Quit being a knight and become a mercenary

74 – Luck always comes from unexpected places. (2)

As soon as the prisoners were taken in, a drinking party broke out at Fortress Seriz.

Both soldiers and officers piled up mountains of alcohol and meat that were sold at 20% of the usual price, and ate and drank as much as they wanted.

After a round of drinking, the tense atmosphere between the mercenaries was instantly relieved.

“Bring more alcohol, alcohol! And please bring some more pork belly for a snack!”

“Until two days ago, I thought this damn fortress was so strong that we couldn’t take it, but when we took it, it turned out that it wasn’t really a big deal.”

“It’s probably not because you’re so good, but because Platoon Commander Martin is so good, you idiot.”

The soldiers under Baron Sheikh who were guarding the Seriz fortress were unable to properly understand the situation and got into trouble while drinking, but for us now, drinking doesn’t really matter.

‘According to the scout leader, no enemy troops were seen around here.’

In this world where there are no tanks, trucks, or trains, it is actually impossible to move a large force large enough to take down this fortress without being noticed by the scout leader.

“I really just have to enjoy it without thinking about anything else today.”

So, I was passing by carrying roasted chicken, pork, and a barrel of beer in a small cart borrowed from war merchants…

“Our baron, please try some of this. “If you lose a war, you lose, but after the war is over, isn’t it the etiquette of a cultured knight to have a drink and talk about your adventures?”

When Dalton said those words, Baron Sheik’s expression darkened.

“It’s not wrong, but it’s not very pleasant for a mere mercenary to impose the etiquette of a nobleman on me.”

In this world, when the war is over, captured soldiers can be treated harshly and sold as slaves, but nobles and knights are very noble people, so it is common sense to treat them with respect.

In addition, the nobles who were captured simply accepted the favor.

The reason is that the ransom price for nobles is ridiculously high, but it also seems to be a courtesy created by high-ranking people because they did not want to go through the same hardships as commoners even if they were captured as prisoners of war.

“I was born into a family of high-ranking knights of a county and lived as a knight until just five years ago. “Please look at the emblem engraved on my armor here.”

“…… Was it you who was falsely accused by an idiot count from a neighboring country? Ahem, then provide good food not only to me but also to our knights.”

When Dalton heard those words, the corner of his mouth twitched.

“It may be a question. If the Baron allows it, I would like to bring the women brought by the war merchants to relieve the fatigue of the knights…”

“Can you do that?”

The corners of Dalton’s mouth were torn all the way to his ears.

‘That gentleman, as is customary, was excited to overcharge me for the food and flower stand.’

I smiled helplessly and sighed.

“No matter how much it is customary, how much money are you trying to take from us?”

When I arrived with the wooden cart, the guys in the platoon cheered and waved their arms to welcome me.

“Platoon leader, drink! “Give me some alcohol first!”

“This guy talked as if he had entrusted his drinking to the platoon leader and fell asleep. Hey, are you living there?”

“Oh, why are you doing that? “Senior Ain.”

These guys seem to welcome more alcohol and meat than me.

But on the other hand, when I think about the sight of smelly, furry men welcoming me more warmly than alcohol and meat.

‘I feel a little, no, a lot.’

“Take the alcohol and meat, you bastards! “We are the protagonists of today’s victory!”

“Long live the platoon leader!”

“Captain Dalton has given you a large sum of money to use up today, so enjoy whatever you want, whether it be alcohol, meat, or women.”

As soon as the mercenaries heard that, they took out all the meat and alcohol from the cart I had dragged and started preparing it.

At a speed that makes you wish it were this fast in normal times, or even during war.

“Meat, you have to eat the meat first.”

“What are you talking about? I should have beer first.”

“Hey, there’s a new recruit. If the platoon leader brings a cart, you should hurry up and return it, right? “Have you forgotten the concept?”

“New recruit Franz! “I’ll be back.”

Alcohol, meat, and the pride of having played a leading role in victory come together.

The guys in our platoon got excited and started drinking loudly, as if they didn’t have a care in the world.

“Key, to be honest, when the platoon leader said we should attack this fortress again after retreating, I thought our platoon leader had finally gone crazy.”

“But when we actually got there, just as the platoon leader said, the enemy soldiers were drunk and making jokes. “Still, those bastards are walking unsteadily, saying they want to fight us, and some of them are throwing up…”

“He was swinging a weapon at me, but I couldn’t stop him, so I thought he was gone. But that drunk guy hit the wall, not me, with his mace? So, out of gratitude, I broke his pot.”

As I was eating chicken legs while listening to that conversation, Karin casually walked to the seat next to me and sat down with a wink.

