"W-what? No war subsidies?!"
When the Gray Eagle Mercenaries learned there were no war subsidies, the camp immediately erupted. The worst hit were the cannon fodder who had signed short-term contracts. Most of them owned nothing and had come to risk their lives, only to find that their lives were worth nothing after all.
The quartermaster who had come to announce the news hurriedly explained, "Everyone, hear me out! Although there are no war subsidies, everyone who takes part in the war will receive a plot of land. The most anyone can get is a hundred mu, while even the least will receive twenty!"
"Twenty mu of farmland? That sounds pretty good. At the prices in my hometown, it'd be worth about two hundred silver coins."
"I still won't be able to afford a wife, but at least I'll be able to support myself. I don't want to fight anymore!"
The quartermaster wore an uneasy expression. "However, it isn't farmland. It's uncleared woodland..."
The bottom-level mercenaries erupted again. "Uncleared woodland? That kind of land is worth only a tenth as much as farmland. This is fraud!"
"War subsidies! We want war subsidies!"
"In Mosa's name, we want war subsidies!"
The quartermaster continued, "The captain intends to establish a small town on the land granted by the County of Presto. Everyone who takes part in the war and is willing to clear the woodland will receive a job in addition to land in the town. Those without a Holy Name can become farm laborers, while those with a Holy Name can become caravan guards. In the future, most of the County of Presto's 'Earl's Road' will be guarded by us..."
"Where is the land?"
"Southeast of Presto Fortress, near the Driftwood River."
"I heard there are quite a few magical beasts