The Regression Of A Grand Mercenary

The purpose for the gathering was simple…

To gain the attention of the youth.

Despite the already growing fame of her name, Velorria simply wishes to cement her standing officially.

She wanted everyone to see that she stood on business…business that relates to her own future.

And whatever that future was, she was ready claim it.

From the moment we both locked eyes at one another, I knew instantly that she was planning something. She had that same expression of greed that was as grievous as that of a demon.

Nothing about this youthful gathering felt right…

I had to be prepared.

So after the gathering of the youth was finished, I put on back my helmet and walked with Evelyn back to the real ballroom. It was here that everyone soon reunited with their families.

As we came to greet her father and mother, we were also meet with an entertainment of sort to pass the time.

At the center of the room was a magician who performed beautiful artistic magic that caught the eyes of every noble and high-class men.

The sight of blooming fireworks and flowing waters in the air made it very majestic. Everyone cheered, but soon, it ended and the host of the room announced the coming of the king and queen.

At the very moment the king stepped into the light, magic suddenly overflowed into the entire ballroom that was hosting over thousands of people.

Everyone could feel the pressure of his arrival.

It was said that the king knew of magic and that he was a powerful mage capable of fighting armies by his own hand. In my past, I have never once seen him take action in a war, but feeling his presence now, it was no doubt powerful.

As the murmurs died down and the echo of the trumpets faded, the King stepped forward beneath the chandeliers, his golden eyes sweeping through the vast crowd.

The magic that had filled the room shimmered faintly around him — not as a display of power, but as an unintentional revelation of how deep his aura ran.

Then, in a calm yet thunderous voice that carried across the entire ballroom, he spoke:

“My beloved citizens… nobles… and children of this golden kingdom. Tonight, I see not only familiar faces — but the bright future that stands before me.”

He paused, allowing the silence to draw reverence from the crowd.

“Our nation stands strong — prosperous, and ever faithful under the light of the Sun God. But as history has shown, peace is not eternal. Like the waves that crash upon the shores, the world tests our strength… and our hearts.”

His eyes moved across the young nobles gathered, his gaze sharp — as though each of them were being weighed and measured.

“This festival is not merely for revelry. It is to remind all of you — the next generation — that the burden of tomorrow will one day fall into your hands. You who stand before me will shape the age to come. Through trade, through discovery, through strength, through unity… and perhaps through sacrifice.”

A flicker of magic pulsed faintly from his fingertips — a golden ripple that illuminated the banners above, revealing the royal crest of the Goldensun family shining down upon the hall.

“Our kingdom endures because of our people’s will. Because of your fathers, your mothers, and their forefathers before them. But the time is coming when that legacy must pass… to you.”

He then looked toward the royal children standing near the dais — Vello, Velorria, Verice, and the rest. His tone softened.

“And to my own children… know that the light of our crest does not shine because of power, but because of duty. The crown is not a prize — it is a burden. To rule is to serve, to lead is to bleed.”

The room fell utterly silent. Even the youngest nobles stood straight, hearts pounding.

Finally, he raised his goblet slightly.

“So tonight, let us not speak of bloodlines nor houses, but of hope. May your generation rise to protect what has been given — and forge a future that even the heavens would envy.”

With that, his wife — the Queen — stepped beside him with a graceful smile and added softly:

“Let this night be one of unity, not competition. For in the end, we are all bound by the same sun.”

And as the crowd erupted in cheers, I couldn’t help but feel…that the King’s words carried something heavier.

Almost as if beneath the warmth of his speech, a warning was hidden — a prelude to a storm.

So much was to thought of. Every hidden intention…the secrets behind their words…

I worry what will happen to me, to my family…and to the people who I carry the responsibility for protecting.

“Hmm? Is that who I think it is?” in all my worries, something else caught my eye.

By the corner was a knight who stood over 9ft tall, wearing a full gold-plated armor, with a spear by his side which was just his height.

After all these years, he still looked the same…my friend.

Always wearing that cursed armor, and always carrying that spear his mother left him.

A mercenary who was a half-giant and a half human…Elgor.

To think that he came here of all places.

I thought he hated formal places like these…I wonder who he’s guarding right now. For them to be able to hire him, they must have payed a high price. A hundred gold at least. That man will never come to places like this if it were not for the gold.

