Emotionless Swordsmanship Genius

Chapter 50: The Hunting Party (1)

The Rob Empire was constantly embroiled in wars. As its territory expanded and its population grew, the Empire’s military found itself stretched thin, struggling to maintain control.

One solution the Empire often employed was hiring retired military officers, giving them a modest salary and some authority to manage smaller regions. These former soldiers were easy to control and highly effective at their jobs.

One such position was that of a hunting party leader.

General Wade, a retired veteran, had been appointed as the leader of the current beast hunting party heading up the Mekler mountain range.

The party consisted of 50 Imperial soldiers, 100 mercenaries hired for the task, and Wade’s 30 personal troops.

A total of 180 people made their way up the steep paths, riding horses, wagons, and carriages.

While the Imperial soldiers and Wade’s personal troops were disciplined, the mercenaries behaved as if they were on a casual outing.

As a soldier to the core, Wade didn’t care much for mercenaries, especially not the well-regarded Miguel Mercenaries, who had a reputation that rivaled that of the Imperial Army. Their popularity was a thorn in his side.

“Mercenaries with a better reputation than the Imperial Army… What a joke.”

Wade made up his mind as he watched the cheerful, carefree Miguel Mercenaries. He decided to use them as bait, throwing them to the beasts when the time came.

Before the hunt began, the hunting party stopped at the village of Felbrook to resupply. They picked up a few more mercenaries there, though Wade was less than pleased by their presence.

“That’s Karon!”

“Oh! Sir Karon!”

“I can’t believe it… How did he get here?”

“Are you joining the hunting party, Sir Karon?”

“With Sir Karon here, this hunt’s already in the bag!”

To Wade’s disgust, the Miguel Mercenaries, who normally held their heads high even around him, were now fawning over a young man who barely looked twenty.

Despite the attention, Karon’s expression didn’t change, remaining stoic and composed.

The young man, around twenty years old, had curly brown hair that partially covered his eyes. His build was decent but thin, not particularly muscular—he looked like he might break if struck even once.

Flanking him were two young men who appeared equally inexperienced.

‘Who in the world is this brat for the Miguel Mercenaries to be groveling like this?’ Wade thought, his irritation growing.

“Lieutenant!” Wade barked.

“Yes, Commander?”

“Quiet those fools down. Their lack of discipline is contagious.”

“Understood, Commander.”

The lieutenant marched over to Karon and the mercenaries, sternly ordering them to settle down.

The mercenaries exchanged uneasy glances but retreated without a word. The young man with curly hair briefly glanced at the lieutenant, his gaze piercing, before following the others.

“That insolent brat… You’ll join those mercenaries as the beasts’ prey soon enough.”

Wade gritted his teeth, renewing his resolve.

* * *

Meanwhile, in another part of the village, the Miguel Mercenaries and Karon’s group gathered.

“Who’s this guy?” asked Justin, the youngest member of the mercenaries, looking up at Hinshan.

Still wearing his usual smile, Hinshan crouched down to Justin’s eye level and politely introduced himself.

“My name is Hinshan. I serve Sir Karon. I came from the capital.”

“Wow! Sir Karon really is amazing, huh? Even someone from the capital came all this way to serve him!”

“Yes, Sir Karon is a truly remarkable man.”

“Do you fight with a sword and a bow?”

Justin glanced between the sword at Hinshan’s waist and the bow on his back.

Hinshan scratched his head and laughed.

“Ah, well, they’re mostly for show, really. Ha ha!”

“Ha ha! I knew it! You’re all about appearances, huh? Ha ha!”

Just like that, Hinshan seamlessly blended in with the mercenaries.

Meanwhile, Karon and Shong were engaged in conversation with the Miguel Mercenaries’ leaders, Erect and Linwood.

“Shouldn’t you have arrived in the capital by now?” Erect asked.

“Ah, we had some business in Palen,” Shong replied with an awkward smile.

Erect’s eyes gleamed with realization.

“Wait… Don’t tell me… Was it Sir Karon who wiped out the Tripolas Knights?”

Erect glanced around cautiously, trailing off as he spoke. Shong, wearing a knowing expression, nodded.

At the same time, he alternated between pointing to Karon and himself.

“No way!”

“Incredible, Sir Karon.”

Erect and Linwood looked at them in awe. The events that had taken place in Palen had already spread throughout the Mekler mountain range, making Karon quite famous.

“It seems this hunt will be a success, then,” Erect said, nodding in satisfaction. Just then, Karon, who had been quietly listening, tilted his head slightly and spoke.

“We’ll see. But weren’t you planning to return home?”

Karon asked casually, prompting a smile from Erect.

“On our way back, we heard rumors that villages on the other side of the range were being attacked by beasts. We thought we might as well help out and earn some money, so we came here.”

“They’re strong. You might die.”

“We’re aware. According to the rumors, it’s a pack of direwolves, and the leader is likely a beast.”

Karon’s warning didn’t go unnoticed. Erect responded with a serious expression and a nod.

Karon’s brow furrowed. It felt like walking into a fire with kindling strapped to his back.

“You’re going, knowing what you’re up against?”

