Shall We Get Moving Again? (3)
"Ah, understood!"
Osval kept nodding while shouting his acknowledgment.
He had made a fool of himself, so continuing his mercenary work in this region was already out of the question. Instead, he should count himself lucky for surviving after picking a fight in the first place.
Ghislain's low voice continued,
"Everyone is now part of the Yulian Mercenary Corps. If anyone doesn't want to join, that's fine. But know this: forget about working as a mercenary in this region."
"Y-Yes, we'll comply."
"You're an exception, though. You seem somewhat useful, so I'll keep you."
"I-I don't want to—"
"Shh."
"T-Thank you. I'm so honored."
He wanted to quit immediately and return to his hometown, but rejecting this wasn't an option. That's how Osval was forcibly recruited into the Yulian Mercenary Corps.
Ghislain scanned the others and said,
"If you don't want to join our mercenary corps and don't want to leave, you can always become a bandit."
"..."
Who would do such a thing? They'd obviously be caught and punished by the man standing before them. After all, his nickname was "Bandit Crusher."
Becoming a bandit was a death sentence. It was better to leave entirely, but for mercenaries, starting over from scratch in a new region was a daunting task.
The problem wasn't just relocating; it was the restart from the bottom. With fighting being their only skill, they had no choice. Most of the mercenaries ultimately chose to join the Yulian Mercenary Corps.
Ghislain energetically welcomed the new recruits.
"Welcome, friends! Although we started with unfortunate circumstances, we're now one 'family'!"
"Yaaaay..."
"Our goal is to become the strongest mercenary corps! And we'll do it together, with Captain Yulian leading us!"
"Yaaay..."
The bandits and mercenaries let out lifeless cheers. Being forced to join was bad enough, but the goal seemed absurdly grand.
The supposed captain wore a shy expression, but it was clear to everyone that the real power rested with the vice-captain, Ghislain.
No one dared to challenge him. Everyone had witnessed how terrifying he could be.
Whatever else might be lacking, discipline was firmly established. Everyone followed orders without hesitation.
"Now, let's go capture the next group!"
Osval, startled by Ghislain's spirited declaration, asked cautiously,
"The next group? Who are we going after now?"
"We're going to bring every mercenary corps in this territory under us."
"A-Are you serious?"
"Of course. Now, move quickly."
"Uh, hyung-nim..."
"What?"
"If we grow too fast like this... we'll have too many enemies."
Osval, still holding some resentment from being forcibly recruited, voiced his concern. But this wasn't just personal. Any growing organization naturally faces resistance.
Especially since the neighboring territory had a terrifyingly powerful mercenary corps. They wouldn't stay silent.
Ghislain, however, seemed unfazed.
"What does it matter? Our goal is to become the strongest. If we gain more enemies, we'll just crush them all."
Ghislain's stance was unwavering. Fearing another punch, Osval couldn't push back any further.
Without delay, Ghislain set out to conquer his next target. The key was speed—absorbing as many groups as possible before word spread too far.
Few mercenary corps remained in the area. Many had already fled to avoid conflicts stemming from Ghislain's actions.
Before long, Ghislain arrived at several mercenary camps.
"What the hell? Bandit Crusher? What are you doing here?"
Thud!
"Hah, the fool we were going to punish came to us instead?"
Thud!
"You've got some nerve! You're dead today!"
Thud!
Everyone who confronted Ghislain was promptly beaten down. Even those who tried to resist were swiftly dealt with by Yulian and Kyle.
Ghislain relentlessly absorbed the mercenary corps, and they had no excuse to resist. Most of them had crossed paths with Ghislain's crew before and had a bad reputation to boot.
Witnessing Ghislain's grand "campaign," Osval couldn't help but be impressed.
'Is he really planning to take over the entire mercenary world? Can that actually happen?'
It seemed impossible. But seeing how Ghislain operated, Osval began to believe it might be feasible.
'No, I must be losing my mind. What am I even thinking?'
It couldn't possibly work. He reminded himself to stay sharp.
