The villagers gave Baron Edrin a standing ovation.
Baron Edrin's short speech provoked a wave of enthusiasm among the villagers, their faces lighting up with hope and determination.
It seed that the baron was particularly popular in his ho territory.
Once the ovations had died down, Edrin turned his gaze back to Maxi and beckoned him to follow him out of the crowd.
Maxi, curious, followed him.
Together, they walked to an old restored barn, away from curious ears.
Edrin turned back to him, smiling slightly.
"Thanks again for saving those villagers."
Maxi shook his head and decided to be direct.
"We're rcenaries, we save when we can save, but to live we need money."
The baron was surprised by Maxi's transparency, but he didn't let it faze him.
"Of course, I'll issue you a reward once we return to Algrande."
Saying this, Baron Edrin slightly dodged the question of the reward and its amount with a kind smile.
"No, on reflection I think we'll be going to the county capital of Ravemont, Lapi, soon enough."
"So send our reward there."
Suddenly Maxi looked Baron Edrin directly in the eye.
"I sincerely hope to get a reward comnsurate with the difficulty of the task, if not..."
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Maxi didn't finish his sentence, and simply decided to continue staring at the baron.
At that very mont, the Baron sensed that a dangerous beast was staring at him like prey.
This young man, who at first seed so kind and naive, could have such a face.
Suddenly, he realized the problem.
How could a small squad of 20 n sweep away thirty orcs?
To be honest, he'd known about these orcs for a long ti, but he hadn't co because he didn't have the strength to get rid of them.
He'd only co here because he'd received the news that the village hadn't been destroyed.
When he heard this news, he couldn't believe his ears.
So he decided to take a look around.
When he saw that there were only about twenty rcenaries, most of them very young, he couldn't believe they'd managed to get rid of the orcs.
For this reason, he intended to send only 50 gold coins, while promising them various benefits.
Even sending them 50 gold pieces made his heart ache, given the age of the rcenaries.
But at least with this sum, his reputation would be preserved and these young rcenaries would be completely won over by him.
However, Maxi's threat changed his plans completely.
If he sent such a small sum, he had no doubt that the young man would take his n to ransack his territory.
"Of course, I'll send you a reward that's appropriately comnsurate with the task you've perford, plus a gift of gratitude for saving my villagers."
On hearing these words, Maxi smiled at Baron Edrin and stopped staring.
"I dare not doubt the Baron's nobility."
As he said this, Maxi kept a hint of nace in his words.
But Baron Edrin ignored this, put on a serious face and addressed the main fact for which he had invited Maxi into discreet surroundings.
"I've received rumors of orc movents intensifying in the region... Count Ardan, though powerful and possessing a mighty army, he seems slightly overwheld by the orc attacks which are multiplying in all directions."
Edrin sighed, then glanced outside, easily able to see the destroyed buildings.
"That's why I'd like to hire you more... officially. Not only to defend this village, but my entire territory."
In making this wish, Edrin was thinking selfishly.
With the strength of these rcenaries, he could retain his military power while earning certain military rits.
But Maxi shook his head.
"I told you, we're not going to stay here long, our aim is to fight our way through the entire southern territory, earn as many gold coins as possible and then return to the north."
The baron frowned.
"I can pay you very well for very little risk."
"If you venture into the warring territories unprepared, you'll die without even knowing how."
Maxi kept a slight smile, without answering.
He didn't need to say that his 20 n could literally sweep through Baron Edrin's territory, and that on top of that he had a super-powerful talent as an asset.
Seeing Maxi's lack of reaction, the baron regained his composure so as not to spoil his relationship with these powerful rcenaries.
After all, if they survived, he'd forge a relationship with powerful rcenaries without spending too much.
"I respect your decision, and I hope you leave the south with wealth and honor."
Then he gestured to Maxi to join the villagers again.
"Tonight, we will celebrate your bravery. You all deserve an evening of peace before you set out again."
As evening fell, the entire village was illuminated by torches and bonfires. The villagers had gathered colorful chairs, tables and tablecloths, adorned with simple wildflower decorations.
The small central square vibrated with a festive atmosphere, filled with laughter, song and music, and the rcenaries mingled with the villagers like long-lost companions.
Several hours after Baron Edrin's arrival, several carriages filled with food arrived in the village, making the evening a gustatory delight for all.
