Chapter 63 Time To Depart

"As expected of the city of mercenaries and merchants... I guess this is the reason why the city is well-respected and sought by all surrounding countries, huh," Lyan uttered as he saw the crowd gathering around the mercenary guild.

After leaving the inn, Lyan went straight toward the mercenary guild. But when he arrived, the ones that are already present are not only from the elite group, but the other mercenaries joining the subjugation had already waited outside the guild's building, sitting together with their group, waiting for the time to march.

"I guess they wouldn't want to miss the opportunity, huh," (Lyan)

The number of mercenaries in front of Lyan easily surpassed one thousand, and it's not all yet. There are still those that hadn't come, and mercenaries from outer cities that are going to join the subjugation midway.

The city of Arkansas is a big city with a population comprising mostly mercenaries, merchants, and peddlers, while local residents that live in the city are only 30% of the people of the city. With the number of active mercenaries inside the city, a single issue of a big quest from the mercenary guild is capable of gathering this much of mercenaries easily.

Unlike noble's soldiers or a kingdom's army that comprised of conscripted farmers when built on short notice, the city could gather thousands of experienced mercenaries on such short notice. That's why there are no kingdoms or countries that are stupid enough to offend the city of mercenaries.

"I guess this is not the time to get awed by the sight," (Lyan)

Lyan slipped through the crowd and went inside the guild. Unlike outside the guild where the mercenaries are sitting and waiting for the command, the inside of the guild isn't as crowded, and when Lyan entered, Rea and Lichia immediately greet him from the inside.

"Arriving the last as always, huh, Lyan," (Lichia)

"The other members of the elite group are already gathered, please enter the same meeting room as yesterday, Lyan!" (Rea)

Lyan replied with a nod and a smile before he went straight towards the meeting room.

Just like before, the attention of the ones inside immediately went to him as he entered. But unlike before, the huge table and the chairs are nowhere to be seen, and there are only a huge map and a huge chalkboard filled with some kind of war strategies on the walls.

After wandering his gaze, Lyan's gaze stopped on Surena that is smiling at him.

"Looks like everyone had gathered, now we'll be starting the briefing," (Surena)

With the guildmaster's absence, the Valkyries' captain, Surena, and the Small General, Alice, took the lead in the briefing and discussion. After the discussion on the other day, the Small General had already divided the mercenaries into several units using data from the subjugation participation registry.

With the registry that noted the information of each mercenary with their weapons, steeds, and capabilities, she distributed them to their appropriate units effectively.

The briefing was mostly filled with Alice giving a more detailed explanation of her plan. And not only Lyan, but the knights, and even the veteran mercenaries that had already known her for a long time are astounded by how detailed her plan is, but yet short in explanation.

According to her plan, the elite group won't be in the same place from the start. Half of the elite group will be guarding the logistic unit, while the other half will be fighting alongside the other mercenaries on the front in an attempt to boost their morale at the start.

After one hour of the briefing, it's time to set out.

(I'm assigned to the supply unit escort team, huh) (Lyan)

"Looks like we're going to be in the same place again," William with his usual hood approached Lyan.

(This guy is still here, huh. He didn't present at yesterday's council of war, though) (Lyan)

"Yeah, unfortunately," (Lyan)

"There is no need to be that cold now, isn't it? What do you think about the Small General's plan, Lyan?"

"Isn't it a good plan?" Lyan replied uninterestedly.

"I'm serious. I'm interested in your opinion,"

In face of William's persistence, Lyan gave him a slightly annoyed look.

(This guy. I've been wondering for a while, but what is his motive for associating himself with me?) (Lyan)

Inside the elite group, if he wanted to associate himself with someone, it is more beneficial to associate himself with one of the Mythril-ranked mercenaries. Associating himself with Lyan who is a rookie that just happened to join the elite group wouldn't give him benefit as much as being an acquaintance or friend of a Mythril-ranked mercenary.

