Lady Hestia rushed into her father’s workroom with no regard for the knights standing guard outside. When she burst into the room, her appearance was messy and completely the opposite of what a noble young lady should look like, but the excited look in her eyes told another story. The young miss didn’t even notice how she nearly gave her father a heart attack at her abrupt entrance. As soon as she came in, she started blabbing at the mouth.
“Father! I got us the help we need to defend our territory from Lord Edmund!” Hestia excitedly shouted.
“How much did they ask for?!” Lord Rohan was in disbelief that his little girl had actually accomplished something that he had failed to do himself.
“Uhh...” Hestia stammered.
“You didn’t do something foolish like promising them more money than we actually have, did you!?” Lord Rohan yelled.
“No! We can pay them! It’s just... they didn’t ask for money...” Hestia’s voice got lower.
“They didn’t ask for money? Did they ask for land? Well, I'm not in favor of it, but at this point, we have no choice. Either we lose some land, or we lose all of it.” Lord Rohan sighed. It was an acceptable loss.
“No... It wasn’t land either...” Hestia murmured.
“What did you offer them exactly...?” Lord Rohan was getting a bad feeling.
“Their leader refused to accept anything other than my hand in marriage.” Hestia lied. She only offered money, and the thought of offering land or anything other than her hand didn’t come to mind at that moment.
It was at those words that Lord Rohan let out a huge breath of air. He leaned back in his chair with his head looking at the ceiling. This crazy daughter of his made him think she promised something incredibly valuable! Taking a quick peek, he saw the little maniac with her face red.
The fact that she wasn’t angry or showing displeasure at the cost must mean that whoever the leader of that mercenary group is quite handsome. Rohan didn’t have any opposition to giving his daughter to the man even if he hadn’t met him yet. If he could save his territory from being taken away, he would even give himself up! Since Daphne’s arranged partner’s family was content with watching them face this impending threat without any help whatsoever, they wouldn’t mind if he canceled the arranged marriage and set her up with someone actually willing to help their family.
“Inform me when they arrive immediately. I’d like to speak to your future husband about important matters.” Lord Rohan ordered.
“You don’t care that I'm going to be married to a commoner?” Daphne Hestia looked at her father.
“Honey, I love you, but if that commoner is the only option to save our territory, I will do it in a heartbeat.” Lord Rohan didn’t mince his words or spare his daughter’s feelings.
“...” Daphne didn’t know what to feel.
“You may leave now.” Rohan Hestia waved her out.
Daphne had an inkling deep in her heart that perhaps her father cared more about the family name than he cared about her. And what exactly did that mean for herself?
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“Our first battlefield as mercenaries! I can’t wait!” Leo exclaimed.
“It’s going to be different from all the other battles we’ve fought,” John stated in his golden armor.
“Do you think the Lord will allow me to lead?” Lydia asked.
“Maybe if we put a helmet and breastplate on ya to hide your girl bits, Boss.” Julian laughed.
“My new father shouldn’t be dumb enough to think he can command my men personally, but I'll let him know just in case,” Pete said for Lydia’s sake.
“My first time leading on a proper battlefield! I can’t wait to see how different it is from our usual battles.” Lydia excitedly gushed.
“I’ll finally be able to put all that inhuman training to use.” Peter flexed his biceps, showing off just how muscular they were.
“I know, right?! We’ve been training all this time but never been really able to show off just how strong we really are now!” Phil flexed alongside Peter.
“Unless you count exterminating those nobles.” Julian chuckled.
Julian, Peter, and Phil were a part of Golden Snakes. They were from the first batch of Golden Snakes and have been with John and Lydia since then. Alongside those three were William, George, and Dante. The half dozen who stayed even though they were to be directly under John’s wife instead of John himself.
“This battle is going to be a breeze, boys!” Pete shouted to the hundreds of bandits. “Listen to your Heads and go have some fun!”
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“So, those rats are finally leaving the nest? I believe it’s time we do some thorough cleaning this time around. Never again will I allow some rats to make a nest in my city again!” Captain Frank banged his fist on the desk.
Throughout the years, Captain Frank has slowly lost everything! The respect that comes with being a Captain in the military, the power that comes with being a Captain in the military, and the privileges given to Captains! Accepting those bribes of the Black Snakes was like slowly being fed a poison. While he sat content and fed, those filthy rats bred, spread, and sunk their nasty shit everywhere in Desmont! But no longer shall he tolerate it!
Now that that monster of a bandit and his wife was gone, it was time to finally put into motion his plan to take back Desmont. Captain Frank sent the order for all his soldiers to gather. No longer will Desmont be the haven for criminals and run by them! Order will reign supreme, and the military might will prove superior to bandit trickery!
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“So, you’re my new father-in-law?” Pete grinned, putting his feet on top of Lord Rohan’s desk.
“S-So you’re the mercenary leader who’s more interested in my daughter than any amount of coin...” Lord Rohan shook as he frequently glanced over to the towering golden armored man standing next to the handsome young man.
“She is quite lovely, isn’t she?” Pete gave a short, comforting laugh. “Don’t mind, my friend here. John’s just here to keep me safe.” Pete patted John’s cold metal armor.
