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Chapter 27: Never-Ending Summer Break (Final Chapter of Part One)

—Late August.

At last, the day had come to depart the Imperial Capital.

We’d left the forest where the Barbars live at the end of May, and three months had already passed.

We of the Barbar Mercenary Party carried on our backs supplies bought in the capital, while our donkey-drawn carts were loaded high with souvenirs.

This campaign had paid off handsomely, and the soldiers’ wages were substantial.

They had bought up as many gifts as they could carry for the families waiting back home.

Voices of soldiers, picturing their families’ smiles, naturally brimmed with excitement.

「I got some fabric for the missus!」

「Whoa! You went all out! Capital cloth must be fancy as hell!」

「That’s baby number five!」

「Ain’t that the truth!」

「Gotta feed the kids!」

「Ooh! Candy, huh!?」

「Same here! I’ve got six of ’em, my wallet’s flat as a pancake!」

「They’re gonna love it!」

The Imperial Capital had tons of goods you couldn’t get in the Barbar Forest.

The most popular among the soldiers were items that would charm women.

Things like… smooth, elegant fabrics, silver hair ornaments, pearl necklaces…

I gave Jessica a pendant with a blue gemstone.

We’d had plenty of time in the capital, so the two of us had grown even closer.

In other words… you get it, right?

And there was one thing I absolutely ordered every soldier to bring back—iron tools.

We already had iron swords and spears taken as spoils of war, so instead, we focused on axes, machetes, saws—tools for woodworking and everyday tasks.

Compared to bronze axes, iron ones were a whole different level in efficiency.

As I was strapping down a load of iron tools with rope onto the donkey cart, someone called out to me.

「Heading out already?」

That language—!

It was Argeas, from the kingdom we were just at war with.

Turning around, I saw the smiling face of Karanos, merchant of the Kingdom of Argeas.

「Karanos!?」

「Gaia-sama, it’s been a while.」

Merchant Karanos of the Kingdom of Argeas… but in truth, he’s a soldier of the Argeas army.

I knew that from my skill, [Sma-ho!], which reveals personal details.

Didn’t expect to run into him again this soon.

「Is this okay? This is the Imperial Capital of the Vaffancrow Empire.」

「No worries. Merchants know no borders. And besides, the war’s over, right?」

「Yeah, I guess…」

Still, you’re a soldier!

I didn’t say that out loud, though.

「So, you came all the way here for business?」

「Yes. I’ve just opened a branch here in the capital.」

「That’s super suspicious…」

No doubt it’s a spy base.

Who the hell approved this guy’s permit!?

I shot a sharp, skeptical glare at Karanos, but he remained unfazed.

「I pay taxes. Nothing suspicious about that, is there?」

「Yeah, sure! Totally legit!」

Maybe Karanos is just that capable… or maybe the Empire’s officials are just that useless…

「You bribed someone, didn’t you? How much did you have to offer?」

「Ho ho ho ho ho! Don’t be silly. A token of goodwill, that’s all. Well… I did pay quite a bit. But now I can run my business openly within the Empire.」

「You mean spy openly, right?」

「Ho! Ho ho ho ho ho!」

Karanos laughed heartily to dodge the question.

Well, not that he fooled me.

He was smiling, but there was no hiding the sharpness in his eyes.

Still, the Argeas Kingdom’s intelligence network isn’t to be underestimated.

The capital is a long way from Argeas territory, and yet they’ve already got agents operating here…

It’s clear Argeas is serious about opposing the Empire.

In that case, I should send a message through Karanos to the King and Crown Prince of Argeas.

Putting on a serious face, I switched to Argeas language and told him:

「We’re mercenaries. This time, we fought for the Empire, but we’re open to other employers if the price is right. Always taking new jobs.」

Karanos gave me a probing look.

「Then the Barbars aren’t sworn to the Empire?」

「No—we are, for now. We lost to them, after all. But if Argeas is fighting someone other than the Empire, we’d lend a hand. For pay, of course.」

「I see…」

「Pass that along to someone important in Argeas you trust.」

For a moment, Karanos’s expression hardened, but then he slipped his merchant mask back on with a practiced smile.

「Yes… If the opportunity arises, I’ll pass it on. After all, it sounds mutually beneficial.」

That’ll do for now.

I want to leave the door open for a future alliance.

To topple the Empire, I’ll need every piece I can play.

「Gaia! Time to move out!」

Uncle Athos called to me.

I added one last remark.

「Drop by the Barbar settlements sometime. You’ll see a lot of interesting things soon enough.」

The Barbar Mercenary Party began marching, and I rejoined the ranks.

Karanos didn’t reply. He simply waved, watching us leave.

Jessica came up beside me and started teasing.

「Hey, what were you talking about?」

「Nothing important. Just business.」

「Hmm.」

A flash of blue sparkled at Jessica’s chest.

It was the pendant I gave her.

The marine-blue gemstone gleamed brilliantly in the summer sun.

「Hey, Jessica.」

「What?」

「Let’s get married when we get home.」

The words slipped out naturally.

No hesitation.

I wanted to marry Jessica.

It felt like the most obvious thing in the world.

Jessica gave a happy smile but dodged the question.

「Hehe… Isn’t it a bit early?」

「Is it? I want to build a home with you. Let’s live together!」

「Okay…」

Blushing slightly, Jessica gave her answer.

As we walked, I pulled her close.

Rosso of the Great Lizard Tribe caught our display and hollered teasingly.

「Hey Gaia! What are you doing, getting all lovey-dovey in broad daylight!?」

「Rosso, I’m marrying Jessica.」

「Whuh!? You serious!?」

「Yeah.」

Rosso’s eyes went comically wide before he shouted at the top of his lungs.

「Hey everyone! Gaia just proposed to Jessica! They’re getting married!」

「Whooo!」

「Atta boy!」

「Congrats!」

As the soldiers gave their rowdy blessings, we made our way toward the Barbar Forest.

I was reborn from a Japanese man into a barbarian and had no idea what to expect.

But now, I have comrades, a lover, and soon, a family.

Things I never had in Japan.

This second life, bloodstained though it may be, isn’t so bad.

I looked up to the sky—blue and full of great white clouds.

A summer sky, no different from the one I once saw in Japan.

But my heart was beating with more excitement than ever before.

「Ahh…」

—Summer is almost over.