“Wait…is that Amelia Daklis?”

Why was she here?

Of all places, she should be gathering her strength for the fight ahead against the coming war against the demons.

No better yet, she hass to gather her strength and oppose all of her enemies. This includes the pope of the Alticrast church, and the Partrus Church which has attacked the village once.

Both churches are already steaming with corruption hidden from the publics eye. If she wants to win against the demons of the Umbravor Empire, she needs to gain the support of her church, the Alticrast Church. But seeing as how she has yet to gain their support because of their corruption, she has to overthrow them.

To do that, she needs power…and allies.

To do that…she needs to act accordingly.

Based on her history in my memory, she attacked the Partrus Church because of their corruption. In their defeat, this caused her name to grow throughout the nation, leading to newfound allies and strength.

Once she defeated the Partrus Church, she would then rebel against the Alticrast Church to fully gain their strength and ending their own corruption.

Once she gains the strength from both victories, it was then that she would move to war against the rising threat of the Umbravor empire.

“…Hmm.” seeing her now, I could tell that she has just grown her core to the fourth stage, the same as me. The last time I saw her, she had only developed it to the third stage. Looks like her progress is slow.

“Hmm? What’s wrong Thill? You keep looking over to that side.” asked Evelyn as she then turned to the same direction I was staring at.

And to her surprise…she saw Amelia Daklis as well.

“…Doesn’t she look familiar?” she asked.

“Maybe.” I said.

“Hmph…I wonder who she is.” she said as was curious to someone who look like a princess instead of a saint.

Wearing a beautiful sky-blue dress which matches with her sky blue eyes and light-golden hair, she was more of a princess than anyone in the room.

Every noblemen who turned to see her were hooked to her beauty.

One after the other, they couldn’t help but approach her, but Elgor the half giant, stood between each and every one of them. Not a single man could approach her.

All except for one man.

The eldest prince. Vello Constance.

With his black suit and red eyes, one would assume him to be a vampire in written fictional novels. Some called him the dark prince…

And I can’t blame them.

Because of his perfect beauty, even the women of the ball began to take interest around the corner of the room.

As the two meet, murmurs began to louden.

“And to who may I ask is this beautiful lady?” said Prince Vello as he extended his hand in courtesy.

“Emily…simply Emily.” she said.

“Truly, out of all the women who stand here today, you are one of the most beautiful.”

“Thank you for your compliment. Coming from the perfect prince himself, I truly value your words.”

“Haha, please, enjoy the ball. It wold be such a waste to simply stand by the corner as the night goes by.”

“Thank you, I’ll do that. But for now, I am simply waiting for someone to come by.”

“A friend?”

“Hmm…yes.”

“I see…”

Using my heightened senses, I could hear their conversation even to where I was standing.

And from the looks of it, Amelia was using her fake name even to the prince. So seeing this, it looks like she was trying to hide her identity. But surely the prince himself knows who she truly is.

Even the guard hounds knew who she was…

From what I remembered in our last conversation with Amelia…

It seems that the king was watching her closely, but they could not take action because of the conflicts that might rise between them and the church that they were affiliated with. The Alticrast Church.

Its possible that in all of this, the king or maybe even one of his children is the one responsible for helping Amelia against her enemies.

It could be that the eldest daughter of the king, which is Princess Verice could be the one to be involved in the matters. Seeing as how she is closely involved with the church itself. She knows the goings of the church both inside and out.

Or maybe even the second princess Valorie Kind, who was known to be saint herself for her own sense of kindness.

Either way, the one involved in Amelia’s matters is clearly a powerful one with a lot of influence, seeing as how their actions and support lead to Amelia’s victory against the Partrus Church.

“You know, for a prince as handsome as he is, he doesn’t have a record of any sort of scandal.” said Evelyn.

“Strangely enough, I’ve heard that he’s almost reaching thirty, but he has yet to take a wife.” said Sherry as they both began to gossip in silence.

“It must be hard to find someone who could actually stand next to the prince.” said Evelyn as she looked empathetic.

“Why not the Duke’s daughter in Samsel City?”

“I don’t know. Oh speaking of which.”

As Evelyn and Sherry stared from the distance, by the gathered gazes of the people, a lady with beautiful blue hair and yellow gem-like eyes came to approach the princce and Amelia.

