The four of them, including Henry, left together. It was the first time Henry had seen what Knight Glen looked like. He was tall and powerfully built, handsome and suave.
'As expected, everyone from our Royal Capital Knight Academy is a cut above the rest!'
"Knight Henry, I'm Knight Glen Taylor. Boman told me a while ago that your archery is excellent. You took down three wild boars."
Henry laughed heartily, saying that as a young man, he didn't have as much experience as Glen and the others, and it was purely a matter of luck.
"Henry, how's the reconstruction of your fief coming along? I bought a batch of serfs and rebuilt my village. That guy Fass is loaded. He not only rebuilt his village but also planted two orchards."
Henry waved his hand dismissively, saying his was about the same, just about done with one village.
And Henry wasn't really lying. Given the astounding 'Odoche Speed' of Baron Pedro's merchant company, it would take at least another two months to finish the castle. Right now, it was just a basic framework.
As the four of them were chatting, a well-equipped officer approached Henry. The man wore a surcoat over his Chain Armor, but Henry didn't recognize the coat of arms on it at all.
"Knight Henry, I am a Champion Banner Knight from the Earl Clan of Count Sebastian. I will be arranging the encampment for your troops."
Hearing this, Henry nodded in surprise and said, "Could you see if it's possible to station my troops near them?"
Henry treated the officer with due respect. To become a Square Banner Knight, one had to have participated in more than ten hundred-man battles.
A Champion Banner Knight, on the other hand, was the winner of a tournament among Square Banner Knights, earning the right to display their personal banner on their Riding Spear and surcoat.
The Champion Banner Knight glanced at Boman and the other two and readily agreed. There was no need to offend three members of the Powerful Nobility over such a small matter.
Only those who had been on a real battlefield knew that personal Bravery had its limits. It was best not to provoke these nobles who had fiefs and armies.
"Henry, we're heading to the Opera House to wait for you. After you get everything arranged, come meet us there. Bring your Knight's Squire and handmaiden; don't neglect decorum."
"Alright." But Henry thought to himself, 'Bain? That kid will just stuff his face. So much for decorum.'
Henry, along with Claude and the others who were waiting outside the city hall, left through the city gate and led the troops to the designated campground.
"Knight Henry, you have a fine army."
"Oh? Most of them are new recruits."
The Champion Banner Knight shook his head and said seriously, "New recruits don't have shields, Cotton Armor, and leather caps. The only difference between them and serfs is that they carry swords. Your men are proper infantry."
Henry nodded without offering further explanation.
"This is the spot, Knight Henry. I'll take my leave now."
The task of setting up camp was left to Claude and Philip. That's how it was for nobles; if you could have your subordinates do it, you did.
Henry took off his Chain Armor. With Ailia's help, he slipped his imperial robe on over his Cotton Armor.
Henry made a mental note to have a set of silk pajamas custom-made in the same style as his imperial robe once he was truly rich! He always felt that cotton pajamas chafed his skin.
Bain also took off his armor, leaving on just his Chain Armor.
"Bain, Ailia, come with me to the Opera House."
"Yes, my lord."
Henry led the two of them back into the city. They followed the main road and soon found the Opera House. It was the same in every big city; the most profitable businesses could always be found along the main thoroughfare.
Along the way, Henry noticed the city streets were bustling with an almost unreal level of activity, with people hurrying to and fro.
The war had brought a shadow of gloom, but it had also brought greater wealth. The merchants were like sharks that had smelled blood, constantly dumping grain and military supplies into the east.
This was a false prosperity.
Henry's imperial robe was proof of his status, so the doorman didn't dare stop him.
"I'm looking for Knight Boman, Knight Fass, and Knight Glen."
After entering the Opera House, an attendant led Henry to the box where Boman and the others were waiting.
"Haha, Henry, you're a little slow."
"I had to change. It's not like you didn't see I was wearing armor just now."
The men laughed and chatted as they made room for Henry. They were in a large box stocked with all sorts of wine, fruit, and snacks. It was Glen's treat; Boman and Fass were broke at the moment.
Fass noticed Bain and asked, "Is this your Attendant? A fine young man."
"He took the Royal Capital's courses with me for two and a half years and is now a qualified Warrior. Of course, your Attendant is even more outstanding. He looks like a seasoned veteran."
After three years at the Royal Capital Academy, Henry had long since integrated into this circle of high society. He disliked all the roundabout pleasantries, but this useless etiquette always had a way of making one feel at ease.
It was the way of the world: those who had no use for such social graces despised them, while those who did had mastered them completely.
After Henry sat down, the actors on stage began to perform a dull opera. But since everyone else was watching with tireless enthusiasm, Henry could only watch "attentively" as well.
Bain and Ailia, however, were watching intently. It was something they had never seen before, as Henry had never gone to the Opera House during his time in the Royal Capital.
After the opera had been going on for a while, Boman asked, "Henry, for this campaign, you and Glen will each take thirty percent, while Fass and I will each take twenty. Of course, the exact shares will depend on who contributes most in battle. What do you think?"
Henry nodded and said, "Of course, that's very reasonable. The problem is, Count Sebastian hasn't yet decided who will be part of the hunt."
"Most importantly, if Count Sebastian doesn't assign us, we'll have to prepare more of our own supplies. We don't have the extra money for that right now, do we?"