Chapter 36
The sudden appearance of a high-ranked monster threw the mercenary band into confusion, but even so, under Athanas’ command, they succeeded in subjugating it.
Now that the Red Scythe Mercenaries had completed their assignment, they should have returned to the count’s lands to receive their pay and set off in search of new work.
Yes, that’s what should have happened.
“What’s going on here, Captain?”
“How should I know.”
The Red Scythe Mercenaries, to which Phrek belonged, were currently staying in Duke Lucipher’s castle as guests, having received the duke’s invitation.
They had been resting for days in comfort they could have never dreamed of before—warm beds, hot meals, and, most precious of all, gazes free of contempt.
“Where’s Basil gone?”
“Ever since the young lady took him away, he hasn’t come back.”
The mercenary captain, Phrek, and his vice-captain, Jarde, sighed in unison.
“To think that Flora was actually the duke’s daughter.”
“You saw her yourself. She doesn’t resemble him in the slightest. Basil wouldn’t have known either, that’s why he brought her along.”
“It seems the young lady has really taken a liking to Basil, don’t you think?”
“Yes. And it would be better for that boy to settle down somewhere than wander with a mercenary band like ours. It’d be good if he could please the young lady and find a position here in the castle.”
They had met Basilian near the Forest of Demons, just as they had Flora.
A pitiful boy, wandering the forest half-starved for days—too pitiable to leave alone.
They had wanted to refuse him outright, but how could they turn away an eight-year-old child wandering alone?
In the end, they suggested he work not as a mercenary but as an errand boy.
Though he rarely spoke and always looked sullen, he was polite and diligent. During their time together, they had grown attached to him.
“Feels like we’re sending off a son.”
“We’ve barely known the brat a month.”
“Wipe your tears before you say that.”
As the vice-captain sniffled, the captain chuckled—only to leap to his feet at the sound of approaching footsteps.
With a firm knock, Athanas and Isaac entered.
“D-Duke!”
The two mercenaries bent low, as if about to kneel, but Athanas gestured for them to relax.
“Be at ease. I only came to thank you for saving my daughter.”
He had them sit on the sofa, then set a flat iron token before them.
“Wh-what is this?”
“A token of gratitude for rescuing and protecting my daughter. With this pass, you may freely cross in and out of Lucipher territory. Wherever you are in the north, if you show this token, you’ll be given food and lodging. When you need rest, take it, then move on.”
For mercenaries, who were never welcomed anywhere, such a gift was extraordinary. Never in their lives had they received such kindness, and they were deeply moved.
“T-This is far too generous. We only did what anyone should—help a soul found near the Forest of Demons.”
“You saved my daughter. Of course you must be treated as precious benefactors. Don’t feel burdened—accept it.”
The captain, reluctant even to touch it with bare hands, used his collar to pick it up and tucked it reverently into his breast.
“Thank you. We will never forget this kindness.”
“Good. You’ve no complaints?”
“Everyone has treated us so well, it’s almost overwhelming. The only question is how long we should stay before leaving.”
“Stay as long as you like. At least remain until your wounded are healed and you’re ready to depart. Don’t feel pressured.”
The captain bowed again and again in gratitude for such thoughtful hospitality.
“In truth, there’s something I’d like to ask you.”
“Yes, I’ll answer to the best of my knowledge!”
“It’s nothing serious.”
Athanas smiled, the kind of gentle smile Flora thought of as mild.
“This is only hypothetical. But what would you think if we were to provide the Red Scythe Mercenaries with regular work?”
“W-We’d be most grateful!”
As Athanas stepped back, Isaac spoke up.
“Mercenaries usually lack a proper place to rest. What if we offered the Red Scythe Mercenaries a permanent base here in Lucipher as well?”
“That too would be more than welcome!”
“But what if the arrangement were that you only take on jobs we provide? You’d be free to choose which ones to accept—nothing would be forced. How does that sound?”
