Official Mercenaries

"Oh, generous sir, you must have had a wonderful time."

When Tancred stepped out of the cabin, where the mist still seemed to linger, wearing a brand-new linen shirt and with slightly damp hair, he was met head-on by the elder's knowing smile.

"You old fox, is there anything else you want?"

Tankred glanced at him, his tone neither blaming nor helpless. After what happened last night, he had truly witnessed the old man's skill and audacity.

"Oh, esteemed sir, there is indeed a small matter I would like to ask for your help with." The elder rubbed his hands together, adopting a very humble posture.

"Tell me, Elder. But I must make this clear: the previous request is now complete. If you want our help again, you'll have to pay extra!"

"Of course, of course, my lord, I understand your rules, but you might as well listen to my advice first!" The elder nodded quickly. "It's like this, everyone has seen what you and your lads have done in the village this time. Especially you, this generous and kind lord, not only treat the civilians well and care for your men, but you also keep your word and never withhold spoils, which is very different from those Norman lords in the rumors."

"So?" Tankred raised an eyebrow, vaguely guessing what was going on.

"So, there are a few families in the village with several boys who are about to grow up. Their parents have been discussing privately that rather than letting their children go out and make a name for themselves with an official like you, it would be better than to let them be kidnapped by some passing noblemen."

Tankred had a sudden thought.

Oh? I know this well, it's just recruiting soldiers in villages in Mount & Blade!

I wonder what these young men from the villages will be called in the game? Lombard recruits?

The mercenary team currently only has seven members, including themselves, and they desperately need to recruit more. Young people recruited from villages are familiar with each other, have no one to rely on, and are easier to cultivate loyalty in the early stages.

"I do need manpower," Tankred nodded after a moment's thought, and asked directly, "How many men can you bring? I need to check their quality first."

"There are seven young men, all capable and hardworking! I'll call them over for you to inspect!" The elder's eyes lit up, and his voice rose involuntarily.

A moment later, the elder led seven boys of varying ages over, and Tancredi also brought Old John to help him oversee the process. The mercenaries and villagers, who had just experienced a battle, also gathered around upon hearing the commotion.

Most of these boys were between fifteen and eighteen years old, dressed in patched coarse cloth clothes. They were not particularly strong, but their eyes seemed to reveal a tenacity unique to rural boys, as well as a hint of curiosity about the new world.

"Ha! You old codger," Old John said with a laugh, pointing at the elder. "When we first entered the village, we didn't see a single young man! Your ability to hide people is comparable to that of a rat in the field."

"Oh, sir, you must understand us," the elder chuckled sheepishly. "These days, who would dare to bare their breadwinner when someone like you comes into the village wielding a sword?"

Then he changed the subject, his familiar smile returning to his face: "That's not the point. Gentlemen, you should take a look at these young men; they're all promising talents!"

Old John, without Tancredi's instruction, had already stepped forward and, like inspecting livestock, pinched their arms, looked at their teeth, and asked a few simple questions.

A moment later, he walked back to Tankred's side, nodded slightly, and said in a low voice, "They're alright, all decent farmers who grew up in the fields. They're hardworking and obedient, but they lack training and experience."

"The gentlemen are satisfied? That's wonderful!" Seeing the two men nod in satisfaction, the elder feigned reluctance, "Of course, their parents are ultimately reluctant to let them go so far away, and the loss of an important laborer will affect their harvest for the whole year. But rest assured, as long as you are willing to leave each family with 5 silver coins as... compensation, I guarantee I can persuade them to let their children go with you willingly!"

Hmph, that old Deng! Who knows how much of those 5 silver coins he'll take!

However, Tancred didn't care about any of that. Since Old John had already nodded, he readily took out his money pouch.

The elder took the coins, weighed them in his hand, and his smile widened even further.

Finally, after a brief farewell, the group set off, and the seven boys, carrying their simple little bundles, climbed into the mercenary team's supply wagon.

The group successfully returned to Avelsa. The others set up camp outside the city to rest, while Tancred and Old John paid 20 copper coins to enter the city and complete the final step of their mercenary group registration.

In the city's wide square, the announcer stood as usual under the dome of the marble archway.

"Ah, it's Mr. Tancred. It seems you've returned safely?"

The clerk recognized him, rang the bell, and opened the logbook.

"According to the procedure, we need to verify the supporting documents for your completed entrustment."

Old John handed over the parchment bearing the elder's handprint. The clerk carefully examined it and nodded. "Very good, the commission completion record has been updated. Now, regarding your team…" He raised his eyes, "Are you planning to give your mercenary group an official name? This will help with guild registration and accepting higher-level commissions."

"Let's call it the 'Compteville Mercenary Group'!"

"The Conteville Mercenary Group... named after your surname? How boring," the clerk muttered, head down as he took notes. "Well, you must have already prepared a roster of your men, right? That's a necessary document for registration."

With Old John's reminder, Tancred was naturally prepared. He immediately took out a piece of parchment he had prepared beforehand, on which was clearly written in French:

Conteville Mercenary Group

Captain: Tankred de Conteville

Vice-Captain: John Duval

Mercenary Cavalry: 4 (plus 4 other mercenaries)

Hired riders: 2 (John Jr. and Bashir)

Sentry Guard Apprentices: 7 (Newly recruited boys)

Total: 15 people

The clerk took the register, carefully copied it over, and then picked up a seal and solemnly stamped the coat of arms of Count Avila on the record book and the copy of the register.

"Registration complete. Congratulations, Commander Tancred. From now on, you are regular mercenaries under the Earl's command. You may use the Earl's insignia on your clothing. Old John knows what he's doing, so I won't go into the other rules. But please remember, if there are any major personnel changes, you must report them promptly!"

"Ding! You have established a registered mercenary group. Prestige +10 (-130 → -120)"

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On the way back to camp, old John carefully held the register bearing the Earl's crest, stroking it as his eyes reddened slightly.

"Great! Little Tank Red, you've finally become the leader of a mercenary group! Your father will be so happy!"

"Uncle John, this is nothing! In the future, we will not only become the biggest mercenary group, but we will also, like the mercenaries who came to Italy before, seize a piece of land and a title that belongs to us!"

Tancred was making grand promises when he saw Bashir rushing over.

"Sir, there's a small problem. We found a stowaway while checking the supply wagons." Bashir's expression was a bit strange.

The mercenaries watching burst into laughter, and the newcomers also looked around curiously.

Bashir stepped aside, and two soldiers, one on each side, carried a struggling man over.

Upon recognizing the person who had approached, Tankred felt a headache coming on. He rubbed his forehead and sighed helplessly.

"A mercenary's camp is not a place for you, Miss Anna!"