Chapter 102:

Chapter 102:

Chapter 102

The mens weapons and outfits varied widely.

Some wielded long spears, others carried swords, and some had hammers or axes. They were a motley crew.

Their mismatched gear made one thing clear.

They were not soldiers, but mercenaries.

That was the conclusion Ruon reached when he heard a greasy voice among the clustered mercenaries.

Looks like the old bastard who was scraping by suddenly got a second wind and hired some mercenaries, huh? Did he have some money stashed away?

As he spoke, the mercenaries parted to make way for a man with a massive body who waddled out like a penguin.

Maybe he knew his face looked like a babys because of his fat and saggy skin. He had grown a beard that did not suit him at all to cover his face.

Haha, youre a stiff one. I wonder if you can keep your posture when you find out who I am.

He cleared his throat and looked around.

Is there no one who can introduce me to that greenhorn?

Just then, Colin, who had walked behind Ruon, frowned at the sight.

Whats with that tone?

At that moment, a shifty-looking mercenary stepped forward and shouted.

This gentleman here is none other than Baron Farell, the filthy rich owner of some some mine or whatever. Did you hear that? You bastard!

It was a cheap and rude introduction.

But the pig-like baron nodded his head with a satisfied smile. Upon closer inspection, he had a long scar across his forehead. It seemed to be the wound that Oten had left.

Let me add a little explanation to this friends words. Im on a heroic march with my proud soldiers. Im rooting out the savages who were lurking in my territory and exposing the traitors. Ive dealt with the problem that could have turned into a rebellion because of my fathers lax management. Do you understand?

Hes just crazy.

Ruon revised his evaluation of the baron based on his words. He was not just covering up his faults by blaming the villagers for various crimes. He actually believed he was a hero.

His eyes, without a hint of doubt, proved that.

Meanwhile, the baron yelled.

This house is where the wicked old man who sold my daughter to the savages and his granddaughter are hiding. So get out of the way! Then Ill show you my last mercy with my generous magnanimity.

He was a loudmouth. Ruon did not want to hear his quacking noise anymore. He clenched his fist silently, when

Mercy? Who for whom?

Kyle stepped forward.

Unlike Ruon and Colin, who wore leather and linen armor, he wore iron armor that glinted faintly. The baron flinched at his appearance.

Of course, I for you.

Are you confident in front of the goddess?

The baron was bewildered by the sudden question, but soon sneered and answered.

Of course! Do you know how much Ive donated and offered to Tivella? I can say that I own a few pillars of the cathedral without exaggeration.

At some point, Kyles face lost its expression. He turned his body and looked out the window, then smiled faintly and gestured to the old man to cover his ears with both index fingers.

The old man, who understood his meaning, nodded and covered the ears of the sleeping Adley with both hands.

Then Kyle turned his body again and said.

Why did the goddess choose me, who was nothing but a woodcutter, as her sword? Ive always wondered, but now I think I know a little.

The mercenaries, the baron, and even Colin held their breath at his calm voice. Ruon also quietly watched his movements.

Shriek-

He drew the Arming Sword from his waist instead of the hammer he had left in the hut. A faint light leaked from his body.

His eyes rolled back, and as they turned completely white, he stopped moving.

Colin approached Kyle, who was looking down at the dead baron with a complex expression, and said while wiping under his nose, Well done, brother. Dont be too down.

***

The old man, unable to believe that the three strangers he had taken into his home had saved his and his granddaughters lives, laughed hollowly before breaking down into tears like a child.

Kyle knelt beside the old man, joining him in silent prayer for the dead daughter, son-in-law, and villagers.

In that moment, he was truly becoming a champion of the goddess of mercy.

I always thought there was something special about you since you arrived in shining armor, but to be a champion of the gods Ive lived a tumultuous life myself, but I cant compare to you two. What exactly happened?

Colin, who had been tossing bodies into a large pit, wiped the sweat from his forehead and asked.

Luon, who had been collecting a few silver coins from the dead, pushed another body into the pit and replied, Killed a couple of archdemons something like that.

Colin, drinking from his water skin, sprayed water forward and choked. After regaining his breath, he said, What? What demons? Youre joking, right?

Theres no one here to laugh.

Colin blinked, still not comprehending.

Why havent you told me about this before? Weve been traveling together for days.

You never asked.

Ah?

Indeed, he hadnt.

Ruon didnt talk about his past because he wasnt asked, and even Kyle, who liked to chat about this and that, had no reason to blurt out that he had killed the great demon.

Besides, Colin, who had become numb to rumors while roaming the battlefield, still didnt know the name of the party that had slain the great demon.

Of course, Ruon thought it was rather fortunate that he didnt know his embarrassing nickname, the great Ruon.

Shit, shit. Who have I been traveling with all this time?

Colin muttered and then added abruptly.

Were going north to find Amela, right? Thats what Kyle said, I think.

Thats right.

Thats a relief. I thought we were going to kill another great demon

Ruon wondered if he should tell him that it might happen, when Kyle came through the grass from afar.

Im sorry. I should have helped you.

Ah, no, its fine. Whats this? Its normal to deal with corpses. By the way, how are the two of them?

Kyle looked at Colin, who was stammering, with a strange expression and said.

Theyve calmed down and fallen asleep. I gave them some money for the trip, but theyre still anxious.

Its not our territory from now on.

Kyle nodded at Ruons words.

Then he opened his mouth slowly.

Im sorry for killing the noble without listening to the two of them

Colin waved his hand.

Hey, brother, why are you apologizing all the time? Whats wrong with killing a noble? Im a damn deserter, you know? And in my opinion, judging by the way he talked, he wasnt from a deep-rooted family. He must have been a rich merchant who bought a title. Lets just cover it up.

He said, rummaging through the last remaining barons corpse.

He said he had a mine ownership or something, but I wonder if he hid it somewhere.

Why would he carry that around with him?

Ruon snorted incredulously, and Colin exclaimed.

What? He has it?