Negotiation

While the rest of the platoon went off to go and explore the city of Muno, Charlie followed Baron Stix to his mansion.

Some of the spearmen wanted to guard him as he walked back but he insisted that they return back to the walls to await the remaining enemy forces. After a bit of persuasion by the group of spearmen looked at Charlie cautiously and went back to their stations.

Now it was only Charlie and the Baron walking down the seemingly empty roads. Charlie noticed that the roads were abnormally empty, even if it was a big thing for some rose knights to arrive, it shouldn't have made the entire city flood over to them.

Baron Stix noticed Charlie's confusion as they walked to his manor and he started to talk

"after the last 8 attacks people have been migrating away from here, we are a small city, if you could even call us one, heh we're more like a town of sorts with some large walls."

Charlie looked around again with a curious face

"This place hasn't changed much besides that huh?"

The Baron trudged along, his shoulders seemed a bit heavy as he said bitterly

"besides barely having enough manpower to defend the city? haha yes I guess this place hasn't changed from when you last came here"

The two finally reached the Baron's mansion and entered the large overbearing gates.

Charlie stepped in and followed the Baron through the clean-cut grass inside and the empty courtyards inside the walls.

When he finally entered the inside of the mansion, it was like a normal mansion with red carpet though it was slightly old, the walls were painted with a light color that highlighted the various amours and weapons that were put on display. But when Charlie looked closer he could see some of the plaster on the walls cracking, the displays not being taken care of, and more details.

They reached a door to which the Baron opened the door to show Charlie a regular red couch in a normal room. The Baron smilled and invited him in.

A maid came in later and offered them tea, to which Charlie accepted.

The two-faced each outer on their various seats.

The Baron spoke first

"so what were Lady Megra's real commands?"

"Make sure the territory of Earl Grey doesn't fall into the hands of our enemies"

The Baron gave off a soft laugh

"she really doesn't have a good outlook on this situation huh?"

"she never did"

Charlie moved the conversation along, he asked the Baron earnestly

"When did all of this start?"

The Baron took a deep breath

"2 years ago, the city of Muno was flourishing, we were known to produce good quality weapons and our population was growing along with the number of adventurers with our location being right at the entrance to a small mountain range and valleys that have many mines, rare monsters and the like. We are very close to the border of the Baiseon Kingdom, so and with the rising tensions, we have been fortifying ourselves. But before that could happen a few months ago, monsters started to emerge out of the forest in hordes crushing any wandering traveler, merchant, or adventurer in the way. Right after that bandits started to rise up forming large groups and uniting under an extremely strong person, that the bandits only refer to as the leader"

The Baron brushed his long white hair in anxiety while his aged face wrinkled in worry

"we've fought off numerous attacks from bandits and monsters alike, it seems they are more ferocious on this city especially, aid cannot be sent by the Earl as his hands are tied up with the Orc King that somehow rose up near one of the main cities. The only place we had left to reach out was the rose knights or the navy."

The Baron paused to look at Charlie in the eye

"to be honest I didn't expect you to lead this group of rose knights of all people, but I trust your skills as a leader, the city of Muno would have fallen at that last attack, we only have about 2000 defenders at this point, the rest have either died or migrated somewhere else. So, please ,help us if you have any feeling of thankfulness for what we have done for you over the years,"

The Baron ended his plea with a slight bow. Charlie looked at the Baron bowing his head and sniggered

"Yeah, I know, it's a command I got from Lady Megra of course I would help you guys"

"plus" Charlie added "don't count this as a repayment, I still have much more to do then just saving you guys"

The Baron smilled and looked at Charlie, his eyes were gazing at Charlie like he was a child who had finally grown up. But before he could say anything

Charlie slammed down his hand on the table startling the Baron but it caught his attention.

Charlie said in a determined voice

"Alright, I need as much information you have about the bandits attacking us, anything from habits to their numbers, also I need to know the details of the people who will be fighting with the rose knight trainees "

The Baron nodded

"yes, ill try my best, if you are able to eliminate the root of the bandits and monster hordes then I am willing to lend as much aid as I can offer to you and your platoon"

Charlie answered

"fair enough, the enemies are bandits, and bandits love to ambush in the night, we learned that firsthand, so make sure everyone is extra cautious during nighttime."

The Baron nodded and slightly gripped the decorated sword at his waist and said with a smile

"I'm really not suited for things like running a city huh? I really don't understand why I was given this position. After all I lived most of my life on the battlefield"

Charlie thought for a second

"well I have a idea"

The Baron looked at Charlie with confusion

"fight with us, no, lead your men to fight"

The Baron looked at Charlie with an eyebrow raised

"you of all people should know that a city lord leading his people into battle is unbecoming of him"

Charlie grinned and answered

"your priority should be saving your land, former rose knight Yasin Stiv, it would seem you have lost a bit of the ideal that makes a person a rose knight"

The moment the Baron's name was spoken along with the title, he stood up from his chair, his face was full of nostalgia, seriousness, and anxiety. He said to Charlie seriously

"I am not a rose knight anymore, I am the Lord of Muno, I am the protector of my people"

The Baron gripped the decorative sword at his waist.

"I've spent months, years trying to get rid of these bandits and monsters, yet they always seemed to reappear when every month or so"

The Baron smilled bitterly and the wrinkles on his face seemed to deepen. But when his old title was mentioned it seems he couldn't stop the many memories that started to flood to him.

He could remember the moment he and his platoon finished the final trial and were granted their platoon name. He could remember the wonderful adventures that they went through time and time again. He remembered the people that he lost on the way, and how he had raised a glass for them every weekend in the tavern. He remembered his kid who would always beg for another story about when he was a rose knight, and how his wife would suddenly have to do a chore in the room he and his kid were so that she could eavesdrop. So many more memories went through his head and a small tear almost formed in the corner of his eye.

A growing desire started to spread in him. It was a hunger, a thirst.

He stood up, his white hair seemed to regain color and gave off a clean sheen, and his aged face held up a sort of wisdom that came only with age and an aura of strength that only came with countless battles.

He didn't look like a baron now, he looked like a battle-hardened warrior that had fought for years.

Jason tossed the Baron a bow and quiver from the pouch on his waist and said with a smile

"if you miss being a rose knight, then I'm sure battling next to rose knight trainees will help you remember that, try that bow on, have confidence in yourself, you are no longer the Lord of a failing city, you are a warrior that leads his men to battle"

The Baron caught the bow right on its handle and quickly spun it around and gave the string a small twang. The string hummed in a melodious tone and the bow seemed to be perfectly fit for the Baron.

The gave a small grin as he felt the ever so familiar weapon in his hands.

Charlie witnessed everything and he gave off a small laugh as he motioned

"come on, you have people to protect"

So Baron Stiv and Charlie walked out of the mansion, they had exchanged all of the information they could get and were now walking back to the meeting place, ready for another fight.