The tender expression had vanished without a trace. He glared toward the banquet hall. There, the noisy music and laughter continued unabated.

Those who trampled on happy times and led innocent people to death. And those who, from behind, egged on the Emperor and conspired in the purge of the Melpirams.

He had lived for their demise.

Libel’s clenched hand tightened. On the chessboard, the pawn started its first move.

“Ah, Commander! Have you returned?”

“Did you have something to eat there, with all those high-ranking folks around? You must have felt out of place.”

Laughter echoed from the barracks. Though similar, this laughter, unburdened by pretense unlike the banquet hall, was much easier on the ears.

The mercenaries, slightly loosened up by alcohol, exchanged jokes. Libel joined in the laughter naturally.

“We’ve had a tough time. And the contract has been extended.”

He sat down among the mercenaries, relaying the Emperor’s words. Despite the influence of alcohol, it was still a promise from the Emperor. Hearing that he had been promised a title and land if he proved himself in the next contract, the mercenaries’ eyes widened in disbelief.

“Is this really happening?”

“The Emperor sure is generous. A title for a mercenary? Others do wonders and don’t even get a blink.”

“So what happens to us? If we get land, do we commute from the capital?”

“What commute, man! We’re talking about settling down! Goodbye to our nomadic life!”

“But we have the pride of the Ricus Mercenary Group, we’re not just some dogs of the Empire.”

“Who cares about pride in front of money?”

As the mercenaries loudly expressed their opinions, one person remained silent. Lailo stared at the ground, his face heavy with thoughts.

When they were stationed near the Ricus Mountains, it was convenient for him to visit his wife’s grave often.

But if Libel really settled in some land, who would take care of the grave?

Libel and the others were not unaware of his concerns.

“I won’t force anyone who doesn’t want to go. It’s okay to leave.”

“Where would we go if we leave here? I’ll just stick by the Commander.”
“But is it really okay? Considering Turgeol’s intentions as the former leader. No matter what, he brought us this far, didn’t he?”

The history of the Ricus Mercenary Group couldn’t be told without mentioning Turgeol.

He was the one who instilled at least a semblance of conscience and morality in those who chased only money, the greatest leader who established internal order. The golden age of the Ricus Mercenary Group began during Turgeol’s leadership.

And there was something important that had to be conveyed. Libel looked at each of the mercenaries in turn.

“I plan to visit Turgeol tomorrow.”

“You’re going yourself, Commander? But do you know where he is?”

Libel smirked and extended his cup for a refill. The mercenaries weren’t just going to sit there with empty cups. Soon, the cups were filled, and raucous noise and laughter filled the barracks.

It was about the time when the mercenaries, worn out, began to lay down on their beds. Lus heard a rustling noise that was unusual.

The sound of metal, a faint clinking. It wasn’t the sound of weapons clashing, but it was suspicious.

When Lus quietly got up, he saw an unexpected figure.

“……Commander.”

“Still awake? Everyone else has passed out.”

Libel seemed to be preparing for his trip to see Turgeol the next day. As always, his belongings were minimal, travel being second nature to him.

However, Lus’s eyes were drawn to Libel’s bag, which had an odd curved shape. Pointed yet round. Had the commander always had such an item?

Lus pointed to the bag quietly with his finger.

“……That.”

“Why.”

“……It’s suspicious.”

Libel let out a chuckle as if he couldn’t argue with that, shaking his head.

Perhaps a quiet person recognizes another quiet person. Lus, who moved almost invisibly among the mercenaries, had an uncanny ability to trace Libel’s steps.

“Anyway, you can’t be fooled.”

Libel opened the bag slightly to show Lus what was inside. Lus’s eyes widened. He looked back and forth between the item and the commander.

If Lailo or Edi had known, they probably would have smacked the commander first and then made a huge fuss, jumping up and down.

Libel signaled for silence again. It was not just a momentary muting but a complete vow of secrecy. Lus nodded, covering his mouth.

This would become the biggest secret of Lus’s life, one he would take to his grave. Would it be discovered? If so, it could cost him his life.

But it was the commander who had the item. The thought of Libel possessing it didn’t cause worry but rather anticipation.

Soon, the rustling stopped, and all was quiet. When Lus turned to where Libel had been, he was already gone.

**

Libel wandered around the lower parts of a small mountain. He thought it was around here, based on what Turgeol had mentioned casually. He had to rely on intuition alone, as it was a place Turgeol had spoken of only in passing.

He should have asked properly earlier. Or visited a few times. By putting it off due to various duties, it had come to this.

The retirement of Turgeol, the ‘former’ leader of the Ricus Mercenary Group, was abrupt.

His declaration of retirement was still vivid in Libel’s memory. It was during a peaceful mealtime, as they usually gathered together. Suddenly, Turgeol broached the subject.

“Guys.”

“Yes, Commander.”

“I’m going to retire.”

Every mercenary except Libel spat out their soup and tea.

“Why would you say that during breakfast!”

“What’s the reason? Did you get into trouble? Or are you going to prison? Should we visit you in jail?”
“Now I’m old and tired. I want to settle down. So stop with the question marks, it’s draining to hear. Libel, come see me for a moment.”

Usually, he wouldn’t disturb anyone during meals, saying not even a dog should be bothered while eating. But calling Libel during a meal suggested an urgent matter.

Following Turgeol, as soon as Libel closed the door and turned around, a small dagger flew swiftly towards him.

Libel stood still, not dodging the attack. Under the dagger embedded in the wooden door was a small piece of paper.

‘What kind of person are you?’

On the paper pinned by the dagger was the image of a hawk.

It was different from the Ricus Mercenary Group’s emblem, depicting a grey hawk.

An Indifferent Woman is the One Men Desire the Most

One-line summary: The female lead is actually cold-hearted and extremely rational. She has stage-by-stage relationships and won’t two-time, but there will always be someone who secretly likes her.

This novel has the following triggers, so if you’re sensitive to these, please don’t read:

1. The female lead has had many relationships, but she treated each one seriously and broke up properly.

It’s just that the men unilaterally pestered her incessantly. For the female lead, when she doesn’t like someone anymore, she simply doesn’t like them.

(This applies to her relationships with Male Lead 1, 2, 3, and 4 as well, but she’s loyal in each 1-on-1 relationship!)

2. In this novel, Male Lead 2 and the female lead kiss in a car, and Male Lead 1 sees it and beats up Male Lead 2.

The female lead calls the police and sends both Male Lead 1 and 2 to the police station! Male Lead 1 begs the female lead not to break up with him.

3. Male Lead 1 has a gentle appearance but an obsessive personality.

Male Lead 2 has a delicate and soft appearance, slightly green tea-like (two-faced).

Male Lead 3 is a youthful college student and a smart person who has secretly liked the female lead for a long time.

Male Lead 4 is the female lead’s father’s special assistant, a business elite with deep, hidden thoughts.

4. At the beginning of this novel, the female lead has already broken up with Male Lead 1 (Chapter 4) and gotten back together with Male Lead 2 (ex-boyfriend).

5. Enter with caution if you have triggers!!!