Grega's tone slowed, filled with "understanding" empathy.
"So, we can cooperate in a different way. We can first help you reclaim Sparrow Wood Castle, and once you sit on the lord's throne, then you can pay us. As for the paynt... we don't need too much. If you are willing to give the Campbell people the tax revenue from the Earl Domain for the next ten years, we only need nine."
This sentence was like a thunderbolt, exploding in Thelon's mind!
Pay later?!
Is there really such a good deal?!
Thelon's heart was pounding, and his breathing beca rapid. He looked at Grega with suspicion, trying to discern any flaws on that calm face.
His intuition told him there must be a trick behind this, but he couldn't figure out what these people could possibly trick him out of?
"Do I need to pay a deposit?"
"Not a single copper coin is needed."
"Why should I trust you!"
"Hmm... now that you ntion it, my proposal does seem a bit abrupt," Grega pondered for a mont, sighed, and was about to get up, "Just forget I said anything, I'll go ask soone else."
His face was filled with regret, like a good-natured person who had been rejected.
"Wait a minute!"
Seeing the rcenary Leader about to leave, Thelon hurriedly stopped him, even taking the initiative to fill his glass with wine.
"Gre... um..."
"Grega."
"Right! Ahem... Mr. Grega! I was being impolite just now, I shouldn't have doubted a devout and generous gentleman!" Thelon forced a stiff smile on his face and said, "But just to be safe, can I ask how many n you have?"
Grega raised two fingers.
"Two thousand n."
Thelon's smile froze, and a hint of disappointnt flashed in his eyes.
"Only two thousand..."
Grega chuckled.
"It's enough. Did you think we were going for a siege? We have horses; we can reach Sparrow Wood Castle ahead of the Salvation Army and disguise ourselves as their own n to slip in. As long as we take the gate, we can deal with them in no ti."
"This... can it be done?"
"My answer is, is that really hard?"
Seeing hope reignite on that previously disappointed face, Grega knew he had succeeded, so he added one last chip in front of this Earl in a relaxed tone.
"Sir Earl, trust and my brothers, we are professionals at this. Furthermore, we don't have just this one plan. My brothers may not have many skills, but they're best at picking locks and slipping through places. We can't fight regular armies, but dealing with a bunch of peasants... no one is better than us."
The rcenary's voice seed to carry an enchanting magic, making Thelon ponder for a long ti, and in the end, his last bit of caution was overwheld by greed.
In fact, it wasn't even about greed.
He is the rightful Lord of Sparrow Wood Territory; he is rely taking back his own castle and continuing to shoulder the sacred duty entrusted to him by Saint Sis. How could this be considered greed?
Even the Judicial Court couldn't find fault with him; he never compromised with the Salvation Army, and in the end, the castle did indeed return to his hands.
As for these rcenaries...
Do they really think they're Campbell people, backed by a powerful Duchy, expecting to collect debts nine years later?
Looking at the rcenary Leader with an honest face, Thelon struggled to suppress his glee from showing on his face.
He certainly would pay in the first year.
After all, the first year's tax revenue probably wouldn't amount to much.
Once he dealt with the rebels in the Earl Domain and the Judicial Court returned to report to the Pope, he could quickly call for real reinforcents to drive away these greedy wolves!
In a matter of seconds, countless thoughts churned in his mind, he even considered what to do after the Salvation Army was driven away.
Thelon cleared his throat, striving to put on a facade of thoughtful consideration, begrudgingly opened his venerated mouth.
"Alright! If you can truly achieve this, I am willing to exchange the tax revenue of the Earl Domain for the future! Not just nine years, make it ten, the offer I made to the Campbell people stands for you as well! Of course, if you trick ... you know the consequences of deceiving an Earl."
Grega's lips curled into a pleasant arc, a hint of unnoticeable mockery in that sincere smile.
He downed the wine that the Earl personally poured for him, then wiped his mouth and slamd the cup onto the table heartily.
"Deal!"
"When do we start?" Thelon looked at him eagerly, almost itching to fly over imdiately, "Am I to wait here for your news? Or do I go with you?"
"We can move at any ti," Grega smiled broadly, even thoughtfully considering it from the Earl's perspective, "As for you... you can co with us, or you can stay here and wait for our news."
As soon as Grega finished speaking, Thelon propped both hands on the table, his hefty body bouncing up from the stone bench like a slingshot.
"Don't doubt those you employ, don't employ those you doubt! I trust you!"
He emitted an unprecedented aura, staring intently at the rcenary Leader in front of him.
"There's no ti to lose... we'll set off tonight!"
He certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to go alone.
The house servants who initially escaped with him to Twilight City numbered about a hundred, among them so Guards with Fine Steel Level strength.
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