Mount & Blade: Pendor Becomes a Dominator Starting with the Creation of a Self-Established Knigh

Chapter 81 Companions Formed

On the grassy area in the woods, a dirt road has been frequently trampled, forming a brownish-gray path.

Rogge and his group walked along the narrow path toward the center of the camp.

Beside her, Eileen carried a slightly worn hunting bow, her pale golden hair fluttering gently in the wind.

The girl's face was full of unconcealed smiles, and her eyes curved into crescent moons.

Roger occasionally glanced at her; the sunlight shone on her fair cheeks, giving them a soft glow.

Noticing his gaze, Eileen lowered her head slightly, a blush creeping onto the tips of her ears.

A beautiful face is always pleasing to the eye.

Virgil walked side by side with Rogge, while Gold followed behind, seemingly nonchalant, his gaze casually sweeping over their surroundings.

Aino's gaze would occasionally fall on Roger's back, a hint of undisguised admiration flashing in his eyes.

After hearing the ironclad rules of Rogge's team today, she felt even more certain that she hadn't made a mistake in following them.

Rogge glanced at Virgil beside him and said in a deep voice, "I have something to tell you. We have to leave this afternoon and head back to Ganders Fortress tonight."

Upon hearing this, both Aino and Eileen's expressions changed slightly.

Aino stepped forward to her sister's side, her brows furrowed, her tone full of confusion: "Why are you in such a hurry to go back—"

Roger explained, "We only brought a limited amount of rations with us, and we originally planned to go and return quickly!"

"The food supplies at the camp are barely enough to feed the villagers of Duanpo Village. With the addition of nearly a hundred of us, they will face the risk of running out of food!"

Roger paused, then added, "The fortress has a stable source of supplies, making it more convenient to conduct training!"

"The sooner we get back, the faster the team's overall strength will improve!"

Upon hearing this, Eileen's face showed anxiety. She instinctively grabbed Roger's arm: "Then—what about my brother? He's so badly injured, he can't even move!"

Seeing the girl's slightly red eyes and worried expression, Roger gently patted her shoulder and softly comforted her, "Don't worry, I plan to bring your brother Olsen and the other seriously wounded back to the fortress together."

"The supplies are more plentiful at the fortress, and you can take care of them more closely!"

"Gold, are the sturdy stretchers I asked you to prepare ready?"

Roger stopped and looked at the nonchalant God, whom he had already instructed when God called him for breakfast that morning.

"Don't worry! Everything's ready, the stretchers are sturdy enough! Four people can carry one seriously injured person together, and we'll pick a few strong guys to take turns, it'll be a sure thing!" Gold grinned and patted his chest.

Seeing how well Roger had arranged everything, Eileen finally felt relieved.

"Thank you, Brother Roger!"

"Don't stand on ceremony with me." Roger smiled, then turned to Virgil beside him and instructed, "Virgil, go and organize all the team members to pack their belongings and equipment. We'll meet in the center of the camp in an hour."

"clear!"

Virgil agreed in a deep voice, without the slightest hesitation, and turned to leave quickly.

Roger then turned to the Aino sisters: "You two should go back and pack your things too. Before we leave, we'll carry the stretcher to the shed in Olsen."

"Um."

The two turned and walked toward the shed where Olsen was.

Before the others had gone far, Roger took a deep breath and started walking towards the center of the camp.

He had to say goodbye to Lao Kui first.

The camp was bustling with activity as dozens of villagers from Duanpo Village carried freshly felled timber and, under Lao Kui's direction, built new sheds.

Seeing Rogge approach, Old Quay wiped the sweat from his face with his sleeve and greeted him with a smile: "Chief Rogge, is training over?"

Roger smiled and nodded, then explained his purpose: "I've come to say goodbye."

We're leaving this afternoon to head back to the fortress.

Old Kui didn't try to persuade him to stay, but simply nodded understandingly, "I knew you wouldn't stay long."

"You are destined for great things, and this place is too rudimentary for us, so we will not keep you here!"

Old Kui paused for a moment, then continued, "Of the thirty-seven villagers you rescued this time, nineteen were from other surrounding villages."

They just found me and said they had nowhere else to go and wanted to stay at the camp in Duanpo Village—I can feed them a dozen more mouths without much trouble.

I'd like to ask for your opinion; what do you think?

"What's wrong with that!"

Roger replied without hesitation, "Since they are willing to stay and you are willing to accept them, that would be wonderful."

