Chapter 89: Chapter 89

Sokram methodically addressed lingering doubts, directing the new candidates to the front.

Only one remained, a Half-dwarven woman engaged in earnest conversation with a justiciar.

Her striking figure, powerfully built but not burly, was clad in dark steel and leather armor, a warhammer resting on her back. Red hair, long and braided, framed a face etched with a focused intensity. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ NoveI(F)ire.net

She was a Tier 9, but the vital energy and spirit essence swirling around her in almost perfect sync showed Sokram she could either be a spy from the Empire, or the half-dwarf was a rare find.

The Justiciar's gestures grew more frantic, clearly failing to explain something to her.

She even took the pamphlet, pointing at something written in it.

Seeing that Sokram asked them, “Is there a problem?”

The woman stood up and saluted him with a fist over her heart, “Sir, my name is Vanda. I don’t have a family name, and I don’t know how to read; I never had the time to learn it. But my little sister was the one who brought me this pamphlet and read it to me.”

But then she picked another similar folded paper from a simple leather pouch. “And this is the one I picked today. Although I can’t read it, I’m good with details. And there is something minuscule, yet surely different between the two, and in all that the Justiciars explained, there was no mention of this change.”

Sokram noticed two things about her: First, she spoke in a paused way, trying to pick her words carefully. Showing she clearly worked with nobles before. Second, the two sheets of paper had just one small lettered line that was different from the other.

Sokram had switched it himself.

The line that was subtracted in the new pamphlet contained a piece of information he didn’t want to reveal before the contract was signed, and only ended up there because of a mistake Hilda made.

“I see, so what is your question?” Sokram remained neutral but was also impressed that someone who couldn’t read would notice such a small change.

“The special operations with extra payment, will still happen?” Vanda asked shyly.

“These were supposed to be revealed once the contracts were signed, since I considered it sensible information. But, it’s your merit for finding a needle in a haystack, so... Yes, they will happen. But I can only offer more information once the contracts of secrecy are signed.”

Vanda nodded in understanding.

Although she didn’t know how to read, she understood the nature of this business well and walked toward the group near the stand.

Laughing awkwardly and scratching the back of her head, she looked at Sokram, “Well, that was my only doubt, Sir. But I still need that insurance. I can't leave my family without any coin if I get hurt, haha.”

“Alright,” Sokram nodded, maintaining his neutrality, which only made those near the stand more nervous.

By then, there were forty-one candidates near the stand and only five still sitting in the right row.

Sokram looked at them and offered, “Are you sure you don’t want your contracts changed?”

They all nodded firmly, showing that they would stick with that decision. Sokram nodded and said bluntly, “Alright, you can all leave. You’re reproved.”

A ripple of silent, satisfied murmurs spread through the forty-one candidates near the stand.

But in the right seats, the remaining five froze mid-breath, their faces slack, eyes wide and unseeing, as if a sudden, icy gust had swept through the room, rendering them statues.

They weren’t crazy enough to complain and risk enraging Margiory or any of his grandmothers, especially the Duchess, who was watching him like a hawk watches their hatchlings.

The last of the reproved candidates was a human man with rosy skin, black hair, and dark brown eyes.

With a burly and muscular build, draped in heavy armor, he appeared to be around 1.9 meters tall, sitting in a chair, a great axe resting over his lap.

Confusion etched on his face, he looked ahead and raised his hand.

Sokram looked at him and said, “Sorry, no second chances.”

The man rose, his burly frame menacing, yet his eyes, despite the ever-present frown, held no spark of hostility. “Sir, I just want to understand the logic behind my reproval.”

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

Pretending to think for a while, he turned to the man, “If you had to choose between the success of an operation and your survival, what would you choose?”

The man, reassured by his experience of working as a mercenary for years, answered without hesitation, “The operation, Sir. The clients' desire is a priority above all.”

“See? That’s why.” Sokram answered bluntly, but seeing the honest confusion in the man’s face, he added with a sigh, “If it were your wife, your family, even a friend, sacrificing yourself would be an honorable gesture. Something that is expected from any true warrior who holds someone or something dearly.”

“But the will of the client? Is your life worth less than your payment? Is your life worth a few crowns? Another meal on the table? I know many people don’t have the option to choose, but I clearly gave you that option. I even told that other man he had no self-respect because he lacked self-preservation; the hints were clear for everyone.”

Frinna’s brothers looked at her with shining eyes after they heard Sokram say that.

As she had decided to accept the insurance, they had merely followed her lead.

Seeing the understanding dawning on everyone, Sokram continued, “My problem with your mentality is that people who are quick to sacrifice themselves, when working in teams, tend to also put others in unnecessarily risky situations while trying to be brave to please the client.”

Sokram then gestured at the candidates and finished, “To me, the life of every hunter I hire outweighs any prey, any mission. No prize is worth your blood. If any hunter I hire ever ends up putting someone at risk because he was trying to play the hero to please me. If that person didn’t die during the hunt, I would probably kill them myself.”

