Chapter 284 – Mercenary Situation 2

If the thralls could interact with familiar people without giving themselves away, then they must have been acting very naturally.

This was proof of how powerful the vampire was.

“Do you know when the people were hired by the embassy before turning into thralls?”

“Indeed… I think it was three or five years ago. The newest recruit was half a year ago.”

“And when were you hired?”

“About one month ago.”

“I’m the newest one here. I was only hired yesterday.”

Apparently, the embassy was regularly putting out requests to the Mercenary Guild.

“Then all of you would have been turned into thralls eventually.”

“Th-that might be true.”

“Did any of your work involve going outside?”

“Next week, we were supposed to leave on an escort mission.”

“I see. That was probably when they planned to make you thralls.”

I said, and the mercenaries turned pale.

As long as the divine protection was up, vampires could not enter the embassy, which was within the royal capital.

And then I said to them,

“Your leader is likely a fanatic of the evil god.”

“A fanatic?”

“While still human, there are strange people who wish for the domination of the evil god.”

“There are such people? But if that happened, it would be the end of the world.”

“Regardless of race or country, all humans would be killed or turned into cattle.”

“However, it is true that these believers exist. Even though I cannot understand why.”

I didn’t know what reason a human could have for being a fanatic.

However, it was obvious why vampires might want to use humans who weren’t thralls or charmed.

After all, beastkin wolves could immediately tell if someone was a thrall.

Though, they were also a minority within the world.

However, they were not so few that they could be ignored.

And so if someone was turned into a thrall, then it would be difficult to have them leave the embassy.

Even more so if they were highly skilled in combat and were valuable personnel.

As for charmed people, they might also be exposed if they encountered a powerful sorcerer.

It was for such reasons that loyal humans who were not thralls or charmed were valuable.

“Perhaps the leader was ordered by the vampire to gather people.”

“…I had no idea.”

It could not be helped. Most people would not notice.

Even when entering the embassy, only the best sorcerers from the palace would have noticed it.

“I see. I now have a good idea about how you were hired.”

The mercenaries also understood the true reason behind this work through our conversation.

“We have been such fools then. Lured by the high salary…”

“Being charmed is one thing, but to be a thrall… What a horrible thought.”

“It is horrible to be charmed as well. You might end up killing other humans and even friends.”

And then one of the mercenaries spoke as if to explain.

“I swear it. We had no idea that this embassy was really a Vampire base.”

“I know that. And while you will likely be interrogated at the palace later, I shall tell them that you were cooperative.”

“That’s reassuring.”

“Aye. If an F-Rank Adventurer vouches for us, we will be safe.”

They said with a laugh.

The mercenaries seemed to think that I was some knight that worked directly for the king, and that this was a secret mission.

Well, even if it was wrong, it wasn’t too far from the truth.

“You saved our lives. Thank you.”

The mercenaries thanked us.

“Don’t mention it. By the way, were there any places that you were told to avoid at all costs?”

“Aye, there is. The building on the northside is the ambassador’s office and living quarters. It’s said to have all the diplomatic secrets. And so we were not allowed to go close to it.”

“They said that if we went near it, we could be executed as spies.”

“And so we wouldn’t dare go near it.”

“Thank you. That’s very helpful information.”

“I’m glad to be of service.”

“Now, what will it be? The room that the leader is sleeping in? Or the room next to it?”

“What do you mean?”

“We are going to go and fight against the vampires now. And we cannot take anyone who hasn’t had special training.”

We could not take the mercenaries with us to fight the vampires.

That being said, we couldn’t let them go, as they had to be interrogated later.

And so I would have to lock them up in one of the rooms. It was also best for their own safety.

I explained this to them, however…

“We are veteran mercenaries. We will not get in your way.”

“Maybe against another enemy. But this vampire is likely above a Lord. It will cast Charm on you.”

“…I see. Perhaps you are right.”

As the mercenaries had basic knowledge about vampires, they were satisfied with this answer.

After that, I had them enter the room next to the one with the leader and the charmed, as that was their preference.

I suppose they did not want to be around a fanatical leader and charmed people.

Even if they were sleeping.

And so I cast defense magic over the entire room in order to protect them.