Chapter 70
Laura’s eyes widened, an expression somewhere between surprise and confusion forming on her face. She remained silent for a moment, trying to digest Maxime’s words.
“Fighting orcs?” she repeated slowly, as if making sure she’d heard correctly.
“You want to take the whole group south, into the middle of orc-infested mountains? Have you gone mad, Maxime?!”
Maxime, still serene, stared at Laura with unwavering determination.
“No, it’s not crazy. Think about it for a moment, Laura. We need something bigger than simple skirmishes or local contracts to make our name.”
“The orcs represent a threat that the entire south dreads, and if we become the ones to repel that threat, we’ll have proven that we’re much more than ordinary mercenaries.”
Laura crossed her arms, her gaze skeptical.
“And you really think charging headlong into a war against orcs is the best way to prove our worth? I remind you that they’re numerous and organized!”
“Even the alliance, including an earl, several viscounts and barons plus reinforcements from the north of the Kingdom, isn’t enough to deal with their threat!”
Maxime smiled, a twinkle shining in his eyes.
“That’s just it. We’re not just going to ‘charge in headlong’. We’re going to prepare a strategy that nobody expects, and we’re going to strike where they’re most vulnerable. And believe me, it won’t be their numbers that stop us.”
Laura raised an eyebrow, a mixture of curiosity and nervousness running through her.
“You’re always so sure of yourself, aren’t you?”
She heaved a sigh.
“Okay, let’s admit it. But why you? Why us? Other mercenary groups, even whole armies, could handle it.”
Maxime leaned toward her slightly, his face now serious.
“Because we’re different. We have something the others don’t: agility, adaptability, and above all we’re an elite force! We’re not just a bunch of mercenaries blindly obeying orders. We know how to improvise and take advantage of others’ weaknesses.”
Laura remained silent for a moment, pondering Maxime’s words. She knew he was right about at least one thing: their group wasn’t ordinary.
“Well…” she finally said with a sigh.
“If you’re really sure about that, then I’m with you. But, Maxime, you know this isn’t going to be a simple walk in the woods. The orcs are brutal, destroying everything in their path. We risk losing many more men…”
Maxime nodded, his expression serious.
“I’m aware of that. But I’m willing to take that risk. If we succeed, we’ll start building our legend in this world.”
Laura let a small smile form on her lips.
“A legend, eh? And you, you want everyone talking about your name and your beautiful face in every tavern in the kingdom, right?”
Maxime burst out laughing.
“Maybe I do. But above all, I want us to become something bigger, Laura. Not just mercenaries who take contracts without thinking. We can build something lasting, something that will leave a mark.”
Laura rolled her eyes, amused.
“Still dreaming, huh? Very good, chief. We’ll go south. But if all this ends in disaster, I’ll make you pay!”
Maxime nodded with a satisfied smile.
In this world, he felt so free and, above all, so different from the person he was in the real world.
In the real world, he had absolutely no power and simply spent his days studying with the pressure of having to join a top university.
Whereas in Eternity, he could really do what he wanted and how he wanted.
He directly controlled the destiny of a hundred people.
This power, it was so nice…
However, if he had to choose between staying in Eternity or in the real world, Maxime would always choose the real world.
That was where his family was, and his reason for becoming stronger.
…
During the day, everyone went about their business, so it wasn’t a good time to get everyone together.
So, Maxime ordered a few mercenaries he came across on his way through the village to spread the word that all mercenaries were to gather together tonight, in the usual forest clearing.
Everyone will eat together, and at the same time, he’ll announce some very important news.
So in Plouta, various rumors began to circulate.
“Did you hear what Maxime has planned tonight?” asked Romuald, wiping the sweat from his brow.
Andrew nodded.
“Yeah, apparently he’s going to announce something big. We all have to be there, which is pretty rare.” He glanced toward the trees lining the village.
“Smells like trouble. Every time he has a meeting like this, it means we’re going to move.”
Romuald didn’t seem particularly touched, but he was still curious.
