Under the radiance of the Golden Lion, almost everyone would be overshadowed. Not only due to his appearance like that of the sun god, his prominent family background and his powerful strength, but also because of his kingly demeanor, like the gentle rain in spring, which makes people admire.
The black flame behind Ophirok was burning silently. Even the radiance of the Golden Lion couldn't conceal it. The face in the flame was beautiful and aloof, making people afraid to gaze directly at it, yet engraved deep in people's hearts. Several noble scoundrels would secretly take a glance from time to time and then hurriedly look away, as if their eyes were burned by the black flame. The black mage robe couldn't hide the peerless charm. Those straight legs and willow-like waists were constantly turning people into beasts.
Roger, Rence, Franco, and Ett were sitting uneasily. The sudden visit of the Golden Lion was truly unexpected. Several people hastily greeted Ophirok to sit down and asked someone to bring the best refreshments.
The Golden Lion took a sip of tea, and the leisurely movement didn't have a single flaw. The guard Richard opened a small pocket and poured out dozens of small gemstones of various colors on the table in front of everyone.
Ophirok said with a smile, "I came this time to discuss the possibility of a partnership." Immediately, a group collapsed in the room. "These gemstones are worth approximately 50,000 gold coins, and it's regarded as my deposit."
Roger finally managed to take his eyes off the gemstones and calmed his mood, saying, "Things that you can't handle, it seems that we don't have that ability either." As soon as the words were spoken, Rence pounced and covered Roger's mouth, "Don't pay attention to him. You can tell us whatever you need to do. I, Rence, will go through thick and thin without hesitation!" His mouth was full of passion, but his eyes were fixed on Elisiss.
Ophirok regarded the several noble scoundrels with great interest. He had never before seen anyone daring to stare at Elisiss like this. Truly, ignorance breeds fearlessness. The eyes of Rence and several others began to show lewd glimmers. Ophirok clearly sensed the killing intent spreading from behind him.
"Of course, my cooperation also comes with conditions." Ophirok made a gesture, and immediately a person behind him spread out a large sheepskin map on the table. He pointed to a castle mark in the center and said, "This is a deserted small castle that belongs to my Duchy of Bavaria, but it has recently been occupied by a group of thieves. This castle is 415 miles southwest of Farrburg. Less than 10 miles next to it is the Magic Domain Forest. Although the geographical location is not that important, there are still two small towns and dozens of villages nearby. I don't want to abandon my several thousand subjects, so I need you to recapture this castle. The 50,000 gold coins' worth of jewelry can be regarded as your starting funds. As for whether you go by yourselves or gather a heavy-armored knight brigade to go, I don't really care. The commission period is half a year."
Ophirok then went on, "As long as you capture that castle, I will ask my father to enclose that land to you. From then on, you will be nobles with fiefdoms. And I will invest 100,000 gold coins in the War God's Hammer, which counts as my principal for joining the partnership. I want half of the profit rights, hehe."
The several people listened with excitement on their faces and immediately gathered around to start studying the map, but naturally, they didn't figure out much after half a day. Ophirok always watched with a smile, while one of the guards behind him faintly showed a trace of disdain.
Ett suddenly looked up and asked, "We don't have a single soldier or horse. How can we defeat a thieves' group? Ah, by the way, how many of these thieves are there? Do we have any relevant information?"
Elisiss coldly said, "Only now do you remember to ask about the information?" Ett immediately blushed. Ophirok still answered unhurriedly, "That thieves' group is actually a brigade of the Silver Fox Mercenary Group of the Duchy of Ron, with about 500 people, and their combat effectiveness is quite good. Of course, during this half-year period, they may also continue to recruit more soldiers."
Rogue thought for a moment and asked, "Neither these thieves nor the mercenaries should be in the sight of the Golden Lion. If you go there in person, even alone, you could scare them away just with your presence."
The Golden Lion smiled faintly and said, "This is just a small test. If you can achieve it, I hope there will be several more loyal and capable generals in the Duchy of Bavaria."
Franco's pupils contracted immediately: "The Duchy of Bavaria?"
"Yes, the Duchy of Bavaria."
The temperature in the air dropped sharply, and a silent undercurrent surged.
