He knows she's being pursued by the Magic Association. But how can he not even send a message? If I hadn't taught my subordinates the taste of money, the organization would have already collapsed.
"Stop talking nonsense! You're not in a position to tell me what to do, right? We're not the Parrot Mercenary Band, nor a band of bandits. We're just a bunch of thugs stuck on an island!"
"So... are you going to act like a fool till the end?"
"Hmph! I earned it! I made the organization move forward with what I earned! Do you dare to criticize me instead of praising me? Then what have you been doing all this time?"
"You don't need to worry about that. If you're not going to follow the rules I've set, then drop the name Parrot right now."
"Haha! You call that blackmail? Fine, I'll drop it! Parrot? Now we're the Freeman Organization! Since you left, we haven't even been called Parrot!"
"Fine. From this moment, you're not a Parrot. I don't know how much you've gained, but pick it all up and get out of here."
"Damn it!"
Falkoa exploded in anger. Even for Marsha, this was too much. Her parrot was also mixed with his blood. The honor of being the strongest mercenary group was not something that could be traded for mere money.
"If you can't give up the name Parrot, heed my words. I'm not telling you to lead a good life. But if you want something, fight for it. Extorting the weak is unacceptable."
Falkoa smiled. He hated Marsha for taking advantage of him, even though he knew he couldn't leave the Loros.
"I always get what I want. You're the same. Someday, you'll be mine."
Instead of getting angry, Marsha gently smiled as if consoling a naughty child.
"Sounds refreshing after a long time. Anyway, do your best. I'm the kind of person who doesn't stop a man from coming or going."
Falkoa clenched his fists and looked at Marsha. It was as if his eyes were on fire.
In reality, he was using the powerful eye technique. But Marsha didn't even change her complexion. It was a testament to how strong her will was.
"Damn it! You're as annoying as ever. I'm done. I'm going out for a drink."
"Stay put and stay at the hideout. It's because we're going to have a meeting at the leader and higher level. And from now on, drugs are prohibited. If you get caught, you should really know that you'll die for me."
Falkoa left the warehouse without even answering. But Marsha knew. He would attend the meeting and wouldn't even touch the drugs. Because the man who could lead him into a blood-soaked battlefield had returned.
Once the men left, Freeman returned with Marsha, not as a leader, but as a friend from the same hometown, and greeted her again.
"I'm glad you're back safely. I was worried because I couldn't locate you."
"Of course, you couldn't. Did you think they'd catch me easily? Anyway, what happened to Falkoa? Can we even use him like this? He was crazy, but when he held a sword, he was unstoppable."
"I can't blame Falkoa alone. We're the ones who took away his battlefield."
"Huhu, no, that was me."
"Even so, thanks to him, we've managed to gather military funds until now. As soon as you returned, I had prepared so we could leave for another country at any moment."
Marsha puffed her cheeks as if she didn't like it. It was because she knew how Falkoa had brought in the funds.
In the end, is a human being a being that has no choice but to adapt to reality? The state of the Parrot mercenary bands, who went crazy without knowing how terrifying the world was, was now a thing of the past.
She had left home at seventeen, creating this mercenary group with her childhood friend Freeman. They had lost their lifelong base due to politicians' schemes, but they always wanted to uphold the value of "Parrot."
But now, aren't they like everyone else? Seeking profit by any means necessary and always seeking approval from those in power.
"Haah, since when did we become like this?"
"It's nothing more than a body betrayed by the nation. It can't be helped if we want to survive."
"Yeah, I guess so. But Freeman, don't tell me you're broken too?"
Freeman remained silent. Not that he felt guilty; it just hurt that a friend he admired since childhood doubted him.
"For me, neither the organization nor anything else matters. Even the name 'Parrot' holds no value. I only hope you're safe."
Shuddering, Marsha shivered. Even a dog would know Freeman's emotions if he carried a badge called 'Parrot'. There was nothing particularly moving, but he always appealed in this way, and she was as angry as death.
"Why do you only hope for my safety? Why?"
"You..."
When Marsha asked again despite his obvious understanding, Freeman struggled to find the right words among the many words that came to mind.
"Because you're our leader."
Marsha snorted. It seemed there was no need to worry about Freeman; his annoying nature hadn't changed.
"Anyway, now that I'm back, it's time to reorganize."
Marsha planned to lead the organization, take refuge in another country, and start anew. The first step was to clean up the mess her subordinates had made.
"Hey! You there!"
Marsha turned her head at the sound of sobbing. Yuna was crying pitifully, unable to even think about escaping.
She avoided horror, but Marsha could understand. She was shocked by the fact that a man whose name she didn't even know had treated her carelessly. She was a woman.
"What happened? Where did you get this girl from?"
"There's a street dealer among the guys who works for Falkoa. He said she's his sister."
"How absurd. Now he's even after the younger sister of his subordinate?"
"I don't know. The main point seems to be about money."
"Seriously? Is there something I don't know?"
