Chapter 9

A Full-Time Healer Gradually Grows Stronger

(8)

“I am competing with my older brother for the position of the family’s successor. I need to achieve something that will earn me recognition, and I thought that the unexplored ruins in the Forest of Resentment would be it.”

“But there’s no guarantee that there will be any great treasure there, right?”

“Haha! You’ve been acting smart all this time, but suddenly you’re being naive. You’re a half-elf, so you might not know… In the central region, there are many countries. And each country has something in common. Do you know what it is?”

Everyone except Messi seemed to know the answer to the question.

“I’m not sure. I’ve never studied human history.”

“It’s that every royal family built their nations based on treasures obtained from ruins. Do you understand now? That’s why I want to go there. I can’t even imagine it! The world where those ‘lumberjacks’ have abandoned the exploration and excavation of ruins! Just how incredible must the treasures there be?!”

Erebe’s eyes were filled with madness, greed, and ambition. He was so excited that he clenched his fists as if trying to grasp something invisible in the air.

Perhaps this was the young era of a founding warlord who would eventually establish his own kingdom.

“…Have you thought about how you’ll tackle the ruins that the lumberjacks gave up on?”

“That’s not your concern, Messi. You just need to do your job, which is to safely escort us to our destination.”

He wasn’t wrong. Messi had no intention of participating in the exploration of the ruins anyway.

“Alright. I’ll only take you to the destination. The guides will absolutely not participate in the exploration of the ruins. We can’t even lend a hand. This time, you must proceed based on the trust you dislike. Do you agree?”

“The same goes for our mercenaries.”

Eila subtly joined the negotiation.

Erebe frowned but agreed.

He knew he had no choice but to back down this time. How could he win a negotiation with someone who would just kill him if he refused?

However, he took out his frustration on Eila.

“Going to the ruins was just a losing hand from the start, and the mercenaries weren’t part of the plan. Captain, don’t get the wrong idea. Honestly, if it weren’t for this guide, I would have just killed all of you.”

“Don’t you feel even a little bit sorry for us?”

“Being deceived means you’re stupid! And if you survive and return, you’ll get 10 gold as a reward and can deal with the betrayer. What’s there to complain about?”

“…”

Eila fell silent. She didn’t want to risk dying from frustration if she continued the conversation.

“Still, I’ll give you additional success fees when everything is over. I need your cooperation for the future.”

“Cooperation? What can we, a mercenary group, do there?”

Erebe looked at Messi instead of answering. He didn’t know what the mercenaries would be needed for yet.

“Eila, read the materials first, and then we’ll talk. Make sure to check the revised notes on the last page.”

The materials were the information on the Sky Piercing City that Erebe had brought. Eila’s face turned pale with each page she turned.

“No bleeding… and the level of the monsters… Are we really going to a place like this? It would be better to die at the hands of the knights. At least we won’t be eaten alive.”

“Eila, we don’t have to deal with all 48 types of monsters mentioned there.”

“Messi, is that supposed to be reassuring? Our level of mercenaries can’t handle even one type! The casualties will be enormous… Are you really asking us to accept this?”

Eila tried to deny the harsh reality, but she knew it was a futile effort.

Refusing would only mean fighting the knights and dying.

For her sake, Messi had to be firm.

“First, let’s be clear about one thing. I’m not part of the Red Fox Mercenary Group, and I don’t have any responsibility or obligation to save all the mercenaries. As a guide, I’ll do my best, and that’s it.”

“Yeah… I understand that. I’m grateful for all the help you’ve given us so far. But this… it’s like a death sentence for us.”

Suddenly, Eila knelt and bowed to Erebe. It was her last resort. She had let go of everything.

Her pride, her position, and her life.

“Sir, please. The lives of 80 mercenaries are not just 80 lives… If they die, their families will die too. Over 300 family members rely on these people… So please, have mercy… or end it with my life.”

Erebe clicked his tongue but didn’t say anything more. He didn’t want to let the mercenaries go either.

A moment of silence passed.

