Knight Warren

May 3rd—that was yesterday. So they were setting out tomorrow? That kind of commission wasn't a small sum. Ravenwood Town really was rich, Ronan thought. Then he grabbed a mercenary beside him and asked:

"My friend, who exactly was this 'Ragged Prince' Krantuman?"

"You don't even know him? 'Ragged Prince' Krantuman was the greatest bandit to ravage the eastern plains of the kingdom back then. Countless caravans fell into his hands. Unfortunately, he got too arrogant and robbed Archbishop Klan's caravan. The enraged Archbishop Klan sent the Holy Knights to wipe him out. But they say he escaped. Never thought he'd run here and try to make a comeback."

"I see. Thanks!"

After squeezing out of the crowd, Ronan went to Daisy to register his party's name and numbers and collect the mission. Ronan reported ten extra men, since he planned to recruit another two squads of soldiers to deal with this battle. Of course, the extra gold was also a factor. He then left the hall and returned to the tavern. He planned to try on the Warden's armor and greatsword. After all, this battle would probably involve over a thousand people, and on a battlefield like that, full plate armor was safer.

Back in the tavern room, Ronan put on the Warden's plate armor with the help of two Vigier Cavalrymen. On his head was a domed helmet with a T-shaped opening. Beneath the armor, he wore chainmail with a hood that protected his neck and joints. Over his chest was a heavy, curved breastplate. His shoulder armor consisted of three connected iron plates, allowing easy movement. At his waist was a fauld fitted with anti-stab iron plates. His trousers were also chainmail, protecting the backs of his knees, while iron plates were strapped to his thighs and shins. Round knee guards covered his knees, and he wore a pair of iron boots. The entire suit probably weighed fifty pounds, and it took Ronan nearly an hour to put it on. Ronan felt extremely uncomfortable in it at first. He had grown accustomed to lightweight wooden armor. He silently resolved to buy a lighter set for everyday wear; this plate armor would only be worn in large-scale battles.

The Slayer Greatsword was a standard two-handed greatsword. Its blade was long and thick, nowhere near as sharp as a katana. Its guard had two slender, spike-like protrusions, and a large counterweight pommel sat at the end of the hilt. The Slayer Greatsword looked plain overall, without any flashy patterns or engravings. Even the grip was merely wrapped in coarse cloth.

The mountains were unsuitable for mounted combat, but Ronan still planned to ride there. Otherwise, if he had to walk there in such heavy armor, he would probably be half dead from exhaustion before the fighting even began.

When Ronan registered as a mercenary and accepted the mission to attack the bandit gang, the system also issued two corresponding quests.

Become Ravenwood Town's most famous mercenary company

Reward: 100 gold, 10,000 experience, Masked Betrayal Greatsword (artifact)

Defeat the Windblown Bandits and kill 'Ragged Prince' Krantuman

Reward: 50 gold, 5,000 experience, skill: Rite of Conquest

Rite of Conquest: Perform the rite according to its requirements before battle. Gain +1 Strength, Endurance, and Agility in the next battle.

Both quests offered generous rewards. For Ronan, who was desperately short of money, the gold rewards were also very important. After all, if he wanted to develop into Ravenwood Town's most famous mercenary company, he would definitely need a base of his own.

None of the troop types refreshed today were what Ronan wanted, so he planned to wait for the list to refresh at midnight before recruiting. If there were truly no powerful troops, he could only pick the best of a bad lot and recruit ten men first. After all, he had claimed to have twenty-one men when he signed up.

After a while, the soldiers Ronan had sent out to purchase supplies and sell goods all returned. After deducting the purchasing costs, there was even a little money left over, though unfortunately not much. Ronan also learned that buying a base large enough to house dozens of people would cost at least a hundred gold coins, while renting one for a year would only cost twenty-five. So Ronan planned to rent a courtyard as a base after this battle, then hire some servants to cook, clean, and maintain weapons. Preferably all women, of course.

(*￣▽￣*)

At midnight, the Recruitment System list refreshed. Perhaps because Ronan had registered as a mercenary, two squads of veteran mercenaries had actually appeared on the list. Ronan recruited them without hesitation. These professional mercenaries had fought countless battles and frequented taverns throughout Calradia. As long as you paid a few denars, you could recruit them. During the early stages, when you only had unupgraded basic troops from various nations, these mercenaries were powerful ready-made fighting forces, making it easier to deal with the roaming outlaws everywhere who wanted to use your skull as a bowl.

These veteran mercenaries wore all kinds of equipment—chainmail, leather armor, iron-studded armor, and more—and carried the weapons they were most accustomed to using. However, they were exceptionally skilled at fighting in groups and protecting themselves amid chaotic melees. That was why they had survived their long mercenary careers.

After briefly laying out a battle plan, Ronan decided that he and the two Vigier Cavalrymen would serve as the vanguard, while the veteran mercenaries spread out nearby. The Rhodok Spearmen would be responsible for protecting the Nordic Archers.

Once the plan was set, Ronan had the newly recruited mercenaries squeeze into the various rooms and make do for the night, then went to bed himself. His dreams were filled with scenes of himself in a grand castle, surrounded by beautiful maids.

Just as the dream reached its most critical moment, Ronan was awakened by his subordinates. The appointed time was approaching, and he still had to put on his armor.

Leading his horse, Ronan headed for the meeting place surrounded by his men. Quite a few mercenaries participating in the mission had already arrived. When they saw Ronan in full plate armor and the armored warhorse he led, they all looked astonished and began whispering among themselves. They wondered whether some Knight from a noble house had arrived; after all, ordinary mercenaries could not afford such a suit of plate armor.

Knight Warren, who was also mounted at the front, showed surprise in his eyes, but he did not ask any questions. Behind Knight Warren were five mounted knights, followed by three hundred uniformly equipped soldiers. The knights all wore silver-white surcoats over plate armor and barrel helmets with cross-shaped openings. White cross patterns were embroidered on the surcoats over their armor, the shields hanging from their warhorses, and the horses' head armor.

The soldiers behind them also wore surcoats over chainmail and simple nasal helmets. Cross patterns were painted on their surcoats and shields as well.

Knight Warren looked at the sky and decided that it was about time. The mercenaries had mostly arrived too, so he began to speak. The noisy mercenaries fell silent to listen. This Knight Warren really carried a lot of authority in this town, Ronan thought.

"We have five hundred mercenaries, three hundred professional soldiers, and the aid of five knights from Shadowkeep in this operation. We will surely defeat Krantuman. Enough talk. We set out now. May victory be with you all!" With that, he turned his horse around and led the soldiers behind him toward Mount Glan. The mercenaries followed close behind. Ronan's party trailed at the very back, with Ronan and the Vigier Cavalrymen mounting their horses as well.