A Conversation In the Middle of the Campfire

After weeks of travel through diverse terrains, the contingent of Heirs of Golden soldiers and mercenaries arrived at an expansive expanse of land. Here, the vegetation was scarce, and the withered grass stretched out before them. In the distance, they spotted a city with a small footprint, its external view hinting at an ancient, forsaken settlement. At its heart stood a weathered castle, and the fortifications surrounding it bore the marks of time's passage.

This place stood to the south of Alku Village, marking the outermost border of Heirs of Golden territory. At first glance, the small town appeared uninhabited, but beneath the surface thrived a community of iron miners. It came as no surprise that the surface appeared deserted, considering the wealth of iron mines below. Throughout history, two Heirs had made attempts to conquer this stronghold, known as Ironclaw City.

Ironclaw City presented the visage of an impregnable fortress, nestled amidst a rugged landscape of rocks, its enduring allure undeniable. Though it seemed desolate from an aerial view, beneath the earth's crust lay a vibrant world. This hidden realm earned the city its moniker—the Underground City.

Beneath the surface lay concealed treasures, primarily the extensive underground iron mines, a labyrinth that extended beneath the city's foundations. These mines bore testament to the city's prosperity, attracting the avarice of numerous noble families with their seemingly boundless reserves of precious iron.

Ironclaw City's renown extended beyond its mineral wealth; it was deeply intertwined with the House of de Leaf, the enduring ruling family. For generations, this noble lineage had governed the city, perfecting their defensive strategies. Descendants of the esteemed leader, Paul de Leaf, continued to preside over the town, upholding their forebears' traditions and values.

Amid the fervent competition for control over IronClaw, it was the opulence and quality of its iron mines that fueled the ambitions of these noble families. The riches and resources yielded by these mines rendered the city a coveted prize, sparking intense rivalries among those vying for power and affluence.

IronClaw City, with its dualistic exterior and bustling subterranean existence, stood as a testament to life's paradoxes and the resilience of its inhabitants. As the city braced itself for the impending challenges, the House of de Leaf remained unwavering, prepared to safeguard its legacy and shield the city's secrets from those who sought to seize its riches and influence.

Twenty years ago, the Heirs of Fish launched an attack with a sizable army, but they suffered a crushing defeat. Ten years later, the Heirs of Stone attempted an invasion, yet once more, the city proved unconquerable.

This region posed particular challenges for conquerors, thanks to the unwavering rule of the Heirs of Leaf, known for their formidable defensive strategies.

Now, it was the Heirs of Golden's turn to vie for control of this iron mining city. In contrast to previous Heirs, they dispatched not only a battalion of fresh hunter-soldiers but also a substantial number of mercenaries. Though General Aldrich led this assault, having been recently appointed for his many accomplishments, his experience alone paled in comparison to the mercenaries' combined expertise.

They assembled in the field, setting up campfires as darkness fell, with some pitching tents. Soldiers gathered, while the two bands of mercenaries clustered separately.

Meanwhile, Eran, as usual, stood alone at a distance, showing his aversion to mingling. Ten Lonewolf mercenaries remained unaffiliated with any band.

After a brief rest, General Aldrich approached the campfire and then moved closer to the leaders of the Band of Sirens and the Band of the Sun, inviting them to follow him.

Taran de Sirens led one of the strongest bands, renowned for their speed and tactical brilliance, second only to the Band of the Sun. Taran paid little heed to the comparisons that often arose.

They halted near a smaller campfire.

"Firstly, I'd like to thank the two most powerful bands for participating in this raid, Taran de Sirens and…" The General paused, momentarily flustered, then continued, "Bless you, my…"

"Just Theo, I'm just a mercenary," Theo interjected, and Aldrich, somewhat puzzled, obliged.

"Very well," Aldrich replied.

"Let's not waste any time. We'll discuss our strategy right away and study the city plan." He produced a map of Ironclaw's city layout.

"According to the records of past assaults by the Heirs of Fish and Leaf, the city has three entrances. The primary access is the main gate," Aldrich pointed to the front of the city. "The second is an underground entrance located near the castle in the city center. It would be advantageous if we could breach the gate. Lastly, there is this," Aldrich pointed to a spot on the map. Taran and Theo were absorbed in examining the map.

"Our challenge lies in precisely locating the third entrance. We'll need time to uncover it," Aldrich explained.

"No problem, we have a Path Finder in our band who can locate it if you allow him," Theo offered.

"Very well, now let's discuss our tactics." Aldrich paused and glanced at the two band leaders.

"Go ahead, we're all ears," Taran finally spoke, much to the general's relief.

He had been quite nervous, especially about explaining his tactics. How could he not be anxious when the two men sitting next to him were the leaders of the strongest Bands and had undoubtedly experienced various battles?

How had he, a newly appointed general, been entrusted with such a weighty task by the Kingdom? He was required to lead Theo and Taran.

