“A-A banquet, you say?”
“Yes. Since you have arrived after a long time, shouldn't we hold a banquet to welcome Shatien, the pride of our Mercenary Office? Hahahaha.”
“Haha…. I am grateful, but what I mentioned earlier was….”
“Aww. I told you not to worry about those things. I will delegate everything to you, so work hard as you see fit. Now, now. Come this way.”
It was confusing whether this was Captain Mordo's behavior to gloss over the situation or a sincere intent to delegate everything.
The only certain thing was that Captain Mordo had changed.
The sharp and dignified figure of a mercenary captain from before was nowhere to be found, and now he was just like…. just like….
‘He looks like some fat, wealthy tycoon!!’
How could a person change this much?
Just what on earth had happened while he was away in the North?
Shatien was shocked.
He tried to smile while hiding such feelings as much as possible, but he could not adjust at all.
-Tap, tap.
Then, Centurion Jacri hurriedly signaled from behind Captain Mordo. It was a sign to just moderately play along.
“Haha. Very well. Then please prepare the banquet. I will join you immediately after taking care of some minor cleanup with Centurion Jacri.”
“Ah? Cleanup? I wonder if you need to personally look after even that…. But sounds good, I understand. But come quickly, alright? Uhahahaha. Everyone is waiting for you.”
“Understood, Captain Mordo. Please go ahead.”
Only then did Captain Mordo move his massive body and exit the room. He had gained so much weight that he panted with every movement.
“He changed a lot. And he will change a lot more in the future.”
Centurion Jacri spoke as he watched Captain Mordo's retreating back.
“Sauerland changed a lot while you were in the North.”
-Swish!
Centurion Jacri pulled back the curtain on the opposite window. Beyond it, a busy and vibrant city was visible. Various artisans had settled inside, making and selling goods, while merchants came in to exchange and trade.
“The existence of the Mercenary Office and the reputation you continuously built in the North were perfect for showing that Sauerland was safe. Merchants and artisans who lost their way due to the continuous civil war headed here, and Captain Mordo was not a foolish person who would miss that.”
So in other words….
While they were suffering and working like dogs in the North, Sauerland had enjoyed an immense windfall. It seemed they had given places to the swarming artisans and merchants, even reduced taxes, and provided full support.
“As a result, it has now become one of the quite large cities. Though the size of Sauerland City itself was originally large compared to its actual scale.”
“Then is Captain Mordo completely satisfied with that lifestyle?”
“As it seems.”
“…….”
After a short silence, Centurion Jacri let out a sigh.
“I have no intention of blaming him. Originally, Captain Mordo was a noble, and an inherited noble at that. Now that he has acquired a fief to support his family, wouldn't the motivation to risk his life amidst the blades of the battlefield like before disappear? It has already been several months since he put down his sword and looked after the territory.”
“Dear me…. Then what happens to the Mercenary Office?”
“What do you mean what happens? The Mercenary Office will not disappear. Captain Mordo knows well that the prosperity of Sauerland comes from the Mercenary Office. In the future…. you will have to lead the Mercenary Office. From what I can see, he intends to step down after soon appointing you as the Director of the Mercenary Office. It has been a long time since he completely set his mind on ruling the territory.”
He had not imagined that the situation had changed to this extent. Of course, he had thought about taking over the Mercenary Office someday, but for it to be this soon?
“What do you intend to do, Centurion Jacri?”
“Sigh…. Originally, I was a vassal of Captain Mordo, or rather, the Baron. Now I must return to my original status. The time has come to end the long wandering. In fact, I have already called my family and relatives here.”
“My goodness.”
If even Centurion Jacri was like that, the core of the Black Raven Mercenary Company that Captain Mordo had led would effectively be entirely replaced. It was a solo stage just for Shatien, so to speak.
Not surprisingly, Centurion Jacri seemed to think the same.
“Do not worry. I will do my best so that you can seize control of the Mercenary Office. The officers of the old mercenary company might resist. Does Sauerland not have an uncomfortable roommate?”
“Are you referring to Baron Garten?”
“Yes. That bastard might incite those dissatisfied personnel for no reason. You must especially be careful of Centurion Jenga.”
“Ah. It is fine. Centurion Jenga decided to join me.”
“Oh, really?”
Centurion Jacri's eyes widened as if he were surprised.
It was because the greedy Centurion Jenga had enough reason to have other intentions. But he soon nodded. Each person's desires were bound to be different.
“Then it is even easier. There will be no need for complex disciplinary measures. If even Centurion Jenga is on your side, who would resist? Just hold a moderate banquet once you take office.”
“Ahahaha. Understood.”
“Ah, one more thing.”
“Huh?”
Centurion Jacri silently reached out his hand.
“I look forward to working with you. New Director.”
* * *
“To the future!”
“To the prosperity of Sauerland!”
“To Captain Mordo, ah! He is a Baron now! Blessings to the Baron!!”
“Long live the new Mercenary Office Director, Shatien!”
“Long live the Sauerland Mercenary Office!”