Old Kui laughed, "It's just adding a dozen or so mouths to feed. They can help with the work later, supporting them won't be a problem!"

"Oh, and those seriously wounded soldiers, they can stay at the camp too, I'll look after them for you!"

Roger shook his head upon hearing this, declining Old Quay's offer: "No need to trouble yourself. It's safer to take them back to the fortress; their friends are all over there—"

"Alright then." Old Kui didn't insist any further.

As the two were talking, Aunt Silin came running over in a hurry, carrying an empty basket, her face full of anxiety.

"Aunt Slin, what's the matter that you're in such a hurry?" Roger asked, looking at the panting Aunt Slin.

"Rogge, come here for a second!" Aunt Slin said, tugging at Rogge's sleeve as she noticed many people around looking in their direction.

Roger nodded to Old Quay, ending the conversation, and then went with Aunt Slyn to the base of a large tree.

Aunt Slin's actions were somewhat inexplicable, and Roger asked with a smile, "6699?"

"What's wrong? Why were you in such a hurry to find me? What happened?"

Aunt Slin lowered her voice and said, "Rogge, I have a question for you. Tell me the truth—is your team still recruiting?"

She paused, seemingly finding it difficult to speak, and then added, "I saw everything you were doing during your training just now."

Many young men in the village were incredibly envious and wanted to join your team.

"That's why several people asked me to ask you if there are any spots left."

Upon hearing this, Roger's eyes lit up.

After a moment's hesitation, Rogge slowly spoke: "Aunt Slin, to be honest, the team isn't planning on recruiting any more members for the time being."

.

"Huh? You're not going to confess?"

Disappointment instantly appeared on Aunt Silin's face.

Roger nodded and explained, "As you know, we rescued nearly twenty militia members from Gander Village this time, and they are all willing to follow me!"

Once their injuries have healed, they can officially join the team and replenish our forces!

In addition, there were the twenty-odd brothers under Arnold who had not been captured.

My team has suddenly expanded by about forty people, more than the original team members!

"With more people, management becomes more complicated, and training also needs to keep up."

"Moreover, the more people there are, the greater the expenses. Weapons, armor, food, and pay—you can't avoid spending money on any of them."

"If we hire more people rashly, we might not even be able to feed everyone."

"My team only plans to recruit people with special skills and expertise; we won't just take anyone."

"Let's integrate these new players first and stabilize the team before I consider expanding recruitment."

Hearing Roger's words, Aunt Slin's face turned somewhat ugly. She rubbed her hands together, her face slightly flushed, and hesitated for a long time before finally being too embarrassed to say what was on her mind.

Seeing her expression, Roger immediately understood what was going on.

"I don't plan to recruit any more regular team members, but—" Roger paused deliberately.

"But what?" His pause indeed piqued Aunt Slin's curiosity.

"However, if it's a promising talent like Geese, I'll definitely take him!"

Aunt Silin suddenly raised her head, a look of surprise flashing across her face.

"Really? Roger, kid!"

Don't try to please that old lady! I was just thinking of asking you to mentor Geese!

Seeing that Aunt Slin had expressed her thoughts, Roger's heart stirred slightly.

He was indeed disappointed for a long time after being politely rejected when he tried to recruit him last time.

Gis is a rare talent; he is strong and straightforward, and with a little training, he can become a formidable fighter.

"Auntie Slin, didn't you always hate to let Giss wander around with me? Why have you changed your mind now?"

""

"My son Gis has been capable since he was a child; he can't stay cooped up in these deep mountains forever."

"What kind of future can one have by patrolling the mountains, carrying water, and cutting down trees all day?"

"Rogge, I'm at ease with him by your side!"

"You're a capable person. With Gis following you, he'll definitely have a bright future!"

Seeing Aunt Slin's sincere expression, he stopped beating around the bush and said, "Since you trust me, Auntie, I'll accept Gis."

I promise I will take good care of him in the future.

Let him be my personal bodyguard for now. I'll personally teach him skills, and he'll be safer by my side.

"Auntie Slin, is this alright?"

Hearing Roger's promise, Aunt Slin beamed with joy and nodded repeatedly, "Good, good! As long as you're safe, I'm relieved to hear that!"

But her joy was short-lived, and her face soon showed signs of worry again.

"Sigh—I'm not entirely at ease if Geese goes with you."

Aunt Silin was too embarrassed to voice her concerns. Jiss was too straightforward and had never traveled far from home. How could she be at ease leaving him alone?

