Mercenary System: I can increase innate potential !

Chapter 80 Festivity and reflection

The villagers gave Baron Edrin a standing ovation.

Baron Edrin's short speech provoked a wave of enthusiasm among the villagers, their faces lighting up with hope and determination.

It seemed that the baron was particularly popular in his home territory.

Once the ovations had died down, Edrin turned his gaze back to Maxime and beckoned him to follow him out of the crowd.

Maxime, curious, followed him.

Together, they walked to an old restored barn, away from curious ears.

Edrin turned back to him, smiling slightly.

"Thanks again for saving those villagers."

Maxime shook his head and decided to be direct.

"We're mercenaries, we save when we can save, but to live we need money."

The baron was surprised by Maxime's transparency, but he didn't let it faze him.

"Of course, I'll issue you a reward once we return to Algrande."

Saying this, Baron Edrin slightly dodged the question of the reward and its amount with a kind smile.

"No, on reflection I think we'll be going to the county capital of Ravemont, Lapi, soon enough."

"So send our reward there."

Suddenly Maxime looked Baron Edrin directly in the eye.

"I sincerely hope to get a reward commensurate with the difficulty of the task, if not..."

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Maxime didn't finish his sentence, and simply decided to continue staring at the baron.

At that very moment, the Baron sensed that a dangerous beast was staring at him like prey.

This young man, who at first seemed so kind and naive, could have such a face.

Suddenly, he realized the problem.

How could a small squad of 20 men sweep away thirty orcs?

To be honest, he'd known about these orcs for a long time, but he hadn't come because he didn't have the strength to get rid of them.

He'd only come here because he'd received the news that the village hadn't been destroyed.

When he heard this news, he couldn't believe his ears.

So he decided to take a look around.

When he saw that there were only about twenty mercenaries, most of them very young, he couldn't believe they'd managed to get rid of the orcs.

For this reason, he intended to send only 50 gold coins, while promising them various benefits.

Even sending them 50 gold pieces made his heart ache, given the age of the mercenaries.

But at least with this sum, his reputation would be preserved and these young mercenaries would be completely won over by him.

However, Maxime's threat changed his plans completely.

If he sent such a small sum, he had no doubt that the young man would take his men to ransack his territory.

"Of course, I'll send you a reward that's appropriately commensurate with the task you've performed, plus a gift of gratitude for saving my villagers."

On hearing these words, Maxime smiled at Baron Edrin and stopped staring.

"I dare not doubt the Baron's nobility."

As he said this, Maxime kept a hint of menace in his words.

But Baron Edrin ignored this, put on a serious face and addressed the main fact for which he had invited Maxime into discreet surroundings.

"I've received rumors of orc movements intensifying in the region... Count Ardan, though powerful and possessing a mighty army, he seems slightly overwhelmed by the orc attacks which are multiplying in all directions."

Edrin sighed, then glanced outside, easily able to see the destroyed buildings.

"That's why I'd like to hire you more... officially. Not only to defend this village, but my entire territory."

In making this wish, Edrin was thinking selfishly.

With the strength of these mercenaries, he could retain his military power while earning certain military merits.

But Maxime shook his head.

"I told you, we're not going to stay here long, our aim is to fight our way through the entire southern territory, earn as many gold coins as possible and then return to the north."

The baron frowned.

"I can pay you very well for very little risk."

"If you venture into the warring territories unprepared, you'll die without even knowing how."

Maxime kept a slight smile, without answering.

He didn't need to say that his 20 men could literally sweep through Baron Edrin's territory, and that on top of that he had a super-powerful talent as an asset.

Seeing Maxime's lack of reaction, the baron regained his composure so as not to spoil his relationship with these powerful mercenaries.

After all, if they survived, he'd forge a relationship with powerful mercenaries without spending too much.

"I respect your decision, and I hope you leave the south with wealth and honor."

Then he gestured to Maxime to join the villagers again.

"Tonight, we will celebrate your bravery. You all deserve an evening of peace before you set out again."

As evening fell, the entire village was illuminated by torches and bonfires. The villagers had gathered colorful chairs, tables and tablecloths, adorned with simple wildflower decorations.

The small central square vibrated with a festive atmosphere, filled with laughter, song and music, and the mercenaries mingled with the villagers like long-lost companions.

