He was the child of rebels who attempted to overthrow the country.
First of all, finding a connection between the sentence and a man named Usher Therbion, whom Bersia knew, was incredibly difficult. At best, I was barely able to squeeze out the word “child” and associate it with him.
Bersia’s mind went blank.
What should she do to understand how a young rebel from a remote city ended up becoming a top-tier knight in the Order? That process was a bit puzzling, but not at all unexpected.
Her gaze was filled with many emotions.
But Usher, who always lacked awareness at times like this, seemed to have gained strength simply from receiving comfort and continued speaking with newfound energy.
The way he tilted his chin and examined himself seriously from top to bottom made me think, although I shouldn’t, that perhaps he was a bit crazy.
My head became a little dizzy.
“Hmm, how can I make it so people won’t associate me with my past? It’s an embarrassing story, but compared to when I was a child, this neck isn’t all that different. I guess my face isn’t one that’s particularly emotional.”
I see, Usher’s childhood face still remains.
“Cross-dressing… I’m sorry, but I don’t want to do it again. It’s not even me doing it, but anyway, I don’t like it…!”
He doesn’t like cross-dressing.
“Wigs…? Ah, I’ve heard that there’s a potion in the market that temporarily changes the color of the eyes, but if that works…”
Dyeing is possible.
I continued to process everything in my mind blankly.
While I was doing that, Usher asked me a question.
“Saintess, do you have any opinions?”
I didn’t know, and honestly, Usher scared me a little.
After that day, Usher became very busy.
It was embarrassing, but having received comfort from Bersia, he regained his energy and became more passionate than usual.
The past cannot be changed.
That obvious truth made me wonder what had clouded my vision earlier.
Usher steadied himself.
He repeated to himself who he was.
‘I am Usher Therbion, the knight guarding the Saintess. I’m not a lion cub from Baern.’
Therefore, he had to do what suited that role.
Bersia needed to go to Baern.
Then, what preparations were needed?
That land, both geographically and climatically, could hardly be called peaceful, even jokingly.
There were, of course, the usual preparations like clothes and other defense, but there was something more important.
“We need a crystal compass.”
“A crystal compass?”
“Yes, the desert in Baern has particularly strong sandstorms. The dunes constantly change their shape, and if you’re not careful, you’ll lose your way and die from exposure. So, a compass is used, but I’ll add a little mystical touch.”
By making the compass needle out of crystal and adding several magical processes, constellations could be embedded into the compass.
One compass for each constellation. With three constellations embedded in the compass, one could follow them even during the day when the stars aren’t visible.
Usher thought about that and fell into memories before quickly snapping back to reality.
“It’s a magical process, but if it’s related to abilities, it doesn’t matter. Even psychic powers can be triggered. If divine power is added, the compass will be usable anytime. As long as I have the materials, I’ll make it myself.”
“That’s definitely better than hiring a guide.”
That settled the compass part.
Next, it was about supplies. The Order would assist with this, so I had already listed the various items needed in the desert.
Then, the issue of how to move and investigate in Baern came up.
Usher had some thoughts about that.
The exotic homeland of Baern had its own unique culture, and the person who knew it best was him, a local.
There were no obstacles in the plan.
“Halia will be in charge of a foolish rich girl who came to Baern to lead a mercenary group.”
“……”
In a meeting to prepare for the expedition,
Halia looked at Usher with a puzzled expression, as if she didn’t understand what he was saying.
But Usher just smiled brightly.
Halia then asked him,
“…That, Bersia.”
“Yes, Halia.”
“The young lady, she’s good, isn’t she? But… hmm.”
Halia licked her lips and scratched her cheek.
“I’m nearly fifty. Thanks to a miracle from my parents, I’ve managed to keep this appearance, but whether I can play the role well is uncertain. Wouldn’t it be better if you did it?”
Did she hesitate to play the role of a fool?
Usher thought for a moment and somewhat understood her feelings.
Halia was the oldest of the saintesses and had been active the longest among the top-tier knights.
She must have a strong sense of responsibility.
