Chapter 7

According to the Lord’s Law of the Glorious Empire, nobles who lost their fiefs would be stripped of their titles.

However, there was also a way to restore their original titles.

That was to regain their fiefs by relying on their own strength.

Otherwise, even if their fiefs were reclaimed, they would be rewarded to the newly born nobles who had rendered meritorious service in the war, instead of returning them to the old lords.

Such a rule of survival of the fittest ensured the metabolic function of the empire’s noble system, preventing the appearance of noble scumbags who would wait for their ancestors to die before sliding in to take their place.

The real Kahn Surdo chose to go to Fallen Eagle City to look for Earl Oman after his family was destroyed, and not to look for the Surdo family’s feudal lord, the Duke of St. Hilde. It was precisely because of this point that he thought of it.

If he went to look for the Duke of St. Hilde, even if the duke sent troops to recover Ice Rock City, he would not return it to the Surdo family.

It was different to look for his uncle, Earl Oman. Although Earl Oman would not help Kahn without asking for something in return, he would certainly consider his relationship with the Surdo family and take care of them.

At least, Ice Rock City would return to the hands of the Surdo family.

Right now, the real Kahn still didn’t know how his discussion with his uncle was going, but Colin’s fake knight Kahn already had a sponsor.

“Mr. Oliver, thank you for your kind intentions. However, forming an army that can conquer a city is different from recruiting a mercenary group that can escort a merchant group. The costs of the two are completely different concepts.”

“Of course I understand.” Oliver chuckled, his eyes flashing with a strange light, “My father was once a quartermaster. Later on, he was… dismissed because of some mistakes. However, I also know a little about the cost of a real army.”

“Oh?” Colin finally looked at the fat merchant beside him.

If Oliver was a crazy speculator who didn’t know the immensity of Heaven and Earth in Colin’s heart before, now he had become a crazy speculator who was extremely daring.

Although he knew that he was a fake, Colin was still interested and wanted to find out the background of this unremarkable businessman:

“Then, how many gold coins can Mr. Oliver sponsor?”

“Hehe, well, of course, I don’t have that much money to help you build an army. Actually, our chamber of commerce is interested in sponsoring you.”

“Chamber of commerce?”

“Yes. Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am one of the stewards of the Tulip Chamber of Commerce.

“If Knight Kahn is willing to accept the sponsorship of the chamber of commerce, I can file an application to the president.

“After that, the chamber of commerce will take into account your strength and the cost of recovering Ice Rock City to determine the size of the sponsorship. Of course, there will also be the return after the matter is completed.”

“Tulip Chamber of Commerce?” Colin suddenly felt that the name of this chamber of commerce was somewhat familiar. After searching for a while in his memory, he asked, “Ice Lake City from two years ago?”

“That’s right!”Oliver puffed out his chest and nodded proudly. “Two years ago, Baron Billy received the sponsorship of the Tulip Chamber of Commerce to reorganize the army and take back Ice Lake City.”

The status of merchants in this world was not high. After all, no amount of money could buy a title.

However, it was obvious that some sharp and bold merchants had begun to use the gold coins in their hands to expand their influence.

The Tulip Chamber of Commerce seemed to be one of the best.

“So, what kind of reward did Baron Billy give to your chamber of commerce?”

“I’m sorry, Knight Kahn. That is a trade secret. Please forgive me for not being able to reveal it to you.”

“Okay.” Colin touched his chin and changed the way he asked, “So, what do you want from me?”

“Hehe, the specific conditions can be discussed in detail when you meet our president,” Oliver replied watertight.

“I need to think about it.”

“Of course, come and find me whenever you’re ready.” Oliver narrowed his small eyes and added with a smile, “However, I can assure you that neither the Duke of St. Hilde nor the Earl of Oman can offer you more favorable conditions than our Tulip Chamber of Commerce.”

“But the help you provide will certainly not be comparable to the duke or the earl.”

“Of course, but our appetite is also much smaller.”

Colin nodded, suddenly feeling that this Tulip Chamber of Commerce was quite interesting.

Although he was an imposter and did not need the other party’s sponsorship, he still asked, “Does your chamber of commerce have a station in Fallen Eagle City?”

“Of course, it’s right next to the slave market in the western district of Fallen Eagle City. We welcome you at any time!”

Colin secretly noted down this location for future use.

Then, he changed the topic and began to chat with Oliver everywhere.

Oliver had been doing business outside for a long time, so he could be said to be very knowledgeable. In addition, he was deliberately trying to please Colin. The two of them immediately began to chat passionately, as if they hated each other for not meeting sooner.

Unknowingly, the night gradually deepened, and the camp gradually quieted down. Most of the mercenaries had already rested.

Oliver tried his best to invite Colin to his tent to rest. Colin declined slightly, and when he saw that the other party’s tent was indeed rather luxurious, he nodded in agreement.

Just as everyone was sleeping soundly, Colin was suddenly awakened by a series of small sounds.

He immediately stood up and listened carefully for a while. Then, he suddenly shook Oliver, who was beside him, “Wake up, wake up! Someone is approaching our camp!”

Oliver was also quite alert. He quickly got up, but after listening carefully for a while, he asked in puzzlement, “Really? Why didn’t I hear anything?”

“Listen more carefully,” Colin said confidently.

He found that his hearing had been greatly strengthened during the night. Even a small movement from a kilometer away could not escape his ears.

“Enemy attack! Enemy attack!”

Sure enough, the mercenaries in charge of the night watch also noticed the enemy and immediately shouted.

“Calm down, don’t panic! Light the torches, find your companions, defend and be on alert, don’t leave the camp!” Firefox mercenary group leader Saru’s rough and loud voice immediately sounded, causing the chaotic camp to instantly stabilize.

“I’ll go out and take a look.” Oliver was worried about the safety of his goods. After hesitating for a moment, he ran out of the tent.

Colin followed him out. Then, he saw that the enemies who had rushed into the camp had already engaged with the members of the Firefox mercenary group.

He did not join the battle group. After all, Oliver did not pay him a commission. He did not have to work for this fatty.

However, after watching for a while, Colin was relieved.

The attackers should be a group of bandits. Their strength was very weak. There was not even a single advanced warrior.

There were not many of them. There were about seventy to eighty of them. Where did they find the courage to charge into the camp of the Firefox mercenary group, which housed more than a hundred people.

After the initial panic, the Firefox mercenary group quickly stabilized its position and defeated the bandits.

In less than half an hour, the group of bandits finally broke down and fled in panic after losing more than thirty units.

“Don’t chase, don’t chase!” Saru shouted calmly, stopping those who were hot-headed from chasing into the deep forest.

After the bandits ran out of sight, Saru began to arrange for people to clean up the battlefield.

Oliver also quickly went to check his own goods and take stock of the losses.

Colin quietly walked to a remote and dark corner, squatted in front of a bandit’s corpse, and took out a dagger and a kettle.

“Chi!”

“Gulp, gulp…”