Tell Them to Come in Person (1)
Tyrann briefly retraced his memory.
"Ah, right... the Yulian Mercenary Corps."
He had heard about the Yulian Mercenary Corps a few times before.
Back then, he thought they had some level of skill, but that was all. He had dismissed them from his mind long ago.
There was no need to pay attention to a small mercenary corps that hadn't been around for long.
But now, they had supposedly absorbed the Nordhill Mercenaries! When did they pull off something that daring?
For a small mercenary group, their growth was incredibly fast. But having good growth and obeying his words were two entirely different matters.
"Didn't you pass my proposal to them as well?"
"Yes, since they merged into one, I figured it'd be easier to manage and delivered it, but... they refused."
"Refused? They rejected my proposal? Did they not know who I am?"
"No, they knew well about you, captain. However..."
"However, what?"
"They said not to force them. Mercenaries are people who work for money, so as long as the payment fits, they can go anywhere."
"Those bastards dare..."
Tyrann's eyes burned with fury.
He was a predator. Any mercenaries who dared to rebel against him were thoroughly crushed.
That was why all mercenaries in the region feared and followed him.
With a voice like a boiling cauldron, he commanded,
"Contact them right away and tell them to meet me. Tell them to come as fast as possible if they don't want to die."
There were always people like that. Those who, after tasting a bit of success, got full of themselves and acted arrogantly.
For a newly formed mercenary corps, they seemed to have grown too bold, too fast.
Such people needed to be shown the gap in power directly. Only then would they bow down on their own.
Following Tyrann's order, several executives of the Ironclad Lion Corps set out to meet the Yulian Mercenary Corps.
When they arrived, Ghislain greeted them with an arrogant expression.
"Tell him to come in person."
"What did you say?"
"Who do you think you are to summon others? If someone has business, they should come themselves. Why should anyone go to someone with no business to discuss?"
The executive from the Ironclad Lion Corps was at a loss for words. He couldn't understand why the other side was acting so boldly.
"Didn't you say you know our captain?"
"Of course, Tyrann. Captain of the Ironclad Lion Corps."
"And yet you won't come?"
"Why should I go just because he calls? Is he a king or something? Even if a king calls, I wouldn't go if I didn't feel like it."
"..."
The Ironclad Lion Corps' executive stood there, dumbfounded, his mouth hanging open. He couldn't fathom how someone could be this brazen and clueless.
After a pause, he asked again, just to confirm,
"We're not imposters. We really are from the Ironclad Lion Corps."
"Sweaty name aside, I said no. N-O."
Ghislain emphasized each syllable firmly, and the executive's expression twisted in frustration.
Under normal circumstances, he would've already punched him and beaten him senseless. But this place was essentially enemy territory.
Judging by the dazed expressions of the other Yulian mercenaries standing around, capturing them wouldn't be too hard. Still, there were too many of them.
Not to mention, the core members of the Yulian Mercenary Corps were rumored to be quite strong.
After biting his lip a few times, the executive finally responded,
"You'll regret that arrogant attitude."
Ghislain chuckled softly and replied,
"I've heard that a lot. So many times. Do you know what happened to everyone who said that and came at me?"
"...What happened to them?"
Ghislain pointed to the sky with his finger and said,
"They all went to meet the goddess. Oh, except for one cat and the woman who owns it."
He smiled contentedly as he said this.
Back when he had told Amelia something similar right after regressing, he had to trail off awkwardly. At that time, everyone had still been alive and well.
But now, it is different. Ghislain had sent them all to the afterlife, just as he had claimed.
However, to the executive, who was unaware of Ghislain's past, his words sounded purely arrogant. His face turned red with rage.
"Y-You... insane bastard..."
How could someone spout such arrogant nonsense without even knowing how strong the Ironclad Lion Corps was?
He wanted to draw his sword and behead him on the spot, but he held back. Instead, he gave one last warning before turning to leave.
"Let's see how long that confidence lasts. Make sure your neck is clean and ready."
