Mercenary System: I can increase innate potential !

Chapter 93 - 93: Agreement with Count Ardan

The corridor that Maxime walked alongside Count Ardan was lined with tapestries depicting the exploits of the academy's most renowned knights.

"Curious about these knights?" asked the Count, his voice echoing down the corridor.

"Rather yes, at what points are they strong to have their portrait hung here?"

Maxime was genuinely curious, this world has its own history, and each story has its own singularity that makes it interesting.

"Most of them are as strong as me, if not stronger than me."

"So powerful? These are people who have reached at least the stage of grand knight?"

The Count nodded as he walked on.

"Correct, with the exception of a few people who were on the borderline of the knight stage and who performed particularly important meritorious deeds."

"Otherwise I've heard rumors about you, Maxime."

"The count is joking, what kind of rumors can circulate about a mercenary without renown."

"Yet I have heard rumors about a very powerful young man who grows stronger and stronger, possessing a strength that could explode at any moment."

"He also has under his command ordinary former villagers who in a very short time have become as strong as apprentice knights."

After the Count mentioned the name of the mercenary group, Maxime already expected the Count to have a lot of information on them.

But he was still surprised to learn that the Count knew so much about him.

"These rumors are exaggerated, one doesn't become stronger overnight, but it must be said that I have a certain eye for spotting people with potential."

Maxime preferred to play the modesty card mixed with a little truth rather than say directly:

"I have a monstrous talent that means anyone can become as much as an elite soldier in a very short time or even an apprentice knight for those if the original talent is better than average."

The Count stopped abruptly and turned his head towards him, his gaze piercing.

"Your men have potential, that's undeniable. But what interests me is you, and what you're really after by coming here. Gold? Glory? Or something deeper?"

Maxime hesitated for a moment before answering, his voice lowered, almost meditative:

"What I'm looking for goes beyond gold or glory. I want to offer my men and those who follow us the chance to choose their own path, far from the inflexible laws of lords and knights. I want to show that we can become a force in our own right, without having to bend the knee a nobleman."

Obviously this was all bullshit, what in this world was more important than gold to Maxime?

A slight smile appeared on the Count's lips, revealing a mixture of approval and intrigue.

"You remind me of someone, Maxime. Someone who once wanted to change the world without submitting to the rules that already existed."

He resumed his walk, and Maxime followed him in silence, pondering the meaning of these words.

"What was this man's name?"

Count Ardan didn't answer immediately, as if pondering whether he should answer this question.

"His name was Igor," he finally replied in a flat tone.

Maxime made a note in his head to re

"That's a generous offer, Monsieur le Comte, but I have one condition."

"Tell me, Maxime?"

"I wish to retain full power over our movements, meaning that you can issue missions and we are free to accept them or not."

"At the same time, in the field, I remain the person who gets the final say on the fate of my men."

The Count hesitated only a moment before nodding.

From the outset, he had no intention of controlling the movements of Maxime and his mercenaries.

On the contrary, he was spending a little money to get a surprise.

Yes, a surprise.

He was making a bet here.

If it succeeded, so much the better; if not, he'd only be a little disappointed.

"I hear your request, Maxime, and I accept it. You'll have carte blanche to conduct your operations as you see fit, provided you deliver regular reports on your missions. And believe me, these reports will be closely scrutinized."

Maxime nodded, satisfied with this clause.

"We have a deal then," he replied, extending his hand towards Ardan.