What was the result?
Back at the inn, Gregor introduced Centaurea and Machete to SilverAsh, then left them alone.
Not long after, the two of them came out one after the other.
Centaurea walked towards Gregor first, her face expressionless, but her rapidly trembling ears betrayed her excitement.
"It's approved," Centaurea nodded, trying to keep her voice steady.
"I'll go back and pack my things now, and I'm ready to set off with you... or your friend, anytime."
Gregor nodded, his gaze shifting to Jian, who followed him out. She said nothing, walking straight past the two of them downstairs.
Where is she?
Centaurea's expression became somewhat subtle:
"The Black Knight gave the boss (referring to SilverAsh) a merciless 'evaluation,' would you like to hear what he said?"
Gregor shook his head decisively. He could imagine the scene; it certainly wouldn't be pleasant.
"So, the recruitment failed?" he concluded.
"I'd say it was a failure..." Centaurea's expression became even stranger.
"The Black Knight has given us two options."
"Two?"
"First option: let the boss last ten minutes under her. If she can do that, she'll sign the guard contract that includes a 'loyalty' clause."
Centaurea paused, looking at Gregor.
Do you think this is possible?
Gregor remained silent; the answer was obvious.
"So, she gave us another option."
[Have your friend use personal connections to request a service; I can sign a contract, but I will only complete the tasks specified in the contract.]
"SilverAsh agreed?"
"The boss seems a bit shaken." Centaurea recalled SilverAsh's expression.
"He said he needed time to think it over, and the Black Knight gave him a few days, then came downstairs... Looks like he went downstairs to book a room."
Gregor fell silent. Was SilverAsh really going to accept that "ten-minute" challenge?
Seeing Gregor deep in thought, Centaurea tactfully took her leave and went home to pack her bags.
Once he was alone in the corridor, Gregor hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door.
"I've been waiting for you for a long time, my friend."
Pushing open the door, I saw SilverAsh Gray standing by the window with his back to the door.
The view from the second floor is limited, consisting only of the walls of neighboring buildings and the neon lights of the commercial street in the distance.
"I don't mind using connections," Gregor, walking up to him.
"After leaving Kazimierz, I may never come back."
His meaning was clear: Why not take advantage of it?
SilverAsh didn't answer, his hand gripping his cane tightly, making one wonder if he was about to crush it.
"No." He finally spoke, his voice steady yet firm.
"I'll figure it out myself."
Gregor turned his head in confusion:
"Why? If what you need is power, I can..."
"Trust me, my friend."
Gregor swallowed his words of persuasion; he could hear the persistence in SilverAsh's words, which reminded him of Machete's words.
[Dignity...?]
SilverAsh seemed unwilling to dwell on the topic any longer, so he pointed to the neon lights outside the window and changed the subject:
"Look, the night in the Grand Knight Territory is still dazzling. Even though this is only on the outskirts of the city, not in the most bustling center."
His tone contained a complicated sigh:
"But I've never seen anything like this in my hometown."
As he spoke, he took a photograph from inside his suit jacket.
Gregor took the photograph; it was a view overlooking a snow-capped peak.
A pure white expanse, low houses clustered in the valley and on the slopes, smoke from their chimneys condensing into faint lines of mist in the bitter cold.
"A very beautiful place."
Gregor was genuinely impressed.
It was a serene beauty, completely different from the hustle and bustle of Kazimierz.
"Yes, it's beautiful..." SilverAsh's voice was gentle.
"Kjerag, my hometown."
He paused for a long time, and when he spoke again, his voice was devoid of warmth:
"I love my homeland, but... the longer I'm away from Kjerag and the more I see outside—the more clearly I realize how backward and how... fragile Kjerag is."
"Towering, mobile city-states; steel warships traversing the wilderness—"
He turned around, his gray eyes looking directly at Gregor.
"We have been sheltered by the mountains and snow for too long, so long that many people thought this peace would last forever."
"The wind and snow blinded them; Kjerag had slept in his cradle for too long, so long that I began to fear..."
When will the spears of all nations knock on the gates of Kjerag?
Gregor listened in silence; he certainly understood the anxiety.
"So I made up my mind to change it,"
SilverAsh took a deep breath, temporarily suppressing that heavy feeling.
