Chapter 1137 - 176: Interesting Mercenaries and the Count’s Territory (Part 2)

Chapter 1137: Chapter 176: Interesting Mercenaries and the Count’s Territory (Part 2)

"The first job of the Alcatani Companion Corps was not very enticing, nor did it earn much—a mere escort of a batch of dung to the hands of the yellow-pelt growers outside Rimas City—but Rodrigo quickly became well-known for reliability. Those with wealth and power can spend large sums to hire top-tier armies... but for every great tycoon born into this world, ten smaller proprietors come forth; the latter cannot afford the huge costs of elite troops. Thus, the Alcatani Companion Corps found their business opportunity!"

Listening to Hilude’s introduction, Su Li raised an eyebrow, smiling as he said, "Very reasonable, for every great tycoon born into this world, ten smaller proprietors come forth. This companion corps sure has keen insight."

"That’s right." Hilude nodded: "Despite being relatively new, the Alcatani Companion Corps has already demonstrated their prowess numerous times. Their first battle was a great start in a place called Bukau in the Appalachia Mountains—a small vineyard. The villagers there once suffered incursions from a particularly brutal group of Beastmen. These green skins came to the Border Prince’s Territory as Mercenaries but, being unreliable and untrustworthy, no one was willing to hire them. So they turned to banditry, attacking the small villages in the Border Prince’s Territory, bringing misery to the impoverished yet diligent villagers."

"In Bukau, the villagers spent all their savings trying to hire Mercenaries, but sadly no one was willing to risk their lives for seven Gold Coins, three copper plates, and a goat. Not even the money-lenders wanted to deal with these farmers (money-lenders being a profession closely related to Mercenaries in the Empire)."

"When Rodrigo Del Monte heard about the villagers’ plight, he was indignant. The predicament of these villagers was akin to stories often heard—honest and hardworking people—rare even in the Border Prince’s Territory—could not seek justice simply because they lacked power and influence. Rodrigo deeply resonated with such tales. So, despite not being wealthy himself, he accepted the farmers’ meager offer, agreeing to help these desperate people."

"After a forced march under torrential rain, the companion corps finally entered the locality under the cover of night. From the roadside, they saw the Beastman raiders holding torches, marching down from the slope behind the village. Despite being exhausted and hungry, these heroic gunners resolutely engaged in battle, catching the Beastmen off guard. Expecting only to encounter a group of weak and helpless villagers, they instead faced a fierce party wielding steel lances, fighting valiantly. After a brief encounter, the undisciplined Beastman raiders were either dead or fled. Rodrigo’s side won the victory, and instead of payment, he only accepted the villagers’ gratitude. This was the reward the villagers were more willing to give."

"From that day forward, the Alcatani Companion Corps has been through numerous battles and served many employers, including the wealthiest merchants and generals. But to this day, the corps is still willing to fight for the poor and weak, charging much less than other Mercenary Corps. Although they never became wealthy, in this realm, Rodrigo Del Monte became the most beloved Mercenary leader among the common folk. Wherever he goes, he is welcomed and cheered, his selfless deeds known far and wide among the commoners of the Border Prince’s Territory."

Su Li laughed out loud, asking, "So they came to oppose our fatigue strategy?"

Hilude spread his hands helplessly, saying, "Yes." ℴ

"Indeed, it does align with the values of the Sun Goddess." Su Li pondered for a moment before saying, "Then keep them in the Territory. Help our Territory’s commoners, repel a few more invasions of green skins and Beastmen."

In this world, the wealth of the common folk is even lower than Su Li had anticipated. A village could only produce 7 Golden Crowns to hire a Mercenary Corps against evil Monsters.

It sure is just as the Manor System suggests, perfectly fitting the reality of the Empire.

Thus, the existence of this companion corps proved to be of use to the Territory’s commoners.

Su Li proceeded to ask, "Then is there no reliable Mercenary corps?"

Hilude thought for a moment and said, "There is one like Francisco’s Hunter Corps, the most renowned cavalry in the Border Prince’s Territory, surpassing even the Empire’s most experienced Knights."

"The members of this corps are descendants of nobles and lords, but they either fled from home, were too frail, or were abandoned by their families for various reasons. Nonetheless, they have all become expert cavalry, and their leader is equally top-notch. The leader and captain of this professional cavalry is named Francisco. No one knows his background, but rumors say he is a noble’s child, or the son of an elector, or even the Emperor’s illegitimate child. Francisco himself never confirms nor denies these rumors."

"Francisco hails from somewhere in the Empire, later arriving at the Border Prince’s Territory. Initially, he was merely a hired hero, throwing himself into the endless wars in the Border Prince’s Territory. He then rose to become the captain of a cavalry Mercenary corps called the ’Hunter Corps’. The motives of Francisco and his comrades for joining the military vastly differ from the chivalry of Imperial Knights. The Hunter Corps fights for money, immersed in making and spending it. But they remain top-tier Knights, their thunderous charge unstoppable, capable of scattering even the furthest enemy ranks."

"Those who join Francisco are often exiled or disgraced sons of rich and famous individuals, possessing nothing but an extravagant outfit and a well-trained warhorse. Their ambition instead focuses on battle and money, hard to say which comes first. They aren’t satisfied with merely being excellent warriors; they practice endlessly, pursuing perfection. Among these abandoned young men, some are renegade knights of the Empire, and even a couple were Knights of Chivalry who somehow forgot their mission. Different backgrounds converge, leading to numerous intriguing conflicts and quarrels."