Chapter 26

True concern

 

A couple of days have passed since the mercenaries joined us on our trip, since then nothing has happened that is worth telling. We have continued advancing and stopping regularly so that I rest and Ryuuji has his training.

Although the mercenaries were not precisely planned, I think I can put them to good use once I can have them sufficiently controlled. As for the provisions for the trip, it's not as if a dozen extra mouths were no problem, but I stored in my item bag enough food to continue as we are for a couple of weeks. Anyway I have made them hunt small animals and collect edible berries, fortunately the captain is well informed as to what you can and can't eat in the area.

Although the berries and fruits they collected were enough, they barely managed to capture a rabbit. For some reason there are few animals, moreover, we have not encountered any monsters in our path.

Considering that even in secluded Galia, I met some minor monsters since the first day I was in this world, its suspicious that in all the way we have done, we have not seen any. Even if they were intimidated by our number, there is no reason not to see little monsters like the <<Skvader>> that according to the captain and the books of the academy, abound in the area.

No doubt this is suspicious to me, which is why I had the Harp that follows us review the surrounding area. Apparently in the north, where we are going, there are still no monsters, while to the west he could see some ... Suspicious.

During the nights we camp. Mercenaries sleep outdoors, since I didn't bring tents for them. The captain and his men rotate the night watch, to keep them guarded. It's while they sleep that I take the opportunity to alter things a bit using Ren.

Something that I noticed from our first meeting, is that the victims of their song do not remember it, although if someone presents resistance like me, the sound can be annoying. Although it isn't so if the effect is not directed at me, I not yet understand how that works, I thought the area of ​​effect was as far as the sound could be heard, but it seems not to be so.

In any case, if it's done while they sleep it can exert a milder and imperceptible influence, which doesn't generate mental gaps or suspicions. They don't know it, but their desire to betray me is subjugated before it grow up and replaced by the desire to see the benefits of working for me.

To control Ren doing this every night, I had to share a tent with her. Since she is the first to fall asleep in our group, I must wake her up when the others fall asleep, she always reacts with some exaggeration and covering her body when I do, which I find amusing, since when I met her she was naked, like the rest of her tribe, the clothes she has are only what I gave her to hide her wings and feathers. I'm not sure where she get the instinct to do that, but I can see why his grandfather had a hard time dealing with her, who acts more like a human than is logical.

For some reason, when I said that Ren was going to sleep in my tent, Zera made a rather strange face. Soon to get him out of his misunderstanding, I simply used in my favor how much Ren avoids others to say that she is afraid and no one else is suitable to keep her company.

During the last hunting trip of the mercenaries, I noticed the Half returned with his MP reduced, I suspect he used some kind of ability to send a message, it's time to change direction.

"Captain, from now on we will travel west".

"Sir?"

"Our new destination is the commercial city of Garush. And captain, from now on I don't want you to lose sight of Zilan, at any time, not even for hunting. If you want you can make him participate in training as an excuse, but don't leave him alone even a second".

"Understood ... Excuse me if I'm wrong, but maybe ... Are we going to save them?"

To the captain's question, I answer with a smile. After thanking me, he returns to work.

The captain's attitude is understandable. According to the information we obtained from the mercenaries, the slave trader was going to take the people of Galatea to be sold as slaves in the city of Garush. So he probably think I do this because I decided to go to their aid. Of course that is not the reason.

If you think about it, it isn't normal that in our journey we have not seen monsters. The only two logical conclusions are that the monsters were either exterminated or driven away.

A force capable of doing any of those things and that has been here recently. I can only think of Iren's army led by Jemur. In fact, it makes sense to think that an army of that size will not mobilize solely to attack a place like Galia, which I personally cannot call a city, even if that is a prejudice on my part.

But suppose that Galia was only one of the destinations on its way, if we consider that the only thing of interest was the academy, their goal now should be the next city with an academy, the same one we were heading towards so far. Naturally, with a force like that, it is obvious that the monsters move away from their path and those who do not do so are undoubtedly exterminated by the soldiers.

I have no interest in bumping into them again, so the best thing I can do is change course before it happens. But of course, before that I let the spy send his message, so that the information is wrong, and I do not intend to allow him to correct the information about our destiny from now on.

If we think about it, Iren has a remarkable military superiority. A powerful army completely dedicated to combat and war, so much that no nation has been able to measure up to it in a millennium. However they have failed to defeat Jagheb in 200 years. In my opinion, considering that Jagheb has not defeated them either, I think the reason is that Iren attacks very frontally. With all their dogma of honor and glory, they fight head on all enemies, so they are predictable.

