Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 181 (Part 2)

The influence those three Merchant Groups held was simply too great. Just by cutting off supplies, they could deal a critical blow to both empires and kingdoms alike.

“The Eastern Continent… seems to be under the thumb of the Merchant Groups.”

“Yes. That’s why the Sinclair Merchant Group, too, only trades up to the Eastern Continent’s ports—it doesn’t cross over to conduct commerce within.”

“What do you think, Scott? Which system do you think is better?”

“Every system has its pros and cons, but I personally prefer the way things work on the Central Continent. Merchant Groups have no accountability. No matter if a province floods or faces drought—they bear no responsibility. In the Eastern Continent, those who carry no accountability hold far too much power.”

Inside the carriage, Rodin listened to Scott’s words and agreed.

He didn’t know the Eastern Continent’s system well, but it sounded riddled with problems. And in systems like that, it was always the powerless who suffered the most.

“Thank you, Scott. I learned a lot today.”

“A humble man like me, offering lessons—how absurd.”

“It’s not good to belittle yourself. Scott, you’ve got every reason to be proud.”
“Yes, Your Highness. …Ah, time’s up. We’ll get moving again.”
“Go ahead.”

The rest was over. The resting mercenaries began organizing their things. Even Larry, who had been training during the short break, paused his sword movements.

The Sinclair Merchant Group, who had rested earlier than Rodin’s party, resumed travel at their usual pace. There had been a bit of a commotion, but nothing out of the ordinary for an overland journey.

What was unusual was the fact that among those following behind… was a mercenary bearing a Platinum Badge.

“Hey, Bron. How do you even know a guy like that?”
“Huh? Rodin? It’s nothing special. You guys remember how much we suffered on the Western Continent, right?”

The one who replied wasn’t Bron, but the ever-talkative Marlon. Bron remained silently riding forward, as always.

As soon as Marlon spoke, the other mercenaries escorting the Sinclair Merchant Group clustered around. Even while marching, they leaned in eagerly, ears perked.

“Yeah, I heard you were held captive for years, right?”
“Exactly. It was rough—we didn’t even have enough money to pay our passage back. Things got so bad we just…”

Marlon continued on, inflating his time with Rodin into a full-blown hero’s tale. Bron shook his head beside him, but Marlon’s exaggerated story showed no signs of stopping.

“Wish I could’ve seen his face at least once.”

Ellice murmured under her breath, clearly picturing Rodin in her mind. Her comment was overheard by Bron and Baker, who were walking beside her.

“Huh? Rodin? What about his face?”
“He had a pretty face back then, right? He’s older now—I’m just curious how he’s changed.”
“C’mon, let’s be accurate. Not just pretty—he was stupidly beautiful. Like, 6,400 times prettier than you.”

At her older brother Baker’s teasing jab, Ellice whipped her head around, shooting him a glare sharp enough to start a fight.

“What? Did I say something wrong?”
“Ugh, I hate that I can’t even deny it.”

Even Ellice couldn’t insult Rodin’s looks.

She still vividly remembered the shock she’d felt when they first met. It wasn’t about whether he looked like a man or a woman—it was just hard to believe a person could look that beautiful.

“His voice’s gotten a lot deeper.”
“Yeah. At first I thought it wasn’t him. When he called my name, I thought I owed someone money or something.”

The group’s expressions were cheerful.

Even though they’d only spent a few short months together, the memories with Rodin had stayed positive.

In particular, crossing the Lamaton River via a path made from a water spirit—no one there was likely to forget that for the rest of their lives.

“He’s grown a lot taller too.”
“He was tall from the start. When I first met him, I thought he was an adult—”

“Stop! Halt!”

The shout came from the lead, a Gold Badge mercenary. All mercenaries came to a standstill. The chatter instantly ceased.

“What’s going on—”
“Damn it! It’s a beast!”
“Combat stance!”
“Form a ring defense! A ring!”

To form a ring formation, wagons and carriages had to be positioned side by side. Naturally, the mercenaries sprang into action.

Iron Badge and Copper Badge mercenaries rushed forward, rearranging carts and wagons. The wheels scraped harshly against the ground, leaving deep ruts.

KUAHHHH!

A tremendous roar erupted from the front. Then, crashing through the forest came a towering figure with green skin.

“Damn. It’s an Ogre!”
“Ogre incoming!”

The Ogre—a magical beast known as the King of the Mountains. Even the smallest were 3 meters tall, the largest nearly 5 meters, infamous for their sheer, monstrous strength.

“Watch its speed!”
“It’s faster than it looks!”

The mercenaries scrambled to ready themselves. Even Huxler, the Gold Badge mercenary, had a deeply tense expression.

Ogres were generally considered to be on par with a 5th-class swordsman—not in the sense that a 5th-class swordsman could defeat one, but that one needed to at least be 5th-class to survive a fight.

In some cases, depending on their size, they were rated at 6th-class strength.

And the one now appearing before them… was in that category.

It stood easily over 5 meters tall. Even among full-grown adult Ogres, it was on the larger end.

Huxler, a 5th-class swordsman, wasn’t strong enough to take that Ogre on alone.

Can we pull this off?

Thankfully, Huxler wasn’t alone. There were five mercenaries who were roughly at 4th-class swordsmanship, and many more of lower rank.

Most importantly, there was a mage named Ellice. She was only 3rd Circle, but even that was enough to provoke an Ogre’s nerves.

Quickly scanning the area, they identified the mercenaries who wouldn’t be useful in the coming fight.

“Copper Badges, protect the wagons!”
“Copper Badges, pull back!”

Meanwhile, the Ogre came lumbering into view. Its manner was completely relaxed, like it saw the humans before it as just another meal.

“Cocky beast.”

Huxler strapped on his shield and stepped forward, signaling that he’d hold the Ogre’s attention.

In sync, Silver Badge mercenaries fanned out to the left and right. Each one gripped their weapons tight, bracing for combat.

KUAHHH!

Another monstrous roar came from the thicket. A second Ogre appeared—slightly smaller than the first.

“Shit.”
“Oh gods…”
“Wh-what is this?”

Ogres were solitary beasts. It was rare for multiple to travel together. And unfortunately, they’d hit that rare case today.

“Hines.”
“Damn it. I have to take one?”
“No other choice.”
“Tch… I knew this year was cursed.”

Hines, though a Silver Badge, was a 4th-class swordsman—he’d have to take on the smaller Ogre.

No one really expected him to win. They just hoped he’d be able to hold out.

KUAHH!
“Block it!”
“Haaah!”
KWAANG!

The Ogre charged in with a massive kick from the start. The sheer destructive power from its massive frame exploded forth.

“Guh—!”

Huxler, who had tried to block with his shield, went flying and tumbled across the ground. He hadn’t even managed to properly block a single blow.

Next to the fallen Huxler, Hines also came crashing down.

They were both in the same state.

Hyung_Otaku2

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