Mercenary System: I can increase innate potential !

"Because I can't sign contracts ad infinitum, and especially because that guy was just too weak."

Langus froze, Maxime's words echoing in his mind like thunderclaps.

"Well, never mind," Maxime concluded impatiently.

"Like you, Langus became part of this secret force. I'll leave you to explain to him what I told you earlier", he ordered, looking at Kaite.

Kaite nodded in response.

"Top," Maxime replied simply.

Then, suddenly, he thought of something.

His two new recruits, although powerful, were not at all loyal to him.

Since this was the case, it was necessary to put the carrot in front of the donkey.

So Maxime looked at Kaite and Langus, then explained a few important points.

"Both of you, don't worry, you won't be slaves. In this new life I'm granting you, you'll be able to get what you want."

"Whether it's glory, strength, wealth or simply a family."

"I may even grant you hereditary titles of nobility in the future."

"As long as you complete your missions and remain loyal to me, you'll be treated very well."

Maxime finished with that, then departed, leaving the two knights full of confused thoughts.

Seeing that he had finished his business, Andrew intercepted Maxime.

"Chief, I've got bad news."

Maxime frowned, having a bad feeling.

"Tell me everything."

"Four new recruits died during the ambush."

Maxime sighed, but there was nothing he could do about it.

This ambush was well prepared and the opponents were really strong.

Faced with apprentice knights, his new recruits were still no match for him.

And because of their weak physique, Viviana's talent couldn't fully play its part.

Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire

"Roger Andrew, ask the others to bury their corpses or burn them as they wish."

Andrew hesitated for a moment, then said:

"That's not all, their deaths have caused trauma among the other VentBois recruits."

Maxime pinched the bridge of his nose, a mixture of fatigue and annoyance crossing his face.

It was really burdensome at his young age to have to deal with other people's emotions when he already had so much to manage and think about.@@novelbin@@

He could almost feel the weight of responsibility getting heavier on his shoulders.

"I'll take care of it," he said, giving Andrew a smile.

He couldn't let his negative emotions show in front of his men.

"Gather them a little way from the battlefield, I'll join them."

Andrew nodded and moved off to pass on the order.

Maxime stood still for a moment, his mind already busy planning his words. One thing was clear: he couldn't afford to appear hesitant or weak in front of them.

On the contrary, he had to create an ideal for them.

Or rather, give them a reason to live, something that would transcend them and make them dream.

He smiled at the thought; he was a dreamer himself, so it wouldn't be too difficult.

Especially since, unlike other mere dreamers, he knew that with his talent, he could actually make his dreams come true.

Or else he'd die along the way.

But at least he'd try.

He went to one of the wagons to drink some water while his men continued to collect the weapons and equipment of the defeated while also tending to the captives.

"I wonder if I can also recruit these apprentice knights into my mercenary group?" wondered Maxime seriously, doubtfully.

"It might be a bit risky..."

"But if I have the help of Kaite and Langus, perhaps it would be possible."

"I'll talk to them about it later."

On the other hand, he gave them a quick glance and was amused to see these two powerful knights looking completely lost in the middle of the battlefield.

The two had sat down and were chatting amongst themselves.

They were two knights with a great deal of experience and an extraordinary mentality compared to that of ordinary people.

Maxime thought they would adapt quickly to their new surroundings.

After finishing his drink, Maxime walked over to where the VentBois recruits were.

The recruits had gathered as requested, chatting amongst themselves.

Some were red-eyed, but Maxime noticed that some were calmer than others.

These included Garen, Jean and Lira.

"As expected, these three with talent have more potential than ordinary villagers."

But when he arrived, Maxime didn't say a word.

The recruits watched in confusion as he built a fire in front of them.

The silence was heavy, with all eyes on him.

A few minutes later, he finished building his fire and stood up.

He allowed a moment for the weight of his authority to sink in naturally.

Then he spoke, his voice calm but resonant.

"I'm not going to lie. He swept his gaze over the assembly, making sure to catch every pair of eyes.

"What we're doing is dangerous. And you knew that when you became a mercenary, even if you didn't yet realize the full extent of it."

He paused, letting the words sink in.

"Today we lost 4 comrades. It's a tragedy I don't underestimate. But these losses are not in vain. Every battle, every failure, every sacrifice makes us stronger."

But it seemed the recruits were still confused by their expressions.

"You're here because you have courage," Maxime continued, his tone becoming more incisive.

"But courage isn't enough. You need to set yourself goals."

"Do you know why you're here!?"

"Do you have goals!?"

Maxime's voice became more incisive and impactful.

"I can tell you that our group of mercenaries does have goals, and that's what keeps us going every day."

He paused for a moment, to give the recruits time to fully understand the words he was about to say.

"This group of mercenaries will become a force capable of turning the tide of any war."

"The Saber-toothed Tigers will be a force that will change history."

"And I don't mean the history of the Frost Eagle Kingdom, but the history of this continent."

Some mercenaries began to feel shivers run through their bodies, while others seemed to see the light at last.

Garen's eyes were imbued with an unprecedented solemnity, while Jean already seemed to be projecting into the future.

Lira, on the other hand, was more serious and down-to-earth.

She already had her own goals in coming to this mercenary group, and it wasn't by losing friends ahead of time on the battlefield that her belief would waver.

"But you must know that it won't come without pain."

Maxime took a few steps as he spoke, looking these men and women straight in the eye.

"I'm not asking you to walk this path alone. Look around you. These faces you see are your allies, your comrades... your family. Together, we will climb to heights you can't even imagine today."

He pointed to the flames.

"This fire is who we are. Intense and destructive to those who look at us from the outside. But it's a source of light and warmth for those who choose to be part of it."

"You can choose to extinguish yourself under the pressure, or grow up to be part of this inferno that nothing and no one can extinguish."