“That’s not bad at all. In fact, it feels wrong to accept all these benefits without giving something in return.”
“And if, in exchange for all this, you were to pay a commission agreed upon by both sides, would that be acceptable?”
“Yes, as long as the fee isn’t too heavy, we’d gladly do so. Are you perhaps planning to organize mercenaries?”
At this sharp question, Athanas smiled.
It was meant to be a kind smile, but with his stern features, it looked almost sinister.
“Indeed. I thought it would be good to spare mercenaries the trouble of seeking work, provide them with protection, and give them an organization to belong to.”
“You mean…like a guild?”
“That’s the idea, yes.”
The captain and vice-captain exchanged glances, then nodded together.
“If such an organization existed, we’d be grateful to join. Regular work would make any commission fee manageable.”
“I see. Thank you for your honest answers. Nothing is decided yet—it’s still in the planning stage. But if it goes forward, the Red Scythe Mercenaries will be the first I approach. Until then, please keep this confidential.”
The discussion had gone better than expected.
When asked if they had any conditions, the mercenaries hesitated, then eagerly voiced their desires.
“It would be good if mercenaries had a home to return to. A place for fellowship, private rooms, and facilities to store and cook food!”
“I don’t even ask for soft beds—but please, private quarters. And perhaps this is too bold, but if missions could be assigned according to each one’s abilities, so that everyone could choose within their limits, life would be better.”
Listening to their requests, Athanas felt both pity and kinship.
He thought of Flora, who had vowed to make her father live in comfort.
Since that flower-like daughter had come into his life, the world around him had grown noisy and bright. Wasn’t this what it meant to live like a human being?
As he gathered other mercenaries to hear their opinions, Athanas began to envision new possibilities.
‘We must not stand still.’
For the sake of Benio and Flora, his precious children, Lucipher must change.
Basilian looked down at Flora, who had fallen asleep clutching his hand tightly.
She had dozed off right atop her sketchbook after coloring with crayons, her chubby cheek smudged with streaks of color.
“I’ll take the young lady.”
Her maid, Elena, stepped forward and gently lifted her into her arms.
‘What complicated eyes she has.’
The maid gazed at her mistress like a priceless treasure, yet at times glared at her with venom, only to lower her eyes in sorrow the next moment.
‘Keeping her close feels dangerous.’
Was no one suspicious of this woman?
Basilian resolved to drop a discreet warning to Flora next time, then left her chambers.
Without Flora’s usual farewell, the walk back felt unusually bitter, as though he’d been abandoned by the world.
‘Not far from the truth.’
He quickened his steps toward the quarters assigned to the mercenaries.
At first, the northern custom of keeping corridors unlit at night had unsettled him. Now he could walk the dark halls blindfolded.
‘Still, I can’t stay here long.’
Of all the people he had met, Flora was unlike anyone else.
She could whine and flaunt her age like a child, yet at times seemed far older, speaking with startling wisdom.
‘Who would expect a four-year-old to talk about a mercenary guild?’
He had once dreamed of such a venture himself—yet here was a girl four years younger than he, speaking of it casually.
‘And besides…being near her feels so comfortable.’
It was because Flora was bright, lovable, and, above all, never pushed him away.
The first true attention and affection he had ever known were unbearably sweet—and impossible to let go of.
Which was exactly why he knew he couldn’t stay.
He was cursed, misfortune incarnate. If Flora remained close, she too would be dragged into ruin.
As he neared the mercenaries’ quarters, he paused by a window, watching the full moonlight stream into the corridor.
That was when a massive shadow fell across him. Startled, he spun around.
“Heading back, are you?”
A calm voice. Athanas stood there, towering over him, his expression serene.
“Yes. No matter how kindly the young lady treats me, I can’t stay in the main castle.”
He lowered his gaze and made to hurry past—only to freeze at the title Athanas addressed him with.
“How long do you intend to hide your identity, Your Highness the Crown Prince?”
