mercenary.

There were two kinds of jobs filled here in the guild that work under the same manner as doing guild work.

Mercenary and Adventurer. The differences between the two are slim, but…

Mercenaries are primarily driven by profit. They take on contracts or jobs from employers in exchange for money, and their loyalty often depends on who pays the most. They might fight in wars, protect caravans, or hunt dangerous creatures, but their focus is on earning a living, regardless of the moral implications.

Adventurers on the other hand are typically driven by a sense of exploration, personal growth, or a desire for fame. While they might also accept rewards, their motivations are more varied and could include seeking legendary treasures, helping people, or even pursuing personal quests like vengeance or finding rare artifacts.

To me, back then…my life didn’t mattered much. I was an expendable in the line of work.

I was always hired to do the dirty work.

Killing for revenge.

Killing for profit.

In others words, mercenaries were people who were willing to be criminals in turn for coin while adventurers are simply wanderers in hopes of gaining a reputation for their name in a good sense.

Adventurers could even become great heroes like Samsel, the hero of this city. While mercenaries, even if their reputation grows, it won’t ever come to have the title of a hero, if anything we gain a sort of symbolic mark on our backs.

We become what the people call a Warlord.

And I was one of the many who gained such a title.

Anyway, I’m no longer listed as a mercenary, and I don’t have the ambition to become an adventurer. All I am right now is a blacksmith.