Usher, thinking this, tried to persuade her.
“It would be easier for you. Baern has a unique culture, and all kinds of strange armed groups gather there. The most common are mercenary groups formed by foolish people wanting to make a name for themselves in the ‘Land of the Strong.’ It’ll be easy to blend in. If you show just a little preparation, they’ll treat you like a child who just came with no prior experience.”
“Hmm… Did Sir Therbion tell you that?”
“Yes!”
“…Is there no better method? Or at least one that’s more plausible, even if it’s not as good as that one?”
“Choosing the best option seems the most comfortable, don’t you think? If I take that role, Halia will be left feeling out of place. Her physical features are too distinct to pass off as someone without power. She’ll be noticed right away.”
Halia’s face grew increasingly uncomfortable.
However, she couldn’t bring herself to argue further.
A knight’s judgment must be rational.
That was something Halia often said during her lectures when gathering the newly appointed knights.
Still keeping a displeased expression, Halia eventually conceded.
Afterward, when Bersia heard the news, she gave a small, amused laugh and said,
“Responsibility, huh.”
“Huh?”
“That woman’s not uncomfortable because of responsibility or anything. It’s because she doesn’t like being ignored.”
“…So, what’s the real reason?”
“She doesn’t like being looked down on.”
“If she plays the role of a fool, others will ignore her. But she can’t even strike back herself, so it makes her feel bad.”
Usher openly showed his disbelief.
How could someone like Halia, with all her experience, reject an assignment for that reason and ask for a different approach?
However, Bersia added, as if it were the most normal thing in the world,
“I think it’s stranger to expect someone at that age to wear braided hair.”
“Ah.”
That was an oddly convincing response.
It was the day of departure.
Usher felt a slight heaviness in his body that morning.
He realized it was because it was the day he was returning to his homeland.
With a small, self-deprecating laugh, Usher cleared his thoughts and got out of bed.
As he finished preparing, his mind was completely set.
He decided not to entertain any more thoughts about his homeland.
After washing up, he changed into clothes suited for stealth.
Two swords were strapped to his waist, and his thin outfit resembled a dancer’s attire.
The most beautiful mercenaries.
Experts in infiltration, assassination, and urban warfare.
In Baern, they were commonly known as the “Twihee” group.
They blended in more easily than regular swordsmen.
Bersia’s appearance helped, too.
With a face like hers, one might think, “A mercenary?” but in this case, the better thought was, “She must’ve become a Twihee because of that face.”
“I used to owe a lot to those people.”
Baern, being a land with very few children, meant Usher was treated well wherever he went.
Especially the female mercenaries of groups like Twihee, who often gave him food and took care of him.
I wonder if they’re doing well.
But Usher knew the answer.
That day, during the chaos in Baern, many of the Twihee mercenaries had died.
The dark thought wouldn’t go away, so Usher slapped his cheek to snap out of it.
With that, he cleared his mind and headed out.
When he arrived at the departure point, he saw the group.
Halia, dressed in a fluttering dress, was sitting with her arms crossed, greeting Usher with a grumpy face.
“You’ve arrived. Let’s go quickly. I want to take a nap.”
Her muttering clearly showed her mood.
Usher gave a nervous smile and held his tongue.
Turning his head, he saw Diego, Halia’s guard and a knight who was about twenty years older than Usher, standing next to her.
“Hello, Saintess.”
“Ah, yes…!”
He couldn’t help but feel nervous.
With a round shield on his back and a longsword at his waist, the gruff-looking man, whose pale hair was neatly swept back, was a senior who had accomplished numerous great feats.
“Sorry for being late. It took longer than expected to prepare.”
Then, Bersia arrived.
And the moment Usher saw her,
“…Ah.”
He flinched, his body trembling.
Her sky-blue hair, her blue eyes, and the way she had become like him stirred an unfamiliar feeling within him.
Bersia approached Usher and, smiling brightly, said,
“Sibling mercenaries. I look forward to working with you, Saintess.”
That smile made Usher feel inexplicably nervous inside.