Who didn't know Theo, a charismatic and formidable leader, while Taran possessed absolute authority and tactical acumen?

"I'm sorry; I'm nervous about having to lead you guys," Aldrich admitted, his expression tense. Theo and Taran exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.

"Don't worry; we're just a group of mercenaries doing a job. We'll do anything as long as we get paid. There's no reason for you to be nervous. After all, you're the leader here," Taran reassured him. Then, Theo patted Aldrich on the shoulder.

"Alright, let's continue. If your tactics are considered risky, Mr. Taran here will be happy to provide some guidance. Isn't that right, Taran?"

Taran chuckled. "You lazy rascal, how do your members still follow you faithfully?"

Their laughter broke the ice, alleviating Aldrich's nervousness. They continued their discussions, refining their strategies and addressing any issues that arose. The leaders of both bands contributed, sharing their experience and expertise to strengthen the plan.

As the night progressed, the campfire continued to burn, casting flickering shadows on the resolute faces of the mercenaries. Each member felt the gravity of their mission, understanding that the fate of Ironclaw City's conquest rested on their shoulders. Fortunately, they had a few more hours to rest before it all began.

In the far corner of the camp, Eran sat on a rock, observing the surroundings from a distance while occasionally tending to the small campfire he had kindled.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed someone approaching. The person strode confidently, their footsteps resolute, underscoring the charisma they exuded. Their long, golden hair danced across their perfectly sculpted face.

"Can I join you?" the person asked after standing not far from the fire.

Eran turned his head toward the voice without shifting his body position.

"If you're expecting respect and formal conversation from me, you'd better drop it."

The man simply smiled.

"Relax, buddy; we're mercenaries bound by nothing but wages and duty."

"Not applicable to you, Theo, the blood heir of Light."

Theo settled on a nearby rock, across from the fireplace.

"Well, I'm surprised you found out about me."

"Who wouldn't recognize you? Just by looking at your face and hair color, people would immediately know."

"Never mind, it's not something important. I told you I'm just a mercenary like you," Eran replied, returning to sipping his warm herbal drink.

"Do you want this?" Eran asked, slightly raising his glass.

"Ah, no thanks, I already drank it earlier."

"Well, Theo, what is your purpose in coming to see me as a lowly mercenary? Do you want to kill me for insulting your band?"

"No, no. I'm the one who should be apologizing for my friend's actions back in the guild. I hope you can understand, Gorstag is a man who is easily provoked, especially when it comes to our band. He's a Barbarian."

"No problem; after all, I was just responding to the guild officer's words back then."

"Good then," Theo said with a satisfied smile, feeling that there was no longer any misunderstanding.

"Then why did you want to see me?" Eran inquired again.

Theo fell silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the bonfire flickering in the night breeze.

"Join our band," Theo declared with a determined look in his eyes.

Eran was taken aback, but he tried to maintain his composure.

"Are you kidding?"

Theo shook his head.

"I'm serious."

"We've never met before, and we don't even know each other."

"That's not important to me at all."

Eran prodded the embers with the slender piece of wood he had been holding, his mind wandering as he considered Theo's offer.

"I'm used to doing everything by myself; I'm just a humble mercenary compared to all of you."

"Don't be like that; I've heard stories about you. That's too impressive for my liking," Theo said, his tone filled with admiration.

After careful consideration, Eran finally made his decision.

"I'm not interested in joining a group, so my answer is no," Eran replied firmly.

Theo was taken aback by Eran's response; it was the first time he had faced rejection. Instead of being disappointed, Theo's enthusiasm seemed to grow.

It could be said that, up to this point, only five individuals had received direct offers from Theo. This practical approach was a means to attain fame and high pay as a mercenary.

"Well, I assume you're still contemplating my offer, and I'll wait," Theo said.

"Wasn't my answer a clear no? There's nothing else to wait for."

Their conversation was interrupted by a call.

"Theo!"

Without much delay, a woman with long gray hair approached them.

"Let's return to our tent."

Theo let out a sigh and stood up, brushing off the dust from his pants.

"Eran, I believe our conversation should pause for now."

"Come quickly!" the woman urged, pulling Theo's arm.

"Yes, yes, be patient, Taneaya," Theo grumbled.

Eran watched them leave, and as Theo turned around one last time, he added, "I'll be waiting for your answer, Eran." Then, they departed.

Eran had noticed something that had been bothering him for a while—the sharp, disapproving glances from Taneaya. But Eran paid little heed to it.

He continued his solitude, marked by the late night sky adorned with shining stars above the camp.

The stage was set for the impending battle between the attacking camp of the Heirs of Golden and the formidable defense of IronClaw City. The mercenaries, united by a common purpose, prepared themselves for the battle that awaited them, their spirits unwavering in anticipation.

*****