The small square outside the barracks at the south gate of Muni City has been one of the hottest places in Muni City for many years because of its geographical location.

It is the main gateway in and out of the city and the center of the entire southern part of the city.

Every morning at about four o'clock, before dawn, the guards of the city guard of Muni would change their guard and open the gates to allow the long queue waiting in front of the gates to enter the city.

A large number of merchants, escorting ox carts, wagons and camels loaded with goods, passed through the city gates and through small squares. At this time, there are already many buyers waiting on the side of the road. They climbed into the ox cart and inspected the goods. If the quality and price are right, they will buy it.

Although traders may make more money by sending their goods to the market, such transactions avoid lengthy auction times and high handling and storage costs, and the right concessions can build friendships with lower-level buyers. As a result, many people are willing to make such quick deals in just half a prayer hour and then drive home with their bulging money bags in their hands.

For decades, the morning market in the south of the city has become a scene in the city of Muni. Not only locals and businessmen rely on it for their livelihood, but also many tourists like to come here in the morning.

As a result, next to the Hera Hotel, a flea market has been formed. Next to the flea market is a population market. Not far from the past is the largest grain market in the city. These markets are surrounded by hostels of all sizes and pubs, making them bustling with activity in the morning and evening.

And apart from trading, people also like to do something else in this lively place. Thieves like to squeeze through the crowd, and crooks have their sights on some fresh faces. The peddlers, with baskets around their necks, shouted loudly as they turned. And the beggars are trying their best to show their misery.

By about 10 a.m., the morning market was already over, but there was no shortage of people coming and going.

Especially when someone sets up a table in the square and hangs a recruitment post, it becomes even more lively than the morning market.

These days, it is not easy to find a job to support a family. The long queue of applicants can go all the way from the Hera Hotel to the population market and even turn a corner.

Most of the recruits are local government agencies in Loulian.

After the end of the war with the Philae Empire, Archduke Adolf, who had greatly expanded his army, held several large conscription meetings here. In addition to conscription, clerks of the Cabinet, sergeants, and personnel in taxation, sanitation, construction, etc., were also drafted.

By the way, there are also the powerhouses of the Fire Bee Hall.

At the beginning, there were several Great Knights of Light who signed up here.

Other institutions will also recruit here. Here the caravans recruited coachmen and men, the rich gentlemen and wealthy men recruited servants and stewards of the free covenants, the blacksmiths hired skilled blacksmiths or powerful assistants, and the tailors recruited embroiderers.

There were even some down-and-out freelancers who wandered to the city of Muni, recruiting squires here.

Some teenagers who dreamed of becoming knights embarked on the road of knighthood. Some of them succeeded, honed their skills during their freelancer trips, and received their own armor to become true knights.

But there are also many people who have not heard from them.

Their parents, only occasionally from travelers from far away, heard the news of the freelancer who had taken their son. If it just so happens that the freelancer's servant matches their son, then they are satisfied.

And on this day in September, the South Gate Square is far more lively than usual.

Because, there are thirty-two recruitment points here.

The best location is, of course, the recruiting office of the Knights of the Southern Cross, which Karn is in charge of. The old knight, who was of great importance to the Grand Duke of Adolf, opened five long tables directly by the gate of the barracks. The table is covered with a tablecloth embroidered with the coat of arms of the Southern Cross. Behind the desk sat the registrar in charge of registration.

More than 200 guards and 30 knights of the Munyi City Guard, fully armed and majestic, surrounded a large open space in front of the recruiting office.

The recruitment offices of foreign nobles were relatively rudimentary. A table, a poster, and a paperwork are all there is to a recruiting office. However, one recruiting office may not be as majestic as the recruiting office of the Southern Cross Knights, and thirty-one recruiting offices can be much larger.

Moreover, these thirty-one recruiting offices, one in the east and one in the west, from the Hera Hotel, to the city walls, to the flea market, the population market, and the grain market, occupied almost every vacant space in the square. Faintly, the recruiting place of the Knights of the Southern Cross was encircled.

This kind of foreign nobles recruiting knights in Muni City had never happened in decades. In the past, I am afraid that before their table was set, they had already been driven away by Lulian's guards. Moreover, Lulian could also make representations to their lords.

If you don't give a satisfactory answer, these guys in charge of recruitment will inevitably suffer.

But now, because of the existence of the Knights of the Southern Cross recruiting office, Lulian does not seem to be in a position to say anything about the behavior of these foreign nobles.

