Chapter 296: Trials of the High-ranking Knight

“You’ve got a good physique. How about becoming a knight in the Count’s domain?”

“No, I’ll pass…”

The man approached hastily and fled.

This was by no means a suspicious transaction scene!

This was a pioneering village established by Princess Listille on the border, gathering returning soldiers without a place to go. Sir Josel, a high-ranking knight of the Count’s domain, was gathering members for the newly established Second Knight Order.

Originally, this expedition wasn’t about defeating giant orcs or obtaining heroic swords; it was primarily about securing personnel.

Gerhardt seemed eager to return and start making swords, but without the swordsmith making swords, the enchanters couldn’t do anything, and Lutz wouldn’t agree to leave Claudia behind. Gerhardt reluctantly followed along.

Having sent a letter explaining their purpose beforehand, Princess Listille, the leader of the village, graciously agreed to recruit personnel. There may have been hopes of reducing the burden on the village with too many people. Neither party mentioned it aloud as it would have been gauche to do so.

However, Listille had one condition: they must obtain consent through proper discussion, not by forcing anyone to join.

Josel also wanted to increase their comrades carefully assessing their personalities and abilities. This was not just acceptable but even encouraged to freely scout, akin to receiving official approval. It was truly appreciated.

Josel, knowing firsthand what would happen if a rascal were given the title of knight, was cautious in choosing his companions. He wanted to choose with his own eyes, so even if a mistake occurred, he could take responsibility.

Thus, the three men wandered the village. They approached potential candidates, but were repeatedly rejected, achieving the impressive feat of thirty consecutive failures.

“Ugh, why? Doesn’t anyone want to become a knight…?”

“Maybe it’s your approach.”

Lutz spoke from behind Josel, sounding exasperated.

“If a stranger suddenly compliments you on having a good physique, most people would be wary.”

“Is that so? Wouldn’t someone be pleased to be praised for their well-trained body?”

“They might just think you’re after their backside.”

Josel frowned at Lutz’s words.

“What nonsense. I consider myself a devoted husband.”

“The other person doesn’t know that.”

“Hmm…”

Did he inadvertently create a terrible misunderstanding? Josel pondered this trivial yet serious problem, when Gerhardt yawned and chimed in.

“Ah, it’s such a hassle. Let’s just make all the soldiers fight it out, and take the last ten home.”

“…That won’t help understand their humanity, nor fulfill our promise to the princess.”

“Just say you settled it with your fists.”

“Only Sir Victor would accept that.”

Just recently, Gerhardt had mentioned the name of a knight commander they fought alongside. Indeed, only that man would probably accept such an explanation.

“Well then, shall we think about what’s wrong first? There are at least three reasons that come to mind.”

Lutz raised his hand lightly.

“Three reasons?”

“Should we stop this conversation?”

“No, go ahead. Sir Josel, the high-ranking knight, won’t run away!”

Josel pounded his chest. To establish the Second Knight Order, and ultimately, for the peace of the Count’s domain, he had to face tough opinions head-on.

“First, your approach is creepy, Sir Josel.”

“Wait, hold on a second.”

“What is it?”

Josel held his forehead at Lutz’s overly blunt statement.

“Could you be a bit more tactful…”

“Changing your approach is an easy fix. Next, second reason.”

“Uh, okay…”

Lutz continued, holding up two fingers. Josel tensed, frowning. Gerhardt grinned amusedly.

While some had at least listened to their offer, if they didn’t agree, it meant there were other reasons.

“The pattern of being satisfied with village life. This includes cases where loyalty to the princess keeps them here.”

“I doubt life here is easy… No, that’s probably why they won’t leave Princess Listille. It’s admirable to remain loyal, but as a recruiter, it’s troublesome.”

From the outset, this village was established to accommodate returning soldiers who had nowhere else to go after the war. While there were variations in individual feelings, everyone felt indebted to Princess Listille, the third princess.

This sentiment also included a sense of defiance and pride towards the king and the major nobles, who had consistently taken the attitude of providing only a minimal amount of silver coins as retirement pay and then disregarding them entirely. For them to forget everything and serve the Count’s family was a difficult proposition.

“Third reason, the pattern where our proposed conditions are unsatisfactory. Josel, how was the treatment when you joined the Second Knight Order?”

“We were treated as knights. However, we’re only knights for one generation without hereditary status.”

“So it’s merely ‘treatment.'”

“I consider the annual income equivalent to one gold coin.”

“Well, that’s… somewhat…”

An awkward silence filled the air. Although unspoken, Lutz and Gerhardt’s faces clearly expressed, “How stingy.”

“No, wait, hold on. Perhaps my sense of money has been a bit off lately, but one gold coin is a substantial amount for commoners, I believe.”

All the soldiers in this village were originally conscripted commoners. Most had never even seen a gold coin. Moreover, there was hardly any salary-like income in the village; they only earned a few copper coins as pocket money when they worked outside the village.

A single gold coin was actually an exceptionally generous offer.

“I initially thought of offering about three gold coins, but when I mentioned it to Claudia, she laughed at me. ‘Sounds like the birth of a Naked Knight Order,’ she said.”

The operational costs are fifty gold coins, subtracting thirty gold coins for wages. How did he plan to operate like this? It seemed like a harsh statement.

Turning at the sound of clapping hands, the originator was Gerhardt.

“Let’s wrap this up. There’s no problem with the conditions we’re offering. Those who don’t want to leave the village can’t be helped. All that’s left is to be mindful of how we approach them and handle the numbers. A top-notch pick-up artist isn’t someone who catches everything after a hundred tries; it’s someone who isn’t bothered by making a hundred approaches.”

“…So, we just need to approach more?”

Josel, who didn’t quite understand Gerhardt’s analogy, asked with a puzzled expression.

“That’s right, once you understand that, let’s get going. There are nearly a thousand former soldiers in this village; there must be some curious ones among them. And remember, you don’t need to compliment their muscles.”

“So, there’s no need to compliment them!?”

“Don’t be so surprised. Now hurry up, or the Count’s domain might fall apart.”

Bang! Josel was pushed forward forcefully and began approaching people one by one. Changing tactics, he approached twenty people.

“Wow, sounds interesting.”

Finally, someone showed enthusiasm.

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