(He is well-spoken like a noble, while his posture is rough like a commoner, which didn't match his manner of speech. Should I use my mind magic and read his mind? But there is a possibility that there are those who are sensitive to magic activation and mana fluctuation inside the room, it's too risky. I guess I'll just answer him and take some distance from him for now) (Lyan)

"She went all-out in covering all worst-case scenarios that possible to happen. Starting from distributing the units effectively and applying proper war tactics, assigning part of the elite group to guard the supply unit in case of ambush, and letting the remaining elite group at the front lines for the starter fight to increase the troops' morale," (Lyan)

"Considering how well and quickly she made such a detailed plan, they must have been very experienced in wars. Unlike before, she carefully considers the opponent's moves as if the opponent is a human or other intelligent creature, which is very necessary considering how smart the goblins' plans were yesterday. Letting her as a commander will make the subjugation proceed very smoothly," Lyan replied as he crossed his arms.

"Hm~ I guess you're quite experienced as well. All three people of the Valkyries are high-quality mercenaries that have skills and ethics as high as a royal knight or even better. Several countries had invited them to join their country and promised them great rewards and prestige, but they refused them all. Isn't it interesting?" (William)

"Is it? I'm not really interested, though," Lyan replied with a shrug.

"Hou~ Considering how many times you frequent to the House of Roses, I thought that you're quite fond of woman. Or perhaps, mercenaries are not inside your striking zone?" (William)

(As expected, he's giving me an abnormal amount of attention. Hm?) (Lyan)

Lyan noticed something.

"Of course not. Strong women interest me the most. It's just that I do not really have my mind on those matters right now. By the way, what about you? Are you interested in them? You seem to have a wonderful pair of 'Eyes' as well," Lyan slightly bends his body down as he attempts to take a peek at William's eyes. What he saw is a pair of blue eyes, looking at him with widened eyes.

​ But William's startled look only lasted for a moment, an amused smile immediately formed on his face.

"You could say that. It seems that both of us are fond of strong people. Let's reap a great profit from this quest, Evocatore," said him as he left the room first.

(Those eyes. It looks like I was right) (Lyan)

"Those eyes... He could see them, huh..." (Lyan)

In this world, mana is something that seems invisible to most of the people, while only a handful of people, mostly wizards and magicians, that possess the talent to see it. And amongst them, there are even rarer eyes.

(Magic eyes) (Lyan)

In the case of magic eyes, they possess a different kinds of abilities. Even in the demon world, there are not many demons that have demonic magic eyes. In humans' case, it's even rarer.

(One of the magic eyes has the ability to see the detailed color and distinct features of a person's mana aura. Considering how he abnormally associated himself with me, it's very likely that that is the case. I don't know what he saw, but at the very least, it's very likely that he saw the small amount of colorful mana I possess from the spirits) (Lyan)

"How interesting," (Lyan)

After the briefing, the elite group went out of the mercenary guild, and the other mercenaries waiting outside the building immediately stands up, waiting for orders.

At that moment.

*Ding!* *Ding!* *Ding!*

The third bell rang, showing it is now 6 AM. It's about time to move.

Together with the loud sound from the bell, the elite group lined up in front of the mercenary guild's building, giving a great impression to all of the mercenaries present.

Standing in front of the guild's building are those considered as the most elite mercenaries of the city. As rough and wild mercenaries usually are, all of them respect the strong. And most of the ones standing in front are people that already famous and well-known by almost all of the mercenaries.

"It's time to move. Let the hunt begin!" (Surena)

____________________________________________________________________________

Name: Lyan Arkanium Evocatore

Occupation: Gold-ranked Mercenary

Money: 49,722,400 Elnes

Weapon: None

Equipment: Black leather cloak, Leather Armor, 1 (Decent) One-handed Sword, 2 (Good-Quality) One-handed swords, 2 Health potions, 2 Poison Vials

Grimoire's Companions: 8 High Spirits, Shadow Hobgoblin, Papilio Slime, Galewing Butterfly, Rock Golem, Deadlight, Moonlight Butterfly, Ice Golem