Chapter 163: Beginning the Overhaul (2)

While the mana concentration circles were being created, most mercenaries revised their contracts to lifetime agreements. New recruits also swore loyalty to the lord.

With the mana cultivation technique and even a knighthood being offered, there was no reason to refuse.

"Have you heard? There's a rumor that the Lord is going to teach the family's mana cultivation technique."

"Come on, that's nonsense. Mana cultivation techniques are the family's most secret legacy; who would teach that? Would you, if you were in his shoes?"

"Still, we're becoming part of the territory's forces. Maybe they'll teach us something decent?"

"Well, they'll probably pick something easy for us to learn. But don't get your hopes up; it'll take years of training anyway."

The mercenaries were brimming with anticipation for the mana cultivation technique, to the point where even unverified rumors were spreading.

Of course, that didn't mean they had no concerns at all.

While the common people of the territory were unaware, experienced mercenaries were convinced that another war would break out.

There was no way that Count Desmond, the great lord, would sit quietly after being humiliated by a small territory like Perdium.

Despite this, the mercenaries chose to risk their lives and stay in the Fenris territory.

A knighthood and a mana cultivation technique were well worth the risk.

However, while others were finalizing their lifetime contracts, Kaor and the Cerberus Mercenary Corps had yet to make their decision.

"Damn… What should we do? If we accept the offer, we'll be tied down here for life."

Kaor scratched his head in frustration as he gathered his members.

With his skills, he could secure a knighthood anywhere.

As a mercenary, he had the rare ability to wield mana, and his skills surpassed most knights.

However, he disliked rigid lifestyles and preferred living freely, which was why he had remained a mercenary.

"What about you guys? They say we need to decide before the mana concentration circle is finished."

When Kaor asked, a few members exchanged hesitant glances before speaking up.

"Well… we'll follow you, captain. Not like being a knight is all that great… It probably is, though."

"Learning the mana cultivation technique would be nice, but…"

"Just because we learn it doesn't mean we'll master it, right? Well… if it's the Lord, he might have a way…"

They didn't believe the rumors that the family's cultivation technique would be shared. They merely thought it might be better than the cheap techniques that were publicly available.

After all, mastering mana wasn't easy. Most people couldn't even properly grasp the basics of the cheapest cultivation techniques.

Still, with the Lord's track record of achieving the extraordinary, there was some hope that he might indeed teach something worthwhile in an understandable way.

It was just that this hope wasn't enough to outweigh their unease.

Kaor decided to test his crew further, despite their lukewarm responses.

"Anyone who wants to stay can stay. You can leave the Cerberus Mercenary Corps."

Even with that, no one dared to speak up.

After all, leaving the Cerberus Mercenary Corps required leaving behind at least one arm. They all knew better than to take Kaor's words lightly.

"Good, you've got loyalty. Right? A mercenary without loyalty is just a corpse."

At Kaor's words, the crew bowed their heads slightly, hiding their expressions.

'Like you wouldn't lose it if we said we were leaving.'

'He'd call us traitors and demand an arm as payment.'

'Still, it's been pretty fun here.'

As a slight sense of regret began to spread, Kaor clicked his tongue.

In the past, he would have immediately left upon receiving an offer for a lifetime contract. But now, he felt a strange reluctance to leave.

'What's wrong with me? Have I grown attached?'

No matter how he thought about it, there was no reason to grow attached.

From the Lord, to Belinda, to Gillian, to Claude—every one of them was odd.

Had associating with such strange people made him strange too?

As Kaor wrestled with his unresolved dilemma, one of his members spoke cautiously.

"Captain… Honestly, if we leave here, we'll just end up taking small-time jobs in the north again, right?"

"Yeah, just living freely, taking whatever jobs come."

"But honestly… isn't it fun here? The Lord may be weird, but he's entertaining."

That was an undeniable truth.

The Fenris Territory was unlike any other.

