Chapter Text
Hand on his hilt, Michael kept his steps light as he traversed the estate.
This was risky, he was a nineteen year old soldier wearing light armor in potentially enemy territory.
The Viya Kingdom had locked up traveling merchants under the claim of suspicious activity.
It was a blatant threat, a show of power. And Michael…was here to get them back.
These bastards were trying to start a war over land while painting Trump Kingdom as the attackers to gain more allies.
The issue is…despite Michael’s insistence on taking up this mission, he wasn’t as deeply trained in stealth, but if he is able to complete this solo…he’ll be promoted to captain.
If he is caught though…he’ll die.
Don’t think about that!
Michael took a deep breath as he stepped through passage ways in the halls. An informant had told him about these and how they can be accessed throughout the castle.
However, Michael halted when he saw a person peeking through a hole in the wall. Tensing, he made his steps softer and attempted to back away when he was suddenly stopped by a black strip of…something wrapping around his leg.
Before Michael could make a sound, another one wrapped around his mouth. The man turned his head and Micheal’s eyes widened.
A Mercenare?! Why was a Mercenare here?!
”Hi there, champ.” The Mercenare whispered in a teasing tone. On a closer look, Michael could make out his face better. This was his first time seeing a Mercenare in person…but he looked similar to images.
The Mercenare had light blue hair in a bun and sharp amber eyes behind a pair of glasses. Despite that, his facial features were quite soft, dare Michael say, beautiful.
Michael turned his head away, his father’s warnings about this species ringing in his head.
Mercenares are a species incapable of joy or love. They are cruel, untrustworthy, and hostile.
The Mercenare lifted his hand, a small purple orb appearing, running it across Michael to get a better view of him.
”You’re not from this kingdom,” The Mercenare chuckled in amusement. “A Klondike.” He poked the emblem on Micheal’s chest plate.
Finally, the black strip around his mouth was lifted.
”And you are…?” Michael asked.
”A random unimportant informant.”
”Why are you here?” Michael managed to keep his voice low so he wouldn’t be heard outside. The Mercenare just raised an eyebrow in a way that said: You can’t be that stupid. “Right, forget that part.”
”Why are you here…” the Mercenare seemed to answer his own question. “Ohhhh, the merchants. I heard them talking about that.”
Michael groaned internally. Of course, isn’t that lovely.
The Mercenare glanced at the hole in the wall, smiling.
”Say…why don’t we work together? I help you get your guys back.” Michael narrowed his eyes, why would a Mercenare help him for no reason?
”What’s in it for you?”
”Entertainment. And getting one up on these bastards.” The Mercenare wiggled his eyebrows. “Soooooo? The names Gouma, by the way.”
”…Michael. And…whatever, fine.” It would be better to do it with someone. Less chance of him…dying. Even if it was someone as distrustful as a Mercenare.
“Great!” The black strips around Michael's legs vanished, allowing him to move again. “I know where the holding cells are, let’s go.”
Despite the fact that this was an AWFUL idea, Michael followed him through the channels.
”Why were these passages made anyways? It’s so easy to invade through.”
”It was an old tactic they used, luring their enemies inside and ambushing them. Funny how what once was a strength became a great weakness,” Gouma explained. “It’s risky to go in these in the first place given how narrow they are and how easy it is to get lost in them. Anyways, got any siblings, Michael?” Gouma changed the subject to such…a random thing.
”Call me Captain Klondike-” A captain is what he’ll be after this mission. “-and yeah..? We’re not all that close, though.” He turned the corner as he saw Gouma bend down, opening a hatch in the ground. He seemed to know a lot about this place.
”Cool, cool.” He hardly seemed to listen. “Anyways, I have a little brother and he is the most charming little thing!
Like, he acts all stubborn and acts like he’s all tough but whenever he finds a hurt bird, brings them to me to patch it up, he really likes animals. And he also really likes playing with his spear; he once bonked himself on the head with it and he swore he wasn’t hurt but I saw him bawling his eyes out.”
Did he…just want an excuse to talk about his brother?
It was strange how Gouma was so comfortable about talking to someone he just met about this. And he seemed…a lot different than what Michael expected from a Mercenare.
Climbing down the hatch for around 20 minutes, the two ended up in the dungeon.
Running through, Micheal looked through the cells for the merchants when he heard a voice.
”Sir Klondike!” Michael turned his head and ran towards the cell.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get you out!” Pulling out his knife, Michael began picking the lock, opening it after a few minutes. Gouma, still in the shadows, pushed a passageway in the wall open.
”Go straight, take a left, another left and you’ll end up in the backside of the estate.”
“You go on,” Michael ordered the merchants. “I’ll be right behind you.” They didn’t wait a second longer and ran in. “Careful! It’s cramped and don’t make too much noise.” He called after them. After making sure they were gone, he turned back to Gouma.
”Uhm…thank you. I don’t know why you helped…but thank you.” Michael bowed. Gouma just shrugged.
”Eh, you just owe me a favor now. An eye for an eye, Captain Klondike. If we ever see each other again, that is.” He clicked his tongue, winking before teleporting away.