“As mercenaries, we’ve been paid. We have to go,” Erect replied, though it was clear that was just an excuse. Mercenaries didn’t risk their lives for mere pocket change.

Karon couldn’t understand the logic behind it, so he pressed further.

“Why are you so eager to help? These people have nothing to do with Miguel.”

“That’s true,” Erect said with a smile. “But once we heard about their plight, we could no longer claim they had nothing to do with us. Ignorance would’ve been bliss.”

Karon was momentarily speechless. It was an absurd statement, yet somehow, it made sense.

But he quickly shook his head.

“That’s a stretch.”

“Perhaps. But from where I stand, Sir Karon, you’re the one being unreasonable. We’ll gain some fame if we help. But what do you gain?”

Karon avoided Erect’s gaze.

“I don’t help people. I won’t be there to save you if the beasts overpower you.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Karon, looking irritated, walked away. Erect and Linwood exchanged sympathetic smiles as they watched him go.

“He’s as consistent as ever.”

“Indeed.”

A short while later, the leaders of the mercenary groups gathered for a strategy meeting at the command post. Naturally, Erect stood at the front as the representative for the mercenaries.

The lieutenant explained the plan, while Wade observed from the back.

“The plan is simple. The beasts are reported to be residing in the northwestern part of the Mekler mountain range. We’ll begin the operation at midday. The Imperial Army will take the front, and we’ll cover the rear.”

“…….”

“The mercenaries will remain on standby in the center. Once the beasts appear, you’ll engage to buy time. When you’ve slowed them down, we’ll handle the stragglers and then join forces to take down the main threat. The Imperial Army will claim the beasts. Any questions?”

As the lieutenant pointed to the map spread before them, Erect frowned and raised his hand.

“Isn’t that too dangerous for the mercenaries?”

Several other mercenaries murmured in agreement, and the atmosphere grew tense. Wade, who had been watching from the sidelines, stepped forward and shouted.

“You’ve been paid, so do your job. Isn’t that simple? Now, everyone, get ready! We leave in 30 minutes!”

Erect, unable to argue further, was forced to leave the command post with the others.

After all, they were just mercenaries, bound to the orders of those who hired them.

“This isn’t a strategy meeting—it’s just an order disguised as one. Tsk.”

Erect spat in the direction of the command post before turning on his heel.

Two hours later.

The hunting party arrived safely at the mountain where the direwolves were known to roam. They formed their ranks and slowly advanced.

The forest wasn’t too dense, so visibility was decent.

Karon’s group had been briefed on the plan before departure, and both Shong and Hinshan expressed their frustration with the arrangement, feeling that the mercenaries were being used as cannon fodder.

As they moved, Karon was lost in thought, debating how much he should involve himself, while Shong pondered how to steal the demonic orb if the beasts had one. Meanwhile, Hinshan silently considered how he might deal with the hunting party’s commander if things went awry.

Though Hinshan appeared modest and unassuming, it was all a disguise. As a member of the prince’s elite guard, his rank far exceeded that of the hunting party commander, Wade.

If Hinshan revealed the golden eagle insignia in his possession, Wade would be forced to follow his orders without question.

However, Hinshan preferred to handle matters discreetly and on his own terms.

‘Hmm?’

Karon suddenly snapped out of his thoughts and turned his gaze toward the western ridge. The presence he had sensed the previous night was beginning to reveal itself.

Karon looked around. It seemed no one else had noticed the direwolves approaching yet.

Then, Hinshan unslung his bow and began testing the tension of the string and checking the tips of his arrows, preparing for battle.

‘Has he figured it out?’

It was hard to tell, given Hinshan’s perpetual smile.

Whistle— Whistle—

Just then, a sharp whistle pierced the air.

The scouts from the vanguard had spotted the direwolves.

“Prepare for battle!” the lieutenant shouted, and the entire hunting party sprang into action. Soldiers raised their weapons, and archers readied their bows.

A tense silence settled over the group like the calm before a storm.

The weight of the moment pressed down on everyone, and the continued sound of the whistles heightened their anxiety.

However, there were two people entirely unaffected by the pressure.

“Ever seen a direwolf before?” Shong asked casually, clearly bored.

“No.”

“They’re pretty fierce monsters, real nasty. Their fangs are like this,” Shong bared his teeth and curled his fingers like claws, distorting his face into a grotesque expression. But Karon remained unfazed.

“I didn’t ask.”

“What about your sword? Where is it?”

“I left it behind.”

“Ah, right, it comes when you call for it. Well, I guess it’s no big deal.”

While Shong rambled on and Karon answered indifferently, the Miguel Mercenaries and Hinshan, who knew the two well, weren’t fazed by their behavior. However, Wade, watching from the back in his command wagon, wasn’t so tolerant.

He could clearly see the mercenaries from his position, and the nonchalance of the two young men stood out.

“Tsk. Is it because they’re young? We’re about to enter battle, and they don’t seem to care at all.”

Wade clicked his tongue and glared at the pair.

He stood and surveyed the forest around them, unaware that just by his feet, Karon’s black sword lay hidden in the underbrush.

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