Is That My Alter Ego

12 – I Protected It

“Please have a seat. Looks like I made you stand for no reason.”

“…..Yes.”

“….Understood… sir.”

Following Carlo’s slight smile, we awkwardly settled into our chairs.

Pouring sound-

“You like tea, don’t you? Help yourselves to a cup.”

As tea was poured into the cups on the desk, Seris and I didn’t refuse and tasted the tea.

“It’s warm.”

The warm and subtle scent of the tea swirled in our mouths, making us feel a little more at ease.

Just standing in front of this person Carlo felt like facing a predator.

“Listen while you drink your tea. As I just mentioned, I am the overall manager of the Imperial Mercenary Guild, Carlo.”

He was more confident and robust than anyone else. It seemed that only someone of this level could sit in the position of overall manager of the Imperial Mercenary Guild.

“And… you’re from the Scar Mercenary Brigade, right? You claimed responsibility for capturing Nepenthes this time.”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

I realized for the first time that Carlo, a strong man, naturally used formal language when addressing elders.

“Nepenthes. Truly a powerful demon… There have been cases where just one Nepenthes destroyed an entire city.”

Whether Carlo was recalling that incident or not, he stroked his beard and gazed into the air for a moment.

“To think it was subdued by what’s practically a fledgling mercenary brigade… It’s like the glory of the past has been resurrected.”

Carlo looked at Seris and me with a kind yet sharp gaze.

It felt as if every corner of our minds was being meticulously dissected.

Seris and I could only remain silent, swallowing our saliva like mice standing before a cat.

“So, for what purpose.”

“…Hmm.”

I determined that I couldn’t retreat any further, and I didn’t like this time when I felt like a scared rabbit, so I gathered courage and asked Calo.

In response to my question, Calo looked at me as if he found it interesting.

“Yeah. Let’s quickly get to the point.”

Cough-

“Imperial Mercenary Corps. Do you have any intention to join there?”

Be incorporated into the Imperial Mercenary Corps. Calo clearly mentioned that to us.

Bowing my head, it probably meant to show loyalty to the Empire.

“……”

When I glanced at Ceris sitting next to me for a moment, her expression seemed somewhat uncomfortable.

It seemed like she was sending some kind of desperate gaze in my direction.

‘Hmm… what should I do.’

Imperial Mercenary Corps. Surely, if the Scar Mercenary Corps were to join the Imperial Mercenary Corps, tremendous benefits would follow.

We would receive unparalleled training facilities, salaries, and support for everything from equipment and beyond.

Naturally, our recognition within the Empire would skyrocket. There was not a single disadvantageous condition for us.

If a third party were to see it, without the need for refusal, they would have accepted the proposal immediately.

Alright. I’ve made up my mind.

After finishing the fleeting thoughts, I gave my answer to Calo.

“While I appreciate the offer, I have no intention of joining the Imperial Mercenary Corps.”

“Ho-oh.”

“Captain…”

Some might think of me as foolish. Choosing to live my current life, forsaking immense benefits, the subsequent honor, and wealth that would follow.

“May I ask for the reason?”

“…Simply to keep a promise.”

Although the Scarlet Mercenaries once commanded the entire empire, they were not part of the imperial mercenaries.

To inherit the legacy of the Scarlet Mercenaries and reclaim past glory, Seris had made a promise with me.

‘And I dislike people who break promises the most.’

Breaking a promise is akin to declaring the end in a relationship with a human, I believe.

It’s contradictory for me to think that way and break a promise.

“Well then, I won’t ask again. I’ll just respect your choices.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“A young man with uncommon courtesy these days. hahahaha…”

Laughing like a kind grandfather, Karlo.

Having accepted the consequences of rejecting Karlo’s proposal, it was fortunate that it could be resolved so easily.

“You may leave now. Make sure to properly reward yourselves with the Marjungseok and the Nephendes Core you’ve brought.”

“Yes. We’ll take our leave then.”

Nodding.

Leaving Karlo, who showed a slight nod, and silently guiding Seris out of the room, her head deeply bowed.

“It’s fortunate to finally find a good captain. Serion…”

“Seris, the deputy commander. What could be the matter?”

“Sob….”

How can you… dig so deeply into my heart like this?

Seris couldn’t bear it any longer and shed tears, feeling the warmth of Venice’s concern.

Just now, when she met Carlo, the head of the Imperial Mercenary Guild, who was known as a legend.

“The Empire’s direct mercenary corps. Do you have any intention of joining?”

“No…”

When Carlo made that offer, Seris could only despair silently.

She had tried to reclaim the glory of the past without being incorporated into the Empire, following in her father’s footsteps…

“………..”