Even Lord Ghislain was entirely different from other nobles. Although he could be reckless and act like a troublemaker, it was clear that living with him was fun.

Encouraged by Kaor's gesture to continue, the member gained confidence and went on.

"At least here, we'll get to fight as much as we want. Isn't that better than wasting away doing nothing?"

That was also true. The second war with Desmond was practically guaranteed, and knowing Ghislain's personality, he would undoubtedly cause more trouble, leading to constant battles.

Moreover, the second campaign to reclaim the Forest of Demonic Beasts was already planned.

There was no place like Fenris, where big events never ceased to happen.

Seeing Kaor's intrigued expression, the member delivered the final blow.

"And if we take contracts in the north, who's to say we won't end up fighting against the Lord? Could you handle that?"

"Ah, that's…"

Without realizing it, Kaor muttered aloud.

'Fight that reckless Lord?'

While he wasn't afraid of other opponents, Ghislain somehow unsettled him.

Maybe it was the experience of being beaten senseless by him, but the very thought of fighting him was something his instincts rejected.

And it wasn't like he could live without taking exciting battle jobs. Switching sides back to Fenris afterward would be absurd.

Kaor crossed his arms, deep in thought.

When he glanced at his members, they were all looking at him with anticipation.

'Ha, these guys are so dishonest.'

Kaor chuckled softly and nodded a few times.

The truth was, his heart had already been swayed. His pride just wouldn't let him admit it.

Leaving this territory, which promised endless excitement, would be a regret he'd carry for life.

"All right, let's do it. Let's become knights!"

"Woohoo!"

At Kaor's declaration, the crew erupted into cheers.

Drifting aimlessly was fine for a while, but no one wanted to live that way forever.

Staying in this territory, where things were lively and unpredictable, was a much better option.

And turning down an offer of a mana cultivation technique and knighthood would be foolish.

The territory's small size and weakness didn't matter. Other places wouldn't take them under such conditions anyway.

Kaor arrogantly proclaimed, "I'll be the knight commander. Keep that in mind."

"What about Instructor Gillian? He won't let that slide."

"Hah! I'll just take it from him by force. If I put my mind to it, that old man's nothing. The knight commander is me, got it?"

"Wow! Kaor, commander of the Fenris Knight Order!"

Once again, the crew burst into cheers.

It wasn't because Kaor looked cool or because they truly believed he could defeat Gillian. They were just excited to witness what would undoubtedly be a hilarious fight.

Self-proclaimed Knight Commander Kaor raised his fist high with a smug grin.

***

"I'm the commander of the knights," Ghislain said.

Kaor blinked and asked, "Not me?"

"Nope."

"Why would a Lord act as knight commander?"

"I do everything myself."

"No, don't do it yourself. Give it to me."

"It's easier for me to handle it now. I'll decide when we expand the forces and reorganize later."

Clicking his tongue, Ghislain dismissed Kaor. Reluctantly, Kaor stepped back.

"So, I'll get it then?"

"We'll see. There are a lot of competitors, so I'm not sure you'll make it. And aren't you bad at fighting?"

At the provocative remark, Kaor grumbled, standing askew.

"I'm good at fighting!"

"Then we'll see when the time comes. After others train and show their skills."

"Nothing will change by then."

"Sure, sure. Looking forward to it. Anyway, good decision. Let's work well together."

When Kaor swore loyalty to Ghislain and signed the lifetime contract, the Cerberus Mercenary Corps was written into history.

Ghislain patted Kaor on the shoulder and handed him two books.

"Since we're in this together now, here's a gift. Take these."

"What's this?"

"Our family's mana cultivation technique and a swordsmanship manual. Of course, I've modified them a bit to suit you. It should be better than what you're using now."

"Whoa."

Kaor's eyes widened as he looked at Ghislain.

He'd come demanding the knight commander position but was instead given such gifts.

Although Kaor had mastered a cheap mana cultivation technique, his extraordinary talent, tenacity, and life-or-death battles had allowed him to reach a certain level.