"Your threats are as bland as your name. Sure, I'll be waiting. Bring as many as you want."
Gritting his teeth, the Ironclad Lion Corps' executive stormed off, fuming at Ghislain's mocking tone.
Watching the confrontation nervously, Osval spoke up with a tearful expression,
"Hyung-nim! Do you know how strong the Ironclad Lion Corps is? They have over 500 members! Their captain is rumored to be on the verge of reaching high-level knight status!"
"Oh, really?"
"If we fight them, we'll all die! You don't know how much the nobles are scrambling to recruit Tyrann. They say he's skilled enough to become a knight commander anywhere!"
"Ah, I see."
"I'm telling you, we'll lose if we fight!"
Osval was genuinely trying to stop Ghislain.
He was planning to flee as soon as a fight broke out, but there was still a chance he could get killed in the chaos. Preventing the fight altogether was the best option.
But Ghislain remained unmoved.
"If they come at us, we'll crush them. Honestly, unless it's a dragon, mere 'humans' are nothing..."
Ghislain trailed off, feeling a bit embarrassed to boast any further.
Meanwhile, Osval was on the verge of a mental breakdown. To him, Ghislain was just another human.
'Seriously, he's out of control. Fine! When the fight breaks out, I'm switching sides immediately!'
The Ironclad Lion Corps would surely retaliate. Rumors were already circulating about an upcoming territorial war.
They wouldn't let Ghislain's arrogant attitude slide without consequences.
Just as Osval predicted, Tyrann was left flabbergasted when he heard the report from his executive.
"If he has something to say... he expects me to go to him?"
Since his early days as a rookie mercenary, no one had ever treated him with such disrespect.
Even nobles treated him generously—what mercenary would dare to challenge him?
For a moment, Tyrann's mind went blank. Ever since he had gained power, this was the first time he had experienced something like this, and he wasn't sure how to respond.
But he soon gritted his teeth and clenched his fists tightly. In an instant, rage filled him from within.
"They have about 100 members, right?"
"Yes, a bit over that. I'd say about 120 members."
"Well, they sure stuffed themselves in a short amount of time."
It was an impressive accomplishment, but that was it. It was nothing compared to the power of the Ironclad Lion Corps.
Besides, most of the mercenaries left in Nordhill were low-tier.
"Their mercenaries aren't that skilled, are they? I think sending around 50 men should be enough to 'educate' them."
"As you say, there aren't many skilled ones among them, but... their vice-captain is a mage."
"A mage? Ah, right, I remember hearing about that. They said he helped the baron find a dark mage. What circle is he?"
"That's a bit unclear. The baron claims he's fifth circle, but rumors say he's actually fourth. Seems the baron exaggerated."
"Hmm... Nordhill' baron seems to be showing off a bit."
A mercenary corps tied to a noble was effectively part of that noble's forces. After all, Count Crest also knew how to make good use of them.
So, the lower-circle rumor was probably true.
Still, even a fourth-circle mage wasn't to be taken lightly. In a small territory, that level could qualify someone as a court mage. It wouldn't hurt to be cautious.
"Send vice-captain Zark. One hundred men should be plenty. If the mage tries to resist, break his arms and legs. Don't kill him."
This much was to save the baron from losing face. Tyrann had to be mindful of his connections with the nobility.
However, he wasn't the type to let a persistent fool live.
"If he's really beyond reason... then just kill him. I'll visit the baron later and smooth things over."
"Understood."
The baron of Nordhill wouldn't have a choice but to accept Tyrann's apology. The Ironclad Lion Corps could easily crush Nordhill, given its weak military.
They only bothered to maintain good relations to avoid giving other nobles an excuse to attack under the pretense of punishing them.
Soon, Vice-captain Zark, a few executives proficient in magic, and 100 capable mercenaries departed from the Ironclad Lion Corps' headquarters.
Hearing the report that they had set off, Tyrann clicked his tongue.
