Mercenary Systems: The Eternal Life
Chapter 16 Was I Wrong?

Staying in a room that has been rented only costs half of it. It spent 75 bronze coins for the night, meaning the whole cost was 150 bronze coins.

In the inn room, the room was quite narrow. Interior design is built as simple as possible, the features offered are very limited. After all, lodging, a place to stay, is not really for other things. Although there are inns that have some extra features on offer, it is only to add to the impression of luxury.

There is one bed that is wide enough to sleep alone, but it will be narrow if there are two people who sleep in the same bed. With me and Bianca who are the opposite sex, age is not far away, sleeping on the bed is impossible.

So, I sat leaning against the wall on the floor. There are chairs and tables next to the bed, but it won't be comfortable to make the bed. It is better to sleep on the floor than to sleep in a small chair. For a few days now, I have been quite used to sleeping on hard ground, while the floor of the room has a flatter surface.

As usual, I intend to browse through the items in the Shop, spending the night before going to bed that way.

Bianca, who was sitting on the chair, seemed to be writing something on the table. Does it have anything to do with what he did in the forest? Maybe, he was writing some kind of report or something. So, that was why he stopped by a store to buy some paper that was still not processed properly before coming here. The material should be the same, made of wood.

Time keeps passing. In this room, there was no sound other than the friction of the tip of the pen. As for the sounds coming from outside, of course, as it faces Valentine's Day celebrations, people should be making preparations even at night though.

People are so excited about Valentine's Day. If the celebration is the same as I know, then I need a partner to enjoy the celebration.

Giving someone special candy, that's what I thought. Alone celebrating Valentine's Day, means, giving yourself special candy. That would be very strange, wouldn't it? Of course it is not just candy, any gift can be, as long as it is suitable to be given to a couple.

When it comes to giving a gift to a spouse, one must recognize it well.

There is no one closer to me than myself. Spending a few years in a corner of the room at home, when was the last time I spoke to my friend?

I was lost in thought. I don't know what I missed from the past. Maybe I miss the old man? I'm not sure about that. It seemed that the part of me that was one of the characteristics possessed by humans, that is, social beings, had thinned out as if it would run out at any moment.

There are people who will end up being slaves, but I am not in the end. I remember, I didn't care much about their fate. Then when I met Bianca, a will to protect emerged.

Is it because Bianca is a woman, and she is also beautiful, that I want to protect her? I'm not sure. If yes, then I am a trash man. It should be normal to feel attracted to the opposite sex, but that doesn't mean I protect others the way I want. When someone needs help, I must extend my hand.

Their miserable fate, I really did not feel sympathetic. Wh why? It makes me feel weird about myself.

"... Lan."

"... Ellan."

"Kaellen!"

I was slightly jolted at the sound of screaming from Bianca.

"Yes?"

"Don't daydream there, it's cold. Sit here" Bianca patted the edge of the bed beside her. "If you want to tell a story, I'm ready to listen to it."

My body spontaneously moved. Having stood up, I continued walking, before sitting beside him. Do I want to tell a story? I'm not sure what I can tell him. I only have sad stories in the past. Many important moments have been forgotten.

"You see," I stared at the floor, while the two elbows pressed the tips of the thighs near the knees. It was like my body was forming a number 4.

"Hm?"

I turned, looking at the pair of dark blue eyes beside me. "Am I wrong when I feel no sympathy for the fate of others, where they will end up as slaves, while I manage to save myself alone?"

"You know?" Bianca, after being silent for quite a while, turned her head, looking back at me. "Every person, or even the world, has its limits. Moreover, we, as humans, have countless boundary lines. You don't feel sorry for others when you save yourself is not wrong, that's my opinion. I don't know what you've been through, but you'll definitely focus more on yourself when you're in a precarious situation, won't you?"

I nodded slowly. Actually, it's not just that. There were times where I had just claimed someone's life just to be able to escape. For the most crucial of reasons, I am not guilty of anyone whose life has been taken by me, is that justifiable? I wanted to say it, but my tongue felt faint.

At the very least, something that was pressing down on this heart felt to be looser.

"I guess you're right."

Truth is, no one can know for sure. Some think it's right, and it's wrong. There are also those who think otherwise, even blame or justify both. Ultimately, it depends on how we look at things.

"Which way, if you'd know, who would you be celebrating Valentine's Day with?" I dared to ask so, as I somehow felt a little closer to her.

After all, for someone like Bianca, she must have received many invitations to do Valentine's Day celebrations together, of course from men. So, I didn't really expect him to say what I expected.

"Nothing" he said briefly.

"So so. He must be lucky."

Bianca tilted her head hearing my response. "What do you mean?"

"Eh? Of course, she was very yellow. Apparently, I gave a response that did not match his answer.

"You...receiving it... alone?"

Bianca nodded in response.

***

Two days ago, on the outskirts of the Port of Vorlte City, at night. There were two people meeting in an abandoned building. The lighting is dim, but it can still see around. One man with a distended stomach, wearing a hat and a face mask. One other person, who had a pointy chin with a sharp eyelid shape, sat across from the dusty table with the bloated man.

"So, I just need to take a drop of blood from her?"

"Yes. Whatever happens, you have to succeed. I'll even double the rewards if you can do it" explained the bloated man.

"That's no problem. It's actually very easy. I'll make it."

After searching for several days throughout the city, the person wearing full armor, who had stolen important documents, was not found at all. The trail was last found in a forest near the beach. But, it was not very helpful that the person he was looking for had gone far away from the city.

During that time, he could not feel calm. At any time, the days where he could do things could end.

He was really scared that it would happen.

By all means, he would prevent the destruction that would befall him. Since that person could not be found, he chose to use an unusual way to deal with the matter.

He laughed blankly, imagining what would happen in the future.

"We're in business, you fucking thief...."