"Lord Roland, we were wrong! Please forgive us!"
Outside the Governor's Residence, in the camp.
The defeated adventurer leaders sought out Roland, tearfully admitting their mistakes. They even demonstrated their literary refinement by borrowing the act of "bearing thorn branches to beg forgiveness" from his Romance of Seris.
"You don't need to tell me any of this. I have no authority to punish you, anyway. We'll simply deduct your pay according to the rules of the commission."
Roland could not be bothered with these slippery old hands. He turned straight to Jonis and said approvingly, "You did very well this time. We can settle your commission fee now. Also, I intend to fund the establishment of a proper, large-scale Mercenary Corps for you, specializing in warfare!"
Overjoyed, Jonis dropped to one knee and gripped his sword hilt as he swore, "I pledge my life to your service! Jonis will never forget your great kindness!"
Rabio and his other companions were sincerely happy for him. They knelt as well and swore, "We pledge to follow our commander and repay you with our lives!"
"What great kindness? If you cause trouble someday... ahem..." Roland began instinctively, then realized something was wrong and hastily stopped, looking sheepish. Instead, he said, "I observed your earlier battle through Arcane Eye. It seems retaking the Royal Capital won't be so easy.
"In that case..."
He beckoned, and several servants entered carrying banners roughly ten feet long.
"Lord Roland, these are..."
Jonis and the others turned their eyes toward them.
"I get it! These must be those miraculous treasures the immortals bestowed on the heroes of Xiqi in Investiture of the Gods!"
One self-appointed expert clapped his hands, suddenly enlightened.
The others chimed in. They had read that novel!
Roland glanced at him.
*You clever little rascal.