Several hours after Baron Edrin's arrival, several carriages filled with food arrived in the village, making the evening a gustatory delight for all.

Charles, still pale but determined to participate, leaned on Andrew to join the party.

The latter supported him, not without an amused smile.

"Are you really in a state right now?"

Charles forced a smile.

"I can't shirk my first victorious evening, can I? It would be too pitiful."

Andrew thought about it seriously and surprisingly agreed.

"Indeed, it would be rather sad. After all, this is the start of your mercenary career, so it has to be glorious when you tell it later."

Charles laughs lightly.

"We agree. Later I could tell the new recruits that after being badly wounded, I completely ignored the pain and drowned myself in alcohol and women who admired me for my courage!"

Thinking about it, Charles had dreamy eyes.

But looking at Charles, Andrew had a mocking laugh.

"Look at you clinging to my shoulder like a koala, your charisma with the village women must be at an all-time high."

Charles rolled his eyes.

"Anyway, when I ride my dragon and become known all over the world, no one will dare to doubt my words."

Hearing this, Andrew felt slightly sad, but his sadness went unnoticed by Charles.

"Still, you must survive until then..."

His words like a whisper were heard by Charles, who became displeased.

"Of course I'll survive!"

"Need I remind you that you almost died in your first battle, a battle that was won easily but in which you were still the only one seriously wounded?"

Charles was speechless at Andrew's repartee and looked at him with disgruntled eyes, but he couldn't help laughing as he realized the reality.

At the center of the festivities, Piedro and Terry began an impromptu drinking contest, accompanied by a few hilarious villagers.

Terry, grinning mischievously, turned to other mercenaries and villagers:

"If anyone manages to keep up with me, I promise I'll respond to any request they make!"

Laughter resounded.

"Either I'll follow you, Terry! If I win I want you to teach me some self-defense moves!"

A burly villager lifted his tankard and challenged Terry with a very serious look despite his flushed face.

Other villagers were suddenly excited.

"I'm going with you too! If you lose the mercenaries you'll have to teach us how to fight!"

"The mercenaries may know how to fight, but I'm sure they can't beat our villagers trained from generation to generation to get drunk every day!"

Piedro found this interesting and laughed aloud.

"Well, let's see which of us is stronger!"

A little way back, Maxime watched the scene with satisfaction and, above all, with a mysterious look in his eyes.

A few thoughts crossed his mind.

But he was cut off by Rodrigo who approached, carrying a mug of beer, and held it out.

"To you, Chief. This evening is dedicated to you too."

Maxime accepted the drink, a smile of gratitude in his eyes.

"Thank you, Rodrigo."

They toasted in silence, the air imbued with mutual gratitude, before Maxime added, his gaze plunged toward the night horizon.

"I really like this kind of evening after a battle."

Rodrigo nodded, looking thoughtful.

"Yeah, they have a special flavor."

"But don't you think it's strange, Maxime, that orcs have already gone so deep into human territory?"

Maxime looked at Rodrigo without changing his expression as he sipped lightly from his mug of beer.

"What makes you think so?"

Rodrigo watched Maxime carefully before answering, as if measuring every word.

"Let's just say it doesn't fit with what we know about orcs. They're brutal, yes, but their territory is far from here, and they don't usually venture this deep into human territory without a reason..."

He paused, staring at an invisible point in the darkness.

"Something must have prompted them to move, to risk open warfare."

Maxime remained silent for a moment, eyes squinting, and finally nodded in agreement. He'd had this thought before, but hearing it from Rodrigo confirmed his suspicions.

In all the courses in the real world, it was said that when there were orcs, they were usually easily repelled and in any case the orcs didn't venture deep into human territory.

If they did, then it was sensible to assume that something was afoot.

This could range from simple famine among the orcs or particularly high reproduction, to internal tribal conflicts.

And in the worst case...the birth of an orc king.

Thinking about this, Maxime was worried.

If there was an orc king, then it wasn't just the south that was in danger, it was the whole kingdom.

For to become the orc king and unite all the tribes, one had to be far more powerful than a great knight, at least comparable to an epic knight!

Indeed, among the orcs there were already many comparable to great knights, so this was the minimum.

"That's what I think too," murmured Maxime.

Rodrigo grinned, shaking his head in puzzlement.

"I just hope we don't get embroiled in a war that totally overpowers us."