The mercenary camp was densely packed. Both men and women roamed the grounds and formed multiple subclusters of people. In between these agglomerations a white banner with a beige Phoenix fluttered in the soft breeze. I entered the fray and headed straight towards the central command. Although everyone stayed on tarps or sheds made of wood and hay. The central command was constituted by five large white tents. Outside the largest one, two guards in plate armour and holding a spear blocked the way. I showed them the letter. They analyzed the seal and let me enter.

I parted the cloth entrance and saw a woman sitting on the tradition small wooden benches of this country. She wasn’t young, perhaps in her fifties and had long grey hair which was cut just above her ears. When she felt my gaze, she looked up from the map on the table. “Who are you?”

She was probably Klizza. I handed her the letter.

Not long after she spoke with a disinterested air. “For now take control of the tenth company. I want you to drill them in rank-and-file combat for now.” She wrote down something on another parchment. A strong wind current made it float to the man standing next to her. “That is Grezzo,” she said. “He is your superior officer and works directly under me. He will guide you to your company. Now go.” She waved me off and a strong gust of wind parted the cloth door behind me.

I guess this is how mages intimidated people in this world. Well, it only made me want to know what rank she had. But still, to be the leader of a mercenary company wasn’t easy so I wouldn’t underestimate her power nor intelligence. Anyhow, I didn’t plan on confronting her right away, so it wouldn’t matter for now.

The man who accompanied me was also in the (over fifty) category. However, unlike the burly physique of most people in this camp he was thin and short. His skin was a light brown and didn’t show any signs of UV damage nor were his eyes stained yellow by the desert sands. A most stereotypical mage. Well, if only he didn’t wear chainmail and a sword. This kingdom wasn’t very developed when it came to magic since the use of magic tools was, well nonexistent. Hopefully, they had something good in the capital’s coffers.

While I analyzed his features he spoke, “This is the Red mercenary group.” He gestured to the flags all around the camp. “Our symbol is the Phoenix. This symbolizes the resilience and eternal prosperity of the Mizo people. As an officer we expect you to embody these values.”

That statement wasn’t very fitting for mercenary company. This is when I thought back to the resistance stat. A good way to gauge someone’s strength would be to see how someone reacted to a blatantly aggressive or insulting comment. If they didn’t care or even acted in a favourable manner, it meant their resilience was low and as such their level was low as well. However, someone may fake their reaction which I needed to keep in mind. But if they reacted in a negative fashion, then it confirmed that they weren’t a common scrub.

To test this, I asked the man. “Are we not a mercenary group?”

The professorial mercenary turned to me, “We are mercenaries; however, the people of the sea will wipe us off the map if we lose. It will be our friends, our families, and our lovers. Not just gold and booze, I hope you understand this.”

“They come to plunder not rule over us. And even pillagers leave some people alive. They need to find something when they come back after all.” I let out a small laugh.

“What rubbish are you speaking. Whether it is to pillage or to rule, we’ll end up as slaves, and is that no different from death?”

“Sure, perhaps for the rulers and the strong, but for the people it is no different. However, I understand, and I will propagate your views as you requested. I am being paid by you after all.”

His face flushed in a quiet furry, yet he managed to control his emotions and looked to the path in front of him. “I hope your skill with the sword isn’t as vile as your mouth. May Selinna purge her body from your blood when you are swept up by time.”

A few minutes later we arrived at a subgrouping of tarps and people. In the middle, there was a small white tent.

Since Grezzo was the one guiding me, he arrived at the tent’s entrance before me. Yet, he waited for me to in front of the white cloth. Presumably waiting for me to part open the tarp for him. But of course, I waited behind him without moving.

The men around us who were chatting, eating, and eating stopped moving and looked over to use mildly amused.

“Part the tarp,” said the Grezzo finally.

“Who are you talking to?”

“Part the tarp Frize.”

I could not let him disrespect me in front of my troops. “I still do not know who you are speaking to?”

“Part the tarp Officer Frize.”

The crowd started laugh at the skit. Although Grezzo was a mage and most likely, rather intelligent. When provoked he threw that out the window. Now he had stained his image and if he were to come for my head my men would only think of it as the mumblings of a petty man. I parted the tarp for the man with an extravagant bow.

I entered the tent after him. Inside two men and a woman sat around a table where a map was placed. Yet they seemed more interested in their beers.

“This is Frize,” said Grezzo as he pointed towards me with his hand. “A grade 4 warriors and your new officer. He will be given the rank of a first lieutenant. If anything, and I mean anything is wrong. Please report it directly to me at any time of the day or night.”