"I firmly believed that commerce and trade were the gentlest yet most effective weapons to break down barriers."
"I wanted to carve out the first crack through business, but... look at Kazimierz now."
"Commerce brings prosperity and dazzling splendor, but it also breeds unseen filth."
"I'm starting to have doubts,"
SilverAsh's voice lowered, sounding more like he was questioning himself.
"Was my pioneering work correct? How long can Kjerag's innocence withstand the corruption of capital?"
"How can I guarantee that I can hold the reins of Kjerag's future?"
He closed his eyes, a relieved self-mockery in his eyes:
"Although the Black Knight's words were merciless, they brought me to my senses. I am indeed still an immature 'youngster'."
"Thanks to her, I didn't make an even more ridiculous mistake."
He looked at Gregor, his gaze regaining its usual composure and wisdom:
"So you really intend to fight the Black Knight?"
This blunt question ruined SilverAsh's carefully constructed expression.
"No..." He quickly composed himself, "I plan to start with the Infected's Campaign Knights."
"But I will still try to invite the Black Knight. Even if we can't cooperate, it's never a bad thing to become friends."
"Wise," Gregor nodded in agreement.
"I wish you success, my friend."
"Thank you for your kind words."
After leaving SilverAsh's room, Gregor briefly told Saria and the other person that he would be leaving temporarily to handle some matters tomorrow, and then returned to the hall.
[Gregor: @Everyone, I'm ready here, how about you guys?]
Kazdel--
"Big Sister! Don't leave us behind!"
"We can do anything! Rice ate too much, right? I'll take care of him right now!"
Facing the Sarkaz mercenaries who were about to engage in a full-blown brawl, Vera rubbed her aching temples:
"I'll only be away for a day; I'll be back soon."
The crowd was skeptical.
It's not that I don't trust Vera, but in the mercenary world, the idea of "the boss saying he's leaving temporarily" is often equated with "running away with the money."
Even though they knew Vera disdained such things, her long-standing habit still made everyone somewhat panicked.
Do you need any help?
Hedley's concerns were very practical, and the newly joined Shining quietly echoed them:
"Though my sword is not sharp enough, I am still willing to clear the way for you."
"It's really nothing," Vera sighed.
"Just think of it as me going to a family gathering."
"A family gathering?"
The word silenced the noisy mercenaries instantly. For most of the Sarkaz present, who were all alone, "family" was a distant and somewhat unfamiliar concept.
After confirming that Vera had not disappeared, the worry quickly turned into curiosity:
"The boss's family? What are they like?"
"By the way, what race is the boss? Goliath?"
"Banshee?"
"But she doesn't have ear feathers, could she be mixed race?"
The topic quickly veered off course. W seized the opportunity to move closer to Vera:
I will always be here waiting for you.
Seeing Vera's questioning gaze, she emphasized:
"I will wait, no matter how long it takes."
"... I will come back." Vera with a hint of helplessness.
"I said I would give you a name before I left, but that time hasn't come yet."
"Then I don't want a name," W immediately replied.
Vera paused for a moment, not responding to the question. She turned to the crowd and gave her final instructions:
"The supplies I'm leaving behind will last me a few days. I'm leaving now."
The figure quickly faded away, and W's outstretched hand grasped only emptiness.
"She was rejected," Ines's voice came from the shadows.
W clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white.
Do you need me to teach you?
"Huh? You think you know everything?"
"I don't know exactly how to 'retain' them," Ines said, her tone still flat.
"But I can roughly understand how 'pushing away' happens. For example, using meaningless waiting as a threat to dump the burden on others."
W's pupils contracted.
Ines's words were like a fine needle, precisely piercing the balloon of "unease" that she had wrapped in madness.
She opened her mouth, wanting to retort, but her throat felt like it was choked by something.
Hedley was taking stock of the supplies Vera had left behind a short distance away, while the other mercenaries were still gossiping about "the boss's family," and no one noticed the brief silence in this corner.
"The tricks you use to attract attention like a child are no longer working, unless you want to stay a child forever."
Ines emerged from the shadows.
"But there's one more thing about you that's commendable."
"... What?" W's voice was a little hoarse, unaware that she had followed up Ines's question.
"Loyalty," Ines said succinctly.
"Your persistence is real, even if it seems like you're a loyal dog."
