“Hey. Watch your mouth. That one’s a Mage.”

“A Mage? They’re just people who start fires, at best.”

The Mercenary’s expression didn’t change even after hearing the warning. Instead, he even scoffed, asking if he was scared of a kid like that.

“Seems you haven’t seen the Golem.”

“Why the Golem all of a sudden?”

“That kid controls Golems.”

“What?”

Only then did the Mercenary’s expression stiffen slightly. He seemed to realize that something was wrong, having messed with what he thought was nothing.

The Mercenary who had stepped up for the Protagonist introduced himself.

“My name is Hans.”

“Hans?”

It sounded like a name he had heard somewhere before. It was a common name, though.

“Have we met before?”

“No, we haven’t. But I’ve seen you fight. I was there in the battle where you defeated the Troll.”

He seemed to be one of the Mercenaries who had participated in the battle where the Orcs swarmed.

“You came here even after experiencing that battle?”

One could always face danger in battle. But when faced with great despair, people often break.

It was a battle where so many Orcs, screaming, nearly brought down the Castle. It was a Battlefield where an ordinary Mercenary would become nothing.

It wouldn’t have been strange if he could never wield a sword again. But the Mercenary spoke as if it was just something that happened in the past.

“I really thought I was going to die then. A typical Mercenary wouldn’t have taken any requests for a while. But those of us who have been Mercenaries for a long time are different. We even feel exhilaration on such a Battlefield.”

“Exhilaration?”

“The sensation of plunging a sword into an opponent’s neck. And the feeling of being alive while still breathing amidst the creation of Corpses. In the end, when everyone screams, you even feel a sense of unity that everyone made it through. Those who are addicted to it can’t quit this job.”

“You’ll die someday, though.”

He seemed like a slightly crazy mercenary. I wondered if all mercenaries were like that.

“When that time comes, it’ll be the end. Anyway, the exhilaration I felt then was something I’d rarely experience in my life. You, Master Mage, wouldn’t know their faces, but there are quite a few mercenaries in this city who fought in that battle.”

The mercenary seemed eager to fight.

The protagonist didn’t quite understand. He hated battles that involved death; they were suffocating. It was also sad when people died.

He enjoyed showing off his skills, but not to the extent of feeling exhilaration like a mercenary. Still, he felt good when the other person praised him.

It seemed the protagonist’s face had become known after the battle with the Orcs.

When he mentioned that he had also caught a Salamander on the way, the mercenary expressed great regret.

He turned his head.

The face of the mercenary who had been blocking the protagonist’s way turned ashen. He seemed to have realized that the protagonist was no ordinary Mage.

He was seen hesitating, unable to move either way.

The mercenaries who had been laughing along just moments ago were now tight-lipped like clams.

“Would you please move aside?”

The mercenary made way.

“P-please pass, Master Mage.”

The mercenary lowered his gaze.

They were weak against the strong and strong against the weak. They were the typical kind who changed their attitude depending on power.

He still had a rebellious look about him. They didn’t fully believe him since they hadn’t actually seen his skills.

Such people needed to be completely subdued.

He reached for a nearby round table and chanted a spell. Instantly, the table was covered in ice and completely frozen. The mercenaries sitting there jumped back in surprise, creating distance.

“Be careful from now on.”

“Yes, understood. M-Master Mage.”

The mercenary’s voice trembled as he avoided eye contact. The last vestiges of his pride were nowhere to be seen.

It was only natural, as he had shown them that if they dared to attack, they would instantly become ice statues.

A man with a thick beard sat at the counter. His forearms were muscular.

“What brings Master Mage here?”

“I’m going to make a mercenary card.”

“A mercenary card?”

He took out a mercenary card from his pocket and placed it on the table. The Guild Employee looked at it and was surprised.

“A mercenary? It’s real.”

“Did you think it wasn’t?”

“Mages are rare. Mercenary mages are even rarer.”

The man took something out from one side.

