Mercenary System: I can increase innate potential !-Chapter 117: Political test

"Let’s get straight to the point, what exactly do you want Maxime?"

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The Count was now staring sharply at Maxime. Coupled with his status and powerful personality, many people might be intimidated.

But Maxime wasn’t, instead confronting his gaze.

"A mission of this magnitude demands a remuneration to match. I and my men are prepared to take risks, but it will take far more than a vague honor or a modest reward to commit ourselves to such an undertaking."

The Count leaned back in his chair, his expression neutral, but his eyes reflecting a certain tension.

"You are already handsomely paid for your services. You enjoy the protection and resources of the Purple Knight Academy, as well as the authority I confer upon you. Why should I yield any more?"

Maxime smiled slightly, seeing that the Count was trying to minimize the situation.

"With all due respect, Count, I’m not fooled. You need this mission to preserve your family’s future. If Lady Aveline doesn’t reach the capital, your enemies will gain a decisive advantage and your position in the kingdom will be compromised."

Of course, there was also the fact that the Count would feel indescribable pain in his heart if he lost his daughter, but there was no need to emphasize this point.

Emotions were never to be brought to the table during negotiations, otherwise relations with the other person could significantly diminish.

The Count stared intently at Maxime, but said nothing, letting the latter continue.

"I want to know right now what price you’re willing to pay. What’s more, my men and I will receive additional compensation for every threat eliminated or critical situation resolved along the way."

The Count leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. His voice became colder, but controlled.

"You’re bold, Maxime. But don’t forget who you’re talking to. You’re just a mercenary, and I’m a high-ranking noble. You’re negotiating with one of the most influential houses in the kingdom. Don’t push your luck."

Maxime wasn’t impressed.

And knowing the Count’s temperament, and how easily he’d negotiated the price last time, the Count was no doubt toying with him to test his political skills.

After all, this mission required more intelligence than strength once he’d arrived in the capital.

If he passed this test successfully, the Count would be more reassured when he saw his daughter leave with him the next day.

"And you’re negotiating with a man who can guarantee your family’s survival at this critical time. You have enemies in the capital, but also on the road. One false step, one well-placed ambush, and everything you’ve built could come tumbling down."

Silence settled in. The flames in the fireplace crackled, filling the space with a heavy echo.

Finally, the Count smiled.

"You’re right about one thing: this mission is crucial. Very well, I’m willing to adjust the terms, but not at any price. Offer me a figure, and we’ll see if your ambition is reasonable."

Maxime thought for a moment before replying:

"50 gold pieces per man for the basic mission, and a bonus of 500 gold pieces if we meet and eliminate a major threat."

The Count burst into a short but heavy laugh.

"You’re not lacking in audacity, Maxime. 50 gold pieces per man is exorbitant for an escort."

Maxime shrugged.

"Maybe it is. But this is no simple escort and we’re no ordinary mercenary group."

"Our mercenary group currently comprises one man with a power comparable to a knight at the stage of great success, 6 apprentice knights at the stage of small success, 3 apprentice knights at the stage of entry, and 24 elite soldiers."

Maxime had decided to reveal his power directly, since he had planned to reveal this level of strength anyway.

However, he didn’t know the power of a knight activating his vital seed, so he could be in a passive situation if he actually fought a knight of this level.

Unless he activated his Nox Limit talent or relied on the extraordinary passive regeneration given by Viviana.

Either way, he wasn’t lying.

Many mercenaries were approaching the power of an apprentice knight thanks to their combat experience, while the new recruits were still far from being elite soldiers.

But averaged out, their strength was comparable to that of 24 elite soldiers, if not far superior.

"Without us, your daughter might never reach the capital."

The Count frowned slightly, realizing he couldn’t deny the argument.

With all his military might concentrated on defending the territory against the orcs, he couldn’t spare a single man to escort his daughter to the capital.

And above all, Maximus himself had confessed that he had a man with a strength comparable to that of a knight at the stage of great success.

This concurred with his intuition, and above all it reassured him that the young man in front of him wasn’t hiding this information.

Had he done so, he would have been slightly disappointed, although this was also understandable.

