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EP.94 [Eugene Schneider's Bedroom, Where His Crazy Little Sister Elizabeth Has Snuck In.]
"What in the world is this?!"
Two days after leaving Pangea, the Red Fox Mercenary Band's procession arrived in Alexandria and soon reached the Iron Cross Knight Order's camp within Count Alfonso's territory. As they entered the welcoming ceremony inside the camp, Ivan, the advisor of the Red Fox Mercenary Band, who was following Jeanne, couldn't hide his surprise with wide eyes.
"Hahaha! That's right! I am Ivan! Your eternal superior, Antonio!"
Someone reacted to Ivan's surprised expression. It was none other than the commander of the Iron Cross Knight Order, standing in the middle of the formation.
His name was Antonio Daudi Pau Gasol, a man who appeared to be around 50 years old and held the title of Viscount in Alexandria. He was also the former deputy commander of the Bronze-level mercenary band, Black Hawk, where Ivan used to belong.
"Wow, was that how it was? Jeanne said the treatment was like that of a close friend, but it was because Ivan was a friend?"
The robust figure and loud voice of Antonio, along with Ivan, made it easy for everyone to understand the situation, including Eugene.
The high trust and generous support from the Iron Cross Knight Order towards the Red Fox Mercenary Band were due to Ivan's past connection.
"I'm sure many of you were surprised at the welcoming ceremony, and I formally apologize for any rudeness. It was hard to contain my joy at meeting a dear old colleague after ten years."
After a brief meeting at the ceremony, a welcoming banquet for the Red Fox Mercenary Band began in the main tent of the Iron Cross Knight Order's camp. Before the main conversation started, Antonio offered a polite apology to Jeanne, who was sitting beside him. He had committed a slight breach of etiquette by greeting someone else before shaking hands with the mercenary leader.
"Don't mind it; your appearance is too pleasant to consider it rude."
"Hahaha! Thank you! Indeed, Ivan Igor is worthy of being a superior!"
Jeanne graciously accepted Antonio's apology, and her expression seemed more at ease. She had been wondering if the one-sided support would lead to strict control within the quest, but knowing it was due to Ivan and Antonio's friendship alleviated her concerns.
"Ivan, this friend of mine, is quite bold. He's the kind of man who can tell his superiors the truth even if it costs him his life. I got scolded by him when we were together, hahaha!"
As the banquet progressed, Antonio began to share the background of the current situation.
"After Ivan left, I started thinking about what it means to be a knight's honor. As he said, I removed things that weren't as precious as my life, and what remained was my family and hometown. So, I decided to live as a knight protecting my homeland, haha!"
Ten years ago, the Bronze-level mercenary band, Black Hawk, was growing rapidly. However, it underwent a change in character, becoming politicized as its power increased. The commander of Black Hawk wanted to expand its influence by aligning with political forces, while Ivan, representing the regular members, wished to keep the band pure. Antonio, as the deputy commander, was caught in between.
After Ivan left, leaving advice for Antonio to keep the band on the right path, Antonio struggled for months before eventually returning to his hometown. He then organized the Iron Cross Knight Order, one of the noble knight orders protecting Alexandria. For his contributions, Antonio, originally from a Viscount's family, was granted the title of Viscount by Count Alfonso.
"Wow, Ivan is still impressive, but he must have been even more so when he was younger. The Viscount is impressed enough to stick out his tongue, haha!"
Thomas asked Ivan beside him, seemingly confirming the fact.
"He was full of enthusiasm but lacked discipline. I suppose the Marquis must have been very frustrated with him. Now, I think it was remarkable patience, considering he was a reckless subordinate who would have been better off beheaded."
"Hahaha! Thank you for understanding now, my friend!"
Ivan raised his glass with a nostalgic expression, and Antonio laughed heartily, feeling pleased.
Ten years had passed, and Antonio felt that Ivan still considered him a good superior.
"We suspect that someone from a knight order we previously collaborated with might have been sent to the Tyrannos side."
The main quest discussion was scheduled for the next day, but Antonio casually mentioned it.
