PoV Andre

- Haa!

Nick swung his sword to Gunther. Gunther blocked his attack with his shield and kicked him. Nick couldn't dodge and fell to the ground, Gunther raised his sword and said

- There is still a lot of training to do. Although you are developing quite well as a warrior now, your fighting skills leave much to be desired. One more time.

- Got it. - Nick got up and continued the battle with Gunther.

After making sure that everything was going well, I went to my office. During these months, Nick can already try to become a level 1 warrior, but he has not yet reached the limits of his body, and his fighting skills are quite weak.

Thinking about this, I went into the office. The servant who was waiting there poured me water from a jug and said

- Sir. Murad sent you a letter with a report.

- Hmm? Give it to me.

Taking the letter in my hands, I began to read

«Hello ​Count Andre Lu Altin, This is Murad. I wanted to inform you that I have harvested the crop and at the moment we are delivering the harvest. About a ton of wheat was harvested. We left a third to the peasants, the rest goes to the Liu Altin family.

This is followed by a report on my actions and costs.

…»

The fact that the harvest is less than last year disappointed me a little, but reading the text I could not help but smile. Everything is written officially following the formalities, even if it fell into the stranger's hands, no one would understand what a commoner wrote it. Even though he has no talent for magic or a warrior, he is very gifted in other areas. Maybe I shouldn't have offered 140 septims? After all, he did a very good job and did not create problems that could be solved with expenses. With such thoughts, I continued reading. However, very quickly the smile left my face.

I can understand the fact that he hired the blacksmith to make weapons for the militia, and the fact that he promised to take care of them in the winter is also a good move, but hiring a squad of mercenaries? This definitely will cost me 2 pounds. Although the expense is small, wasting money is not the best solution, it is better to use them only in wars or serious conflicts.

Shaking my head, I continued. Hmm? After the train, they start acting? Destroyed about 7 groups of brigands? The heads of known criminals already being sent along with the harvest? Unexpectedly, I don't think he's lying. I don't know how he was able to track these rats, but it would be necessary to see how well-known criminals they are.

I turned to the servant

- Bring me a list of criminals with a bounty on their heads. Exclude all the warriors.

- I'll bring the list right away. - The servant left the office.

Hmm. Next comes the trophy report. The list of weapons obtained is small, and there is nothing valuable there. The best thing they found was quilted armor and some rusty chain mail. Assessing their value, I hardly get 4 septim. Huh?

«Although I know that I'm asking a lot, but I would like to keep the trophies for myself.»

After thinking about it, I decided to agree. If you caught a rat, you can take what he stole. I don't know what it might be useful for, but I can assume that he wants to take the militia under his wing. Considering that he's an ordinary person, I can't say that it's pointless. And also, my guard is more than well-armed.

- Sir, here is the list. The servant came into the room and handed me the list. Comparing the names, I calculated how much we would get from the heads. 2 septim. Not bad, I would say if it weren't for the fact that some of the work was done by mercenaries. They demand a considerable sum for this. Oh, I'm glad that he at least hired them on his behalf and not on behalf of the Lu Altin Family.

He's still young. Such mistakes can be considered frivolous.

- They will arrive in 3 days. Prepare everything for their arrival.

- As you say, my master.

…

After 3 days, the carriage stopped in front of the house. Various onlookers gathered at the house to look at it.

The servant I had sent to help Murad opened the carriage door. He came out of there with the mercenaries. By the fact that I didn't feel mana from him, I can tell that he is still a fighter. But the aura of an experienced mercenary shows that he has experienced a lot. Murad bowed to me and said

- Hello, Count Andre. I am glad to see you. I have completed the task that you entrusted to me.

- I'm glad to hear that. I got your report. You've done a good job. However, even though I reported it to the city guards, they didn't believe that you were able to catch them in just 2 months. Can you show their heads for identification?

- Of course, they are in that carriage, - Murad said, pointing to the farthest one.

The guard officer who was standing nearby nodded and went with the people to inspect the heads.

- Well, I guess you're tired from the road, don't you want to come in?

- I wouldn't mind.

After giving the servant an order to take care of the goods, we finally entered the house. Other servants stopped the mercenary on the threshold and gave him a bag of money and asked him to leave. He just shrugged and walked away.

- Murad! It's good to see you. - Nick happily hugged Murad, and we went to lunch. During the meal, Murad told me about what happened in the village and how he led a detachment to the camps of brigands. Although it was hard for me to believe it, the servant behind me nodded weakly, confirming his words. However, it seemed to me that the servant wanted to add something in a more personal setting. After lunch, Murad left with Nick, while I went with the servant to the office.

Sitting down comfortably, I looked at the servant and asked

- What's the matter? Is there something he didn't say?

