NOVEL WEB Chapter 35
The tension among the mercenaries grew fiercer as time went on.
“Are you really asking to die today?”
“Try it! Just because you’re a bit famous, don’t get cocky…”
Despite all the shouting, no one actually drew their swords.
Honestly, what kind of fight is this?
To the onlookers, it might seem nerve-wracking, but to me, it didn’t look like they’d actually fight even if time dragged on.
At most, they’d just throw a few punches.
Anyway, mercenaries always look out for themselves, even if it kills them.
I mean, if you lose an arm over some pointless argument, your life’s ruined, so I get it.
But from my perspective as a spectator, it’s pretty boring.
“Here’s the food…”
“Ah, thanks.”
Still, just in case, I kept watching while munching on the grilled sausages the staff brought.
“Should we just jump them?”
“Everyone, get ready to draw your weapons.”
“Oh, we thought you’d never pull them out.”
They keep talking about fighting but never actually do—
Should they draw their weapons or not?
It’s hilarious.
If either side had been drunk, they’d have already thrown punches.
But since they’re not, nothing’s happening.
“Thanks for the meal.”
“Ah, yeah…”
I put down the sausage and stood up.
Meanwhile, the staff member, scared that a fight might break out, stayed close to me.
Did my surroundings seem safer?
Quick on the uptake, huh?
Anyway…
“Anyway… you cowards, that’s why you’re stuck babysitting some brat…”
It seemed like the perfect timing, so I approached.
“What did you say about a brat?”
“Huh?”
Turns out they were talking about me.
As I stepped in, Jeven’s gaze turned toward me.
…That guy, he must’ve noticed me.
No wonder he was being so quiet.
“You…”
“Got a problem with me?”
I left Jeven for now and approached the leader of the opposing group.
“Hey Jeven, who’s this?”
“…He’s the leader of the Blue Feather Mercenaries.”
“Was he active around here?”
“He recently came to the capital.”
Blue Feather Mercenaries, huh…
I glanced at the other mercenaries’ badges and saw a mix of ranks.
But they do have quite a few members.
“No wonder your shoulders are so tense.”
I got close to the guy with the gold badge, the leader.
He’s a bit young, maybe mid-30s.
Right in the prime of his fiery youth.
“This… this guy…”
He’s muscular too, but when he saw me up close, he froze.
Well, I’m much bigger than him.
I’m wearing a high-quality buff coat, and the longsword Garrett made for me at my waist doesn’t even have a sheath.
Plus, my hair’s styled, so I must look like a real troublemaker.
“I asked if you have a problem with me.”
From what I heard earlier, it seems Jeven’s being underestimated because of me.
I should make an impression on everyone here.
*Tap, tap.*
I got close and lightly tapped his shoulder. He was trembling but couldn’t do anything.
He’s probably trying to gauge me.
Sorry, but I’m not waiting.
“Why aren’t you answering?”
*Whack!*
“Ah!”
I kicked his shin, and he dropped to his knees.
“Ugh…”
It might seem like I’m going too far, but…
Well, this is the kind of place where that’s acceptable.
After all, strength is power here.
Plus, I’ve got connections.
I can throw my weight around as much as I want.
At the mansion, I’m just a guard dog, but outside, there’s no reason to hold back.
“Hey, I asked you to speak up.”
I’ve been a gladiator for over six years.
Being a troublemaker is in my blood.
“N-no problem…”
“Then why did you pick a fight?”
“W-well…”
But wait.
It seems like there’s another reason for the fight.
The “brat” comment must’ve been a jab at Jeven.
“Hey Jeven, why were you fighting?”
“…They started it.”
“I’m asking why they started it.”
I turned to look at Jeven.
He’s not the type to miss the point, so why’s he beating around the bush?
“…Come out.”
Finally, unable to withstand my gaze, Jeven called out, and a hooded man stepped forward from behind him.
Ah, the new recruit I saw earlier. Did the fight start because of him?
“Take off the hood.”
At my words, the new recruit removed his hood.
“Huh?”
I was surprised.
An Oriental man?
“He’s from the East.”
“Nice to meet you. Big guy, I’m from a distant continent.”
He’s a handsome Oriental man with long hair tied back.
In this world full of Westerners, seeing an Oriental face feels nostalgic.
“He doesn’t speak well, does he?”
“…But his skills are solid. He’s been making a name for himself lately.”
Well, it’s nice to see an Oriental face after so long… but I wonder if we’ll be able to communicate.