“Your Highness, do you remember me?” she asked as she bowed to the prince.

“Ah, Lady Samantha Spiel. It’s been so long since I’ve last seen you.” he said as he smiled at the sight of the duke’s daughter.

“Unfortunately, my father could not come to the festival. Things have been rather busy at the city with the sudden rising threats of…certain groups.”

“Oh? And who may they be?” asked the prince.

”As of now, we have yet to figure out their identity…and it isn’t bandits, that I assure you, it’s a group that seems more professional.”

“Hmm, if anything ever does come up that is of major issue, please do not hesitate to send me a letter personally. I shall raise my own personal army to aid in this trouble.”

“Thank you for the offer your highness. But although it sounds enticing, my father says not to worry. He knew you would say those words, so he assures you and the king that he will handle this before the season ends.” said Samantha as she tries to assure the prince.

“Hmm, I see. Your father is ever as hard-headed as he once was. It’s a joy to hear that he hasn’t changed even to his old age.”

“Hehe, of course…”

Hearing their conversation, it seems that the duke’s family and the prince seems to have a close relation with one another. Close to a point that the daughter of the duke is making light jokes with the prince himself.

Oddly close…that it starts turning heads from some certain nobles.

Having listened to their conversation, it soon dawned on me that certain eyes were making their way to the Amber family as well.

Some even turn their heads to me…or more specifically, my armor.

Oone specific head in question was…the Duke’s daughter who saw me for a glimpse of a second, and then away.

I thought she would lose interest like the others…but soon, I noticed that she was walking her way to our direction.

“…?”

“Excuse me.” she said as kindly called out to me.

I tried to ignore her, but…she kept pestering me.

This quickly caught the attention of Evelyn who was just beside me.

“L-lady Samantha.” said Evelyn as she was surprised by her visit.

“Ah, you must be Evelyn of the Amber merchant family, yes?”

“Yes, and beside me is my close friend, Sherry Cotton of the Wagon Cotton delivery services.” said Evelyn as she introduced Sherry.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Lady Samantha Spiel.” said Sherry as she bowed in courtesy.

“Yes, I’m familiar with your family. Viscount Cotton…he came to the city once to make a deal in expanding your services. Luckily, the two were able to reach an agreement.”

“And for that, we are ever so grateful.” said Sherry.

“Yes, of course…but before we move forward, I’m curious about the fellow standing behind you.” she said as she pointed to me.

“Oh, this is my hired guard.”

“Hmm, yes…I was wondering…I know this may seem odd, but your armor looks oddly familiar.” she said.

“And why is that?” asked Evelyn.

“Although this may seem rude of me, but one of the strongest members of my father’s guild is known as Oxy…and as you may have heard, he has surpassed the ever so powerful and legendary, Liondel, the hundred-blade master.”

“Of course, we’ve heard.”

“Well, in truth to Oxy’s grand victory…partly the reason for it was because of the armor he wore when he fought Liondel. It was such gracious and powerful armor, even to someone like me, I could easily see the difference in power when he was wearing the armor and not. When I tried asking him about it, he simply spoke that a friend of his was responsible for creating such armor. And he refused to let out any information regarding the blacksmith who made his armor. Oddly enough, the armor of your guard is similar to that of his….it may just be a coincidence, but may I ask where your guard was able to purchase such armor?” she asked.

When asked, Evelyn quickly turned to me and she looked worried. She knows that I don’t like to gain attention this way…even with my helmet covering my face, she could tell the expression that I was making.

So calmly, she smiled and turned back to Samantha.

“…he can tell you that himself.” she said.

Eh?!

She didn’t even try to make an excuse…she just threw it all on me.

“A-ah…I bought it off from a blackmarket.” I said in a coarse voice.

“That’s a lie.” said a voice that suddenly came out of nowhere.

When I turned my head, I saw the prince himself approaching us as well.

I was shocked.

And beside him was…Amelia putting on a calm smile while Elgor was tailing behind her as her guard.

And to add more fuel to the flame, I could feel the familiar gazes of a certain princess that was staring daggers at me from the balcony.

Seeing all of them gathered here made things more heavier than I could have expected. I wanted things to happen at an easeful streak…but this was completely the opposite of what I wanted.