Chapter 2: How a Mercenary Protects Their Charge (2)

“Damn it, Regina!”

“Your Grace!”

The smoke blew away with the wind, and those who had taken care of the traitors shouted at the top of their lungs for the two who had disappeared. But the only response was the echo that spread through the dense forest.

“Damn it! Regina…”

“Hey! Are you looking for the mercenary instead of your charge?!”

“I’m looking for both! Don’t we need to find our comrade, too?!”

“Hah! This is why mercenaries are such a pain!”

“Oh? And what about you noble knights who get betrayed so easily? From what I saw earlier, you weren’t even as skilled as us mercenaries!”

“What did you say?! Are you insulting the Imperial Knights?!”

Gael from the Persona guild and Sir Thomas, an Imperial Knight, drew their swords at each other. Their anger, stemming from the fear of losing someone precious, ended up turning on each other.

And with that, mercenaries and Imperial Knights alike began to draw their swords.

One small mistake—just one—and they would cut each other down.

“Stop! Everyone, please stop! This isn’t the time for us to be fighting among ourselves!”

Mercenary Rosie bravely stood between them. Her rabbit-like eyes were already filled with tears, driven by worry for Regina.

“We didn’t find Lady Regina or His Grace’s body. There’s a river below the cliff. And Regina was wearing protective gear that could withstand the explosion!”

“So, you’re saying that mercenary woman protected the Duke and jumped into the river?”

At Thomas’s question, Gael raised an eyebrow.

He had disliked the knight from the start—arrogant just because she was a mercenary. And now he dared to belittle Regina, the daughter of the Mercenary King and a member of Persona?

He honestly wanted to cut him down. And truthfully, he thought he could.

“Yes, if it’s Lady Regina, she would’ve done exactly that.”

Mercenaries often carried pride in their titles. And even though Regina wasn’t a noblewoman, they still called her “Lady.” Thomas scoffed but sheathed his sword. He couldn’t afford to lose hope just yet.

“Sir Gael, if it’s Regina, she’s likely survived and is headed downstream. We should go as well.”

“…Right. First, we need to gather those who can depart immediately.”

Looking around, Gael found some injured mercenaries and approached them. The injuries didn’t seem severe, but continuing a mountain trek might become a burden.

“You all go back. We’ll handle the rest.”

“But we’re still on the mission.”

“Regina’s sensitive about mercenaries getting hurt, especially after the recent ambush. Can you handle her fury if she finds out you kept going? I know I can’t.”

“…Neither can we.”

The mercenaries shook their heads quickly, imagining Regina’s angry face. The thought of her punishing them for ruining the mission because of their injuries was terrifying.

“We have enough people to continue the mission. There’s a village just down the slope. Get treated and return to Persona.”

“Yes, please save Lady Regina. I believe she’s still alive, just like Rosie said.”

The mercenaries bowed, limping away. Gael smiled, but inside he was getting anxious. Some assassins had definitely escaped in the chaos. Regina had blocked the explosion and fallen off a cliff—she couldn’t be in perfect shape.

“Let’s move, now!”

At Gael’s command, the mercenaries picked up their weapons once again.

---

Valentin, walking behind Regina, watched her carefully.

Her back, hair twisted up like ripened grain, didn’t appear large. But the strength with which she had held him during the explosion was impressive.

‘Can I really trust this woman?’

Even those who betrayed the Imperial Knights had tried to kill him. A mercenary who worked for money wasn’t exactly reliable—especially in a forest like this, where not even cold corpses could be found.

“My mission is to guard Your Grace. That’s all.”

Regina’s sudden words startled him. As if she could read his mind.

“I figured you might be uneasy. Since you have to rely entirely on me, I thought I should say it.”

It was a meaningless act of concern. Still, her blunt honesty somehow pierced him, and he relaxed his shoulders.

She was an odd woman. Even as explosions rocked the forest, she had jumped into the carriage and shielded him without hesitation.

