I Became the Commander in a Trash Game Who Copies Skills

Chapter 39. Secret Mission (2)

“That Pepe fellow told me. You know, the paladins who went on reconnaissance with us.”

I remember.

The last reconnaissance mission where I encountered the Princess of Blood.

At that time, the higher-ups, who had judged that a long-distance reconnaissance was difficult with only mercenary forces, had sent a few paladins and squires to accompany us.

It was an accompaniment composed mainly of four paladins, including Andarin and Tamberin, and one of them had the unique name of Pepe.

“…Is it true? Even if it’s Brol, he wouldn’t have misheard something like this.”

“It’s true! That Pepe fellow really said it! Why would I be making up stories?”

“That being said, Sir Pepe didn’t seem like the type to lie.”

“That’s likely. Paladins have higher clearance for classified information than other knights. They also basically take a vow of silence.”

As Olif said, it’s not strange for paladins to know classified information.

The problem is how that old man Brol got a paladin to open his mouth.

No matter how much the vow of silence is a simple pledge with no binding force.

Andarin, whom I met at the pub earlier, hadn’t said a word to me.

“Well, what’s so special about it? I just got a good bottle of liquor from some merchants, and he said he likes liquor too, so we had a drink.”

“……?”

“Why, why are you all staring at me like that. Did I say something wrong?”

What kind of person is this old man?

I just thought he was very friendly, but does he have some kind of hidden trait?

I’ve never even seen a paladin’s mouth being opened with a single bottle of liquor in the game.

Come to think of it, he was also good at gathering information from here and there on a regular basis.

“When grown men stare at me like that, it doesn’t feel very good… No, Miss Karen! I wasn’t talking about you. Really!”

He might be more useful than I thought.

Not just as a commander or a recruiter, but in other ways as well.

I’ll have to think about this gradually.

Anyway, thanks to old man Brol, I gained certainty.

Actually, a civil war was a scenario I had anticipated long ago.

In the first place, it’s rare to go through an Empire playthrough without experiencing a civil war event.

On top of that, there was what Count Calvenia, that bastard, had said before he died.

‘The cult plans to strike the Empire first. Next will be the Theocracy, the City-State Alliance, and then the dwarves.’

Calvenia had said that in the cavity of the labyrinth.

After digging a little more, I was also able to hear how the cult bastards were planning to target the Empire.

‘One of the Empire’s Elector-Princes is a member of the cult. The preparations are complete. Before long, a civil war will break out in the Empire. Just like our Archduchy.’

Let’s organize this.

The Empire’s Elector-Prince, Marquis Ricardo, is a member of the cult.

According to Count Calvenia’s information, the Marquis has completed war preparations with the cult.

He, who had been waiting for the right timing, was put under the pressure of strong regulations due to the influence of this punitive expedition.

As a result, he is gathering an army to start a full-scale civil war.

‘Was the command’s sudden declaration of the end of the war for that reason too?’

No wonder it felt somewhat premature.

Although they gave various reasons, there was no major problem even if they had advanced further.

Although there was a considerable loss of troops while defending Wolfskrig, they had inflicted damage that was close to annihilation on the opposing Count Calvenia.

In short, the territories on the Count’s side were in a state of being almost empty.

If they had advanced while moderately being careful of a counterattack from the Vampire Duke’s side, they could have retaken a few more fortresses or villages without much difficulty….

‘…If there are signs of a civil war, the story changes completely.’

It’s a knife in the back.

A crisis where a two-front war could be created if things go wrong.

Of course, since one side has been quickly dealt with, the entire Empire territory won’t become a battlefield right away.

If that were the case, there wouldn't have been the leisure to maintain secrecy like now.

For now, only the higher-ups would have noticed the signs and be preparing for war while keeping each other in check.

A civil war rarely ends in a single battle, and often leads to a tedious and tenacious war situation.

Anyway, with this, the direction has been set.

“Brol, Bart.”

“Yes!”

“What’s up?”

Now that the civil war has become apparent, I also need to move quickly.

There are two goals to achieve in the short term.

First, expanding my forces.

Second, strengthening my personal power.

“You two will have to be in charge of recruitment tomorrow.”

“Huh? Us? Are you serious?”

Let’s leave the expansion of forces to the officers of the mercenary band for a while.

Despite appearances, they’ve all become quite reliable through several battles and this punitive expedition.

