Grimm Bavo — the most formidable mercenary group, famous for guaranteeing victory to anyone who hires them.

Composed entirely of giants, their numbers are relatively small, around two thousand, but their reputation and strength surpass all other mercenary groups. In fact, it’s not uncommon for their enemies to surrender immediately upon learning Grimm Bavo has been hired.

"Another easy battle today, huh?"

"No doubt about it."

"Well, it’s no surprise when they’re up against us. Maybe we should have gone a bit easier on them."

"Ha! I left my mercy in my mother’s womb."

"Ga-hahaha!"

Once again, after a flawless victory, Grimm Bavo was celebrating with their traditional post-battle feast. Bonfires dotted the area, their flames illuminating the giants. If one squinted, they could see the battlefield littered with the bodies of those they had slain, yet the giants reveled in drinking, claiming that the alcohol helped cool the heat of battle.

"Where’s the leader?"

"Same as always. He’s drinking alone after the battle."

"Figures. Still, the leader’s strength is out of this world. I’m starting to think he might be the strongest giant out there."

"Geh! We all think that, don’t we?"

"That’s right! Ha! Wait, who are you?"

There, in the midst of the Grimm Bavo feast, stood a stranger who had appeared without anyone noticing. He had white hair, amber eyes, and dark skin. But most notable were the two horns on his head—one thicker and longer than the other, giving him an asymmetrical appearance.

"Move."

The stranger dismissed the giants with a single word, his tone devoid of interest despite being surrounded by giants.

"He spoke!"

"What?! Is he an ogre?"

"Or maybe… a demon?"

The Grimm Bavo members mistook the man for an ogre, and it was an understandable mistake. The man stood well over three meters tall, taller even than most giants. While the demon race was known for their larger-than-human physique, to tower over giants was unheard of.

"You giants didn’t hear me? I told you to move."

His words, casually dismissing the giants as ‘small,’ instantly stirred a murderous atmosphere. Calling giants ‘small’ was the greatest insult, and as a group who lived by combat, they couldn’t let such an affront go unanswered.

"Gehaha! You’ve got guts for a demon, talking so big."

One of the giants, grinning broadly, stepped forward—

“Fhnn!”

— and drove his fist into the demon’s stomach. This giant was known for being able to kill orcs and ogres with his bare hands.

"What!?"

Yet the demon didn’t budge, not even an inch. The crowd of giants murmured in disbelief.

Feeling his pride wounded, the giant threw punch after punch—

"I have no use for weaklings."

The demon, now visibly bored, casually grabbed the giant by the head with one hand—

"Let go of me—"

— and tore his head clean off. It wasn’t a two-handed effort; it was as if he were casually tearing apart a piece of bread. The giant’s severed head flew into the night sky.

"You bastard!"

"Kill him!"

"We’ll teach you who you’re messing with!"

The rest of the mercenaries, unfazed by the brutal scene, grabbed their weapons and charged the demon all at once.

"Wha… what is going on?"

One of Grimm Bavo’s commanders, hearing the commotion and arriving on the scene, trembled at the sight before him.

The invincible mercenaries were being slaughtered like lambs by a single demon, their cries echoing as they fled in terror.

He knew he should rush into battle, but his legs refused to move. They were rooted to the spot as if instinctually aware that they couldn’t win.

"I… I…"

Tears of frustration welled up in his eyes as he cursed his own cowardice.

"There he is! The leader!"

Relief washed over the man as he heard that voice. Their leader had arrived.

"You must be the leader," the demon finally addressed the approaching figure, ceasing his slaughter.

Surrounding him were the fresh corpses of the giants, the once-invincible mercenaries reduced to nothing.

"So you’re the strongest, huh?" For the first time, the demon’s face showed a glimmer of emotion.

(Our leader will never lose!)

The commander, still frozen, screamed in his heart, trying to convince himself. Grimm Bavo’s leader was a warrior among warriors, his level over sixty, and he held the prestigious title of Giant God Soldier, one of the most powerful jobs available to the giants.

His strength was legendary across the Rehm Continent. If anyone were to argue about who was the strongest in single combat, the leader’s name would be among those of the greatest warriors.

As if to dispel the commander’s doubts, the leader’s first strike forced the demon to retreat.

"Hoh…" The demon… laughed.

That simple laugh was all it took for the commander to turn and flee. Behind him, he could hear the shouts, the roars, the screams, but he ignored them.

He knew better than to look back, but curiosity got the best of him.

“Bah! Hahh… Hahh…”

At that moment, Varland, the captain of the 10th division of the Immortal Mercenary Corps, awoke in a cold sweat.

Sitting up, the weight of his massive body caused the bed beneath him to groan. Normally, this room would house four humans, but Varland had it to himself. Even the bed had to be modified—four beds had been pushed together to support his size.

"Captain, you’re oversleeping."

"Seriously, breakfast is ready, so hurry up!"

"Yeah… I’m coming."

As Varland made his way downstairs, his subordinates greeted him one by one. The dining area was filled with rough-looking men, each clearly skilled in combat.

They were staying at a mid-sized inn called Fairy’s Scales in the city of Ryubef, which had about twenty rooms. At the moment, the entire inn was occupied by the Immortal Mercenary Corps. The innkeeper didn’t mind hosting such a crowd, as long as they didn’t cause trouble, and they paid well, even though they were of different races.

"Captain Varland, you don't look so good."

"Probably had another nightmare."

"Hey, didn't you used to be a captain in Grimm Bavo? Makes you wonder what kind of nightmares someone like that has."

