GATE
Medieval Mercenaries in Another World
Chapter 4: They Did Not Sin, Yet Even Their Just Merits Were Not Enough
To my most loyal subject,
Your continued reports and documentation has proven most intriguing and worrying, though it is clear that the men at arms you've hired and conscripted for the task you have been given have done their duty with utmost care and made notable progress.
The continued knowledge you have gathered from your growing number of captives has proven quite interesting to the Papal Court. These pagan lands that lay beyond the gate are clearly a corrupted image of the Romans that came before us, heathenistic and barbaric yet simplistic and ignorant.
It is with continued trust that I await further letters concerning this new world and the enemy within it…
A convoy of carriages and carts had moved out of Fort Alnus. The cavalry and spearmen of Sir Kent had remained at the camp, keeping it safe until further reinforcements would arrive from Prague.
This meant that for the most part, those traveling with the convoy were Captain Kaiser's own men and soldiers, civilian staff members that worked with supplies and so forth, and finally the cannoneers who were led by Captain Fredrick Allard.
Riding by his side was the woman, Laureline Donadieu. She sat proudly on her steed, earning looks of various kinds from the others on horse and carriage.
That is where Xalvador was seated, on a carriage of professional craftmanship that had been given to the commander of this scouting party.
His 'lord', Captain Yurochka Kaiser.
The man himself was by the back of the carriage, standing in such a way the was hanging partially outside so as to overlook the ones traveling behind him. Xalvador noted that he was wearing his full set of plate armor, of the Gothic style. It differed from the Italian type in that it was richly decorated and its cuirass was not held together by a strap hanging in the front but rather metal rivets.
Normally this was an expensive type of armor though while it was clear he had tried his best to keep it clean and shiny it was a set of armor that had gone through much. A hand me down from his father perhaps, Xalvador thought.
The alchemist looked down and away from the knight, placing his sight upon the leather-bound journal that he had been given before they had moved out. As the scribe of Sir Kaiser, it was now his task, among all his other tasks, to properly chronicle his time in the strange realm of Falmart and to write down any conversations and monologues of importance.
Xalvador scoffed. It was the task of all the tasks that he cared for the least. But… someone had to do it.
"Before we left," He decided to speak up, closing the journal for now. "Jidai, our informant and prisoner, told me what those pig-creatures are called."
Kaiser leaned back into the carriage, placing a hand on its walls as he turned towards his scribe and alchemist. "I see. And?"
"They're called orcs."
There was a pause before the Captain then took his seat and breathed in to prepare a simple question. "What does that mean?" Xalvador chuckled at his words before replying.
"Orc is an old English term, originating from a Latin word called Orcus. To us, it has the same meaning as a Goblin or Ogre."
He frowned at that. "Neither Goblins nor Ogres have ever been described as pig-like, have they?"
"Not that I am aware of, no. However, since we don't really have a better word than pig-man I strongly suggest we start using the term orc."
A sigh. "Very well, I approve it."
The journal was opened once more so that Xalvador could place his ink-dipped quill upon its pages. Orc, he wrote down.
Coda Village. Its name had been carved into a sign above its main gate which Xalvador believed was a sign of its importance. A former trading hub perhaps?
Due to the amount of time it took to travel by horse and carriage the sun had almost gone down entirely by the point they had finally arrived at a village, leading to a bit confused from the locals that livid within it as they had not expected any visitors at this time. That and local rumors about foreigners from beyond the gate appeared to have reached the village's people.
Xalvador had convinced his Captain to keep the carriages of armed men outside and first let him approach alone until he gave him the signal to approach.
This proved to be a practical decision. Xalvador was still the only one in the group with the best understanding of the local language, even if he was still learning words that simply did not fit into what he knew of the archaic Frankish tongue.
The next step was to introduce the Captain who as promised did not bring up any plans of conversion, yet anyway. He carefully asked simple questions, introduced himself, and through Xalvador's translations gained something of a favorable relationship with the village chief.
But while they did trade a bit of supply between each other the village did not have much to offer except further directions. A much larger settlement awaited them in the forest, the chief had told them, and while Xalvador hadn't quite understood the word used to describe the settlement's people he still believed it would be profitable to visit them before the day was over.
"One-moment Xalvador." The Captain said, holding his hand up as the alchemist closed his journal and blinked at the man.
"The chief he- He mentioned sorcerers."
Xalvador groaned. He did not want to handle this right now. "Lord, it is with the utmost respect that I advise you that we simply move on.
"Sorcerers, Xalvador! Do you honestly think it's safe to simply ignore their presence and move on?"
The alchemist stepped considerably closer.
"Yes. It's an old man and a girl. They won't cause any trouble, especially since we are leaving."
