Is That My Alter Ego

3 – Wipe Them All Out!

“Get ready for training…!”

Today, Serys was furious from head to toe. It was as if she had a fever of anger, getting mad every day.

“Well, let’s just do it half-heartedly~ Huh? You’re so damn meticulous.”

“Heh heh. If we’re half-hearted, what can the Vice Commander do? What can they do?!”

“I really like this commander! They’re so comfortable and nice, yeah?”

The reason for that was none other than the gangsters who didn’t dare to defy those words. Mercenaries should follow the orders of their commander and vice commanders. But these mercenaries simply ignored them.

“hahahaha… it’s finally over.”

As Serys observed me with her arms crossed, she seemed to resign herself and let out a hollow laugh.

She laughed as if she had given up on everything, with dead eyes fixed on the empty air.

It’s already been a week since I became the commander of the Scar Mercenary Division. Why does time seem to fly so fast?

Seeing Serys chuckle, I suddenly remembered her appearance when she came to find me a few days ago.

***

Bang-!

After I finished organizing documents in the office and was pondering improvements, Seris burst into the room as if she was going to smash the door.

“Captain.”

“…What’s the matter, Vice-Captain Seris?”

Faced with Seris’s murderous gaze, I almost ran away without realizing it.

I couldn’t move from my seat, perhaps because of the concept, and could only respond with a question.

“Really… Are you really not going to

Throughout this time, I’ve encountered nothing but dog-like managers. They always speak with honeyed words, but never act on them.”

After taking a deep breath, Seris wiped away her tears and began to continue.

“I thought you might be slightly different.

Their interim leader behaved like a lunatic, but instead of helping or comforting, the others were busy mocking him.

‘Discerning talents.’

[ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ (Not even at the level of bugs!)]

[☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ★ (You, talentless!)]

[ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ (Not even at the level of bugs!)]

[ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ (Not even at the level of bugs!)]

*

*

*

It was a gathering of talents that were all like trash. Not only lacking in talents, but their characters were also utterly destroyed.

They were the ones who strongly affirmed my decision, giving me confidence.

“Alright. Shall we begin then?”

The long and tedious time of organizing had come to an end. Now, only decisions and actions remained.

“All eyes on me.”

I stepped forward in front of everyone, lowered my voice, and portrayed a charismatic leader.

***

“Ha… hahahahaha… damn it… *snicker* *snicker*…”

It’s all over. Damn it… ha. Now, all that comes out is laughter.

Either all the tears dried up, or there’s no sign of them coming out.

‘…Father.’

I’m sorry, Father. I really tried my best… I tried to revive the mercenary group according to your wishes, but it didn’t go well.

It’s all over now. Because of that damn leader, all the remaining money was wasted, and only a bunch of worthless mercenaries are left.

Let’s give up. Yeah. Let’s kill them all and die ourselves.

“….Kill them.”

I’m going to kill them, kill them, kill them, kill them, kill them, kill them, kill them.

I’ll split those worthless bastards in half, kill that arrogant leader, and even go after the previous leaders of the group and kill them all.

“Father.”

I’ll follow soon. Please wait a little longer.

“Everyone, pay attention.”

The damn leader, who had never stepped forward before, somehow gathered everyone.

Yeah. I don’t know what the hell he’s up to, but go ahead and try. I’ll kill you first.

“What? The leader knows how to gather us like this?”

“Oh ho~ Is there a special event?!”

The worthless bastards, who thought they could do as they pleased, happily gathered in front of the leader.

“It’s an event. Yeah. It’s an event.”

“Ohhh!”

“Ha.”

Yeah. Just listen to what he’s saying. It doesn’t matter anymore because it’s all over.

“All members of the mercenary group, you are all fired.”

“…………..”

“….Huh?”

At the sudden announcement from the commanding officer, everyone froze. Even Ceris, who was usually quick-witted, stared dumbfoundedly at the commanding officer.

“….Puh..”

“”Puhahahahaha!””

“Commanding officer, who knew you were this entertaining?! Wow, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you laugh properly!”

“The one who used to be so quiet, playing such a fun prank! hehehehe!”

Out of nowhere, being fired?! The mercenaries were taken aback by the mischievous and amusing prank of the 6th commanding officer, and they all burst into laughter.

Some even flipped over and rolled on the floor!

“hehehehe…. Ah, that was fun. Commanding officer, so what’s the real reason you called us?”

“That’s right! Let’s hear it!”

Since the commanding officer had always been indifferent, they had just thought of him as a pushover, but from now on, he was the likable commanding officer.

With the mindset of being willing to do even a slightly bothersome task if it was fun, the mercenaries asked the commanding officer.

“Say it once again. Everyone is fired.”

“…Not funny anymore. Stop joking…”

“Now. Do I look like I’m joking?”

Goooooo-

“”……..!””

