Chapter 783

The Regressed Mercenary’s Machinations

Release schedule: 3 chapters per week

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Marika had watched the scene for quite some time.

Come to think of it, she’d been so focused on running away that she hadn’t asked what she was curious about.

How was it that he could use the same technique she did—only at a far more advanced level?

‘That’s…’

It was exactly how she had imagined it in her dreams.

She never thought it could actually be possible. She had merely been working toward that ideal.

And yet, a mage she’d never seen before had just demonstrated her ideal before her very eyes.

With a trembling voice, Marika asked,

“How, how do you know that technique?”

“I was… just researching how to use daggers better, I guess?”

Ghislain gave a vague response. The truth was, it was Belinda who had passed down this technique, which originated from his mother’s teachings.

And there was a high chance that the origin of it all was Marika, standing right in front of him.

But he couldn’t explain all that properly. He still hadn’t confirmed whether the technique truly originated with Marika or if it came from Crips.

Marika, looking both disbelieving and deeply moved, asked again,

“It’s not… magic?”

“I only used mana to perform it. It’s a technique that can be wielded purely through mana.”

“So… it really was possible. I thought it was just something I imagined on my own. I never thought someone else would have the same vision and actually make it real.”

‘What the…’

Ghislain didn’t show it on the surface, but he was stunned on the inside.

He had suspected it, but to think that Marika had actually created the technique herself…

Ghislain asked calmly,

“The technique you use… you didn’t learn it from Crips?”

“No. They don’t teach good techniques to low-level assassins like us.”

“Low-level… assassins?”

It wasn’t just Marika—her subordinates were all pretty capable too. They were definitely not low-level.

Marika nodded and said,

“Yeah, we only learned the most basic movements. Some cheap mana refinement method, that’s it. Anything beyond that is off-limits unless you achieve some kind of merit or prove your loyalty over a long time.”

“For that level… you all moved quite well, though.”

At Ghislain’s compliment, Marika spoke, slightly embarrassed,

“The truth is… those techniques are all ones I created. Even the mana refinement method.”

“You… created them yourself?”

“I figured I’d never get anything good anyway. So, I kept researching since I was little and gradually developed them.”

“…”

“I taught my subordinates myself, one by one, in secret.”

“You didn’t get caught?”

“It was tough hiding it. I kept refining the techniques little by little while training in secret. If they found out, it would’ve been a huge problem.”

Marika continued, her smile slightly sheepish.

“To be honest, we never knew the level of those outside, so we had no idea where we stood. I was pretty confident… but I guess I was really just a frog in a well.”

She meant it sincerely.

Since she’d never properly fought others, she hadn’t been able to gauge her own abilities.

But after her bout with Ghislain, she was convinced—her techniques were sorely lacking.

However, Ghislain was inwardly stunned.

‘…She’s a true genius.’

Julien and Kyle had originally learned swordsmanship from the possessed one dwelling in Astion. Through countless real battles, they refined what they’d learned and reached new heights.

Ghislain then absorbed those perfected sword techniques through dreams and passed them back to the two.

Thanks to that, the two improved far more quickly than they had in their original past.

The same was true for Lionel. He inherited the exceptional sword techniques of his noble family.

Ghislain had trained Lionel based on the swordsmanship of the Ladran royal family he had seen in the future, as well as techniques gleaned from his dreams.

But Marika was different. She hadn’t learned perfected techniques and then built upon them.

All she’d been taught were the shoddy basics handed out by her organization. And yet, with only the most rudimentary knowledge, she had created techniques that could shake the entire continent.

The more Ghislain thought about it, the more impressed he became.

‘Was there ever a genius like this?’

He had been surrounded by literal prodigies. But every one of them had a foundation—brilliant techniques, profound knowledge, or excellent teachers.

Only Marika, standing before him, had created her own top-tier techniques from scratch.

Of course, she hadn’t perfected them yet. But Ghislain knew that eventually, she would succeed in bringing her visions to life.

Clearing his throat, Ghislain said,

“Ahem, ahem. You’ve got quite the talent. Seeing how far you came on your own.”

“…So what? It’s still completely useless.”

“Hey! You think creating new techniques is easy? If it were, everyone would make their own and use them. That’s not something just anyone can do. But still—don’t let it make you too arrogant, got it?”

Whether it was praise, comfort, or a scolding, his words were unclear as he set all the daggers down.

