WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Order

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Chapter 143: Mercenary King (2)

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The moment the oracle ended, Marcus shared its contents with the group.

Sonia was staying at the temple, so the group consisted only of Elbridge and Rombel. Anyway.

"...Are you serious?"

Elbridge and Rombel were both quite surprised.

The God of Fox Rain had a mischievous side and occasionally made jokes or played pranks. But they weren't a god who told lies.

If anything, the God of Fox Rain's oracles often came true with near-prophetic accuracy. If they had delivered an oracle, there was a high chance it would come to pass.

Unlike Elbridge, who was simply surprised, Rombel looked more dumbfounded.

"That's really possible? Your aptitude was that exceptional?"

"They said I wasn't among the very best, but that it was fairly good."

"Fairly good, huh? My own aptitude should be more than fairly good."

Rombel's aptitude was enough to rank among the best of all dwarves.

The fact that he had survived on the battlefield two hundred years ago despite serving the non-combat God of the Iron Anvil proved his skill.

"They said combat ability isn't everything. Without heavenly luck and the goodwill of others, I couldn't be called the Mercenary King... The same goes for Ascension. Combat ability is only one path, and more gods ascended through non-combat paths than through combat."

"You're still a Mercenary, so combat ability matters to you. With your current skill, it won't be easy to earn the title of Mercenary King. No, let's say that problem gets solved first. Heavenly luck, the goodwill of others, and even a great feat worthy of becoming a god. Is the God of Fox Rain going to take care of all of it?"

Rombel clearly found Marcus's words hard to believe.

'No, perhaps he doesn't want to believe them.'

Elbridge could understand Rombel's feelings to some extent.

Rombel had spent two hundred of his three hundred years of life focused solely on becoming a god. Even he hadn't found a clue to Ascension, yet Marcus was being offered a path to heaven in just three years?

Rombel must have felt as though his entire life was being denied.

"They said they couldn't handle everything, but they could help with a great deal of it."

"...Even for a god, how is that possible?"

Marcus answered Rombel's skeptical question.

"The God of Fox Rain holds nine of the Heavenly Council's three hundred seats. That means roughly three out of every hundred people are believers of the Order of the God of Fox Rain. They said that with their help, most problems could be resolved..."

Most of the arrangements the God of Fox Rain had shown so far worked that way. Their believers naturally fit together, each becoming another's good fortune.

If the scale grew a little larger, perhaps they could create a great flow centered around Marcus. A flow that would lead him to become the Mercenary King, then lead him to heaven.

Marcus still hadn't said the most important part.

Elbridge leaned forward. "So, Marcus. Did you accept the offer?"

Elbridge had been with Marcus for over a year.

From what he'd seen, Marcus was someone who preferred a long, quiet life to a short and glorious one, and comfortable peace to hard-won glory.

Yet if Marcus accepted the God of Fox Rain's offer, he would surely have to overcome considerable danger and hardship.

Danger and hardship. Those were the things Marcus hated most.

Still, Marcus nodded.

"Yes. I've decided to give it a try."

"That's unexpected."

"The God of Fox Rain must have made the offer after much consideration. It didn't feel right to refuse."

"..."

In other words, Marcus was afraid to defy a god's will.

Fortunately, that wasn't all Marcus had to say.

"That's not the only reason. I wanted to take on the challenge too."

"Hmm."

"Compared to you, Sir Elbridge, I'm a coward. Whenever I'm faced with a dangerous choice, I hesitate and back away. But there was too much at stake this time. I know an opportunity like this will never come to my insignificant life again. If I turned this offer down, I think I'd regret it in my old age."

Elbridge spoke in a grave voice.

"It'll be dangerous. Very dangerous."

Marcus nodded.

"I know. The God of Fox Rain said so too. They said they couldn't control every variable. That it wouldn't be strange if I died at any moment. That they could only guide me as close as possible to becoming the Mercenary King or ascending to heaven, but they couldn't take me all the way to the destination..."

Marcus smiled awkwardly.

"Honestly, traveling with all of you made me realize something. I was always hiding several steps behind you. Maybe I was something of a burden... I wanted to seize this chance and take a few steps forward too. So I could be of help."

"I've never thought you weren't helpful, Marcus."

"I'm only saying that's how I felt. And there are plenty of other reasons. If I make something of myself, my mother will be proud. My father, who used to beat me, will see me in a new light. My friends back home will be surprised too..."

Marcus spoke dreamily for a while, then fell silent. Perhaps he was imagining a happy future.

When the silence dragged on, Rombel finally shouted.

"God of Fox Rain! Do you perhaps need a dwarf to serve as your hands and feet?"

An oracle came down at once.

- Too late.

"Hmm. Is that so..."

Rombel quietly stared at Marcus.

Elbridge could tell what Rombel was thinking just from that expression.

Wouldn't I be able to take Marcus's place if I got rid of him?

There was no way the God of Fox Rain hadn't read a thought Elbridge could guess at. An oracle immediately followed.