Then she naturally pressed her body against me and smiled that pretty smile that drives people crazy.

I lost my mind when I saw how beautiful she was, but she was still her platoon leader.

“Senior? “Are all the kids watching?”

When I said this, my kids smiled slyly and blew whistles here and there.

“Hey, guys. Let’s bring some alcohol and chicken. “There’s a clown performing over there, so is there any need to be here?”

“Lift your bowl well? “If you turn over, I’ll make you repeat that you died today.”

“Ugh, sh*t. If I don’t have a lover, I have to go out and die. Today I will confess to Anna and go until she goes. “Don’t stop me, you bastards.”

Then he took almost all the food and alcohol that was in front of me and disappeared in an instant.

Even though all the members of the platoon were leaving, Lucia stayed in her seat, biting her lips tightly and puffing out her cheeks, looking at Karin and me alternately.

She muttered in a very low voice, probably thinking that no one else would hear.

“… Me too…”

It was a situation where anyone could clearly see what Lucia was thinking, but I decided to pretend not to see it and move on.

Although polygamy is allowed in this world.

I already have a woman named Karin, but if she tries to touch Lucia without her prior consent, her relationship with Karin could be ruined.

All I have to do now is give Karin time to accept her Lucia.

‘Karin’s jealousy and possessiveness are definitely not her type, so just making Lucia realize that she likes me a lot would be enough for now.’

I have declared several times since I first met Karin that I would create a harem, so of course I would feel uncomfortable even if Lucia were to become my woman.

Karin also likes Lucia and takes care of her, saying she is like her younger sister, so I think she will do surprisingly well.

“Lucia?”

Lucia flicked her tail as I called her.

“Yes.”

“Don’t you want to see clowns perform or something like that?”

Here, she slightly turned her request to leave, but when Lucia noticed Karin’s gaze, she made a spitting sound and waggled her tail.

“It’s good to be a clown, but I like it better to be praised by my platoon leader.”

Lucia looked up at me with her expectant eyes and wagged her tail.

“When the platoon leader pats my head and tells me I did a good job, I feel at ease, just like when the director strokes me, and I feel better because I feel like I am doing well enough to be recognized by the platoon leader.”

Then her face blushed and she started wagging her tail rapidly.

“As my body heated up, I felt better. Also, it is thanks to the platoon leader that I have been able to be recognized by everyone since I first joined this mercenary unit…”

The sub-races of this world each have their own characteristics.

Elves have eagle-level eyesight and the ability to sense magical energy, so there are many archers like Karin who have the skills of an excellent sniper who shoots arrows with magical energy.

Fox beastmen like Lucia are generally agile, so they often fight using short weapons and focusing on agile movements.

In addition, if we were to name one more characteristic of fox beastmen…

‘When you fall in love and your s*xual desire increases, your body turns red.’

Lucia grew up in an orphanage since she was young, so she doesn’t know much about these things, and her mercenaries don’t want to teach such things to ‘pure’ Lucia…

There’s something implicit about it, and only Lucia doesn’t know it because they try to say it among themselves.

“Really? “Come here.”

At the same time as she said that, Lucia walked towards me and casually put her head in.

I stroked it carefully, as if brushing it, and Lucia made a noise like a purring cat.

“Ugh, as expected, the platoon leader’s hands are warm and trustworthy…”

From noble mtl dot com

After petting for about 5 minutes, Lucia stood up as if she was satisfied, nodded her greeting, and left.

Karin looked at me with a hollow smile and said teasingly.

“I’m starting to feel a little jealous that you’re being so nice to another girl in front of my lover.”

However, he did not show the burning hatred toward me or the feeling of betrayal that is shown in dramas.

“I knew it too. But I didn’t think she would approach me like that because everyone else was leaving and Lucia was the only one who stayed.”

Lucia’s behavior was clearly that of a girl in love.

He said he would do his best to impress the platoon leader, but he devoted himself to studying and training magic even when everyone else was playing, and he always came to me for praise whenever he did something good.

What could this be?

Karin whispered in my ear.

“Supporting your dreams is the same now as it was then. Either create a harem or run to your death for success. “I will not stop you and will always support and help you from behind.”

Her words brought an uncontrollable smile to my face.

“Instead, remember this. Because Martin’s first woman was me. “She should take care of me and love me before other women.”

Acknowledging my dreams and desires, but at the same time telling me to take care of myself as the top priority.

When she came to her senses, I found myself holding Karin tightly in my arms.

“Of course, senior.”

That night, I had to break my back to prove that I loved Karin more than anyone else.

And when fifteen days had passed, Baron Pappenheim finally arrived at Serise Fortress with 2,000 troops.