"Should we consider them Sophists?"
"Yes, we do, Lord Jeanne. We've mostly identified the ordinary people from Tyrannos."
Antonio needed the help of an external, trustworthy force rather than other noble knight orders for reasons related to this.
At that moment, Eugene silently observed Jeanne engaging in conversation with Antonio and the other commanders.
"The Alexandria Mercenary Association informed us about a Plus-level Blackstone mercenary band that had recently emerged. We had been searching for a capable and trustworthy mercenary band for about a month. And then, we found Ivan Igor's name among them, an X-user class, no less!"
Given the possibility of a spy infiltrating, Antonio shifted his focus to collaborating with a small, elite mercenary band. He happened to hear about the rare Blackstone Plus mercenary band and discovered Ivan's name while investigating.
"I had heard rumors a few years ago that Ivan left Black Hawk and was wandering as a mercenary, feeling disillusioned with large mercenary bands. Since he chose a band that is not only his but also a Plus-level one, I'm confident in their skills and trustworthiness."
Ivan's path and life became a guarantee of trust.
Antonio wanted to recall Ivan when forming the Iron Cross Knight Order, but upon hearing that Ivan was living as a wandering mercenary, he decided against it. He felt the trauma of his departed subordinate. Years later, Ivan started a small Blackstone-level mercenary band, showing that his heart had healed and he still upheld his principles. Therefore, Antonio requested collaboration with the Red Fox Mercenary Band without hesitation and offered unconditional support.
"Wow, our advisor Ivan is really cool! He's walked the path of a true man!"
"Indeed, my drinking buddy Ivan! A drinking buddy should be full of romance!"
"I'm impressed by Advisor Ivan... I want to be a romantic mercenary like him too!"
"This is embarrassing! Haha!"
As the situation became clear, the Red Fox Mercenary Band members showed their respect for Ivan by giving him thumbs-ups. Ivan was embarrassed by his comrades' reactions, while Antonio was surprised to see how much Ivan had mellowed over the past ten years.
"Ah, yes... Hmm..."
Antonio then received urgent news from Deputy Commander Davis, who had briefly stepped outside, and his expression turned serious.
"It seems the schedule will change, everyone."
Antonio stood up, looking at Jeanne and the Red Fox Mercenary Band, and spoke again.
"Originally, Pietta, the head of the Pietta Trading Company, was supposed to visit us later tonight. She is the key figure in the secret trade and is responsible for the expenses of both our organizations. However, there was a minor issue with her transportation, so it's been postponed until tomorrow."
The core of this quest was to protect the secret trade route through Count Alfonso's territory. Therefore, the main figure behind this trade was indispensable.
"Is there anything our mercenary band can do to help?"
"Haha! Don't worry, Commander Jeanne. You've come a long way, so rest well tonight at least."
As a courtesy, Jeanne asked if there was anything they could do to assist with Pietta's transportation issues, but Antonio suggested they simply rest for the night.
"Did he drink too much? His eyes are all blurry, and he barely made it to his room."
The party continued even after Antonio left. Eugene drank until past midnight, feeling exhausted from the journey and the effects of the alcohol. He lay down on the bed in his quarters, provided by the Iron Cross Knight Order, wearing only his outer clothes.
"I'm too tired to wash up... I'm really exhausted..."
Eugene gazed at the wooden ceiling with blurry eyes, but he lacked the energy to get up and wash.
"Hmm... Why am I thinking of Elizabeth today? Maybe she's already arrived and preparing to write me a letter?"
As Eugene drifted off to sleep, he couldn't shake the feeling of his sister Elizabeth.
"Maybe I should visit the academy someday... I'm not the same person I used to be..."
As h fell asleep, Eugene felt a deep affection for his sister.
About an hour later, Eugene was in a deep sleep when...
A purple dimensional portal suddenly opened in his room.
And from that portal...
Someone stepped out.
"Ah... Brother..."
The mysterious figure was none other than Eugene's sister, Elizabeth, whom he had been thinking about before falling asleep.
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