Chapter 99: Hiring a group of mercenaries
— We’ve arrived! — the Bald Man announced, pointing toward a property just ahead.
I raised my eyes.
It was a two-story country house built of light stone and dark wood.
The red-tiled roof appeared to be well maintained, and a wooden fence enclosed the entire property.
Several ipê trees of different sizes grew within the grounds.
Their blossoms painted the garden in shades of gold and lilac, while a small pond reflected the morning sky like a mirror.
Among the flowerbeds grew a type of small white flower I had never seen before.
Its petals were tiny, almost too delicate to exist, yet they gave off an intense fragrance that completely filled the air.
A middle-aged woman was carefully watering those flowers with a copper watering can.
— Hello, Mrs. Pinet! the Bald Man called out with a broad smile.
— Is Larsy around?
—I brought him some business!
The woman looked up and smiled warmly.
— Of course, my dear friend. He is...
Before she could finish her sentence, a deep and remarkably cheerful voice echoed from inside the house.
— Torkes! You old cheapskate!
The next moment, a huge man stepped out through the front door.
He wore only a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, simple trousers, and worn boots.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, and had thick arms covered with old scars.
He walked over to the Bald Man and practically crushed him in a hug.
— I thought you’d died after that last negotiation!
— I’m still waiting for you to pay back the money you owe me!
The two burst into laughter like old friends.
The scene looked completely genuine.
There wasn’t the slightest trace of tension.
After a few seconds, the Bald Man finally managed to breathe again and pointed in my direction.
— My dear Larsy, allow me to introduce you.
—This is Young Master George.
—He came from the central region of the kingdom and wishes to hire the Danom Falcons mercenary group to accompany him to the City of Distant Wind.
The giant’s eyes immediately turned toward me.
He took a few steps forward.
Without exaggeration.
Without flattery.
He bowed just enough to show respect.
— Greetings, Young Master.
His voice was firm.
— If you intend to travel to the City of Distant Wind, I believe you won’t find a better group than ours.
—We’ve traveled that route countless times.
—We know every broken bridge, every ravine, every bandit hideout, and even the places where it’s worth stopping to find clean water.
I smiled faintly.
As he spoke, I could feel his eyes analyzing me.
In truth...
I wasn’t the one who had caught his interest.
His gaze lingered on Kant for several seconds.
Then it quickly shifted to Jane.
Tinod wasn’t present.
His expression remained exactly the same, but his eyes revealed that he had already noticed something unusual about my knight.
—Biochip.
—Analyze this man.
[Bip!]
[STATUS]
[Name: Larsy]
[Race: Human]
[Estimated Class: Knight]
[Physical Condition]
[Strength: 2.30]
[Agility: 2.40]
[Vitality: 2.10]
I partially closed my eyes.
His physical attributes weren’t extraordinary.
In fact, they were merely average for a Knight.
However...
The calluses scattered across his hands, the small burn marks, healed cuts, and the way he distributed his body weight all revealed someone accustomed to fighting every day.
He was a veteran.
Far more dangerous than the numbers suggested.
Experience often outweighed small differences in strength.
I smiled.
— We can discuss business at our leisure... but do you intend to keep us talking outside?
Larsy seemed to realize his lack of manners.
He rubbed the back of his neck and laughed.
— Of course!
—Of course!
—Forgive me.
—Please, come in.
He stepped aside.
We crossed the garden once more while Mrs. Pinet continued tending to the flowers.
As I passed by them, I caught that fragrance again.
Biochip.
Analyze these flowers.
[Bip!]
[Unknown species.]
[Calming aromatic compounds detected.]
[No toxicity.]
Interesting.
They might prove useful for something in the future.
We entered the residence.
The living room was spacious and very orderly.
The floor was made of thick wooden planks painted a dark red.
There was no excessive luxury.
Only sturdy furniture built to last for decades.
On one of the walls hung two old swords crossed together.
The blades were covered with patches of rust.
They weren’t purchased decorations.
They were keepsakes.
Beside them hung the enormous skull of an elk.
Its black antlers curved upward gracefully, almost artistically.
I quickly surveyed the rest of the room.
No expensive objects.
No extravagance.
Everything suggested a family that lived comfortably through its own hard work.
— Please, have a seat.
Larsy gestured toward the sofas.
I slowly took my seat.
Jane remained behind me.
Kant stood beside the door like a true guard.
A few moments after finishing in the garden, Mrs. Pinet appeared carrying a tray with several steaming cups.
— I hope you enjoy it.
I thanked her with nothing more than a nod.
I raised the drink to my lips.
It was sweet.
Far too sweet for my taste.
Even so, I took a small sip before setting the cup back on the table.
Larsy rested his elbows on his knees.
His expression finally turned serious.
— Torkes mentioned that you wish to travel to the City of Distant Wind.
I nodded.
— Correct.
— Before accepting any mission... I need to understand the risks involved.
—Not out of curiosity, but because I’m responsible for the men who follow me.
His honesty pleased me.
He wasn’t trying to pry for information.
He was simply doing his job.
I interlaced my fingers.
— My goal is to establish a few businesses in that city.
—Nothing more.
—I intend to remain there for quite a long time, and I need trustworthy people to protect my property.
I saw his shoulders relax slightly.
He had probably imagined I was fleeing some war between nobles.
I continued before he could come up with any theories.
— I chose to hire men from here precisely because they have no ties to the City of Distant Wind.
—Besides...
—I’ve received some interesting news about that region.
Larsy raised an eyebrow.
— News?
— An entire forest has begun to die.
—The vegetation has withered for no apparent reason.
—The animals are abandoning the region.
—Or going mad.
The mercenary remained silent for several seconds.
Then he slowly nodded.
— So the rumors have reached you as well...
—That confirms something really is happening.
— That’s precisely why I intend to strengthen my security.
—The salary will be one gold coin per month for each mercenary.
—A minimum contract of two years.
—All of them must obey my orders while they are employed.
Larsy didn’t answer immediately.
His gaze dropped to the floor.
He was clearly calculating everything in his mind.
Then he looked up again.
— Two years...
—That’s a long time.
—I understand.
— However, I have no intention of keeping them confined.
—During periods when there is no work, they may visit their families as they normally would.
—If they wish to relocate permanently to the City of Distant Wind, I can also provide suitable housing.
I saw something change in his eyes.
It wasn’t excitement.
It was respect.
He remained completely silent for several seconds.
Finally, he stood up.
He gave a slight bow.
— Young Master...
—I have seen your sincerity.
—But this decision doesn’t belong to me alone.
—The Danom Falcons always vote together whenever a mission completely changes their lives.
—I’d like to speak with my brothers first.
—If you can grant me until tomorrow...
—I’ll bring you a final answer.
I stood up as well.
I smiled.
— That seems fair.
—I would rather have men who choose to stand by my side of their own free will than those who accept only for the money.
Larsy broke into a broad smile.
— Then I believe we’ll understand each other very well.
I shook his hand firmly.
— I’ll be waiting for good news.
He escorted us to the door of the residence.
The Bald Man looked quite satisfied.
As soon as we stepped out onto the street, I felt that the negotiation had begun even better than I had expected.
Even if they refused my offer...
At the very least, I had found honest people on this continent.
And that, by itself, was already a rarity.
....
1384 Words