The Captain let out a low growl. "I disagree. You are correct that we should visit the settlement first, but once that is done and we return here tomorrow.."
He stepped back from his scribe. "Then, then I will assess them."
Xalvador did not look forward to that situation. At the very least that would be later and hopefully by that point the Captain would be more relaxed and willing to listen to his counsel.
Everyone returned to their carriages and horses and began to move. Indeed by the time they reached the local forest, the sky had turned dark and the day had become night.
"I hope these people, whoever they are, will allow us to make camp here for the night," Yurochka said, sighing tiredly as he glanced out from his private carriage.
"The village chief was assured they would be friendly to us, yes?"
Xalvador nodded. "Indeed sir. He made it very clear that they consider themselves outside of the Empire. If anything I believe they could be good allies. Their forest settlement should give them access to local resources and I'm told that all of them are trained in archery at a young age."
The Captain hummed. "We'll see."
Chaos had erupted within the convoy. The horses had been spooked by some commotion in the front and the carriages shook violently at their sudden movement.
Before Xalvador had the chance to ask what was happening he witnessed Captain Yurochka Kaiser leaping out from the back of his carriage to immediately find out what was happening.
The alchemist decided it was best to follow suit, albeit with annoyance, and placed his feet upon the ground outside.
Moving around the cart a sight assaulted his eyes one that made them widen in shock.
Hellfire had engulfed the forest, and its demonic light illuminated the silhouette of a creature larger than any of the warships Xalvador had ever witnessed. A dragon. Not a sky-serpent like those ridden by the Empire and its allies but rather a proper, gigantic and intimidating creature of evil. Its wings brought it further up into the sky as its eyes peered down at the convoy for a moment until the beast decided they were of no importance.
It flew, leaving them and the sight in front of them behind.
Xalvador did hear his Captain scream at him to explain what they had seen. Neither did he acknowledge that the man took hold of his collar and shook him to listen and answer.
The sight had been too much for the man. No matter of written accounts, mythology, or religious texts would ever have prepared him to witness such a beast. Finally, he moved, a hand reaching for the carriage next to him as he seemingly began to lose his stature and leaned over.
Vomit and mucus fell upon the ground and forced Kaiser to back off, partially in disgust and pity, and admit that this man was not going to be of use right now.
"Kolya! Joachim! Bring your horses and ride with me, we must investigate what happened to the settlement within the forest!"
He flew upon the saddle of his steed and whipped the reins, forcing the horse to push forward and begin its gallop towards the fire. The flames were slowly being replaced with smoke which hopefully would be a sign that the worst was over yet he had to continuously pat his horse on its neck, trying his best to keep it calm.
His two men caught up with him, both now riding by his side. "Captain!" They both shouted and earned a nod of acknowledgment to them both.
They sped up and kept moving on, deeper and deeper within the forest. Soon the scenery around them changed into one of a desolate and ruined memory of what had once been someone's home.
All three slowed down to a halt and dismounted, readying their weapons as they began their search for survivors. If any were to be found.
They moved throughout the entirety of the site, witnessing charred corpses and rubble.
Kolya had to stop at one point and gather his nerves, quietly giving a prayer for those dead before continuing on with his search.
"Captain!" Joachim however seemed to have found something by the mostly intact well, prompting Xalvador to approach as Kolya continued to try and see if anyone was alive under the collapsed buildings.
The knight looked down, deep into the well, and breathed in and out at the sight. A woman lay collapsed within it, only visible as Joachim had decided to slowly lowered a lantern by rope into the well after hearing what he suspected was the sound of breathing.
"...and you're positive she's alive?" Yurochka asked to which his lieutenant nodded.
"Yes sir, I am positive I heard breathing. Soft and easily missable but I heard it all the same."
The soldier turned to where he had tied the rope and made sure it was tight before once more looking down at the young fair maiden that laid deep below.
The lantern swayed above her, shadows and light moving as it moved.
"Captain… her ears." The words prompted Kaiser to lean over and take a closer look…
Indeed, her ears were not human. They were long and pointed, stretching out to the sides like those of animals yet held no fur or other inhuman quality. The sight was strange and unrecognizable and Kaiser wasn't sure what this detail meant for the unconscious woman.
What exactly was she?
"You ever seen anything like that?" He asked as he leaned back and observed his man once more. Joachim shook his head and glanced behind him as Kolya began to approach.
"Sirs." He said. "I… I've counted all the bodies and- I think everyone is gone. There is no one."
The Captain muttered quietly to himself. "No one but her."
"Sir?"
"Joachim. Kolya. I want the two of you to move this woman out of the well. I- We do not know her nature yet but for now, it is unwise to leave her. I'll return to the convoy and bring my cart over so we may place her within then we shall make camp, wait for daybreak and move once more towards Coda village."