What if I suffer injustice? What if I am bullied?

"This—is indeed a problem! Gis is your only son, are you really willing to let him leave you?"

"Besides, have you discussed this with Gis? Is he comfortable leaving you alone at the camp?"

"Yes, with Giss's stubborn temper, if he doesn't agree, not even ten oxen could drag him away!" Aunt Slin looked troubled, but suddenly her eyes lit up, and she looked up at Roger: "Wherever Giss goes, I'll go!"

"Hey kid, why don't you recruit me into your party too!"

"what?"

Roger was truly stunned, hardly believing his ears.

"Auntie Slin, you're joining the team too? You're not kidding, are you?"

Perhaps it was because of Roger's height that he looked down at Granny Slin, his eyelids slightly drooping, giving her a scrutinizing look. This made Granny Slin feel looked down upon: "Why not?"

Aunt Slin glared at Roger and said defiantly, "Although I'm a bit old, I'm still very nimble!"

I can do all the chores, from laundry and cooking to sewing and mending.

"Don't you have more than a dozen female members on your team? What's wrong with one more?"

She became more and more excited as she spoke: "Don't underestimate me!"

"When I was young, I was much more capable than most women! And I'm still pretty good now!"

"Back in the day, I even joined a caravan with Gis's father. We traveled all over the country. What kind of storms haven't we weathered?"

"I've encountered robbers on the street, but I've never been afraid!"

"Besides, kid Roger, the old lady doesn't want wages!"

All I need is food! I'll just stay by Geese's side!

Where are you going to find someone as capable as me?

Seeing Aunt Slin's defiant expression, Roger couldn't help but laugh.

He recalled that when he was still in the village, Aunt Silin was one of the earliest risers every day, and she was exceptionally quick and efficient.

Auntie Slin wants to join, this is like a buy-one-get-one-free deal, a fantastic opportunity!

Suppressing his joy, Roger feigned seriousness and said, "Aunt Slin, have you thought this through? Coming with us means a lot of traveling and sleeping in the open, much harder than staying in the camp!"

"What's a little hardship? I'm not afraid of anything, no matter how tough or tiring it is!"

Seeing that Aunt Slin's attitude was so firm, Roger no longer objected.

"In that case, you should hurry back and tell Giss to pack his bags; we'll be leaving soon!"

Having received a satisfactory answer, Aunt Silin quickly turned back. While she was happy, a sense of unease also arose in her heart, and her eyes showed a hint of confusion and uncertainty about the future.

She had lived in Broken Amber Village for most of her life, and she didn't know what the future would hold if she followed Roger.

But as long as she can be with her son Geese, she is not afraid of anything!

Watching Aunt Slin's departing figure, Roger stroked his increasingly smooth beard, smiled, and shook his head.

As I turned around, an elderly figure leaning on a cane walked towards me.

The visitor was none other than Yarrolf from Duanpo Village!

Old Yar's hair had turned completely white, and his back was more hunched than before, but his eyes remained clear.

Perhaps because the burden on his shoulders had been lifted, he suddenly relaxed and lost some of his usual energy and spirit.

Roger quickly went to greet him: "Old Jarl, is there something you need?"

Old Yar looked at Rogge and slowly said, "Chief Rogge, I heard you're returning to the fortress this afternoon?"

"Yes." Roger nodded.

Old Yar was silent for a moment, then sighed: "Ah~"

"Chief Rogge, as you know, my daughter Anya is staying with distant relatives at the fortress—I'm worried about her, and I want to go to the fortress with you!"

"Now I've been relieved of my burdens and have nothing to worry about anymore."

It's time for me to retire. I want to go to the fortress to find my daughter and reunite with her.

"Recently, pirates have been rampant, and Quinn wouldn't let me set off alone, otherwise I wouldn't have bothered you!"

Seeing the expectant look in old Jarl's eyes, Roger answered without hesitation, "Of course, no problem!"

"Have you packed your luggage properly? I'll find someone to carry it for you!"

"Thank you, Chief Rogge."

Old Jarl smiled with satisfaction and patted Rogge's arm.

The sunlight grew brighter, shining on the busy campsite.

Rogge watched old Jarl's departing figure, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

His team has grown stronger. The road ahead may still be full of dangers, but as long as he has a group of reliable companions by his side, he is confident that he can make a name for himself in this chaotic continent of Pendor!

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