"Even if they're a newly established mercenary corps, how could they be so oblivious? This world isn't a place where you survive just because you have some skill. Tsk, tsk."
By crushing them thoroughly, they would learn a valuable lesson. And, on reflection, this situation was actually favorable for him.
"We can simply recruit the mercenaries they forcefully absorbed."
It wasn't that Tyrann lacked the power to do so before, but he hadn't had a legitimate reason.
Even in the mercenary world, justification mattered. Expanding recklessly without cause would eventually invite retaliation from larger mercenary groups in other regions.
But now, things had lined up perfectly. The Yulian Mercenary Corps had handed him the justification on a silver platter.
By stepping on them properly, Tyrann could absorb the mercenaries from the dissolved groups. There was no way the forcibly recruited members had any loyalty to Yulian.
"Not a bad outcome. Just the right sign before the war."
Tyrann smiled in satisfaction. Thanks to those fools, replenishing his forces had become much easier.
While the general mercenaries might not be that impressive, the former captains should be quite useful.
Recently, good things had been happening more and more often.
"Good, very good."
He had a great feeling about this.
***
The executives of the Ironclad Lion Corps returned to Ghislain, this time with 100 mercenaries in tow.
Ghislain looked at them and asked,
"What? You're here to fight?"
The Ironclad Lion Corps' vice-captain, Zark, responded with a heavy voice,
"We're giving you one last chance. Apologize for the last time and go pay your 'respects' to our captain."
In this world, being disregarded meant the end. Their captain, Tyrann, had been disrespected, and that couldn't be left unchecked.
So, this was their final warning.
Standing before 100 of the Ironclad Lion Corps' mercenaries, most people would be tempted to concede.
Sure enough, the members of the Yulian Mercenary Corps started shifting uncomfortably.
'Damn it, I knew this would happen.'
'Things really escalated.'
'When's the best time to run so I don't die here?'
They were all visibly nervous. Compared to the Ironclad Lion Corps, their individual skills were lacking, and they were vastly outnumbered.
Since the Ironclad Lion Corps had come fully determined, the outcome was practically decided.
But Ghislain, unaware of the others' thoughts, grinned and said,
"What if I refuse?"
"Then we'll have to 'educate' you a bit."
As soon as Zark finished speaking, the Ironclad Lion Corps' mercenaries all drew their clubs.
They didn't intend to kill anyone. Their goal was to beat them just enough to make them realize the difference in strength.
Of course, some unfortunate accidents could happen, but losing a few men wouldn't be a big deal.
Zark looked around and shouted,
"Anyone who wants to fight us, feel free! But know this—anyone who does won't be forgiven. If you don't fight, we'll consider taking you into the Ironclad Lion Corps!"
Upon hearing that, the recently recruited mercenaries took a step back. Naturally, they had no intention of fighting.
The other side had even opened a way out for them, promising to take them into a better mercenary group.
Who would refuse such an offer? The newly recruited mercenaries all humbly retreated and waited for the result.
Ghislain shook his head at the sight.
"Sheesh, no loyalty."
He understood, though. How much loyalty could they have when they hadn't been together for long?
And given the Ironclad Lion Corps' overwhelming reputation in the region, it was only natural for them to be scared.
With a relaxed smile, Ghislain spoke,
"Alright, so who's staying with us?"
Unsurprisingly, none of the newly recruited mercenaries stepped forward. No one dared to imagine fighting the Ironclad Lion Corps.
But, surprisingly, ten former bandits stepped forward, trembling but resolute.
It was obvious to anyone that they didn't want to be there—they looked like they were being forced. This baffled the other mercenaries.
'What's with them? Are they idiots?'
'Do they think loyalty matters when they were forced to join?'
'But they're too scared for this to be about loyalty. So, why are they stepping forward?'
The former bandits were indeed terrified, but despite their fear of the Ironclad Lion Corps, they couldn't take their eyes off Ghislain.
As if they instinctively recognized who the real predator in this situation was.
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