It wasn’t the most pleasant start, but the formalities were more or less over.
Former Bavarian crown prince and skilled warrior Gester wasn’t a bad fit for pretending to be a mercenary.
Additionally, though learned late, his identity as a mercenary was also quite secure.
“Mila is my dual identity. I had to earn money for my father’s medicine, but the only thing I could do was swordsmanship!
Since I traveled alone, I never took on big missions, but my skills were well-recognized in Bavaria, so there’s little to worry about suspicion.”
No wonder his falsetto voice felt familiar—there was a reason behind it.
Though he called himself “Lonely Rose Mila,” Usher didn’t believe him.
It was hard to imagine mercenaries giving him such a decent nickname.
It was surely something as insulting as the nickname given to Usher, “Incestuous Tia.”
That, however, was something to discover later.
Gester shared stories with Halia and Diego and soon heard about their true identities as well.
“Ah, the Sacred Church. So, that’s where you went, Usher.”
Though Gester spoke to Bersia, Usher could see the expression on his face in that moment.
A mix of relief and bitterness. A face showing multiple emotions colliding.
It was understandable. Returning to Bavaria only briefly, Gester must have realized that the relationship he once dreamed of, as a general and king, could no longer come to be.
Though he felt sorry, there was no thought of changing affiliations now.
Whether Bersia understood this or not, her words reflected Usher’s feelings.
“Life turned out this way. I’m sorry.”
“No, as long as you’re happy, that’s enough. Then, that young lady is…”
“She’s the saint I serve.”
“Oh, I see.”
Gester seemed intrigued.
Bavaria was a nation not part of the Continental Union.
He could only know of the church’s matters through rumors, which explained why Usher kept using the surname Therbion openly.
“Are they the women said to shatter the skies and overturn the earth?”
“Something like that.”
“If I’d known, I should’ve studied continental history. Being outside the Union, I’ve had no reason to hear about such things.”
Gester laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his head.
At that moment, Halia spoke.
“So, we know you’re royalty. We also understand you want to join our plan. But I have a few questions—do you mind?”
“Of course, Captain!”
“Well, first of all…”
Halia asked him about the latest news in Bavaria.
It was a reasonable question. Usher only knew information from ten years ago, and the leadership had since changed, so an update was necessary.
Gester answered the questions thoroughly.
Among the critical points were these:
“It’s become more barbaric than before. Recently, with the ruins acting strangely, there’ve been deaths and disappearances.”
This information was suspicious.
Linking the rise in disappearances with the keyword “witches” brought to mind several past incidents.
Sharing information was crucial.
If the current dynasty indeed colluded with witches, they would need to be completely removed and replaced with someone fit for the position.
In every aspect, Gester Quolin was the perfect man.
Though detailed discussions would have to wait, negotiations began smoothly.
Eventually, the talk led to immediate plans.
Regarding Usher’s proposed plan, Gester commented:
“It’s certainly the most effective method. If we can infiltrate the royal palace, the investigation will be easy. I’ve spent half my life there, so you can leave information about secret passages to me.”
The fact that winning the tournament was still essential hadn’t changed.
The only difference was Gester’s involvement.
They then discussed strategies.
They weren’t worried about losing.
Though Gester didn’t know the full extent of the Blue Sword’s abilities, he held Usher’s skills in particularly high regard.
“Let’s research a way to win just enough. I’ll shortlist some likely opponents.”
The conversations continued.
Thus, the infiltration plan was fully finalized.
The day of the tournament arrived.
Unfortunately, Gester didn’t have time to unwind.
The operation required extensive preparation, but time was short.
From setting strategies to analyzing matchups.
By the end of the preliminaries, all members of the Blue Sword had advanced to the finals, and they were busy devising various plans for “just enough victory” based on the matchups.
During the process, they discovered something.
“The finalist is… Butt Destroyer Mila!!!”
“Ohoho! I told you, it’s Lonely Rose~!”
“As expected of Mila! That guy flinched his butt and fainted!”
Lonely Rose? Not a chance. Mila, Gester’s alternate identity, was nicknamed the “Butt Destroyer.”
The reason was somewhat pitiful—Gester’s swordsmanship had been heavily influenced by Hwaran’s assassination techniques, which raised Usher.
Hwaran, an assassin specializing in unique footwork to gain the opponent’s rear, had inspired Gester’s approach.
Combining that technique with Gester’s bizarre disguise had earned him the nickname “Butt Destroyer.”
Though Gester didn’t seem to care, Usher was bitter about it.
That feeling only grew stronger after the finals began.
“The first match of the finals! The winner is Butt Destroyer Milaaaaaa!!!”