Freeman conveyed the story he heard from his subordinate. From the anecdotes between Jiss and Amy to the circumstances surrounding Shirone's intrusion into the Royal Palace that led to bringing Yuna.
Marsha, who had been listening intently, brightened up when Shirone's story came to light.
"Oh, now that I see, is this a story I also know?"
"Do you know? How do you know about this case?"
Marsha smiled and pursed her lips.
"Because I'm a genius, after all. In the end, life is destined to tangle this way."
"What the hell is going on? Tell me."
"No, well... it's a minor event. No need to worry."
If Marsha didn't tell him, Freeman also had no intention to continue. It wasn't anything new for her to roam around whenever she was bored. Besides, that was the only way she survived in this world.
Marsha received numerous reports from Freeman.
There was nothing particularly troublesome. The funds earned by Falkoa were sufficient to start anew in a foreign country, and Freeman's troops were still in decent combat condition.
"Alright. Good work. But, how about we liquidate the assets?"
"Are you bothered by the funds Falkoa raised?"
"A bit... You know? It's time for Parrot's resurgence, but it's like establishing an organization with money obtained from drug sales from the beginning."
"That's unlike you. After all, money is money. I don't like the way it was done either. But burying money in the ground just for that is something only kids do."
"I know. Anyway, this agenda will be discussed in a later meeting, but first..."
At that moment, the door burst open, and a subordinate rushed in. Marsha and Freeman observed him with puzzled expressions.
This was a remote area where government influence didn't reach. There shouldn't be a need to rush in panting.
Marsha said with a smile, "What's wrong? Do you have a stomach ache? There's no bathroom here."
"Eh? Captain? You're back?"
The member who found Marsha couldn't hide his surprise. However, the situation was urgent, so he reported without room for happiness.
"Captain! There's a big problem! We're under attack!"
"Attack? What sudden attack? From the government?"
"It doesn't seem like it. They're youngsters, a group of four. According to the report, they seem to be two mages and two swordsmen."
Marsha discovered who they were just by hearing that. It was indeed odd for them to come to rescue a street urchin's sister with whom they had fought at the port, but Marsha couldn't deny the possibility.
"Well, if it's such an annoying brat, it might be possible. Is there a guy named Shirone among the attackers?"
"Sorry. I don't really know the names well..."
Freeman, who had changed his tone of voice at some point, spoke politely.
"Captain, why don't you hand over this girl instead? Since we're about to put the organization in order, making a scene seems to be a hassle."
Thinking it odd to find such a simple-minded man, Marsha analyzed the situation.
"Hmm, hand over the girl. Isn't it a bit funny? We kidnap and then return when they come looking. Or what, are you saying they could break their way here?"
"That won't happen. While the captain was away, we completely fortified this place. The tactical aspects using magic circles and magical weapons are perfect. Unless they are very skilled, they'll die before reaching the first gate."
"Then there's no problem, right? Go and kill them. I'll take care of this girl. Seems like you've lost your edge after a few years. You're completely naive, aren't you?"
As soon as Marsha finished her sentence, Freeman immediately prepared to mobilize his men.
It was embarrassing in itself to show a disheveled appearance in front of his captain. Especially when he thought he was well-prepared, it was even more unfair.
"Deploy all forces to training positions. It's a real combat situation."
"Yes! I'll relay that now!"
Freeman's men immediately sprung into action. Gathering their teams, forming their troops, and heading to their designated positions took no more than five minutes.
Marsha then settled into her chair with a satisfied smile.
"You handled it quite well after all. I thought you were just fooling around until now."
"Everyone has been waiting for this day. Since your return, they've been working even harder."
"Hmph, how long do I have to take care of you and even coddle you? It's time you started doing things on your own. By the way, what about you? Aren't you going to fight?"
"I'll stay here. Being by your side is what I need to do."
Marsha looked at Freeman with a perplexed look on her face. Of course, as one of the first members of the mercenary bands, he also acted as a bodyguard. But every time he did, Marsha felt a shiver down her spine.
"I can't look at you because it's truly pathetic. Do you think I'll find you cool?"
As if Freeman had already made up his mind, he didn't think of leaving Marsha's side.
Marsha's face turned red with anger. She had always hated this about him since childhood. Not knowing how to express emotions and acting stubbornly had annoyed her more than once or twice.
"Hey! Don't just stand there like an idiot, go! Do you think you're my husband or something?"
Marsha lifted her leg from the chair and kicked Freeman on the backside.
At her action, as if moved by the inertia, Freeman took a step forward and moved his body. He then silently left the warehouse, maintaining his silence until the end.
When everyone was gone, Marsha stretched with a relaxed smile as if nothing had happened.
While it was true that she was excited about the long-awaited battle, what intrigued her most was Shirone.
Shirone was the kind of person Marsha despised the most. There was no one in the world who could truly embrace others' pain.
Her adoptive father also finally revealed his true nature. The mercy he showed the orphan was indeed a step towards his horrible desires, and when Marsha realized this, she awakened.