Morning of the Second Day

While the mercenaries of the cheating mercenary group were still immersed in the hangover-induced haze, their captain, Avi, had already taken care of several important matters.

He sold scrap iron and used the money earned to purchase enough supplies for the team to last three days. Then he went to the Merchant Guild to check on the available bounty missions, and now he was in Kees's room listening to him boast.

"As long as the trade route between Midgenstag and Midgenheim remains unimpeded, I am confident that within five years, I can turn Midgenstag into a major town surpassing Midgenheim!" Kees gestured enthusiastically on the parchment map, outlining his grand ambitions to Avi. "Midgenstag has timber, fish, wheat, and mead—precisely the goods Midgenheim needs the most."

"Imagine if we continuously supply these goods to Midgenheim; those wealthy old folks with rooms full of gold coins will surely empty their savings! Midgenheim has a large population, and they are expanding. The goods we can provide happen to be exactly what they need!"

Watching Kees passionately deliver his speech with spittle flying, Avi yawned. He didn't want to waste time listening to this arrogant and cunning fat man blabber on. Instead, he quietly opened the system panel under the table, deciding to double-check the team's status.

Since surpassing level 20, Avi and Rafe's leveling efficiency had sharply declined. The recent battles hadn't allowed them to continue leveling up.

The experience required for leveling up displayed on the panel was almost five times that of the previous level, indicating that they couldn't level up again in the short term.

The status of the team members was the same. After leveling up to regular army status, both Imperial Swordsmen and Imperial Spearmen had their upgrade options marked as '???'. The adjacent prompt read 'Advanced unit not unlocked'.

"Well, I was prepared for this." Avi thought, "If one could level up just by gaining experience, it would be too powerful, akin to raising an elite army as if it were child's play."

So now, they were back to the initial issue: money.

Since the unlock conditions for new units weren't attributes, the most likely requirement was equipment. Avi planned to equip his team members with various gear similar to those of the Imperial Army's units, thereby unlocking more advanced units.

The next upgrades after Swordsmen and Spearmen were Greatswordsmen and Halberdiers. Infantry units in the Imperial Army were relatively scarce, basically consisting of Swordsmen, Spearmen, Halberdiers, and Greatswordsmen.

As for cavalry, there were plenty: Imperial Knights, Rike Guards, Gryphon Riders, Squire Cavalry... But cavalry required horses, and Avi and his team obviously didn't have enough money to buy warhorses, let alone obtain Gryphons, so upgrading cavalry was not currently under consideration.

"Let's start by preparing horses for the squires as their main force during this time."

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Avi calculated in his mind how to allocate their limited gold and silver coins. "Let's first get a horse for Eirain to assess their combat effectiveness, and then decide if others need horses."

Since the conversation had turned to horses and equipment updates, matters circled back to the eternal topic: making money.

"If this system could help me make money, that would be great," he thought.

"...So, if this trade route could operate long-term and steadily, the profits it could bring us would be enormous. If your mercenary group could guard my caravan, I would give you a substantial reward after completing each round trip."

Finally, Kees ended his lengthy twenty-minute explanation. The chubby merchant sat gasping for breath in his chair, gulping down several mouthfuls of water and carefully wiping the sweat from his head and neck with a handkerchief.

Avi knew it was time to express his own position and attitude. He initially intended to offer some perfunctory remarks, but an option identical to the text appeared in front of him on the panel.

"The spirit with which you consider the livelihoods of the Midgen people is truly impartial and selfless. The Cheating Mercenary Group is willing to contribute our efforts to this plan, but of course, compensation is essential."

"Is he flattering me... well, that's right. Guys like this, sitting in high positions in small towns and enjoying showing off their power, all love this kind of talk. Praising him won't cost me anything."

After making up his mind, Avi read aloud the option text displayed in his field of vision.

"Ah, yes! I knew even in such a small state, there would be someone sensible!"

These words greatly pleased Kees. He stood up excitedly, slapping the wooden table with his hand and shouting loudly, "It's you! You are my partner in this grand plan, it must be you!"

"Does this really sound so satisfying?" Avi thought with annoyance, "How did this guy climb to the position of chairman of the Merchant Guild? He's so superficial."

Although he couldn't help but feel disdain for Kees, Avi restrained his expression for the sake of livelihood, trying to appear as pleased as possible as he asked, "I am honored, but I would like to know what kind of compensation we can expect?"

"According to the rules of your mercenaries, it should be a fixed amount, but you're different. I think you're insightful and worthy of being my partner. So, I have decided to follow our merchant's calculation: give you a percentage share, how about that?"

Looking at Kees's narrowed, shifty eyes, Avi didn't believe he would offer him a high percentage.

"How much?" he asked tentatively.

"Well... considering your position as my partner..." Kees pretended to think carefully for a moment, "twenty percent, what do you say?"

Damn, that's quite a lot!

Avi was surprised and hurriedly said, "That's a significant figure, are you sure?"

"Sure, you deserve this money, my partner!" Kees said with a big smile, patting Avi on the shoulder. "As long as we do well, both of us can become rich overnight. Just think about it: piles of gold coins like mountains in front of us. Who could resist such a tempting offer?"

"Alright, I'll take the job." Avi thought for a moment and added, "But there's a small condition: I want fifty silver coins every time we successfully escort."

"Fifty... fifty coins?!"

Kees almost jumped out of his seat, but thinking about the upcoming profits, he immediately restrained his emotions and fell into contemplation, twirling his golden hairpin in his hand.

After what seemed like ages, he slapped the table and stood up. "Okay, I'll agree to your request!"

...

Avi returned to the "Happy Nightingale" by noon. The mercenaries had just enjoyed lunch, consisting of bread, ham, and mead, and were now leisurely leaning against the hay bales in the courtyard, picking their teeth.

Seeing the captain return, Rafe was the first to jump up and run over. "Boss, where did you go? The meal we saved for you is getting cold."

"I went to find us some work and bought some supplies and miscellaneous items. Anything happen?"

"Not much, just those guys we rescued earlier looking for you all morning, nearly causing a commotion in the shop. Babbling about 'loyalty' and 'oaths'."

"Oh, that again?" Avi didn't seem to care much, smiling as he said, "I'll go see them later. But brothers, I have something to tell you: we have a big deal to make."