“Waaaaaah!!!”
“Butt! Butt!”
The mercenary world was vulgar.
And Gester, immersed in that world, had become vulgar too.
“Ohohoho! If you keep calling me that, I’ll destroy your butts too~!”
“Waaaaaah!!!”
Gester responded to the cheers.
It was all an act.
Usher knew that Gester’s loud makeup and falsetto were a cover, ensuring no one recognized his true identity.
Even so… even so…
‘…Ah.’
It was hard to watch.
“Hah, refreshing! Next is you, Usher?”
“Yeah, I’ll be back.”
“I believe in you!”
As soon as he returned to the waiting room, Gester’s hearty laughter evoked mixed emotions.
If Gester didn’t mind, it wasn’t Usher’s place to think too much about it.
Usher pushed aside his feelings, considering this just another side of his friend.
Meanwhile, Bersia took the stage.
Through the crystal ball, her figure came into view, and the announcer’s amplified voice echoed clearly.
“The next contestant is none other than~! The Swallow of the Blue Blades! The sly man who hides behind his sister’s skirts and laughs sneakily! The Gigolo, Derren!!!”
“Waaaaaaah!!!”
“Kyaaaaaa!!!”
As Bersia waved gracefully, the cheers of men and the screams of women erupted.
Why—why was it that women only cheered like that when Bersia was using that body?
Usher was utterly baffled, unable to understand the reason behind it.
“He’s grown into quite the fine man,” Gester said, wiping his nose.
Seeing that familiar expression of betrayal rise within himself, Usher couldn’t help but recall the moment he lost his friend Marvin to the church.
There was a tinge of disappointment in Usher’s gaze.
Noticing this, Gester laughed heartily and said, “Come to think of it, this is the first time we’re really talking. How’s my old friend doing at the church?”
Was this how they were going to reminisce? Usher sighed and answered.
“He’s doing well. He’s made friends and hasn’t slacked off in his training.”
“And what about women? Has he been seeing anyone?”
“I-I don’t do things like that!”
“Oh, dear, what a shocker.”
Usher shouted, his face turning bright red, and Gester responded with playful banter.
Only after realizing what he had just said, Usher made an “oops” expression. However, this only deepened the misunderstanding.
Gester smirked slyly and asked, “Do you like someone? A crush? Or maybe… you’re dating?”
“…It’s nothing like that.”
“Sounds like it is.”
“It’s not, really!”
As Usher trembled slightly and glared, Gester burst into hearty laughter.
Soon, his gaze shifted back to the crystal ball, and his expression became thoughtful.
“You were always such a stubborn kid. Nobody could outmatch you in sheer determination.”
“…….”
“And yet, the thing you were most adamant about was romance. You always sang about how you’d only love once in your lifetime. I suppose it had something to do with your upbringing. The warriors of our time were extraordinary, but, like most mercenaries, their personal lives were far from clean.”
Usher understood what Gester meant. His guess was correct.
“Whenever there was a moment’s lapse, fights over love affairs would break out. Women pulling each other’s hair at the mercenary headquarters—it was practically routine, and Hwaran would kick them out.”
“Did they tell you even that much?”
“Yeah, well…”
Though it was something Usher personally experienced, Gester chuckled as if finding it amusing.
“They must trust you quite a bit.”
Usher was at a loss for words but was relieved that Gester didn’t pry further. The conversation ended there.
For Gester, Usher inside Bersia’s body was merely an acquaintance of a friend.
It was an awkward relationship.
So, Usher quietly shut his mouth and focused on the crystal ball.
Beyond the crystal ball, Bersia skillfully defeated her opponent with just a single straight sword.
“Ahhhh!!! The sly gigolo strikes again! Completely toying with the opponent!!!”
Bersia had won. Usher couldn’t help but smile gently at the sight.
Gester commented, “So you do like her.”
“I told you I don’t.”
Standing abruptly, Usher glared at Gester with a pout before walking out of the waiting room in quick strides.
Bersia was returning. Her bright smile lit up her face, and Usher’s expression softened as well.
Gester’s laughter followed behind him.
The teasing made him feel self-conscious, but it was no use. His earlobes were already turning red.
“It’s your turn next, right?”
“Yes, I’ll be back soon.”
Even during their short exchange, Gester’s words lingered in Usher’s mind, making him restless.
With such feelings, he stepped into the arena. Thankfully, the distractions quickly faded.
“And next uuuup!!! A girl with an incurable case of brother complex!!! The Incestuous Tiaaaa!!!”
Usher’s expression turned icy.
This vulgar mercenary culture… would the world be better off without it?
The thought crossed his mind quite seriously.