Chapter 36
The open space behind the Mercenary Guild.
Jebeon's newly recruited Eastern Samurai.
That is, I stood facing the Mercenary Group's newbie, who introduced himself as Haguro.
It was supposed to be sparring, but we both held wooden swords.
Like this, I won’t even see half of what his swordsmanship is capable of, but what can I do?
It’s just light sparring, since we have a mission right after this.
“Come at me.”
Haguro nodded when I said that.
Then.
He placed the wooden sword at his waist and took a stance.
…Drawing the Sword?
It wasn’t some half-assed Iaijutsu like I do. It looked like a proper stance.
His body was low, his foot thrust forward.
And above all…
That explosive momentum…
*Pang!*
Yeah, I knew it was unusual.
*Thud!*
I blocked Haguro’s wooden sword as he rushed in, drawing his sword in an instant.
Fast, huh?
It would have been hard for a normal person to even react.
*Tak- Tadadadadak.*
And after that.
I was impressed seeing the rapid flurry of strikes that poured down.
Is this faster than Jebeon’s?
It doesn't seem like he’s using Aura.
It seems like he’s generating speed with pure skill.
Furthermore.
*Tadadadadak-*
It’s getting faster.
Looks like it’s a technique where the flow accelerates the more consecutive strikes he lands.
Interesting. Even I would have had a hard time blocking it if I wasn't using Aura.
Well.
*Boom!*
On the other hand, it’s easy to counter if I *do* use Aura.
Using my Aura-enhanced physical abilities, I swung the wooden sword wide and forcibly broke his flow.
Besides, since he’s using a wooden sword instead of his usual Katana…
There are bound to be limitations to his techniques.
He’s even without the Naginata he usually carries on his back. Lots of penalties for him.
Well, this sparring was just to get a glimpse of his skill.
I can see the details later when we go on the mission.
*Thud.*
Haguro, whose attack was interrupted by my single swing, took a low stance and thrust his sword. The flow was truly smooth.
How can a guy who looks to be in his mid-twenties have such clean technique?
Makes *me* want to learn.
*Tak!*
After blocking the thrust, I countered.
If he's that technical, I have to respond in kind.
It’s a good opportunity since I haven’t had a chance to use the Swordsmanship I learned from the Void Family.
*Whirr.*
I swung my sword as if to coil around his, deflecting it.
And then, I thrust precisely towards a vital spot… No wait, it’s sparring, so I aim next to it.
*Whoosh-*
But Haguro dodged as if he'd anticipated it.
He’s really something.
I glanced towards Jebeon.
That bastard.
Didn’t he bring in the wrong subordinate?
He needs to bring in someone weaker than him to maintain the Mercenary Group.
Well, looking at him, he seems to have the loyalty of a Samurai.
*Tak!*
I blocked the wooden sword Haguro swung as he dodged.
I didn’t expect an attack to come from such an unbalanced posture after dodging.
I really want to have a real match with him.
I’m curious about what techniques he uses with the spear he has on his back.
So.
*Crack!!!*
I strongly deflected the incoming sword again.
And then.
*Crack.*
The wooden sword split and broke.
“Sparring’s over.”
“Ah.”
Haguro looked down at the broken sword at my words.
“I lost.”
“It would have been better if we used our real weapons.”
Disappointment was evident on his face.
Looks like he’s got a bit of a fighting spirit too.
Well, he’d need that to reach this level of skill at his age.
His technique was impressive and above all…
“Next time, I’d like to see what you’re hiding too.”
Because it’s clear he has more tricks up his sleeve.
“...!”
I turned away as I saw Haguro’s surprised expression.
An Aura User he's definitely not... but from what I've seen, Aura isn't the only special power out there.
Like that alpha Wolf I saw before, maybe he's got some kind of Eastern power.
Anyway.
After that, I got ready for the mission.
Well, 'getting ready' is something the other Mercenaries do, not me.
"What's the mission this time?"
"A raid on an Orc Village."
"There's an Orc Village around here?"
"Seems like one popped up recently. Someone must have rallied the Orcs together."
Jebeon, after saying that, handed me the mission brief.
"Usually, they're built deep in the mountains so missions don't come down often, but these bastards built theirs close by."
I checked the mission brief from Jebeon.
Raid the Orc Village and retrieve the Orc Shaman's Ornament. The compensation for the mission is pretty damn good.
"Is an Orc Shaman's Ornament that rare?"
"Yes, plus they're probably from the Lunaria Great Plains, so it'll be overflowing with energy from there."
"Hmm."