“Anyway, I’ll teach you this technique. I’ll help you improve your mana refinement method too. Then, you’ll be able to become a Transcendent.”

Anyone else hearing that would’ve been moved to tears with joy. But Marika only responded with a suspicious look.

It was understandable. She had lived quietly, hiding within the organization of her enemy—trusting others wasn’t easy.

As expected, Marika asked cautiously.

“Why? Why are you doing this for me?”

Ghislain hesitated for a moment.

Trust took time to build. He couldn’t offer her genuine trust just yet.

But he also couldn’t let her go, hoping they’d meet again someday.

‘The past has already changed quite a bit.’

He didn’t know the original past. But with Rahmod and Tagmah dead, he could sense that history had already shifted.

That meant Marika’s future was no longer certain. If he let her go, believing they’d reunite, she might very well die.

He had to keep her here somehow and help her grow—as a companion to the Hero.

He couldn’t say that he knew the future. In the end, Ghislain spoke honestly about the personal emotions he’d felt when he saw her.

“I just… it reminded me of the past.”

“The past?”

Fwaaah.

Ghislain spread mana around them. It was to ensure their conversation wouldn’t be overheard.

“I once dreamed of revenge too… after losing people who were precious to me.”

“…”

“You don’t have to believe me. But I think… you might have felt something similar.”

Ghislain calmly explained what kind of feelings he’d lived with.

How long he had dreamed of revenge, how painful it had been.

And how deeply lonely it was.

As she listened, Marika pressed her eyelids tightly. Tears were starting to escape despite her efforts.

She believed him. That raw emotion—only someone who had truly dreamed of vengeance could understand it.

So she asked,

“Did you… succeed in your revenge?”

Ghislain shook his head with a faint smile.

“Not yet. I haven’t brought it to a true end.”

He had missed his chance to get Ernhardt. When he returned to the future, he would have to hunt him down and kill him.

That was why his revenge was still not over.

Ghislain looked at Marika with gentle eyes.

“…When I see you, it’s like looking at who I used to be. That’s why I want to help you.”

“…”

“I’ll teach you the techniques I know. With your talent, you’ll master them faster than anyone else. And one day… you’ll become the strongest assassin on the continent.”

Though he couldn’t speak of the future, Ghislain’s words were sincere.

He never doubted Marika’s story. She was destined to become a great hero who would save the world as a companion of the Hero.

And she would take part in founding Ritania and become the founder of the Shadow Knights.

Even if, by chance, she had been lying—it didn’t matter.

What mattered now was that Marika stayed with Julien’s mercenary corps.

Through her sniffles, Marika asked,

“Are you really… okay with this? I might end up putting you all in danger because of me.”

“It doesn’t matter. Anyone who comes after you, we’ll just crush them. And once you officially join our mercenary corps, no one will dare touch you for a while.”

Ghislain was someone who fiercely protected those on his side.

Now that he had decided to bring Marika over to his side, he intended to support her fully.

At Ghislain’s confident words, Marika couldn’t help but smile.

‘A pervert, but… strangely trustworthy.’

The strongest assassin on the continent? It was an absurd statement. But for a fleeting moment, she thought—it might actually be possible.

That’s how much Ghislain’s confidence and composure inspired belief.

And it wasn’t a bad offer.

If she officially joined Julien’s Mercenary Corps, she would be safe for the time being. In that time, she could train and grow stronger.

‘Right… I’ll just… make use of them for a while…’

She tried to think coldly. Tried to make use of the situation.

But tears wouldn’t stop flowing.

‘Stupid…’

She felt herself softening with every word Ghislain said.

She had always been alone. So lonely. She never knew when she might die, and hadn’t once slept peacefully.

She lived cautiously, building her strength for revenge. She had no one she could lean on.

Her life had been one that could collapse at any moment.

And in that harsh life… Ghislain’s words brought her deep comfort. For the first time, it felt like she had something she could lean on.

At last, with her head bowed low, Marika said,

“For now… I’ll be in your care.”

“Great. From now on, you’re one of us—Julien’s Mercenary Corps.”

As Ghislain snapped his fingers, the mana barrier vanished. He turned and said,

“Marika’s decided to join us. Treat her well, everyone.”

The members of Julien’s Mercenary Corps all nodded. No one objected or questioned it.

