𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟔𝟎: 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐞 (𝟑)

The defeated Royal Army loses order and begins to flee.

Like scattering spiderlings, they head in all directions without any control.

“No looting! Take care of the wounded and hurry back to Gaillia!”

I raised my voice because there were those who were about to swarm the bodies of the Royal Army.

Not for humanitarian reasons, but because time is precious.

Spoils of war are a significant income for both soldiers and adventurers, so it’s a tough call.

“Even if you don’t pick up these things, I promise you a sufficient reward!”

General Kytes also shouted.

Like the tide receding, our allies begin to prepare for withdrawal.

Eight dead. Fourteen seriously injured. That’s our damage. Some of the seriously injured are in bad condition, and even the priests’ healing magic may not be enough.

The Royal Army, on the other hand, has lost about 120 soldiers in battle.

They suffered more than half the casualties, and I wish they had given up and fled sooner. That’s my honest opinion.

“Even with this rate of attrition, if we had continued to fight, we would have lost.”

“Yeah. In the end, the side with the most numbers wins. That’s attrition warfare.”

I nod at Miliaria’s murmur.

We defeated 120 of the Royal Army, but the enemy still outnumbers us.

We can’t ignore our own fatigue anymore.

There’s no doubt that our damage would have increased over time.

That’s why the support of the Undertakers was worth its weight in gold.

“Long time no see! Vice Commander Nel!”

Joshua comes running up.

He’s two years younger than me, twenty-one years old, and has been a member of the Gold-lined Butterflies for quite some time.

He fights bravely and selflessly. I used to like to put Joshua in when it really mattered.

On the other hand, his best friend Nicole was lightning fast and curved, good at surprise attacks and diversions.

I miss those days.

Then, I give a bitter smile.

It hasn’t even been a year since I was expelled from the Gold-lined Butterflies.

“You saved us, Joshua. Thanks for coming at the right time.”

“Yesterday, a messenger from the general who rushed into the guild was making a fuss about an emergency request.”

Initially, even the adventurer guild was reluctant.

Because it would mean confronting the Royal Army.

Even if we don’t mess up, we could be recognized as public enemies.

But when Jennifer found out that we, Hope, were accompanying General Kytes, she decisively moved.

Anyone who tries to harm the adventurers of Gaillia, whether it’s the Royal Army or whoever, is an enemy.

She even gave a stirring speech to pull out the tongues of those who look down on adventurers as mere ruffians.

I wish I could have seen it.

Anyway, the Undertakers immediately volunteered and left Gaillia on the same day.

“I’m grateful, but I’m surprised Nazar agreed.”

Aside from Jennifer’s stirring speech, they would want to avoid a direct confrontation with the kingdom.

There’s no chance of winning in a normal situation.

When a confrontation between the Gaillia region and the Lintrite Kingdom becomes inevitable, that’s when they’ll decide what to do.

Until then, watching and waiting is probably the smartest decision.

“Well, he would say that. He’s a fan of the Vice Commander.”

Joshua laughs heartily.

It doesn’t matter, but I’m no longer the Vice Captain of the Gold-lined Butterflies, I’m the leader of Hope.

Well, it’s hard to change a familiar nickname.

“A fan?”

“A fan. When he heard you were expelled, he immediately moved to scout you.”

Nazar appeared from the side.

It seems he’s been buying a lot.

“But I was too late. I didn’t expect there to be people scouting you on the same day.”

He sends a glance at Miliaria and Meisha near me, and then at Asuka who has returned.

They’re the initial members of Hope.

“Foresight!”

Asuka brags, but it’s just a coincidence.

Because of meeting these reckless girls, I decided to continue being an adventurer.

If not, I might have been doing office work at some merchant’s place by now.

Maybe.

Even if Nazar had invited me, I might not have nodded in agreement.

He’s a full-fledged adventurer, and he’s running the clan just fine without my help.

“So, I had no choice but to pull about ten people, like Nicole and Joshua, from the Gold-lined Butterflies, which had become shaky after you left.”

“So we were reluctantly poached!”

Joshua is laughing uproariously, but it’s a poaching act that can be taken as a matter of honor.

Normally, there should be a strong protest, but the Gold-lined Butterflies, who should protest, no longer exist, and the man who was the leader is no longer in this world.

“I shouldn’t be interfering now.”

“I thought you would say that. That’s why I absolutely won’t be unfaithful to the organization you’re in.”

Nazar lifts the corner of his lips.

What a strange sense of morality.

He respects me, but he shows no mercy to the Gold-lined Butterflies, which I’m no longer a part of.

I don’t understand.

“Anyway, I’m really grateful that you came, Nazar.”

“Me, I always wanted to fight alongside you. Today, my dream came true.”

Nazar firmly grasped the right hand I extended.

---