Chapter 6. I Became the Contract Mercenary of the Duke's Daughter (1)
Corin was quick-witted, as befitting a merchant.
He immediately realized that I had come knowing everything.
"W-Wait! It's a misunderstanding!"
"What misunderstanding? This bastard, whose liver has swollen out of his belly beyond just getting fat, dares to scam me?"
"Y-You liked it too! You said you got pocket money from something you made as a hobby!!"
"Hey, you bastard. That was when you grumbled that you sold them for 10,000 Seria each and had nothing left. What? How much? 1.5 million Seria per piece?"
Corin's eyes rolled rapidly.
His panic at how on earth I found out was evident.
I thrust the contract I had written with Corin in his face.
"I knew this would happen, so it was a good thing I kept the contract. Look with your own eyes. What it says there."
Corin's Adam's apple moved significantly.
"T-That's… with commission… and distribution costs… if you take this and that out, there's nothing left! I have to make a living too!"
"Bullshit."
I grabbed him by the collar and threw him to the floor.
Thud—!
"If you don't want to get beaten up, answer carefully what I say now. Do you remember who bought those scented candles?"
"I-I don't know the names! Most of them were butlers or servants who seemed to be on errands! Since they were nobles, I didn't even write them in the ledger!"
I adjusted my grip on his collar and lifted the metal bat that was next to me.
Thinking of it as a Romance Fantasy, it wasn't strange at all why crap like this existed in the Middle Ages.
"Then spill everything about their descriptions, without missing a single thing. And also which family crests they were wearing. Right now. If you don't remember, I'll personally help you remember one by one with this physical 'Magic Wand'."
That was the product name the metal bat was being sold under.
Lorraine's request is not a simple hunt.
My scented candles were already shaking the high society of the Ashuhalt Duchy.
If I know who controls that demand, I can dig deeper into the heart of high society through Lorraine.
I slammed the metal bat onto the floor—Thud!—and added one more thing.
"Fuck, and bring me the money you embezzled right now."
I squeezed out every bit of information I could get from Corin's shop.
The descriptions of the nobles not written in his ledger, and even the trivial complaints they dropped while purchasing the scented candles.
I returned to the hut and unfolded a map.
It was a power map of the North I had handwritten based on information gathered so far.
At the apex was the Ashuhalt Duke's family, and below that, minor nobles like Julia's Marquis Helmon family and the Count Leont family were entangled like a spiderweb.
'Simply throwing her a bear claw and receiving a reward isn't enough.'
I rested my chin on my hand and stared at the candlelight.
What's the use of receiving Ahisha's Eye when there's no one around who knows how to use Aura.
To properly use Ahisha's Eye, I needed to get inside the Ashuhalt family.
Then I could watch the knights' Aura cultivation methods there, and if lucky, capture the scene of an 'Ashuhalt direct line' operating Aura with my eyes.
'I must get inside no matter what. But how?'
I had knowledge from my past life and survival skills hardened at the bottom for 10 years.
The 'Ice Bone Bear Scented Candle' was just a part of it.
'An item to influence high society….'
It was a new approach I hadn't thought of at all for 10 years.
Because until now, I had only fought ignorantly.
If so….
'Lorraine's exclusive contract mercenary… Right, that's the only way.'
That was the first goal I set.
A Duke's daughter treated as a nuisance within the family.
But she is of the orthodox bloodline of the Duke's family.
If I can just raise her to the apex of high society, her standing in the Ashuhalt family will be different from now.
Then the range I, as her subordinate, can move in will widen.
The decision was quick and the plan was set.
Now, only execution remained.
"To do that, first, I have to engrave into her bones that I am worth that much."
I checked the equipment hanging on the wall.
Ice Bone Bear.
I spoke easily to Lorraine, but without the transcendental power called Aura, that beast is not something one can catch alone.
A monster among monsters that barely gets caught even if about 20 skilled hunters drive it for three days and nights.
'But, not me.'
I packed my bag.
Three times more traps than usual, specially made oil, and even arrowheads coated with potent paralytic poison.
Like a Monster Hunter preparing for a hunt, I began to thoroughly design the hunt.
The 'Forest of Silence' in the west of the North, where the eternal snow rarely melts.
This is the territory of the Ice Bone Bear.
With a bulk twice that of a normal bear, and ice crystals containing magic power sprouting under its skin, ordinary blade strikes won't even leave a scratch.
I grasped the terrain of the forest starting three days ago.