Messi broke the silence. He helped Eila up.

“Eila, stand up. If you want to survive, listen to me now.”

“…What?”

Messi held up two fingers.

“I will present two options to Eila and the young master. They are the safest routes to pass through the Forest of Resentment.”

Everyone’s eyes sparkled, as this was an important matter related to ambition and survival.

“Finally, we’re getting to the good part. Hurry up, half-elf!”

“The first option is to break through the forest by the shortest route, almost a straight line to the lumberjacks’ fortress. However, we will encounter three types of monster villages. We need to evade them with minimal casualties and escape.”

Lamang muttered unconsciously, “That won’t be easy.”

Erebe also frowned. He didn’t need to ask what the three types were; the monsters listed in the Sky Piercing City’s materials were formidable.

“What’s the other option?”

Messi folded his last finger and spoke firmly, as if it were his last resort.

“The second option is to go through the ant tunnels.”

Ant tunnels.

No matter how he thought about it, this was the best route. Messi truly believed it.

Even when he first learned he was being forcibly recruited as a guide, and when Reto suggested he run away, the first thing that came to mind was the ant tunnels.

‘At their level, they can’t handle the forest’s monsters. The only solution is to use some as bait and take a detour, but that would result in massive casualties and high risk. The ant tunnels are the best option.’

Messi waited silently for Erebe’s decision. Tap, tap. Erebe tapped his desk with his index finger and suddenly asked,

“Why? You’re suggesting the ant tunnels as if you want us to choose them, even though the shortest route is available.”

“I’m not insisting on the ant tunnels. It’s just the guide’s judgment that it’s the best option.”

“Why? Just because fewer mercenaries will die?”

Erebe didn’t value the lives of mercenaries. It wasn’t even a consideration. Answering that way would send countless mercenaries to their deaths.

Eila’s tension was palpable. Her answer would determine their future.

But Messi’s expression didn’t change as he replied,

“No. As a guide, I don’t have the confidence to safely lead the shortest route, but I do have the confidence to safely lead the longest route.”

“Haha, you’re only considering the guide’s mission.”

Erebe didn’t believe Messi. He was skeptical by nature, and this time was no different.

‘This half-elf has feelings for humans. That’s why he lives in a human village. Such a person wouldn’t ignore the lives of mercenaries.’

But…

‘That makes him more trustworthy, doesn’t it?’

If Messi were a cold-blooded person with no feelings for humans, Erebe would be in a more difficult position.

There would be nothing to hold him back. He would have to worry about betrayal even while using him.

‘At least if I keep the village people close, they won’t have any other ideas.’

Erebe’s thoughts dragged on. Messi added,

“And… the ant tunnels allow us to maximize our resources.”

“Resources?”

“The mercenaries. In the Forest of Resentment, there are no monsters they can handle, but the ants are different. Worker ants are the weakest in the Forest of Resentment.”

“If they’re that weak, it would be more certain to rely on the knights.”

“Do knights have infinite stamina?”

No, they don’t.

Erebe almost nodded at Messi’s pointed answer. He realized he had been caught off guard.

Annoying as it was, he was quite drawn to the half-elf’s words.

“Sir Lamang.”

“Yes, young master.”

“We’re… going through the ant tunnels. Discuss the preparations with Messi. We’ll enter the ant tunnels tomorrow.”

Messi’s persuasion was successful. Erebe left without waiting for Lamang’s response.

“Ant tunnels… in my old age, ant tunnels…!”

“…”

The village chief, who had collapsed on the ground, was screaming. No one paid attention. Only Reto patted his shoulder.

Eila approached Messi to express her gratitude.

“Thank you… I’m relying on you again.”

Messi glanced at Eila. She looked stressed, probably from the weight of 80 lives. She was even blaming herself, so her condition wasn’t good.

She hadn’t shown up at the drinking party yesterday.

“Eila… please get stronger.”

“…Me?”

“I’m not talking about physical strength. I know it’s not my place to say this to someone who has been a mercenary for a long time, but even the most trained body has its limits if the mind is weak.”

