The journey on the second day proceeded smoothly, despite the presence of wounded soldiers and the weak slowing down the pace. Ample supplies and high morale overcame all obstacles. The team of men and horses advanced steadily across the sparse grassland. In the late summer afternoon, a slightly humid breeze carried the scent of grass and flowers, making the mood exceptionally pleasant.

Whether influenced by the weather or the sufficient food supply, or perhaps both, the prisoners who had been starving just yesterday were now able to walk a distance, albeit cautiously and vigilantly, not wanting anyone to approach them.

Avi understood their current state and did not insist on them being forthcoming about anything.

However, that didn't mean he didn't have concerns. The mercenary group always carried only slightly surplus supplies on their outings, and bringing twelve more people this time would have depleted their water and food. If they hadn't found some supplies from the orc camp, they would have run out of water and food by now.

But those provisions (bread, berries, wine, and jerky) were supposed to be their supplies, or at least they could have been sold for money. Giving them away for free to these twelve individuals would require some form of compensation.

He was a mercenary, and mercenaries prioritized their interests. The professional ethics of a mercenary dictated that only I could freeload off others; others couldn't freeload off me.

"After these guys recover, we'll talk to them. Can't just save them for nothing; otherwise, wouldn't I be freeloaded without getting paid?"

After making this determination, Avi felt that the journey back seemed particularly long. It wasn't until dusk that they returned to the city of Midenshtange, where they exchanged their spoils (forty-six orc heads) for a bounty - fifty silver coins - from Kees.

"I'll give you an extra four silver coins. Get rid of these stinking orc heads as soon as possible!" Kees' expression of disgust with his nose covered was still vivid in Avi's mind. "You've done a good job with this task. Rest for a few days, and then we'll talk about the next commission."

After selling the orc heads to the butcher for twenty silver coins, Avi and Rafe were ready to fulfill their previous agreement at the "Happy Nightingale" inn.

"Boss, why would anyone spend money buying these stinky green heads?" Rafe asked as they walked. "That stuff is smelly, tough, and hardly has any meat to eat. What's the point of buying it?"

"Are you thinking of eating the green skin? That meat is tough, stringy, and has a fishy taste. I advise you not to think about it." Avi quickly dismissed the possibility of Rafe coming up with bold ideas before replying, "Orc tusks can be made into armor and decorations for buildings, and those heads can be used to feed war beasts. Overall, they're quite useful."

"Oh, I see." After pondering for a moment, Rafe asked again, "So what are we going to do next? It seems like there won't be any work for the next couple of days, according to that fat man."

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"Let's rest first. We have quite a few wounded among us. We made a lot of money this trip, and after we finish our meal, we can sell those scraps of iron. Holding out for two or three days won't be a problem."

"After two or three days?"

"I'll talk to Kees. If his tasks aren't suitable..." Avi pondered for a moment, "We'll go to other cities. Weismund, Midenheim, and if nothing else, Carlow Castle. There's bound to be good work somewhere."

As they spoke, they had arrived at the entrance of the Happy Nightingale, where Rafe's attention was diverted by the aroma of alcohol and meat wafting from inside the tavern, completely disregarding their conversation.

"Boss, are you going in?"

Hearing Rafe's voice, the team members also emerged from the tavern and gathered around Avi. Even the wounded came out, leaning on crutches or on their teammates, limping to greet him. Their gaze toward Avi was like that of priests gazing at an idol.

One Imperial swordsman couldn't contain his excitement and asked loudly, "Captain, is all this food ours?!"

"Exactly, it's all ours," Avi said with a smile. "Everyone did a great job these past two days. Now it's time to have a good drink!"

"Cheers!"

It was the most sumptuous dinner the entire Cheating Mercenary Group had ever had. Perfectly cooked venison, roasted wild boar, soft and sweet honey bread, fragrant honey wine, juicy berries...

Rafe got drunk and insisted on finding someone to wrestle with, only to sit on an upturned fork, wincing in pain.

The food and drinks were so wonderful that everyone at the post-war celebration feast got thoroughly drunk, except for Avi. The captain of the Cheating Mercenary Group stood alone on the second-floor balcony of the tavern, lost in thought, holding a cup of honey wine.

Rafe's question was actually Avi's concern over the past few days: Kees' task rewards were too stingy, but they seemed to have no other choice.

There were more opportunities elsewhere, but that also meant more powerful mercenary groups competing for them. They were just a budding small team, with no real competitiveness.

If one had to be found, being cheap and not picky eaters would probably be their advantage. Avi couldn't help but smile bitterly: he had brushed shoulders with death several times, only to find that what would really take his life wasn't the greenskins or the wild orcs, but his own incompetence.

"Where are we going next?" Avi looked up at the stars in confusion. "Where can we go?"

"Excuse me... Are you the leader of this mercenary group?"

A gentle voice interrupted Avi's contemplation. He immediately turned around to see a ragged young man standing before him, one of the twelve people he had rescued from the greenskin camp.

"Um, yes, I am," Avi looked the man over and noticed that his whip scars hadn't healed yet. "How are your injuries?"

"Thanks to you, they're not too bad. Compared to the classmates who have already sacrificed, I'm already very lucky. These minor injuries are nothing worth mentioning."

The young man sighed lightly and respectfully looked up at Avi again. "My name is Airene. I used to be a retainer. I'm here to thank you on behalf of all those who were saved. Please accept our gratitude and loyalty. Please forgive us, they are still very weak and unable to thank you or pledge allegiance in person."

"But I will temporarily replace them in the oath ceremony. Please wait a moment..."

Airene said, enduring the pain, preparing to kneel and swear allegiance to Avi.

"Wait, wait, the plot is advancing too fast, slow down and explain properly."

Avi hurriedly stopped him, helping Airene up and asking, "Who are you all, what have you been through, and what are your plans for the future? At least tell me the answers to these questions before I decide whether to accept, uh... your allegiance."

"Oh, you're right," Airene scratched his cheek in embarrassment, standing up straight and saying to Avi, "Sir, on this trip, I am here to thank you on behalf of all the rescued people. Whatever you ask me, I will answer on their behalf."