He clapped his hands together. "Understood?"
"Yes sir!" They replied, hands-on their chests before they moved to do as instructed. With that Yurochka moved upon his horse and turned it by the reins towards the path they had come and rode forward. It wasn't long until he returned to the convoy, told the rider of his carriage to move into the forest and help his Lieutenants before instructing everyone else to make camp outside of the forest.
Once the camp was set up Yurochka Kaiser made sure to find the alchemist who was now sitting by a fire, a small bowl of soup in his hands.
He lifted it up to his lips and drank from it. Once satisfied he lowered the bowl and sighed, finally turning his attention to Yurochka who had stood there patiently.
"Captain."
"Xalvador. Are you well now?"
The alchemist shrugged. "I suppose. I apologize for my earlier display. It was unbecoming and awfully timed.
"But you are of clearer mind now?"
He nodded and put the bowl down by the fire before he stood up and took a step towards the Captain.
"I am. I was told a survivor was found and that she could use medical care?"
Yurochka nodded. "Indeed. Once the carriage arrives I wish for you to look her over until we arrive back at the village."
"Understood, I'll get my things." He made to move but was stopped by Kaiser taking hold of his arm. While firmly it was much softer than the first time.
"The girl," Kaiser began. "She had ears- Her ears were pointed. Long too. Otherwise, she seems perfectly human, if fair. Tell me, do you know of such a creature?"
Xalvador considered the question and hummed as he carefully thought of the many possibilities.
"There are many creatures with pointed ears in our folklore and mythology but a human woman with such an aspect is something I don't recognize. I suppose now that the word I had trouble with before was a term to describe her kind, her people. Perhaps the chief of Coda can specify exactly what she is, to which I'll come back to you."
"That is all I ask. You're excused."
The day after the convoy was on its way to Coda. The distance between it and what had been the forest settlement was not long and thus they were in no hurry and took their time.
As they arrived Yurochka Kaiser made the decision to send out a smaller scouting party of three to move back onto the path between the two locations and to look out for the dragon.
Its mere existence had shaken most of the warriors and civilian staff alike but it did not mean they could take their time and stay in shock, the Captain wanted to be absolutely sure everyone was prepared at the possibility that the creature would return and attack.
A possibility that became much more possible once Xalvador had explained the situation to the village chief, who suddenly ordered all of his people to prepare for evacuation.
"Is this really necessary?" Xalvador asked as best he could in the local tongue as Yurochka asked him from behind what was happening. "You're acting as if the dragon is going to attack."
"Yes." The village chief said with a sad tone as his eyes fell down upon the ground he stood on. "Once a fire dragon tastes the flesh of humans or elves, it will keep attacking villages and towns."
Xalvador bit his lower lip and turned towards the Captain, translating what he had been told.
"Is he sure?" He asked, to which Xalvador shrugged.
"He does seem convinced but I don't know, a dragon at these parts appears to be a rare sight so it could be that they are acting upon beliefs rather than fact."
Yurochka breathed in and nodded. "I see. Tell them to slow down, I want my scouts to come back first. If they come back without having seen the dragon leaving would be the best option.
"Would be?" Xalvador asked, raising his eyebrow. "Are you suggesting that is not the right decision to make if your scouts return having sighted the beast?"
Kaiser shifted his position upon the ground and crossed his arms. "Yes. That thing was fast Xalvador. Maybe you were too out of it to notice but it- it moved faster than its size should have allowed."
"If that monster is coming after the people and us-" He visibly gulped and then shook his head to try and remain calm.
"If it comes, we can't outrun it."
Xalvador glanced around at the worried and stressed townsfolk, all carrying objects of personal importance or food and other supplies to keep them alive during a long time of travel.
"I fail to see what option they have." He stated as he turned back to the Captain. "I fail to see what option we have."
"I'm working on it," Yurochka said and held a hand out. "Just tell the chief what I said and then come with me. I want to see those sorcerers he spoke of… and I want to see if they can be of use."
Xalvador frowned and was clearly confused but he nodded, turned to the chief, and passed on the message before turning to follow Yurochka Kaiser. They did not have to move far before they came upon the wizard's hut and witnessed its owner clumsily attempt to take as many books as he could out of his home.
A girl turned to them, holding a bag of items close to her chest. The two men stopped and took a moment just to realize what they were looking at.
The girl had blue hair which unless dyed would be impossible. Or perhaps in this world, it was but a sign of magic.
She looked young, perhaps of early adulthood. Maybe 14, Xalvador guessed.
He let out a sound of surprise as he was lightly forward by his Captain who had placed a hand upon his back.
"Introduce us and ask their names."