As if hearing interesting words, Venice looked at Seris with a troubled expression.

Surely she would accept. There was no reason to refuse…

Money. Honor. And everything else. If she became a member of the Empire’s direct mercenary corps, she could obtain them all.

She wanted to beg for a refusal, but she couldn’t bring herself to spit it out.

Venice had brought her this far, allowing her to grow. She couldn’t burden her any further…

In her melancholy, Seris had no choice but to bow her head deeply.

It seemed like her slight resentment towards Venice had arisen due to her own selfishness.

The deputy commander hadn’t done anything wrong; it was just her own ambition clouding her judgment.

“Thank you for the offer, but I have no intention of joining the Empire’s direct mercenary corps.”

“……..!”

However, contrary to Seris’s conviction, Venice rejected Carlo’s proposal.

Why? How? It would have been of no help to you at all…

Seris widened her eyes, gaping, as she looked at Venice’s profile.

“…It’s just to keep a promise.”

Seris’s doubts were dispelled by Venice’s concise answer, almost disappointingly simple.

A promise. It was a commitment to help Seris, who was reviving the Scar Mercenaries at her father’s request.

I thought you had forgotten. I thought you were more inclined towards practicality than a promise that seemed important only to me.

“Commander…”

How do you send me only pure and radiant light?

Why do you bestow that warm affection upon me?

Commander, you always sent endless trust towards yourself. It was always you who betrayed that trust.

In the guilt of betraying the commander’s trust, in the melancholy that seemed to darken his brilliant radiance.

Feeling gratitude for the rejection that brought no benefit, Seris could only bow deeply.

Unlike his own filthy and vulgar self, just looking at you, who always moves forward with determination, feels like a sin.

Unable to bear the thought of tears streaming down just by looking at his face, she couldn’t bring herself to gaze at him any longer.

Even until Seris left Carlo’s room, the burden of guilt continued.

“Seris, Deputy Commander.”

“…Ugh. Yes…”

“Don’t cry. Thud.”

Thump thump thump thump…

It’s cruel how my heart races uncontrollably even at his small, expressionless acts of consideration.

I promised myself not to be a burden to him, yet I despise how my body reacts with laughter at his slightest touch.

“Now that I’ve received my salary, I’m going to buy new armor. Will you come with me?”

“Sniff… Y-Yes…!”

I don’t really know anymore. If it’s something that my captain ordered, then I’ll be able to do anything.

I want to fulfill everything he desires.

Captain. My captain… From now on, I will forever follow only you.

Seris shed tears of happiness like no one else in the world, looking at her captain with a smile.

That face she never gets tired of looking at, even for a lifetime.

***

Phew. Thankfully, it seemed that Seris also liked buying new armor.

She was so happy that her tears stopped flowing without her even knowing why.

“Well, before that, I should settle the accounts first.”

I almost forgot the most important thing, the settlement.

Ironclaw Monkey received 30 gold… How much will they give for a 4-star demon like Nepenthes?!

With excitement, I started walking towards the reception desk with Seris, who had now started to laugh.

Of course, I couldn’t act frivolously, so I had no choice but to walk solemnly and expressionless.

“Oh, you’re here. I’ll settle the accounts right away.”

“Hmm. Thanks.”

“…Eek!”

The receptionist suddenly looks beside me, terrified.

“…?”

Wondering what it might be, I turned to Seris next to me, but she just looked up at me with eyes brighter than usual.

Well, she must have spotted a big bug. Bugs were common in this world, after all.

Rattle- Rustle Rustle.

“Uh…t-that will be 200 gold, including the Nephentes core and magic stones…!”

…What? 200 gold?!

‘…Damn, I hit the jackpot!!’

I hadn’t even finished spending the 30 gold I got last time, and now I have as much as 200 gold!

I had only expected about 100 gold at most… This is insane!

“Well, thanks. I’ll be on my way then. See you next time.”

“Yes…uh..no…”

“…?”

Did I make her uncomfortable? The receptionist seemed to say she didn’t want to see me again.

Looking somewhat uneasy and scared, it seemed like I might have done something wrong.

But what did I do? I don’t recall intimidating her or anything…

“Um…sorry about that. I’ll be going then..”

I felt a bit down, even though I didn’t realize it at first. It’s hurtful when someone openly dislikes you like that.

“Boss! Shall we head to the armory now?!”

“Hmm. Let’s do it like that.”

Seris was thrilled. Yeah, finally, there was a lot of money, so why not spend it lavishly to lift the spirits!

“hehehe… I’ve kept it safe…”

“….Hmm?”

“Is there a problem?”

It seemed like Seris murmured something just now… I’ve been feeling a bit out of sorts lately.

Anyway, with excitement, I took light steps forward.