Etranger

Chapter 65

I-I, understand.

Natin bowed his head before turning around.

Ah- wait! Im not finished speaking!

Yes!

Natin, who had stepped back, turned around and raised his head.

There are about 30 people in total. I heard that half of them possess some form of combat power, and theyre roughly the same level as second-rate warriors. However, rumor has it that one of the warriors is so skilled and strong that he cannot be ignored. Many special warriors, including Narim of the Jane Clan, dueled with him and had their right arms cut off. They must be camping out in the open because they believe in his abilities. Keep this in mind while you conduct your operation.

Yes then 

One more thing!

Yes?

As you go out, call the attendant and tell him to get rid of that!

Natin shifted his gaze to where Norians chin gestured. There was a naked girl lying on the floor with her tongue sticking out. Her wide-open eyes were lifelessly looking up at the ceiling. Rigor mortis seemed to be settling in

Shes an unlucky bitch. Someone got to her first. He also roughed her up pretty badly. It must have been that rotten son of mine, Nordem, Norian muttered.

***

Deep into the night. 

San gathered the crew members together. The crew members looked at their captains face, which was illuminated by the bonfires light, with tense expressions. Sans voice rang quietly in the camps square.

Our mission is to take our products to the city of Porto, sell them, and return back safely.

Unfortunately, there are two major problems. First, there are many enemies targeting us. Even now as I speak, they are encircling us. There are many of them, too. Weve confirmed that three powerful enemy groups have been following us throughout our journey. Theyve been looking for a chance to plunder our cargo. Marquis Norian should know of our arrival, too. I think hell definitely move tonight. Therefore

San paused for a moment. Everyones eyes were on his mouth. San looked at Biyeon for a moment and then continued,

Currently, not only is going back unsafe but theres also no safe route to go back. Hence, even if any of you want to leave, I will not let you go.

At first glance, fear seemed to spread throughout the crew members expressions. They heard Chief Priestess Dites dire words earlier in the day, but the moment when a possibility turned into a reality was always far more impactful.

Biyeon looked at the crew members with a cold expression and arms folded. She spoke the following words in a dry, matter-of-fact manner, The second problem is that we dont have the combat power to defeat our enemies. To put it bluntly, youll either be seriously injured or die. If that should happen, then our mission is likely to fail. So, the time has come for all of you to make a decision.

The crew members turned their heads and watched San. They also knew the objective of the mission. It was to transport goods and convert them into money. However, nowhere did it state that the captains must take responsibility for the safety of the crew members. It wasnt realistic to take care of the cargo and others at the same time.

Thats why many transport convoys employed powerful Awakened Warriors. It didnt matter if the Count and the crew members had a trusting relationship The main priority was always the cargo. The crew members felt cold air flowing across their backs and collectively shuddered. Biyeons voice continued in the backdrop of this icy atmosphere.

You know, the two of us are not part of the Counts estate. Therefore, theres no reason to put our lives on the line. So, you have three choices.

Biyeon stopped talking and looked around. Gulping sounds could be heard intermittently.

One is to fulfill the original contract and be paid your contracted share. In this case, we arent responsible for your safety. Its more realistic to let the weak die and replenish our numbers with more powerful warriors along the journey. Of course, the premise of this option is that you survive through tonight and tomorrow.

The Counts household members faces noticeably hardened. Next, San continued, Second, before more powerful enemies emerge, we can negotiate with the right opponent and return back to the Essen estate with at least the cost of this excursion. However, in this case, it means our mission failed, so we wont be able to see Count Essen again nor will we be properly compensated. This is not a feasible choice for me. Wouldnt it be impossible for me to give up on the rewards because of your insignificant lives?

Intermittently, he heard crewmates cough. Yekin and Yerias faces were especially hardened.

The last and third choice is Biyeon said before stopping to increase the tension. 

This was the last choice. Every crew member stared at Biyeon intently.

We enter into a separate contract. Its contents are simple. Both of us ensure your safety. In return, you follow our words absolutely. I want you all to seriously consider the third option. I dont think you all will be very helpful to the two of us, but

Biyeon blinked her eyes. People were still waiting for her words to continue.

This is the last suggestion Ill give. If you agree to the third options terms, you will no longer have total personal freedom. You will be following our orders without question. What do you think? Will you sign a contract with us?

Then, does that offer mean well become your slaves? Cecil asked carefully. Biyeon avoided immediately answering his question. Instead, she looked at Cecil for a moment.

He was a seasoned bard in his 50s. The bards of this era were people who told stories of the world. They were perhaps the intellectuals and historians of this era. 

Was our proposal interpreted as enslavement in his worldview? Biyeon thought.

Biyeon then nodded.

Its similar. Its no better treatment in the end, so yes, Biyeon simply replied.

Can you give us a minute? Yekin asked.

As you wish however, I hope you dont exceed an hour. I dont want to hear from you all individually. The company commanders will bring forth their companys decisions.

Will it work? Biyeon asked San as the crew members scurried away and huddled in their company groups.

