It wasn’t a very attractive offer.

Even if he could control Millia as he wished, it was still true. She was merely a low-level Mage who knew how to fight. Amelin had stayed in the Count’s Territory because she wanted to train more, so there was no reason for him to take Millia with him, let alone teach her Magic.

“Uh, um… of course, nothing weird! If you do anything like that, I’ll scold you!”

“I didn’t think of anything.”

“What? Why wouldn’t you think of anything?”

Her face flushed completely, but when his expression remained indifferent, she grew angry. It seemed she had embarrassed herself by jumping to conclusions.

“Am I not good enough?”

“No.”

He looked at Millia. She was average and plain, but much prettier than country girls. She was lacking compared to Charlotte, but that was an unfair comparison.

Charlotte was so beautiful that men would swarm her like bugs if she didn’t wear her Helmet.

When he told Millia she was pretty too, she pressed her lips together.

“Then, why not?”

“Because I already have someone.”

“You don’t mean the woman next to him, do you?”

“Yes.”

“That would be a bit difficult…”

“You’re pretty too. Have some protagonist confidence.”

“I don’t want to hear that from you.”

Millia gnawed on her fingernails when even her last request was rejected. Now she was desperately clinging. Her words became awkward. It seemed like all the words she had prepared on the way to this place had run out.

“Could you at least join me in battle…?”

“What’s with your tone?”

She wanted him to choose between casual and formal speech. After she learned of the protagonist’s identity, she used an ambiguous tone that was neither.

Millia said hesitantly,

“You’re supposed to be an amazing mage… but your appearance is really not, so it’s awkward to deal with you. At your age, being able to do one or two attack spells is considered amazing.”

It was something he had heard before.

It was the same thing the girl said when Lorina discovered his magic.

Magic skills didn’t just grow rapidly.

He had to train for a long time. He seemed to recall hearing that most people stopped at being a low-ranking mage even after a lifetime of training.

It was from the old man in his dreams. Come to think of it, he hadn’t been dreaming much lately.

Before, he used to dream every day and learn something. He felt anxious about what would happen if he stopped dreaming altogether.

The protagonist was able to change because the old man in his dreams taught him magic. Otherwise, he would have to find another way to become stronger.

Millia pleaded a few more times, but when her words had no effect, she simply left. She looked disappointed. But the protagonist had no reason to help her.

He could even call Bruno an enemy. As long as Millia was on his side, he couldn’t do anything for her.

Upon reflection, the protagonist felt that he had become stronger. In the past, he wouldn’t even have set foot in the capital city where he might meet Bruno.

But now, he had no particular feelings even after confronting him directly. It was still dangerous to fight him up close, but he didn’t think he would lose.

He could win if he could just buy enough time to use the magic ring. His sword was just very fast. He didn’t feel that it was stronger than the orcs.

The black armor even withstood the axe of Garkus, a common chieftain. Although he could only use it for a few minutes, that would be enough time to turn Bruno into an ice statue.

It meant he wouldn’t lose anymore.

His head felt a little dizzy. It seemed to be from drinking wine. He returned to the inn with Charlotte.

He collapsed onto the bed, exhausted from Charlotte’s ministrations.

He already missed Amelin. She was big, like a watermelon. But Charlotte was flat. When he hugged her, she was hard, like a stone floor.

He thought about leaving soon.

Before falling asleep, he told her he had somewhere to go.

Charlotte hugged him tightly and flatly refused. She had to stay in this place. She couldn’t follow him.

However, when he mentioned it was due to a comrade’s last will, which he had spoken about in the large village, she seemed to agree.

It was also the reason he had given when he first followed her. Charlotte told him to come back quickly and then fell asleep. Seeing her sleeping face, the protagonist’s eyes also closed.

The next day.

A guest was at the inn’s door early in the morning.

It was Bruno. Millia was behind him.

He never expected Bruno to come looking for him, saying he had something to say to the protagonist. He wondered what he wanted to talk about.

He entered the room where the protagonist was staying.

The other person had no weapons. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have let him into such a confined space. Still, he kept a slight distance.

He hesitated for a long time before finally opening his mouth.

“Would you consider working for me?”

It was absurd.

He had previously said that the protagonist was not needed.

It was because he had found a more skilled mage. But it was funny to hear him say the opposite. Bruno seemed embarrassed, as if he knew it too.

He shook his head.

“No.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t trust you.”

He had once kidnapped the protagonist.

He couldn’t be trusted. It would be strange to trust him. Even when they met this time, he tried to draw his sword first.

“How can I make you trust me?”

