Chapter 67
Things were going smoothly for the saber-toothed tigers.
New and old mercenaries were training regularly.
An apprentice knight representing the Baron had passed through the village.
Maxime greeted him, and the latter explained that he had only come to hand over 100 gold coins to the leader of the saber-toothed tigers.
Indeed, Baron Irut had been very pleased with the mercenaries’ performance and had given them an exceptional bonus.
The apprentice knight also raised the question of the villagers recruited into the mercenary group, saying that if Maxime needed men, he could apply directly to Baron Irut, who could use his power to promote them.
Maxime had been surprised by these gestures, but on reflection, it was a logical decision on the part of the baron.
At present, the mercenary group was totally tied in with the baron’s territory, and once the mercenary housing was finished, there would forever be a branch of the saber-toothed tigers here.
Incidentally, Maxime had sent a mercenary to Brotherhood House.
Indeed, they had rented accommodation via their network in Nansoy.
So it was now important to terminate this contract, since having a base in Hypocamp and another hidden in the forest was sufficient.
“System displays my statistics and those of the mercenary group.”
Classes:
Peasant level 3. Level MAX! (+3% to physique)
Swordsman level 6 (+5% physics) (0/175)
Unlocked a new class: 0/50
Physique: 2.75 (+0.22 class bonus) (+0.30 passive trait bonus)
Qi: 0
Skills :
Swordsmanship level 3 (10/100)
Franc language proficiency level 2 (36/100)
Passive trait :
+11% physicality when wielding a sword
25% training efficiency with a sword.
Talent :
NOX LIMIT level 1 (rank unknown) (0/1000)
Minor stamina talent
Minor strength talent
Knight talent: weak
Money available: 25 gold coins (in the system) + 250 gold coins (saber-toothed tiger treasury)
Mercenary:
Charles: Four-star potential, affinity with dragons. Physical: 2.1
Andrew: Three-star potential. Physical: 2.4
Laura: Three-star potential. Physical: 2.4
Ernest: Three-star potential. Physics: 2.3
Romuald: Two-star potential and a minor talent in physics. Physics: 2.3
Rodrigo: Two-star potential and an elemental affinity with the earth. Physics: 2.1
Tena: Two-star potential and a minor intelligence talent. Physical: 2
Izo: Two-star potential. Physical: 1.9
Terry: Two-star potential. Physical: 1.8
James: Two star potential. Physical: 1.8
Piedro: Two-star potential. Physical: 1.8
Joe: Two star potential. Physics: 1.8
Irus: 2-star potential. Physics: 1.5
…
“Wow, Charles increased his physique by 0.6 points in just two weeks. This 4-star talent is really scary.”
Maxime felt really lucky to have found a mercenary with the original 3-star potential so quickly and, above all, so easily.
“As expected, three-star potentials always improve, but very slowly.”
It was normal for the progress of 3-star talents to slow down significantly despite the bonus of Maxime’s talent.
Indeed, the closer mercenaries get to the limits of their potential, the more complicated it becomes to strengthen their physique.
This made Romuald’s and Rodrigo’s talents all the more astonishing, enabling them to quickly reach the limits of their potential and even surpass it.
In Eternity, nothing was set in stone.
The rules were movable, and the unpredictable could happen at any moment.
“Two-star talents also stagnate for those above 1.7 points.”
“The most impressive remains Rodrigo, who has broken the two-point barrier; his talent is not only useful in combat, but also allows you to cross the limits of potential.”
Maxime had overheard mercenaries discussing Rodrigo’s amazing exploits on the battlefield.
When he spoke to him again, Rodrigo explained that he had developed the ability to create a thin layer of rock at will on any part of his body.
On top of this, he felt a mysterious energy slowly strengthening both his body and mind. He knew he hadn’t yet reached his limits.
On Baron Irut’s side, a very important person had just reappeared.
His thick beard and strong odor were of little concern to the Baron.
On the contrary, a broad smile of relief spread across his face.
He was reassured to see his knight back safe and sound.
Ron had finally reappeared!
“You really had me worried, Ron.
“Excuse me, my lord, but the thought of those bastards getting away so easily disgusted me to no end.”
Come to think of it, Ron had an ugly expression.
“So what have you been doing all this time?”
Ron began to explain what he’d been going through for the past two weeks.
And he told him some frightening news.
Following the troops that had attacked the village of Henor, he inadvertently stumbled into a secret camp of Baron Barthon.
Inside, countless troops were training regularly.
“How many?” asked Baron Irut, both curious and, above all, anxious.
“I don’t know exactly, but I’d say there are at least 2,000 ordinary soldiers, 300 elite soldiers and about 30 apprentice knights.”
“In addition, it’s not impossible that one or two knights are stationed there to guarantee order in the camp.
Baron Irut jumped from his chair.
“Where did he find so many troops?”
Ron, who wore a solemn expression, shook his head.
“I don’t know, my lord, but even without counting the troops resident in the town of Nancoy, Baron Barthon’s military strength reaches a truly frightening level.”
Baron Irut sat back gently, then put his hand to his forehead.
“We have only 1500 ordinary soldiers, 200 elite soldiers and a dozen apprentice knights after the battles of Plouta and Nansoy.”
“My god, how can we have the strength to compete with so many soldiers?”
“Especially knowing that Baron Barthon has other troops in his town and villages.
Baron Irut looked desperate.
“Baron, I’ve also made another discovery.”
“What’s that?”
Baron Irut looked at Knight Ron with some despair.
“Listening to discussions in the hidden camp, I heard that Baron Barthon wishes to conquer the territory of all nearby barons and become a viscount directly using certain methods!”
“Excuse me!? Could you repeat that Ron?”
Baron Irut thought the previous news was shocking enough, but it had to be on top of that Baron Barthon wished to use a method of promotion despised by all.
That is, to attack and capture the territory of other barons!
The most legitimate way to climb the nobility ladder was usually to fight at the front against the orcs in the south and earn military merit.
Or at least, you had to make a contribution to the kingdom.
By earning military merit or making contributions, the Kingdom could offer gold, precious objects and, above all, territory!
Once strength reached a certain level and territory was sufficient, promotion to the corresponding title was easy.
It was in this context that certain vicious-minded nobles found it easier to orchestrate plots, seize neighboring territories and subjugate apprentice knights or even knights in the service of other lords.
As long as it was done quickly and ordinary citizens weren’t affected, the Kingdom remained indifferent.
“My lord, Baron Barthon wishes to eradicate some of the nobles in the vicinity and take the land in his name.”
Baron Irut took a deep breath to calm himself, then remained silent for a moment.
He tapped rhythmically on the desk in front of him.
Then he stopped.
“Ron.
“Yes, my lord.”
“You are to go to Baron Kenepis to the north, Baron Terquan to the south and Baron Ivan who is east of Nansoy, and tell them what you have just told me.”
Baron Irut’s orders surprised Ron, but he nodded.
“I swear on my honor to complete this task as quickly as possible.”
“Good.”
Once Ron was gone, Baron Irut sighed heavily.
“As if the orcs, more menacing than ever, weren’t enough… it took a powerful and treacherous baron to pop up at the same time.”
He sighed, his gaze lost in the distance.
“I hope I can at least protect these lands.”
His thoughts drifted to the town’s inhabitants.
“All those citizens who work so hard… they deserve to live in peace.”
He then sat back down, resuming the town’s administrative affairs with an invisible weight weighing on his shoulders.