Mercenary System: I can increase innate potential !

Chapter 118 Surprise in the bedroom

"For decades, tensions had been rising around a mineral-rich region called the Silver Rift, located at the crossroads of the two kingdoms."

"In the year 342, the king of Halenveil, Alvar II, declared that the Silver Rift rightfully belonged to his kingdom, and sent an army to seize it. The King of the Frost Eagle, Arlen IV, could not tolerate such aggression and mobilized his forces."

"The two armies then met on the Frozen Fields, a vast snow-covered expanse at the foot of the Grey Mountains, lying to the east of the Frost Eagle kingdom."

"Halenveil's forces, consisting of 25,000 soldiers, were led by General Haldir, a great knight and renowned strategist."

"The Frost Eagle army, though less numerous at 18,000 men, was led by Duke Edwin Valderic, also a great knight and a daring commander known for his unexpected tactics."

Hearing the name Valderic in this story surprised Maxime, but it also reinforced his curiosity.

Tena continued to tell the story, with sparkling eyes, and without noticing Maxime's reaction.

"At sunrise, Haldir deployed his troops in a classic formation, his apprentice knights and knights positioned on nearby hills and his heavy infantry advancing slowly over the slippery terrain."

"Edwin, meanwhile, ordered his men to dig trenches hidden under the snow the night before, creating traps for the enemy infantry."

"When Haldir launched a frontal attack, the heavy infantry fell into the hidden trenches, breaking their formation and causing chaos in their ranks."

"Edwin took the opportunity to deploy his heavy cavalry, led by his son Arthel Valderic. He had even thought of putting some product on the horses' hooves to prevent them from slipping during the charge!"

"Thus, the devastating charge completely disorganized the enemy rearguard. Shocked, Halenveil's army tried to retreat, but the Duke's elite knights were already positioned on their only route of retreat."

"Duke Edwin Valderic himself led them, and through a bloody duel between the Duke and Haldir, the Duke eventually prevailed as his men swept through the entire army."

"Commander Haldir still managed to escape, but with serious wounds."

"And so the battle ended in a resounding victory for the Kingdom of the Frost Eagle."

"Halenveil lost 10,000 men, while the victorious kingdom lost only 4,000. The Silver Rift remained under the control of the Frost Eagle, marking a turning point in relations with Halenveil."

"This victory was particularly important because it strengthened the authority of Duke Edwin Valderic, who was nicknamed 'The Snow Wolf'."

"Halenveil signed a peace treaty the following year, agreeing to lay no further claim to the Silver Rift in addition to sending a large sum of money in damages."

"The humiliation of this defeat still feeds grudges on future generations."

"So even now, if the young people of the Valderic family and the Tacoru family, the family created by Commander Haldir, meet on the battlefield, they will do anything to kill their opponents."

Maxime was impressed by the deep context of Eternity.

This world really did have its own history.

"You know, Tena, I don't even know what year it is," Maxime commented, slightly embarrassed.

"You couldn't know either, unless you attended a class." replied Tena with a smile.

"Even I just found out recently."

"So what year are we?" asked Maxime softly.

"We're in the year 379, or 37 years after this battle."

Maxime was slightly shocked.

He hadn't thought the battle was so recent.

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"So Duke Edwin Valderin is still alive?"

Tena nodded.

"Yes, but he's no longer the head of the family; he's considered more of an ancestor."

"As long as he's alive, no one will dare touch his family."

"After all, over 30 years ago he was already considered very strong among the great knights."

"And now, below the epic knight, this old man should more or less be invincible."

Maxime opened his eyes wide, impressed by all the knowledge Tena possessed.

"You're impressive, Tena. I think your knowledge could be very useful for our next mission."

Tena frowned, intrigued.

"A mission? You mean escorting the Count's daughter? What could I bring to it?"

Obviously, all the mercenaries already knew about the mission, Maxime having spread the word long ago.

