Meeting with Baron Barthon
"So be it, go have fun in town as you see fit," Maxime announced, turning back towards his mercenaries.
"Agreed, chief." they replied loudly, attracting a few glances in their direction.
"How do we find each other, boss?" asked Peter, slightly worried.
"Don't worry about that, I'll find you easily."
To which Peter nodded, though still a little worried.
Seeing the exchange come to an end, the deputy chief:
"Well, can you follow me now?"
"I'm at your disposal," replied Maxime with a slight smile.
Starting to enter the city, Maxime thought with slight excitement:
"At last I'm really starting my adventure, and who knows, maybe I can find a mercenary with two-star potential in this town. Although even if I do, it's probably someone with better looks and skills than me. He should also already have a very high status."
"After all, even this deputy chief is probably stronger than me."
Suddenly, a startling thought appeared in his mind and he couldn't help releasing it.
"Deputy chief of the guard?"
"Yes?" he replied naturally without turning around.
"How would you like to join my band of mercenaries?"
This time he turned and with a stunned look inscribed on his face, then burst out laughing.
"Haha you're not lacking in audacity young man!"
"We must always seize the opportunities that come our way, otherwise we risk regretting certain things." replied Maxima with a light smile.
"Haha maybe when you're famous." refused the deputy chief ironically.
"But then it'll be too late, and even if you do manage to join us you won't get any preferential treatment or status, you'll just be an ordinary mercenary."
"Although obviously being an ordinary mercenary could already be the achievement of a lifetime for many people in the future," Maxime concluded, laughing lightly as if his words weren't worth taking seriously, yet his bright eyes spoke volumes.
Indeed, Maxime was already a very resolute and determined person naturally, but his very ordinary status in real life acted as a restriction for him.
But his completely surreal talent had completely destroyed this restriction, giving way to overflowing confidence and endless optimism.
The deputy chief guard had detected these points, and was suddenly stunned by the charm Maxime exuded.
In his eyes, not only Maxime's confidence but also his own charisma could be clearly seen, as if it were a tangible substance surrounding his whole being.
It made his previously calm heart beat faster.
"I'm 30 today and yet I still haven't achieved anything particularly noteworthy and my life is as ordinary as ever. I've had relationships with many women, but none have been able to reach my heart."
"I've heard that many mercenaries find life much more exciting and enjoyable while roaming the battlefields."
"I've always laughed at them, but then why today does my heart beat so hard at the mention of becoming one?"
"Honor? Wealth? Status?"
"What do I really want in this life?"
"Do I really want to continue my life as one, but remaining ordinary and only able to admire these mercenaries or risk becoming one and perhaps achieve a previously imaginable honor?"
"Who knows? Maybe one day I could be at the front of a huge army and conquer lands and have my name cross the borders of this world. Marry a princess of some kingdom and give birth to a royal line."
Suddenly, the previously resplendent eyes dimmed all at once as they snapped back to reality.
"No, with my talent I'd just die like ordinary cannon fodder. I might as well enjoy this quiet life, but still..."
"I can help you get stronger."
The deputy chief guard's thoughts were interrupted by the long blond-haired young man in front of him. After a few seconds of hesitation that could easily be detected on his face, the deputy chief guard seemed to come to a decision as he firmly replied:
"Agreed."
The scene had only lasted a few seconds, yet someone's destiny had changed drastically in that short space of time.
Even Maxime was surprised by the deputy chief guard's acceptance; he'd only been testing the waters, and even all his prepared arguments had hardly been used.
But he recovered quickly and announced with a smile:
"Welcome to the saber-toothed tiger mercenaries."
"Thank you."
Then the scene fell silent as they passed through the noisy streets.
The echoes of people chatting in the street could be heard everywhere.
A bard was singing not far from a pub, drunken men applauding him and even singing along with him in their husky voices, provoking laughter from nearby guards and passers-by.
Individuals entering and leaving various stores selling basic necessities, particularly clothing, could be seen everywhere.
Shops with a hammer as a symbol inscribed on the roof could also be seen.
"It would seem that blacksmithing is a popular and lucrative profession, given the number of stores bearing this crest," Maxime analyzed.
Soon they reached a beautiful residence, apparently a very large mansion.
In front of the door, two guards watched the newcomers attentively, but soon lost their vigilance as they recognized one of them.
Soon the distance separating them had shortened significantly.
"Welcome deputy chief Romuald, may we ask the purpose of your visit and the identity of the person accompanying you?"
"Oh his name is Romuald..." mentally noted Maxime with an ironic smile.
"I've come to report on the disappearance of a village. The person accompanying me is..."
"Maxime, leader of the saber-toothed tiger mercenaries. Pleased to meet you", Maxime introduced himself, smiling to establish a good image.
To which the guards generally bowed their heads in greeting before looking at Romuald.
Romuald also made a mental note of his new boss's first name before continuing where he had left off:
"He witnessed the disappearance of said village."
Sensing the importance of this matter, the guard who had asked the question hurried to inform the Baron, while the other guard led Romuald and Maxime to the guest lounge before returning to his post.
Maxime observed the lounge with curiosity, where two comfortable-looking sofas sat opposite each other. A fine carpet covered the floor, on which a precious wooden table was set.
By way of decoration, there were several paintings and stuffed animals.
Simultaneously, a beautiful young woman arrived in maid's attire, placed cups of tea on the table before bowing slightly to Romuald and Maxime and leaving.
"Well, what comfortable surroundings..." commented Maxime silently, who had never enjoyed such a welcome nor lived in such luxurious surroundings.
Soon a middle-aged man of imposing stature and aura arrived and took a seat on the remaining sofa.
A few seconds passed, from which Maxime seemed rather uncomfortable, as he had never come into contact with people of such status.
At present, he had no great personal strength; at most, he was considered slightly better than an ordinary, well-trained soldier.
His mercenary group was also currently small and weak.
And last but not least, his financial situation was not particularly high, and even seemed rather poor for a mercenary group leader.
Romuald was in a worse state than Maxime because he knew Baron Barthon's personality.