The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth C.44: Recruiting the Mercenary

"You're making quite the claims,” Gordon remarked, his tone laced with amusement. “You say you know how to float an airship?"

"Yes."

"You... do you have any connections with dwarves?"

Karyl chuckled at Gordon's words. "Hardly."

"Then, gnomes?"

"I've met an old gnome once, but we aren't close enough to speak of bonds."

"Huh... you are a lunatic." Gordon couldn't help but laugh in disbelief at the audacity of the young kid. "How do you know then? It's been a challenge no engineer could solve."

"That may be true."

Magitek truly only blossomed after the descent of the Oracles.

Karyl stood up slowly, his eyes gleaming with confidence. "Inserting five elemental stones into the airship's compartments to maintain balance is a neat idea. But obviously, centering on one element is better for balance."

Karyl pointed to the floor beneath him. "Which element would be the most stable?"

He chuckled softly. "The answer is simple. Just combine all the elements."

A voice from the crowd interrupted, shouting, "Don't be ridiculous! Combining elemental stones? That's impossible!!"

It was rude to interrupt a conversation with the leader, but no one reprimanded him. That was because everyone was of the same opinion.

"It may seem impossible as unstable elemental stones could cause dangerous explosions. But, with a complete elemental stone, it's different."

"A complete elemental stone?"

"Yes, an octagonal stone," Karyl explained, his words making Gordon's eyebrows twitch. "If it's a pure octagonal stone, the risks of combining them are low, and the effects are tremendous."

"And you claim to possess one of those rare stones that even the imperial family barely possesses?"

"If I didn't trust my sources, I wouldn't have come to the Guidance Mercenary Gang."

"Haha! You... Your attitude changes with the situation."

"I consider us equal partners in this trade. What do you say?"

Gordon snickered, his gaze fixed on Karyl. "I like your confidence. Whether it's arrogance or not, we'll see. But what if I decided to seize your source by force?"

"If the entire mercenary gang were to oppose us, it would certainly become difficult. Maybe you could get the octagonal stone, but you wouldn't obtain the core stone that can perpetually float an airship."

It wasn't a lie. The synthesis method for the perfect elemental stone had indeed been revealed, but before it could be installed in the gang's airship, the fortress fell during the Oracle War.

"Besides, I'm aware that the mercenary gang always drafts contracts with magical agreements."

"Gah... Gahahaha..." Gordon laughed as if he had been outsmarted.

All of a sudden, the massive figure on the throne leaped with incredible speed, leaving a whirlwind in his wake. Suan Hazer and Aiden Hamil instinctively raised their arms to shield their faces.

Once more, a resounding boom focused everyone's attention towards the entrance of the hall. Smoke rose with the scent of burnt rubber.

Gordon spoke, "How about this? Why don’t you join me? You seem fit for the vice-captain position."

Jaygun's eyebrows twitched at Gordon’s offer.

"Funny, but unless it's about leading the gang, I'm not interested."

Both of their arms had gone numb. Though Karyl tried to appear nonchalant, he couldn’t help but think, Is this the power of the monster of the gang?

Had he not managed to deflect Gordon's strike, his arm would have completely shattered.

This is far beyond my expectations. If it wasn’t for Calypson's gauntlets, I would have been in serious trouble.

Another attack like that would not end lightly.

There are countless formidable individuals in the world. They may fade away with time, but in this life, I wish to win with strength, not age.

Karyl's competitive spirit as a swordsman flared.

In order to secure a contract with the mercenary gang, I must take a hit from Gordon. This was why Olivurn deemed it an impossible task when they discovered the fortress. And then...

Suddenly, a faint red line appeared on Gordon's forearm, followed by droplets of blood. As he tensed his muscles, the wound healed completely except for the blood droplets. The sheer sight alone left everyone shocked.

To block the captain's attack and even launch a counterattack?!

What exactly is he?

Silence fell upon the members, they were rendered speechless as they stared at the two.

"HAHAHAHA...!!!" Gordon burst into laughter and cracked his knuckles.

"Bring forth the contract." Without a shred of hesitation, he signed the parchment.

The moment the pen made contact, a faint trace of magic was felt, causing light to ripple across the surface of the parchment. No conditions were specified. It was a blank contract, something dangerously unconditional. Yet, Gordon Fabian displayed no hint of doubt.

If I can successfully block Gordon's strike, the contract will be mine. But if I manage to launch a counterattack, I can forge a pact with him. Karyl slowly smiled.

Little did anyone know that this was a rule Gordon had set solely for him.

Had Karyl not went back in time, even he himself wouldn't have known, for no one before had dared to challenge the leader, much less wound him, both in the past and the future,

"What's your name, kid?"

"Karyl."

Gordon Fabian and Karyl MacGovern. Neither of them could have foreseen that their first meeting would bring about a significant upheaval to the Oracles.

***

"At least ten gold per person. We also have different ranks within the mercenary gang, ranging from S to B. However, our B rank is not the same as the B rank you might find elsewhere."

Karyl, seemingly indifferent to Jaygun's words, casually flipped through the list in the barracks where the members were and said, "Mikhail, Tyrell, Morris. I'll be taking these three. Depending on how things go, I may need more, but that will be arranged through the branch office."

Jaygun's lips twitched at Karyl's dismissive attitude. Mikhail? The other two aside, he's a rookie B rank who hasn't been with us for long. And this guy...

While Jaygun remained puzzled by the situation, Karyl chewed over the names written on the roster, as if reminiscing about something from the past.