- Well, in fact, he didn't hide anything and didn't lie. He really led the squad to the brigands and participated in battles. The fact that worry me is... how should I say, his high combat capability. Perhaps he does not have the gift of a warrior, since he cannot feel mana inside himself in any way, but he is very gifted as a fighter and can soberly assess the situation. If necessary, take risks and fight frantically.

The servant told about what happened on the first day in the village. Hearing this, I couldn't help but be surprised. Defeat 5 adults with a good weapon. Although I heard about it, I thought that these were simple idiots who were defeated by a servant, Murad's help must have been insignificant.

- Being able to fight multiple enemies that are both taller and stronger is impressive. He has a lot of combat experience.

- Heh, the child?

- Think as you want master, this is my impression.

Hmm. But as I remember, Nick relied on him in the first meeting. I don't know what they went through, maybe one day I'll find out everything.

- What is his fighting style? Noble like?

-No, I would say untidy. Like mercenaries. There is no grace or nobility in the movements.

Mercenary style? By their ability to read and write, I assumed that they were nobles, or maybe at least the children of merchants. However, this does not explain Murad's fighting abilities.

In the first meeting, he showed symptoms of high sensitivity to mana, but unfortunately not gifted.

-Okay. You can go now.

…

PoV Nick

I was very glad to see Murad, my friend, and someone I could rely on. After we had dinner, I wanted to try to fight him, but remembering the experience of the last time, I decided that it was not worth it.

- Murad, I haven't seen you for a long time. What is it like in the village? Well, I mean, what is it like to, leading a village? -Though I can talk with him by connection, I more prefer to talk face by face.

- The servant does most of the business, I was just checking if everything was in order.

*Understood. How's Nevi?*

*She's fine. She used to be lonely, but now she looks after John's children. She's only happy to do it*

*I am very glad to hear that. In the past, she seemed lonely*

During the time that I spent here, Murad managed to attract people to his side. Although he accepted them as subordinates, I have a feeling that it's only a matter of time before he accepts someone as a family member.

*What about those whom you took to yourself?*

*Tornhelm is now helping to defend the village. John gets a good income from the sale of birds. Although we have to move often, no one has caught us yet. *

* Mmm. I don't understand a lot about such things, let's go read some book. The Lu Altin family has many different books.*

*Why not, it's have been a long time since you read me books*

...

After reading Murad a book with different stories and stories, I did not notice how quickly time passed. In an instant, morning became evening. The servant knocked on the door and said

-Dinner time. The Count is waiting in the dining room.

-Ok. Let's go.

The Count was waiting for us in the dining room. The servants helped us to sit down and we began to eat. The Count casually asked Murad to come to his office after breakfast. After the meal, Murad went to the Count. Meanwhile, the servant said to me Gunther awaiting me for evening training

…

I saw how Murad sit in front of me. Looking at him I said

-Quite good results for the first time. The harvested crop was safely delivered to me, though the crop was not that much as usual, I suppose it’s not a big problem, Currently, my people are about to sell to the Chamber of commerce. However, why did you decide to hire the mercenary group?

-Considering the situation, I concluded that it’s the best solution to the problem

-Which problem? Brigands?

-Yes. One group has been well-armed, considering the lack of militia’s experience, I’ve decided to hire them to protect the village, and then decided to destroy the brigand’s camps.

-Alright. Although I don't agree with you it was the best choice, I’m not the one who has been there, so I just say ok. Anyway, do you know why we pay so much for the village manager? It’s because a lot of things can happen there. It can be a group of brigands that are too hard to catch, evil spirits hunting on people, and so on. The manager has to be sure everything is good, and if the situation requires that solve less important problems. For example, buy new instruments for the peasants from the road traders. At this time I’ve offered you too much because I thought you wouldn’t be able to solve them easily because of your lack of experience. Usually, we pay 140 septims for a half year of work. You spend less than 35 septims, about half of them will be mercenary's payment. Think about it as my gift in honor of your completing the mission. Now, you can finally rest in my apartment. I see you’re quite competent, be sure you will get a good. more safety job

-About that, can I keep being a village manager?

-W-why? -I looked at him in surprise. This work is too dangerous to do, so no one among the nobles wants to do it yourselves.

-Well, I think I enjoyed while working. I’d wish to keep doing it.

-Oh, really? You know it's dangerous work? What would you do if an evil spirit attack you?

-Well, I have some doubts it will be a very strong spirit so the priest can't hurt it. I'm not too weak so anyone can kidnap me. If they can, it means they're warriors. Why'd they needed me?

-They can think you're my bastard. If you still want to look after the village, I don’t mind, but, you will convince Nick yourself. If he won't agree, I also won't.

-Of course.

-Then, rest here until I prepare the contract, if you change your mind, don’t be shy to tell me.