Chapter 39
Chapter 39: It’s Getting Usable Now. (2)
I prepared as much as possible using the information from my past life, but not everything went perfectly according to plan.
‘I can’t die here.’
It’s not like I’ve never run away in my life. I’m not overly averse to fleeing either.
If necessary, running away and waiting for the next opportunity is also a part of the strategy.
If I die, my family and territory will ultimately perish, just like in my previous life.
The reason I’m going through this hardship by entering the Forest of Monsters is to prevent that grim situation from happening.
So, I absolutely cannot die here.
Only I know the future of Perdium.
‘But…’
There are times when you must not run away.
If you flee when there’s no next chance, then all that remains is a downhill slope.
Considering the situation of the territory, my own strength, external threats, and all the information I know, getting to the destination right now is the best and only breakthrough.
If I miss this opportunity, my family and territory will inevitably face the same outcome as in my previous life.
Ghislaine opened her eyes and looked around at the faces waiting for her command, all tensed up.
Many will die moving forward.
I have no arrogant thoughts about achieving my goals while saving everyone.
I advanced in my previous life while losing numerous companions and followers.
‘But… that doesn’t justify that it’s okay for everyone to die here.’
When Ghislaine made her decision, a man burst out among the mercenaries and shouted.
“You idiots! It’s over now! The employer has no way out! What are you doing not running away!”
The man who jumped out was Manus.
Manus kept retreating as he shouted.
“We have to run away now! There’s no need for everyone to die together! Do you really think we can beat that? If we scatter in all directions at once, some of us might survive!”
The faces of the mercenaries started to show signs of agitation.
Manus seized that moment and shouted even louder.
“We need to split up and run! We don’t have to risk our lives in this crazy noble’s game! Coming into a forest like this in the first place was already insane!”
At that moment, Kaor, spinning the sword in one hand, spoke up.
“Oh, that embarrassing guy. I must kill that bastard before running away.”
As Kaor was about to throw his weapon to kill Manus, Ghislaine raised her hand to stop him.
“That’s enough. No need for that.”
Ghislaine turned directly to Manus and said, “Go. You’ve worked hard.”
“What? Just go?”
Manus was taken aback.
In these situations, employers would typically be furious and threaten to kill you if you tried to flee.
And yet, this person was so readily letting him go.
Before his surprise could fade, Ghislaine said something even more shocking.
“Those who want to run can go.”
The mercenaries were all taken aback by her calm words.
Run away? What would the employer do then?
Someone cautiously asked, “What will the employer do?”
Ghislaine nonchalantly replied, “I will catch that guy here.”
“Young Master!”
“Lord!”
Belinda and Gillian stepped forward, visibly angry, blocking Ghislaine’s path.
But he drew his sword without responding.
Others might not understand, but this mission absolutely had to succeed.
Otherwise, everything would ultimately come to an end.
The most excited was, of course, Manus.
He couldn’t hide his joyful expression and gestured to the mercenaries.
“What are you doing! The employer says to run! Let’s go quickly!”
But the mercenaries just glanced back and forth between Ghislaine and Manus, unable to move easily.
Ghislaine had been leading the fight so far, saving the mercenaries.
Now he was saying he would fight alone, so they couldn’t just flee.
Seeing the sluggish mercenaries, Manus shouted again in frustration.
“Get a move on! Are you all planning to die here? What are you waiting for!”
Toran, watching the urging Manus and stoic Ghislaine, stepped forward and asked.
“If we break through that guy, will it really be over?”
“Yeah, the destination is right in front of us.”
With a firm answer, Toran took a deep breath and replied.
“I will fight alongside you.”
“Toran! Are you crazy? Are you out of your mind?!”
Manus shouted, and Gordon looked back at him, trembling as he spoke.
“I-I can’t just run away like this or I won’t be able to eat properly or sleep at all, and I’ll lose muscle. My mind will keep feeling uneasy.”
“What?”
“So I’m not going!”
“You ignorant fool! Are you out of your mind too?”
At that moment, voices from various mercenaries burst out.
“If we run away now, we’ll be too embarrassed to be mercenaries.”
“We’ve survived thanks to the employer so far; if we just run away, we won’t be human.”
“You’re the fool, Manus! If you’re going, then go by yourself! You have no conscience! You even received treatment from the employer!”
“Since we have an employer, we’ll manage somehow. Let’s fight!”
Faced with their unexpected response, Ghislaine widened her eyes and looked back at the mercenaries.
Now, all that remained on their faces was determination to fight together as much as they could.
Ghislaine had seen this expression before.
It was the same look she had seen when facing seemingly unwinnable battles in the past.
‘This is just like…’
It was the expression her followers had shown during their time together in her previous life.
Although the mercenaries’ skills were significantly lacking compared to then, their determination was no different.
Ghislaine couldn’t help but smile and said, “You guys are getting a bit usable now.”
Kaor, watching that scene, wore a look of disbelief as he stared at the mercenaries.
‘Are these the guys I know?’
Unlike the Cerberus Mercenary Group, which thrived on dangerous adventures in other regions, the mercenaries in the Jimbar Territory always lounged around and never took on risky missions.
Now, those same people were following Ghislaine and had completely changed in just a few days.
‘That’s really impressive. He has them under control.’
Kaor recognized and admired Ghislaine’s ability once again.
Gillian, being a former mercenary leader as well, couldn’t hide her admiration for the situation unfolding before them.
But Belinda had no interest in this foolishness at all.