"However, her requirement for you is to become a normal person, not to restrict yourself... Anyway, think it over carefully."
After saying that, Ines stopped looking at W and turned to walk towards Hedley.
W lowered his head, tugged at the corners of his mouth, the curve somewhat stiff, but no longer a deliberately exaggerated smile meant to conceal something.
"Tch... You talk like you know everything."
I heard it.
"... tsk."
Ursus--
Are you leaving? Yes, or... have we done something wrong?
Looking at the two frightened little ones in front of him, Gorth slowly reached out his hand.
Sasha tensed up, instinctively wanting to stand in front of Eno, but Eno stopped her.
A huge hand gently rubbed the heads of the two children as Gorth explained in a deep voice.
"One day... or perhaps less than one day, and I'll be back."
"I've already entrusted Alina and the others with this task; you can go with her tomorrow."
Gorth turned around, his gaze sweeping over the treehouse.
This treehouse, crafted from vines, has been enchanted and is kept warm and cozy.
But...
[It's a bit too dark.]
Gorth hesitated for a moment, then reached out and broke off a piece of candle flame from the deer antlers, handing it to the two men as they stared at him in disbelief.
"If you're afraid of the dark, just hold it tight; it won't melt or go out."
Eno carefully held the candle flame, the small light illuminating their eyes.
"Are you sure you don't need our help with anything?"
Eno asked hopefully, and Sasha gave him the same look.
Although Gorth said that no one cleaned the house, the house in front of them was clearly newly built.
Although the two were young, they understood the gratitude they owed.
"Since that's the case..."
Gorth noticed their persistence and pointed to the panel on the treehouse wall.
"Please take good care of that snowman for me."
The two looked in the direction of the sound and saw a miniature snowman with a withered branch stuck in it.
"Yes! We will definitely take good care of it!"
"Take care of yourself first."
Gorth ruffled their hair, and the next moment, their heads were empty.
"..." x2
"Sasha ..."
"Um?"
"I want to sing again."
"...Sing, Eno."
In the dark treehouse, small children huddled around a candlelight, their trembling voices drifting out.
I will keep listening.
Iberia...
I'm leaving.
"Hmm." x2
"Bon Voyage?"
"..."
Vane looked annoyed at the four people in front of him who had a lukewarm reaction.
"Couldn't you guys have reacted any more sincerely? You're supposed to be traveling companions, aren't you?"
The Deep Sea Duo and Dario remained expressionless, while Irene remained silent for a long time, her expression conflicted as she opened her arms.
"Then, let's have a farewell hug."
"At least try to control your expression when you say that..."
Vane clutched his injured chest, and Irene obediently composed herself.
"A hug with a blank expression is even more creepy!"
"Well..."
Dario sighed, Vane cautiously stepped back.
"Fine, you can forget about it!"
"... How long will you be gone this time?"
Dario asked wearily, Ulpianus also turned his gaze towards him.
"While I don't think anything could be difficult for you, working together would be more efficient."
"It really makes me feel safe."
Vane looked at Ulpianus with a complicated expression, then sighed.
"It would be so nice if you were a celibate, older sister type."
"Puff--"
Ulpianus cast a dark glance at Skadi, who remained in a daze.
"Newcomer... how long has it been since you last trained?"
Skadi froze, Ulpianus grabbed her by the collar and dragged her towards the sea.
Go easy on me!
Vane waved to the two of them, Ulpianus walked even faster.
I hope you can come back soon.
Dario maintained a calm expression as he explained the situation to Vane.
"We haven't reported to the Inquisition in a long time, and we must get to Gran Faro as soon as possible, or other colleagues will come looking for us."
"Huh? You're actually worried about me?"
Vane's body contorted, and Dario retorted expressionlessly:
I'm worried about my colleagues.
Why are you so honest?
Vane stopped what he was doing and patted the other person on the shoulder.
"But I love your honesty!"
"Whatever makes you happy..."
"Okay~ I'll be back soon."
Huge waves rolled out of the distant sea, the aftershocks of the battle between the two hunters.
"Well, it's about time..."
With his back to the waves, Vane bowed and tipped his hat to the two Inquisitor.
"See you tomorrow."
"..."
Dario drew his sword, cleaving through the surging waves before him, and responded to Vane, who had already departed.
"See you tomorrow."