The county magistrate needs an adviser, and the adviser needs a county magistrate (next chapter will be posted a little later)

I just realized something was wrong; it must be because I didn't see any casualties.

With a clear mind, he immediately ordered the city gates to be opened and personally invited the Soul Returner to join his ranks as a new wave of mercenaries.

The death of [ Lion Hidden in the Eyes ] contributed far more to both sides than when he was alive!

This is what it means to make the best use of resources: heads are given to the Empire for military merit, bodies are taken to the Alliance as props for a self-inflicted injury, and individuals can still get paid for their sacrifices.

Everyone is winning; no, to be precise, all the Soul Returner are winning.

As for those outside the players...

At least until now, nobody cares.

The gates of the sandcastle opened quickly, and after their identities were verified, both the Soul Returner mercenaries and the sandcastle's own skeleton soldiers lowered their guard.

Meanwhile, [ Ginseng Rooster ] and [ Gill's Cuisine ], who were the leaders of the group, were invited into Colin's room to recount in detail the attack on the Imperial military camp the previous night.

"... We had already run quite far, but unexpectedly, an elite imperial force attacked from afar. They outnumbered us and seemed to be in better condition."

"To cover our retreat, the captain... he..."

In [ the Ginseng Rooster's ] tearful account, the events of the previous night were quickly revealed to Colin.

While those two elite imperial forces were attacking Sandcastle, they should also be carrying out a night raid.

The enemy that this group encountered on their way to Sandcastle after the night raid should also be the same elite imperial force that they had repelled the previous night.

Thinking about it this way, the camp they attacked was indeed the camp of the group of guys who had been eyeing him covetously all this time.

Please accept my condolences.

Colin wasn't ignorant of human etiquette. Seeing [ the Ginseng Rooster ] crying so sadly, he offered a perfunctory word of comfort before turning the conversation to something he was more concerned about:

"So, you've obtained [ Aluode's ] token and are determined to join this sandcastle?"

Upon hearing this question, [ the Ginseng Rooster ] quickly stopped crying and nodded firmly, saying:

"[ Aluode ] told me that Colin is one of the best leaders in the world, never embezzling our mercenaries' money or food, and even giving us some extra subsidies."

The Soul Returner in front of him emphasized the word "subsidy," which reminded Colin of his previous tacit approval of [ Aluode ]'s division of the spoils.

At the time, I was actually a little unhappy, but now that I know that this was one of the reasons why the mercenaries favored me, that unhappiness vanished instantly.

"Since that's the case, and you've come to join me with merits, I certainly won't let you start as lowly soldiers."

Colin said in a superior tone:

"You two will start as cavalry captains. If any positions become vacant later, such as acting fortress knights, I will give you priority consideration."

[ Ginseng Rooster ] was also taken aback upon hearing this. He hadn't expected that the fortress knight in front of him would not only have such a high-handed attitude but also be so unrefined as to try to appease them with empty promises.

What future of acting fortress knights? That's sometime in the future.

If you don't get promoted in a year, everyone else has to be a common soldier for a year?

What if you don't get promoted for ten years?

Besides, how dare you make empty promises to those Soul Returner?

Even demons wouldn't dare make empty promises to those Soul Returner, yet you dare? You're even more powerful than demons!

However, [ the Ginseng Rooster ] quickly transformed his stiff expression into one of being flattered.

He quickly expressed his gratitude to Colin:

"Thank you, Sir Knight. I knew [ Aluode ]'s choice was right. From this day forward, we will pledge our allegiance to you!"

"That's right!"

[ Gill's Cuisine ] chimed in beside him:

"I would die for you, my lord knight!" (Marked successfully)

"Get up quickly."

Seeing the two bow in greeting, even though it was a customary greeting from the kingdom, Colin felt genuinely pleased.

But all he heard was [ the Ginseng Rooster ] say to him:

"Please, Sir Knight, hurry up and implant the crystal clusters for us. I have important matters to discuss with you."

Upon hearing this, Colin raised an imaginary eyebrow and asked:

"Then why don't you tell me in person now?"

[ Ginseng Rooster ] immediately responded:

"My lord knight, what I'm about to say might arouse your suspicion. Please plant the crystal cluster in my body first to ensure I cannot harm you, so that I can speak to you more easily."

This level of loyalty was something even Colin had never seen before.

It's worth noting that after the documents from Sand Capital arrived, the Soul Returner mercenaries were initially very resistant to the point crystal clusters.

After all, this is blatant distrust, which is hardly something to be happy about.

But the one in front of us called " Ginseng Rooster " is different. He seems to have something he has to do or say, even at the cost of his freedom.

Thinking of this, Colin nodded and said:

"Okay, take two steps forward."

"Yes, Sir Knight."

[ Ginseng Rooster ] stepped forward as instructed, closed his eyes, and prepared to receive Colin's "baptism."

At this moment, there was no resistance on his face, as if this were some kind of blessing.

However, the [ Ginseng Rooster ], with his eyes closed, was not as peaceful as he appeared, as he was busy replying to messages from [ Gill's Cuisine ] behind him:

[ Gill's Cuisine ]: "Dude, what's going on here? This isn't what we agreed on!"

[ Ginseng Rooster ]: "I know you're in a hurry, but don't rush—twenty people aren't enough. My idea is: you be the team leader, and I'll find another way."

"No, we're here as mercenaries, what other way out do we have?"

"Then let me ask you, as we walked into the sandcastle, didn't you feel that anything was amiss?"

"This is a skeleton man's sandcastle, of course nothing is right."

"No, no, no, you can't judge a book by its cover—haven't you noticed that this knight Colin is rather lonely?"

What do you mean by that?

"What I mean is, he's supposed to be a Middle Tier fortress knight, yet he doesn't even have two loyal subordinates!"

"What do you mean, no? [ Western Sharpshooter ] said those skeleton soldiers are quick to report things!"

"Not those kinds of subordinates, but..."

[ Ginseng Rooster ] thought about how to say it and quickly found an example to explain it:

Have you ever read time-travel novels or watched historical dramas? What is indispensable by the side of all generals, especially the crude ones who rely solely on muscle?

"Ah, I know, he's a Idea King!"

"That's called a staff officer."

[ Gill's Cuisine ] suddenly realized:

"Hey, what am I supposed to think? Just say you want to be someone's 'advisor,' and that's it!"

"... Hmm, that's true..."