“And not to brag, but I don’t go around boasting about it either—my mercenary rank is Gold. That’s higher than average, you know. Not some second-rate thug.”

“Or maybe you’re just worried I’ll go mad from anxiety and lose it.”

“…Well, I can’t say that’s not part of it.”

Valentin let out a faint, fleeting laugh—so soft it could be blown away by the breeze. Her odd sincerity was oddly amusing. It made him curious about the rumors she might have heard.

“What rumors have you heard?”

Of course, he was referring to the rumors about himself. Regina hesitated. He didn’t seem like someone puffed up with royal pride, but still, she couldn’t speak recklessly.

“I’m just curious. Think of it as a snack for the journey.”

“Then… you want the honest version?”

She had been honest this whole time, so it was funny to see her suddenly act polite. Valentin knew his silence would be taken as agreement.

“…That when you’re anxious, you have fits and throw things. That people have been injured because of that. And more than anything, that you see things others can’t. That you’re… sensitive.”

“I heard mercenaries were rude and coarse, but that wasn’t so bad.”

Valentin was surprised by how gently she had put it—that he was insane, violent, and saw hallucinations. She didn’t come off as kind, with her stone-cold expression, but she was unexpectedly considerate.

“Have you worked with mercenaries before?”

“By chance.”

“Then let’s take a short break.”

Regina noticed he was out of breath from his limp and pretended to wipe sweat from her brow first.

Her breath was steady and she wasn’t sweating. It was just water dripping from her not-yet-dry hair.

‘Good thing the water’s clean.’

She reached into the stream, exhausted from hiking the rough terrain full of exposed roots and uneven ground.

“Would you like a drink?”

She cupped some water in her hand and offered it to Valentin. After a moment’s hesitation, he nodded.

“If you need more, just ask.”

She held out her hand, and Valentin drank from it. Regina quietly watched him.

To be honest, she hadn’t seen anyone as handsome as Gael—until now. This man was on another level. Even covered in dirt and dust, he practically glowed.

His lips were soft against her palm, and his tongue, which gently licked the drops that escaped, was startlingly red. Wait—his tongue?

“Hey—”

Startled, Regina pulled her hand away. Valentin looked up at her, annoyed.

She was flabbergasted. Wouldn’t anyone flinch if someone started licking their hand?

But he just blinked up at her, like nothing was wrong.

His sulky eyes had a strange innocence to them, and Regina suddenly thought he looked like a baby chick just hatched from its egg.

A very large, well-built chick… with an inborn arrogance.

“Sorry, I was just surprised. We need to keep moving.”

Valentin sighed and pushed himself up using the hilt of his sword. The stream was getting shallower. A little farther, and they’d reach the lower river.

Naturally, Regina took the lead, picking an easier path for the limping man behind her.

It was in the densely wooded area that she sensed something suspicious.

“Your Grace, would you mind switching weapons with me?”

She pulled a dagger from her coat and took his longsword in exchange.

How many were watching from the shadows, licking their lips like hyenas? Regina’s feline eyes sharpened.

A fight to protect someone was always harder than one for her own life. Especially with unknown numbers and a charge who couldn’t even flee on his own.

But she was a mercenary who didn’t know the meaning of “quit.”

“Come out!”

At her shout, assassins hidden behind trees revealed themselves as if waiting for her signal.

Valentin gave a dry laugh as the would-be killers fell like rain.

‘So Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is threatened even by a crazy prince. Sending assassins after a cripple who already exiled himself from the palace…’

Valentin ran a finger across the dagger she’d given him. He wondered how long this woman could hold them off.

Should he stay?

Regina glanced back mid-battle. Not scared, not surprised.

“Khak!”

“If you want him, you’ll have to kill me first!”

Seeing her stand her ground, Valentin made up his mind.

For some reason, he wanted to keep watching her fight. Her wild but precise technique—rarely seen—was suddenly very entertaining.