Bruno asked after a moment of thought.

His expression made me curious. We had a lot of bad history. We had also fought in battles together.

I knew he had a goal to restore his family’s honor. But if you asked if he needed the Protagonist’s help in that process, I wasn’t so sure.

He seemed to have achieved enough merit in the war.

Meaning he didn’t need to go any further.

However, he volunteered to be the Captain of the Extermination Squad.

The rewards are great, but so are the risks. He was being impatient. I wanted to know what was making him so impatient.

“I want to know why you’re clinging to me like this.”

We had a lot of awkward history. He kidnapped the Protagonist. And the Protagonist messed up his plans. We both harbored ill feelings towards each other.

“You know I hate betrayal, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“I watched my family fall with my own eyes.”

…

“It’s been over twenty years, but when I close my eyes, it still feels like it happened yesterday. My mother was defiled by men taking turns, her insides pulled out like sausages, and then she was strangled to death.”

“Such…”

It was a heavy story. It was also an event that greatly derailed Bruno’s life.

“It was worse for the young women in the clan. They lived a little longer, but in less than a month of constantly dealing with men, all their eyes were dead, or they became dolls that didn’t react to anything. I witnessed my family being ravaged like that. This was when I was eleven years old.”

“Why did they fall?”

“Father trusted people too much. He was directly hit by the approaching crisis, unaware that his Vassal would stab him in the back.”

Bruno didn’t trust people.

If you trust, you get betrayed. His family’s downfall was also because his Father trusted someone. If he hadn’t trusted, he wouldn’t have been betrayed.

“I had a reason to become strong.”

Bruno explained the details. It was a story about the conflict between the King’s Faction and the Noble Faction. The Protagonist found it hard to understand.

But if his entire family were to be beheaded or sold as playthings in a Castle, he felt like he would go crazy.

My hands and feet trembled at the thought of Amelin and Charlotte ending up like that. I felt like I could never forgive it. I understood Bruno’s rage.

“The Vassal who betrayed my father is living well. The Noble family that brought down my house is the same. I cannot stand by and watch that happen.”

Emotion filled Bruno’s voice. It was clear his heart was racing as he recalled that time.

“I know I showed a pathetic side. But… even enduring all of that, I have a goal I must achieve.”

“And for that goal, you kidnapped me?”

“Yes.”

Bruno had a desperate story.

However, that didn’t erase the wrong he had done to the Protagonist.

“You can’t justify what you did to me with that.”

“Think carefully. I always told you to come under my command. Even after you killed my Mercenaries. Wasn’t it you who kicked away my offer until the very end and ran away with the girl?”

It was an excuse.

He tried to kidnap the Protagonist.

It was only natural that Mercenaries would die in that process. They did things that deserved death. But Bruno was talking as if he hadn’t done anything and had suffered a loss.

From the Protagonist’s perspective, it was difficult to accept.

The story he mentioned earlier was the same. I understood his unfortunate past, but it had nothing to do with him trying to kill the Protagonist.

The other person was playing on emotions.

“There’s no guarantee you’ve forgotten that grudge either. You said you’d kill me in the end. You could betray me at any time.”

“That might be true. It would be a lie to say I have no grudge. But I can forget it for the sake of my revenge.”

He stood up from his chair and made an oath.

He said he would be struck by lightning if he harmed Rael. If he said that, even if the Protagonist attacked, he couldn’t resist.

Millia’s eyes widened.

“Bruno! Are you crazy?”

It was a foolish act.

The Bruno Millia knew was not a person who would ever do such a foolish thing. At least he should have waited for the other party’s confirmation.

But he made the oath. He did it even though the boy said nothing.

Rael didn’t know either.

But that was all. Bruno promised the Protagonist nothing. He had nothing to offer the Protagonist.

He had nothing to give to hire the Protagonist. Once that was clear, nothing he said mattered.

When the Protagonist’s expression remained unmoving, Bruno sighed in defeat. During their brief conversation, his face seemed to have aged ten years.

As Bruno opened the door to leave, he turned back.

“The day the Mansion burned, I vowed not to trust anyone.”

Bruno’s conviction only deepened during his life as a Mercenary.

Because of that, he wanted him even more. The boy.

It was even more so because he thought he was the first trustworthy person.

But he tried hard to deny it. It felt like Bruno himself was clinging to him.

He wasn’t that kind of Human originally.

He thought it was childish himself.

It was the first time he had been rejected so completely by someone.

He forgot about him, thinking he had died somewhere. That made him feel better.

