Chapter 10

The Yerker Mercenary Army had set up camp halfway through their journey to the border territory.

The march was going smoothly. They were advancing on the planned route at the planned time, and they had already discussed in broad terms how they would act on the ground. Considering the possibility that supplies might not reach them, they had brought a considerable amount of food, so it could be said that this was an excellent march. However, a fatal problem arose.

"…Sorry, Ansugar, but I didn't quite understand. Could you repeat that?"

Yerker, Airi, and Stina were in the same tent. Ansugar had come to visit them, accompanied by two of his lieutenants. Ailri's face was pale, and Stina's expression was frozen in a blank stare.

"Well, let me put it simply. I want to avoid any misunderstandings. What I'm saying is, we absolutely refuse to be commanded by women. Your Highness, you're fine. Even though we've only been together for a short time, you're clearly an excellent knight. But the two behind you are no good. From my perspective, they don't seem to be cut out for this at all, and in this operation, they're supposed to command a squad. I can't accept that. Women tend to have hysterics on the battlefield. No matter how bold they may seem, no matter how excellent a knight they may be, if they lose it as a commander, we're all dead. We're mercenaries, but we have no intention of committing suicide."

Yerker, who had begun to think that Ansugar might be trustworthy, was deeply shaken but still tried to argue.

"I understand your concern about female knights being rare. Perhaps it makes you more uneasy because I promoted them to knights. Both Ailri and Stina were recognized by the Kingdom of Karella as squire candidates. They would have become knights in a few months even if I had left them alone. I guarantee that nothing you're worried about will happen."

Ansugar shook his head.

"Your Highness, this isn't about what the kingdom says. If you can't get these two recognized, I refuse to continue the march. It's not just me; the soldiers aren't convinced by women's command. This won't work no matter how you force it."

It was an outrageous situation. The shock Ailri must have felt, considering she had been the one most concerned about the mercenaries' morale, must have been immense. Yerker felt his heart breaking, but he knew he had to persuade Ansugar first.

Before Yerker could point out the contradictions in Ansugar's words, Ansugar spoke.

"I'm sorry, but this isn't a conversation I can have in front of them. I don't like saying harsh things to such beautiful ladies. Could you two step out for a moment? I'll have my lieutenants leave as well, and we can talk this out."

"That's not possible. They are important to me..."

Stina interrupted Yerker.

"No, Your Highness. We will step out of the tent."

"But..."

"It's fine. No matter what decision you make, our loyalty will not waver. It would be more problematic for us if you were in a difficult situation. Please make the decision you believe is best for us."

With that, Stina hugged Ailri, who was trembling and tightly gripping her hands, and left the tent. Ansugar's two lieutenants followed. Yerker and Ansugar were left alone.

Yerker spoke in a stronger tone than necessary. He was clearly angry.

"Even though you are hired for money, as a member of the army, disobeying orders is a serious crime. I'm sure you understand that."

"Well, who exactly will judge that crime?"

Yerker was taken aback.

"So, here's the thing. What we actually want isn't just to remove the two female knights, Your Highness."

"What?"

"We want you to revoke their knighthood if you want us to work."

The shock was so great that Yerker almost collapsed on the spot.

The man who was leading the troops Yerker needed to complete his mission was influenced by the Marquis Balthasar and the Viscount Kenneth. Moreover, he had been given some instructions from the Marshal's office. They had agreed to overlook some unreasonable demands.

After ten deep breaths, Yerker, with his head lowered, continued to tremble. Ansugar watched him, then spoke calmly after a moment.

"Your Highness, there's no need to overthink this. It's obvious which is stronger: five hundred soldiers or two knights. Besides, I could handle those two on my own. You have to fulfill your mission, right? You have to fight, right? Then the answer should be clear."

Yerker said nothing.

"Dismiss the two, complete the mission, and then bow to those who deserve it. With your talent, you can recover from this. I believe in that. That strategy you came up with was really well done. It was hard to believe it was your first time."

Yerker's face was etched with anguish when he looked up. Ansugar continued in a consoling tone.

"Of course, it hurts. They might hate you later. But it's okay. If you tell them to revoke their knighthood here, we'll take care of the rest. They won't show their faces to you again. They are indeed beautiful, and it's understandable to have some regrets. But let's move on cleanly and focus on the next step."

Yerker asked Ansugar, as if squeezing the words out.

"Why did you accept this mission? It's not a pleasant one, is it?"

"Money doesn't fill the belly, but we're used to this kind of thing. Everyone has their inconvenient matters. We solve them for a little money. We're like a handyman service. Of course, if you need a hand, just say the word, and we'll take on any dirty job for the right price."

Yerker, having made up his mind, said to Ansugar.

