After receiving their pay, the mercenaries naturally indulged in some revelry. The tents outside the camp were organized and orderly once again for the night.
However, by the next day, a few keen-eyed mercenaries noticed something was amiss.
When Mike Bai finished his tasks for the day, he was greeted by the sight of every mercenary out on the open ground, carefully maintaining their weapons and armor. Although they were notorious for being tight-fisted and could barely afford new gear, they treated their weapons and equipment with great care.
Mike Bai spotted Bill, the large, stoic swordsman who rarely showed any emotion. But now, as he meticulously sharpened his short sword, his expression was one of deep concentration. Every movement was precise, as if he were ensuring the blade was honed to its maximum potential. Mike Bai wagered that Bill had put more thought into his sword today than he had when delivering supplies to the camp's outskirts a few days ago.
Bill wasn't alone. Over fifty mercenaries were engaged in similar activities, cleaning their spears, sharpening their blades, oiling their hammers, and checking their wooden handles for wear. Mike Bai watched them and realized these men weren't just a ragtag group—they were seasoned warriors, each capable of wielding a variety of weapons, even if their armor was patched up and threadbare.
As for Mike Bai and his companion, Geen, they only had helmets, flimsy armors that offered little protection, and a shield with a spear.
"Armor… Armor…" Mike Bai muttered under his breath. If they were to go into battle, having a solid set of armor would surely increase their odds of survival. But when he looked at his own meager purse, it was clear that a high-quality suit of mail wasn't something he could afford.
He thought for a moment, then found Geen. "Hey, Geen, want some armor?"
"Of course! But I don't have the money," Geen replied, staring hopelessly at his own empty wallet.
"How much do you have?"
Geen fumbled through his wallet and sighed, pulling out a few coins. "This much."
Mike Bai counted out 200 silver dinars and handed them to Geen. "Leave it to me. I'll get you a set." And without another word, Mike Bai disappeared.
An hour later, he returned, his back burdened with a large bundle.
"Geen! Come help!"
Geen rushed over and took the bundle. Inside, he found a roll of cowhide and a ceramic jar.
"Enno, are you planning to make armor out of this?" he asked skeptically.
"Yes," Mike Bai replied, pulling out a small knife. He measured the cowhide briefly before getting to work, cutting out the pieces for two vests. The tough cowhide resisted at first, and Mike Bai struggled for a while before he finally cut the materials out.
Geen took the pieces of cowhide and tried to pull them apart. They didn't have the strength he expected, and with a doubtful frown, he asked, "Is this really going to work?"
"Trust me!" Mike Bai reassured him.
Mike Bai tossed the cowhide into a large pot, boiling it in the fire.
"That's just going to make cowhide soup!" Geen stared in disbelief.
"Add this," Mike Bai said, pouring a thick yellow liquid from the jar into the pot.
Geen sniffed the air, curious. "What's that?"
"Beeswax!" Mike Bai answered, muttering to himself, "Too bad we don't have more time. Otherwise, I could have haggled the price down. Still, I'm not sure how effective this little bit of beeswax will be…"
After emptying the jar, Mike Bai smashed it on the ground and picked up the largest shard, handing it to Geen. "Geen, stop standing around. Find a stone and grind this into powder. We'll add it to the mix."
Geen, though still skeptical, followed Mike Bai's orders. As the boiling process continued, the water in the pot gradually evaporated. The beeswax and clay powder mixed into the cowhide, which slowly began to absorb it. The hide grew more supple and firm, until it finally looked smooth and glossy when all the liquid was gone. Mike Bai flicked the leather, and it made a sharp, crisp sound.
"Wow," he muttered, impressed. "This is sturdy. It's not perfect, but it'll do."
He tossed the finished leather armor to Geen.
"Figure out how to wear it."
Geen took the armor eagerly. Having been a hunter, he quickly found some grass ropes and threaded them through the front and back of the cowhide. He strapped it on and stood proudly.
"Enno, how does it look?"
Mike Bai took a step back and appraised the result. Due to his rudimentary craftsmanship, there were ragged edges where he hadn't cut properly, uneven dyeing from the boiling process, and crooked stitching. Overall, Geen looked as though he had thrown on a cheap, brown sack.
But for just 200 silver dinars, what more could he expect?
Mike Bai reluctantly gave a thumbs-up. "It's good!"
Geen beamed and spun around, like a proud dog receiving praise, his tail wagging in the form of a wide grin.
"Kid, your craftsmanship is terrible," came a raspy voice from behind.
Mike Bai turned around to see Gilna, carrying a bundle of freshly washed clothes, with Anna by her side. Gilna raised an eyebrow at the rough leather armor and extended her hand.
"Give it to me. I'll fix it up for you."
Mike Bai hesitated, glancing at Anna, who simply smiled softly.
"Worried I'm going to steal your subpar work?" Gilna said with a bit of impatience.
Mike Bai, seeing Anna's serene smile, reluctantly handed over the two pieces of armor.
Gilna greeted a nearby mercenary and borrowed some tools. Then, she began delicately trimming the edges of the leather armor. Her movements were smooth and maternal, a stark contrast to her usual fierce demeanor. With her beauty and nurturing actions, she looked every bit the skilled artisan, not the hardened mercenary.
As Gilna worked, Mike Bai pulled Anna aside and spoke in a low voice. "Anna, we're about to go into battle. You and Gilna should leave with the merchants."
Anna met his gaze calmly. "Gilna already told me."
"Then you know," Mike Bai pressed. "This isn't like the other skirmishes. I won't be able to look out for you during this one!"
"Where would I go if you're not around?" Anna's voice was quiet, but firm. "With Gilna?"
Mike Bai faltered, unsure how to respond.
"If that's the case," Anna said, locking eyes with him, "I'd rather stay with you."
Mike Bai's heart skipped a beat, and he struggled to find words to say.
"Don't worry," Anna added, her lips curling into a small, confident smile. She reached for the short blade at Mike Bai's waist and drew it lightly. "I can protect myself."
But in her heart, she added silently, At least, I won't be a burden to you.