Maxime leaned on the edge of the table, his gaze serious.

"Political conflicts are complex, and there are always rivalries between the big houses. You, however, have a better understanding of dynasties and alliances than many of us."

"If we ever come across a situation where negotiations or recognition of symbols and traditions are necessary, you could save the day."

Tena seemed to think for a moment, then nodded with determination.

"I'll do my best, Captain. If I can help, I'll be there."

Maxime smiled, satisfied.

"That's all I ask. But tell me, what are you working on now?"

Tena reopened her book, excitement in her voice.

"I'm reading up on the heraldic codes of the noble houses in the kingdom of the Frost Eagle. Each coat of arms has a profound meaning. For example, House Devron, an ally of the Earl, sports a falcon perched on a broken sword, a symbol of their loyalty to the crown despite an ancient rebellion."

Maxime frowned, hearing this name.

The Count said this family had hired bandits to sabotage the convoys of Count Ardan's family.

But either way, Maxime was impressed.

"And you can remember all that? It gives me a headache just thinking about it."

Tena laughed softly.

"I guess it comes naturally to me."

"A bit like you, Captain. I have my talent and you have your unique talent. You bring others together and inspire them. It's not something you can learn from books."

Maxime raised his eyebrows, surprised by this remark. He hadn't expected such recognition from Tena.

"Thank you, Tena."

Tena smiled, then picked up her book again, plunging back into her reading.

Yet she had a vague feeling that she'd forgotten something...

Maxime, for his part, let Tena get on with his work, while he himself returned to his quarters.

After receiving so much information that evening, his brain was ready to explode.

So he ducked out of listening to a second complex military story, which also had political implications.

Tena would continue to accompany him, so he could always ask her about the siege.

Soon he pushed open the door to his room.

The glow of an oil lamp flickered on the desk, casting a soft light over the austere but tidy room.

But he didn't immediately react to the reason why there was a lamp lit in his room.

It was only when he closed the door behind him that he froze.

He turned around slowly, and his eyes fell on a graceful figure lying on his bed.

"Laura?" he murmured, slightly surprised.

The young woman looked up at him, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. She was wearing a loose linen shirt, but the fine fabric betrayed the curves of her body. She straightened slightly, leaning on one elbow.

"I've missed you, Maxime," she said softly.

"It's been a long few days... And you always seem so busy with your training or with the Count."

Laura's voice was tinged with frustration.

But Maxime dodged the subject completely, anyway Laura knew why he was so busy.

Instead, he decided to use humor to bring the tension down.

"You don't seem to need an invitation to my room anymore. You're starting to get the hang of things, aren't you?"

She laughed softly and stood up, advancing toward him.

"Maybe I like to surprise. And maybe I wanted to remind you that you have other... priorities too. After all, who would take care of you, if not me?"

Maxime shook his head with an amused sigh before placing a hand on his hip.

The rest of the words were suspended in silence, replaced by a mutual warmth and passion that made us forget, for a time, the pressures of the mission ahead.

30 minutes later, silence returned to the room.

The oil lamp still projected a soft light into the room, while Laura, snuggled up against Maxime, absent-mindedly traced circles on his chest with her fingertips.

"This mission won't be easy, you know that, don't you? This escort smells like an ambush a mile away."

Maxime nodded, his gaze fixed on the ceiling.

"Of course it will be difficult. Duke Valderic has no illusions. His enemies have everything to gain by preventing this marriage, and he couldn't care less."

"So we can easily guess that this is also a test for Count Ardan."

"If he can't protect his daughter, then he's not worthy to marry into the Valderic family. That's what it would mean in practical terms."

"And you, do you feel ready? Our guys are strong, but a well-prepared ambush could really put us all in danger..."

Maxime ran his hand through Laura's hair to relax and reassure her.

"That's why we have to be unpredictable. We're not going to take the route that was planned, we'll take detours to avoid this kind of thing happening."