"My lord duke I have been to that store before the quality of their equipment even surpasses that of the elite city guard squad" commander Mitch who was also attending the meeting added more fire the issue.
The duke and the nobles gathered nodded. Indeed some had bought armor from the store and the armor was of a higher quality than what their soldiers had. They had wanted to snatch them but the involvement of count Tiberius and Count Rose made them back off.
"Exactly as the commander said if we had even two thousand of their armor we could put together an elite regiment that could aid as in this war" count Tiberius continued.
"Don't forget those can foods that can be used to ration our men and the sugar and salt that could earn as all a pretty penny" another viscount a supporter of count Tiberius added.
"Alright since they have what we need commander Mitch take a battalion and go seize all their weapons and food supplies say that they are suspected of being in possession of illegal goods" with that the faith of max store had been sealed by the duke.
A week later....
The store at Preston street is still doing good business.Max had left and the store was a hit amongst the city and surrounding towns.Their food and weapons were widely known as some the best.
Pedro was doing business as normal when his mind wandered to what happened ago.Count rose had lent them some soldiers to keep away trouble makers some weeks ago but recently she pulled back her soldiers with the excuse that they were needed for war.But the soldiers here were just some 10 unranked soldiers with an early stage Tier 1 squad leader.
Pedro had been feeling restless for some reason ever since then.The nobles too reduced the rate at which they did business and their allies kept a distance as if they knew something.He had been trying to get some information but got nothing.
"Manager!Manager!! the boss is coming he's back"
Pedro turned around to see a worker at the shop running towards him with joy whiles shouting out.
The tension had been felt by all the workers at the shop even they could feel that something was going to happen again and some some of them had even quit.
"What is that true,where is he? " Pedro too was ecstatic when he heard that max was returning.
"He sent a message through one of the mercenaries outside that he'd return today" the panting worker told Pedro.
"That's good very good " Pedro too was pretty happy max would know had to handle this situation well.
There was a sudden clanking of armor and Pedro turned around to see companies of soldiers surrounding their store from all sides. Those passing by and the buyers in the store all ran away from the store in a panic.
Hundreds of soldiers with tall shields cornered the store from all sides. They released a murderous aura and the atmosphere became heavy all of a sudden.
Commander Mitch in a full silver body armor walked out of the soldiers and stood before the store. He looked at the store in a condescending manner.
"We have received information that this store is in possession of illegal goods and we are here to seize everything back to the barracks for inspection"
"That's nonsense all our goods and arms are authentic no one has ever complained about our stuff before you have no right to seize them, besides where's your evidence?" Pedro was shocked and afraid of all the soldiers surrounding him but when he heard about their accusation he was angry and momentarily forgot his fears.
The onlookers looked on and kept whispering about what was happening
"Hey do u think it's true they sell counterfeit goods"
"maybe it's true? or why would the city guard mobilize"
"So what if they sell fake goods? when have you seen the city guards ever mobilize a battalion to arrest a store for just selling fake goods?"
"Yeah you're right and they sent a commander too,with the war happening should a Tier 2 knight be on the streets seizing goods?"
"Looks like this matter is not as simple as it seems"
There were whispers all around as the onlookers discussed the situation. Many could see that this was a deliberate attack but so what?. If you didn't have strength and a backing you could only shut up and suffer injustice.
Commander Mitch had a sneer on his face as he heard the whispers around he looked down at the shorter shorter Pedro with a look of ridicule
"If I say you are in possession of illegal goods then you are in possession of them, now stay out off my way before I strike you down".
Pedro was pushed away and feel to the ground, Mitch was about to enter the store with his men when an arrow struck the entrance of the store halting them.
"Who shot that, who dares to attack the city guard!!" Mitch angrily shouted.Shooting an arrow in front of him was a sign of blatant disregard and a fierce slap to his face.
The whining of horses were heard as a group of horsemen approached. They were all in black armor and had an imposing air around them.Their leader was a handsome looking young man with black hair a nice face he carried a sword behind his back and currently had a gloomy face.
Max had been having a foreboding feeling ever since he entered the city so he hurried his men to reach his store as fast as he can.
He had just arrived from afar and saw how the city guard wanted to force their way into the store so in anger he had fired the crossbow to warn them.