“Hearing that I’m weak… it’s been a long time.”

“It’s true, though. Eila, it’s time for you to really train yourself. You need to be strong enough not to break when you lose a comrade.”

“Thank you. I’ll keep it in mind.”

“Haha, the advice of an elder becomes your blood and flesh.”

“…I’ve heard that somewhere before.”

Eila’s face turned red when Messi repeated her own words back to her.

“By the way, Eila. As I said earlier, I can’t guarantee everyone’s safety. If sacrifices are necessary, we need to decide who to send… in advance. There won’t be time to think about it in the forest or the ant tunnels. There will be sacrifices.”

The ant tunnels are not an easy place. They will have to fight countless ant empire soldiers trying to kill the invaders to protect their queen.

There won’t be time to think about it there.

Eila, who had faced hardships and obstacles, had already anticipated this. She nodded and left the tent.

It was time to prepare.

The decision made in the tent quickly spread to the mercenaries through Erebe’s announcement.

Receiving full authority from that arrogant noble?

It was natural for everyone to be shocked.

Moreover, the negotiator was a half-elf. The fact that the noble had backed down to a half-elf was a significant event.

Some knights might have rebelled, but Lamang’s stern order and the strong justification that the half-elf was necessary for the mission prevented any outward resistance.

However, Erebe knew they would have internal grievances and could rise up at any time.

He was now gambling with his honor.

‘If I succeed, I can restore my tarnished honor. Even if my father chose my brother, my success will make him reconsider, and my position will be more solid than anyone else’s. I will make it happen!’

Since he had decided to give Messi full authority, he decided to do it boldly. He asked Messi in front of everyone,

“Hey, Messi. Do you need anything else?”

“The conflict between the knights and the mercenaries will hinder our future plans. They need to realize they are a community of fate. If this continues, something could go wrong.”

“Hmm… you’re right. So?”

“Let’s provide alcohol and food. There’s nothing better than a drinking party to resolve old grudges.”

“Haha, for a half-elf, you understand human nature well. Alright! Sir Lamang, provide plenty of alcohol and food!”

Like Andy Dufresne in ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ getting beer from the guards, Messi demanded alcohol and food from Erebe and got it.

The large supply of alcohol and food was so much that some knights and attendants decided to return to the village to replenish their supplies.

“Good grief… is this a dream or reality?”

“Damn! Who cares! Just drink! The night watch is off for the mercenaries tonight! Eat, drink, and be merry!”

The mercenaries felt like they were in heaven and hell in one day. They had been trying to kill each other a short while ago, but now they were sharing drinks.

But one thing was clear.

This half-elf was risking his life to negotiate for them.

As a guide, he had no stake in the conflict between the knights and the mercenaries. Even if all the mercenaries died, he was valuable enough to survive.

Yet, he acted for their sake.

It had a significant impact.

“Messi! Have a drink with me!”

“Really, thank you so much! I thought I wouldn’t make it home alive… really, thank you!”

“You’re a savior to our families! My mother will pray for you every night!”

Drunk mercenaries crowded around Messi, expressing their joy. Messi laughed and accepted it.

This time, there was no need for Reto’s sign language. They were genuinely having a conversation.

There were unexpected outcomes as well.

“If you ever come to the central region, visit our family. Lester’s Houang Trading Company is our home. I’m Betti Houang.”

“What? You’re from the Houang Trading Company? You’re a super-rich guy… Why are you a mercenary?”

“Haha… I have eight older brothers. There’s nothing I can do in the trading company.”

“Wow, still, you’re a lucky bastard!”

In a world where allies were rare, gaining a friendly connection was a good thing.

Moreover, when Uncle Reto heard the name ‘Houang,’ he was so surprised that it must be a significant company.

The drinking party continued to get more lively.

The village chief, who seemed prepared to drink all the alcohol in the village, was in a state of desire, and Reto was also building camaraderie with the mercenaries.

Messi, who hadn’t had a drink in a long time, was able to laugh and enjoy himself.

The End

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