"Alright. I have a plan. Will you hear it?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"In front of the mercenaries, make those two lose face. Show me how pitiful they look, losing a one-on-one duel to mere mercenaries, despite being knights."

Ansugar couldn't help but laugh.

"Haha! Your Highness, that's a brilliant idea! That would be a sufficient reason to dismiss them! Your Highness, I really like you! I'm glad you won't be destroyed by this!"

Yerker said as he left the tent.

"I liked you too."

---

Two duels. Stina faced Ansugar, and Ailri faced Joshua, the best swordsman in the mercenary group.

The mercenaries surrounded them, cheering for the unexpected entertainment.

After all, both Stina and Ailri were rare beauties. To see them thoroughly defeated would be a perfect spectacle for those with a taste for such things.

Before the duels began, Yerker gave some instructions.

"The mercenaries have insulted the two knights. As knights, they must reclaim their honor with their swords. However, since we are about to go to war, taking lives is not allowed. Keep that in mind."

Stina and Ansugar still looked presentable, with Stina's tall stature making a good impression. However, Stina was naturally slimmer and smaller.

On the other hand, the combination of Ailri and Joshua was like a child facing an adult.

Joshua was particularly large and wielded a massive sword that looked like nothing they had ever seen. The difference in size between the swords was as stark as the difference between an adult and a child.

Laughter mocking the two women could be heard from all around.

Stina and Ailri understood Yerker's intentions and were genuinely grateful for this treatment.

"Begin!"

With this signal, the two women eagerly attacked their respective opponents.

First, Stina versus Ansugar.

On the first strike, Ansugar couldn't withstand the blow and his sword was knocked away.

The audience, including Ansugar himself, was taken aback. Only Stina, who had expected this, calmly picked up the sword and threw it back to Ansugar.

"Next, the second one."

With a swift step, she slashed down. Ansugar, realizing she was aiming for his sword, tried to block it. However, it didn't work.

Somehow, Stina had accelerated impossibly, and Ansugar's sword was knocked away again. Stina didn't stop there; she kicked Ansugar back.

The sword she had knocked away hit the ground and bounced. She skillfully caught it with the tip of her own sword, spun it, and threw it back to Ansugar.

The sword landed neatly in Ansugar's hand.

"Third one. If you want to admit defeat, just say so. I won't let you go that easily."

The duel between Ailri and Joshua was even more one-sided.

When Joshua swung his massive sword with a wide arc, Ailri met it head-on and deflected it with a bold strike.

It was a scene where a child's twig had knocked away a stick wielded by an adult.

Considering the strength and weight of the swords, it should have been impossible for Ailri's sword to withstand Joshua's massive sword.

Yet, Ailri not only withstood it but also pushed Joshua's sword back.

Joshua no longer thought he was facing a little girl.

Desperately trying to counter the mysterious phenomenon before him, he put all his strength into his strikes. However, Ailri calmly deflected every blow.

"Is this the best swordsman? He's just a brute. Without proper technique, there's nothing he can do. Here, let's have a strength contest. Come at me with all you've got."

Ailri stood in a half-turned stance, holding her sword straight with one hand.

With a roar, Joshua gathered his strength and swung his sword with his full weight.

For a moment, Ailri absorbed the impact by pulling back her sword at the moment of collision. Then, it turned into a lock.

Joshua, towering over the low-standing Ailri, pushed down with his massive sword.

However, Ailri, using only one arm, didn't budge an inch.

"Hmm, you have some strength. Your weight distribution isn't bad. But your form is full of openings... There's nothing I can do about that. Let's move on. Are you ready?"

Still using only one hand, Ailri slowly pushed the sword up.

The movement of Joshua's massive sword was more noticeable. As it was pushed back, the tip rose higher.

As it continued to be pushed, the massive sword became vertical. It didn't stop there; as Ailri pushed, Joshua was forced to fall backward, even bending his knees, and finally, he fell flat on his back.

The sword he had used to defend himself was pushed against his throat.

"Wait!"

"Don't worry, I won't take your life."

While saying this, Ailri didn't stop pushing the sword.

Joshua was already too exhausted to speak.

Suddenly, Ailri turned her head back and asked Yerker.

"Your Highness, isn't it true that cutting the neck kills?"

"Yes, cutting there would certainly kill."

"I see. Then, how about cutting an arm..."

"That would lead to death from blood loss."

"Oh, that's true."

During this conversation, the force in Ailri's sword didn't waver.

By this time, Stina was already on her thirtieth strike, and Ansugar was looking at her with a desperate expression.

Due to the continuous strikes, Ansugar's hands were so numb he could barely hold his sword.

Ansugar, a man who had lived a long life with a sword, could understand the overwhelming skill gap, no matter how unbelievable it seemed.

