From a hired knight to a master of Game of Thrones

Don Quixote finally spoke, laughing:

"I'm planning to form a mercenary group!"

"A mercenary group?"

Shane and Warren, both from the North, were puzzled when they first heard about mercenary groups.

The people of the North mostly believe in the Old Gods, and their knightly culture is weak; there are not many hired knights or free knights.

Moreover, some legitimate mercenary groups...

Most people in the North have never even heard of the name "mercenary group".

Tom, who came from the south, had heard of it.

He thought for a moment and said:

"Similar to the mercenary organizations on the continent of Essos?"

"Yes," Don Quixote nodded.

Tom hesitated for a moment, then said tentatively:

"I've heard that in the south, mercenary gangs with too many members are easily regarded as bandits by noble lords and are easily wiped out by a joint effort of many lords!"

"And the people of the North mostly believe in the Old Gods, making it even harder for them to trust mercenaries who risk their lives for money."

The continent of Essos was politically fragmented due to the Valyrian apocalypse, and many city-states were unable to maintain a standing army.

Furthermore, the continent of Essos is in a state of constant struggle for supremacy between city-states, and is plagued by years of conflict in disputed areas.

The continuous warfare eventually led to the emergence of armed groups with tens of thousands of members, such as the Golden Group, the Second Son Group, and the Blood Opera Troupe, which could sign long-term contracts, receive fixed commissions, and have complete command chains.

The daily activities of these armed groups are based on helping free trade city-states to carry out large-scale operations, defend city-states, or maintain long-term garrisons.

But Westeros is different.

This continent has a stable feudal system, where lords can recruit vassals and subjects to join the army without having to pay for their services.

More importantly, these lords could not remain indifferent to the emergence of large-scale armed groups in their territories.

Therefore, there is no fertile ground for medium to large-sized mercenary groups to survive on the continent of Westeros.

Unless the situation on the entire continent of Westeros descends into complete chaos.

Demand determines supply.

Only when a lord's forces are insufficient and he urgently needs a large number of soldiers might some medium to large mercenary groups emerge.

...And that situation will soon appear!

As he pondered, Don Quixote slowly smiled and said:

"Tom, you think too highly of me. I was planning to form a small group of four or five people."

"Such a small gang, heh, those lords wouldn't care about it."

After a pause, Don Quixote looked at the three men and continued:

"Have you ever considered why we, the free riders, have fallen on hard times, and why we often find ourselves in difficult situations?"

Before the three could answer, Don Quixote took a breath and said in a deep voice:

That's because the vast majority of lords don't trust people like us.

They believe that people like us are not bound by any sense of honor!

"They believe that our actions of risking our lives for money are a betrayal of chivalry!"

"They think our loyalty is practically zero, that we're a bunch of faithless scoundrels!"

At this point, Don Quixote chuckled and continued:

"We need to survive, our weapons need maintenance and replacement, and our horses need to be fed every day."

"Some of these men even have wives and children who are still relying on their wages to survive!"

"How can you do these things without money!"

"Heh, those high and mighty noble lords would never think of such things!"

"These people take it for granted that we should be as selfless as their people!"

"But they've forgotten that the lavish feasts that feed them and the fine clothes they wear—aren't they all extracted from their people?"

Don Quixote noticed the surprised expressions on the faces of the three people in front of him.

Shane and Warren, in particular, seemed to have heard something rather dishonorable.

He didn't continue the topic, but changed the subject:

"So it's only natural for us to do things for money!"

"And for some jobs that require working for money, it is perfectly reasonable for us to increase our pay for those jobs!"

"We need to find employers who are rational and wise!"

"But before that, our own strength and personal reputation must be enough to convince employers to part with their gold and silver dragons and entrust the mission to us with complete confidence!"

Tom looked at Don Quixote and asked in confusion:

"Captain, I understand that principle to some extent, but how can we gain the employer's trust?"

Don Quixote laughed:

"Strong enough power!"

"We are both Free Knights, and we all sought employment with the Seven family at the same time. Why am I valued by the Seven family, while you are not?"

Tom thought for a moment, then immediately said:

"Of course, it's because you are stronger than us, sir!"

Don Quixote nodded and said:

"Yes, it's because I easily defeated two Seven family cavalrymen and even sparred with Sir Keller for a long time."

"That's why they value me so much. As for my character and reputation, are they really better than yours?"

"Hehe, that's not necessarily true."

"This is the first time I've ever been officially employed. For someone like me with no experience, to be valued by the Seven family, I can't think of any other reason besides being stronger than you."

Upon hearing this, Warren gave a helpless, wry smile:

"Captain, my strength is as it is, and I'm afraid it will be difficult to improve."

Don Quixote immediately laughed:

"A person's strength is not only determined by himself, but also by the power behind him!"

"I can assure you, Warren, that your strength is no less than that of some lords, so why are you looked down upon while those lords are revered?"

Hearing this, Warren felt both somewhat satisfied and flustered.

He quickly looked around, afraid that some lord might suddenly appear beside him.

...In this freezing weather, why are those lords here?

Warren was on tenterhooks for a moment, then quickly looked at Don Quixote with eager anticipation.

Don Quixote continued:

"That's because of the family behind the lord, which gives them the respect they deserve."

"So if, Warren, you also have a powerful force behind you, it might be far less than those nobles."

"But compared to some Free Knights with similar individual strength, and compared to some Free Knights who fight alone."

"It's possible that you could earn your employer's favor."

Warren nodded; he was moved by Don Quixote's words.

Don Quixote smiled, glancing at Shane and Tom, who were equally silent and expectant, and said seductively:

"If we form a mercenary group, then you won't be fighting alone anymore!"

"Because you have mercenary groups behind you, those hired knights and free knights will not easily underestimate you!"

"Even some minor nobles will not easily underestimate you!"

"And some bastards won't dare to bully you easily; they'll definitely consider the potential retaliation from the mercenary group behind you!"

After a pause, Don Quixote gave the three men a moment to think before continuing:

"And a mercenary group can give you the confidence to not be easily underestimated by others."

"Mercenary groups can also improve your personal reputation!"

"Heh, for people like us, personal reputation is comparable to personal hard power; I don't need to emphasize its importance, do I?"

……

PS: (Please recommend and read this!)