From the commanding officer, who had used a combination of red and black magic that sent shivers down their spines, an aura so intense that it could make their entire bodies tremble emanated.

“…Ugh.”

Even Ceris felt a slight sense of fear, so naturally, the lowly vermin who couldn’t even reach Ceris’ toes would have felt the terror of death.

The mercenaries stood before their predator like prey, with fear-stricken faces, only able to gaze at their leader.

“Let me say this again. All mercenaries, except the vice-captain, are dismissed.”

“Cut the crap! What right do you have to…!”

“…What did we do wrong!”

Right-! Why me-!

Brief fear turned into defiance as one of the mercenaries mustered the courage to rebel, prompting the others to raise their voices.

“Article 1, Clause 3 of the Mercenary Corps Contract: ‘Immediate dismissal is possible if one refuses to follow the orders of the captain or vice-captain more than three times without reason.'”

“…What?”

“You guys… not even three times, but not once did you heed Vice-Captain Selris’ orders. Still want to argue?”

The captain, not stepping back even an inch, presented irrefutable evidence. Ordinary people would have backed down here.

“Damn it! Who are you to-!”

But would these stubborn fools be ordinary? Finding their words ineffective, they immediately drew their weapons and charged at the captain.

“Da…danger-“

Selris almost blurted out to run away, sensing the danger. After all, there were many mercenaries, and their murderous intent was real.

“Sigh. What a nuisance.”

However, the captain, far from retreating, began to move towards them, maintaining that overwhelming and weighty magical power.

“Kill him-!”

“Yaaah-!”

“…..Come on.”

The many, stricken with fear, charge with their lives on the line, while the few calmly lower their stance.

“Die!”

Splat! Slash!

“Ugh…”

Dodging the relentless blades with ease and landing a punch, one of the thugs flew back and fell unconscious.

“Next.”

In a fight between many against few, the majority would always have the advantage. But… what if there was an overwhelming difference in power? And what if that violence reached me?

The little bastards who thought of themselves as wolves, believing they could catch a tiger, were crushed mercilessly, and they cowered in fear.

Trembling violently, I couldn’t even muster the courage to approach that tiger.

The mercenaries stood frozen in place, their eyes filled with terror as they looked at their leader.

“If he’s not coming, then I’ll go myself.”

Splat!

“What… what?!”

The leader dashed away at a speed that an ordinary person wouldn’t even be able to follow with their eyes. The thugs had no chance to react.

After that, it was a one-sided display of violence. Overwhelmingly, without any possibility of resistance.

Crack!

“Ugh…”

As the last one who held on finally fell, only the leader and I remained on this battlefield.

“Why… why now, of all times?”

Cerys could only spin her head in confusion at the incomprehensible situation.

*Sigh*. Such a nuisance, these vermin.

Despite having single-handedly overpowered dozens of adult men, the squad leader calmly took a deep breath and brushed the dust off his clothes before slowly approaching Seris.

‘What? Is he going to attack me too?’

Seris, who was still shrouded in magical energy, began to prepare for battle as he faced the squad leader’s murderous intent head-on, sweat cooling his skin.

“Vice-captain Seris.”

“…Come at me.”

I’ll tear you to shreds. I’m not like these vermin. The moment you come close to me, I’ll take your head-

“Sorry for making you wait so long.”

“….What?”

Contrary to his expectation of an attack, the squad leader apologized to him.

Sorry for making you wait, for just watching, I’m sorry.

‘What? What’s happening right now?’

He couldn’t comprehend the situation. He hadn’t done anything up until now, and suddenly everyone’s dismissed and he’s apologizing?

“I understand everything you’ve been through. I know how hard you’ve worked to fulfill your father’s request.”

“….What..?”

What… are you talking about? Suddenly saying you understand me?

Though he couldn’t grasp it, the unexpected comfort made Seris feel overwhelmed.

“Then, let’s move forward together.”

“Wha…t..

Under the blazing sun overhead, a man with black hair spoke calmly.

“Yes… Captain… Sir.”

Seris found herself responding to his sturdy presence, almost involuntarily.

‘…Really, for the last time. Let’s believe, just one more time.’

There’s something a bit different about this person. Pretending to be deceived, let’s believe just once more.

Thump-thump-

Unaware that warmth was welling up somewhere in her chest, Seris deceived herself.

***

“Wow. This works?”

When they came at me to kill, I fought back, controlling my character like in a game… And this works?

Without allowing a single attack, I defeated all the thugs.

It was my first battle… But it wasn’t bad, considering.

Alright. I’ve taken care of all the nuisances… Now, I need to recruit new mercenaries, right?

“Vice Captain Seris, post a recruitment notice for mercenaries. We need to find those who will join us in our beginning.”

“…Understood.”

Good! Let’s start properly then!

The Scar Mercenary Company begins now. I’ll make sure to make our past glory, no, even brighter than that!