From the morning to the present, this silent contest has been formed in such a way.

As a Lurian, everyone naturally looks to Leo. Therefore, whenever someone came to sign up, everyone gave the warmest applause and cheers. And when someone went to the recruiting office of other foreign lords to sign up, they booed.

However, most of the day passed, and there were only about twenty people who signed up to join the Knights of the Southern Cross. And there are only a few three or five who sign up at other noble recruitment points. The deserted recruitment scene made everyone interested.

The only thing that can make everyone raise a little spirit and insist on watching is probably all kinds of gossip here from all directions from time to time.

It is said that there are quarrels within the major mercenary groups today.

Except for the more than 100 mercenaries who followed Leo out of the abyss at the beginning, 90% of the rest were actually ready to sign up. However, they were stopped by their regimental commander and the rest of their companions.

"I know he saved your life, but don't forget, kindness and your future are two different things. You can repay the favor in other ways, even ten times the price, but you should not repay him in this way. ”

"This is not only irresponsible to you, but also to these brothers in the group, and even more irresponsible to Leo. ”

"You know what's going on. No matter how powerful Leo is, he is also a newcomer who has just stepped into the aristocratic circle. His roots are too shallow. People don't even need to use force to play him to death. Can't you see the purpose of these thirty-one nobles uniting?"

"How could he be an enemy of so many people?"

"You must know that the most terrible thing is not to offend a powerful enemy, but to be ostracized by one's own companions. A wolf, if forced to leave the pack, is not far from death. ”

"If you really think about him, then you should calm down. He couldn't recruit anyone, he just couldn't form a knighthood. It's better than all of us applying for a job, only to get carried away by the illusion of power. That would take him further and further down the wrong path. ”

"Besides, you joined the Southern Cross Knights, what about these brothers in that group? Have you asked them for their opinions and choices? We have fought side by side for so many years, and in terms of friendship, even if we are not brothers, we can call it a lifelong friendship, right?"

"Everyone is on a mission together, who hasn't saved anyone......'s life?

"Besides, this time you fell into the abyss, didn't we come too? When you were struggling in the abyss, weren't we also fighting hard outside?"

"In addition, forming a knight order is not such a simple matter. What you give away is not only your own life, but also your life, your future, and your family. Are you sure you want to put such a burden on a young man? An individual's martial prowess does not mean a master's commanding power. ”

"I'm not telling you to go to anyone else. At the very least, you can take another look and wait. ”

The same conversation is in every hostel, between every mercenary. It is also because of such a dispute that the recruitment scene, which should have been a fierce collision of sparks, is as calm as backwater.

People waited, waiting for a result of the dispute among the mercenaries. As long as there are so many dozens of people to sign up, this interception net set up by the nobles from other places may be able to break through.

And by two o'clock in the afternoon, more news came.

People were surprised to find that instead of changing the situation in Leo's favor, the situation became worse because of the appearance of a voice.

"Leo saved your life, and you're still hesitating. I knew that you were such white-eyed wolves, and I would have let you die in the abyss in the first place. ”

"Yes, since your lives are saved by others, that life is someone else's. I didn't want your lives to let you join the Knights!"

"Ungrateful!"

Such a sound filled the entire city of Muni. No one knows how it started, but as time went on, it got louder and louder. Many people were indignant at the hostels where the mercenaries stayed, in the taverns, and even in the mission hall.

And when they learned of this change, many people's hearts were full of chuckles.

Almost immediately, four words came to their minds.

Revenge!

This accusation against the mercenaries will not only not help Leo in any way, but will be counterproductive. Those who have a bright brain immediately think that this is the means of those foreign nobles. It was they who provoked such a noise, and in this way, roasted Leo on the fire.

However, guessing doesn't mean it can be solved. Everyone has to admit that this trick of the nobles is too ruthless.

So ruthless that Leo couldn't even argue for himself. After all, in this competition for talent, he is at a disadvantage in all respects compared to his opponents. And his biggest reliance, from the current point of view, is the favor he once saved these mercenaries in the abyss.

Otherwise, why should he, with a shallow foundation, compete with those wealthy families with big roots and deep roots?

Therefore, he could not refute it. Unless he gives up recruitment, he can't tell even if he has 10,000 mouths!

And what is the difference between giving up the draft and admitting defeat?...... (To be continued.) )