He had even tried to cheat and turn the tide, but it was futile. The moment they faced each other, it was already too late.

Once he realized he couldn't win, Ansugar immediately thought of his next move, but Stina didn't give him the chance.

She would strike, knock his sword away, and immediately throw it back. Whether Ansugar accepted or refused, she would attack again.

When he was struck without a sword, she hit him with the flat of her sword. Even with the flat of the sword, Ansugar couldn't see the blade.

The mercenaries felt as if they were watching a poor performance.

The two strong warriors they had respected and followed, despite their flaws, were being thoroughly defeated by two women.

They fell silent, and only the sound of swords clashing could be heard.

Ansugar and Joshua were finally so exhausted they could barely move, lying on the ground.

Ailri and Stina looked down at their respective opponents.

Yerker solemnly declared:

"The crime of underestimating and insulting knights because they are women is severe. Execute them."

Joshua, who was almost unconscious, was beheaded without resistance.

Ansugar, lying face down, lifted his head to glare at Yerker and was beheaded by Stina in that position.

Yerker addressed the remaining mercenaries.

"The leader of this unit is Prince Yerker, and my lieutenants are the knights Ailri and Stina. If anyone has objections, speak now. One of my knights will face you in a duel."

No objections came from the mercenaries, and the duel ended there.

---

That night, Yerker, Ailri, and Stina secretly left their tent and went to a small hill a short distance from the camp.

They did this partly out of fear of being attacked in their sleep, but more importantly, to observe the mercenaries' movements from a good vantage point.

"...It seems it was impossible after all."

Stina tried to console the disappointed Yerker.

"Your Highness did everything possible in that situation. The outcome was just a matter of fate."

From the camp, they could see the mercenaries fleeing one by one. Ailri was still furious.

"After all that boasting, they run away at the first sign of trouble? Your Highness, give the order now. I'll cut them all down."

Stina tried to calm her down.

"Don't waste your time. Even if you kill them all, nothing will change."

Yerker had tried to gain control of the remaining mercenaries by executing Ansugar and the unit's strongest warrior. As long as Ansugar, the commander, was alive, the mercenaries would never be reliable in battle, no matter how much he threatened them.

Yerker had tried to subdue and control the mercenaries with his harsh actions and the overwhelming strength of the two knights, but they had all chosen to flee.

Perhaps there was some truth to Ansugar's claim that the soldiers would never follow female knights. It was also possible that they didn't trust Yerker and the knights to lead them in a battle where they were outnumbered six to one.

Ailri, unable to accept this, pleaded with Yerker.

"There's still time. If we go ahead of them and order them to return..."

"Three of us can't watch over five hundred. It would be better to have them run now than to be abandoned in the middle of a charge."

Stina looked down at the map in her hand.

This was a copy of the map, and as many copies could be made, but this single sheet contained the entire strategy, carefully written to allow for various responses to different enemy movements.

It was filled with detailed notes, from predictions of enemy movements to corresponding actions, allowing for flexibility in various scenarios.

This single sheet contained all the strategies the three of them had painstakingly developed before the march.

Stina folded the map in half, then tore it in two. She overlapped the torn pieces and tore them again, continuing until they were small and fine, then let them be carried away by the wind.

Neither Yerker nor Ailri tried to stop her. They both understood that such a piece of paper was no longer needed.

There were many things to think about and do, but the three of them couldn't bring themselves to do anything.

They could only watch the mercenaries flee.

---

The mercenaries didn't have the nerve to touch the supplies, so Yerker and the two knights had a surprisingly lavish breakfast with the mountain of food left behind.

After the meal, Yerker muttered to no one in particular.

"Well, what should we do now?"

Stina stretched.

"Should we assassinate someone? That's about all we can do now. Whether it will succeed is another matter."

Ailri, with a serious face, suggested a strategy.

"If Stina and I run at full speed, we won't be caught. It would be even better on a mountain path. So, we could attack and retreat repeatedly."

Yerker couldn't help but chuckle.

"At this point, you two will still answer my questions. You're something else."

To prevent his words from being taken as a joke, Yerker put on a serious face.

"Listen, Stina, Ailri. I could endure any insults or neglect because I knew I was strong. I knew I was stronger than anyone who looked down on me, and I was confident that I could prove my usefulness in a crisis."

Yerker laughed bitterly.

"That was all I had to rely on. So, I can't accept failing a military mission. I absolutely can't accept that."

Yerker's eyes narrowed, and his brows furrowed.

"If I can't be of use on the battlefield, if I'm going to be ridiculed... I'd rather die."

It was a literal statement, not a metaphor or exaggeration. It was a heavy final word, filled with