19 A count completely new

After two long days of reorganization, the new count, with the help of the order of the rose, restructures the county by changing the people at the top and settling the most urgent situations. Now the heralds are announcing a party in the square for the appointment of the new count.

Simon walks towards the square with Selin stuck to his arm. "Do not think you'll let go. You'd get in trouble again. "

"Respect towards me has slipped under the shoes."

George "What did you expect after fainting after the new count's nomination! You slept for a day and with the physique of a young lady that you find yourself, it will take weeks before you get back in shape. "

Simon "You're right, but I imagined applause and hugs for my plan and not being scolded."

Igor "You're our boss. You must have more regard for yourself. You are the only irreplaceable in our group. "

Even before arriving in the square the crowd fills the streets. The whole county seems to be here to celebrate.

Selin "Watch on stage! That's Zacharias and his family. "

Michael "Below are all the rebels! Indeed not the rebels ... how should I call them now? "

At a certain point the heralds scattered around the corners of the square ring the trumpets and announce the beginning of the speech.

Zacharias accompanied by Sir Drevor advances to the edge of the stage and begins to speak.

"It was a dark and difficult period for everyone. Things will not change from morning to night but I promise you will see the improvements very soon. "Moistening his lips" As you know Sir Uden exploited his people for his benefit. Unfortunately I do not have the power right now to return the kidnapped people to you. We can only hope to win the imminent war and bring them home. But I can assure you that every coin earned in this shameful way will be used for the county. "

A cry rises from the square

"In these months I have tried to solve the problem in my own way with the help of the displaced." Drew goes on stage "Thanks to these men and women all this was possible. Drew, the man here by my side, was the man who led the rebels, but above all he was the one who avoided bloodshed. Fortunately, the dead in this conflict are counted on the fingers of one hand. A true miracle. "

An applause starts spontaneously from the square and Drew lets out a few tears from his eyes.

Zacharias lets the screams run out and resumes "What you all do not know is that a few weeks ago I did not think, even remotely, of such a result. A man, or rather a boy, made all this possible. A boy who had the audacity to kidnap me. The shamelessness of dealing with our Reginald, the guild leader of the adventurers. The madness of entering the castle and freeing my daughter. But above all the ability to invent this plan! "

Laughing "Who could have invented a plan that calls for the greatest threat of the kingdom, the order of the rose knights and get arrested by them! I'm still speechless. Anyway, coming back to us, I want you to turn a heartfelt thanks to him, as I did, to the boy who made all this possible, true Simon! Where's Simon? "

John white in the face "I forgot. I had to tell you to go near the stage. "

George "You're an idiot"

In the roar of shouts someone sees Simon at the bottom of the crowd and as a trained army the crowd opens to let the group pass.

The new count to the general "I do not know if he planned it. But he knows how to enter the scene. "

When the whole group went up on stage the talk continues "Let me introduce Simon. Do you want to say something? "

Simon red as a tomato "Hello everyone!"

Drevor "Ahahah, I would say that the speeches are not the best arrow of his bow"

From the crowd rises the cry "Hello Simon" and a roar of laughter.

Zacharias continues with the speech "I want to do one last thing then I will leave you free to have fun at least today since tomorrow we will have to work hard to fix our city."

He approaches Drew "I want to name Drew Knight as I was once appointed and I want to invite him and his men to enter the city's official troops."

Drew kneeling "I accept the appointment with joy, but I and my men talked about it. If the count needs us he will just have to call us, but the one who led us into battle and did not let anything bad happen to us is Simon so our group will split. "

Zacharias "I did not expect this. Do you mean that a part of you will accept my offer and the other not? "

Drew "A part of us, including myself, intends to fight alongside Simon."

Simon looking at his companions in search of a signal is found to be fixed by all present "Well, I did not know anything, I swear."

Laughs.

"Do not worry Simon. You're the most trusted man I know. I entrust these men's life to you. "

Drevor approaching the young "Congratulations Simon, you are now the commander of a group of a hundred men. Now you will have to provide for them. I'm sorry to say that the adventurers' guild does not accept such large groups. "

Simon white in the face listens to the attendant Luc "Quiet, you can always start your own business. You can found your own mercenary company. With the coming war you will certainly not miss the job. "

Drew gets up and shouts "Get ready! On the left who wants to remain as a guard and on the right that will enter the military force of Simon! "

Men arrange themselves and wait. Simon approaches the group and asks "Do you swear loyalty to your new command?"

"We swear it!"

"Then from today we will all be members of the mercenary company 'Force of Fate' because that's what has united us!"

The troops as reinvigorated suddenly shout "Company Force of Fate!"

Simon meanwhile savors the convergence of the power of all these people. Selin after Desmond's speech carefully observes the scene and after trying to jump before going out, try again. "Much higher up. He was right!"

The party continues until late at night in the square.

In a moment of calm, Simon appeared a few seconds to examine his status "Fantastic!" The characteristics are all sketched at values ranging from twenty-five of the force to thirty for intelligence and spirit. Abilities have increased dramatically.

While Simon runs the list, something completely new happens that also leaves Elza speechless.

The addition of three 'Minor Miner' abilities results in a 'Miner' ability but three of these lead Simon to have the 'Top Miner' ability. A multitude of 'Minor Hunter' abilities have the same 'Top Hunter' result. The 'Minor Warrior' ability only goes up to the 'Warrior' level. Other ones appear as 'Minor Farmer', 'Minor Breeder', a fairly useless 'Minor Splendid Hair', a 'Minor Herb' and a series of three 'Minor Observer' and 'Minor Listener' which together immediately rise in level and then transmute into a new 'Alertness' skill! Finally also 'minor quick step' rises to the next level.

Elza "Wow, I just created a scary skill! A skill with the ability to create new skills! "

Simon "Yes, but the more I go forward the more difficult it will be to hide it."

The boy starts doing a couple of tests. The force is now higher than that of an adult man. I could almost draw against Desmond. Speed is increased and his thoughts are clearer than ever.

The points earned by a hundred people all together generated an important change. "Who knows the others ..."

Selin "What are you doing here alone, come and celebrate! Your men want to make you drink! "

Simon follows her arm in arm towards the square. Desmond is raising a barrel of beer with one hand while drinking it. George gets punched in the belly to prove his steel abs. Even former rebels like Drew understood that something has changed because they are competing in competitions like tug-of-war.

Igor approaches and whispers "Do not worry, they know what's going on. Not in the details but they know. Knowing it will encourage them not to betray you. Now you have a company of men who will eventually become invincible. After night I have to ask you a favor for me and my village, remember. "Then he runs and joins Desmond in a drinking contest.

Simon approaches and raising his voice "Men! Welcome to my company. From tomorrow we will create our base near the mine where we were born. Bring your families and do not worry. Soon we will create a real village. "

A former rebel "Knights have the rose on the armor, what will be our symbol?"

"A mountain under a starry sky! To remember where we were born but what we aim for! "

A cry rises from the men and the party continues.