20 – They That Crawl
“It’s been a long time, you two.”
Enya and Tor stared for a moment, and then began to move at once.
“Oh! Ohhh! It’s Aize!”
“Yes. It’s good to see you too, Tor.”
Aize said, and then she looked puzzled.
“Where are your clothes?”
“Ah.”
He had been so excited that he forgot about what state he was in. And so he went through the broken door in order to take a shower again.
Aize then turned to Enya.
“And how have you been, Enya?”
“…Uh…good.”
There was an awkward silence.
It was a strange silence. Enya felt that she should say something, but she could not move her mouth properly.
It was because she had been talking to Tor. She thought, assigning the blame. And then Aize opened her mouth while looking around.
“So this is your base now? It’s…surprisingly orderly?”
“You’re the only person who would describe it that way.”
This casual banter took a weight off her shoulders, and Enya continued.
“You never were good at keeping things tidy…I hope things aren’t too bad over there?”
“How rude. I’m perfectly fine…thanks to friends.”
“You should do it yourself.”
She laughed.
Nothing had changed. Maybe they would never change. No matter how far away they were.
“…Welcome back, Aize.”
“Yes, I’m home.”
“…I see.”
Enya muttered after hearing everything from Aize.
Mimi was being forced to get married.
He had threatened Mimi…
Tor was mad with rage, and he got up from the sofa.
“Hey, where are you going?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
Tor shouted at Enya.
“I’m going to rough him up. That rotted baron. He won’t find me merciful today!”
“Um…it’s not that simple.”
“Huh? Why is that?”
“You causing a scene at his house is not going to solve anything.”
“Enya is right.”
Aize agreed with a nod.
“Assassination is a last resort. And if it comes to that, I will do it myself.”
“…Aize. You…”
“I’m joking. Doing something like that would only make Mimi sad.”
To Enya, it did not really sound like a joke.
That was how much weight and resolve had been in her words.
“Both of you. I have a request.”
Aize said, as the air grew heavy.
“I heard that there are suspicious people entering the village recently. I want to know more about them.”
Upon hearing those words, Enya and Tor looked at each other.
“…Do you know about that?”
“Well, it’s one of the reasons we are strengthening our patrols.”
Tor said.
According to them, the men had started to appear around half a year ago.
Arnas was a village with nothing interesting. The only thing special was their flowers. But that wasn’t enough to attract tourists.
And so any new visitors stuck out immediately.
At first, it was just a few people. Occasionally. But even that was unusual in the countryside.
But eventually, their numbers grew. And now they were moving in large groups.
“Their ages and clothes vary, but they are all men. That’s why some of the women are scared…”
“However, they have not really done anything yet.”
Apparently, anyone who tried talking to them only got vague answers.
They never revealed their purpose or where they came from.
“However…they have a dangerous…atmosphere.”
“Do you mean that they are armed?”
Enya shook her head.
“I don’t think so. But…”
“I think they are definitely trained.”
They looked at Tor.
“Their build, the way they walk…it seems obvious. Like Marco’s grandfather.”
Marco’s grandfather had been a soldier. He had even fought in the war.
(Trained men…in groups…firearms manufacturer Fravault…)
Aize suddenly had an idea.
(…A private military company?)
A PMC.
They could be hired for money. Their job was war.
Their ascent to power had commenced in recent years.
The Izarnif Kingdom, a major nation that had functioned as a mercenary state—now called the Izarnif Federation—collapsed and splintered after a revolution, resulting in the exodus of skilled personnel and military technology. They then went on to form new corporate entities.
Additionally, rapid demilitarization across several nations caused a substantial influx of talent and technology, fueling the growth of these companies.
That was the beginning of the current PMCs. Or so it was said.
They were the result of many coincidences and inevitabilities, and their work was quite varied. From fighting on battlefields, to backup support, and also acting as security guards and military instructors.
Yes, in other words—if you had money, even a civilian could make use of them.
In the name of defense.
“What business could they have in our village?”
“…I don’t know.”
It was hard to think that the military or police were doing something there.
Besides, when it came to weapon merchants, it was strictly forbidden for them to have a fighting force that exceeded their need for defense. And the state monitored them carefully.
And so if Mr. Rand was right about them being involved with Mikhail Fravault, then it was most likely that they were PMC.
“You sure know a lot…”
“I am a student at a military academy, after all.”
A fourth year student like Aize would have a need for such information, as she may end up working at one of those companies.
“So…these PM…Cs? Even if they are plotting something, there is nothing we can do at this point, is there?”
Said Tor, who was folding his arms and closing his eyes.
Aize nodded.
“Then we should ask someone who might know.”
“Know?”
“Jay.”
Aize was surprised when she heard that name.
Jay was also a childhood friend. Though, his real name was Jayce.
“Apparently, Jay’s father spoke to some of them.”
“Really? About what?”
“I don’t know.”
“I’m going to go and talk to him now. Do you want to come with me, Aize?”
Obviously, Aize nodded.
It’s been 8 chapters, where the heck is the rest of the cast?
Thanks for the chapter.