In the meantime, I need to go and achieve the second goal.

Tribus' unique item, Kashutal’s Amulet, is a cheat item that shows its true value when facing the Imperial army.

‘The problem is how to steal it without the church noticing…….’

I don’t know that yet.

Can’t I just grab it and run somehow?

* * *

Although I decided to accept the church’s secret mission, that doesn’t mean I can just leave in the middle of the night.

After all, I’m formally employed by Viscount Pewin for now.

The next day.

I went to see the Viscount early in the morning.

“I heard from Sir Andarin. That you’ve been entrusted with a sacred mission.”

The Viscount smiled cheerfully.

A look befitting a devout follower of the Luark Church.

He doesn’t seem particularly upset about sending a mercenary he hired on another mission.

…Wait a minute.

But wasn’t this a secret mission?

He heard from Andarin?

“Am I not your current employer? Even the church has to observe business ethics.”

There are not many people who would use the term ‘business ethics’ against the church without hesitation.

It’s proof that Viscount Pewin is not just a simple believer, but a key figure with influence in the church.

Thanks to that, the conversation went quickly.

Viscount Pewin granted me permission to act alone as if it were a matter of course.

“Go and come back without worry. It’s the church’s business, and… even if it weren’t, I know how much you care for your members. As long as your members are here, I believe you will surely return.”

“Thank you for believing in me.”

“It’s the natural result of your actions. Do you know that in this battle, there was no mercenary band with fewer casualties than yours?”

Results are good evidence.

In the defense of Wolfskrig, the Ash Mercenary Band had only six deaths.

A significantly lower loss compared to most mercenary bands.

Come to think of it, a lot of people died in this expedition.

“Three hundred mercenaries died in the defense battle alone, they say. Because of the vampire Calvenia’s spell. If you include those who went missing during reconnaissance, it’s almost six hundred.”

In modern warfare, a unit is considered annihilated if it suffers 30 percent casualties.

The standard in the world of ‘Warlord Conquest’, where human lives are disregarded, is more lenient than that, but it’s a painful loss all the same.

Anyway, the survival rate of my mercenary band was overwhelmingly higher than other mercenary bands.

It’s only natural that the Viscount would be favorable towards me.

Because having a capable mercenary under his command also helps the Viscount’s reputation.

“I will support whatever you do. You are my granddaughter’s… ahem, no, you are a capable commander, are you not?”

“…….”

It seems he likes the fact that I’m Alina’s savior more than the overwhelming survival rate.

Well, it’s all good.

[[Freelancer] is active.]

[‘Torburn Pewin’s’ favorability has increased.]

Anyway, thanks to the success of this expedition, Viscount Pewin’s favorability has once again increased.

As an aside, Archduke Gabir’s favorability, whom I met yesterday, had also increased slightly.

The Emperor was an exception.

Is it because the commission check didn't work?

Perhaps it’s because the outcome was different from the Emperor’s plan.

“Ah, and this. It’s a letter for you.”

“A letter…?”

“Alina sent it. It’s faster to send it through me than by mail.”

Viscount Pewin handed me the letter with a warm gaze, that is, the typical expression of a doting grandfather.

The contents of the letter were as follows.

[My benefactor, congratulations. I have heard the news. That you have been appointed as an honorary s■■ paladin. As Peter said……]

The following content was the usual sermon.

The part where she crossed out what she was about to write as ‘saint’ and corrected it to ‘honorary paladin’ is bothersome, but since there are no signs of the letter’s seal being broken, it should be fine.

I put it away in my coat appropriately and was about to stand up when the Viscount stopped me.

He said.

“Ahem, Alina is a rare child for her age. Not just because she’s my granddaughter. Well, I’m just saying.”

There is a common characteristic among people who suddenly try to appeal to something.

“The incident at Burken Fortress made me look back. Alina grew up with books as her companions since she was young, so she didn’t have many opportunities to see the outside world.”

Especially when they talk for a long time, it’s no exaggeration to say that it’s almost 100 percent.

“She said she wants to go with you on your mission this time.”

That is, they have a favor to ask.

This time, it seems to be a request to act as a nanny.

“Actually, you’re just bringing back one item, aren’t you? It’s not that dangerous a mission. I’ve already spoken with the church about it.”

No, wasn’t this a secret mission in the first place?

Actually, I was going to accept it if I could.

