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He know that she’s being pursued by the Magic Association. But how can she not give even a message? If he hadn't taught his subordinates the taste of money, the organization would have already collapsed.
“Stop talking nonsense! You're not in a position to tell me what to do, are you? We are not the Parrot Mercenary Band, nor a band of bandits. We're just a bunch of thugs stuck on an island!"
"So... you're going to act like a fool to the very end?"
"Hmph! I earned it! I kept the organization going with what I earned! You dare to criticize me instead of praising me? Then what have you been doing all this time?"
"You don't need to concern yourself with that. If you're not going to follow the rules I've set, then abandon the name Parrot right now."
“Puhahaha! You call that blackmail? Fine, I'll give it up! Parrot? We're the Freeman Organization now! Ever since you ran away, we haven't even been called by the name Parrot!"
"Good. From this moment on, you are not a Parrot. I don't know how much you've earned, but gather it all and leave this place."
"Damn iiiit!"
Falkoa burst out in anger. Even for Marsha, this was too much. Her Parrot was also mixed with his blood. The honor of being the strongest mercenary group was not something that could be traded for mere money.
"If you can't give up the name Parrot, then follow my words. I'm not telling you to live a good life. But if you want something, fight for it. Extorting the weak is unacceptable.”
Falkoa smirked. He hated Marsha for taking advantage of him, even though she knew he couldn't leave the Parrots.
"I always get what I want. You're the same. Someday, you will be mine."
Instead of getting angry, Marsha smiled softly as if comforting a naughty child.
"Sounds fresh after a long time. Anyway, do your best. I'm the type who doesn't stop a man from coming or hold back a man from leaving."
Falkoa clenched his fists and glared at Marsha. It was as if his eyes were on fire.
In reality, he was using the powerful eye technique. But Marsha didn't even change her complexion. It was a testament to how strong her will was.
"Damn! You're as annoying as ever. I'm done. I'm going out to drink."
“Stay still and stick to the hideout. It's because we're going to have a meeting at the level of the leader and above. And from now on, drugs are banned. If you get caught, you really should know that you're going to die from me."
Falkoa left the warehouse without even answering. But Marsha knew. He would attend the meeting and not even touch drugs. Because the one who could take him to the blood-soaked battlefield had returned.
Once the men had gone, Freeman returned to Marsha, not as a leader, but as a friend from same hometown, and greeted her anew.
"I'm glad you're back safe. I was worried because I couldn't reach you."
"Of course you couldn't. Didn't you guys think? Did you think I'd be caught easily? Anyway, what happened to Falkoa? Can we even use him like this? He was crazy, but when he held a sword, he was unstoppable."
"I can't blame Falkoa alone. We're the ones who took the battlefield away from him."
"Huhu, no, that was me."
“Still, thanks to him, we've managed to raise the military funds so far. As soon as you returned, I had prepared so we could leave for another country at any time."
Marsha puffed out her cheeks as if she didn't like it. It was because she knew how Falkoa had brought in the funds.
In the end, is human a being who has no choice but to adapt to reality? The status of the Parrot Mercenary Bands, which ran amok without knowing how scary the world was, was now a thing of the past.
She had left home at seventeen, creating this mercenary group with her childhood friend Freeman.
They had lost their lifelong foundation due to politicians' schemes, but they had always wanted to maintain the value of "Parrot".
But now, aren't they just like everyone else? Seeking profit by any means necessary and always looking for approval from those in power.
“Haah, since when did we become like this?”
"It is nothing else, but a body betrayed by the nation. It can't be helped it if we want to survive.”
"Yes, I suppose so. But Freeman, don't tell me you're broken, too?"
Freeman kept his mouth shut. It's not that he felt guilty; it just hurt to be doubted by a friend he'd admired since childhood.
"To me, neither the organization nor anything matters. Even the name 'Parrot' holds no value. I only hope you stay safe."
Chilled, Marsha shivered. Even a dog would know about Freeman's emotions if it wore a badge named 'Parrot'. There was nothing particularly touching, but he always appealed in this way, and she was so annoyed to death.
"Why do you only hope for my safety? Why?"
"You…..”
When Marsha asked again despite her obvious knowledge, Freeman struggled to find the right words among the many words that popped into his head.
“Because you’re our leader.”
Marsha snorted. It seemed there was no need to worry about Freeman; his annoying nature hadn't changed.
‘Anyway, now that I’m back, it's time to reorganize.’
Marsha planned to lead the organization, take refuge in another country, and make a fresh start. The first step was to clean up the mess her subordinates had made.
“Heueuk! Heuk!”
Marsha turned her head at the sound of sobbing. Yuna was crying pitifully, unable to even think about escaping.
The horror was averted, but Marsha could understand. She was emotional at the fact that she was treated carelessly by a man she didn't even know his name of. She was a woman.
"What happened? Where did you get this child from?”
“There is a street tout among the guys that Falkoa has. He He said it's his sister."
"That crazy. Now he's even going after his underling's younger sister?"
"I don't know. The main point seems to be about money."
"Really? Is there something I don't know?"
