Wolves of Hader

Uson came out carrying a bow.

It was the bow Yan had spoken of, the one that Uson originally possessed.

"Are the Yan tribe skilled with bows?"

Tuji answered.

"They're more than just skilled. Every warrior is a master archer, and some are even called divine marksmen. They start shooting from the age of seven—our siblings did, too."

When I looked at Uson, he just smiled.

Tuji continued.

"Our family is of Yan descent, so we've learned archery for generations. We also learned the Yan tongue, but we're not that fluent."

The two of them didn't look like they were of mixed blood.

The people in southern-central Beltern had slightly darker skin, but there wasn't much difference.

Well, a lot of time had passed, after all.

"Have you ever been to Yan?"

"Before even coming of age, I fought in the war. After our defeat, I became a mercenary."

I looked at Uson's bow again.

If he was a master, how good could he be?

Tuji seemed to notice the meaning of my gaze.

"Show him a bit of your skill."

Without a word, Uson nocked an arrow to the bow.

Then, he aimed at a seagull flying high above.

"Not a beast,"

I said.

Uson turned his bow, then immediately drew and released. The bow bent dramatically.

Then, with a crisp pang—the arrow was released.

Tung—

The arrow stuck right at the tip of the mast.

And it hit the thin pennant staff.

"Did he really hit that pennant staff?"

"Yes."

The staff at the top of the mast was barely a span wide.

From the stern, it was barely visible, so far away.

And on top of that, the ship was rocking side to side, and the wind was blowing.

"Could he hit the seagull too?"

"When my little brother was in the special forces, he was famous for hunting the enemy's messenger birds."

Both of them were former navy.

We'd probably never have to create a navy ourselves, but they seemed fit to guard the merchant fleet.

They had mercenary experience too.

"You'll be a great help to the house."

"We're the ones who are grateful."

Tuji and Uson bowed deeply.

Their attitude was a bit different as if they'd inherited Yan's culture. Perhaps Yan was more like an Eastern society.

"But can't Uson speak?"

Uson gave a bitter smile.

Once again, Tuji answered.

"In truth, the bastards cut out his tongue and even branded him with a hot iron. He can talk, but pronunciation is hard."

"I see."

"Well, then."

Tuji and Uson bowed again and headed to the cabin.

They'd said they had been bullied by the guards, but the level was such that his tongue was cut and his mouth seared.

The Pleasure Island would be rebuilt.

It must have been the order's biggest source of income.

The wealthy would come and go again, never knowing the true cause of the fire.

For a while, I just stared at the sea.

I wondered if any order-backed mercenaries or Tern's navy were after us, but I saw none.

Well, this sea was quite far from both the empire and Tern.

It wasn't just a ship or two that escaped the Pleasure Island, after all.

Maybe the imperial navy was even more dangerous.

///

My concerns proved true.

When we entered the waters in sight of Tris Port, imperial navy ships surrounded us.

They weren't just inspecting us—they were searching every ship going into Tris.

The order must have requested cooperation.

A warship approached our ship.

Along its rails, archers lined up—warning that if we didn't comply with the inspection, we'd be attacked.

Tuji, Uson, and Roman were in the cabin.

None had any way to prove their identity; even seeing their scars would raise suspicion.

All three looked ragged, so they certainly wouldn't just let us pass.

The imperial warship came right up to our port side.

After confirming our banner, they knew we were an imperial merchant ship.

Soon, an officer appeared.

"Lower your sails and slow your speed!"

"This is an imperial ship! What's the matter?"

"We are searching for suspects in the murder of high-ranking nobles from a foreign country! Please cooperate!"

"We came from Mouk!"

"Can you prove it?"

"Of course!"

Once the two ships were completely alongside each other, I unfurled the scroll I had gotten from the captain.

The officer read the contents.

"Is this really a ship of the eastern merchant guild?"

"Yes, it is."

"What cargo are you carrying?"

"We have none. We made a sudden trip to transport people, that's all."

The officer eyed us suspiciously.