Rence became unusually serious. "The Duchy of Bavaria has excellent soldiers and generals, and powerful people are as numerous as clouds. Even just a few of Lord Ophirok's men could deal with us few easily. Although we are quite useless, we still have this bit of self-awareness. Besides, we brothers don't have any great ambitions either. Just drinking every day, playing with girls, and having a comfortable life is enough. You shouldn't be lacking just a few people like us, right?"
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Ophirok glanced at the several noble scoundrels and said, "I really appreciated the fight you had at the 'Old Oak' tavern and think you few are talents that can be molded. Moreover, in such a short time, the War God's Hammer has become so prosperous, and it naturally didn't come out of nowhere. Governing a big country is like cooking a small fish. Whether it's governing the world at large or managing a weapons shop at small, it's all about grasping people's hearts."
He paused and continued, "Thinking about life being just a few dozen years, wine should be fine wine, the sword should be a famous sword, and even when competing for a woman, it should be for a world-famous beauty. Mediocre women, even if there are thousands of them, how can they compare to a smile that topples a city? Now as long as you pass this small test, the opportunity is right in front of you. What do you all think?"
In an instant, everyone's blood boiled!
Rogue suddenly raised his head and looked into the eyes of the Golden Lion. Even though the light hurt his eyes, he didn't back down at all. "I'll do it." Rogue said word by word.
Franco sighed. "Alas, how can I let you go to your death alone? After you die, I'll always have to pick up your money."
"Meeting all the beauties in the world is also a pleasure!" Rence's imposing manner soared. The whole room was immediately filled with jealousy.
Et sat down heavily on the chair, fully posing, but before he could express his stance, the chair couldn't bear it and broke apart into pieces. Et chuckled and was too embarrassed to say anything more.
"Well then, I'll be waiting for the good news." Ophirok waved his hand and then turned around and left.
Alysiss suddenly stopped and stared coldly at the several noble scoundrels. Immediately, the few felt extremely cold and shivered in an instant, and found that their bodies couldn't move. Alysiss sneered, and a black flame flashed. The bodies of the several noble scoundrels were slowly lifted into the air, and a cold voice rang in their ears: "I don't know why Ophirok values you so much. With your current strength, you're not much different from a reptile. Even in a few more years, how strong can you get? Besides, just with you few clowns, you dare to look at me with that kind of gaze!!" Without even hearing her chanting a spell, a huge palm suddenly appeared above each of the four people's heads and slapped them hard on the ground.
Alysiss turned around and left, with the black flame leaping as if still mocking the few people who couldn't get up on the ground.
The moods of the few gradually calmed down. Looking at each other, Et asked, "Rogue, why did you agree so quickly just now?" Rogue blushed and said, "Ophirok is a powerful figure, one of the top noblemen in the alliance, and he has his own territory and title. It's very rare that he values us so much. Where would we usually have such an opportunity to curry favor?" The others deeply agreed. As for the possible intention of treason of Ophirok, Rogue and others didn't care either. Even if he really did betray, the Bavarian Duchy would have a relatively greater chance of winning. After all, Ophirok's mother is the sister of the emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, one of the three major powers.
"Maybe we can even get something like a founding hero." Lance, who was daydreaming, suddenly said. The others deeply agreed again. As for Kate, "Share the blessings together, and that guy can't escape." Et said sinisterly.
"The more people we bring this time, the better. I think we should also organize a mercenary group, so that it's easier to explain officially." Franco suggested. The few discussed again and then started to act separately.
As time went by, Roger and others were engaged in recruiting and enlisting soldiers, having a great time. In the past few months, The War God's Hammer had earned over twenty thousand gold coins. Combined with the fifty thousand gold coins from Ophirok, it was sufficient to equip a cavalry unit of a hundred people. Through either open recruitment or covert poaching, Roger managed to obtain thirty fairly capable mercenaries within a month, and the mercenary group was initially formed. Regarding the name of the mercenary group, several people had a big dispute, and finally the name "Dragon and Beauty" was passed with a vote of 4:1. The one who voted against was Franco, the only noble among them with true artistic taste, but unfortunately he was outnumbered.
However, what made Roger completely at a loss was intelligence. So far, the specific number of thieves occupying that small castle, the leader, abilities, and equipment were all unknown. Even the terrain near there was not very clear. This is not their fault after all, as these guys have just begun and simply don't know where to start to gather intelligence. After the two scouts they successively sent disappeared without a word, several people started to feel uneasy. After several discussions, they finally decided to bring all their men to conduct a reconnaissance.