But the boy had grown, as if mocking the Protagonist.

He was a promising kid. Still, he never imagined he would be this capable.

That’s probably why. Why he acted so out of character.

Bruno looked at the boy.

“But I trusted you.”

“You trusted me?”

“The moment I threw the Mercenary card to you and cut the rope, I entrusted my back… my life to you. And that trust is still valid.”

…

“I can trust you. You, who ran away with the girl even while your life was threatened. No Oath is needed. Just tell me one thing. If I can offer you a sufficient reward, tell me you’ll help me.”

He fell silent.

Bruno, whom he met after a long time, was pathetic.

He was showing such an unseemly side to the Protagonist, whom he had considered nothing long ago.

But he admitted it and asked for forgiveness.

He was flawed, but he was an adult.

Everyone had their flaws.

When faced with difficult situations, people’s true selves were revealed.

The same went for Bruno. Thinking that, Bruno seemed a little more human.

What he did to the Protagonist could not be forgotten.

However, seeing him make an oath, I felt relieved.

Still, I had no intention of helping him. It would be strange to be convinced by a few words and just let it go.

Now, he could not be hostile towards the Protagonist. There was resentment, but he was not an enemy.

Of course, he wasn’t an ally either.

Millia wore a complex expression at Bruno’s sincere demeanor. She seemed to think she had seen an unexpected side of him.

“Bruno…”

I looked at Bruno.

Before, I couldn’t even meet his gaze, but now I could look at him directly.

He had a slightly angular face, which gave him a strong masculine appearance.

This was further emphasized by his neatly grown mustache and beard, which connected. Unlike the rough-looking Mercenary, he had a strong noble aura.

It was funny to think that even he had a face weathered by the trials of the world.

Normally, he would have grown up in a noble family and made many women cry, but he lost all his brilliant days while toiling as a Mercenary.

It was because of revenge.

I didn’t say anything.

I had experienced too much to do something detrimental by being swayed by an emotional appeal.

Bruno no longer held onto the Protagonist. He suddenly left, and Millia looked back and forth between the door and me, as if hesitating.

“Millia.”

She flinched.

…

“Why are you helping him?”

She hesitated, then spoke, her expression forlorn.

“Me too.”

“Were you a Fallen Noble?”

“Something similar. We lost the Territory War. The difference between Bruno and me is that he ran away and became a mercenary, while I became a slave.”

“If you lose a Territory War…”

“It’s the same. Everyone is killed or sold off. A noble lady is nothing more than a slightly more valuable item. She’s sold to some perverted noble, used as a castle plaything until she breaks, then she’s discarded.”

Millia shivered, as if recalling that time.

“If Bruno had been a few days later in saving me, that’s what would have happened. It was fortunate. I didn’t lose my body.”

“The ones who caused your family’s downfall must still be alive, right?”

“I’ll get my revenge someday too. Bruno’s story is over twenty years old, but mine is only seven years ago.”

…

Millia said with an earnest tone.

“With you, most wars can be won easily. Bruno will prepare for revenge as soon as he gets a title and territory after this war ends. I’m only telling you this, but a civil war might break out soon. There are rumors that the King has collapsed from a chronic illness. When that happens, the opportunity for revenge will come. Of course, that’s assuming we successfully finish this subjugation.”

…

The story about the civil war was something he had also heard from the Count. She said the same thing. Only, unlike the Count, she didn’t mention which claimant to the throne she would side with.

“Bruno lacks talented people. To get revenge, he absolutely needs an outstanding mage like you. Even if he goes to war for territory, there’s no guarantee he’ll win. That’s why he’s clinging to you. Right now, he has nothing to give you, but if you help him get revenge, he’ll give you everything. I’m willing to do the same.”

Millia left with a bitter smile. There was no reason to help them get revenge, but his head ached. For now, he decided to think about what the protagonist needed to do first.

He went to the Castle branch first.

His daily routine was nothing special. After making and handing over ten castle wards, he spent the rest of the day practicing spells.

However, today there was another schedule. He looked for a trade caravan that Hansen had mentioned was going to the city of Trevin.

Every merchant he asked shook their heads. No one was planning to go on a trade caravan at a time like this. Well, there were some.

The city the Extermination Squad was going to this time was Trevin. It seemed they were going to deal with the Lizardmen appearing around there. Joining the Orc army seemed to be the next step.

For now, he had to follow them. No matter how many Golems he had, traveling alone was madness.

The date for the Extermination Squad to depart quickly approached. It only took two days. Everyone wanted to finish subjugating the Lizardmen quickly and return.