It would seem strange: a ship that left with no cargo is now returning again without cargo.

He asked again.

"Anything to declare?"

"We have three mercenaries hired by our merchant guild. We brought them back from Mouk."

"Summon them now."

Nabak went down to the cabin.

Soon, Tuji, Uson, and priest Roman appeared.

If the officer recognized even one of their faces, we'd be caught.

The sight of their scars would be suspicious as well. All three looked so haggard, they wouldn't be let off easily.

"Where are these three from?"

"They are refugees from the south."

"Refugees, huh..."

His suspicion deepened.

He finally called the crew.

If anyone looked at Tuji and Uson's bodies, they'd know immediately.

Anyone could see they were gladiators.

"You two, go aboard and check on them."

"Yes, sir!"

Two crewmen crossed over to our ship.

The three men grew even more tense.

At this point, it seemed I'd have no choice but to invoke Count Mals's name.

Since this navy base was in Tris, Count Mals's influence should be significant.

Just as I was about to step forward—

Kudo came out, scratching himself all over.

He even gave a long yawn as he looked around.

"Hey, first mate Madan, been a while."

The officer looked at Kudo in surprise.

It was like he was wondering why Kudo was pretending to know him.

"Who are you, and why do you know me?"

"Aw, come on. Why're you like this? You came to my place twice this year alone. How's Admiral Gunder doing? Didn't you also bring First Mate Ulli of the 2nd Fleet?"

"Ulli and the admiral?"

"They had a great time. And now you pretend you don't know Kudo? First Mate Ulli even gave me a bonus, saying he'd be promoted this year."

The crew looked at the officer.

He started to ask something but closed his mouth.

"You said your name was Kudo? What are you doing here?"

"Well, first mate Madan, what are you doing?"

"That ship's from the eastern merchant guild, right?"

"That's right. I hitched a ride—is that a problem? By the way, what do you want with my people?"

"Are you the employer of those men?"

"That's right! Heard they were capable, so I brought them. Anyway, drop by sometime—got a girl who's to die for! Hahaha!"

"What on earth are you talking about now?!"

The officer got even more flustered.

Kudo shouted again.

"Arisa's been grumbling, too! She says it's been ages since you navy officers came around! Stop by sometime, bring your superiors and help my sales! I'll pick out the best girls for you—then that promotion..."

"You've got it wrong! I've never set foot in such a place!"

"Come on, what's so bad about an imperial navy officer having a little fun? Next time you come, I'll introduce you to someone prettier than Arisa. So—"

"Everyone, get back over here!"

"Yes, sir!"

The crewmen on our ship hurried back to the warship.

The officer glared at Kudo, then turned away.

"First Mate Madan! When are you coming by again? Hmm?"

"Move it! Search is over! Move along!"

"On to the next ship!"

The navy officer quickly left.

The warship soon pulled away from our ship. We headed straight ahead.

Kudo grinned.

"You should've woken me up, you know?"

"Didn't know you knew the navy."

"For those who want to get ahead, entertaining their bosses is essential. If you want wild fun with your superiors, there's nowhere in Tris like my establishment. Hahaha."

At any rate, we made port safely.

Even at the dock, slipping the supervisor a gold coin let us through with no trouble.

Kudo's organization really was intimidating.

///

I met the intelligence squad's squad leader again.

First, I laid out the books we'd acquired from the Pleasure Island.

We'd confirmed several pieces of evidence on the way home.

"I marked the key clues and evidence as we came—check and organize them, please."

"Yes, sir."

"Did you find Steward Aldo's family?"

"Yes. We know their location, but haven't rescued them yet. Our operatives are there now, and will move as soon as the operation starts."

"Where were the family?"

"In a small house at Kali Port, the viscount's territory. It was Deputy Hans who discovered this. He was watching the baron's house, tailed a servant, and found them."

Thank goodness we found them.

The kidnapping was done by merchant Goro, but I'd expected the hostages to be guarded by the viscount or baron.

"And the other situations?"

