Chapter 366 - 366 366 Keep Them Here

Words : 1169 Updated : Oct 9th, 2025

366: Chapter 366: Keep Them Here 366: Chapter 366: Keep Them Here “Viscount, our task has been completed, can we proceed with the handover now?” Looking at Karan, Zhao Guang nodded, “Prepare yourselves and hand over the remaining commission. Sign the documents for me.” These items served as proof and needed to be taken to the Mercenary Guild. Karan breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing what Zhao Guang said, finally able to leave this place. There was no helping it, the power that Zhao Guang wielded was too immense, exerting too much pressure on them. Moreover, Zhao Guang’s actions along the way had shown them something different. Even many of them felt a stirring in their hearts, unsure of what staying on might bring. Suddenly, Zhao Guang smiled and said, “If you return now, there won’t likely be other tasks en route, so this journey would be a waste of time.” Karan had never expected Zhao Guang to say something like this. “It’s not a waste of time. At least we came to the North and broadened our horizons.” Zhao Guang didn’t respond, but continued on his own track, “So, I have a task here, would you like to take it on? After all, you are the only mercenary group we have here.” “What task?” Karan instinctively wanted to know more upon hearing there was a task. As expected, it was just as he thought. Zhao Guang directly said, “The task is simple: our land has just begun developing and lacks many things. Here’s a list, I need someone to help me purchase these items from the surrounding territories and bring them here.” “Additionally, there are some rarer items that may require a trip near the Imperial City to find.” Karan looked at the list but couldn’t make much of it. A territory’s development needed many things. This list might look extensive, but it was actually quite scarce. If the territory were to continue its development, the scale would need to grow. To his own mercenary group, though, the scale was daunting. “Please excuse me from refusing, our mercenary group isn’t large and to fully acquire these items would likely take a long time.” Zhao Guang, unconcerned, said, “I’m not asking the Mad Lion Mercenary Group to make the purchases. I have people for that, Miller will establish a merchant team with his subordinates. However, they need some protection at the beginning, and I’d like to hire you for that.” Just protection? It sounded like a long-term escort mission. While it might seem like constant travel, the danger involved was minimal, and the work quite leisurely. Taking this opportunity, the mercenaries could train and improve themselves en route, making it a very decent task. Most importantly, it was a long-term meal ticket. Commissions offered by Zhao Guang were always very generous; he was known to be very liberal). Even the slaves under him were treated thus, let alone the mercenaries. This errand had begun establishing mutual trust. Considering this, Karan hesitated a bit before speaking, “I need to discuss this with the others in our mercenary group.” Zhao Guang, indifferent, added, “Take your time. Also, if you have people unsuitable for long-term travel, they can remain here. I have another task, hiring you to train my personal guards.” The territory was newly established and his forces consisted of slave soldiers. Although their morale had largely been built up, their combat abilities needed long-term training. Zhao Guang could only offer ordinary resources; without an abundant supply of Beastman Holy Spring, they couldn’t replicate his own training process. Even the Beastman Holy Spring, he was currently short of. If there were ever an abundance, he could use it to train his forces. Zhao Guang was not like other nobles who hoarded good items without utilizing them until death. That would simply be giving them away, as the best way to realize the value of these things was to use them. If it could enhance his subordinate’s strength, why not improve them? After Karan left, Miller stepped forward with a hint of puzzlement. “Master, you seem to hold him in high regard, why not just invite him outright?” “If I invited him directly, how could he possibly accept?” With that level of strength, if he had been willing to join a noble’s ranks, that would’ve happened long ago; why wait until now? “Your task is simple: on one hand, complete our material acquisitions, on the other, get acquainted with them and extend an invitation when appropriate, to keep them here for good.” Having too few talents in his territory, Zhao Guang certainly didn’t want to let the Mad Lion Mercenary Group’s people slip away. Retaining them was a plan he had concocted on the journey; it had been his continuous strategy. Firstly, get familiar with them, then gradually integrate them into his system. By that point, even if Karan didn’t want to stay, he would likely realize that it was more comfortable here than elsewhere. “I understand, I’ll do my best with all these tasks.” Zhao Guang nodded, “Furthermore, you have an even more important task.” Zhao Guang spoke earnestly, “When you visit other territories, be sure to observe carefully; if there are talents, find a way to bring them over. Some territories might not care about the departure of their subjects, but also make sure to spread the reputation of our land.” So that was it, no wonder he needed Miller to go out for the acquisitions. Miller had thought Zhao Guang merely wanted to establish trade relations with other territories, but it was more complex than that. Indeed, most resources needed for the development of their land could be brought in from his own world. Although it appeared that the territory lacked everything, in reality, it wasn’t short on most things. However, talent was a different story. Furthermore, there was the question of population; in Zhao Guang’s eyes, the most important aspect of a territory was its people. To keep Karan and his team here, Zhao Guang deployed not just this journey, but also Coscola. Coscola, being a former mercenary himself, understood everything about mercenaries better and knew what they wanted. He hadn’t neglected spending time with Karan and the others, asking for their help in training or the like. Already, numerous individuals from the Mad Lion Mercenary Group had formed friendships with his own people. This was a critical step in retaining them, subtly engendering in them an affection for his territory. Next, he would focus on dependency. Once dependency was established, people would not wish to leave. After all, regardless of who they were, people inherently tended to be inert. “Alright, go and attend to your business; we have a lot more to do.” Zhao Guang couldn’t afford to rest either. He picked up a Magic Crystal Stone and began inscribing Runes on it for modification.

Chapter 366 - 366 366 Keep Them Here

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