The Sword Saint of Arknights [MTL/Machine Translation]

Chapter 34 | Contact

Before nightfall, Roy arrived at the designated meeting place in the southwestern region of Kazdel. Although there was still about half a day left until the assembly time ended, many mercenaries had already gathered. Most were Sarkaz, but some, like Roy, hailed from other nations.

In the center of the area stood a massive structure mostly covered by a curtain. From the visible tracks and partially disguised parts, it seemed to be a landship or a mobile city.

This didn't surprise Roy. If a mobile city could be built, then a landship was certainly possible.

"Name?"

"Roy."

"Combat style?"

"Melee."

"Do you accept joint operations with other mercenary groups?"

"I don't mind."

After a brief conversation, a document was signed and handed to Roy. It was an identity paper that also served as an introduction letter. The message was clear: they didn't need lone fighters. Refusing their assignment might lead to trouble, which Roy preferred to avoid.

"Sarkaz Mercenary Group, huh..."

Roy sighed as he read the document. Then he began searching the assembly area. Finally, he spotted the mercenary group he was looking for near the back of the massive landship. From their numbers, it seemed to be just a squad of the larger Sarkaz Mercenary Group.

A male Sarkaz led the group, accompanied by a female Sarkaz, likely the leaders. Further back, someone was handling explosives, likely another member. Roy didn't care about their hierarchy.

"Hope I'm not interrupting."

Roy approached, showing his document. The male Sarkaz's tense expression relaxed upon seeing it. However, Roy knew this wouldn't completely ease his wariness. The female Sarkaz's icy demeanor reflected their true feelings; a stranger was not welcome.

The man gripped his sword hilt, ready to strike if Roy made a wrong move. This was standard for Sarkaz mercenaries.

"What do you want, stranger?"

"The employer wants me to join your next operation."

"An employer's order alone isn't enough to let you join us."

The female Sarkaz spoke sharply. Her hostility was clear; she did not welcome Roy.

"I don't want to either, but we must follow orders, right?"

Roy smiled formally. Normally, he wouldn't force his way in, but this time was different. The landship and its inhabitants were worth it. He needed capable allies for survival.

"Feel free to test if I'm qualified to join you."

The two Sarkaz conferred briefly. Then the male stepped forward.

"I'll assign a member to fight you. If you win, you can join us."

He didn't mention the consequences of losing. In Kazdel, losing meant death. Mercenaries fought to kill, and the victor claimed the loser's valuables as proof of their skill.

"No problem. I accept."

As Roy spoke, the girl handling explosives finished her task. At a signal, she approached. Her malicious smile suggested she enjoyed the thought of hurting Roy.

"This mercenary was sent to join us temporarily. W, test him."

"Aren't you afraid I'll kill him?"

The male Sarkaz paused, then he and the female retreated. Before leaving, he replied:

"If he dies, it's his fault. You can keep the spoils."

"Understood."

The girl looked at Roy with pure malice, like he was a lamb to the slaughter. She seemed very confident in her abilities.

She carried a gun and a blade, making her primary weapon unclear. From her handling of explosives, it seemed the gun was her main weapon. No matter how times changed, using explosives in close combat was impractical.