'I'll stick around and watch, but if they get cornered, I'll flee or surrender to the opposing side.'
Most of the remaining mercenary corps were small-time. The stronger groups had already left the region to avoid conflict with local lords.
But things were different across the border.
'There's a terrifying group in Crest County!'
Crest County, adjacent to Nordhill, was home to a formidable power. The lord, Count Crest, served under the most influential noble in the kingdom, Marquis Falkenheim.
This meant Crest belonged to the kingdom's strongest faction.
Naturally, Count Crest maintained a powerful mercenary corps, known as the strongest in the area.
If Ghislain continued like this, conflict with them was inevitable.
'No, that's when I'll make my move—either escape or surrender to them.'
Osval clung to his practical hopes as he observed Ghislain's antics.
After carefully observing Ghislain in action, Osval asked with a serious expression,
"Hyung-nim."
"What?"
"Why are you rumored to be a mage when you only fight in close combat?"
"Isn't it obvious? I look like a mage."
"No, you look like a berserker."
"..."
"I-I apologize."
"Hmph. I guess ordinary folks can't recognize it."
Ghislain felt a bit wronged. Recently, he'd taken a serious interest in magic.
Despite his strong body, he kept himself surrounded by a variety of magic effects—magic to maintain a comfortable temperature, boost vitality, and more.
He constantly used magic, letting its energy flow naturally through him, making magic an integral part of his life.
And yet, no one could recognize the sophisticated magic at work!
"What a shame."
It was a difference in perspective he couldn't do much about. But Ghislain was satisfied. His understanding of the world had deepened through magic.
After mastering the power of will, further progress had been difficult.
But learning magic helped him grasp the laws of the world, allowing his willpower to grow bit by bit.
"I never imagined this could be a training method. There really is no fixed path to enlightenment."
Ghislain felt content. His knowledge and techniques were becoming increasingly interconnected.
But he couldn't shake his disappointment at being misunderstood. To distract himself, he kept moving.
After quickly absorbing the remaining mercenary corps, he confronted the leader of the last one, who lay beaten and glaring at him.
"You think you'll get away with this?"
"Did you think you'd get away with messing with us?"
"......"
Other mercenary leaders had tried to intimidate Ghislain, but they had nothing to stand on. They had been the ones to provoke him.
Still, this was too much. Even criminal organizations didn't wage war like this.
The leader issued a final, dire warning.
"Your reputation has spread all over this region. If you keep this up, 'Ironclad' won't leave you alone."
Ironclad referred to the "Ironclad Lion Corps," the most renowned mercenary corps in the area.
The very mercenary corps that Osval had feared from Crest County. It was known for its overwhelming power, and the rumor that its leader had reached the high-level only added to its prestige.
Ghislain had already heard about them, but he wasn't intimidated in the slightest.
"I don't care whether they're called Ironclad or Tin-plated. Any mercenary who faces me has two choices."
"W-What are you talking about?"
"Retirement, or joining our mercenary corps."
"....."
"What's it going to be? You're no exception."
The mercenary leader hung his head low.
Retirement at his age would make it difficult to survive. But going to another region and starting as a rookie wasn't appealing either.
Osval, standing nearby, chimed in to support Ghislain's words.
"Yeah! Just join! Do you know what you'll get? Boss says you'll be squad leader as soon as you join!"
"...."
The mercenary leader felt anger welling up at Osval's taunting, but he couldn't argue against it.
Joining the Yulian Mercenary Corps would at least let him become a squad leader—better than ending up like spineless Osval.
In the end, the leader nodded and muttered softly.
"I'll... join."
Ghislain smiled brightly.
"Good. We're 'family' now. Let's work together to create the best mercenary corps."
"...."
The leader's eyes turned cold. What a grand dream this was. The commander seemed shy, but the deputy was brimming with confidence.
Thus, within just one week, Ghislain had forcibly taken control of all the mercenary corps in Nordhill.
The Yulian Mercenary Corps had grown overnight, now boasting over 100 members.