Xalvador scoffed and adjusted his clothes but did as told. "Greetings. We're the people from afar. I am Xalvador and this is my master, the knight Yurochka Kaiser."
The old wizard tripped down on the ground and got hit by the many books he had been carried. The sight of him rolling on the floor and wailing like a child was awkward but one that the girl paid no mind to.
"I am Lelei." The girl answered with a blink. She was staring at them with curiosity but also lacked signs of any other emotions. "Lelei La Lalena. And this is my master, Cato El Altestan."
The wizard continued to cry and wiggle on the ground. "Master." The girl turned towards him.
"You are being rude."
Xalvador turned towards Yurochka and comically shrugged at him, the motion exaggerated but clear enough to share what the young alchemist felt about the sight in front of him.
Kaiser just coughed into his fist, trying his best to ignore it. "Xalvador, I need you to ask them if they can manipulate the ground."
The alchemist blinked. "What. Why?"
"Don't question my orders just ask them." A bit annoying but Xalvador did as told, his words being enough for the wizard Cato to stand up and start a speech of his great abilities that was promptly cut short by his apprentice.
"Elemental manipulation is one of the earliest skills practiced. May I ask why?"
Xalvador turned around and translated the girl's words to the Captain. "It's a fair question lord, what exactly do you want them to do?"
"We can't outrun the dragon," Yurochka stated. "But if she can do as she says, we can prepare to defend the village."
Editor's Notes
Oh boy. The next chapter is going to be hard for some GATE fans to accept as it'll introduce the first major change to the story, specifically in how I'll handle the Fire Dragon Arc.
For this chapter though I got to focus on what I love to write the most, character interaction. From the minor moment that is the Orc conversation to Xalvador and Kaiser displaying their very different attitudes towards the fact that mages are present in Coda Village, I had a great time focusing on their thoughts and words. That and Lelei finally gets to show up, how exciting!
She has been quite a joy to write so far. While she at first glances appears to be your typical Rei-Archetype I actually find her and her personal character-arc in the anime to be quite interesting. Sure she appears neutral but she clearly has emotions inside, often displaying curiosity and care if you really look for it.
That and the few times she's pissed... well, you can't miss it.
Tuka also appears for the first time, as passed out as she is in the anime. The discussion the characters have concerning her long ears is based on the fact that long-eared elves only really seem to originate in the writings of Tolkien while the fae of Irish folk tales and the elves of Norse mythology... simply do not have that aspect.
An Otaku such as Itami would definitely recognize Tuka as an elf at first glance but a 15th-century soldier? No, no I don't think so.
As Xalvador said, there are many creatures in medieval folklore and mythology with pointed ears but none of them quite fit the description of the typical fantasy elf.
I'll skip the "Inaccuracies" segment this time since there really isn't any to talk about. The Orc conversation derives from the same fact about pointed-eared-elves, that it's a concept originating from the works of Tolkien. As Xalvador stated, Orc is just an old English word for Ogre or Goblin.
So what about them being pigs? Well, that actually originates from early editions of Dungeons and Dragons, artwork from the 1977 edition depicts orcs as boar-headed which appears to have stuck in Japanese fantasy media due to appearances in JRPGs such as Dragon Quest.
The only reason why anime orcs may look so different for us Western viewers is because we've grown used to the designs from western media such as the Warcraft or Elder Scrolls series of video games as well as the amazing Lord of the Rings film trilogy from the early 2000s.
Pig orcs are just a cultural thing, a unique spin, and therefore actually quite interesting... though a medieval soldier would have no idea what they'd be looking at.
Let's move on to the comments! Here's one from the reader "Merc":
"A very realistic take on the story. However, I wish that you could further address the issue with the wyverns."
"Although, in the anime, they were very rarely shown with the Imperial Army, except for being gunned down en masse."
"I wonder how the medieval Europeans would fight a flying crocodile? And would the Europeans try to utilize them?"
First off, the guest name "Merc" is a very nice touch. I appreciate it.
As you say my adaptation of the story is primarily based on the anime and thus the depiction of the Wyverns is as well.
I admit that besides the very first chapter... I've sort of glossed over the Wyverns or Sky-Serpents as the Mercs like to call them.
I guess due to how simply I've handled battles lately I didn't want to write "and they shot them down with their hand-cannons" over and over but ultimately I admit that's laziness on my part.
I will try to acknowledge the threat the wyverns would present more properly in the future, so thank you for bringing that up.
On the question of whether the medieval Europeans would adopt wyverns... I mean they have a practical use and I am sure even the most Christian of them all at the time could admit that much... it is a bit hard to imagine them sitting upon "creations of hell" as the dear Captain put it.
But in retrospect, I could see it being possible. In the future I mean. As is right now, I think the idea would be refused. At least if Kaiser gets to decide.
