Helping with Adventurer Party Management

Episode 715: The End of the Mercenaries

Heavy forces are coming, so the food problems of the swordtooth soldiers have been cleared up.

But I still have another headache problem.

It is the end of the captivity of the mercenaries who followed that Viscount.

"I wonder what's going on..."

Last night, even the amateur peasants were able to take turns watching because it was only for one night, and the mercenaries were expected to be released if they paid the ransom, so even at dawn tied to the mansion garden.

But when we're going to stay another couple of days to take over the territory, we have to do something about the mercenaries.

"You're not gonna hire me in this territory? You won't have enough men."

"I didn't even think about it, but you can't. Bareback is too bad to make villagers accept."

I was only fascinated by Jilboa's proposal for a moment, but dismissed it by recalling the reasons for the villagers' simultaneous beeping.

Those are the ones whose employer's eyes just slipped away and tried to tease their villager opponents of a triple bandit combo of robbery, kidnapping and rape.

I can't keep the village safe with those people in my arms.

"And what do you do when you do?

Jilboa's eyes glow cold. You mean, it's over?

No, and I shake my head.

Whatever it is in the fight, there is resistance to killing the prisoners.

"Let me ask that young lady to pay me in the form of a ransom. Weapons and protective equipment are confiscated and banished. Let them have enough food and water to reach the city. I can't wait to get robbed or anything on the way."

Ugh, and Jilboa sighs.

"Kenji is, as sweet as ever"

Sweet, I guess. Well, only the ransom will pile up the money, so can I be sweet?

I don't bleed like it.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

"That's why I'm letting you guys go. Confiscate weapons and protective equipment, but give them enough food to reach the city. The ransom was rebuilt by the Viscount. Be sure to return it later. I order you to leave this territory immediately."

Let the mercenaries write their vows for once. Nonetheless, they don't have any learning either, so I'm just going to read the contents here and let them sign the parchment.

The ransom is two silver coins per person. That's the value of these guys' lives when they exclude weapons and protective equipment.

I don't know if I'll give it back. It is the Viscount's responsibility to take it up.

"Damn, it's a huge damage!

"I'm sorry to hear of that Viscount's request again!

The surviving mercenaries left as they dragged their feet out of the realm on the sunset path, spitting evil.

"What do you think? Can they reach the city?"

I say as Kilik stares at his distant back.

"I don't know. From now on, the Demon Wolf might attack you. If someone was smart enough to hide the spark, they'd be able to cross it overnight."

Is there a 70% chance that you can reach it safely, 30% that you will drown in the wild, etc?

Nearby, Jilboa looks in the same direction with his example cold light.

Looking at the side of it, I somehow wondered if they would ever get to the city.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

The mercenaries became invisible, and some time later came the heavy unit of the Sword Fang soldiers.

Several Sword Fang soldiers are boarding two carriages loaded with seemingly sturdy luggage.

It's supposed to be a groundbreaking mechanism in this world, but...

"Kind of sounds like a regular interstate merchant"

That was my first impression. He said he was a heavy unit of the Swordtooth Corps, so he had the preconceived notion of having special gear or a carriage, but that's what he feels betrayed.

"That's right. Soldiers bought out street merchants who didn't do their business well."

Jilboa laughed.

Come to think of it, the Intercity Merchant is a retired adventurer, so both his gear and his faction have originally kept in mind his activities in the open.

If the Swordtooth Troops want to align Heavy Forces, it makes sense to buy those guys out.

It's natural, if you ask me, but it's only because we can come up with and execute the obvious, that Jilboa may be absolutely at the top of the list, even in the army of swordfangs, where the awesome array of people twitch.

"Now you don't have to fill your belly with bean soup during your stay"

"That's fine if you get used to it. Well, the meat will be plentiful."

I felt spit in my mouth as I watched the approaching carriage and slapped a light mouth with Jilboa, imagining the taste of meat I had not tasted in a long time.