“You think we’re going to move from here? Knowing that Baron Barthon certainly hasn’t said his last word. If we leave, we could endanger not only Plouta but the whole of Baron Irut’s territory.
Andrew shrugged.
“I don’t know. But in any case, we’re not strong enough to take on Baron Barthon as it is. The knights are just too strong for us and the apprentice knights too numerous. Continue your saga on My Virtual Library Empire
“If I were him, I’d be desperate to earn money and increase our troops. Thanks to this, we’ll be able to gain strength through numbers, but above all we could have new talents like Charles, who could have the strength of a knight in the future.”
The two glanced at each other.
“Orcs, huh?”
“Yeah. That’s where there’s the most money to be made right now.”
Romuald grimaced slightly.
“I hope if that’s what it is, he knows what he’s doing, because it could be very dangerous.”
Andrew stared at him for a moment, before letting out a nervous laugh.
“Yeah, but hey. Maxime’s never been afraid of dangerous stuff. If that’s what it is, we’ll have to stick together.”
…
Rodrigo and Ernest strolled through the forest.
“Did you notice Maxime’s expression this morning?” asked Rodrigo, his eyes squinting in the direction of the village.
“He’s got that serious look, like before a big battle.”
Ernest nodded.
“Yes, I noticed that too. Maybe he wants us to take the initiative against Baron Barthon.”
Rodrigo frowned.
“I thought we’d have more time before another confrontation. We lost a lot of guys last time. Do you really think we’re ready to take on Barthon again?”
Ernest sighed.
“Honestly? No. But Maxime seems sure of himself. If he has a plan, I’ll follow it.”
Rodrigo nodded, but he was no more reassured than that.
He’d already lost someone important to him.
Then he looked at Ernest with gentle eyes.
“Do you want to fuck me or what? Look at whoever you want like that, but not me, damn it!”
A vein appeared on Rodrigo’s angry face.
“Who’d want to fuck you? You’re as interesting as a pebble on the side of the road!”
Ernest burst out laughing.
“Says he as he himself begins to grow dirt on his body.”
Rodrigo also had some repartee, as he thought about the scene where Ernest had been speared by the bandits.
“It’s always better than being penetrated by a new orifice.”
The two looked at each other and burst out laughing.
“Fuck off or I’ll make you feel how it feels.”
The two walked on in good humor as they continued chatting and laughing.
…
The evening came quickly.
The clearing was lit by the flickering glow of several campfires, casting dancing shadows on the surrounding tree trunks. The mercenaries were all gathered around these fireplaces, their faces illuminated by the light of the flames.
The night air was cool, but warmed by the heat of the embers and the intoxicating smell of cooking meat. Pieces of venison sizzled above the fire, while some of the mercenaries turned spits, exchanging laughter and jokes with their comrades.
Discussions were going well, but under the cover of this camaraderie, a certain tension floated in the air.
“If this is another one of his crazy ideas, we’re in trouble again,” Romuald said. He chewed with an almost calculated slowness, his gaze settling on his companions seated around the fire.
Terry, sitting cross-legged beside him, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand before replying with an amused smile.
“Oh, you mean Maxime? Of course it’s going to be a crazy idea. It’s always like that with him. But that’s why we’re here, isn’t it? For the adventure, the danger, the gold coins and above all… the excitement of writing history.”
“To write a story, you have to be able to stay alive,” Piedro added, sounding like he was thinking about a lot of things.
The previous battle had given many mercenaries pause for thought, including Piedro.
The pay was high, the powerful physical strength dreamy, but the reality of blood and iron had brought everyone back to reality.
They’d become powerful mercenaries thanks to their efforts and Maxime’s talent, but against the might of apprentice knights it was already complicated, so against knights it could only get worse.
As the night wore on and conversations gradually died down, an unexpected silence settled over the clearing.
All the mercenaries sensed that an important moment was approaching.
Maxime, who had hitherto been sitting on the sidelines, eating and chatting with Laura, rose slowly to his feet, his silhouette silhouetted against the glow of the flames.