"You called for me?"

Before Karyl could fully immerse himself in his memories, he turned to face the frail-looking man standing before him and smiled warmly. The soldier, freshly enlisted and disciplined, saluted Jaygun with a perfect posture.

"It's a mission. You probably have a rough idea of what it's about. The specifics will be relayed by Morris, the most senior among us."

"Yes Sir!!" The young man, not yet rid of his youthful naivety was about five years older than Karyl.

"Pleased to meet you."

"Ah, yes." Mikhail awkwardly shook the outstretched hand, bowing slightly. What's with this kid who seems far older than his age?

As their hands made contact, Mikhail was taken aback by a sudden pain. "The skin hasn't yet healed after being peeled off. You must train hard. How long have you been wielding a sword?"

"Um? About five years."

Knowing that Karyl was his employer, Mikhail reluctantly adopted a more formal tone, despite his reservations. Is he some noble's son? He’s younger than me but he speaks as if he's got more experience. I can’t stand that kind of arrogance... And this had to be my first assignment.

Karyl chuckled, seemingly aware of what was going through Mikhail’s mind. "Only five years, and you've already made it into the mercenary gang... Your skills must be quite impressive."

Mikhail blushed at Karyl's words. "Not at all. I just happened to catch Captain Gordon's attention..."

"Look at it from a different perspective. He’s still new, so he hasn't shown any remarkable results yet." Mikhail’s spirits dampened as Jaygun's words echoed in his ears.

"Someone once said that our B rank in the mercenary gang is different from B ranks elsewhere." Karyl's reply made him stiffen slightly. "I'll take this man."

"Providing proper goods is also a part of business ethics."

Jaygun cast a cold gaze towards Mikhail. Whether or not Mikhail understood the underlying implication, he bowed his head.

"No refunds even if you're disappointed."

"Of course." Karyl agreed with a nod. "And double the compensation for both of them."

"...!?"

Jaygun's face twisted in confusion at Karyl's proposal of a larger deal, but then he chuckled lightly.

"On one condition—he won’t wield a sword. What do you say?"

"...What?" Mikhail looked at him, puzzled. How am I supposed to fight without a sword?

He couldn’t hide his sour expression. However, unlike Mikhail, Karyl looked at his face, a distant memory flashing in his mind.

“You fight well. Were you in the Guidance Mercenary Gang?”

"Yes.”

He had a rather sharp, well-honed blade-like appearance, not the clumsy look of now.

"I have heard that it's not easy to join the Guidance Mercenary Gang.”

Covered in blood and leaning against the corpses of monsters, Mikhail lifted his head.

"When trolls attacked our village, the mercenary gang happened to be nearby, hunting ogres. That's when I first met Captain Gordon.”

"How many years ago was that?”

"Well... it was about eight years ago?”

"It seems not all sword masters have a discerning eye. It wasn't your swordsmanship that allowed you to kill the troll.”

"What do you mean?”

"Well, that's what the creature over there said,” Karyl gestured where Narh di Maug. “It's too late for regrets now, but still that guy's unnecessarily interested in human affairs.”

It was surprising that a great dragon took an interest in Mikhail, but more puzzling were Karyl's words.

"What do you mean?”

"Your talent, it lies elsewhere, not in the sword. Things might have been different if you hadn't met Gordon.”

Mikhail smirked. There was no point in blaming the dead.

"Being able to live and fight like this is all thanks to the swordsmanship I was taught by the Captain.

"Is that so?

When was it?

Karyl’s thoughts drifted back to their first encounter and the bitter smile on his face when he first met Mikhail in his unit after the descent of the Oracles.

Back then, his words held little significance, but now they took on a different meaning.

He had now met Mikhail before Gordon had the chance to.

You should have become a sorcerer, not a swordsman.

Would he be aware of such thoughts? Mikhail simply stared at Karyl with a bewildered expression.

"Come with me," said Karyl, breaking the silence.

***

"Give this to Dushala before you leave," Karyl instructed, handing Suan a scroll he had written before leaving the mercenary gang.

"Are you sure this is okay?"

Suan glanced at Aidan and Mikhail, a hint of concern in his voice. Even the formidable mercenary gang seemed uncertain.

"Don't worry. Everyone is capable of taking care of themselves,” Karyl reassured him. “Besides, they need your navigation skills to enter Tatur. It's more important for you to take the rest of the mercenary gang to Dushala. I've written down everything you need to do here. Make sure you go through it with her."

"Understood."

Karyl gave a slight nod in response.

That should suffice for her to handle the rest. Knowing her competence, the results she'd deliver would likely exceed the guidelines he'd set.

It will take at least half a year to discover the mine in the lands purchased from Baron Beryl and the other four territories. Then, another six months to begin mining the octagonal stones.

It would require about a year. But, if we hurry...

The schedule was tight, but there was a chance to accomplish it before the descent of the Oracles. No, perhaps even before that. It might even be possible to prepare for the imperial war that would determine the fate of the empire, the principality, and the three kingdoms.

The stage was set. Now, it was time for Karyl to refine himself. Even after acquiring his overflowing mana points, he had yet to surpass the boundaries of a 2nd Class.

In order to do that... Karyl's eyes gleamed with determination. It's time for me to go there.

The visit to the mercenary gang was partly to request an escort for the mine, but also to go to that place with Mikhail.

It was the city most frequented by sorcerers, aside from the Ivory Tower and the Antihum Grand Library. A place where countless magical competitions took place every year.

They were headed to Azor.