“Young Master, this is great. Get the mercenaries to the front and evacuate quickly.”
Ignoring Belinda’s whispering, Ghislaine unbuckled the scabbard at his waist and dropped it to the floor.
“Lord! Wait!”
Dropping the scabbard meant he was prepared to fight to the death.
Belinda frowned at that sight, but Kaor chuckled.
“I’m really fond of the reckless ones. It’s like seeing my former self.”
Ghislaine said nothing, taking a step forward.
In his past life, the most frequent request the mercenary group Ghislaine led handled was monster hunting.
The monsters that swept the continent were far more powerful than the Blood Python.
Although both his physical abilities and the mercenaries’ skills were lacking compared to then, he could compensate for some of that deficiency with the experience he had accrued.
“Let’s fight.”
As Ghislaine uttered those words, everyone straightened their expressions and readied their weapons.
“Ah, I’m getting old. Getting old… If I get wrinkles, it’ll all be your fault, Young Master.”
Belinda muttered in resignation.
“You stupid idiots! You’re all going to die!”
Manus spat venomously before disappearing into the forest.
But no one looked back.
The Blood Python was slowly approaching the group.
“Kaaah!”
The Blood Python let out a joyful screech, opening its massive jaws toward the mercenaries.
“Scatter!”
With Ghislaine’s shout, the mercenaries instantly scattered in all directions.
Kwahhh!
With its mouth wide open, the Blood Python plunged its head into the ground and was momentarily dazed.
“Kahhh!”
Enraged, the Blood Python opened its jaws and lunged at the nearest mercenary.
Just before one mercenary was about to be devoured, Ghislaine leaped up, slashing the Blood Python’s head with his sword and shouted.
“Gillian, Kaor, draw its attention to the head! Belinda, cover us! The rest of you, attack its body in the meantime!”
A small scratch appeared on the Blood Python’s head.
Ordinary attacks didn’t work, but a weapon imbued with mana had even scratched it slightly.
“Kahhh!”
The Blood Python, realizing it was injured, started roaring in rage, glaring menacingly at Ghislaine.
It wouldn’t forgive the human that had harmed it; without warning, it opened its massive jaws and charged at incredible speed.
Kwahhh!
Ghislaine quickly rolled out of the way.
The Blood Python’s head crashed into the ground, kicking up dust.
Meanwhile, Gillian had approached, channeling mana into her axe and struck the Blood Python’s head with great force.
Kwahhh!
A tremendous sound echoed as the giant head of the Blood Python shook violently.
In terms of mana quantity alone, Gillian was the strongest among the group.
It seemed the Blood Python sustained significant damage from that powerful blow as well.
“Kahhh!”
As the Blood Python roared again, raising its head high,
This time, the scratch was clearly visible and considerably larger.
However, it wasn’t deep, merely serving to further fuel the Blood Python’s fury.
Swoosh!
The enormous head lunged at Gillian.
Caught off guard and unable to dodge, Gillian let out a gust of mana and raised the shield she held in front of her.
Kwahhh!
“Guh!”
The shield crumpled as Gillian was thrown back.
In the meantime, Kaor closed in from behind the Blood Python, stabbing it with his sword.
“Get closer!”
Stab, stab!
As Kaor’s sword sank deep into the snake’s body, the Blood Python twisted its body to retaliate against him.
“Tsk!”
While Kaor let go of his sword and rolled to dodge, the mercenaries began attacking the Blood Python’s body.
Kahhh! Kahhh!
But no matter how hard they swung and stabbed, the tough scales repelled all their attacks.
Without sufficiently loading their weapons with mana, they wouldn’t be able to penetrate the steel-like scales.
Having no choice, Ghislaine, Gillian, and Kaor took turns inflicting small wounds across the Blood Python’s body.
“Belinda! Draw its attention while attacking the wounds! If the chance arises, target the eyes!”
“Got it! Ugh, how frustrating!”
At Ghislaine’s command, Belinda rapidly shot out her daggers, sticking them into the Blood Python’s wounds.
The daggers that Belinda skillfully handled were most effective in widening the small injuries inflicted by others.
While prying open the wounds, Belinda continued targeting the Blood Python’s eyes.
Whether the coordinated attacks were having any effect, the Blood Python shook its head in annoyance, irritated by the persistent jabbing.
With Ghislaine and the others drawing its attention, the number of attacks directed at the mercenaries significantly decreased.
“Now’s your chance! Attack the wounds!”
Seizing that moment, the mercenaries plunged their swords into the wounds on the serpent’s body, but the Blood Python’s muscles were too solid, preventing any deep cuts.
“Kahhh!”
The Blood Python appeared perturbed by the tiny humans climbing on it, roaring and swinging its tail violently.
Kwahhh!
“Ugh!”
“Ahhh!”
The mercenaries clinging near its tail were all sent flying.
Just as the snake was about to stamp down on the fallen mercenaries with its tail,
Ghislaine charged toward the head to draw attention back again.
“Everyone, grab blunt weapons! Keep hammering until that scales soften! We need to widen the small wounds! Gillian, Kaor! Draw its attention again! Belinda, keep covering us!”
Hearing Ghislaine’s words, the mercenaries opened their eyes wide and nodded eagerly.
“Y-Yeah.”
“Where’s the mace!?”
“Give me one that’s left!”
“If there’s none, grab one from the wagon! Just stick to it!”
Soon, the mercenaries switched to using blunt weapons and clung to the snake’s body.
Then, with all their might, they struck the Blood Python’s scales.