Freeman relayed the story he heard from his underling. From the anecdotes between Jis and Amy to the circumstances surrounding Shirone's raid of the Royal Palace that led to bringing Yuna.
Marsha, who had been listening with interest, lit up her eyes when Shirone's story came out.
"Ho, now that I see, it's a story I know too?"
"You know? How do you know about this case?”
Marsha smiled and pursed her lips.
“Because I am a genius, after all. In the end, life is meant to be entangled this way.”
"What the hell is going on? Tell me."
"No, well... it's a minor happening. No need to worry."
If Marsha didn't tell him, Freeman had no intention of pursuing it either. It wasn't anything new that she went around here and there whenever she was bored. Moreover, that was the only way for her to survive in this world.
Marsha received numerous agendas from Freeman.
There was nothing particularly troublesome. The funds earned by Falkoa were enough to make a fresh start in a foreign country, and Freeman's troops were still in a decent fighting condition.
"That's fine. Good job. But how about we just liquidate the assets?"
"Do the funds that Falkoa collected bother you?"
"A bit... You know? It's time for Parrot's resurgence, but it's like establishing an organization with money made from selling drugs right from the start."
"That's not like you. Money is money after all. I don't like the way it was made either. But burying money in the ground just because of that is something only kids do."
"I know. Anyway, this agenda will be discussed at a later meeting, but first....”
At that moment, the door burst open and am subordinate entered. Marsha and Freeman watched him with puzzled expressions.
This is a remote area where the government's influence did not reach. Therefore, there should have been no need to rush in panting.
Marsha said with a smile.
"What's wrong? Got an upset stomach? There's no toilet here."
"Huh? Captain? You back?”
The member who found Marsha couldn't hide his surprise. However, the situation was urgent, so he reportde without a chance to be happy.
"Captain! There's a big problem! We're under attack!"
"Attack? What sudden attack? From the government?"
"It doesn't seem so. They're young, a group of four. According to the report, it seems to be two mages and two swordsmen."
Marsha figured out who they were just by hearing that much. It was certainly strange that they came to rescue the sister of a street tout they fought in the port, but Marsha couldn't deny one possibility.
"Hehe, well, if it's a brat as annoying as that, it could be possible. Is there a kid named Shirone among the attackers?"
"I'm sorry. I don't know the names very well...."
Freema, who had changed his tone of voice at some point, spoke politely..
“Captain, why don't you give this girl away instead? Since we about to put the organization in order, making a fuss seems to be a nuisance.”
While thinking that it was rare to find such a simple-minded man, Marsha analyzed the situation.
"Hmm, hand over the girl. Isn't that kind of funny? We kidnap and then give back when they come looking. Or what, are you saying they might break all the way here?"
"That won't happen. While the captain was away, we thoroughly fortified this place. The tactical aspects utilizing magic circles and magic weaponry are perfect. Unless they're quite skilled, they'll die before they even reach the first gate."
"Then there's no problem, right? Go and kill them. I'll take care of this girl. It seems like you've lost your edge after a few years off. You're completely naive, aren't you?"
As soon as Marsha finished her sentence, Freeman immediately prepared to mobilize his men.
It was embarrassing in itself to show a disheveled appearance in front of his captain. Especially when he thought he was well prepared, it was even more unjust.
"Deploy all forces to training positions. It's a real combat situation."
"Yes! I will relay that now!"
Freeman's men moved at once. Gathering their equipment, forming their troops, and heading to their respective positions took no more than five minutes.
Marsha then sat down on the chair with a satisfied smile.
"You did pretty well after all. I thought you've been just playing around until now."
"Everyone has been waiting for today. Because you're back, they're working even harder."
"Hmph, how long do I have to babysit and even pamper you? It's about time you started doing things on your own. By the way, what are you doing? Aren't you going to fight?"
"I'm staying here. Staying by your side is what I need to do."
Marsha looked up at Freeman with a puzzled look on her face. Of course, as an early member of the mercenary bands, he also served as a bodyguard. But every time he did, Marsha had to brush down the goosebumps on her arm.
“I can’t look at you because it’s really pathetic. Do you think I'll think you're cool?"
As if Freeman had already made up his mind, he didn't think of leaving Marsha's side.
Marsha's face turned red with anger. She had always hated this about him since childhood. Not knowing how to express emotions and acting stubborn, it had irritated her more than once or twice.
"Hey! Don't just stand there like an idiot, get out! Do you think you're my husband or something?"
Marsha lifted her leg from the chair and kicked Freeman in the butt.
Upon her action, as if moved by inertia, Freeman took a step forward and moved his body. He then quietly left the warehouse, maintaining his silence to the end.
As everyone left, Marsha stretched out with a relaxed smile as if nothing had happened.
Although it was true that she was excited about the long-awaited battle, what she was more curious about was Shirone.
Shirone was the type Marsha despised the most. There is no one in the world who can truly embrace the pain of others.
His adoptive father also eventually revealed his true nature. The mercy he showed to the orphan was in fact a footstep of his hideous desires, and when Marsha realized this, she awakened.
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Tags:
Infinite Mage (Novel)
