Mercenary System: I can increase innate potential !

Chapter 51 Meeting with Baron Irut

As they walked, they discovered the atmosphere of a thriving medieval town, which seemed to make Hypocamp a totally different place from last night.

The sun rose above the ramparts, illuminating the thatched and slate roofs of the houses huddled together.

The cobbled streets, winding and often narrow, quickly filled with merchants, craftsmen and busy townsfolk. The steady clatter of hooves on stone, mingled with the creaking of horse- or ox-drawn carts, echoed through the streets.

But this effervescence mixed with the fresh morning air made walking through the city a pleasant experience.

Passing back into the center of town, in the large market square, the scene was particularly lively.

Wooden stalls, covered in colorful linens, lined up in tight rows. Vendors shouted to sell their wares, addressing passers-by in loud voices, extolling the virtues of their wares: fresh fruit, vegetables, fabrics, pottery, medicinal herbs and other indispensable commodities.

The air was filled with the scent of freshly baked bread, spices from faraway lands and smoke from butchers' and fishmongers' stalls.

The bright colors of the vegetables and fruit contrasted with the dull, worn clothes of the peasants who came to sell their produce, their faces burnished by working under the sun.

The little mercenary troop passed by, observing the excitement of a medieval town.

"Hey boy, would you like some fruit in the morning?" shouted a merchant selling fruit.

The voice caught Maxime's eye.

Glancing around, he saw a middle-aged man with deep wrinkles, but smiling brightly.

He was obviously selling various types of fruit from his stand.

"Normally you can have any fruit you like for one bronze coin, but because you look rather nice, you can have 5 for only 4 bronze coins!"

Maxime shook his head and continued forward with his men.

The salesman, seeing Maxime's peculiar attire, and in particular his sword, didn't insist any further.

Instead, several citizens who had heard the vendor's special offer came to his stand and began bargaining for the 5 fruits for 4 bronze coins.

Ten minutes later, Maxime and his men arrived at the baron's gate.

Without much ado, two men dressed as servants opened the gate for them.

At the same time, the two men motioned for them to follow.

Entering the Baron's residence, they first discovered the gardens.

Surprisingly, the flowers had lost their color and the different species were blending into one another.

The various trees growing in the garden had clearly not been pruned for a long time, and simply grew naturally.

Dead leaves covered the gravelly ground.

A fountain stood in the middle of the gardens, but as Maxime and his men approached it, they discovered that it had long since dried up.

Weeds had broken through the fountain's stone floor and were beginning to proliferate at the bottom of the fountain.

In the distance, at the top of the steps leading up to the Baron's mansion, a man dressed as an ordinary civilian keeping his arms behind his back, as well as a man in full armor could be seen by Maxime and his men.

They climbed the steps and arrived in front of these two people.

"I take it this is our young hero, Maxime, whom we have the honor of meeting?" asked the plain-clothed man with some eloquence.

Maxime didn't think he'd be directly placed at such a height and was surprised, but outwardly he simply flashed a smile.

"My men are my real strength," Maxime replied simply.

"Chevalier Ron, we meet again," Maxime continued, this time looking at the man in armor.

The latter removed his helmet.

"As expected, I couldn't hide for long," laughed Ron after removing his helmet.

"In that case...I take it you're Baron Irut?" questioned Maxime, looking at the middle-aged man with the unshaven beard.

"Welcome to my town of Hypocamp," retorted the baron, extending his hand towards Maxime.

Maxime didn't hesitate and shook the baron's hand.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Lord Irut.

The baron laughed lightly.

"Lord is a big word for a simple baron.

Stopping their handshake, the baron invited Maxime and his men into the manor.

The interior of the manor was similar to the garden.

It was in a dilapidated state, but the various works of art hanging on the walls, as well as the armor and swords decorating the manor, kept a last trace of the glorious times the manor had known.

Baron Irut noticed the strange looks on the mercenaries' faces.

This was also rather obvious, since it wasn't the first time it had happened.

Who could believe that a baron would have such a miserable garden and mansion?

"Various incidents have come and gone in recent years, dealing a devastating blow to the barony's economy."

"Now most of the tax money is invested in training aspiring knights."

After the baron's explanation, Maxime and his men understood the situation slightly better.

The baron led them into a small room where a large round wooden table sat, surrounded by exactly 9 wooden chairs.

A large map of the region had been placed in the center of the table.

"Please be seated, everyone."

The Baron sat at one end of the table while Maxime sat at the other.

Chevalier Ron took his place to the right of the baron, while the mercenaries sat closest to Maxime.

This left one last chair to the Baron's left.

Simultaneously, a noise was heard at the door.

"Knight Jack requests permission for the lord to enter."

"Don't be so courteous, enter Jack."

An imposing man in armor entered the room and sat down next to the baron.

Maxime inhaled slightly.

Before him stood 3 knights.

They were 3 knights!

Together, these 3 individuals could undoubtedly face an army of 100 soldiers head-on and exterminate them without a care!

They represented the immense gulf the nobility had built up between themselves and ordinary civilians.

With their bodies and vital seed, they were immune to most poisons.

Not to mention their reaction speed and physical strength, which rendered any assassination attempt by ordinary people completely useless.

Without Nox Limit, Maxime and his men could be killed in less than a dozen breaths if these 3 men were to act.

"So Maxime, when you spoke with Ron, you said you'd be willing to intervene in the war with Baron Barthon for 800 gold pieces and enough lodging to house and feed 200 people."

"You also wanted a field big enough to train that many people. Not to mention that you wanted the land to be in your name."

When Baron Irut spoke directly about this affair, Maxime didn't have the same confidence as when he'd discussed it with Chevalier Ron.

Not to mention the passive intimidation conferred by the presence of 3 knights on him, the simple aura of this casually dressed middle-aged man was not something Maxime could bear.

It was the aura of someone long accustomed to power.

For his part, Maxime was still an ordinary high-school student working hard to earn a watch just over two months ago.

But recent experiences combined with a natural leadership temperament meant that Maxime only needed a moment to calm down.

"Yes, and it's a price accepted in the context of Baron Barthon offending my mercenary group. Otherwise we wouldn't be here talking to you."

On hearing Maxime's words, Chevalier Ron smiled slightly, while Chevalier Jack frowned.

"Indeed, calves aren't afraid of tigers," murmured Jack.

"But it's been proven that even tigers can lose their claws if they're not careful," replied Ron, looking at Jack.

Irut obviously didn't care about the little altercation between his knights.

Instead, he looked Maxime directly in the eye.

"To be honest, your mercenary group is still too weak to deserve such a prize."

"Especially since in our situation, it's complicated to be able to get out so much money and manpower."

Irut's words made Maxime doubt.

"What's he getting at?" he thought.

"But for a magical talent like yours, Maxime, I'm willing to make an effort.

"However, I need to know its effects first before I can do anything."

Ron and Jack also stopped their visual confrontation, and looked strangely at Maxime.

Baron Irut bent his waist and leaned back against the table, moving slightly closer to Maxime.

"So tell me Maxime, what's your talent?"