Mercenaries were the best means of rapidly expanding one's military strength.
This was especially true of large, organized mercenary companies, whose actual combat strength was no weaker than that of regular armies.
They were simply far worse when it came to everyday discipline.
Their fighting spirit was weaker as well.
In an unfavorable battle, they would almost certainly break and flee.
That said, larger mercenary companies tended to have a stronger sense of contract.
They were more likely to fulfill their agreements.
But that was all. Once the situation truly turned bad, those who needed to run would still run.
So while mercenaries could immediately bolster one's forces, they were not cheap, nor were they as reliable as people imagined.
Those money-grubbers only had eyes for Denar that rang crisply in their hands.
Honor was a joke, and loyalty an even bigger one.
A famous legendary mercenary leader had once said:
"All mercenaries' loyalty should be devoted to money. It is good for everyone."
It had to be admitted that those words made a great deal of sense.
The principle of money above all else and a sense of contract formed the two core foundations of mercenary existence.
Although everyone knew that mercenaries would not fight to the death for their employers most of the time, their presence could at least provide a certain advantage when war began.
Queen Sandina of the Nord Kingdom, for one, controlled quite a few large mercenary companies.
Moreover, those mercenary companies were remarkably loyal to her, making her an exception within the industry.
That indicated Queen Sandina surely had some secret.
Outside the mill, Hisham Conway's expression was somewhat grave as he met the marquis's gaze.
"It is only natural that you do not wish to involve yourself in the conflict between Grand Duke