Charles, still pale but determined to participate, leaned on Andrew to join the party.
The latter supported him, not without an amused smile.
"Are you really in a state right now?"
Charles forced a smile.
"I can't shirk my first victorious evening, can I? It would be too pitiful."
Andrew thought about it seriously and surprisingly agreed.
"Indeed, it would be rather sad. After all, this is the start of your rcenary career, so it has to be glorious when you tell it later."
Charles laughs lightly.
"We agree. Later I could tell the new recruits that after being badly wounded, I completely ignored the pain and drowned myself in alcohol and won who admired for my courage!"
Thinking about it, Charles had dreamy eyes.
But looking at Charles, Andrew had a mocking laugh.
"Look at you clinging to my shoulder like a koala, your charisma with the village won must be at an all-ti high."
Charles rolled his eyes.
"Anyway, when I ride my dragon and beco known all over the world, no one will dare to doubt my words."
Hearing this, Andrew felt slightly sad, but his sadness went unnoticed by Charles.
"Still, you must survive until then..."
His words like a whisper were heard by Charles, who beca displeased.
"Of course I'll survive!"
"Need I remind you that you almost died in your first battle, a battle that was won easily but in which you were still the only one seriously wounded?"
Charles was speechless at Andrew's repartee and looked at him with disgruntled eyes, but he couldn't help laughing as he realized the reality.
At the center of the festivities, Piedro and Terry began an impromptu drinking contest, accompanied by a few hilarious villagers.
Terry, grinning mischievously, turned to other rcenaries and villagers:
"If anyone manages to keep up with , I promise I'll respond to any request they make!"
Laughter resounded.
"Either I'll follow you, Terry! If I win I want you to teach so self-defense moves!"
A burly villager lifted his tankard and challenged Terry with a very serious look despite his flushed face.
Other villagers were suddenly excited.
"I'm going with you too! If you lose the rcenaries you'll have to teach us how to fight!"
"The rcenaries may know how to fight, but I'm sure they can't beat our villagers trained from generation to generation to get drunk every day!"
Piedro found this interesting and laughed aloud.
"Well, let's see which of us is stronger!"
A little way back, Maxi watched the scene with satisfaction and, above all, with a mysterious look in his eyes.
A few thoughts crossed his mind.
But he was cut off by Rodrigo who approached, carrying a mug of beer, and held it out.
"To you, Chief. This evening is dedicated to you too."
Maxi accepted the drink, a smile of gratitude in his eyes.
"Thank you, Rodrigo."
They toasted in silence, the air imbued with mutual gratitude, before Maxi added, his gaze plunged toward the night horizon.
"I really like this kind of evening after a battle."
Rodrigo nodded, looking thoughtful.
"Yeah, they have a special flavor."
"But don't you think it's strange, Maxi, that orcs have already gone so deep into human territory?"
Maxi looked at Rodrigo without changing his expression as he sipped lightly from his mug of beer.
"What makes you think so?"
Rodrigo watched Maxi carefully before answering, as if asuring every word.
"Let's just say it doesn't fit with what we know about orcs. They're brutal, yes, but their territory is far from here, and they don't usually venture this deep into human territory without a reason..."
He paused, staring at an invisible point in the darkness.
"Sothing must have prompted them to move, to risk open warfare."
Maxi remained silent for a mont, eyes squinting, and finally nodded in agreent. He'd had this thought before, but hearing it from Rodrigo confird his suspicions.
In all the courses in the real world, it was said that when there were orcs, they were usually easily repelled and in any case the orcs didn't venture deep into human territory.
If they did, then it was sensible to assu that sothing was afoot.
This could range from simple famine among the orcs or particularly high reproduction, to internal tribal conflicts.
And in the worst case...the birth of an orc king.
Thinking about this, Maxi was worried.
If there was an orc king, then it wasn't just the south that was in danger, it was the whole kingdom.
For to beco the orc king and unite all the tribes, one had to be far more powerful than a great knight, at least comparable to an epic knight!
Indeed, among the orcs there were already many comparable to great knights, so this was the minimum.
"That's what I think too," murmured Maxi.
Rodrigo grinned, shaking his head in puzzlent.
"I just hope we don't get embroiled in a war that totally overpowers us."
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