Max dismounted with his mercenaries and advanced towards the city guard. The city guard also saw this aggressive group of men and tried to surround them.
"What's the meaning of this why is the city guard trying to force their way into my store" max tried to keep a cool head as he asked.
"Meaning? I don't own you any explanation for what i do" commander Mitch looked at the guy in front of him in ridicule then ordered his men to enter the store again.
"Stop them !" max gave an order to mercenaries among the group.
There was blurred images and the seven city guards who had tried to enter the store were groaning on the floor beaten back an in front of them stood two black armored mercenaries who were now releasing Tier 1 peak stage aura's.
Max also took out his sword and held the tip at the throat of commander Mitch. The movement were so fast that the commander was unable to react.All he saw was a blur and a sword was already at his throat.
This made him very angry and embarrassed.
"Young man do you want to go to war with the city guards" Mitch swallowed his anger and looked at max with hateful eyes.
The rest of the city guards moved closer with swords and spears ready to advance on max and his men.
"You better be careful before your commander gets hurt" seeing the actions of the city guards max the sword he carried pressed on the commander's throat whiles he warned them.
The vice commander of the city guards seeing this made the rest of the men stop.
"Pedro what's happening why are they attacking the store" max looked towards Pedro.
Pedro with an angry face told max all that had happened from the attack and harassment of count Tiberius to all the information he had gathered.
"F**k so these people think am soft and easy to bully eh?" this time max was really angry. From the time he learnt about the nobility he had been trying hard to avoid having conflicts with them that was why he didn't react even when the count sent people to attack him.
But now it seems it the rest of the nobility mistook it as a sigh of weakness.Fine truly a land ruled by the strong since they don't like the soft approach he will become more ruthless from now on. Had he not made it in time all his had work to become rich would have gone down the drain.
The more he thought of this the more calm max became.
"The city guard really does what it want,you attacked my store without any evidence since that's the case then go back I'll settle the scores with you later" calmly looking at Mitch max spoke in barely a whisper he, he turned around to enter the store.
At the same time he took the sword away from his throat.He had sentenced Mitch to death already in his mind but he wasn't going to kill him in front of so many people.The city guard had thousands of soldiers and he had none.
Commander Mitch had been feeling embarrassed ever since he had a sword at his throat.He a dignified Peak Tier 2 knight master caught off guard and threatened by an early stage Tier 2 knight.He felt shame and anger and when max turned around a malicious light flashed in his eyes. He took his sword and thrust trying to kill max.
"Die"
Max had always been on guard ever since he engaged with this man.He deliberately disregarded him to make him attack to find an excuse to make a move. When Mitch struck he also revealed the dagger hidden in his palm, turned around and deflected the sword aiming for his life. He kicked Mitch in the chest, a blow that sent him flying into the midst of the city guards and slowly took out his own sword.
With a murderous air around him max advanced on Mitch.
"Protect the commander!!" seeing his commander's life in danger the vice commander took a defensive posture in front of Mitch and commanded the city guards to attack.
"Sir if you kill a commander of the city guard there would be no place for you here,think before you act" the vice commander tried to intimidate max to back off.
Since the opponent could defeat Mitch just like that then it would be even simpler to deal with him that's why he didn't dare to attack recklessly. Besides he couldn't see through max at all and didn't know his strength.
Max looked at the city guard with a face of mockery and didn't give them face at all
"You people really take me for a weakling. I didn't attack and gave him a chance to leave but he attacked me immediately I showed my back, really worthy of the city guard!! how fair you are right?"
" I never knew the city guard was so shameless!!"
"Are they bandits or soldiers this is really an eye opener"
"Attacking a man who spares you and has his back towards you and he even failed at that"
"Looks like they are not much different from us mercenaries"
The mercenary and civilian onlookers who were watching from afar were stunned when they saw how Mitch attacked max after he spared him and turned around.The mercenaries mocked the city guards because they never thought they would also act like that.
Mitch who was lying in the midst of the city guard was angry and spat blood again. The kick he received had fractured his ribs and chest.
The vice commander wanted to speak but had nothing to say. What his commander did had really lost the face of all the city guards.
"Now step away or I won't hold back" max looked at them with having gone back to his calm look again.
"Anyone who doesn't step back break his legs and hands" he turned to the black dragon mercenaries who had been itching for a fight and gave them the order.