Because it’s a request from Viscount Pewin, one of my actual backers, of all people.

However, this one is a bit difficult.

Gunterburk is not a very safe city.

Especially in an unstable time like now, with a civil war on the horizon, it wouldn’t be strange if something happened.

Even if it’s not a dangerous mission, it means a dangerous situation can arise at any time.

As I was choosing my words to refuse as gently as possible, the Viscount opened his mouth again.

“I’ll give you an additional two hundred florins as a bonus.”

Hmm.

Come to think of it, for the sake of the future, it was necessary to work together at least once.

Aren’t we going to be colleagues someday?

When that time comes, we’ll go to the battlefield together and see many harsh things, so it doesn’t seem bad to have a preview on a suitable occasion.

“I’ll be counting on you. I’ve already spoken to the Burken church.”

“Thank you.”

Not to be ashamed of my Eastern land of courtesy origin, I bowed deeply in gratitude to my client and left the command post.

There are a few more things to take care of before leaving this city.

First, regarding the expansion of the mercenary band personnel.

I visited the pub like yesterday.

Perhaps because the rumor that I had been appointed as an honorary paladin had spread, there was already a long line of applicants stretching outside the pub.

When I went inside, old man Brol greeted me with a dumbfounded expression.

“There are too many applicants, Leader. Almost a hundred in the morning alone.”

That’s a good thing.

It means the status of the mercenary band has risen that much.

Although there’s a saying that fame is a double-edged sword, that’s something you can only say after you’ve gained fame.

“Including the applicants we received yesterday, that’s about two hundred.”

“The line doesn’t seem to be getting any shorter, so if we take everyone today, it’ll be about three hundred. Even considering your wallet, Leader, I think we should cut half of them….”

So that’s why his expression was bad?

He’s surprisingly worried about these things.

I patted the shoulder of old man Brol, who was scratching his bushy beard.

“As long as they’re not unqualified, accept most of them. Except for cases where they’ve falsified their resume, or have a serious injury that makes it difficult to fight.”

“Are you serious? Three hundred? Is your wallet okay….”

“Don’t worry about that.”

Because I received a hefty sum from a certain doting grandfather client.

Of course, that’s not the only reason.

Originally, I was thinking of being a little picky even if the funds were ample.

Because suddenly increasing the size isn’t always a good thing.

When people gather, there are more than one or two things to worry about.

‘But if we’re preparing for a civil war… we’ll have to bulk up in advance.’

Anyway, the first day or two will always have the most.

After that, it will gradually decrease.

After weeding out the unqualified, we’d be lucky to get more than three or four hundred.

Although three hundred is a huge number for a professional mercenary band….

To be active in a civil war, you need at least that many heads.

“Those who can’t write, please come this way! I’ll write it for you!”

At one table, Bart was taking down resumes for the illiterate mercenaries.

After looking around, it seems I can trust them with it.

Old man Brol, with his innate social butterfly disposition, will gather people well.

And Olif, who has the title of deputy leader, will hold the center while I’m gone.

As for Karen, she’s so versatile and has good sense, so she’ll find where she’s needed and help out on her own.

“Hmm, from what you’ve said, it sounds a little strange.”

“W-what is?”

“It means you worked as a mercenary and a carpenter in different regions in the same year, right? You can’t falsify your experience. It’s grounds for disqualification.”

For reference, I gave Bart the title of administrative officer, a position befitting a salutatorian of the Imperial University.

Because as the number of people increases, the administrative work becomes complicated, and no matter how I think about it, this side seems more suitable than a mere swordsman.

He’s showing a pretty sharp side right now, too.

No matter how I think about it, I don’t get it.

At that level, he could have gotten a job at the Dwarven Federal Bank.

Why on earth did he jump into this field?

Anyway, after that, I went around Wolfskrig, taking care of the backlogged work.

Registering the granted mercenary band building. Placing orders for equipment according to the formation of the newly recruited members. Stopping by the church to express my intention to accept the mission, and other minor but not-to-be-missed chores.

It was several hours after sunset when I returned to the barracks, exhausted.

I washed up and changed my clothes.

Departure is tomorrow.

As I sat at my desk, designing the reorganizing mercenary band’s system or reviewing the mission details and calculating the variables, it was already midnight.

I immediately opened the subspace.

ZIIING-

As expected.

It’s ringing.

ZIIIIING-

It’s the Princess of Blood.

Fuck.