Compared to Orcs, Lizardmen were an easier opponent. Moreover, the Extermination Squad setting out this time was just there to lend a hand. It seemed the Orcs would handle all the serious fighting.

Perhaps that’s why there was an atmosphere of just pretending to subjugate the Lizardmen and then returning. It didn’t matter to the Protagonist.

On the day of departure, a procession of carriages was visible in front of the City Gate. He roused the nearby Golem and led it along.

Then, the people around pointed fingers and were astonished. Some even shouted that the Golem was moving. It was a commotion.

It was up to the Guard Soldiers to quell it.

The most astonished were Bruno and Millia.

The two were speechless when they saw the Ice Golem walking. They seemed surprised that the Protagonist had moved the Golem.

There was a difference between hearing something and actually seeing it. Millia was happy, thinking he had come to help.

The Protagonist said he was going to a nearby City for business. He clearly drew a line. Still, she smiled, seemingly happy. It seemed good that she had a chance to speak with him.

“Mr. Rael.”

“Sister Angelica?”

Many others, like the Protagonist, who had business in the City, also joined the Extermination Squad. Among them was Angelica.

“Are you perhaps going to Trevin?”

“I have business there. And you, Sister?”

“This time, it is said that Cultists have increased in that area. Though I am foolish, I will lead the Battle Priests to subjugate all the heretics.”

“I see.”

“To go with Mr. Rael like this is an incredible coincidence…! It almost makes me think that God is watching over us.”

Angelica clasped her hands together, emphasizing the word coincidence. But it didn’t feel like a coincidence at all. This was because he had told her earlier that he was leaving.

She was probably using the Cultists as an excuse and intentionally following him.

Perhaps the Protagonist was overthinking it. But considering her persistence, it was ambiguous to simply think of it as a coincidence.

He got into the carriage. He saw various people, including families moving between Cities. There were no Mercenaries in the carriage the Protagonist was in.

Angelica wasn’t there either. That was at least a relief.

Instead, Millia was next to him.

She incessantly asked questions as she watched the Golem walk beside the Carriage procession.

She also said that the Golem probably couldn’t fight as well as expected. According to the knowledge Protagonist possessed, Golems of this size, though large, were slow and not suitable for combat.

She didn’t believe the story about fighting a Troll either. She said something along the lines of, “How strong are Trolls? Even if the Golem is similar in size, it’s no match.”

For her, just creating and bringing along a Golem of this size was a wondrous feat.

But that was her speaking from a lack of knowledge.

While the Golem was on the slower side, considering its size, it was average or even fast. Seeing it fight would change her mind. He wished there would be a battle.

He imagined she would be speechless if she saw the Ice Golem fight.

However, such an opportunity rarely arose. The journey proceeded peacefully, as if it were a calm trip. After an agreement with the Orcs, not a single one was seen.

It was after eighteen days when something appeared.

Lizardmen arrived.

In the distance, a group of what seemed like dozens could be seen.

Three of them approached and shouted for them to leave, claiming it was their territory. They could speak human language.

A rock flew at the leading Lizard. It was a rock created and thrown by Millia using a spell. The accompanying Lizardmen were startled and fled.

The Lizardmen in the distance prepared for battle. They were tough, as if wearing leather armor even when bare-bodied. And they wielded long spears skillfully. They had the advantage in close combat.

They fought with difficulty.

Even when Bruno shouted, the Soldiers didn’t listen.

Each listened to the Knights who accompanied them. The Knights each shouted for a charge. There were dozens of Commanders.

Perhaps because of that, even a minor battle turned into chaos.

Some recklessly pursued and entered the Swamp, floundering. Their armor was heavy, and they were submerged up to their waists in an instant.

The Lizardmen struck the Helmet of the immobile Knight with their spears, knocking it off, then stabbed him indiscriminately. The Knight died without being able to do anything.

It was absurd.

A Knight was not a human resource to die so easily. Morale was important in battle, but terrain was equally important.

He had felt it while fighting Castle battles. But now, it was a different feeling.

In the Swamp, the Lizardmen moved as if on flat ground. In contrast, the Knights and Soldiers could barely move.

Millia’s fighting style was to turn the ground into Mud Magic, restrict her opponent’s movements, and then cast spells. But it was useless against the Lizardmen. They were creatures that lived in the damp Swamp.

They were also agile and quite good at dodging flying rocks. Perhaps because they were heavy, the rocks flew slowly. Not as fast as arrows.

Given our numbers, dozens of Lizardmen should have been easily dealt with. However, some damage was being sustained.