"Who says country bumpkins can't fancy noble ladies? His Majesty Ludwig himself said so!" Banda retorted impatiently.
Viert was at a loss for words. It was true that His Majesty Ludwig had said so. However, the power of His Majesty the Savior was unfathomable. A Demon Prince at the Holy Sanctuary Tier couldn't even last a round against him. Bloodlines certainly mattered, but ultimately, this world respected strength. If Banda were truly a Holy Sanctuary Tier powerhouse, not only Jialan Council's female members, even the Emperor's daughter or a Prince-Elector might long for his favor.
But Banda was merely an ordinary-tier warrior.
"Kid, having ambitious goals is understandable, but you need the strength to match them... Banda, do you know Mr. Laine's story?"
"Isn't it just relying on ancestral achievements and his noble status to land a knight title?" the young mercenary said disdainfully, "He managed to kill the Beastman Leader because of his good weapon. If I had a weapon like that, I could do it too!"
"It seems you don't know Mr. Laine's story at all... Mr. Laine awakened his Professional talent at the age of three, went to war with his father 'Baldhead' Lord Norman at sixteen, and participated in the famous Battle of Lapland. In less than eight years, the name 'Great Hammer' Laine became known throughout Nord, so..." Viert was about to continue, but the still-injured Boris pressed his shoulder, "Viert, enough."
"Yes, anyway, Banda, you need to grow stronger yourself and make an effort; that's the right path." The deputy leader spoke no more.
In his many years of mercenary life, he'd seen plenty of young mercenaries like Banda, all characterized by grand ambitions but little talent, aiming too high without matching strength. They fancied dreams of lucky encounters and slaying dragons, hoping for noble ladies to fall for them, but such fantasies existed only in knight novels. In reality, where could you find such things?
On the other side, Laine was setting up a tent.
The Kingdom Knight drew his Longsword, sweeping it over a rough, uneven patch of ground, raising a cloud of dust. When the smoke cleared, the once pebble-covered, snow-laden ground was smoothed into a flat surface. Laine solidified the ground with his Warhammer, ensuring the female sorcerer wouldn't feel uncomfortable lying on it. He then set up a tent on this small patch of level ground, a faint blue energy gathering in his palm as he raised the tent's internal temperature. After cleaning the tent's interior, Laine laid animal skins and blankets across the ground before gesturing at Teresa: "Please, Councillor Teresa Trovik of the Jialan Council."
For the first time that day, the female sorcerer's expression softened. She removed her high-heeled leather boots and white cotton socks at the tent entrance, revealing a pair of exquisite snow-white feet. Leaning on her Magic Staff, Teresa walked into the tent and half-lay down, her tone improving: "You certainly know how to take care of people. I've had enough of staying with those mercenaries. Do they not understand hygiene and personal space?"
"Teresa, not every mission fetches you hundreds of Gold Dinars. Given the mercenaries' strength and conditions, it's already generous to provide you a private tent. They certainly can't ensure your tent is fully insulated, nor does anyone possess enough animal skins and blankets to make your delicate self feel comfortable against hard stone." Laine sighed, "Teresa, I don't wish to argue with you, and you certainly know that."
"I didn't mean to argue with you either, Laine." The female sorcerer put her Magic Staff aside, found a comfortable spot to lie down, and pulled out a velvet quilt from her Space Ring, covering herself, "Joining the Mercenary Corps wasn't a good idea. Last night, Captain Boris actually made me eat unspiced roast lamb. Oh, Mysterious Lady above, how could I possibly consume such gamey stuff?"
The Mysterious Lady is a title for the Magic Goddess. In this world, deities exist, and invoking their names or true names directly could be sensed by the deities themselves, leading most people to use titles instead, as no one wishes to be under a deity's scrutiny.
"But isn't that delicacy for the mercenaries? They've already offered the best possible. What more do you want?" Laine sat at the entrance, talking to Teresa, hands still busy.
"I know, that's why I should have waited for you to join me at the last town instead of hiring a Mercenary Corps for the journey." The female sorcerer's voice carried a hint of regret.
"You can't stay behind high walls casting spells forever, dear Teresa. Lady Aurora allowing her beloved daughter to participate in the pursuit of Belte was also to give you some experience, wasn't it?" Laine shook his head, "You're older than I am, but I'm afraid your combat experience isn't a tenth of mine?"
"I'm not like you, a knight who's always about riding and battling." The female sorcerer did not refute, and seeing this, Laine knew Teresa had accepted his persuasion, so he gently said, "Rest for a while. I'll go see if I can get some game. In such cold weather, having a bit of hot meat is better."
Laine had dealt with many female spellcasters from the Jialan Council before and knew these women had very proud natures. Sometimes, giving them a little face and a way out could earn a lot of brownie points.