“W-What could possibly hurt you in my territory?” Lord Rohan stuttered with a forced smile on his face.
“Believe it or not, my face is pretty well-known. Back in Desmont, I had a hand in over a dozen businesses. Who knows what sorts of villainous scum would target me for my purse? With this big guy, who would be willing to make some trouble with me? You understand, right?” Pete continued to give Lord Rohan a flowery smile.
“R-Right! Absolutely correct. I’m also of the same mind when it comes to taking a look around my territory. You never know what sort of riffraff can be lurking around when I’m doing my best to make sure all my citizens are living happily and safely.” Lord Rohan nodded his head rapidly.
Lord Rohan didn’t understand why, but he had a terrifying feeling coming from these two ever since they stepped into his workroom. They’d acted politely and friendly enough, but something about them made him feel that they were incredibly dangerous. Sure, the big guy named John hasn’t said a single word, but just him standing there was menacing enough. While Rohan was terrified, he was also very excited as well. With mercenaries like these, how could he possibly lose to Lord Edmund!?
“Let’s discuss more about the upcoming battle.” Pete changed the direction of the conversation.
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High-quality dress, fancy jewelry, and a noblewoman’s disposition. Aldo nodded at the others before moving in. His head looking down to the ground as he walked toward the noblewoman opposite side of the street. It only took a moment to snatch her loosely hanging accessories before racing down the street into an alleyway. Aldo heard the sounds of someone running behind him, but he knew these streets better than anyone. Out of all the others, he was the only one who could run through them blindfolded without running into a wall once! He’s practiced on a bet once and almost won if there wasn’t a stupid black cat that ran in his way during the end.
As Aldo safely made it away and couldn’t hear anyone chasing him anymore, he laughed loudly in joy. The noblewoman who had just been robbed didn’t look all that shocked or even upset. Her escort asked if it was really okay to leave the boy alone. She simply smiled.
“I’ll get it back in due time,” Lydia stated. “Now, follow me. With that little stunt, I know we’re getting close to where I want to be.”
“While I'm more than happy to be your escort and all through this place, Boss. Are you sure I'm needed for this specifically?” Leo asked.
“You’re the most reliable person I can count on.” Lydia didn’t mention that since her husband wasn’t around, he was the second most skilled person in Golden Snakes.
“Well, since you place so much trust in you, I better not let you down.” Leo grinned as he spun his unique spinning blades he received from John.
It didn’t take long for Lydia to find the haven for scum, degenerates, criminals, and orphans in Lord Rohan’s territory. The talking was loud, the fighting sparse throughout the place was even louder, but the cheers and betting on those fighting were the loudest. Leo’s grin widened as he realized the Boss’s plan. The two of them walked to the counter of the bar, and with a tap on Leo’s shoulder, he smashed his fist on the wooden counter. Cracks spread throughout the counter as Leo raised his voice and shouted, “Listen up, you fucking sons of bitches! My boss has a few words to share, and I'm not patient enough to tolerate any fucking disrespect towards her.”
As Leo expected, several voices shouted. Some brandished weapons, while others even ran up to shut his mouth. Leo spun one of his blades and sent it flying through the crowd with impeccable control. Blood spilled, bodies fell, and a few limbs were chopped. The young, dashing bandit effortlessly caught the spinning blade back in his hand and coolly stared into the crowd, daring someone else to speak up.
“I apologize if you were stupid enough to act before thinking and suffered for it.” Lydia started, speaking into the crowd with a clear voice. “I have a job for all of you. Work for me, and I'll pay all of you based on how well you do the job.”
“What’s the job?” Someone asked.
“Information. I want information about anything and everything. Rumors, gossip, merchants, new travelers, nobles, anyone and anything. I am the one that will determine if your information is worth keeping you around for. If I find it insufficient, you will not be paid any longer and can go back to your regular lives.” Lydia informed.
“Can we give information now?”
“No. Tomorrow, I will be at the most expensive inn in town. My men will record your names, appearances, and the information you brought, but you will not meet me. Come back the day after tomorrow after I check all the given information, and you will be paid by the men you meet at the entrance. Any more questions?”
“How much will you pay us? One copper coin? One silver coin?”
“It depends on the value of your information. It’s even possible to gain one gold coin.” Lydia took out a gold coin from her purse. “So, work hard, and an easy life is at your very fingertips.”
“What about the kid, boss?” Leo reminded her.
“Oh! If you find a group of orphans trying to sell some expensive jewelry anytime soon, capture them and return my belongings. Consider it a bonus if you are able.” Lydia added.
“I know where those stinking brats stay!” Someone yelled as they got up and ran out the door.
“Hey, wait for me! You can’t capture all those kids by yourself!”
“Yeah, some of them might run away! Hold on!”
At this point, several people ran out of the bar to capture some orphans. “Hopefully, they don’t rough them up too much. I only asked for them to capture them.” Lydia muttered. Leo chuckled before saying, “I guess it’s going to be a good opportunity to test your medical skills on some kids soon, boss.”