Chapter 3: ~Mercenaries?~ (1/2)

***Norfolk Capital***

I am on the carriage again. I could count my negotiations with the Jarl as a complete success. His letter gives me more than I bargained for. Originally I thought that he would sell me the land just with a very complicated contract.

Instead he gave me complete rights as a noble of Norfolk on a whim. Of course it's just for as long as I remain in control of those lands but it still allows me to act in the way I wished for.

That brings me to my last business in this city. I tap the shoulder of the driver. “Who are the best mercenaries in Norfolk?”

The driver tilts his head while thinking for a second. “The official version goes with the Polar Cutters. They have the most men and are involved in almost all businesses regarding mercenaries.”

I shake my head. “But I don't care about people who are good in selling their reputation. I want to know who are the ~best~.”

The driver smiles. “If it's unofficial then you need most likely the Icewolfs. They have the best warriors. But there aren't many of them. And they are very picky with their contracts.”

After nodding, I gesture the driver forward. “Icewolfs it is.”

The driver nods and the whipping starts again. Aaahh.... I have to introduce a real method of transportation to this world. The sun is already setting and it starts to darken around us while the driver whips the horses in a steady pace.

Half an hour later we arrive at a run down building with a big shield over the entrance. “Den's Icewolfs” I read aloud.

The driver nods while I get off of the carriage. “Den is the leader. I will wait here?”

I nod and enter the wooden house. Inside I get almost overwhelmed by smoke and the smell of beer. Several big and burly men are drinking and laughing on multiple tables. It looks like I ended up in a tavern.

With a smirk I head towards the bar. “I want something strong!”

“Only for members of the house small one.” The barkeeper continues to polish one of his glasses.

“And how about an employer?” I sit down on a bar stool and smack my second pouch onto the bar.

The burly barkeeper finally decides to give me a beer. “I am Den. And I don't take contracts from young upstart nobles.”

I grab the bottle and take a sip of the beer which tastes awful. It probably showed on my face because Den snorts at me and continues to polish his glass.

“I am young and I am an upstart. But I have money! And I want to live. I am here because I heard that you guys are quality over quantity.”

“Then you heard right. But my statement still stands. We don't work for pushovers!” Den shoves the pouch back towards me.

I take it and store it away again. “Then who tells me that you guys aren't the pushovers here?”

“Drink up and leave before I throw you out. The Icewolfs aren't working for high and mighty nobles. Solve your problems yourself with your spells.” Den answers with despise in his voice.

I shake my head. “I doubt that some weak commoners would be able to throw the high and mighty Ascathon out of their house.”

Den grabs me by the collar and I crush my bottle on his head in response. He doesn't even blink as he pulls me over to his side of the bar with one arm.

The next thing I know is that the world is turning wildly around me and with a hard impact I find myself between the remnants of a broken table. Hadn't I buffed myself by infusing mana into my body I wouldn't be able to get back to my knees so fast.

“Fight! Fight! Fight!”

The group of burly men around me starts to scream and cheer.

Den is already in front of me when I look up and his foot places itself perfectly on my chin. I feel the impact even though I strengthened myself.

Being lifted to my feet by the impact, I try to steady myself. The burly men start to form a tight circle around us and Den starts to shower me with a series of kicks and punches. Den is clearly using mana to enhance himself.

When I finally manage a counter-attack Den evades and I hit one of his followers instead. After taking the blow directly to his chin, the burly man falls to the ground like a felled tree.

The room becomes silent.

“Ups. I may have put a little too much force into that one.” I scratch my cheek. “Maybe I should really find some other mercenaries. I need some really good people. Someone who can be hit unconscious by a weak magician like me isn't what I need.”

Den points a finger at me. “Get that self righteous bastard! We will show him what the Icewolfs are made of!”

Then I am grabbed by a horde of burly men who move much faster than I had them imagined to be able to.

…..

…...

…....

“So have you learned you lesson now?” Den stands with crossed hands in front of me.

I am bound to a chair with my hands behind my back. They took their time to give me a proper beating. My face feels like mush and must be twice the size as normal.

“Ii...th thhink... th...so...”