"Thrust!"
At the squad leader's command, Kainen, along with the other mercenaries, thrust their spears forward, striking down invisible enemies before them.
Once the thrust was complete, Kainen quickly retracted his spear and raised his shield in a defensive stance.
The squad leader nodded approvingly, then looked up at the midday sky. Seemingly remembering something, he gave a brief order to disband and promptly disappeared.
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Kainen placed his spear behind the tent and grabbed a plate as he headed for the mess hall. It was called a mess hall, but in reality, it was just a tent with a few large pots set over a fire.
Many mercenaries were already in line, eagerly eyeing the pots that emitted a rich, mouth-watering aroma, and the figure stirring the contents.
"Meal's ready!" Mike Bai shouted, swinging a wooden spoon.
"Today, it's cheese stew with salted ham!"
Although the name might sound like something from a dark cuisine, after Mike Bai added some celery, onions, carrots, and a little sage, the refreshing taste of the vegetables, the juicy ham, and the rich cheese combined into a dish that made the mercenaries' mouths water.
Mike Bai scooped a large ladle of the stew, and, noticing the eager stares, gave the pot a little shake before serving the rest into the bowls.
The mercenaries immediately crouched to the side, devouring the meal with hunks of bread.
"So delicious!"
"The Lord probably hasn't had anything this good!"
For a moment, the only sounds were the contented eating and these praises.
Mike Bai, chewing on a wooden skewer, watched the mercenaries with satisfaction.
"Mike Bai, how's everything going here?" Kainen, who was next in line, asked with concern.
"All good! They're trying to win me over now," Mike Bai answered, puffing out his chest as he served a generous helping for Kainen.
Looking at his heaping plate, Kainen felt a bit guilty and glanced around. Seeing everyone else engrossed in their meals, he quietly retreated to a corner to eat.
"Mike Bai!" Anna, now back in her female attire, walked over holding a few pieces of clothing. "These are yours. I've washed them."
"Anna, your skills aren't bad!" Mike Bai said, glancing at his pants, which had patches that looked like they'd been chewed by a dog. He decided to lie and compliment her.
"Who taught you all this?" he asked.
"Gilna did. She knows a lot of things."
Mike Bai was taken aback. Though he hadn't been here long, he'd certainly heard of Gilna's reputation.
"It's not what you think," Anna said, flushing slightly. "Gilna isn't always doing business. During the day, she helps the mercenaries with sewing and laundry to earn some extra money."
Mike Bai relaxed, but then, a sudden thought struck, and he nervously asked, "Where do you sleep at night?"
"Don't worry! I sleep with the other mercenaries' families."
"Good. Don't work too hard."
"Okay!" Anna smiled, and Mike Bai found himself momentarily lost in her expression.
After the meal, as the mercenaries rested in the open field, Captain Wolf emerged from his tent, shouting, "Gather up!"
Immediately, mercenaries in a variety of mismatched gear began to assemble. Some wore Norman helms and leather armor with spikes, while others wore kettle hats, armed with iron bars, axes, or spears with morning stars.
If there was one thing these weapons and armors had in common, it was that they were old—so old that they could probably be sent to a museum.
Captain Wolf scanned the group, confirming that no one was missing, and bellowed in his deep voice:
"Everyone here has come to my Wolf's Mercenary Band for one reason—wealth."
"Although these dog-like nobles haven't paid us for a month, this afternoon, make sure you take care of your weapons like they're your wives!"
"Tomorrow we march to battle the rebels! Win, and we get spoils! Money! Women! And those nobles will pay us!"
"So, get your heads straight! Follow me, and don't fall behind! If I run, you'd better keep up!"
"Make sure you survive and we'll feast together, drink, and enjoy women!"
"Got it?"
"Understood!" came the unified response.
"Disband!" Captain Wolf shouted.
After the command, everyone went off to their tasks. After a brief exchange with Kainen, Mike Bai hurried to the city to buy supplies.
This time was different; they were up against a real "regular army." Besides knights, there would likely be many mercenaries, which posed a serious threat for Mike Bai, who had neither guards nor armor.
He rushed to the blacksmith's shop, where five blacksmiths were sweating away, forging weapons. Only one apprentice stepped forward to inquire.
"What can I get for you, sir?"
Mike Bai scanned the shop. Due to the war, their stock was low, but there were still various weapons sticking out of nearby wooden barrels.
"How much for that chainmail?" Mike Bai pointed to a full set of heavy chainmail hanging on the wall.
The apprentice's face lit up, "This was pre-ordered by a knight. The craftsmanship and materials are top-tier."
"Won't this cause any trouble?" Mike Bai asked curiously.
"Don't worry, no problem at all," the apprentice reassured, pointing out that dead men don't come back to pay.
"So, how much?" Mike Bai pressed.
"This set's been selling fast. We only have this one left. I'll give you a discount—25 Gold Nommies."
Though this armor would greatly increase his safety, Mike Bai looked at his 50 Silver Dinars and regretfully shook his head.
Then, his gaze fell on a peculiar weapon lying among the discarded items—a strange spear.
It had a thin, sharp point, with a large and small hook extending from each side, mounted on a two-meter-long wooden shaft.
"Are you interested in this hooked spear?" the apprentice asked as he handed it to Mike Bai.
Mike Bai weighed it in his hands, finding the weight acceptable.
"I'll take this one!" he said, paying 35 silver coins for the hooked spear and a kite-shaped shield.
Exiting the blacksmith's shop, Mike Bai glanced at the sky. Dark clouds were slowly drifting in from the horizon, casting an ominous shadow—like the clouds of war, quietly enveloping the land.