Chapter 4

Heidi blinked her green eyes, staring at the man.

He stood out.

Even in the busy crowd, his tall frame and broad shoulders made him impossible to miss. His hair, long enough to brush past his brows and give him a somewhat rugged look, shimmered with an uncommon shade of deep blue.

A dark scarf was wrapped around his lower face, covering everything up to the bridge of his nose. On his back, he carried a long object, wrapped tightly in white cloth.

And above all, there was something about him—an aura that screamed he was no ordinary man.

“Hey, what a coincidence! That’s the mercenary I was talking about!” Henry exclaimed.

Yes, Henry said he was a mercenary.

And just one glance was enough to tell Heidi that this man had countless stories buried inside him. That kind of presence usually belonged to a seasoned fighter.

“Ah! Hello, Mr. Mercenary!” Heidi said cheerfully, grateful for the unexpected encounter.

“Yes, good day,” the man replied with a polite nod. His voice was deep and smooth, almost sending a chill down her spine.

“And you are…?”

“Oh, I’m a friend of Henry’s. My name’s Adelheid Primavera. But that’s a mouthful, so just call me Heidi.”

“…!”

The man’s blue eyes widened in shock.

“Uh? Why do you look so surprised?” Heidi tilted her head. Did someone named Heidi owe him money or something?

“Primavera… would you, by chance, be the daughter of the Knights of Primavera?”

The question left Heidi blinking in surprise.

“You knew my parents?”

“Yes. We fought together during the Holy War. Back then, they helped me greatly.”

The Holy War—it had been seven years ago, fought between the Empire and its neighbor, the Kingdom of Iris.

The kingdom had attacked first, seeking to claim Arrahan, the sacred land where the World Tree grew in the Empire’s west. The Empire resisted fiercely, and after two years of brutal fighting, emerged victorious.

Heidi’s parents, knights of renown, had played a major role in that victory. Many mercenaries had also joined the battle to defend the Empire.

“I see… My parents were truly brave. They were honored for their service in that war… that’s how I inherited the baron title.”

Her voice softened. Talking about her late parents always left her heart aching.

They had been warm, compassionate people—unable to turn away when others were in need. That they had helped a fellow mercenary during the war didn’t surprise her in the least.

And now, standing before this man who had known them… it almost felt like seeing a fragment of the life they had left behind.

“I don’t know your name, but I’m grateful as well. Thank you for fighting to protect the Empire alongside them.”

“Ah, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Ber, a mercenary of common birth. And since you’re a noble, please don’t lower yourself to speak so casually with me.”

At his words, Heidi scratched her cheek awkwardly.

“Um, but could you just call me Heidi? I’m more used to it.”

She was a baroness, but only for five years now. With no people living in her territory, she’d rarely been addressed as “Baroness” at all.

At the academy, and later in her days as a civil servant, everyone had just called her by name or title. The noble formality still felt unnatural.

“I cannot.”

Ber’s reply was firm.

And Heidi understood why.

Even in the Empire, where commoners had relatively higher standing, the line between noble and commoner still existed.

“Hmm… then how about ‘Lady Heidi’?”

“…Very well. Lady Heidi.”

Thankfully, he accepted this compromise.

At that moment, Henry—who had been watching silently—grinned and spoke up.

“Ha ha! To meet the daughter of old comrades like this… life really is full of strange coincidences, isn’t it?”

“…Yes. It seems so,” Ber answered, stiff and awkward compared to Henry’s easy tone.

They were acquaintances, clearly, but not exactly close ones.

“Well, since fate brought you together… how about taking Heidi’s job offer? She just happens to be looking for a mercenary.”

Henry finished with a wink at Heidi.

Thanks, Mr. Henry! Heidi quickly winked back in gratitude.

Ber hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“Since there’s history, I don’t mind. But whether I’m suitable… that’s for Lady Heidi to decide. I’d prefer if you looked at my mercenary license first.”

Heidi was impressed.

A man who didn’t just take any job for money, but sought to build trust first—that was the mark of a true professional.

So he really is the veteran he looks like.

Ber pulled out a badge from his pocket and handed it to her. Heidi examined it carefully.

[Blue Dragon Mercenary Corps Identification]

• Name: Ber
• Age/Gender: 24 / Male
• Rank: First-Class Mercenary
• Specialty: Combat / Swordsman
• Skill: Monster Subjugation

This certifies that the bearer is a sworn member of the Blue Dragon Mercenary Corps.

—Duke Vaclav

“What…!”

Heidi’s heart nearly stopped.

Duke Vaclav.

For the past five years, she had secretly followed news of that man. Because he was…

“Surprised he’s from the Blue Dragon Corps, huh?” Henry cut in, breaking her train of thought.

Of course, most people would be shocked. The Blue Dragon Mercenaries were legendary.

Heidi, however, wasn’t shaken because of that—but her connection to the duke was far too personal to explain here. Even close friends didn’t know.

So she simply nodded, playing along.

“…Yes. I didn’t realize you were such an incredible man, Mr. Ber.”

“Exactly! Most mercenaries will take any job, even dirty ones, if the money’s right. But the Blue Dragons are different.”

The Duke of Vaclav, lord of the eastern territories, personally selected and trained his mercenaries with an emphasis on honor and character.

In over 200 years, not a single Blue Dragon mercenary had ever caused scandal.

“They say they’re more like knights than mercenaries. Even nobles hire them as bodyguards, and the Imperial family itself often requests their service.”

“That’s right. And Ber here isn’t just a Blue Dragon—he’s first-class. That’s rare.”

Henry puffed up proudly, as though Ber’s achievements were his own.

“Don’t be fooled by his quiet look. He’s hunted high-class monsters all on his own.”

“High-class monsters? The kind that even ten strong men can’t take down?”

Hearing this, Heidi’s heart stirred with excitement.

This was exactly the kind of person she needed for Lium. Someone who wouldn’t flinch at the idea of living near the monster-infested Aurum Mountains.

At the same time, she felt a little silly.

Here she was, hiring someone to help with farming, yet she was impressed by his monster-slaying résumé instead of asking, “How many strawberries can you pick in an hour?” or “How many fertilizer bags can you carry at once?”

If only my land didn’t border the demon lands…

“Ahem.”

Ber cleared his throat shyly.

“You flatter me far too much.”

“Come on, don’t be so modest. Sometimes someone has to brag on your behalf, eh?” Henry laughed.

“That’s right. Too much modesty isn’t good either. These days, self-promotion is practically a virtue,” Heidi added, remembering the flashy speeches she had made during her civil service job interview. Probably the day she’d bragged the most in her entire life.

“Anyway… I think I can trust in your skills now, Mr. Ber.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Then, may I hear the details of the job?”

“Of course. The work is in my territory, Lium. That’s where I farm.”

As she spoke, Heidi sneaked a glance at Ber’s face, worried.

He is a first-class mercenary, after all. He’s not going to be scared of going to Lium… right?

But his eyebrows twitched upward ever so slightly.