Chapter 136: A Magnificent Deal

The offer still didn’t make sense to Malrik.

"Why are you willing to do this?" he asked, crossing his arms. "I’m not complaining, of course, but you aren’t weak. So why work for free in a remote border region and risk your lives?"

Kael sighed, then stepped forward as if realizing the time had come to explain.

"Actually, Banner Bearer..." Kael began in a slightly embarrassed tone. "Ronan, Seren, Garrick, and I have been stuck in the first year of the Academy for three years because we haven’t managed to break through to the Ascendant rank."

Malrik’s eyes widened slightly.

The Academy? These guys are students there too?

Then he suddenly remembered that these four were from noble families.

Oh, right... given their status, it’s only natural for them to be enrolled in the Academy.

Still, he stopped at the last part of Kael’s words.

Three years?

According to the Academy’s rules, breaking through to the Ascendant rank was a requirement to graduate from the first year and advance to the next stage. Even so, three years wasn’t an exceptionally long time for most fighters. Many of them could spend long years—or perhaps decades—stuck in the Awakened rank.

However, things were different for the children of noble families. They possessed better resources, stronger trainers, and far more opportunities than most ordinary fighters.

Therefore, staying in the first year for three years while their peers advanced past them... must have been painful, especially for people like them.

As if sensing what Malrik was thinking, Ronan took a step forward and added with bitter clarity:

"We’ve remained in the Awakened rank longer than our peers, but lack of talent isn’t the reason."

He clenched his fist, then continued seriously:

"We chose harder paths than usual. Some of us chose to assimilate multiple law seeds, while others chose higher-rank laws. Because of that, our breakthrough conditions became much harder."

Ronan took a short breath and then continued:

"To reach the Ascendant rank, we need to experience real, dangerous battles. Battles that fulfill the breakthrough conditions and simultaneously grant us the chance to attain the comprehension needed to break through—just like the ones we fought in Blackthorn, or even worse."

Then he looked directly at Malrik.

"And your barony, Dreadmoor... provides us with everything we need."

Malrik looked at everyone and remained silent. The picture had finally become clear to him.

Now it made complete sense. In this cruel world, strength meant everything, and remaining stuck in the Awakened rank for three years was enough to drive any ambitious fighter to despair.

Worse still, the political storm looming on the Empire’s horizon made weakness more dangerous than ever. For them, staying put was not an option; they needed strength at any cost.

That was why they were willing to risk their lives and even work without pay in exchange for an opportunity that would grant them what they needed to break through to the Ascendant rank.

Malrik looked at them. They were still surrounding him, each one looking at him as if he were their last chance.

Since they are ready to work for free, there’s no need for me to refuse.

Then Malrik remembered the armor and weapons he needed to provide them with.

Perhaps I can exploit this situation further...

They need a place to hunt, and I need to offset the cost of their gear.

If I’m going to equip them with full sets of Fallen-rank armor and give them a place where they can fight the battles they need to advance, it’s only natural that I get something in return.

In fact, the stronger they become and the more they hunt, the safer Dreadmoor becomes, and the more valuable the spoils they bring back will be.

Malrik kept a calm smile on his face while he laughed wickedly to himself.

"As you all know, Dreadmoor is a border barony, and there is a lot of rebuilding to be done. Of course... that comes with taxes."

The truth was, Malrik had no idea what Dreadmoor’s current situation was. But did any of them know any better?

Of course not

Malrik paused for a moment, then added in a decisive tone.

"Therefore, twenty percent of all the spoils from your Morvyth and monster hunts will go to the barony’s treasury. Is that fair?"

Ronan’s team exchanged glances. Everyone hesitated for a moment, but Kael quickly stepped in and said:

"Since it’s a rule imposed on all your subjects, I suppose we’ll abide by it as well... right, guys?"

Ronan nodded silently, and the rest agreed without argument.

Malrik’s face suddenly brightened, and he turned directly to Eliza, who was standing not far away, watching quietly.

"Eliza! Prepare eight recruitment contracts for Ronan and his team... I mean, for my new legion!"

Then he added quickly, as if remembering the most important part of the deal:

"And let it be clear in every contract that they will work under my command without pay, and in return, I will provide them with weapons and equipment. Also, twenty percent of the spoils from any hunt they undertake will go to Dreadmoor’s treasury."

At that exact moment, Kael’s face fell.

Eight contracts?

Ronan and six of his comrades... only seven people.

Then who is the eighth person?

Kael felt the blood drain from his face. All this time, he had thought he was merely the ’double agent’—Ronan’s close friend working behind the scenes to convince them to join Malrik, and that he would naturally stay outside of all those restrictions.

No unpaid labor, no tax on spoils.

Yet it seemed Malrik had an entirely different opinion.

Before Kael could open his mouth to protest, Malrik continued as if the matter wasn’t worth thinking about at all: "Oh, I forgot something."

He raised a finger, as if recalling a minor detail at the last second. "The contracts must have a fixed duration to keep things fair. After all, I have a reputation to maintain."

He paused for a moment, frowning in thought. "Ten years..."

A dead silence fell over everyone, and Seren opened her eyes in astonishment.

Malrik shook his head quickly. "No, that’s exaggerated. I’m not a slave trader."

He thought for another second, then nodded with satisfaction. "Five years. That’s perfect."

Then he turned to Eliza once more, enthusiasm gleaming in his eyes.

"Hurry up, Eliza don’t make me repeat myself."

At that moment, Kael’s restraint completely shattered. He lunged forward, waving his hands with the expression of someone on the verge of a breakdown:

"Wait... Commander! Five years?! That wasn’t our deal... I mean..."

Kael suddenly stopped talking, as if realizing too late that he had said more than he should have. At that very moment, the rest of the team caught his words.

Seren slowly turned to him, raising an eyebrow with suspicion. Garrick narrowed his eyes, while Ronan kept staring at him in silence.

"A deal?" Seren repeated slowly, her voice growing colder. "What do you mean by ’our deal’, Kael?"

Kael took a step back, his throat running dry as he found his comrades closing in on him with suspicious glares.

"I... I didn’t mean anything! I was just..." Kael froze for a moment, then let out a forced laugh. "I mean... that’s great! Five years! Yeah, that’s great... I mean, spending five years together!"

Malrik completely ignored Kael’s drama, then waved his hand at Eliza. "Finish the contracts, Eliza, please."

Eliza nodded respectfully. "Right away, young master."

As soon as she finished her words, she quietly vanished from before them.

Malrik turned back to his new team, a wide, bright smile spreading across his face.

"Well, now that things are settled, let’s head to the training ground."

Malrik kept his friendly smile on his face while a wicked, almost villainous laugh echoed in his mind.

Eight slaves... I mean, eight strong fighters. No salaries to pay, and twenty percent of their spoils goes straight into Dreadmoor’s treasury.

What a magnificent deal.