Chapter 108

Chapter 108. The Strong One’s Consideration (2)

The 82 mercenaries guided to the second training ground immediately expressed their dissatisfaction upon arrival. It was a kind of preemptive strike.

“They said they’d provide lodging, but now they expect us to sleep on the ground? Sephira is no different from other nobles.”

“Where’s our employer? Tell him to hurry up! I’m bored to death!”

No matter how bold a mercenary is, they can’t act arrogantly in front of nobles. However, the momentum of the gathered mercenaries now surpassed the military force of Sephira controlling them.

Two Star Knights and 100 soldiers under their command, along with all ten members of the 5th Division of the Lunar Knight Order, were controlling the mercenaries, but the mercenaries were no pushovers either.

67 Platinum-class mercenaries, equivalent to 2-star knights, 11 Diamond-class mercenaries, equivalent to 3-star knights, and even 4 Amantium-class mercenaries, equivalent to 4-star knights, had gathered.

If it were just a few, it might be manageable, but with so many gathered, and considering the already underestimated House of Sephira, the mercenaries were venting the oppression and humiliation they had received from nobles onto the innocent Sephira.

Meanwhile, Burgundy, who had disguised his rank and joined the request, was observing Sephira’s soldiers.

‘The discipline is well-maintained. They don’t even blink at the mercenaries’ provocations. Their stance is also well-prepared to shoot arrows at any moment. Sephira’s strength is not as weak as the rumors suggest.’

Unlike the other mercenaries, he had the purpose of spying on Sephira, and he wasn’t pleased with this standoff.

Although the mercenaries were making a lot of noise, if the opposing knights didn’t respond, nothing would happen. Only if something happened could he learn more about Sephira’s true strength.

Burgundy searched for a suitable person. Soon, he moved behind the mercenary closest to the Lunar Knight.

‘I’ll remember you.’

Burgundy pushed the Platinum-class mercenary from behind. The mercenary, who had been looking straight ahead, was suddenly pushed and ended up rushing towards the Lunar Knight.

If others saw this scene, they would undoubtedly think the mercenary was charging at the Lunar Knight.

‘Now, how will you react? Will you attack? Or will you kindly accept it?’

Depending on the Lunar Knight’s response, the excitement level of the gathered mercenaries would change. In some cases, a large-scale brawl could break out.

And that was exactly what Burgundy wanted.

Thud!

A crisp sound echoed through the training ground.

The mercenary who had rushed at the Lunar Knight flew back faster than his own speed. A fist had landed squarely on his face.

It wasn’t the Lunar Knight who had hit the mercenary.

“What the hell is this guy?”

It was Keter who had pushed past the Lunar Knight’s shoulder and stepped forward.

The mercenaries were excited seeing their comrade knocked down. In any case, it was as Burgundy had intended.

“Did you just hit us?!”

“Who the hell are you, you bastard!”

Those who didn’t know Keter pointed fingers and cursed. Keter shrugged his shoulders and approached them.

“Not even dogs, just barking from afar.”

As Keter approached, the mercenaries collectively took a step back. However, some didn’t retreat. They were the Diamond-class and above mercenaries.

The Diamond-class mercenaries faced Keter.

Unlike Keter’s slender build, the Diamond-class mercenaries were bulky, with heads at least one size larger than Keter’s.

The mercenary in front of Keter sneered.

“Kukuku, at least introduce yourself, noble sir.”

“I’m the one who bought you with money.”

“Ah- so you’re our employer! Didn’t recognize you. My apologies?”

The tone was sarcastic. There was no hint of apology. Instead, he leaned in threateningly.

Crack! Thud!

The Diamond-class mercenary’s head was jerked back and he fell backward. Keter had uppercutted him with his palm.

“Get lost. Your breath stinks.”

“Hey hey, Dagma! You got knocked down by just one punch to the chin? Stop acting and get up.”

“Wait, I see the whites of his eyes. Is he knocked out?”

Other Diamond-class mercenaries gathered around Dagma.

“This guy, he’s really knocked out.”

“Knocked out by one punch to the chin? With such a small hand?”

Keter wiggled his fingers at the hesitant mercenaries.

“What are you doing, bastards? Come on. Avenge your comrade. Are you scared to hit me because I’m a noble? Then I like it. Take your beating quietly.”

Keter started throwing punches without warning. The mercenaries tried to dodge in panic, but Keter’s feet and hands were far faster than theirs.

At first, it was one-sided. The mercenaries didn’t dare lay a hand on Keter, an upper noble and direct descendant of a prestigious family.

But as more mercenaries fell to Keter’s punches, and Keter’s fists showed no sign of tiring, instead becoming more fierce, they changed their minds.

“Damn it! If I’m just going to get beaten up, why did I become a mercenary! Screw it, I don’t care anymore!”

One Platinum-class mercenary charged at Keter and threw a punch.

But just because an attack is possible doesn’t mean it will land.

Crack!

The mercenary who took a roundhouse kick to the side spun in the air. The power in the kick gave the giant mercenary a moment of weightlessness.

Only then did the mercenaries realize the situation and shouted in unison.

“What the hell! What are you doing! Rush him all at once!”

“Uwaaa!”

Since Keter was unarmed, the mercenaries naturally charged at him with bare hands. But no matter how many charged or from which direction, it was meaningless.

Noses were broken on Keter’s forehead, and arms were shattered by his elbows.

“Ahhh! He bit my finger!”

There were no rules in Keter’s attacks. There was no noble dignity either. In fact, the mercenaries were fighting more by the rules.

“Is that a man or a beast!”