The real problem is the demon general, not because he is an unparalleled military expert, from what I understand Iren has had lots of guys like that, the thing is that he is an unscrupulous man, who has no problem doing what he needs in order to win. He is not shackled by the bonds of honor like the other generals of Iren. Proof of this is the fact that he used mercenaries, finishing a defenseless town that in two centuries had been left alone (in fact they traded with them), only treacherously attack another city, even more remote, which is isolated and all it had was an academy.

The doubt that does not leave my mind is his goal. I can understand that academies have a large number of artifacts, but any of them that had any military use should have already been transferred to Bombasta. So, with the exception of me, that can give them unsuspected uses, and academics, who want them for their scientific value, no one should have enough interest to assault cities for them.

I'm sure something is missing, but it's impossible for me to know what with the information I have available. Maybe I can get more information about it in the city of Garush.

From what I understand according to the information I obtained in Galia, Garush is a city on the edge of the territory of Jagheb, which is not well regulated by the kingdom, so it easily became a meeting point of the black market.

Make no mistake, you may have a bad image of the black market, but the reality is that it is a place where you can find all kinds of hard-to-get products, and everything can be yours for the right price. That is, if you are a person with money it is an ideal place, where you will be very well treated. After all, people who trade in sites like that are honest with their wishes, they want your money and if you want to give it to them, they can get you any item, however illegal it may be. Someone like me will be better received than the king himself.

Of course, I'm not going to naively trust them, but people who don't bother to hide their greed are more convenient, I don't need to bother acting with people like that, just ask the price.

Once we are in Garush, having a larger group thanks to the mercenaries will be useful to deter those who might want to assault us. At least for enough time to win the favor of the powerful of the place.

I was thinking to go after visiting the other academy, so it's not a big change to my plans either.

Yes, definitely the city of Garush will be a good place to start establishing my future business. After all, it is outside the routes on which Iren's army usually invades Jagheb, and the kingdom itself doesn't keep track of what happens there.

 

 

◆◇◆◇

 

 

Uuff ... We finally arrived. This time it was difficult, the number of mercenaries was quite high, if there are hunters among them, next time we could face severe casualties.

The good thing is that more slaves were saved than we thought ... Your sacrifice was not in vain, Conrart.

Right now we are at the agreed meeting point, I think I was the last to arrive. Probably because I spent more time than usual helping the released. Although some believe it was risky on my part, I really believe I should do it, to honor that man.

"Are you hearing me? Ruthen?"

Looking beside me, there is a stocky man, with a stylized but marked mustache, slight but numerous scars on his muscular arms and a gaze that feels like that of a grandfather who fondly observes his grandson. This person is Molak, a retired knight who lived many adventures in his youth, but couldn't bear to work for the corrupt lords of the city of Garush.

He is one of the most vital members of the resistance, and although his best years have passed he continues to participate actively, without being left behind by young people. Honestly, the only reason he is here with the stragglers is because he doesn't like to leave anyone behind.

"Is something happening, Ruthen? You have been somewhat depressed ... More than usual".

While my mind wandered, Molak cared about me, apparently not only the fatigue is visible on my face. Sorry to worry you.

"I'm sorry, it's that seeing the sacrifice of that great man affected me".

"I don't understand, it's not like he was the first to die while giving other slaves time to escape".

"It's not that. Usually, those people have some hope of survival, in fact they usually run away with the slaves until they are reached. But that man ... Conrart. He knew he was going to die, he didn't even doubt it. Still he chose to stay, he didn't try to run away, he just wanted to make time for others".

 

"..."

 

"I'm sorry, don't worry about me. If I understood something, it's the importance of our mission"

"If you say it".

"You arrived guys".

Sallo, one of our comrades, greets us after seeing that we arrived at the meeting point. He looks very anxious, I don't know if it's emotion or worry.

"I have news to give. Apparently we will have a chance to strike a decisive blow against the city traffickers".

"Are you serious!? Sallo!?"

"That's right. We may have to make some sacrifices, but if we do things right, we can end their tyranny at a stroke".

"Exactly what happened?"

"You see, while you were away, a group of soldiers from Iren arrived in Garush. I don't know what they want, but the leaders say that if we use them, we can end the city traders once and for all. We will no longer have to kill ourselves by saving a few and causing them only a few losses, we can really win".

Sallo and the others are motivated, but it worries me, I can't help but worry. In recent years I saw what they are capable of, and stories about them abound. Nothing good can come out of messing with Iren's soldiers. I don't know if the plan he's talking about can work, but the only thing I'm sure of is that soon a storm will hit Garush. I cannot allow the innocent, like the boy and the girl Conrart gave his life for, to die in it.