It was a mercenary card.

It didn’t seem like a name was written on it. Instead, there was an emblem, like that of a noble family.

“What is this?”

“It’s a mercenary card that proves you’re an intermediate mercenary.”

“I just came to get a new mercenary card made.”

The protagonist was a low-ranking mercenary. He hadn’t taken on many requests or anything. So, becoming an intermediate mercenary right away left him bewildered.

“You’re new to this place, so you wouldn’t know. Here, if you have the skill, promotion is easy, and mercenary cards are readily issued.”

“This easily?”

“If you go into combat a few times and show your skill, you can even become a high-ranking mercenary.”

The Guild Employee said that many people wanted to get an intermediate mercenary card.

Since it was directly verified by a Noble, it was said to be usable in most places. It was different from those that could usually only be used in a specific region.

It seemed to be because it was the Front Line. In other places, trust comes first, but here, there was a strong feeling that things were given based on skill. Originally, one had to complete many requests to receive it.

Anyway, it was important that he now had something to prove his identity elsewhere. It felt even better, like a token of having participated in the war in the North.

As he took it and came out, he ran into someone.

It was Bruno.

As soon as he saw the protagonist, he tried to draw his sword. But someone stepped forward. It was Ratt.

“What are you doing?”

“I have a grudge against that fellow. Don’t interfere.”

“How dare a mere mercenary order me around? You’re the one who should step aside.”

The Knight placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Bruno looked the opponent up and down, then sheathed his sword. It seemed Ratt’s threat had worked. Perhaps he judged it would be difficult after seeing the armor the Knight was wearing.

In battles involving spear-knives, heavy armor itself provided a huge advantage. Bruno’s skill might be superior to Ratt’s, but he couldn’t easily predict victory.

Even if they fought, the aftermath would be significant. Bruno was a fallen noble. Simply put, he was nothing more than a mercenary.

If there was a noble behind the Knight, Bruno would be in trouble.

He only reacted violently at first. After that, his face became calm.

He looked as if he had met an old friend after a long time.

“Rael.”

“Bruno.”

“You’re alive.”

“It’s been a long time.”

There was also a woman next to Bruno.

Just as the protagonist had met many people during that time, it seemed Bruno had also had encounters.

“Is that person with you?”

“Her name is Millia. She’s a new mage I’ve acquired.”

“A mage?”

“She’s a much better mage than you.”

Bruno emphasized the phrase “much better.” He also elaborated on the magic the female mage could use. He added that she could even turn the ground into mud with mud magic, making her more helpful in combat than the protagonist.

It seemed this woman was the mage Horn had mentioned.

The protagonist could only use one Water Ball.

He learned Sleep midway, but it wasn’t useful in combat, so the protagonist he knew would likely still be remembered as a mage who only shot Water Masses.

His use of Ice Spear was a miracle, so it was an exception.

He must have still thought the protagonist was just a regular low-level mage. Otherwise, there would be no reason to say that this female mage was superior to him.

The female mage was indeed superior to the protagonist. Of course, that was in the past. Things were different now. He didn’t bother to say anything.

Trying to present anything to him would just make things troublesome.

The woman called Millia, pleased at being called an excellent Mage, wore a smug expression.

“Since then, I’ve done a lot. I rescued the Slaves who were about to be sold after losing the Territory War and brought them under my wing. I also acquired a new Mage and made a proper Mercenary Dagger.”

Bruno said that he would earn a Title after the war was over because of his achievements.

He boasted to the Protagonist.

He didn’t know why.

“What have you done?”

“Me… well, I met a lot of people.”

He didn’t feel the need to explain the details. Perhaps thinking it was insignificant, Bruno’s lips curled into a smile.

He spoke as if giving advice.

“Leave The North.”

“Leave?”

“This Place is dangerous. It’s not a place for a greenhorn like you. If you stay here, you’ll die.”

“What about you?”

“It doesn’t concern me.”

