Gaining a Foothold

There was no place more suitable nearby than Watch City.

It had a large population, was directly under the kingdom's control, and was rich in supplies.

Of course, housing prices were equally beautiful.

Even a courtyard large enough to hold everyone in some corner of the city cost thirty Gold Coins.

Derek gritted his teeth and drained all his liquid funds to buy the courtyard.

It was large enough, though—about one and a half mu. With some renovations, he could set up a Blacksmith Shop in the front and a small courtyard behind the back door, enough to house everyone.

There was not even space for training, so they could only make do.

Fortunately, they still had dozens of Iron Swords and over a hundred spearheads. Selling them would be enough to keep things running.

Money was not the most important thing.

As long as he kept this framework intact, all he had to do was wait for an opportunity.

There had been no war in the Northern Lands in recent years, but it had been quite a long time if he counted it up.

After some simple renovations, Derek's Blacksmith Shop quietly opened for business.

He could no longer sit still. Training progress was getting slower and slower. It might be possible to rely on the Data Panel and become the Ten-Mile Slope Sword God by playing it safe, but he feared that if he truly went to war, they would turn into a bunch of weak-kneed cowards.

They needed to see some blood.

Derek began looking for opportunities in the city.

Caravans and nobles always needed to hire fighters.

No war did not mean no danger.

Before long, he found an escort job.

At a local tavern, there was a Quest Board displaying notices for various local jobs.

The Goat Merchant Guild needed a team of soldiers to protect a Caravan.

Derek asked around for the Goat Merchant Guild's location and met Steward Vincent.

After introducing himself and stating his purpose—

"From Watch City to Count Perez's Territory, the journey will take about a month.

"I can pay you three Gold Coins. Any overtime will be calculated separately."

The thin Caravan Steward Vincent eyed Derek with a hint of suspicion.

After all, Derek had no reputation whatsoever. If not for his Knight Order background and his family's reputation, Vincent would never have given him even a chance.

A squad of Spearmen cost twenty Gold Coins a year to maintain—equipment wear, rations, and wages—plus around ten Gold Coins for their initial basic equipment.

A knight, along with a Warhorse, weapons, and Iron-Studded Leather Armor, cost over twenty Gold Coins as well, with annual maintenance costs of ten Gold Coins.

A knight and a squad of Spearmen cost thirty Gold Coins a year to maintain, and that was without even considering the initial investment.

Three Gold Coins? It looked like a small profit, but mercenaries did not have work every day.

If there were casualties during a job, who would pay for treatment and compensation?

Weapon wear would also increase.

Besides, was risking their lives not meant to earn more money?

Derek refused without hesitation. "Steward Vincent, this may be my first job, but that does not mean I know nothing. I'll take it for ten Gold Coins. Otherwise, find someone else.

"I completed knight training under Count Perez and am an Elite Knight. The soldiers under me are seasoned veterans who have undergone rigorous training. You will not find a second mercenary force this professional."

Steward Vincent hesitated. Of course, he was willing to hire a newcomer because he valued Derek's background. He did not believe a single word about him being an Elite Knight—if he truly were one, he would have joined a Knight Order—but a knight trained under Count Perez was still a far better guarantee than other Wandering Knights.

"Since you know the market, you should know ten Gold Coins is impossible.

"Five Gold Coins. I'll trust you this once. I've dealt with the Ferrera Family before."

Steward Vincent made a concession. This was also the normal price.

Derek wanted to bargain further, but Steward Vincent finally grew impatient. "Five Gold Coins. If you were not a knight, I would pay at most four."

Knights were expensive to maintain, but they were also more sought after.

Seeing this, Derek knew when to yield.

"Then five Gold Coins it is. This is my first job, so I'll do you this favor.

"Next time, once you have seen what I can do, you must raise the price."

Steward Vincent had been worn down by his pestering. Seeing that they had finally reached an agreement, he breathed a sigh of relief and went along with it. "If you prove your worth, the price will rise. There will also be more opportunities to work together."

The two signed a contract and registered it with the local merchant association. The tavern that had arranged the job would also keep a record.

If either party breached the contract, they would leave behind a bad record locally.

Reputation was extremely important.

After returning home, Derek had to consider something.

He needed a Knight Squire. Fortunately, he could choose one from among the recruits.

For a knight, the service of one or even several Knight Squires could assist with feeding the Warhorse, maintaining weapons and armor, and even helping the knight put on and remove armor before battle or aiding in a charge.

They were practically a weakened version of a knight.

For commoners, this was also an excellent path to advancement.

They could become knights and secure an entry ticket first, then consider winning merit and building a career.

Very few Spearmen were granted titles and Fiefs, but it was much easier for knights.

Of course, some Knight Squires remained Knight Squires forever.

Perhaps they could not complete knight training, or perhaps it was due to their birth.

Derek had to thank this body. Otherwise, his starting point would have been the endpoint for many commoners.

In terms of combat ability alone, a Knight Squire was not necessarily completely crushed by a knight.

For most Wandering Knights and even Formal Knights, Knight Squires were merely useful tools—high-level soldiers.

There was no need to teach them etiquette, military command, or other knowledge. They could simply be used as servants and soldiers.

For Derek, that was temporarily the case as well.

Choosing a suitable candidate was easier for him than for others.

He did not need to consider talent. Loyalty was all that mattered.

With the Panel's assistance, even someone with poor talent could eventually be trained up.

But if loyalty could not be guaranteed, the opportunity could only go to someone else.

Fortunately, the soldiers selected from farmers had little worldly experience, but most of them were honest and dutiful.

They were even accustomed to serving the Ferrera Family, making them easier for Derek to command.

Derek's selection was a happy kind of trouble.

In the end, he chose a Knight Squire with a higher degree of obedience.

Simon

Class: Spearman Level 8 → Knight Squire ??

Experience Pool: 0/100

He was among the first batch of recruits to be trained. Aside from experience... he could no longer even be called a recruit.

An eighth-level Spearman, he was powerfully built, clad in simple Leather Armor, and armed with a short sword and a spear.

In a one-on-one fight, ordinary recruits could not withstand more than a few of his thrusts.

In formation, he could unleash even greater combat power.

Derek had personally given Simon his name, rewarding him for his obedience, loyalty, and diligent training.

In truth, quite a few had better talent than him, but his level had always remained among the leading group without falling behind.

Opportunity came to those who were prepared.

Derek prepared Iron-Studded Leather Armor, an Iron Sword, and a Nag for him.

The equipment alone was worth four Gold Coins, and his wages had smoothly doubled as well.

The cost was considerable. If he later formally completed knight training, he would need even more money.

That was why knights generally did not casually train squires. Training someone for years, or even more than a decade, came at far too great a cost.