Its droppings, claw marks, and main movement paths.
'It's more sensitive to smell and vibration than sight. And above all… it's strong.'
Being strong has an unexpected weakness.
'The strong let their guard down in front of the weak.'
That was like a truth applicable regardless of whether it was human or beast.
I laid traps densely between the narrowest canyon of the forest where it frequents.
Above the steel traps that bind feet, I stacked layers of Molotov cocktails designed to explode when its weight is applied.
Against an ice-attribute beast, fire is the most efficient poison.
'Damn, how much is all this….'
But money wasn't the issue.
How much time passed like that.
"Grrrrr…."
'It's here!'
The atmosphere vibrated at its cry.
The trees of the forest screamed as they snapped.
A giant white shadow revealed itself through the blizzard.
Ice Bone Bear. One of the strongest predators in this forest. Step one of hunting an Ice Bone Bear.
"Hey, fatty."
Reveal yourself and make it recognize that I am its prey.
I revealed myself from behind a rock above the canyon and provoked it.
Its gaze fixed on me.
It's obvious what it's thinking.
'Oh? A mere human isn't hiding but acting up in front of me?'
Simultaneously with that thought, the Ice Bone Bear kicked off the ground and rushed.
"Kroooooo—!"
'Kuk kuk, that's it.'
I activated 'Trace.'
Trace wasn't limited only to humans.
Of course, bear and human muscles are different, but I transmitted all information such as the direction it moves and attack methods to my brain in real-time.
Speed and power that would be impossible to dodge without these eyes that are practically precognition.
Kwaaaaaang—!
A large tree split with a single punch from it.
'Now.'
Just then, I pulled the rope.
Boom-boom-bang—!
The smoke bombs and Molotov cocktails installed at the canyon entrance exploded simultaneously.
Thick smoke and hot heat obscured the bear's vision.
But my eyes never missed it.
The moment it roared in confusion, I loaded the crossbow.
'Danel, the arrow reads the wind. Shooting is merely an act.'
A bitter smile flowed out.
It was a teaching left by 'Asher' of the Acies Mercenary Corps.
My eyes didn't just see muscles.
Wind, sunlight, slope, the softness and hardness of the ground.
My eyes, trained for 10 years, had now developed to a level where they could check all information necessary for combat.
Between its hard ice armor, the only exposed gap of the 'joint.'
And I 'saw' the blowing wind.
Twang—!
Thwack—! Thwack—!
Arrows soaked in paralytic poison struck accurately.
If I turn my back and run away here, it will also run away.
Because a wild bear is bound to give up on prey if it gets even a small wound.
Most hunters give up the hunt at this point.
Because if I run away when it should be chasing, approaching involves danger.
But I wasn't such an ordinary hunter.
I quickly kicked off the ground and dug into its bosom.
As the prey dug inside, the Ice Bone Bear's forepaw fell onto my head where my position was exposed.
'The muscle of the left shoulder is moving. This is a fake.'
It's a smart one, smart enough to use a fake against prey.
Whoosh—!
But I leisurely dodged even such an attack from it.
Passing between the bear's legs as if sliding, I hooked a pre-prepared wire onto its hind leg.
The giant bear, with its legs sealed, couldn't overcome its own weight and toppled over.
Thud—!
"Kyaooooo!!"
Phew, from now on, it's easy, easy.
"Brat, giving me trouble. Just prepare to become a scented candle."
I took out the small axe I was carrying on my back.
For breaking a beast's head, an axe like this is much better than a sword.
Crunch—!
It was the axe skill taught by Captain Barkas.
As the crown of the head, the Ice Bone Bear's only weakness, shattered, the light in its eyes began to fade.
Crunch—
Crunch—
"Grrrrrr… rrrrk…."
As a few more axe strikes were added, the roar that echoed through the forest finally stopped.
But this wasn't the end.
I drove my sword precisely into the place below its nape where the most vulnerable nerve bundles gathered.
Stab—! Staaaaab—!
Ice Bone Bears also have excellent regeneration.
This method was the best to kill it for sure.
Since I don't have Aura, I couldn't chop off its head, so I had to stab dozens of times.
My grip went numb and my breath came up to my chin, but I didn't stop.
I repeated the attacks like a machine until it lost strength and collapsed.
"Phew… disgusting bastard."
Covered in blood, I sat on top of the bear's carcass.
"This should be… to her liking."
Three days later again, Danel's hut.
Lorraine Ashuhalt knocked on the hut's door again.