That’s how much they trusted Ghislain. He would never side with an evildoer. So if he accepted Marika, then she must be someone worth trusting.

And besides, once Ghislain made a decision, there was no point in resisting.

Marika bowed her head, glancing around at the members of Julien’s Mercenary Corps.

“I’ll be in your care… Even if our meeting was a little odd…”

Julien stepped forward first, offering a gentle smile.

“It’s fine. Let’s get along from now on.”

It was a dazzling, picture-perfect smile that anyone would admire.

Marika looked at him and began committing her new companions’ traits to memory, one by one.

‘Handsome pervert.’

Next to Julien, Kyle swaggered as he spoke.

“You look like you can fight. Let’s have a bout sometime. I’ll show you how strong I am.”

‘Cheerful pervert.’

Deneb also smiled warmly and said,

“Welcome. No matter the hardship, the goddess will watch over you.”

‘Holy pervert.’

Ereneth lifted her hood with a proud expression and said,

“Nice to meet you. I’m Ereneth.”

‘Elven pervert.’

Lionel spoke with a dignified expression.

“I assume you already know who I am. It seems there’s been some misunderstanding or trouble, but as long as you’re with us, you’ll be safe. I’ll guarantee that.”

‘Imperial pervert.’

They were all weird, but strangely kind. Marika found herself starting to like this group.

Perhaps it was because she had lived in such deep loneliness for so long that this strange warmth felt comforting.

‘Still, I’d better stop them from doing any more perverted stuff from now on.’

She couldn’t exactly take the lead right away, having just joined, but she planned to step in whenever she saw them act inappropriately.

Marika’s subordinates had also been forcibly inducted into Julien’s Mercenary Corps.

Though their expressions were a bit dazed, they were inwardly delighted.

They had followed Marika because they harbored resentment toward the organization. Though they had steeled themselves for death, now that a way to survive had appeared, they couldn’t help but feel relieved.

To Marika and her fellow assassins, Lionel spoke in a solemn tone.

“Julien’s Mercenary Corps is a highly disciplined unit. So there’s something you need to know first.”

“…???”

“Starting today, you’re the newbies. Don’t forget it.”

He emphasized how many chores and duties came with being the youngest in the group. He was eager to escape that role himself.

He’d been slightly annoyed that Ereneth, who joined later, had received such noble treatment while he remained the bottom rank.

Marika smiled lightly.

“Got it. That’s not a big deal.”

Having grown up in a harsh assassin’s guild since childhood, something like being the rookie in a mercenary corps was nothing to her.

When Marika accepted it so readily, Lionel let out a sigh of relief.

‘Whew, if she refused, we might’ve had a whole mess on our hands.’

From her movements alone, he could tell she wasn’t average. He’d been a bit nervous—if they fought and he lost, it would’ve been a huge embarrassment.

With the hierarchy now settled, the group was finally ready to depart.

Before leaving, Ghislain looked around and shouted loudly,

“From now on, Marika is a member of Julien’s Mercenary Corps! Don’t try anything foolish!”

It was a message for the Crips assassins hiding in the distance.

They were probably quite shocked at the moment.

“Alright, let’s go. This village just doesn’t vibe with me.”

At Ghislain’s prompting, the mercenaries quickly packed their things and set off.

The villagers let out sighs of relief as they watched Julien’s Mercenary Corps leave.

“Those weirdos are finally gone.”

“Oh dear, what about those poor travelers?”

“There’s nothing we could do. It’s not something we can get involved in.”

To the villagers, it looked like the innocent travelers had been beaten up and dragged away by Julien’s Mercenary Corps.

It was unfortunate, but no one dared intervene. They had been thoroughly spooked by the mercenary group’s strange behavior.

After the group left, the village chief firmly warned the townspeople.

“Everyone, keep your mouths shut. This story must not spread.”

It wasn’t out of concern for the mercenary corps. He was afraid those unpredictable lunatics would return if they caught wind of any rumors.

Of course, the hefty payment Ghislain had handed over also played a part.

But more than anything, they didn’t want to get involved with strange folks ever again.

The village chief quickly erected a sign at the entrance.

[No Outsiders Allowed (Especially Mercenary Corps)]

They had no intention of ever welcoming unknown outsiders again.

In any case, thanks to the chief’s swift actions, the infamy of Julien’s Mercenary Corps didn’t spread any further.

 The Regressed Mercenary’s Machinations