- Unless you want to end up like Niserath, you'd do well not to do anything foolish.

It was a threat that even if Rombel were chosen by the Chief God and gained the chance to ascend, the God of Fox Rain would make sure he lost the vote.

And the God of Fox Rain seemed like they could actually do it. They surely had connections everywhere.

Elbridge asked carefully, "Did the God of Fox Rain stop Niserath from ascending?"

- No. But Niserath caused far too many incidents, so quite a few gods disliked them. The Goddess of Thornbush disliked Niserath as well, though she has now descended from heaven.

"I see."

That exchange ended the conversation.

Just as the weight of the silence that had slowly built up became unbearable, the first arrangement prepared by the God of Fox Rain arrived.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Come in."

The person who entered was Murvach.

"What brings you here?"

Murvach answered Elbridge's question in a somewhat bitter voice.

"An oracle came down. The God of Fox Rain told me to accept Marcus into Murvach Mercenary Company."

Anyone who wished to be called the Mercenary King needed a foundation. Murvach Mercenary Company was a suitable group to serve as one. It wasn't too large or too small, and it had an excellent reputation.

"Will Marcus become the second-in-command?"

"They said that won't be necessary. They said he'll distinguish himself on his own. Honestly, it feels like that might happen soon. None of my subordinates can beat Marcus."

Marcus had always faced enemies beyond his ability beside Elbridge and Rombel, so it had been hard for him to realize how much his skill had improved.

Yet by sparring with the members of Murvach Mercenary Company, Marcus had been able to judge his own abilities objectively.

Still, being recognized by Murvach was a special experience.

In the past, Marcus wouldn't have been able to join Murvach Mercenary Company, let alone become its second-in-command.

Marcus murmured, "...My life has suddenly picked up speed. When I first met Sir Elbridge, I never dreamed things would turn out like this."

Murvach smiled gently.

"Anyone listening would think you've already become the Mercenary King."

Yet a faint shadow lay in the corner of Murvach's smile.

If Marcus rose to prominence in Murvach Mercenary Company, it meant Murvach would soon die or retire, leaving Marcus to lead Murvach Mercenary Company.

Rombel crossed his arms.

"If Marcus joins Murvach Mercenary Company... we'll have to part ways for a while. We can't exactly follow Murvach Mercenary Company around."

"Perhaps."

Then someone else knocked at the door.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Come in."

This time, Marquis Hagenlot appeared.

Unlike when Murvach had arrived, Elbridge's group was a little flustered.

Someone of Marquis Hagenlot's standing usually summoned others rather than visiting them personally.

Marquis Hagenlot seemed equally surprised. Clearly, he hadn't expected to find Murvach here.

Still, the marquis quickly realized why Murvach was present.

Hoo.

Marquis Hagenlot let out a small sigh, walked over to Marcus, and spoke.

"Marcus."

"Yes, Marquis."

"I'll be direct. Would you consider joining House Hagenlot?"

"...Pardon? Is that possible?"

"Of course it is. There are many ways. You only need to put your name down as a member of the house."

Marquis Hagenlot said it as though it were nothing, but it was far from nothing to Marcus. The name of a great noble house carried power in itself.

Marcus instinctively studied the marquis's expression.

He was worried that the God of Fox Rain had pushed the marquis into making the offer.

But Marquis Hagenlot's expression remained calm.

"And... if a Mercenary King is going to emerge, it's better for one to emerge from our house."

"Nothing is certain. There's a good chance I'll die or be seriously injured before then..."

"Marcus. Are you planning to disgrace the house name?"

"That... isn't my intention."

"Then House Hagenlot loses nothing even if you die without becoming the Mercenary King."

It was a little cold, but an accurate judgment.

This was surely another result of the God of Fox Rain's oracle.

Seeing Murvach and Marquis Hagenlot appear at the same time, the God of Fox Rain must have delivered oracles to both of them the moment Marcus accepted.

The God of Fox Rain's arrangements were only beginning.

How far ahead had the God of Fox Rain looked? How many people would they use, and how much would they prepare?

As Elbridge admired it inwardly, the Goddess of the Rusted Shield quietly delivered an oracle.

- Elbridge. Your goddess can do that too.

"Really?"

- Just wait and see. The moment you arrive in Solenion, Victor from the fruit shop will give you an armful of apples. You should also visit Wilkerson's inn, two days' walk east of here. Wilkerson will not charge you for lodging.

"...I'll look forward to it, Goddess."

As Elbridge whispered with the goddess, a sharp, piercing sound rang in his ear.

Peeeeep-

The deafening noise came without warning, and Elbridge sprang to his feet, clutching his ear.

Murvach and Marquis Hagenlot looked startled by Elbridge's sudden movement, but Rombel and Marcus also stood while covering one ear.

The three immediately understood why they had heard the sound.

Elbridge said, "It's Sonia's calling spell."

There was only one reason Sonia would use a calling spell.

"The Master of the Central Magic Tower has been caught in the mousetrap."

Footnotes:

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