Chapter 89: The Calm Before the Storm
“Something’s not right,” Hermann said suddenly.
“Hmm?” Andrea was startled.
“We’ve been walking for about forty minutes. We should be well out of the previous Snow Monsters’ territory.” Hermann glanced around, his voice wary. “We should have encountered more by now.”
“Yet it’s been eerily quiet,” Andrea mused. “Could they have fled, knowing they’re outmatched?”
“Where could they flee to?” Hermann countered. “Snow Monsters can’t tolerate temperatures above 20 degrees. Only the anomalous Mount Taygetus in the entire Peloponnese maintains a climate cold enough for them.”
“I suspect they’re hiding, planning an ambush.”
“Right, tell the men to be on guard.” Andrea paused, then added, “No! Maintain vigilance, but act as if we suspect nothing.”
Hermann: …
Here he goes again… He was fantasizing about a Snow Monster ambush targeting Azure Longsword, giving him an opportunity to “rescue” them and negotiate favorable terms…
Hermann didn’t need to ask to know what Andrea was thinking.
“Don’t be naive. You think they haven’t noticed anything?” Hermann asked.
“What? They’ve noticed something amiss?” Andrea lowered his voice, glancing back nervously.
“Of course,” Hermann said. “Look at their formation.”
“The blond woman with the shield is in the center, ready to provide support in any direction. The girl with the gun is beside her, serving the same purpose.”
“All the non-melee professions are positioned around the shield-bearer, each protected by at least one melee fighter.”
“The red-haired psychic is on the outer side of the mountain path, next to their leader, Asker. The masked mage girl who used gravity earlier is on the inner side, with the black-haired swordswoman guarding her back.”
“The flaxen-haired young woman is at the rear of the group, with the Norman woman wielding twin axes walking beside her, clearly to protect her in case of emergency.”
“Finally, that particularly petite girl is lagging about ten steps behind the group, constantly looking around. I suspect she’s their scout.”
“Indeed.” Andrea, prompted by Hermann’s observations, realized the seemingly scattered formation had a carefully planned logic, like a spiderweb.
“They’ve concentrated their main strength on the flanks and rear because we, the Iron Cross, are in front, acting as a buffer.” Hermann concluded. “In other words, they’ve already factored us into their tactical plan. Any adjustments we make will likely be detected.”
“Trying to deceive them is pointless. It’s better to deploy our troops openly.”
“You are right.” Andrea had to admit Hermann was correct. Since the other side was already aware of them, any attempts at subterfuge would only make the Iron Cross appear dishonorable.
“Everyone, be on alert!” Andrea commanded loudly.
The mercenaries immediately tightened their formation, closing the distance between them for quick support in emergencies.
“Just noticing now?” Medea said with a sneer, observing their movements.
“You seem to have an issue with them,” Asker noticed the hostility in her tone.
“Of course, didn’t they start by being hostile to us?” As she said this, Medea suddenly paused. “Asker, do you know them?”
“Oh, you’re reading my mind again.” Asker said. “Yes, I know both of those men from the Iron Cross mercenary group.”
“Tell me about them,” Medea said, curious.
“You can read minds, see for yourself,” Asker waved his hand dismissively.
“I want to hear you tell me,” Medea insisted.
“Andrea, his fief is near Freudenbeck in the Holy Roman Empire. He was originally a minor lord.” Asker explained. “This guy has a wandering nature, leaving his fief to his family to manage, while he joined the Iron Cross mercenary group.”
“He’s straightforward and has a clear sense of right and wrong. If he dislikes someone, he’ll make it obvious, but he’s fiercely loyal to his brothers, willing to go through fire and water for them, even to the point of bankruptcy. That’s his personality.”
“Sounds stupid,” Medea commented. “Continue.”
“The blond mercenary beside him is Hermann, the eldest son of Bernard, Count of Saxony in the north of the Empire,” Asker introduced. “Legally, he should have inherited his father’s duchy or title.”
“But something happened in Saxony, I’m not quite clear on the details. Anyway, he was later stripped of his inheritance rights, and the Count of Saxony chose his younger brother Albert as his heir. That’s why he became a mercenary.”
“Hmm…” A thoughtful expression appeared on Medea’s face, the kind of expression Asker knew very well—it meant she was plotting something.
“Whatever you’re planning, wait until we get that axe, understand?” Asker reminded her. “Don’t cause any trouble.”
“Do you think I’m the type to act recklessly?” Medea didn’t deny that she “had plans,” but just rolled her eyes at him in annoyance.
Asker sighed. If he were to use D&D alignments to describe her, Medea undoubtedly belonged to the typical “lawful evil” type. It wasn’t so much for profit, but rather out of pure enjoyment and instinct that she weaved conspiracies and schemed against others.
However, having such a person in the team wasn’t necessarily a bad thing – at least her mind-reading and mind-control abilities were an indispensable part of Asker’s tactical system.
He had to find an opportunity to correct her twisted personality. And then there was her troublesome split personality…
Asker suddenly felt that this girl had a bit too many unstable factors.
As Asker was thinking this, Medea silently read his mind.
See? Medusa sneered from within her mental body. The only reason he tolerates you is because you’re still useful to him.
Once you’re no longer useful, he’ll discard you like trash.
Isn’t that only natural? Medea retorted. I’m only in this team for the benefits.
If your relationship is truly only about profit, why bother with all that? Medusa sneered. Helping him consolidate the team? Building a harem? Please, who are you trying to fool? You’re just trying to create conflict and escalate it.
“What benefit would I gain from the team falling apart?” Medea countered.
If the team falls apart, the women around him will leave him. What benefit would that bring you? Medusa ruthlessly exposed her. If he knew your true intentions, what do you think he would think of you?
“Shut up,” Medea snapped, her cheeks burning with shame and anger.
Fine, I’ll shut up, Medusa said coldly, but you know that won’t solve the problem.
The inner voice fell silent. Medea stared at the snow-covered ground, her expression unreadable.
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