A man in armor, imposing and dignified, was gradually revealing himself in the morning light.
His short-cropped brown hair faintly reflected the sunlight filtering through the trees.
His face, battle-scarred but still imbued with wisdom, wore a smile that seed both benevolent and impressed.
"Not bad at all." comnted Ron in a deep, warm voice, his hands stopping to clap as he approached.
"I've been watching you for a while, and I must say that your mastery of the sword is surprising for your age. You have talent, far more than I've seen in so apprentice knights."
The young man was taken aback by the knight's appearance.
He wiped the sweat from his brow one last ti, holding back his surprise.
"Thank you, Ron," he replied, bowing his head slightly.
Ron stared at him, his eyes piercing as if probing the depths of the young man's soul.
The knight stopped a few paces away, crossing his arms over his breastplate, pondering for a mont.
"You have potential, much more than you think. But brute strength and speed aren't enough to make you strong."
"Oh, so how do I beco a strong person?" asked Maxi curiously with a slight smile.
"Here." he replied, lightly tapping his skull with his index finger.
A smile stretched across Ron's lips, this ti more enigmatic.
"And you will be, if you keep training like this. But never forget, Maxi, that a sword is only a tool."
"What counts is what you choose to do with it. And sotis, the most difficult fights don't take place with a weapon in your hand, but in the decisions you have to make."
Speaking of which, he thought about the latest events that had just transpired.
He turned slightly, glancing towards the darkness of the woods he'd just co from. Then he turned his attention back to the young man.
"Continue on this path, and you will forge a destiny that not even the shadows can eclipse."
Ron's words echoed in Maxi's mind, awakening a new feeling in him.
This wasn't just the appreciation of a strong man.
It was as if a path had just been laid out before him, a path he could already feel burning beneath his feet.
"I'll do my best," Maxi replied simply, always humble.
Ron looked at the young man in front of him with palpable intensity.
Maxi, strong and charismatic, was now a feared rcenary at the head of a hundred n.
Ron already knew from the various reports sent by Killian, Henry and Ultia just how strong Maxi was and, above all, how strong his n were too.
There were already many conversations in the town of Hypocamp recounting the disastrous defeat of the village of Enor, but also the victory of the saber-toothed tigers.
His reputation preceded him, but the mont called for a more serious conversation.
"Maxi..." began Ron, his voice deep and thoughtful.
"I'd like to ask you a personal favor."
The young man straightened his head, intrigued, while Killian paused.
Silence stretched, charged with the gravity of the request that was to follow.
"As you know, tensions with Baron Barthon are becoming increasingly palpable."
"The loss of a dozen apprentice knights was critical to our high-end power. There was even an apprentice knight at the peak stage who could break through at any mont who died in that battle."
"I now fear that he is trying to take advantage of the situation to harm Baron Irut. The latter is not a man of war, nor a strategist like the other nobles. But..."
He inhaled deeply, his eyes lost in a mory.
"He possesses sothing rare. A humanity that, in this cruel world, is far more precious than brute strength."
Maxi nodded, aware of Baron Irut's virtues.
He had already made inquiries of the villagers and his n.
From what he'd heard, he was a man who, despite his status, had always cared for his people, ready to listen to their sorrows and fight for their rights.
"I know that, Ron. Baron Irut is a good man."
"Exactly." resud Ron, his gaze determined.
"He doesn't just rule with commandnts, he engages with his subjects. It's this aspect that could make him vulnerable to Baron Barthon's shenanigans. If things go wrong, he won't be able to defend himself. And that's where you co in."
Maxi furrowed his brows, his heart clenching at the thought that Baron Irut might be in danger.
"What do you want to do?"
"I want you to stay by his side," Killian said, his tone tinged with seriousness.
"Your strength and your group, the saber-toothed tigers, already represent a significant force for a baron. With your group of n, you can offer Baron Irut the protection he needs. It's not just a question of physical strength, but also of loyalty."
But Maxi shook his head.
"If knights co I won't be able to guarantee his safety."
"It's not just a question of safety, Maxi," said Ron, his gaze piercing.
"If you link up with Baron Irut, it could open doors you didn't even imagine. As a lord, he has resources, alliances and knowledge of the territory that could serve you in unexpected ways."
"A man like him, though perhaps weak on the battlefield, can beco a valuable ally. Your destiny will forever be linked to his territory."
Maxi swallowed, his mind spinning at full speed. The implications of these words resonated within him.
Loyalty to Baron Irut could offer him solid support in a world where nobles would stop at nothing to achieve their ends.
But deep down, he knew he was destined to reach heights unimaginable for an ordinary baron.
In his mind, his group of rcenaries would forever be free of moral shackles, able to do whatever they wanted whenever they wanted.
"Saber-toothed tigers are an undisciplined rcenary group, I apologize Ron."
Ron looked surprised at this answer, but Maxi hadn't finished his sentence.
"However, if we can do anything to help Baron Irut either now or in the future, we will."
Ron gave him an encouraging smile, a mixture of pride and hope.
"I know you will. Rember, this isn't just a fight for survival, but to defend the values we hold dear. Baron Irut needs your strength, and above all, your compassion."
The young man nodded, his eyes suddenly clearer, ready to face the role that awaited him. He felt ready to stand up for what he was, both as a rcenary and as a man with values.
Then Ron set off from where he'd been in the sa way he'd arrived.
"I hope you won't let down, Maxi, because I really sense in you a monstrous potential that could make this world just a little bit better," Ron thought silently as he left.
A pair of delicate arms appeared behind Maxi, encircling his firm, chiseled abs.
"I heard a noise, who was that?"
Maxi turned and saw Laura's cute smile and warm eyes.
It was a side she only showed when she and Maxi were together.
"It was Ron," Maxi answered simply, still thinking about things.
"I thought he was dead?" asked Laura with surprise.
"Not only is he not dead, he seems to have made so important discoveries."
Maxi was still thinking about so of the clues Ron had left while talking to him, which led him to deduce that sothing very dangerous was brewing behind the scenes.
"What kind of discovery could worry a powerful knight like him?"
Laura was now confused.
"I don't know, but encourage our n to train more seriously. Great events could happen soon."
Then Maxi thought for a mont, and suddenly a wonderful idea popped into his head.
"No, forget what I just said, training isn't enough for us to beco strong enough for the events that will co."
"I've got a much better idea than that!"
Laura looked curiously at Maxi, sensing yet another strange idea erging from her mind.
"What's your wonderful idea again my super cute chef?"
Maxi ignored Laura's teasing words and announced his idea, looking at her with strong intensity.
"This idea will allow us to both reinforce the strength of our rcenary group, increase our numbers, discover new talents and, above all, make our rcenary group known to the world!"
"You're always so long in the tooth..." replied Laura simply, looking up.
Maxi laughed lightly, then finally announced his idea.
"We're going south to fight the orcs!"
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