Her expression was full of anxiety.
The tea party hosted by Julia Helmon was just around the corner, and she had bet all her stakes on Danel.
"You're here. You came early."
"Hello, Mercenary King. I was so expectant that I visited a little earlier than the promised time."
Danel, who opened the door, looked much neater than last time.
Seeing that appearance, Lorraine thought his looks were quite decent too.
It was an appearance that would have burned the hearts of many young ladies had he been born in a noble family.
Lorraine's gaze headed to the top of the table.
There, four giant and sharp claws of the Ice Bone Bear were laid out neatly.
"Ah…! Did you really, really catch it? And alone?"
Lorraine's voice trembled. The guard Kailey standing behind also examined the claws with astonished eyes. These were undoubtedly 'genuine.'
"As you can see, Lady."
"But why… are there only four claws…? Shouldn't there be 16?"
At Lorraine's question, Danel took out another small wooden box instead of answering.
"What is… this…?"
"It's not the item you requested, but a gift I prepared in my own way."
When Danel opened the box, a subtle yet unique scent that cooled the head filled the room.
Lorraine opened her eyes wide.
Seeing that, Danel smiled a smile of conversion.
"What you want isn't the claws, is it?"
Two days left until the tea party.
The reason Lorraine was in a hurry was that she needed time to make something as similar as possible to the scented candle of 'Corin Merchant Guild' with the claws.
But the scented candle in front of her was enough to blow away such worries of hers in an instant.
Her delicate and pretty nose sniffed.
"T-This scent is…! It's much deeper and richer than Corin Merchant Guild's goods. No, it seems like a completely different item!"
Danel shrugged his shoulders.
"Of course. Because what Corin sells is the unimproved old product."
At Danel's remark, the movements of Lorraine and Kailey stopped.
"What… do you… mean by that?"
Danel smiled a smile of conversion.
"It means the original creator of the Ice Bone Bear Scented Candle is none other than me, Lady."
Danel buried his body deep into the chair and stared at Lorraine.
"...What did you say?"
Admiration and suspicion dwelt in her eyes simultaneously.
Danel did not miss the opportunity and threw the bait.
"I heard your standing within the family is narrow, Lady. That you are ignored for having no talent in swordsmanship?"
Lorraine's complexion turned pale.
Kailey grabbed her sword hilt, but Danel lightly waved his hand to restrain her.
"If you attack this time, I will kill you. I'm not that good-natured of a guy. There's no reason to go easy on a guy who isn't even a noble. And it seems the Lady needs me more than you?"
"Kailey, put your hand down."
At Danel's brutal warning and Lorraine's order, Kailey broke out in a cold sweat and let go of the dagger.
"I have quite a few talents besides this scented candle. I could help the Lady trample foxes like Julia Helmon in high society and be recognized as a proud member of the Duke's family."
Lorraine swallowed dry saliva.
'How much… does this man know?'
The eyes of the one called Mercenary King seemed to pierce through her inner thoughts right now.
"What… do you want?"
Danel raised the corners of his mouth.
"Hire me as the Lady's 'exclusive contract mercenary'."
Lorraine's eyes opened wide.
Without fail, a sparkling effect flowed into Danel's eyes.
'Damn it… my eyes hurt… Even for something like that, an effect goes in?'
"Yes? You… as my guard?"
Lorraine seemed flustered, but Danel didn't stop.
"I hope this scented candle served as an answer. I have quite a few interesting ideas in my head besides this."
And Danel glanced at Kailey.
"And even as a guard, I think I'd be better than her."
Kailey gritted her teeth as if resentful.
"Kuh...."
World of Ro-pan?
Intrigues of high society?
To Danel, it was just the battlefield he stood on changing.
The ambition dwelling in Danel's eyes covered Lorraine.
Lorraine Ashuhalt looked alternately at the scented candle box placed in front of her and Danel's eyes.
She intuitively sensed it.
That this was an opportunity for change.
Lorraine was a bold woman.
She wanted to change her situation right now.
"Fine. Let's make a deal, Danel."
Danel also seemed quite flustered.
"I did say it, but is it okay for you to decide right away like this?"
Lorraine's eyes shone intensely.
"I'm not foolish enough not to grab a sturdy rope visible to my eyes."
He felt happy that things were flowing according to plan, but Danel's eyes frowned a little at the Ro-pan style effect emitting from Lorraine.
'Damn, if I stay with her, do I have to endure these shitty effects every time…?'
It was a more important issue than thought.