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🕑 Added 2025-05-04 01:48:19 +0000 UTCEP.77 [Deepening the Bond Between Mina and Eugene♥]
"Ah, is that right, brother? So, you're planning to rejoin us for the evening drinking session?"
Thomas looked at Eugene with slightly rounded eyes. The first round of dinner at the meat restaurant had ended, and other colleagues were heading to the tea house for the second round. Thomas stayed behind to pay the bill.
Eugene approached him, saying he needed to attend to another appointment before joining them.
"I need to visit the Black-Haired Blacksmith to have my armor checked. I didn't expect the party to start so early, so I made an appointment around this time."
Eugene had previously arranged to meet Mina at the Black-Haired Blacksmith. Typically, after completing a quest, mercenaries would return to check their gear and rest. However, Eugene couldn't do that because he had to stay with his younger sister, Elizabeth, at home. Coincidentally, a meeting was scheduled for the Red Fox Mercenary Group, which he used as an excuse to make a separate appointment with Mina.
"Did you inform the captain?"
"Yes, I told her it would be late."
"That's okay! You're the main event at the party, so you can't be away for long. Let's meet early in the evening, brother!"
Thomas, the quartermaster of the mercenary group, took care of the details. Eugene was the main figure in their recent goblin quest, and he felt guilty about leaving mid-party. He asked for Thomas and Jeanne's understanding.
"Should I bring something? You're closing your shop for the day because of me."
Eugene then headed to the Black-Haired Blacksmith. Before going, he decided to buy a gift. His armor was one of the most challenging and high-quality pieces Mina was working on, so it couldn't be casually repaired. Since Eugene didn't know when his next quest would be, Mina cleared her schedule to work on his armor. Eugene thought it would be impolite to arrive empty-handed.
"What should I get? Flowers are too much, maybe food? Ah, since Margaret is coming, food would be great."
After some thought, Eugene decided on food. Mina had agreed to work on his armor, and he had informed her that Margaret would be joining them. Eugene thought that bringing a gift suitable for Margaret would please Mina, who loved the child dearly.
"Give me this and that, and make sure to seal two of the bags tightly."
Eugene visited a bakery and bought three bags of bread, ordering two of them to be sealed tightly. He wanted Margaret to share them with other children in the slum when she returned.
With the bread in hand, Eugene headed to the Black-Haired Blacksmith.
"Hmm?"
He suddenly became serious.
"Something feels off."
Unlike before, there was no one around the blacksmith, as it wasn't operating normally. However, Eugene, a high-level mercenary, sensed a different, more ominous feeling.
He quietly approached the blacksmith, trying not to make a sound.
"What kind of customer are you turning away? Are you crazy, blacksmith?"
A familiar voice responded.
"Is that... Kail?"
The voice belonged to Kail, the deputy commander of the White Lily Mercenary Group, who had been thoroughly defeated by Eugene before.
Kail's voice was on the verge of exploding with anger.
"Why is he here?"
Eugene quickly moved towards the sound.
He stopped.
"It's not right to act based on personal feelings when working with a mercenary group. My life is at stake, and ultimately, it's about living with my colleagues. If I act on feelings, it could lead to a fatal mistake for my group."
Eugene remembered Jeanne's words. When they first visited the village, Jeanne was very formal and strictly separated her public and private life. Eugene understood why she acted that way, but she also subtly created a different atmosphere just for him.
As a mercenary, Eugene knew not to let personal feelings guide his actions, especially in conflicts. If not directly involved, it was best to observe from a distance.
"I'm a mercenary now. Just like I told Jeanne in the warehouse."
Eugene was part of the Red Fox Mercenary Group. If he acted based on personal feelings, it could drag his group into unnecessary conflicts.
"Want to quit doing business? Do you know who I am? I'm Kail, and I can make you leave this industry with just a bit of force! You're being arrogant, you barbarian woman from the underground city."
Kail was furious, using derogatory terms for Mina's ethnicity, which was against unwritten rules in the mercenary world. He had two subordinates with him.
"Rather than that, why don't you just leave? I don't want to sell my weapons to someone who hits children like that. Please leave!"
Mina's face, normally kind and gentle, was filled with anger. Her anger was understandable, given her words.
Kail, who had been severely beaten by Eugene and lost his authority in the mercenary community, had been enraged for about two weeks. He even went so far as to physically abuse children, which was taboo among mercenaries. Mina had witnessed this and was now refusing to deal with Kail's group.
"Damn it, you barbarian woman from the underground city. You must have seen all sorts of dirty things growing up there, yet you're acting so high and mighty."
Kail's anger intensified as he glared at Mina.
"Ah, I see where you're getting your courage from. You think you can act tough because you're dealing with the Red Fox group? You think they'll protect you if I threaten you?"
Kail suddenly mentioned the Red Fox Mercenary Group, having discovered through investigation that they were a major client of the Black-Haired Blacksmith.
"Do you think they'll keep doing business with us even if we're in control? Do you think they'll help us directly if we threaten you? You barbarian woman from the underground city, understand your place!"
Kail took a few steps closer to Mina, his face twisted in anger.
"Either the Red Fox's assault captain or other male mercenaries just flatter you to get a taste of your meat. You're a foolish woman to think anyone would draw a sword for someone as lowly as you. You're just a one-night stand, nothing more."
Kail's words were laced with venom, aimed at Mina's self-esteem. He was venting his resentment and inferiority complex towards Eugene onto her.
"The Red Fox Mercenary Group's assault captain is involved, so I'll say this..."
Mina didn't flinch, despite Kail's aggressive tone. She was from the underground city, a barbarian woman who had endured hardships.
Mina mentioned Eugene calmly.
"Do you think I'm unaware that you're looking for the design plans for Eugene's armor? The people who snuck into my workshop a few days ago were from your group, weren't they?"
She revealed a shocking truth.
Kail was planning revenge against Eugene and was searching for his weaknesses. Knowing that Eugene was officially recognized as a sword user, Kail sought detailed information about Eugene's unique armor. To do this, Kail's group had secretly infiltrated the Black-Haired Blacksmith.
"Can I really do business with someone who wants to harm my client? Is that reasonable?"
As a blacksmith with a strong sense of craftsmanship, Mina was genuinely concerned about her clients. Her refusal to deal with Kail was also motivated by a desire to protect Eugene.
"You think you can fool me? Do you have evidence?"
Kail's face turned red with rage upon hearing Mina's accusation, clearly indicating that her suspicions were true.
Mina had evidence, having detected the intruders at her workshop.
"You're lying without even blinking, you underground city barbarian woman! I'll teach you a lesson by beating you senseless!"
Kail raised his fist, ready to strike.
Just then, Margaret, who had been hiding in Mina's office, rushed out crying.
"Ahh, no! Don't hurt my sister!"
Mina, who had been calm until then, turned to Margaret in surprise.
"Damn it, even a slum kid is getting involved! Fine, I'll make sure none of you barbarians can set foot in this place again!"
Kail, enraged, prepared to throw a full-force punch.
But then, a familiar voice intervened.
"Stop moving, pissant."
Kail froze, recognizing the voice that triggered a conditioned response of fear in him.
The owner of the voice was Eugene, the assault captain of the Red Fox Mercenary Group, who entered the blacksmith with a fierce gaze.