"Very well, Maxime. I’ll grant you 40 gold pieces per man, with a bonus of 300 pieces for each threat eliminated."

Maxime watched the Count carefully, then nodded with a smile.

Seeing that this test was a trial, he had asked for a price far higher than he really wanted.

40 gold pieces multiplied by 34 mercenaries was already 1360 gold pieces.

Bearing in mind that there should be no further trials of Gods, the danger was within an acceptable range.

What’s more, there was a bonus of 300 gold coins in case of danger.

With such a bonus, Maxime sincerely hoped that there would be people bold enough to attack them.

And on top of that, there was the 200 gold per week contract established at the very beginning.

A new wave of wealth was about to arrive, and Maxime was more than happy.

"Agreed, Count Ardan. You won’t regret it."

The Count inclined his head slightly.

"I hope so for your sake. Because if this mission fails, your group’s reputation will be ruined."

This, the Count said sincerely.

The mercenary group would be reduced to undertaking orc elimination missions or they would be recruited for war with other kingdoms.

Thus, they would be summoned only for dangerous missions, while missions requiring trust, such as escorts, would become almost impossible in the short term.

Maxime stood up, ready to leave the room.

"You have nothing to worry about, my lord. My men and I always accomplish our missions."

And with those last words, Maxime finished his drink in one swift gulp and left the room, satisfied with the negotiation, and ready for the challenge ahead.

"I don’t doubt it," murmured the Count, not angry at Maxime’s ungainly gesture.

Mercenaries were just like that, and Maxime matched them in temperament.

And fortunately, no one would want to follow and live with a man who didn’t share their culture.

As he made his way back to his quarters, Maxime passed the library, which still seemed slightly lit from outside by candlelight.

Looking more closely through the stained-glass windows, he saw a young woman with short, curly brown hair attentively reading a book, with a candle resting beside her.

The library of the Purple Knight Academy was an imposing, cathedral-like place. The immense dark wooden shelves stretched to the ceiling, overflowing with books of all kinds and ancient maps.

The soft candlelight created an eerie atmosphere in this building, usually so beautiful and full of life.

Although there wasn’t usually much noise, the fact that there was hardly anyone around was really strange.

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After entering, Maxime made his way through the empty tables, looking for Tena.

Finally, he spotted her in a quieter corner, surrounded by stacks of books. She was bent over a voluminous manuscript, her delicate fingers running quickly over the pages. She seemed absorbed, so much so that she didn’t notice Maxime immediately.

"Still devouring books, Tena?" quipped Maxime with an amused smile, sitting down opposite her.

Tena looked up in surprise, but her expression quickly softened when she saw her boss.

"Ah, Captain! I didn’t expect to see you here. You’re more often on the training grounds than between these shelves." She gently closed her book, marking the page with a corner of parchment.

Maxime shrugged.

"That’s true. But I thought I might learn something from watching you work. Apparently, you do well in strategy and history classes. Better than a lot of the students here."

Tena blushed slightly, embarrassed, but her eyes shone with pride.

"Thank you, Captain. I try to do my best. The cultural courses fascinate me, especially the history of kingdoms and past wars. I’m sure my talent helps, but I think it’s also a question of curiosity."

Maxime nodded, amused.

"I heard you corrected a teacher on a mistake he made in a lecture. Is that true?"

Tena smiled guiltily.

"Yes... it was about the wars the kingdom of the Frost Eagle had waged. He thought that the battle of 342 of the royal calendar, the Battle of the Frozen Fields, had led to the siege of Ardenhold in 348, except that it hadn’t, so I couldn’t help correcting him."

"Oh...what do these two battles consist of?" asked Maxime curiously.

Tena’s eyes suddenly lit up in response.

"Do you really want to know?"

"Yes, of course tell me." replied Maxime, settling comfortably in his chair.

"So...where to start..."

"You should know that the Kingdom of the Frost Eagle shared a disputed border with the Kingdom of Halenveil, a neighboring nation known for its vast fertile plains and harsh winters."

"For decades, tensions had been rising around a mineral-rich region called the Silver Rift, located at the crossroads of the two kingdoms."