As they walked, they discovered the atmosphere of a thriving dieval town, which seed to make Hypocamp a totally different place from last night.
The sun rose above the ramparts, illuminating the thatched and slate roofs of the houses huddled together.
The cobbled streets, winding and often narrow, quickly filled with rchants, craftsn and busy townsfolk. The steady clatter of hooves on stone, mingled with the creaking of horse- or ox-drawn carts, echoed through the streets.
But this effervescence mixed with the fresh morning air made walking through the city a pleasant experience.
Passing back into the center of town, in the large market square, the scene was particularly lively.
Wooden stalls, covered in colorful linens, lined up in tight rows. Vendors shouted to sell their wares, addressing passers-by in loud voices, extolling the virtues of their wares: fresh fruit, vegetables, fabrics, pottery, dicinal herbs and other indispensable commodities.
The air was filled with the scent of freshly baked bread, spices from faraway lands and smoke from butchers' and fishmongers' stalls.
The bright colors of the vegetables and fruit contrasted with the dull, worn clothes of the peasants who ca to sell their produce, their faces burnished by working under the sun.
The little rcenary troop passed by, observing the excitent of a dieval town.
"Hey boy, would you like so fruit in the morning?" shouted a rchant selling fruit.
The voice caught Maxi's eye.
Glancing around, he saw a middle-aged man with deep wrinkles, but smiling brightly.
He was obviously selling various types of fruit from his stand.
"Normally you can have any fruit you like for one bronze coin, but because you look rather nice, you can have 5 for only 4 bronze coins!"
Maxi shook his head and continued forward with his n.
The salesman, seeing Maxi's peculiar attire, and in particular his sword, didn't insist any further.
Instead, several citizens who had heard the vendor's special offer ca to his stand and began bargaining for the 5 fruits for 4 bronze coins.
Ten minutes later, Maxi and his n arrived at the baron's gate.
Without much ado, two n dressed as servants opened the gate for them.
At the sa ti, the two n motioned for them to follow.
Entering the Baron's residence, they first discovered the gardens.
Surprisingly, the flowers had lost their color and the different species were blending into one another.
The various trees growing in the garden had clearly not been pruned for a long ti, and simply grew naturally.
Dead leaves covered the gravelly ground.
A fountain stood in the middle of the gardens, but as Maxi and his n approached it, they discovered that it had long since dried up.
Weeds had broken through the fountain's stone floor and were beginning to proliferate at the bottom of the fountain.
In the distance, at the top of the steps leading up to the Baron's mansion, a man dressed as an ordinary civilian keeping his arms behind his back, as well as a man in full armor could be seen by Maxi and his n.
They climbed the steps and arrived in front of these two people.
"I take it this is our young hero, Maxi, whom we have the honor of eting?" asked the plain-clothed man with so eloquence.
Maxi didn't think he'd be directly placed at such a height and was surprised, but outwardly he simply flashed a smile.
"My n are my real strength," Maxi replied simply.
"Chevalier Ron, we et again," Maxi continued, this ti looking at the man in armor.
The latter removed his helt.
"As expected, I couldn't hide for long," laughed Ron after removing his helt.
"In that case...I take it you're Baron Irut?" questioned Maxi, looking at the middle-aged man with the unshaven beard.
"Welco to my town of Hypocamp," retorted the baron, extending his hand towards Maxi.
Maxi didn't hesitate and shook the baron's hand.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Lord Irut.
The baron laughed lightly.
"Lord is a big word for a simple baron.
Stopping their handshake, the baron invited Maxi and his n into the manor.
The interior of the manor was similar to the garden.
It was in a dilapidated state, but the various works of art hanging on the walls, as well as the armor and swords decorating the manor, kept a last trace of the glorious tis the manor had known.
Baron Irut noticed the strange looks on the rcenaries' faces.
This was also rather obvious, since it wasn't the first ti it had happened.
Who could believe that a baron would have such a miserable garden and mansion?
"Various incidents have co and gone in recent years, dealing a devastating blow to the barony's economy."
"Now most of the tax money is invested in training aspiring knights."
After the baron's explanation, Maxi and his n understood the situation slightly better.
The baron led them into a small room where a large round wooden table sat, surrounded by exactly 9 wooden chairs.
A large map of the region had been placed in the center of the table.
"Please be seated, everyone."
The Baron sat at one end of the table while Maxi sat at the other.
Chevalier Ron took his place to the right of the baron, while the rcenaries sat closest to Maxi.
This left one last chair to the Baron's left.
Simultaneously, a noise was heard at the door.
"Knight Jack requests permission for the lord to enter."
"Don't be so courteous, enter Jack."
An imposing man in armor entered the room and sat down next to the baron.
Maxi inhaled slightly.
Before him stood 3 knights.
They were 3 knights!
Together, these 3 individuals could undoubtedly face an army of 100 soldiers head-on and exterminate them without a care!
They represented the imnse gulf the nobility had built up between themselves and ordinary civilians.
With their bodies and vital seed, they were immune to most poisons.
Not to ntion their reaction speed and physical strength, which rendered any assassination attempt by ordinary people completely useless.
Without Nox Limit, Maxi and his n could be killed in less than a dozen breaths if these 3 n were to act.
"So Maxi, when you spoke with Ron, you said you'd be willing to intervene in the war with Baron Barthon for 800 gold pieces and enough lodging to house and feed 200 people."
"You also wanted a field big enough to train that many people. Not to ntion that you wanted the land to be in your na."
When Baron Irut spoke directly about this affair, Maxi didn't have the sa confidence as when he'd discussed it with Chevalier Ron.
Not to ntion the passive intimidation conferred by the presence of 3 knights on him, the simple aura of this casually dressed middle-aged man was not sothing Maxi could bear.
It was the aura of soone long accustod to power.
For his part, Maxi was still an ordinary high-school student working hard to earn a watch just over two months ago.
But recent experiences combined with a natural leadership temperant ant that Maxi only needed a mont to calm down.
"Yes, and it's a price accepted in the context of Baron Barthon offending my rcenary group. Otherwise we wouldn't be here talking to you."
On hearing Maxi's words, Chevalier Ron smiled slightly, while Chevalier Jack frowned.
"Indeed, calves aren't afraid of tigers," murmured Jack.
"But it's been proven that even tigers can lose their claws if they're not careful," replied Ron, looking at Jack.
Irut obviously didn't care about the little altercation between his knights.
Instead, he looked Maxi directly in the eye.
"To be honest, your rcenary group is still too weak to deserve such a prize."
"Especially since in our situation, it's complicated to be able to get out so much money and manpower."
Irut's words made Maxi doubt.
"What's he getting at?" he thought.
"But for a magical talent like yours, Maxi, I'm willing to make an effort.
"However, I need to know its effects first before I can do anything."
Ron and Jack also stopped their visual confrontation, and looked strangely at Maxi.
Baron Irut bent his waist and leaned back against the table, moving slightly closer to Maxi.
"So tell Maxi, what's your talent?"
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