Libertas

It was a tenacious bond. A long time had passed since the journey began, following the path opened by the key.
Every time I recall their faces, the events of that day come rushing back. The piercing screams. The nauseating stench that muddles the mind.
Am I still trapped in the prison of those chains?
Cutting, cutting.
I thought I had severed them all, but the thought of them standing before me stirs my emotions uncontrollably.
I must be naive. Without that nagging fellow beside me, even pretending to be calm would be difficult.
But it won't be long now. The final restraint holding back the key is before me. My vengeance gleaming in the darkness, my sharp anger directed at them. The time has come to soar brilliantly with wings unfurled.
Now that the truth is known, a decision must be made. Honestly, I don't expect everyone to move. Many will oppose. Some might even flee. But I understand. All those actions are their freedom.
For those who trust and follow me, I will take up the sword once more. May this key become a sword that protects our freedom. A sharp blade to cut down those who lurk in the mist of night, preying on the lives of others.
Let's go.
With the key of freedom in hand.

The first meeting between the Kamp Mercenaries and Jeremiah was quite peculiar. While scouting the plains for a mission, Libertas spotted a pair of red ears twitching in the grass. Approaching cautiously, as the creature seemed too large and unguarded to be a wild animal, Libertas discovered that the ears belonged to a small child.
The young girl was dressed rather oddly. Her clothes were filthy, as if she had wandered the plains for days, and her face was slightly gaunt, suggesting she hadn't eaten properly. She looked like a little vagrant from the back alleys of a city, yet her clothes were surprisingly luxurious.
This plain was quite far from any inhabited village, so why was a child here? Libertas asked her many questions but could learn nothing, as the girl had no memory.
A memoryless young girl, abandoned in the plains, wearing fine clothes. Libertas sighed, sensing that this might entangle them in something troublesome.
If left behind, the child would die. If taken along, the mercenary group might get involved in bothersome affairs. Moreover, the mercenary environment was not suitable for a child.
After much deliberation, Libertas asked the girl if she wanted to leave or join the mercenary group. The girl beamed and replied,
"I don't mind! I can be free wherever I go!"
Libertas was reminded of the past by the confident words of the girl, recalling his own pure, youthful days of wandering the world freely.
With a slight smile, Libertas patted the girl's head and said,
"Alright. I believe you'll do well with our mercenary group."

Oh, hello there! Long time no see!
Did you receive the commission fee? I heard Deputy Captain Enas gave you a generous reward for that job! Lucky you! I wish I could get a big commission too and take a nice vacation with that money!
By the way, have you been feeling okay since completing that request? I heard both you and the Captain experienced hallucinations because of the Nectar?
How do I know that? Deputy Captain Enas has very sharp eyes! When she saw the Captain, she was sure something had happened and kept pressing them for answers. She demanded that the Captain tell her everything… but you know how the Captain is, right? Not exactly the talkative type! They say a few words in front of the squad, but almost nothing when facing the Deputy Captain. It’s always just: “Yeah.” “No.” “It’s nothing.” That’s all! It’s so strange that the closer someone is, the less the Captain talks to them. Isn’t it usually the other way around?
Anyway, I think Deputy Captain Enas was really mad this time. Something big must have happened, and yet the Captain wouldn’t say a word. In the end, she threatened to dump all the overdue paperwork on the Captain unless they spoke up. That finally made the Captain spill what happened. Since I was involved in the incident too, I got to hear the story.
What happened after that? I’m not too sure. The Captain and Deputy Captain had a serious private talk. But I did see the Deputy Captain comforting the Captain, saying they had gone through a lot.
If she said that, then it must’ve been a truly grueling mission, right? Ah! Maybe that’s why the commission fee was so high? If there’s another mission like that next time, I definitely want to be part of it!