Indeed, there were no ups and downs in succeeding to the position of the Director of the Mercenary Office.
No one dared to feel dissatisfied or offer a dissenting opinion.
In fact, it was inevitable because the primary contributors leading the existing mercenary company had all acknowledged Shatien's succession. What kind of bold bastard would exercise a veto without having achieved anything?
Moreover, Shatien's reputation could no longer be viewed as that of an ordinary mercenary.
“Blessings to Sir Shatien who has risen to the position of the new Mercenary Office Director. This is a gift sent by the deputy of the Rostingia Marcher Lord.”
“I greet Sir Shatien. The monastery has sent a gift.”
“In accordance with the duty of the holy contract performed under God, His Excellency Count Bellua congratulates Sir Shatien on his inauguration.”
“From the merchant guild….”
As soon as the story regarding the inauguration spread, congratulatory envoys were sent from each related power. At this point, even Baron Garten, who was planning to pull tricks from behind, could not stay still.
“Uhahahaha! Sir Shatien! Or Director Shatien? Should I call you that? Anyway, I knew very well that Sir would do this well! Did you not even save my life last time?”
Baron Garten came as if to show off to those around him, raising his voice and diligently congratulating and flattering Shatien on his inauguration. Baron Garten also knew well from whom the current prosperity originated.
Supported by everyone in the Mercenary Office, supported by the two Barons who ruled Sauerland, and finally, even guaranteed by the immense great nobles of the continent.
Thanks to this, Shatien was able to possess very strong authority from the start.
‘Good.’
The start was very good.
He had expected significant pushback, but all predictions were wrong. If this was the case, it was a situation where the concept he had planned before coming had to be entirely changed.
“Send someone to Free City Loren. State that the Mercenary Office wishes to establish a full-scale cooperative relationship with Free City Loren.”
While reconstructing a strong alliance in the hinterland.
“Recruit mercenaries on a large scale. Seek understanding from the surrounding nobles and the Free City, and recruit high-quality soldiers.”
He began the recruitment of personnel to prepare for the approaching great war.
-Clang, clang, clang, clang.
-Hey, hey! Be careful.
-Tsssss!
Sauerland enjoyed an unexpected sudden boom. The hammering of artisans was incessant, and merchants who caught the scent of money headed here with various goods.
“Harharhar! Now, now. Shatien. Are you not using the resources of the Mercenary Office too lavishly? Well, it is good for me, though.”
Thanks to this, the broad smiles never left the faces of Baron Mordo and Baron Garten. In that short time, Sauerland, which had been half-empty, became so crowded with people that it felt cramped.
And as the preparations were finished to some extent.
“Miles, Centurion Jenga.”
“Uh, wassup. Shatien.”
“You bastard. Can't you speak properly? Arrogant bastard. Director Shatien. Did you call us?”
“We must reorganize the unit.”
“Oh! Finally.”
“What shall we start with? Hehehe. Just say the word.”
What shall we start with?
Naturally, it was from the reorganization of the unit's armament and organization.
“Miles. Take charge of the halberdier unit. I intend to set twenty percent of the total infantry unit as halberdiers. Take responsibility for the relevant training and phalanx formation.”
“Right! I understand. Ehehe. When it comes to the halberdier, it is me, Miles. Do not worry.”
“Centurion Jenga. Can you take the position of the Senior Centurion?”
“M-Me?”
“Yes. Have you not led the unit well in the North? It is totally possible.”
“E-Ehehehe. Of course I can do it. No, I can do it, Director Shatien! Trust me and leave it to me.”
“Good. Then, Senior Centurion Jenga, we will train all the rest as a pike phalanx unit. If you recommend the centurions who will lead each phalanx unit under your command, I will select and appoint them.”
“Understood!”
A set of square pike phalanx squads divided into hundreds and halberdier units guarding both sides.
He intended to arrange these unit blocks densely to construct an endless and powerful phalanx. If the opponent entered to face this phalanx, they would suffocate and collapse from the endless rows of the formation.
And while actively reorganizing and training the mercenary company, the elf knights heard the news and came to cause a stir.
“Sir! Sir!”
“What should we do? Oh, Sir Shatien! You haven't forgotten us, have you?”
“My friend. Do you really think he forgot? He was just busy training those lacking human warriors. Now that the training is going well, he will give us something too.”
“Ooh! That makes sense!”
The elf knights looked at Shatien with sparkling eyes. Their gazes were full of expectation as if he would give them something amazing right away.
Of course, Shatien, he….
“Ahahaha….”
He only laughed awkwardly.
There were no significant missions to give separately to the elf knights. A horse was not something just anyone could ride. He could not find cavalry capable of matching the elf knights even if he tried.
But he could not leave such precious personnel alone to just consume food.
“Hmm. Very well. I will create a task and ask you.”
“Oooooh! Is it true?”
“Yes! Just trust me.”
“Uhahahaha! Very good. Sir!! As expected, Sir is the best.”
A fairly good task had come to mind. One that could strengthen the power of the mercenary company and also check the results of the training.
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