***
The leader of the Ironclad Lion Corps, Tyrann, was a well-known mercenary in the Kingdom of Teramont.
He was massive, with a body covered in muscles like solid rock, perfectly fitting his nickname, Ironclad.
His aura and presence were like that of a lion. No mercenary dared to meet his gaze directly.
Born a natural predator, he was known as the Ironclad Lion.
Many nobles coveted him and tried to recruit him, but he turned them all down.
His reason for rejecting wealth and luxury was simple: he didn't want to live his life under the thumb of any noble family.
Tyrann had a grand goal: to create the kingdom's greatest mercenary corps and ensure that no noble would dare to mess with him.
He was always working toward that goal.
"Soon, Count Crest will start a territorial war. We'll be participating, so prepare thoroughly," Tyrann announced to his gathered executives.
The executives lowered their heads respectfully. Their discipline was so strict that they resembled a regular army.
Unlike the free-spirited and disorganized mercenary corps, the Ironclad Lion Corps had a rigid hierarchy and strict rules.
Tyrann pointed at a map and addressed his executives.
"Before the Demon Realm stirs, we'll clean up as many factions in the kingdom as possible. That's the order from Marquis Falkenheim."
One executive nervously swallowed and asked,
"Are you saying... there's a possibility of civil war?"
Tyrann shot him a glare. Even if it were true, certain words shouldn't be spoken carelessly.
Realizing his mistake, the executive quickly bowed his head. Tyrann, after a moment's silence, continued.
"When the Demon Realm stirs, there will be no more territorial wars. And that means no more opportunities for us to shine."
For mercenaries, fighting against the Demon Realm was a pointless sacrifice. Even if they won, the glory would go to others.
Before that happened, they had to solidify their base of power. Territorial wars were the perfect stage for mercenaries to gain influence.
Of course, no one knew exactly when the Demon Realm would stir. For over a hundred years, rumors of its awakening had circulated, yet it remained dormant.
Still, humanity couldn't ignore the possibility of its reawakening.
"Don't worry about anything else. Count Crest will take the lead following Marquis Falkenheim's orders. For now, that's all you need to know."
"Understood."
The executives weren't overly concerned. Marquis Falkenheim's influence was vast, covering the entire kingdom.
All they had to do was ride the wave and expand their power.
Tyrann added a warning.
"But be cautious. Spread the word to all the mercenaries in the region—make sure they know which side to join. If they back the wrong side, they'll have to face us."
The Ironclad Lion Corps was a massive organization with 500 mercenaries. No small or mid-sized corps would dare oppose Tyrann.
And Tyrann believed it completely—after all, no mercenary in the area had ever survived after defying him.
A few days later, one of the executives, responsible for gathering intelligence, reported their progress.
"All the nearby mercenaries have agreed to follow our lead. Even those who won't fight have promised to remain neutral."
"Good. That's how it should be."
For mercenaries to collude like this was unusual, but Tyrann accepted it as the natural order of things.
That was his power. Mercenaries who valued their lives knew how to read the room and pick the right side.
With Tyrann controlling the local mercenaries, even the nobles had to concede to him.
Everything was going according to plan—until the executive shared unexpected news.
"The mercenaries near Nordhill... won't be joining us right away."
Tyrann frowned, caught off guard.
"Why not?"
"Because there are no remaining mercenary corps. They've all been... forcibly absorbed by a group called the Yulian Mercenary Corps."
"What? Forcibly absorbed? Nordhill had plenty of small mercenary corps, didn't it? I heard they were all active until recently."
"Yes. But they apparently provoked the Yulian Mercenary Corps a few times... and the Yulian Corps retaliated by absorbing them all."
Tyrann tilted his head in disbelief.
The absurdity of the story momentarily left him at a loss for words.
[Notice: Thank you for supporting my translations! I've launched a new website to host all my novels in one place. I will continue posting chapters here until I can update the links on Novel Updates. In the meantime, visit my new website "https://revengernovel.com/" and enjoy 5 extra chapters for free! Buy and Read all available chapters of the novel: https://payhip.com/revengerscans ]