Well, isn't that convenient.
I just so happen to need something from an Orc Shaman.
"I'm taking the staff."
"Ah, yes. As you wish."
Gareth requested an Orc Shaman's Staff as one of the materials for the sword.
I just need to snag that.
"Let's get going then."
And so.
To handle the mission quickly, we set off right away.
I'm not planning on taking too long.
I feel self-conscious being out for days, and plus, there's Whitey.
Since he's still young, he'll get anxious if I'm gone for too long.
It's a good thing, though...
"Aren't you gonna get ready?"
"Ready? Don't know what that means."
"Bastard's taking it easy on the mission, huh?"
"You're the same."
Having the newbie here makes the combat part easier.
Is that why Jebeon brought him?
In this line of work, skill is king.
And his personality...doesn't seem like he'll cause any unnecessary trouble.
So.
We climbed the Kain Mountains again, a place I'd already been to once.
Just like before, we passed the crowded foothills.
Once we arrived at the Mid-Region where the trees started to thin out and rocky hills became visible...
"This way."
Jebeon unfolded a map and pointed in a direction.
"What's with the map?"
"Got it from the Magic Tower. They said they tracked the Village's location using Magic."
"Aha."
Makes sense. Magic would find it quickly.
Lorenz managed to scout the vast sewers in an instant before.
"We'll just set up Base Camp and head straight there."
"Sounds good."
Thanks to the Magic Tower Magicians, we're spared the trouble of searching like last time.
We quickly set up Base Camp, then headed towards where the Orc Village was supposed to be before nightfall, for some recon.
"We're seeing footprints from here."
"Probably their activity range."
As we got closer to the Village, we found a lot of tracks that looked like Orc footprints.
Looks like they built the Village and greedily scoured the surroundings for resources.
"There are traces of combat here."
While we were going along like that...
one of the Mercenaries, who was scouting the area, spoke up.
"Combat?"
At his words, I checked out the area. Sure enough, there were bloodstains everywhere, like there'd been a fight.
"Looks like it was pretty intense."
Looking closely, there were pieces of leather and broken weapon fragments scattered around.
Since there weren't any bodies or other traces, it looked like the Orcs had won and taken everything with them.
"Looks like the fight happened recently, right?"
"Seems that way."
The blood hadn't dried completely, and the tracks were clear.
There was a decent chance the ones who were dragged away were still alive.
"Let's check it out."
"Yes. They'll have been dragged to the Village anyway."
Since we were looking for the Village anyway, we followed the trail where the people had been dragged.
"Is it common for them to drag people off like this?"
"Yes, they mostly take them for food preservation or to use them in Shamanism."
"Cheeky bastards."
When I met them in the Colosseum, they were just dueling, so I didn't know this.
They kidnap people once they build a Village, huh?
Guess they're more intelligent than I thought.
Just like that...
We followed the trail, and the number of footprints gradually increased, and that familiar foul odor began to waft over.
"It's the Orcs' stench."
"I know."
I know it all too well.
Goblins, Kobolds, Orcs—those three are notorious for their pungent smell.
"Let's see how big it is first."
I came to scout, but if it looks doable, I plan to wipe them out right away.
We have a dozen Silver-rank Mercenaries, Jebeon, me, and the new guy.
"There it is."
Following the trail, we saw smoke rising from between the trees.
As we got closer, we could see a wide Open Space between the rocky hills and crude houses built of wood.
"The Village is pretty big. There must be dozens of them."
The Village was bigger than I expected.
I thought it would be a small hamlet at best, but there seemed to be a lot more.
Well, it needs to be that size to have a Shaman, I guess.
"There might be Upper-rank Orcs besides the Shaman."
"Like Orc Warriors?"
"Yes, in cases like this, the Chief is usually an Upper Species."
Hmm.
Realistically, a Village this size...we should go back, reorganize, and then come back.
"Kya, Kyaa! He, Help me!
"These bastards! Aargh!"
But hearing the screams from inside, it doesn't sound like we have time.
"Everyone, stay sharp and follow me."
"Huh?"
"I'm saying don't push yourselves trying to keep up with me."
I said, drawing the Sword at my hip.
Originally, I planned to come back after reorganizing and leisurely watch the Mercenaries fight…
but this time, I have to step in.
I'm also fired up from sparring with that newbie.
And so...
"I'm going ahead."
"W-Wait...!"
With my Sword drawn, I slid down the rocky hill.
You arrogant Orcs.
You have the nerve to kidnap people and use them for Shamanistic rituals?
It's time for a little discipline.