"In simple terms, it's that chap Kis looking to establish a reliable trade route between Mideng Staneg and Midengheim to turn a profit. Our task is to escort his caravan and deal with the likes of goblins, greenskins, bandits, and robbers along the way."

"So, are we finally official mercenaries? I quite fancy this sort of work!" Rafe exclaimed eagerly, rubbing his hands together. "It's a perfect opportunity to test my greatsword on those bandits and robbers!"

"Captain Rafe, if you swing that sword at someone, you might just cleave them in half, and then we'll have to collect bounties with our heads! You need to exercise more caution!"

"Haha... Don't worry, don't worry!"

Observing his comrades' revelry, Avi entered the tavern's main hall. He deftly sliced two pieces of black bread with a dining knife and sandwiched a slice of ham between them, then poured a measure of mead over the ensemble.

The mead, suffused with honey, lent a slight viscosity, resembling a sauce atop the dry, yielding black bread, suffusing the air with the sweetness of honey and the fruity bouquet of wine.

Avi, eating as he traversed his comrades, made his way to the resting quarters of the attendants. Before he could step into the large tent, Airan had already spotted him and hastened over.

"Mr. Avi, I've been seeking you all morning." Airan bowed respectfully, then inquired urgently, "Have you reached a decision?"

"I have." Avi intended to reply between bites, but recognizing the gravity of the matter, he quickly chewed and swallowed before speaking, "I accept your pledge of allegiance. I'll be relying on you from now on."

"It's an honor, Lord Avi!" Airan exclaimed excitedly, instinctively dropping to one knee, though he realized his sword had been lost in the greenskin camp.

"We have pressing matters to attend to, and some of your comrades are still recovering from serious injuries. Let's postpone your swearing-in ceremony until they've all recuperated."

"Um..." Airan felt somewhat embarrassed, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. He reluctantly acquiesced, "As you wish."

"In due time, gather a few of your able-bodied comrades, and I'll escort you to procure suitable gear." Avi, now at ease, continued, "We've just secured a contract to escort a caravan. We depart after tomorrow's midday meal."

"We shall comply with your directives."

"I understand you've been seeking me. Is there anything else?"

"Ah!" Airan suddenly recalled, hastening to address Avi, "My Lord, there's an important matter we must discuss."

With that, he swiftly untied a heavy bag from a makeshift belt and presented it to Avi with both hands. "Please accept this."

"What's this?" Avi took the patch-covered cloth bag, noting its weight exceeded his expectations. Surprised, he inquired, "What does it contain?"

"Gold coins," Airan explained, "My Lord, you spared us from the Reaper's scythe and generously provided sustenance, shelter, and employment. We are immensely grateful and wish to pledge our loyalty to you with this token."

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As destitute mercenaries unable to afford equipment, a bag laden with heavy gold coins was an offer difficult to refuse. However, Avi harbored suspicions, "Where did you acquire this money?"

"From our savings," Airan responded. "Even amidst captivity, we clung to hope, preserving this wealth. We anticipated that, encountering an army or mercenaries, we might barter for our lives. Yet, you, my Lord, possess noble character and never alluded to recompense. Hence, we resolved to present this as testament to our fealty."

Avi was on the verge of responding, his eloquence once again coming to his aid. He scrutinized the options before him and recited them verbatim.

"In that case, I was actually considering taking you along to procure some gear. Why not outfit all of you in one fell swoop?"

"As you command."

Airan bowed respectfully, as if Avi were a nobleman to whom he owed allegiance.

...

Walking along the cobblestone road, Avi felt a sense of unease—these attendants should have regarded him with disdain as a mere mercenary, yet on the return journey, they were cautious yet deferential. Why such a marked change in attitude?

He yearned to understand the reason, and his lore skill provided him with an answer.

"To ensure that common knights don't respond with enmity upon attaining status, attendants are instilled with values of gratitude, chivalry, and loyalty. These are also the tenets advocated in the creed of Imperial knights."

"Becoming a knight doesn't seem to be an easy endeavor after all," Avi mused, "Compared to that, the life of a free mercenary seems much more joyous."

With thoughts of knights and attendants swirling in his mind, Avi brought Airan to the same equipment shop as before. Besides acquiring equipment, he had another purpose: to return the heirloom ring to its rightful owner.

The affairs concerning these attendants, coupled with last night's revelry, almost caused Avi to forget about completing the mission, leaving him feeling somewhat remiss as a mercenary.

After all, the other party had paid the reward in advance—though it was equally plausible that he had forgotten to return the item precisely because the reward had been paid in advance.

"Oh, it's you!"

Avi was spotted by the Mediterranean shopkeeper from about ten meters away from the weapon shop's entrance. He eagerly approached, brimming with excitement.

"Your return signifies... my ring—"

"We've recovered it." Avi handed back the ruby ring, carefully ensconced, to the shopkeeper.

"That's it! That's it!"

The Mediterranean shopkeeper was so overjoyed he nearly leapt, meticulously safeguarding the ring. Only then did he recall that Avi must have come here with companions for more than just returning items, prompting him to inquire, "Would you care to peruse the equipment in the shop?"

"Of course. Do you have any fine armor to showcase?"

...

In the blink of an eye, dusk had descended.

As expected, Airan excelled among the attendants. Most of the armor and weapons he selected were exquisitely crafted, and he spent a painstaking two hours making his choices at the stable.

Had it not been for the weapon shopkeeper noticing Avi's modest purse, returning to the old mansion that day might have posed a challenge.

"Given that it's the brethren of the mercenary group purchasing equipment, a thirty percent discount for all!" 'Mediterranean' exclaimed heartily, "I may require your assistance in the future. Please oblige me then."

"Of course."

...

As before, the weapon shopkeeper enlisted a few laborers to aid Avi in transporting the purchased weapons and equipment back to the 'Happy Nightingale,' while Airan led the warhorse back.

This expedition nearly depleted all the savings of the mercenary group, plus the horse that once belonged to Rafe. In the vacant space in front of the tavern, Avi announced the decision to incorporate the attendants into the mercenary group.

To his surprise, the team members showed little resistance. For mercenaries who lived by the sword, the more comrades, the better. They placed their trust in the judgment of their leader, Avi.

"Charisma and command have come to my aid once again," Avi reflected, "Tomorrow, we shall be guarding the merchant caravan. Hopefully, all shall proceed smoothly, and we may earn additional coin. I must contemplate potential tactics and formations now to avoid becoming flustered on the battlefield."

Gazing at the moon outside the window, half obscured by ominous clouds, he had a premonition that tonight would be another sleepless night.