Bruno said he had broken through another Wall. It meant he had become stronger.

He recalled Bruno’s skill.

Bruno’s skill, which he had seen before, was slightly better than that of an average Knight. If he had advanced one stage further, he would probably be at the level of a low-ranking Knight.

It was amazing.

It seemed he had accomplished more than the Protagonist in that short time. His skills had improved, and gathering talented individuals was incomprehensible.

He didn’t understand why he was telling him this.

But as he listened closely to the story, he began to understand.

It seemed he wanted him to regret it.

He tried to persuade the Protagonist. But the Protagonist escaped with Lorina. It was as if he had dumped Bruno.

Bruno hoped that by explaining what he had done during that time, the Protagonist would think his choice was wrong. It was obvious from the way he spoke. He even said it outright.

Even if you say you want to work under me now, I have no intention of doing so, so don’t bother trying to scheme.

I don’t have such intentions…

Hmph. Everyone who comes this far has the same goal. Weren’t you trying to get a share too?

Bruno didn’t believe what this person said.

When I first came, that was indeed my intention. But now it didn’t matter much. The achievements in the war were more than enough.

Bruno seemed to think that this person had come for the Title. He also said that since the war was nearing its end, there would be no such opportunity.

He added that it was a pity they hadn’t followed Bruno himself. Bruno also said that he had achieved a lot and was trusted by the Lord.

It seemed his pride was considerably hurt when the Protagonist refused his offer and ran off with Lorina.

At that time, he did speak at length to try and stop the Protagonist. The Protagonist even had nightmares for a while after seeing him shout that he would eventually catch the Protagonist and force them to take an Oath.

But not anymore.

There was nothing to regret.

Bruno seemed to have gathered quite a gang, but they were nothing more than a Mercenary group.

Compared to Charlotte, it was nothing.

She was a proper Noble and even had Knights under her. Considering her background, Bruno, who was merely a fallen Noble, couldn’t even make a peep.

Bruno just said his piece and left. The woman who left with him glanced at this person. It was a slightly pitying look.

Ratt, who had been silently watching the conversation, spoke up.

“Do you know him?”

“Yes.”

“His attitude was rather poor for a Mercenary…”

“There was an unpleasant incident in the past.”

I didn’t explain the full circumstances.

When I just gave a bitter smile, the other person didn’t press further.

He was a man who knew how to be considerate.

Returning to the Lodging, Charlotte was there. She was holding something. It was a low-grade Magic Stone from a Salamander.

Come to think of it, I hadn’t checked the things from the Salamander. When I asked her, she said that Salamander claws would be good for making Weapons, and the leather could be used as material for clothes. She said it was very resistant to fire, which was good.

She said she would also make a robe out of salamander skin. It was a gift for the Protagonist.

It seemed good for fighting mages. Mages were so numerous that about half of them trained in fire magic.

Other than that, there was nothing special. At most, the meat was delicious. It was quite important, but not as important as a low-grade magic stone.

Charlotte said she would hold onto it for now, as she needed to show it to the Lord as evidence. I nodded.

If she spoke well of me, I could receive a separate reward from the Lord. Charlotte said it would take some time to meet the Lord.

The Lord was busy preparing a banquet. It was being held to celebrate the Orcs’ offensive slowly waning.

Charlotte suggested we go together then. Her face was a little flushed when she said it. It sounded like she wanted me to go as her partner.

Even though she seemed resolute, she was secretly shy. Perhaps there was another meaning to going to the banquet together. For now, I nodded.

I had a meal at the inn.

It was pasta with tomato sauce. It tasted so good that I finished several bowls. I was worried about the price, but it had a lot of ingredients and was seasoned well enough to have a stimulating flavor.

It was not as good as the food I ate at the banquet hosted by Count Haines. Just thinking about that time made my mouth water.

I was looking forward to the banquet being held here too. It would be great if the food was as delicious as what I had back then.