The man's shoulders relaxed, the deep lines of confusion on his face softening as understanding finally dawned.

He reached for his great axe, its polished head glinting under the hall's lights, and settled its weight securely on his back.

A wry, almost hesitant smile touched his lips, though the perpetual frown in his eyes remained.

"Heh," he rumbled, his voice rough but tinged with genuine admiration, "You’re a good one, Sir. Never met anyone like you. Never was hired by anyone like that either."

The man then bowed slightly toward him, “Thank you for your teachings, young dragon. I’ll keep what I learn here today fresh in my mind.”

He nodded to the others and turned to leave.

Sokram’s eyes looked at the man approvingly, thinking, ‘That’s a rare quality in any old warrior. I could be mistaken, but... If his humbleness is sincere, he deserves another chance.’ But then he glanced at the other candidates expectantly, ‘Let’s see if anyone will pass this test.’

As the man reached the last chair, a voice cut through the silence.

“Can’t you give him a chance, Sir?”

Sokram's eyes landed on Frinna.

His expression remained neutral, as did his tone. “Why do you think I should do that?”

“Speaking frankly, Sir.” Frinna met his gaze, speaking without fear, “It’s rare for a contractor to prioritize the lives of hunters and mercs like us. I personally have never met one in my life. All we hear is ‘Get it done!’ ‘No matter the cost!’ ‘Do you want more gold?’ This line of thought, trying to get employed, is not strange to us. Yet, he also showed bravery, humility, and willingness to learn. So, yes, I think you should give him another chance, or you could risk missing out on someone you can truly rely on.”

Seeing Sokram remain neutral, she added, “In the Path of Evolution, those without the bravery to risk it all will never leap at the chance encounter that could change their lives and push them forward down the path.”

Sokram smiled upon hearing that; he used those very same words many times.

And yet, his answer was: “But if you have to jump from one cliff to another, would you jump without a firm rope to prevent you from falling and losing it all?”

But then another voice resounded, “Not if you’re on the run, the rope could delay your escape or even help those running after you to reach you.”

Sokram chuckled, hearing that, and looking at Vanda, he asked her, “Speaking from experience?”

Vanda smiled wryly and shrugged.

Sokram nodded and looked at the man who stood frozen in place with a hopeful look on his face, “What is your name, warrior?”

The man looked embarrassed but firmed his resolve and answered honestly, “I don’t have a given name, Sir. I’m an orphan, you see. But the Records call me Stone, Sir.”

Sokram's eyes widened, a flash of genuine surprise crossing his neutral mask.

"A name given by the Records, hm?" A smile softening his lips. "Well, you heard the ladies, Stone. And I agree. Come join them."

“Yes! Thank you, Sir! Thank you, ladies!” Stone came running as if afraid Sokram might change his mind, but another thing called Sokram and his family's attention.

Despite Stone's colossal frame and his heavy armor, easily fifty kilos, Sokram estimated, his jog toward the new recruits was noticeably silent. His feet barely touched the floor, a light, almost muffled whisper of movement, defying his obvious weight.

It wasn't the shimmering distortion of Magi or any hidden enchantment in his boots; it was a sheer mastery of physical technique.

Sokram exchanged a brief look with his Master, who nodded, impressed by Stone's light walk.

He got down from the stand, turning back to the candidates. “Frinna and Vanda, come forth.”

They came forward, looking very preoccupied, especially as Sokram’s face returned to its neutral expression. “It’s not easy to speak on someone’s behalf. Especially to someone looking down at you, and I was doing just that. Everything that happened here was a test prepared by me.”

To prove his words, Sokram raised his hand, calling someone, and the man who had Margiory shoved toward the ceiling appeared beside him, removing a Magical Artifact mask, and that man turned back into Alain. “You two clearly saw through this hint and showed good potential. I need people who can prioritize others' well-being. My part in this selection process will soon end, but I wanted you to know I’m choosing you as potential team captains.”

Vanda and Frinna looked elated at first, but then they frowned, and looking at Sokram, Frinna asked first, “This announcement is also part of a test, right?”

For the first time, Sokram broke his neutrality, showing them his usual mischievous grin, “See? A lot of potential.”

Sokram nodded, his gaze full of approval.

With a flick of his wrist, two contracts appeared in his hands. “You will see that this contract has every flaw that was pointed out fixed, but there are also a few other fixes that weren’t spotted.”

Looking at Vanda, he nodded toward the Justiciars still standing nearby, “Please don’t trust my words and ask them, alright?”

Vanda smirked at Sokram, reaching for one of the contracts, “Heh, I never thought I would say this one day, but you’re the first dragon I feel I can trust, but yes, better be careful.”

Sokram chuckled at Vanda’s bluntness; she clearly had no qualms about being honest.

Then he distributed the remaining contracts to the other candidates.

He returned to his seat.

The women in his family eyed him and Frinna with suspicion, while Leona, grinning proudly, patted the seat beside her.