Still, he looks like he can fight.
The fact that he came all the way from the distant Eastern continent means he’s no slouch.
“Alright, take care of him. So, they picked a fight because of him?”
“…Yes, probably because he’s an outsider.”
“Then why did you take him in?”
“Because his skills and reliability are solid. He’s better than the others.”
So, Jeven’s a meritocrat too?
He’s eyeing me, probably worried I might dislike the foreigner.
If he’s so nervous, why did he hire him in the first place?
“Don’t worry, I don’t mind. But more importantly…”
*Whoosh—*
As I said that, I stepped back.
*Thud!*
A dagger struck where my foot had been.
This guy. While I was talking, he was sneaking around, trying something cute.
“Ugh…”
His face is red—he must be really angry.
“Is this guy usually a bit slow?”
As I said that, I swung my foot forward.
*Whack!*
“Ugh!”
I kicked him hard, and the mercenary leader stumbled back.
“He’s hot-headed. And he’s got no manners.”
“Lucky he’s still alive.”
“His skills are decent, though.”
Really?
Well, the speed of his dagger thrust was pretty sharp.
Even now, he’s staggering but quickly getting back up.
“Looks like he needs some training.”
I approached the stumbling guy.
Then.
“Hey, stop.”
A big guy, probably his subordinate, blocked my way.
“Hey.”
I raised my hand high, looking at the big guy.
Even for a big guy, I’m taller.
“Y-you can’t go near the boss…”
With my hand raised high, the big guy flinched, probably feeling the pressure.
*Whack!*
“Ugh!”
I slapped him hard, and he rolled on the ground.
“Kid, who do you think you’re blocking?”
*Crunch.*
“Ugh…”
I stepped over the big guy and stood in front of the mercenary leader, who had finally steadied himself.
This reminds me of the time with Jeven.
At least Jeven was drunk, but this guy’s a real man.
“This guy…”
He’s drawn his sword now.
“Put it away.”
“What?”
“Put it away, or I’ll disband your mercenary group today.”
I don’t want to make a big deal out of this, so I said that.
If he swings that sword, a mid-tier mercenary group will be disbanded today.
“Decide quickly.”
It’s his choice, so I waited.
Then.
“Ugh…”
He finally came to his senses and sheathed his sword.
“If you were going to put it away, why draw it in the first place?”
*Whack!*
“Ugh!”
I kicked him and looked around.
His subordinates were glaring at me but seemed scared.
The onlookers were silently watching.
Not a bad atmosphere.
“Hey, take him and get lost.”
I gestured to the closest guy, pointing at the fallen leader.
He’s holding the spot where I kicked him, but he’s a strong mercenary, so he’s not seriously hurt.
“Y-yes…”
With that, the mercenaries who were facing off against Jeven fled, including the big guy who had fallen earlier.
“Phew.”
I sat down on a nearby chair.
*Creak.*
Then, I gestured to the new recruit who had caught my attention earlier.
“Hey, samurai, come here.”
“You know samurai?”
“Of course I do.”
I had a hunch, but he really is a samurai.
Well, in a world with knights, there must be Eastern samurai too.
“Show me your weapon.”
“Need permission from the boss.”
At my words, the samurai looked at Jeven, speaking in broken continental language.
He seems to value orders.
“…Just do as he says.”
“Understood.”
After getting Jeven’s permission, the samurai drew a thin sword from his waist.
“Ah, a katana.”
“It’s not a katana. It’s a katana.”
“Ah, right, a katana.”
Japan doesn’t exist here, but it’s still fascinating.
“Do you know samurai?”
“Yeah, I’ve read about them.”
Jeven looked at me curiously, as if surprised I knew about samurai.
Well, I do seem a bit lacking in common knowledge.
But there’s no way I wouldn’t know about samurai.
“On your back…”
“That’s a naginata. A spear from my homeland.”
“Ah.”
A Japanese-style spear, huh?
As he drew his sword, I noticed the armor under his hood had a samurai vibe.
Did he bring all that from his homeland?
He must be skilled if he hasn’t had it stolen.
“Jeven.”
“Yes.”
“There’s an open space behind here, right? I’m borrowing it.”
“Huh?”
A skilled samurai… I can’t resist.
“Hey, samurai, let’s spar.”
“Fight? Okay.”
“Hey, Hans! Bring the wooden swords.”
I’m curious, so let’s spar.
I should experience Eastern martial arts in this world.