In this tumultuous era, the longing to become a mercenary is ubiquitous, yet most meet their demise before they even come across an opportunity. They either perish at the hands of greenskins and goblins, are brutally ravaged by orcs, or meet their end under the blades of bandits.

Ever since Avi and his companions established their encampment here, the number of bandits in the vicinity has sharply declined. Most of them were small groups of a dozen or so individuals, powerless against organized mercenary groups, wisely choosing to swagger elsewhere.

With this development, the recruitment efficiency of Avi's mercenary group also increased significantly. Many renowned refugees and migrants came seeking a safe haven and sustenance.

Once the group reached this size, Avi no longer accepted newcomers indiscriminately. Instead, he assigned Airen to vet them. Those with suitable physique and temperament for soldiers were trained and retained in the ranks, while those lacking combat aptitude and vulnerable individuals such as women, children, and the elderly were settled in the tents around the camp to live in peace.

After another half a month passed, the size of Avi's mercenary group grew to nearly two hundred individuals. The number of surrounding tents also increased, gradually resembling a village, only lacking the transition from tents to houses.

Feeling a sense of accomplishment amidst this thriving community, Avi also harbored a sense of urgency. Following this period of recovery, the orcs had resumed their activity in the vicinity.

One morning,

"The security rating remains above ninety, but the prosperity rating is increasing rather sluggishly," Avi murmured to himself as he sat in his tent, scrutinizing the panel. "Population... four hundred? Are there truly that many people? Perhaps even the soldiers are accounted for."

Aside from the main force from before, most of the current soldiers remained in the 'militia' and 'hireling' categories, primarily serving to bolster numbers during actual combat. After all, their current adversaries no longer possessed the level of skill where every greenskin could be a general.

"Boss, those blasted orcs trampled our fields again!" Rafe stormed into the tent, cursing under his breath. "Most of the wheat we planted is ruined. They destroyed it right after we sowed the seeds. It's a real blow, damn it!"

"They were never human to begin with," Avi remarked, picking up his sword from beside him and abruptly rising to his feet, only to be struck by a wave of dizziness and collapse to the ground.

"What's wrong, boss?" Rafe rushed over and helped Avi up from the ground. "While this is indeed infuriating, you don't have to get so worked up. If you end up driving yourself mad or worse, dying from it, what are we supposed to do?"

"You'd better hold your tongue," Avi realized that this was a side effect caused by the system, propping himself up with his hand against his forehead. "Listening to you for a few more words, I'd develop a brain hemorrhage sooner or later."

"A brain fish hemorrhage? What's that?"

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"...Let's focus on the orcs instead," Avi said. "When did they arrive?"

"I don't know. I just got up and saw the fields around us all trampled. All the effort we put into tilling the soil and planting seeds yesterday went to waste. It's truly infuriating!"

"Besides that, any other losses?"

"They also attempted to damage the area where we keep the horses, but our people spotted them and called for assistance. Those despicable creatures then fled."

"I'll go out and assess the situation."

As Avi stepped out of the tent, he saw Airen, with a face full of anger, directing everyone to repair the destroyed fences. The mercenaries all wore expressions of resentment, their strides determined.

"The wheat was intended for next year anyway, so it's not urgent," Avi reassured Airen. "There's no need to rush."

"Your Excellency, they've also stolen a lot of our food," Airen struggled to contain his anger, saying, "We've lost half of our provisions, and the rest have all been soiled by those beasts, utterly ruined."

"And what about my wine?!" Rafe's eyes widened as he demanded, "Tell me, where did all the honey wine I just bought go? Damn it!"

"Some are shattered, some are adulterated," Airen said, "In short, it's a foul mess."

"What—!!!!!!" Rafe's shout was like thunder on a clear day. He immediately grabbed his giant sword from the ground and charged into the forest, "They dare to destroy our food! I'll slaughter those bastards, WAGHHHHH——!"

"All greatswordsmen, follow him, and make sure he doesn't get into trouble!" Avi hurriedly instructed the soldiers, "If he insists on going deeper, tell him it's my order for him to come back, understood?"

"Yes, Captain."

"Your Excellency, I understand Mr. Rafe's momentary anger may be difficult to dissuade, but allowing him to charge into the forest like this might be too dangerous. The beasts might not be far away."

"How many orcs do you estimate there are?" Avi inquired.

"...Probably between thirty to forty, judging from the hoofprints alone," Airen replied, "I cannot be certain without witnessing it firsthand."

"That's enough."

"Your Excellency, what did you say?"

"I said that's enough," Avi said, "Rafe is a big guy, with a bunch of 'middle-sized guys' following him, dealing with thirty to forty orcs should be a piece of cake. If this herd is not weak, they wouldn't have fled immediately upon being discovered."

"Your Excellency makes sense."

Afterwards, Avi took a stroll around the camp with his sword. The destruction caused by the orcs far exceeded what Rafe and Airen had described so simply. The herd had destroyed many traps and fences outside the camp, and the food that Manid had just bought yesterday was also ruined.

"All the food is gone," Avi said with a grim expression, "There's enough left in the camp to last half a month, but we can still hold out for some time, as long as we go buy—"

"Boss, most of the towns and villages nearby don't sell food anymore," Manid said, "The local lords are preparing for a battle and have already summoned the provincial armies to Middenheim. After hearing this, people around here are afraid of the war spreading to them, so not many are willing to sell food."

"...," Avi's face turned extremely ugly.

"Boss, why don't... I go a bit farther to see?"

"No need."

"...Boss?"

Manid was a little flustered. It was the first time he had seen Avi so furious.

"I said, no need," Avi drew his sword, turned to Airen and said, "Airen, go get everyone ready after breakfast. We're going into the forest."

"Your Excellency."

"What is it?"

"Do we need the cavalry?"

"No need."

"As you wish, Your Excellency."

After Airen hurried away, Avi gradually calmed down. Seeing this, Manid dared to approach and advise, "Boss, wouldn't it be too dangerous to go into a fight like this?"

"Do you think I'm just going for revenge?"

"Oh, this..."

"Rafe can't be controlled in this state, I must go support him. Since it's a necessity, I'll also let those mongrels in the forest know that the people here are not to be trifled with." Avi gritted his teeth, "Furthermore, I want us to taste the flavor of beast meat hot pot!"

As he left, Avi suddenly threw this sentence at Manid: "Sometimes, I really suspect that Rafe is just a big guy."