What else could it be if it hasn’t been announced! Even the prince and the grand duke themselves probably have no clue about the current situation in the southeastern region. Watching so many mercenaries discussing it, Sean realized that he, as a noble, was likely the only one who truly understood.
The people who fled back said they encountered a goat-man, and that this goat-man was the one causing chaos in the city. But the reports never mentioned that the goat-man could turn towns into ruins.
“Based on my years of experience, this mission is definitely not as easy as it seems. I advise you all to just go back. Wait until the Black Feather Knights have news before deciding whether to continue, or at least head to the nearest cities to wait. Either way, it’s safer than here!” Lucal didn’t say much, directly urging all the mercenaries present to return.
When I saw Lucal a few days ago, I thought that as a top-tier mercenary, he’d lead everyone to take a gamble. Who would’ve guessed he’d be ready to turn back so soon? Too cautious!
But on second thought, this kind of approach felt more like a real mercenary... Level 9 Order Keeper—high enough, but not exactly top-tier. In a big city like Riyetis, Sean had already seen plenty of people above Level 10 in just half a month.
To survive in a city like that, especially as a mercenary, staying alive is a skill in itself.
Even if you’re high-level, what’s the point? Charging in blindly just gets you killed.
Though the world in my view feels like a game, reality isn’t a game. You can’t respawn at a temple or run back to revive after dying.
Don’t court death... Only those who survive to the end are the real masters.
“So we just give up like this?” “Better than losing our lives in the end,” Lucal said.
There was no sign of lying or any other status above his head, meaning he genuinely wanted to leave.
Sean glanced at the female thief. She showed no unusual status either, just 【Sleepy!】 and 【Pity!】.
“But we’ve already paid such a heavy price. Our team even bought a bunch of scrolls from the city’s alchemists to get through the mist. We spent so much money.”
Another team leader spoke with some dissatisfaction.
“Yeah, yeah!” “We gave up a lot of good missions for this one.”
Facing a high-level mercenary like Lucal, everyone present showed a certain 【Respect】 in their demeanor. I couldn’t see their exact favorability toward him, but someone with high prestige among mercenaries naturally commands respect. So many unconsciously listened to what he said...
Giving up is easy—it’s just a matter of words.
But the inner balance—whether they could truly let go—was another story. It’s like a gambler’s mindset.
Having already paid such a huge price to get here, and now Tacoma Region is just ahead, being told to give up—even curiosity alone would drive someone to take a look. Sean didn’t deny he felt the same way, and ahead, Freya and her troops should have already arrived.
“It’s up to you to decide. My team is heading back anyway. If you want to stay and go with them, that’s fine, but your safety is no longer my concern. The promise I made earlier ends once we part ways,” Lucal said to the team members behind him.
“I know you mean well for us, Sir Lucal, but we have our own thoughts. Going back like this would be too big a loss for us. We’ve prepared so many tools, and the Black Feather Knights are ahead. As long as we’re careful, we won’t face too much danger. Besides, I heard that the Red Dragon Witch of Sky-Covering Wings has also arrived in Tacoma City.”
Another mercenary team leader kept speaking, and he had to say this.
Otherwise, the negative emotions would infect everyone, making them back out. Someone had to step up and say, “Let’s go,” “Everyone together,” and then use someone of higher rank than Lucal as a backdrop.
“Suit yourselves. I’m heading to a nearby city to wait for news first,” Lucal said with an indifferent shrug.
But it was late tonight, and crossing the wetlands now would be unpleasant. He had to stay with the group and rest until dawn... Sean kept an eye on the silent female thief. Last time they met, she wasn’t this quiet.
She hadn’t recognized him and stayed with her own team...
The debate over whether the mercenary teams would stay or leave dragged on late into the night. Even Sean’s own team was affected by Lucal’s words, discussing whether to continue or disband on the spot. Jonathan, an ordinary mercenary, didn’t have Lucal’s resources. If they gave up, he’d have to find a nearby city to take on missions, so he argued for continuing. As for the alchemist, he had come with a purpose, so of course he wanted to continue.
The only ones who wanted to leave were Rast and Lawrence, while Feng insisted on pressing on.
Mercenary teams were built on cooperation. If everyone agreed to stop, there’d be no blame, especially in this special situation...
If the two wanted to leave, they could go back with Lucal tomorrow. For tonight, the discussion ended there.
It was very late, and the mercenary campfire still burned.
Sean checked the time—only five hours until daylight—and decided to rest. If not many continued tomorrow, he might consider heading to a nearby city to wait for news...
He lay down to sleep.
But his mind kept wandering back to Tacoma City.
The swampy forest they’d crossed today, the pile of discarded animal carcasses, the day Freya and the others left...
And of course, the terrified soldier when he heard the news at the prince’s mansion.
Vaguely, Sean seemed to hear a sound calling out—like wailing, or maybe singing. But listening closer, it resembled the songs of townsfolk at a festival.
No.
That sound was more celebratory, more like the clamor of slaughtering pigs and sheep. He even dreamed of being surrounded by the people of Taylormin Town at an autumn feast, constantly toasting him.
Wait...
He had never experienced autumn in Taylormin Town. And wasn’t he still in the Tacoma Region?!
He snapped his eyes open...
A dark figure quickly darted past the edge of the camp.
“Who’s there?!?”
The campfire was still burning, but all the mercenaries had fallen asleep at that moment.
“Get up, all of you, get up!”
Instinctively, he drew his flintlock from his waist, aiming into the darkness...
Bang! A loud blast echoed through the dark mist.
A flash grenade lit up the surrounding darkness like a rain of arrows.
A tall figure tried to dodge into the shadows, but his light was area-based—too late to vanish into the dark. All that was visible was a body covered in fur, and most striking was its head—a sharp-mouthed, long-eared animal face, topped with goat horns.