Chapter 77 - What is Good For Me

“Seeing them will give you a better image of them. It won’t improve their image though. Anyway… we received orders to send reinforcements to the north and recover the territory lost. We can’t afford to leave any area in the hands of the enemies, but we also have our own territory to defend, so I will be sending half of our forces to help there.”

After hearing that from Hei, everyone realized that there was a risk that the country of Loreinos might attack them, so they had to split their forces. Hei isn’t going because of that, and he is sending the group because the princess is planning to head north as well to help. Zelos didn't like that since it feels like he is going to focus on the bodyguard duty. Still, he decided to keep quiet.

“You won’t have a commander to order you around from the clan. Heirina still isn’t experienced enough for that. So you will act like a force working directly for the princess.”

This time, Zelos was unable to stop his sigh… everyone looked at him while frowning, but they didn’t say anything. They also waited for him to complain, but he didn’t.

“I already informed all the groups that are going and they are to depart the day after tomorrow. You guys will go with them. I will be counting on you. Don’t do anything foolish and return in one piece.”

Irlan couldn’t help but smile. It looked like the recruits weren’t going to join this time, and his sister sure will be annoyed, but at least she will be safe.

“The enemies this time are on the offensive and don’t care about much else. They might have spies, but that won’t change a thing this time. You can head to the battlefield without having to worry about hiding. Good luck.”

Everyone nodded and soon they left Hei's house. At the same time, they headed to their homes, thinking about the battle this time around. It was the first time they were going to face an enemy of that type that hated them from the bottom of their hearts thanks to the past. In the end, they split up in silence.

“Even now, I didn’t try to get a weapon to fight while mounted, but I guess I won’t need this time.”

With the enemy’s main focus on infantry, Zelos would indeed have the opportunity to gain a lot of combat experience very quickly. The constant engagements with enemy foot soldiers would provide ample chances for Zelos to hone his skills, test his abilities, and learn valuable experience on the battlefield.

However, whether Zelos would be allowed to fully engage in combat was another question entirely. Liry held the authority to decide who participated in battles and to what extent. Given Zelos’ role and the potential risks involved in exposing anyone to direct combat against that kind of enemy, Liry might be hesitant to let him take on a frontline role.

It was a dilemma that Zelos often found himself facing, his desire to prove himself on the battlefield conflicting with the idea to ensure Liry’s safety. While he wished for the chance to fight and gain experience in battle, he also understood the importance of Liry’s decisions in managing the group’s resources and capabilities.

“No other choice. I will have to force her hand.”

When the day of the departure came, seven hundred mercenaries began to leave the town together. Five hundred infantrymen and two hundred cavalry… their pace was relatively slow, since reinforcements from all parts of the country were going to join the battle as well.

Kaitrine looked a bit tired since she had been doing some special jobs investigating the enemies, but she didn’t look to be in a bad mood. She was working like that because she wanted to. The group moved silently with Heirina on the front, but as usual, Irlan didn’t want to let things stay that boring.

“Did you give up on a weapon in which you can use while mounted, Zelos?”

“I don’t think that I will need to fight while mounted this time.”

“You could be wrong. They are better on the ground, but it doesn’t mean that they don’t have cavalry.”

“I will accept the risks and take my chances then. Putting that aside, aren’t we moving a bit too much toward the east instead of the North?”

“We will meet Liry along the way since the imperial guard can’t come this time around. They are busy in the south and the timing of the attack this time was that bad.”

After hearing Heirina’s explanation, Zelos furrowed his eyebrows. He wondered how the others would react to his choice… knowing Liry, she probably won’t stop him, but that might cause problems for the group. Still, Zelos could only be so selfless.

Zelos found himself at a crossroads, pondering his role in the conflict and his allegiance to the country that once enslaved him. Working for Hillania had pushed him to his limits, both physically and emotionally. While he understood that not everyone in Hillania was to blame for his past enslavement, he couldn’t ignore the negligence that allowed such things to occur.

In Zelos’s eyes, negligence was as much a crime as direct wrongdoing. The failure to act, to prevent harm, or two right wrongs was a moral failing that weighed heavily on his conscience. It was a reminder of the suffering he endured and the injustices he witnessed during his time as a slave.

Moreover, Zelos had to consider his own future. While he was committed to serving Hillania and protecting its people, he couldn’t ignore the need to carve out a path for himself. He wished for a future where he could find purpose and fulfillment beyond the battlefield, where he could build a life free from the shadows of his past.

These conflicting feelings left Zelos torn, unsure of where his loyalty truly was. While he was grateful for the opportunities Hillania had provided him and the chance to fight alongside his newfound comrades, he couldn’t shake the nagging doubts and questions that lingered in his mind.

Zelos didn’t have many chances to train during the trip, so he focused on hearing as much as possible from the people around to learn more. To increase his wisdom and thus mana, he thought that he should have brought a book to read. He had some leeway with money now to invest in that, after all.

Three days later, they met Liry and her comitive, who now had some servants with her. It seemed that the prime minister realized that it would be suspicious if she hadn’t sent some servants to help her. Some weird rumors took place after the previous battle, after all. In any case, the girls hugged each other for a while and kept talking while giggling. Zelos couldn’t help but frown.

“Yeah, this group really doesn’t fit me, or I don’t fit in.”

In the end, Zelos wondered why he didn’t think that from the very beginning. It wasn’t like they all had normal lives, they all had their own problems, but Zelos from the very beginning had been different from them. They had never been slaves and were treated worse than dirt.

Having allies was good and all, but ultimately, Zelos had to focus on himself if push came to shove. He was being paid to fight for the country, but he at least could fight on his own terms. If that doesn’t work for the others, he can just end his contract. His second contract was about to end, as well.

“The only problem is that I already have set my roots in that town. My business is there, and it is working like a charm.”

“What is wrong, Zelos? You look distant,” 

Zelos tried to prevent his thoughts from reaching his face, but Liry was good at noticing the smallest difference on the others. It made sense since she probably had to learn from an early age that a lot of people could be trying to use her.

“Just thinking about life, nothing big.”

The group knew Zelos well enough to understand that his mind was always churning with thoughts and plans, even when they hadn’t yet faced the enemy. It was as if he was already in battle mode, strategizing and considering his options.

While they waited for the inevitable clash with the enemy, Zelos seemed lost in thought. His brow furrowed in concentration. It was a clear sign of Zelos’s dedication and resolve. Even in moments of apparent calm, his mind was always active, searching for ways to reach his goals and overcome the obstacles in his path.

The rest of the group watched him with a mixture of admiration and concern. They knew that when the time came to face the enemy, Zelos would be ready, his mind sharp and his determination unwavering. But they also knew that his single-minded focus could sometimes blind him to other important considerations.

The trip had become more noisy now that Liry joined them. A lot of the mercenaries were curious about her and wanted to talk with her even just once. They didn’t know how things were in the capital, so they thought that it was their only chance to talk with the next future ruler.

In any case, three days later, they reached a town that was filled with refugees of the battle and the Group could feel that the enemies let things get quite messy. The population was angry and tense too. Now and then, people would pick fights with each other for no reason.

“We are one day from the closest camp near the enemies. When we arrive there, I want you all to stay with me once again. Most people know that you guys helped me before, so this will give me some extra confidence.”

This time, Zelos was unable to hold back his sigh and everyone looked at him without hiding their surprise. In the first place, that had been pretty rude of him and while Liry was asking nicely, ultimately, they were there to follow her orders.

“Yeah, about that… I want to stay on the very front lines. I want to gain as much fighting experience as possible, and this is the best chance for me.”