25-144

EP.144 [Eugene Schneider Struck by an Assassin’s Blade.] 

“It sounds like even the first round of contribution payments was basically paid out by the Pieta Guild… Wow… Did we really do that good a job this time??? Should I say it’s thanks to you, bro? You personally guarded the guild leader and even saved her life during the main quest.” 

Swoosh! 

Thomas handed the payment breakdown to Eugene, clicking his tongue in amazement. The amount the Pieta Guild paid out as compensation was enormous. As the Red Fox Mercenary Band’s treasurer, Thomas had high expectations, but the actual payment was three times more than he’d hoped for, leaving him dumbfounded. 

“We all worked hard. The results were solid. Like Captain Antonio said when he first met us, the most important things in this work are skill and trust. Judging by the outcome, our mercenary band nailed both. I don’t think the reward is excessive.” 

Sss…mile… Sss…mile… 

Eugene gave a standard response as he read through the paperwork Thomas handed him. Everyone did well. The reward was fully deserved, the result of mutual trust and everyone doing their best. But inside, Eugene was trying to hide a smirk, finding the situation quite amusing. 

‘It’s a strange feeling… I know we got this for doing a good job, but I can’t help thinking it’s also because I pleased Vivian so damn well.’ 

For Eugene, it felt special. To him, it seemed like this was a result of having thoroughly satisfied Vivian. In other words, it was the devoted support material and emotional of a woman who wanted to impress her beloved Eugene Schneider. Now that they were far apart, she probably wanted to pour money into the band to keep her presence felt. 

“So, the captain went to look for workers and materials to build the village?” 

Looking over the paperwork, Eugene brought up Jeanne. Jeanne had headed to a carpenter’s village outside Pangaea. Having been notified in advance that payment would come from the Mercenary Association, she set out without hesitation to secure the people and materials needed to build the mercenary village. 

“Yes, that’s right. All the labor inside Pangaea is tied up by the Empire right now, bro. To get enough people to build a village, you have to go out and look for them yourself.” 

Thomas explained in detail why Jeanne had to go beyond Pangaea. With the increase in monsters, the Empire had started or was planning large-scale construction projects everywhere. As a result, blacksmiths, carpenters, and laborers in major cities or accessible locations avoided long-term jobs unless the pay was huge. The Empire wanted to control them, and working on imperial projects could raise one’s status as a craftsman. 

“Hm… So in the end, it’s just you, me, and Marie going, like the captain said.” 

Eugene nodded as he listened to Thomas, understanding Jeanne’s situation. 

Jeanne had instructed Eugene to go check the area near Jebodang, where the Red Fox Mercenary Band’s village would be built, to see if there were any other threats. If it were just mercenaries, that wouldn’t be necessary, but since they planned to bring the slum children too, she wanted a much more detailed estimate and to prepare accordingly. Eugene had planned to go with Jeanne when she got back from her trip, but since her schedule seemed longer than expected, he figured they’d have to go separately. 

“Oh… I thought I knew Jebodang pretty well after a few trips, but I guess not.” 

Two days later, Eugene Schneider, as planned, headed to Jebodang with Thomas and Marie. They arrived a little after noon, greeted the villagers, and then spent about an hour carefully inspecting the site and its surroundings for the mercenary village. During this, Eugene noticed things he hadn’t before and found them quite interesting. 

“There’s a waterfall!” 

Swoooosh! Swoooosh! 

A spectacular waterfall came into view. There was a stretch of cliffs, and at the end, a huge waterfall. Even though it was over a kilometer away, it was so big you could see it clearly. 

“Remember during the goblin quest, I said this place was used for smuggling in the past? The areas people live in have been cultivated and settled for a long time, but the surroundings are still pretty rough.” 

“Oh yeah, I remember you saying that.” 

Thomas eagerly shared what he knew. Pangaea was a famous city even during the Warring States era of Fedon. It was the capital of the kingdom that controlled the land, and its rough terrain made it a natural fortress. Jebodang also has a history as one of those outer fortress strongholds. 