Next, he stared me while speaking, only giving a passing glance to the others when he mentioned their names. “Firstly, this is Frey, a grade three generalist warrior, next, Frazo, a grade three warriors specialized in single-bladed weapons, and finally, Hamza, a grade three warriors specialized in bastard swords. They are all ranked second lieutenants and will serve you, for now. I will take my leave. Good luck to all of you.” He said that last part with his back to me and he headed towards the exit; however, his conscience seemed to hold him back and he quickly finished what he needed to say. “There are twelve companies, we try to keep them at around one hundred men each. Right now, your company has three third grade warriors. If anymore come, you’ll get them since you have the least. Four companies are long ranged, and the rest are warriors like you. In a week we’ll have a meeting with all the company leaders, so we’ll send someone to pick you up. And at that time Klizza will decide whether your commanding material or not.” After finishing his long statement, he left.

I turned to my new subordinates, “I’m Frize. A fourth-ranked warrior. It’s a pleasure meeting you.”

“What’s up with you and the mage?” asked Hamza, the bastard sword user. His wore an iron platted leather chest piece, and had his sword slung over his back. His arms were crossed over his chest, and his mind was probably just as twisted. It was only a matter of time before he challenged me to a fight. He was probably why Grezzo left without checking my skills.

“It was due to philosophical differences. That’s all.”

“What difference, use words?”

“It is because they see mercenaries and not social workers.” I took a seat at the head of the table. “Tell me are you a mercenary or did you come here to die for the kingdom? Because if you want to be martyred this isn’t the place to be.”

“Hahaha, well that’s good. And you don’t seem weak, so I’ll listen to you if you beat me.”

“What a brute.” The one who jumped into the conversation was Frey. “Well, I don’t mind it.” She extended her hand to me, “I’m Frey, as you heard a grade three generalists, and this is my older brother she said while pointing towards Frazo. He’s a bit shy but he’s strong.” Frey and Frazo looked similar, yet Frazo had a more delicate look that his sister. His hair was in a better condition, and his sharp jawline almost made him more attractive than his sister.

I shook her hand and extended it to her brother as well, who, unlike his appearance had a rather firm grip, even for a warrior.

Hamza stood up, “Let’s go now.” He rushed out of the tent with eyes filled with so much excitement it could tear apart the tent.

When I exited the tent Hamza had already drawn his blade. The surrounding mercenaries started to back away. However, when they saw Hamza stop and point his sword towards me. They soon understood what was happening and formed a circle around us.

“Hello everyone.” I said in a monotone voice devoid of expectation and fervour. “I’m the new leader of the eleventh squad. I’m here to fight for money, and not for glory so don’t worry about your lives.” I drew my blade. “Now Hamza wants me to fight me to prove my strength after that I’ll be your true leader. Does anyone have a problem with that?”

People milled around a bit, but no one spoke. If I kept the energy low, then it should also put them to sleep a bit.

“You can start Hamza.”

Without uttering a word Hamza, perhaps only two feet shorter than me, and by no means less physically impressive attacked me with a heavy overhead swing. There was no way for me to block, nor divert the blow so. Since he looked rather strong for his rank. I used quick step to his left since that’s where his liver was hiding. And even though he moved quickly to intercept the incoming blow, he was no match for my quick hands’ skill. With that I delivered a blow to his liver with the flat of my blade. Although this may be a risky strike in normal circumstances due to the fact the liver only peaked out a bit under our rib cage. With the aid of my brain implant which could highlight the area to strike, it made the whole thing a few hundred times easier.

“That’s death.” I said and jumped back in case he had the strength to continue.

Thanks to my increased agility, I didn’t even need to trade blows like I had with the guards back at the village. My strength had also greatly increased which let me move further with each step I took.

“Goddamn. Are you really at the fourth grade? You’re quick. Well, I don’t have a problem,” exclaimed Hamza as he rubbed his flank. He was currently sprawled on the ground. I had recently gained a lot of levels, so I didn’t know how hard my strike had become. Anyhow, this should have been enough to prove my strength.

“Nor do we?” replied Frey for her and her brother.

“That’s good.” I turned to the audience. “Does anyone here want to challenge me?”

A couple of people shook their, heads, others answered with a loud no, and the majority remained silent. What had to be known is that these kids were young and had never done more than hunt or fought in minor skirmishes. This land was largely devoid of war and had a strong mercantile culture. As long as I kept them alive and gave them a few coins, they would most likely follow me even if it meant disobeying a few of Klizza’s orders.

“If you follow me, I’ll make sure you receive your pay, and eat proper meals. We are mercenaries after all. But for this I need your total, and absolute obedience, for only then can we survive as a group.”

The hundred or so men nodded at once, which was quite the comical sight. Anyhow, for now I decided to return to my tent.

On the table a map was spread and pinned to the table. I would need to make sense of the terrain and figure out a strategy. Not to prevent the fall of the chiefdom. No, I did not have the power to do so, nor did I wish to do as much. I would need a strategy to steal the treasures of the kingdom.