Chapter 110: The Mercenary's Change
The next day, after handing over the electronic strategy board.
The mercenaries were again focused on solving the strategy board in the electronic computation chamber (simulation room).
"Damn it. Why does this happen?!"
"I thought we were doing well!"
Dawson sat in a corner of the room, wearing a mask, ignoring the mercenaries' complaints as he observed their behavior.
Scanning the room, he noticed the mercenaries fell into two categories.
One group struggled individually to solve the board.
The other group gathered in small clusters, attempting to solve it through cooperation.
Observing the second group more closely, he noted only one mercenary held the strategy board, while the others offered verbal input exclusively.
The group appears to have designated the one holding the strategy board as leader, with the others serving only in support roles.
"Probably planning to secure an advantage by aligning with the leader after the mercenaries are organized."
Dawson murmured quietly, scanning the area for a particular individual.
That individual was the mercenary who had challenged Dawson last, the one who had come last during the electronic strategy board evaluation.
Dawson searched for him, reasoning that if the mercenary had managed to outpace the others in mastering the strategy board, he might possess an edge.
He scanned the crowd, locating the target.
But the mercenary’s posture raised a question in Dawson’s mind.
"No one around him?"
That mercenary had achieved the highest score among the group during the previous strategy board evaluation.
In other words, his skill level surpasses that of the others by a full margin.
Given how exceptional he is, he should be the strongest candidate to solve the strategy board, and other mercenaries should naturally gather around him to gain favor for future leadership roles.
Yet the mercenary in question proceeds alone, attempting various approaches through trial and error.
Dawson continues observing, noting the inconsistency.
Although the mercenary operates the strategy board, he offers his opinions freely when other mercenaries seek advice.
From Dawson’s position, the content of the conversation is inaudible, but the expression of the one seeking advice brightens—indicating the mercenary’s input is accurate.
He confronts the strategy board alone, yet still assists others.
Dawson understands the intent behind the action.
He wants to master the strategy board through his own efforts, but teaching other mercenaries the strategy now secures future favor. A capable operator, indeed.
Not surrounding himself with allies at this stage may prove advantageous later, when he assumes leadership over the mercenaries.
The former pirates possess mixed abilities. Some are useless. Others possess rare talent.
The leader of the group currently working together to solve the strategy board is one such talented individual.
To utilize such talent later, when leading the mercenaries, gathering other mercenaries now would be a mistake.
Any mercenaries gathered now automatically accrue a debt of gratitude for assisting with the strategy board. Later, in mercenary operations, that debt must be repaid through favoritism.
Even if more capable individuals exist, they must be excluded. Mercenaries already gathered, no matter how incompetent, must still be prioritized.
A situation in which incompetence holds authority is purely detrimental to organizational operations.
To prevent such a situation, if there is a reasonable chance of independently solving the strategy board, it is prudent to halt the recruitment of mercenaries at this stage.
The particular mercenary’s skill lies in freely teaching the solution method when asked.
By assuming the role of teacher, they naturally gain respect from other mercenaries. Additionally, they can later collect repayment for the favor.
There is concern that teaching the solution might allow others to solve it first. But that would not be a problem.
Even if someone other than that mercenary took charge, that person would still rely on the mercenary. Whether out of gratitude for the instruction, or because they intended to effectively use the strategic knowledge, is beside the point.
In short, the mercenary had positioned themselves so that, regardless of whether they succeeded in mastering the strategic board or not, future developments would still work in their favor.
Remarkable ability, but Dawson found that aspect troubling.
"…Better check their background."
The precision of the mercenary’s actions felt unnatural—less like a mercenary, and even less like a pirate.
The way they expanded their allies without provoking enemies felt less like a commoner’s upbringing, more like that of a noble.
"Awkward, like that kind of maneuver was their specialty."
If one were a person of good birth like Akatsuki, the reason for becoming a pirate and then switching to mercenary status would need to be understood.
Dawson glanced toward Oine, seated quietly beside him, and gestured for her to investigate the matter of the mercenary.