“Well, it’s a mercenary village, so these features are needed. It has to be easy to defend. Of course, it could be dangerous for the kids, but if we build good barricades and teach them safety, it should be fine.” 

Step, step, step. 

Eugene began exploring the cliff area in earnest. The sheer cliffs stretched for several kilometers, about 30–40 meters high, with water from the distant waterfall forming a fast-moving river below. Walking it himself, it was even rougher than he’d imagined. But that also made it good for a fortress it all depended on how they used it. 

“Oh, it’s time?” 

After about 20 minutes of inspecting the cliffs, Thomas checked his time stone. 

“Bro, I’ll head to Jebodang village for a bit and come back. The villagers wanted to treat us to lunch. I think it’s better if I go and bring the food here.” 

The villagers now considered the Red Fox Mercenary Band more than neighbors they were like family. When they heard Eugene was visiting, they’d been busy since morning preparing lunch. But they didn’t want to inconvenience Eugene, so they planned to bring the food to him. Thomas thought it would be best if he helped out. 

“Alright, do that, Thomas. I’ll look around a bit more and then head back to the village site.” 

“Okay, Eugene!” 

“Then, Captain! I’ll go with Thomas a little way and come right back!” 

“Haha! Sure, Marie.” 

Eugene decided to finish looking around and return later, while Marie said she had something to discuss with Thomas and would see him off. 

‘Hmm…’ 

Step, step, step. 

With Thomas and Marie gone, Eugene wandered the area, deep in thought. 

‘Since that day, Mina seems to be avoiding me a little?’ 

His pensive look was less about the current task and more about other thoughts specifically, Mina. Since the slum volunteer work, Eugene had felt Mina was different. She was still kind and diligent, but there was a subtle change in the air around her, starting right after that time. 

‘I thought she’d be happy when I asked her to come with me today…’ 

Today’s events confirmed it. Eugene could have come to Jebodang yesterday, but he chose today so he could invite Mina. As a blacksmith, she’d have a lot to look at, and he thought she’d be happy to see where the kids would live. But when he surprised her with the invitation, she apologized and politely refused. Maybe she really was busy, but to Eugene, it didn’t seem like that was the reason. He was sure there was something else. 

‘Were her eyes a little swollen because she’d been crying? Is something wrong?’ 

Since he’d noticed Mina’s eyes were a bit puffy after playing with the kids, Eugene was even more concerned. 

So, lost in thought, he kept walking along the river at the base of the cliffs. 

Then, suddenly  

Fwoooosh! 

A sharp sound of wind being sliced rushed past. 

‘Where should we eat? Feels like a picnic after so long~’ 

Having seen Thomas off, Marie was walking back toward Eugene. The early summer field was full of the scent of summer, and the scene reminded her of childhood picnics with her siblings. 

‘But what’s up with Mina? She’s never warned me to be careful like that before.’ 

Marie, lost in the picnic mood, tilted her head. Mina had told her to be extra careful when going to Jebodang a first in the six months they’d known each other. Marie was puzzled, and had decided to stick close to Thomas just in case. 

‘Captain Eugene must have gone further ahead already?’ 

After seeing Thomas off, Marie headed back toward Eugene. 

“!!!!!!!!” 

Her eyes widened. 

“Ugh!” 

Swaying!! 

Eugene, struck by a dagger and a throwing weapon, was on the verge of losing his balance at the edge of the cliff. 

“Brother!!!!!” 

Thump-thump-thump-thump! 

Realizing what was happening, Marie sprinted toward him. 

 Shhwaaaak!! 

But Eugene completely lost his balance and began to fall down the 30-meter cliff. 

 Splash!!! 

He plunged into the fast, churning river below. 

“Captain! Brother!!” 

Marie reached the cliff’s edge, her face pale, and screamed down at the river where Eugene had fallen. 

At that moment  

Flaaash!! 

A black figure shot out from the bushes right next to the cliff. 

Shwoooosh!! 

And that figure immediately leapt down toward the bottom of the cliff.