Chapter 32: Strategically Acquiring 77 White Wolves

Draxel addressed Profit Empress Ronnie, “By tonight, I’ll have 2,000 Denars to give you.”

“That’s still less than what you borrowed last time.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll soon be flush with cash.”

“Count, where does this confidence come from?”

“Do you remember the down-and-out young fellow who visited you before? He’s a business whiz, now working for me.”

“That’s amusing, a destitute young man helping a broke count, hahahaha.”

Observing Ronnie’s laughter, shaking with mirth, Draxel felt a twinge of embarrassment. When had he ever been so financially strapped?

Regaining her composure, Ronnie said, “Okay, Count, I’ll trust you once more. I won’t take those 2,000 Denars now. Pay me back later, but I want double.”

“Double!? Wow, I might as well offer myself as collateral.”

“Count, are you really worth that much?”

Ronnie playfully cupped his handsome face, pinching and twisting as if examining a precious artifact.

“Ronnie, stop pinching my face. It’s going to bruise.”

“With your good looks, you’d do well as a bartender here, charming the wealthy ladies,” she teased.

Hearing this, Draxel chuckled, then got serious, “All jokes aside, I really need your mercenaries. With Swadia and Khergit at war, my situation is dire.”

“With 2,000 Denars, I can offer you either 50 second-tier veteran mercenaries or 25 third-tier elite troops. Which do you prefer?”

Draxel quickly reconsidered and then shifted his approach, “So, you could actually lend me 75 people, right?”

“Have you come to rob me now? First, you plunder bandits, and now my tavern? Are you addicted to this, Count?”

Profit Empress Ronnie’s blood pressure soared instantly, her forehead veins almost popping.

“Ronnie, I’ll give you 4,000 Denars for these 75 soldiers. That, plus the previous 3,000, makes 7,000 in total. I promise to personally return the money within a month.”

“Hey, Count, that’s quite a sum. What if you can’t repay it?”

“I assure you, I will. I stake my honor as a Count and the sovereignty of Uxkhal and its three villages as collateral.”

With that, Draxel produced the commission and seal he had received from King Harlaus X of Swadia. Realizing he was serious, and observing his earnest demeanor, Profit Empress Ronnie found herself somewhat impressed by his charm.

“No need for collateral, your word suffices, I trust you. I’ll provide 77 men. You can take them now.”

“77? Who are the additional two?”

Profit Empress Ronnie glanced towards a nearby area and loudly commanded, “Xiao Nan, Xiao Jia, from now on, you no longer serve as my bodyguards. I order you to obey Draxel’s commands.”

“Understood, Count Draxel. Your foes are our foes, your command our duty,” the pair responded in unison.

“Ronnie, thank you. These two brothers are dependable.”

“Next time you come, bring 7,000 Denars. And don’t forget, you owe me another performance of ‘The Queen.’”

Draxel’s smile widened in response, “No problem, my princess, Profit Empress Ronnie.”

He then arranged for Xiao Nan and Xiao Jia to pick out 50 second-tier veteran mercenaries and 25 third-tier light cavalry mercenaries from the tavern’s pool. Crossing paths with Xiao Jia, Draxel noticed his recent gain in strength. Using the system for a quick check, he was pleasantly surprised to discover that Xiao Jia had also leveled up to a fourth-tier tavern-employed knight, equal in rank to Xiao Nan.

“Indeed, this trip has been very rewarding, especially with the unexpected addition of two fourth-tier tavern-employed knights,” Draxel thought to himself with satisfaction.

Soon, the troops were fully assembled and ready, awaiting Draxel’s command.

“Xiao Nan, you will command the 25 third-tier light cavalry. Xiao Jia, you will lead the 50 second-tier veteran soldiers.”

“At your service, my lord,” the brothers acknowledged with respectful nods.

Mounting his strong travel horse, a more robust and faster steed than his previous one, Draxel thanked Profit Empress Ronnie once more before addressing his 77-strong troop:

“Alright, let’s set off. We return to Uxkhal!”

Two days later, as the morning sun slowly ascended, casting its warmth and grandeur over the land of Calradia, Draxel’s troop arrived at Uxkhal.

The guard at the main entrance, the Swadian recruit, was utterly astonished by the sight before him.

“Good morning, my lord. Where did all these soldiers come from?”

Draxel, not in the mood to explain, playfully responded, “Hahaha, haven’t you heard from Safiya and the others? I possess magic, Magic~”

His troops made an impressive entrance into the town. Draxel led them to the soldiers’ quarters, where Awang was busy training. 

Awang, ever perceptive, had already sensed the arrival of a large group of well-trained soldiers. Their disciplined silence indicated they were not enemies, but the sight of this formidable force of over seventy soldiers still surprised him greatly.

“My esteemed lord, where did you…” Awang started to ask, but paused as he caught sight of two familiar figures, Xiao Nan and Xiao Jia.

“Long time no see, Awang. Are you well?” Xiao Nan initiated the greeting.

“So, it was Profit Empress Ronnie who lent us support. She’s truly generous. Xiao Nan, Xiao Jia, it’s good to see you.”

Draxel was reassured seeing their friendly interaction. He advised, “You three need to learn to work together, considering your different tactics and fighting methods.”

Draxel’s assessment was spot on. Awang, as a Khergit horse archer, specialized in guerilla tactics and long-range combat, donning light armor. Xiao Nan and Xiao Jia, on the other hand, were medium melee knights adept in close-quarters battle, wielding short swords and round shields, and leading light cavalry with a similar focus.

The 50 second-tier tavern-hired veterans were a diverse group. Some were skilled archers and crossbowmen, while others excelled with long swords and spears, displaying a range of expertise.

“Awang, select the archers and crossbowmen from the veterans for your command. Xiao Jia, you’ll lead the remaining veterans, and Xiao Nan, the light cavalry is under your charge.”

“Understood, my lord,” the three responded simultaneously.

“You’ve got roughly a day to train and coordinate. I suspect the enemy will be upon us soon. I need to go to the lord’s hall now, so make sure there are no delays.” With his orders given, Draxel quickly departed for the lord’s hall.