"Knock it off. Look, he's trembling."

"Come on, Captain! You're our leader! No wonder our Tenth Division keeps getting looked down on by the others."

Despite their rough treatment of him, Varland could only offer a forced smile. His subordinates, noticing his discomfort, shrugged their shoulders in disbelief.

"Oh, today we’ve got both meat and fish."

"Still, don’t you think this lifestyle is a bit too easy? I feel like I’m getting rusty."

"Hey, don’t complain too much."

For mercenaries whose job was war, mealtime was a rare moment of peace. But after a while, even the tranquility of city life became monotonous for the members of the Immortal Mercenary Corps, who were growing restless in this quiet town.

"Pass me the sauce."

"Here you go."

"It’s strange, even though this should be delicious, why does cheap booze on the battlefield taste better?"

"Because we’re born warriors, that's why."

"Ah, drinking first thing in the morning? Is that even allowed?"

"Then let me drink it for you!"

"Like hell! That’s mine!"

At various tables, the mercenaries chatted and enjoyed their meals.

"Recruitment is going well, right? I heard we've already got around three thousand new recruits."

"That's fine and all."

"But you know the boss hates it when we get over a thousand."

"That’s why we’re gonna trim them down. Only the ones who can actually fight will survive, anyway."

"True enough."

The Battle of the Aul Plains had cost the Immortal Mercenary Corps dearly. Once numbering a thousand, they were now down to fewer than three hundred. The recent recruitment drive was meant to replenish their ranks, but their reputation had attracted far more applicants than expected. The Immortal Mercenary Corps, known for their wild rampages across the Rehm Continent, were incredibly popular.

"I had my doubts about the Eight Fighters of Hameln, but man, they’re terrifying. Simon Hay, just one of them, killed two captains and five vice-captains all by himself."

"I used to think bows were for cowards, but after seeing him in action, I nearly pissed myself."

"Ha, says the guy who charges into battle headfirst."

In the Battle of Aul Plains, Simon Hay, one of the Eight Fighters of Hameln, had joined as reinforcements for the Black Sheep Knights of the Mandogoa Kingdom. He was also one of the Three Great Archers of the Rehm Continent. Though the Immortal Mercenary Corps had heard rumors of his skill, they had arrogantly assumed that they could handle him in close combat. Yet, not only did they fail to reach him, they couldn’t even catch a glimpse of him as he picked them off one by one.

"Simon, huh? I bet the boss could take him if they met."

"Idiot. You really think he’d fight fair?"

"And besides—"

"Besides what?"

"The boss doesn’t say it, but the real client behind the war in Aul Plains was Hameln, right?"

"Huh? What are you talking about? Why would we fight against the army of the people who hired us?"

"He’s right. That doesn’t make sense. You sure you’re not on something, man?"

"I’m serious. Think about it. Who benefitted the most from that war?"

"Who benefitted…? Well…"

Though the Immortal Mercenary Corps won the Battle of the Aul Plains, they didn’t stick around afterward. Meanwhile, the defeated Mandogoa Kingdom was busy dealing with the aftermath, sending out thanks to their allies, especially the Baharagutt Kingdom, which had lost two of its major powerhouses, the Great Witch of Barakium and the Sage of Flame and Thunder. The Mandogoa Kingdom also had to compensate for the massive loss of soldiers. Furthermore, the Canomnat Kingdom lost its hero, The Hero of Canomnat, in a retreating battle as he held off the Immortal Mercenary Corps to allow his soldiers to escape.

Both sides suffered heavy losses in the war, except for one: Hameln, who managed to escape with minimal casualties. As a result, their army now occupied the fertile lands of the Aul Plains, nominally stepping in for the weakened Mandogoa Kingdom, but effectively annexing the region for themselves.

"Sure, Hameln ended up gaining the most, but that’s just how it turned out."

"When things get complicated, it’s usually the one who benefits the most who’s pulling the strings."

"So what are you saying? That Hameln hired us to fight for them while secretly helping the other side?"

"Exactly."

"That’s insane! No way they’d do something that slimy!"

"Why are you surprised? That’s just how Hameln operates."

"But wait… Does that mean there’s a reason we’re here in Ryubef?"

"Yep, it all ties back to our client. I heard Hameln’s higher-ups were dragging their feet on paying us."

"That’s stupid! No one messes with the boss and lives. Whoever’s responsible is dead for sure."

"Actually, I heard their attitude changed recently. They’re planning to pay the full amount in the next few days."

"What the hell? Why the sudden change of heart?"

"Beats me."

The beastman mercenary raised his hands in exasperation.

"Wow! What a beautiful city!"

Upon arriving in Ryubef, Nina was mesmerized by the sight of the beautifully arranged buildings. Beside her, Namari and Momo stared, mouths agape.

"Stop gawking like country bumpkins."

"I... I’m not surprised."

"But I saw you admiring the city just a moment ago."

Marifa’s sharp comment made Lena pull her hat down to hide her embarrassment.

"I’m so excited, I can’t stand it!"

"Tina, remember that we’re here as part of our master’s entourage. Let’s not forget our role."

"Yees!"

Though Tina responded obediently, both she and the others couldn’t hide their excitement as they looked around the beautiful city.

"Yuu, both Victor and Mago are supposed to be here, right?"

"Yeah, Mago's worrying too much again. He even took a different route to get here ahead of us."

"Ah, I can't wait to see them."

Nina smiled and looked up at the sky, though it was cloudy rather than clear.