Well have to wait and see. The more we live in this world, the more difficult and complex things seem to be. For instance theres no universal rule of law in this world. Its a truly lawless society. The strong decide everything based on their will. Theres no judicial process, so even if I rob or kill people, theres no punishment.

Yeah. I noticed that, too.

Policing outside the territory is simply impossible. The first person to see something essentially becomes the owner. Hunting people is considered a natural thing if ones caught, one becomes a slave. If one rebels, one is killed. This is the situation makes one realize that everyone is a wolf, only seeking ones own benefit. It seems like they use a system of clans to operate as police and education centers. They maintain a certain level of balance, but

San picked up a piece of wood and threw it towards the bonfire before continuing.

I didnt know that a world without law would be so bloody. I now realize why one needs a fair yet strong state power.

Biyeon stared at the bonfires flames with her knees up.

So, I think groups with armed forces, whether small or large, should be viewed as politically sovereign units. Conclusively, the nobles who rule the territory, the bandits, the large merchant guilds, and the individual clans should all be looked upon as small countries.

With a bitter expression, San brushed the ashes off of his shoulder.

That sounds right. In this world, no one can expect human rights without possessing power, and its useless to rely on noble spirit or goodwill. Even if we do something through a sense of goodwill, others will question that action. Just look at how we were treated as psychos at the end of the hunting event

But it wont be easy for them to accept our offer. Theyll also have to be mindful about repercussions from the Count.

I think its an overwhelming demand, but I think your idea of having them contract their lives with us is the best option. Lets see their reactions. By the way, did the talk with Dite go well?

Dite gave the crew a few words in advance. It should have an effect because, technically, her words are from a god.

"Good work. Anyway, obedience obtained by pressure sparkles for a moment but quickly dies out. Even though the process may be slower, thinking deeply and deciding for oneself is the best way to develop a strong organization. In particular, the war we have to fight will be based on guerrilla warfare. Each member of our side has to fight on their own. We cant expect to obtain what we want if we leave things be.

It looks like their meeting is over.

Lets see will they be able to logically piece together whats good for them?

Did you come to a decision? San asked aloud.

We have a few questions. Our decision may vary depending on the captains answers, Yekin said first. Sans eyes shone.

What are your questions?

We are Count Essens people. Also, I am his child. What would be your relationship with Count Essen if I entered into a contract with you two?

Is that the first question?

Yes

I will receive all your questions and answer them all at once. Whats the next question?        

What territory will you inhabit? Will you take in our families as well? This time, Uren, the commander of Group 2, asked.

Whats next?

What is expected of us from the captains? What do you want from us specifically? asked Laron, the representative in Group 3, the merchant group. He was a man with a pleasant personality.

Everyones eyes were focused on San. No matter what he said, they already knew that their lives were in his hands. It was only a decision of whether they would present their lives as collateral or rebel and find comfort in death

I will give you my answers. There seems to be some misunderstanding. The contract between you and us is a temporary contract. The contract period is from today until the day we complete the mission and return to the Counts estate. When you return to the estate, all contracts will be terminated, and your rights and obligations will, of course, revert to Count Essen. This is the first and second questions answers. Does this fully answer your first two questions?

San looked at Yekin and Yuren alternately. They had confused expressions.

Such 

Why?

Yekin and Yuren couldnt speak. Sans response went far beyond the expectations that came out of their discussion. Ignoring their expressions, San continued, This is the answer to the third question. We will have full control over you for the duration of the contract. Everything, including your life, wealth, freedom, and time! Failure to obey our orders will result in punishment.

During the term of the contract, you will train yourself under our guidance. Well have to fight countless people, and we will kill our enemies.

Youll have to be willing to be struck on behalf of your colleagues, and youll have to jump into the flames of death for the survival of the group. Those who endanger their crewmates will never be forgiven, and those who doubt the intent of our command will lose everything. Those who betray the organization will envy the dead.

Sans last declaration rang out and echoed in each crew members mind.

In short, youll struggle and fight to the death. Therefore I want you to willingly entrust your life to us. I swear on my honor that I will return in kind. I promise.

The square fell quiet in the darkness once more.

They heard but couldnt understand his words. Cecil carefully opened his mouth and spoke,

Then what will the captains get? I cant understand how this benefits you both. According to your words, we will have received everything and maintained our lives, so theres no reason for us not to sign and accept your contract.

Cecil was confused. The main characters of his epic poems first draft were going to be depicted as wicked treasure hunters who acted based on their own greed. However, at this moment, the main characters personalities were radically transforming into unfamiliar heroes. Selfless heroes.

Thus, he was very curious about their intentions. In his ears, a rhyme lingered, describing the beginning of the epics heroic narrative, but his confused mind wanted confirmation.

We become free, Biyeon smiled and said.

Did you say free? Cecil asked again.

We dont kill people without wars. Well be awash in a river of blood from this point forward. If its all just for monetary gains, then itll be too much for Captain Yeon and me to continue on and endure, San stated.