As the mercenaries who had confidently charged rolled on the ground in pain, the Diamond-class mercenaries could no longer just watch.

“This is no longer a matter between nobles and mercenaries. It’s a matter of pride. Losing to a noble with fists is unacceptable!”

The Diamond-class mercenaries who had been watching also charged at Keter.

They certainly didn’t go down in one hit. They blocked two, three hits before falling.

“Block? If you block, I’ll add one more.”

Keter’s punches didn’t stop even if blocked. Fists flew continuously at the blocking arms, and it was common for bones to break while blocking.

“Got him!”

A mercenary who had successfully grabbed Keter’s arms from behind shouted. Keter then said with a cold face.

“Touching my body?”

Crack! Keter smashed the mercenary’s face with the back of his head. Then, leaning forward, he flipped the mercenary over and mounted him, tightly gripping his thighs to immobilize him.

Thud thud thud thud!

Relentless fists rained down on the mercenary’s face.

The surrounding mercenaries threw punches at Keter to stop him.

Thud thud thud!

Finally, the mercenaries’ fists landed on Keter.

But Keter’s fists didn’t stop.

“Crazy, what is this? It doesn’t feel like hitting a person!”

“Is it aura? No! It’s not aura!”

Keter wasn’t using aura, and the mercenaries weren’t trying to use aura either. After all, using aura could really endanger their lives.

“Idiots! Don’t hit, pull him away!”

The mounted mercenary was already unconscious. Yet, Keter’s punches showed no sign of stopping. At this rate, he was in danger of being beaten to death.

Five mercenaries grabbed Keter’s body and arms and pulled with all their might. All of them were Diamond-class.

But Keter continued to punch even with two mercenaries hanging from his arms.

“This, this isn’t human. It’s an ogre!”

Keter, standing up with a mercenary whose face was completely crushed behind him, wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand and said.

“The bastard who hit my face. Surrender.”

“……!”

“Not coming out? Then it’s collective responsibility.”

Just as Keter was about to start another brawl.

“That’s enough, Prince Keter.”

The Amantium-class mercenaries stepped forward.

* * *

The Amantium-class mercenary Heidi felt awe at Keter’s martial arts.

‘I thought he wasn’t like a noble, but his martial arts are raw. It’s like meeting a martial artist from Adeus.’

Of course, mercenaries can throw a punch. They fight with fists when bored and learn martial arts to fight even without weapons. But it’s not their main strength. It’s just supplementary.

In contrast, Keter’s martial arts didn’t seem supplementary but rather like his main strength. He used his whole body like a weapon. An irregular regularity. Heidi could tell it wasn’t just brawling but a collection of refined techniques.

‘We’ve lost the initiative. Who would have thought such a noble existed in Sephira.’

More than half of the Platinum mercenaries were already on the ground, and the Diamond-class mercenaries were groaning from the beatings.

The fight was over. There was no need to continue. The mercenaries weren’t here to fight. They were here to fulfill a request.

“That’s enough, Prince Keter. We admit defeat.”

“Enough?”

“Yes. I think this is sufficient. We will follow your control, so please stop the fight.”

Heidi thought that even Keter, with his monstrous abilities, must be tired by now and had no reason to continue.

It was a thought born from not knowing Keter at all.

“That’s ridiculous. You started it, and now that you’re about to lose, you want to stop? Did you hire me? Do you think Sephira is a joke?”

The unexpected response left not only the other mercenaries but also the watching Sephira knights bewildered.

“Do you want to fight to the end? If that’s the request, we are willing.”

“Request my ass. I’m just in a bad mood and want to beat you up. Besides, you guys only come to your senses after getting beaten, right?”

“If you want to end it, then so be it.”

Heidi rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward. He intended to stop Keter one-on-one. He had the confidence to do so.

But Keter sneered.

“Don’t put on airs, all three of you come at me.”

“You want to fight three Amantium-class mercenaries?”

“If you think you’ll lose, bring a few more lackeys.”

Keter pointed at the still-standing Platinum and Diamond-class mercenaries. The prideful Amantium-class mercenaries’ faces twisted.

“You’ll regret this, Prince!”

The three Amantium-class mercenaries took their stances and charged at Keter, and Keter also charged, starting a dogfight with a flying kick.

A moment later.

Sephira’s infirmary was crowded with patients. The mercenaries beaten by Keter had many bruises but no serious injuries. Even those who had been hit in the face had broken noses and lost a tooth or two, but their eyes, the vital parts, were unharmed.

None of the mercenaries held a grudge against Keter for beating them. Keter hadn’t done anything underhanded and had fought fairly with just his fists.

Keter was also quite injured. He had taken many punches and kicks. His body was bruised, but Keter didn’t seek treatment. He believed it would heal on its own, or so he said.

The mercenaries, after receiving rough treatment, became very docile. They weren’t exactly disciplined to the point of maintaining order, but they all listened attentively to Keter. In history, Keter might have been the first noble to compromise with mercenaries using his fists.

Keter reminded the now obedient mercenaries of the request’s content.

“For the next month, you will stay in Sephira and engage in mock matches with two participants of the Southern Sword Tournament. Follow the detailed schedule and accommodations as instructed by Jacques, the butler here. And—”

Keter pointed at a person hiding among the mercenaries, unnoticed.

“You. Come out.”

“Are you talking to me?”

The pointed mercenary blinked. Keter gestured for him to step aside.

“No. The guy hiding behind you.”

As the mercenary stepped aside, an extremely ordinary-looking mercenary revealed his face.

It was Burgundy, the vice-commander of the Lilian Kingdom Mercenary Regional Headquarters, who had infiltrated Sephira under the alias Garen.