From a hired knight to a master of Game of Thrones

Don Quixote smiled and said calmly:

"Zakari, I am Don Quixote, the leader of the Bloodhand Mercenary Group."

"The basic monthly reward for newcomers to the Bloodhand Mercenary Group is 1 Silver Deer."

"If there are any employment tasks, I will provide task rewards based on the difficulty of the employment tasks, with a minimum of 10 silver deer."

"After the employment task is completed, I will also determine a generous bonus based on the member's performance during the employment period!"

After a pause, Don Quixote continued:

"Of course, if a member can find an employer on their own under the name of the Blood Hand Mercenary Group."

"And keep your contractual promises and perform your employment duties excellently."

"In addition to not taking a cut of your rightful commission, I will also give you an extra reputation bonus!"

"We, the Bloodhand Mercenary Group, will never let those who keep their promises and pursue honor down!"

Seeing the even more fervent light in Zakari's eyes, Don Quixote smiled and slowly said:

"And this is just the treatment for newcomers. If you gain my trust and become a qualified member of the Bloodhand Mercenary Group!"

"I will make your base reward reach 100 silver deer per month, or even 1 gold dragon per month."

"That way, even if you do absolutely nothing all day, you can still get a hefty reward, enough to live comfortably in White Harbor!"

...But if one does nothing all day, it's unlikely to gain Don Quixote's trust.

Don Quixote smiled gently, then his smile faded as he said finally:

"And during your employment, if you are unfortunately injured and lose your ability to fight,

"I will provide you with a one-time compensation of at least 1 gold dragon, and while retaining your original basic salary, I will offer you other easier job opportunities."

"If you unfortunately die in battle, I will provide a one-time compensation of at least 3 gold dragons to your relatives or designated heirs."

"At the same time, your underage children will also be raised by the Bloodhand Mercenary Group until they reach adulthood!"

Upon hearing this, Zachary was already somewhat impatient, suppressing his excitement until Don Quixote stopped speaking before respectfully saying:

"My lord, I wish to join the Bloodhand Mercenary Group! I, Zachary, always keep my word, and I am absolutely... absolutely not a person who breaks promises!"

Don Quixote reminded him:

"To become a true member of the Bloodhand Mercenary Group, one still needs to undergo testing."

"Three days from now, our Bloodhand Mercenary Group will be going on a new mercenary mission."

"I will observe your performance and then decide whether you are suitable to be my partner!"

"Of course, even if you don't ultimately join our Bloodhand Mercenary Group, I will still provide you with a reasonable fee as payment for your mission, so that you won't work for nothing."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Three days later, at dawn.

Don Quixote, riding on horseback, looked around at the sixteen men.

The sixteen people in front of him were the ones he had initially selected over three days to join the Bloodhand Mercenary Group.

They might be strong dockworkers, free mercenaries, or free knights, and among them was a burly sailor.

Most of them wore leather armor, their weapons gleaming but still bearing the marks of age, and their faces showed varying degrees of tension.

The warhorse beneath him snorted, its white breath instantly torn apart by the cold wind.

Don Quixote spoke slowly, his voice carrying clearly to everyone's ears:

"During this time, our Bloodhand Mercenary Group has been investigating the background of each and every one of you."

"Although we didn't learn much, we certainly didn't come away empty-handed!"

After a pause, Don Quixote glanced at the suddenly tense faces of many people, his tone completely flat:

"But those are all evaluations and opinions from other people's mouths and eyes!"

"I will not decide your fate based on those evaluations or opinions."

"I heard you all clearly!"

"During this mission, I will observe the performance of each of you, and combine that with what I already know, to finally decide whether you are suitable for our Bloodhand Mercenary Group!"

Don't worry!

"Whether you ultimately become my allies or not, our Bloodhand Mercenary Group will provide you with a reward upon completion of this mission; you won't leave empty-handed!"

After a brief silence, Don Quixote continued:

"It's not too late to leave now."

"But if you choose to stay, you must abide by the contract!"

"If anyone deserts in the face of battle, not only will our Bloodhand Mercenary Group not tolerate him, but the entire mercenary circle in White Harbor will know his name."

"At that time, there will be no place for him to stand in the entire White Harbor, or even the North!"

After a brief commotion, no one moved.

Those who couldn't accept Don Quixote's demands had already turned away on the very day the Blood Hand Mercenary Group recruited.

Those who remained were able to accept these not-too-excessive demands.

Especially for freelance mercenaries and free knights, finding a job is not an easy task.

At this moment, the steward from the Silas caravan hurried over on a small horse, bowed respectfully to Don Quixote, and said in a humble tone:

"Sir Don Quixote, my master has asked me to tell you that the goods are ready, the driver and the crew are all in place, and we can set off."

Don Quixote nodded slightly, then said loudly:

"Bloody Hand Mercenary Group, set off!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Silas was an even less prominent small businessman than Rodney.

His caravan was small, consisting of only four wagons.

Aside from the four drivers of the wagons, the caravan consisted of only one steward and one guard.

So when he saw Don Quixote leading a group of more than twenty people approaching, he felt somewhat relieved, but his expression also changed, and he hurriedly said:

"Sir Don Quixote, the old town is not far from White Harbor, and you are unlikely to encounter any raiders if you travel by land. You may have brought too many men."

Old Town is the ancestral home of House Locke of the North, located on the north shore of Bitten Bay, southeast of White Harbor and north of the Three Sisters Islands.

Although direct sea travel is faster, it is less safe due to its proximity to the Three Sisters Islands.

Some small merchants preferred to travel around the coast, taking a much longer overland route than the sea route, in order to spend more time ensuring the safety of their caravans.

Don Quixote laughed and said:

"Your Excellency Silas, a larger number of people can ensure the safety of the caravan. Even those scattered raiders would not dare to approach and might choose to give up."

Silas looked conflicted, as if he was hesitating about something.

"Don't worry, since we already have a verbal agreement, our Bloodhand Mercenary Group will definitely abide by it and will not change the employment contract or the price!" Don Quixote said.

Upon hearing this, Seras immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

When he hired the Blood Hands mercenary group that day, Don Quixote suggested that the Blood Hands mercenary group solve their own food and accommodation problems.

Silas was extremely enthusiastic at the time, saying he would provide these.

However, Don Quixote refused multiple times.

Looking back now, Sir Don Quixote must have anticipated this situation long ago, which is why he didn't want to put him in a difficult position.

Hesilas was just an insignificant merchant in White Harbor, trading only in some territories near White Harbor.

Without strength, one dares not travel far.

Therefore, his profits from a single business trip were not high.

If we were to take on the additional responsibility of providing food and lodging for more than twenty people.

Although the time frame is short, the cost will not be low.

In that case, he might not make much money at all on this trip.

It's very frustrating to take a risk and not reap any rewards.

Quickly regaining his senses, Silas smiled and said with shame:

"Sir Don Quixote, Rodney is right, you are a true knight of honor!"

"I was just wondering if you would raise the price at the last minute. I shouldn't have done that."

"A reasonable mercenary task naturally requires a reasonable mercenary price. Our Bloodhand Mercenary Group will not make things difficult for our employers," Don Quixote said slowly.

Silas nodded, quite satisfied.

"I should thank Rodney for recommending such an excellent mercenary group to me!"

After saying that, Silas said:

"Sir Don Quixote, let's set off."

"no problem."

Then, Don Quixote and his party escorted the four cloaked wagons of the Silas caravan away from White Harbor.

……

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