Even with a basic technique, he had surpassed most knights, something he took pride in.

But that didn't mean he wasn't thirsty for a better technique.

The more his skills improved, the more he felt the wall of his limits. It was the boundary of someone who had trained instinctively without systematic knowledge.

That's why he enjoyed fighting and sought out danger—it was all he could do.

To Kaor, the books Ghislain handed him were like a lifeline descending into the darkness.

"I… I didn't think you'd give these to me."

He had assumed that Ghislain would only teach the other mercenaries, as people like him and Gillian were already knight-level.

Who would have thought he'd prepare something like this?

Even as Kaor marveled, Ghislain continued speaking nonchalantly.

"I've noticed you have a lot of bad habits and your body's balance is off. To properly use mana, you need to utilize your whole body, but your balance is broken. Your swordsmanship has flashes of brilliance, but your fundamentals are severely lacking. If you practice what I've given you, you'll quickly break through your limits."

"...Why are you doing this for me?"

Kaor asked, genuinely curious.

What Ghislain had handed him was worth its weight in gold.

No matter how poorly people viewed the Perdium County, their mana cultivation technique and swordsmanship were never inferior to others.

'The mana cultivation technique and swordsmanship of Perdium are no joke. Count Perdium himself is regarded as a high-level knight.'

Perdium's ability to defend the north was largely thanks to its cultivation technique and swordsmanship.

Such treasures weren't something one handed over lightly.

Even if they had fought alongside each other a few times, it wasn't enough to warrant this level of generosity—especially since their collaboration was based on a mercenary contract.

To Kaor, it made no sense.

Ghislain chuckled at Kaor's bewildered expression and answered, "You're bad at fighting. This is to make sure you don't get beaten up."

Kaor opened his mouth to retort, then sighed and stuffed the books into his chest.

He didn't want to show how happy he was because of his pride, but he couldn't hide the joy bubbling inside.

Even though he tried not to, a grin kept breaking through.

Kaor bit his lips, contorted his face, and awkwardly expressed his gratitude.

"I'm good at fighting… Anyway, thank you. Hehe."

"Sure. If you don't understand something while practicing, ask me. You'll need to work hard. If you don't want to be overtaken by the others, that is. There are many talented folks."

"Hah, no one will surpass me. I'll crush anyone who challenges me."

Eager to start training, Kaor gave a half-hearted bow and turned to leave.

Ghislain didn't mind Kaor's lack of manners, knowing exactly how he must feel.

As Kaor grabbed the doorknob to leave the office, he suddenly stopped.

For some reason… his nose stung.

He had lost his family at a young age and had lived fiercely just to survive.

'Has anyone… ever treated me this well?'

No one. He had lived in a world where it was kill or be killed.

That's why he had acted cruelly and recklessly. Otherwise, someone like Kaor, at the bottom of society, wouldn't have survived.

Perhaps it had been an act of desperation, or perhaps it was his resentment toward the world.

As the unfamiliar emotion washed over him, Kaor clenched his teeth to suppress it.

'This is just because he needs me in war. I'm only being taught because I'll fight on the frontlines.'

He tried to belittle Ghislain's intentions but knew deep down it wasn't true.

No one would share such treasures with a disposable pawn.

Most would toss a few coins and send them to the battlefield.

That's the kind of relationship Kaor and Ghislain were supposed to have.

'Damn it…'

Whether in the Forest of Demonic Beasts, during war, or anywhere else, Ghislain had never treated the mercenaries as expendable.

He had always tried to save as many as possible and stood at the most dangerous frontlines.

Though he used any means necessary to achieve his goals, he wasn't petty or cowardly.

'…All right. Let's stick it out to the end.'

Kaor hesitated, then let go of the doorknob and turned back to Ghislain.

Seeing Ghislain's puzzled expression, Kaor slowly bowed deeply.

For the first time in his life… he sincerely expressed his gratitude to someone.

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