At about the time the Noble Faction was forming its rapid-response force, the Merchant Faction received the news as well and convened a meeting to discuss the matter.
The merchants took this very seriously—if nothing else, the fact that an earl was personally leading the force meant they had no choice but to take it seriously.
The Gold Coin Federation was vast, yet it had only two marquises and fourteen earls in total. Earl Hous, "Good Horse," had long guarded the border between north and south, and the current earl's reputation for bravery and ruthlessness was known to nearly everyone throughout the Gold Coin Federation.
Such a dangerous figure, personally leading a group of exceptionally capable adventurers to form a highly mobile unit dedicated to harassing civilians in the rear... anyone with a functioning brain only needed to think it over briefly to understand how grave the problem was.
"How can they do something like this?!" a young merchant roared indignantly. "They're utterly inhuman!"
"When have nobles ever had any humanity?" an elderly merchant said coldly, stroking his beard.
"Don't waste time on this sort of subject." A wealthy merchant cut them off, frowning. "What we need to discuss now is how to deal with this force."
"What else can we do? We form a rapid-response force too, find an opportunity, and wipe them out!"
Several wealthy merchants looked at one another, each showing a trace of hesitation.
Destroying a military unit was no great matter, but that unit's commander was an earl! If they killed an earl, the consequences would likely be severe!
"What are you worried about?" A merchant seated near the center saw through their concerns and asked with a frown, "Are you worried about the serious consequences that might follow if Earl Hous is killed?"
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