"Barako merchant guild's leader and Elder Horo met with merchant Goro four times. Since the incident with the order, they've met three of those times."

"So, right after the situation at the order."

"Yes. Currently, merchant Goro hasn't returned home for three days and is staying in the merchant guild building. He appears to commute, but it's all disguised decoys."

Recently, merchant Goro hadn't been home.

It meant he knew the situation was urgent.

It also meant he saw no reason to guard his own house.

"What about the viscount and baron?"

"They are still at merchant Goro's mansion. The number of mercenaries at the Goro merchant guild has increased greatly. I hear even now mercenaries are entering Tris."

"How many mercenaries have gathered?"

"Probably more than 300."

The mercenaries gathered at the Goro merchant guild seemed to be those who were former guards on the Pleasure Island.

Their leader, who was both mercenary captain and a tycoon, was dead.

The real owner now must be the order.

Therefore, the whole mercenary company could be sent to Tris.

On paper, since they were hired by the Goro merchant guild, it would count as participating in a territorial war—but we could wipe them out.

"What proof of the Goro merchant guild's crimes?"

"We couldn't secure any. One of our operatives was discovered while infiltrating, so only our intelligence squad's presence was revealed. I am sorry."

"We can't always succeed. It wasn't a mistake, and nothing to apologize for. Same goes in the future."

"Yes."

The squad leader gave an awkward smile.

He probably pushed his people too hard.

"But recently, we witnessed goods being moved by wagon for the first time."

"To where?"

"To the merchant guild's inn and tavern."

"What about the main merchant guild building?"

"That place always has wagons coming and going. The business's proceeds are also sent daily in boxes."

"Where was the cargo originally?"

"From merchant Goro's villa and mansion."

They moved the cargo recently?

That wasn't a coincidence.

"Where do you think the evidence is?"

"I'm not certain, but... I believe it's in the merchant guild building."

"Why?"

"Sending cargo to the inn and tavern seemed like a distraction. Merchant Goro has been in the guild for three days—the villa is too far away. At the mansion, the viscount or baron might have taken something out as security."

I smiled in agreement.

"It's in the merchant guild. Inns and taverns are businesses, so mercenaries can't be based there. But the merchant guild building—it can house hundreds."

The squad leader smiled in agreement as well.

Merchant Goro must have realized from the news about Pleasure Island that it was my doing.

That's why he met with corps leader Barako and Elder Horo.

Merchant Goro is where the secret ledgers are. If something happens, he'll have to handle it directly.

With support from the order, he must think he'll win if the mercenary company arrives.

I couldn't wait any longer.

The mercenary company under the order's orders must be on their way, probably numbering well over a thousand.

"What about Donnie and Hans?"

"All preparations are complete."

I nodded and continued.

"Relay this to everyone. Tomorrow morning, we start the operation simultaneously. In Tris, just before dawn breaks. As for the viscount and baron's houses, right after sunrise."

I continued.

"Donnie, take the viscount's house. Hans, the baron's house. The two Berserkers and 30 of Kudo's men will raid merchant Goro's mansion and seize both head of houses' families."

The squad leader busily wrote all this down.

"I and four Berserkers, plus the rest of Kudo's 50 men, will hit the Goro merchant guild building. At that time, the intelligence squad will rescue Steward Aldo's family. The remaining squad will prepare for merchant Goro's escape."

"Should merchant Goro be captured?"

"It's fine to kill him."

I stood up right away.

I knew what they held and what they'd do.

They knew how we'd move, too.

But they'd missed the most crucial point.

The root cause of this fight—

And they had no idea about our military force.

The order and merchant leader Barako had fallen to Goro's sly schemes.

Using exclusive trade with Robe as an excuse, he involved both parties to pressure us and tried to revoke wartime compensation.

But it all got too big.

Merchant Goro had always needed the order's power, so he must have been delighted when I toppled the order.

Thinking it was fate on his side.

But the order would go down because of its tail.

That tail is the Goro merchant guild.

A tail brazen enough to shake the body.