Doctor Amnesiac, but not completely amnesiac

Happy New Year!

I wish you all success in both your studies and career, good health and everything goes well in the new year.

PS2:

Thanks to [Yin Yang Dao Jun] for the reward of a gold treasure chest.

Thanks for the support!

Thanks to [OvO] for the 5 fat rewards.

Thanks for the support!

Chapter 121: In short, it’s all about money

Following the notification from Adjutant Charles, the knights of the Steam Knights sat in the combat research room and looked at their leader.

With only dozens of people, this is Victoria's most powerful force. Their combat effectiveness is certainly worthy of such an honor - a fully armed team of three is enough to destroy a high-speed warship with a boarding battle.

"Are there any new combat missions, Captain?"

A knight couldn't help but ask.

"Is there still no support or logistical supplies this time?"

The other knights also looked somewhat annoyed, but no one said they wanted to refuse the mission.

They are Victoria's swords. Even if the past they served is long gone, even if their homeland no longer recognizes their identity - the Steam Knights will continue to fight for Victoria.

"It's another matter—it's something I can't decide on my own."

The knights fell silent, staring at their leader in silence. Some were still at a loss, while others had already put their hands on the hilts of their swords.

If the words of their Chapter Master disappoint them - then this place will surely be drowned in the blood of traitors.

Charles noticed the actions of these people, but did not say anything. Instead, he condoned such behavior.

"A giant medical company in Casimir wants to sign a mercenary contract with us."

After these words were spoken, both the confused knight and the cautious knight seemed caught off guard.

"A mercenary contract - they need us to send people to participate in the Casimir Knights Tournament next year and win a place so that Babel Tower can gain a better position in the competition for interests."

"To this end, they are willing to provide funding, medicine, and personnel logistics."

The knights fell silent again.

There is no doubt that the things the other party took out are what they urgently need now, but it is precisely because they urgently need them that they need to worry - because it means that the other party knows the situation of themselves and others very well and can see through them.

"The Casimir Knights Tournament... I've heard of this event. I remember Victoria TV broadcasting it before. This event has been held in Casimir for decades."

An older knight recalled and slowly told the relevant things.

These words evoked the memories of the other knights. The memory called life, which had been covered by five years of numb and mechanical battle memories, became vivid again.

After piecing together various ideas, they came up with an event that was similar to the one provided by Qiao Yelan.

"What do you think?"

Charles let the knights discuss for a while before asking again.

"If we only need to send people, and the number of people is small, I think we can try to cooperate first."

After hesitating for a while, one of the three squadron leaders said.

"But the other party must pay at least half of the price first, and then we can set off - if this is a trick by the nobles to do something to us, they will definitely not be willing to sign a contract with us with real money."

At this time, another squadron leader also added his thoughts.

"We should sign a confidentiality agreement. They cannot reveal our true identities, and we will not admit that we have been hired in any situation. In this way, we will have a reason not to bring steam armor. If we go to participate in the competition alone, even if it is a trap, it can minimize the damage."

Charles looked at them.

"So, in principle, you are inclined to cooperate with each other?"

The third squadron leader also nodded.

"what about you?"

Charles looked at the other captains and knights.

"agree."

"agree."

......

There was almost unanimous agreement, and the few slightly different comments were simply because they were worried that the other party was a trick played by the nobles and they had to be more cautious.

The Steam Knights were all very clear about the situation they were facing, and they also knew about Charles' previous cautious actions.

"Three squadron leaders stay here. We will hold a seminar to discuss the increase that should be proposed. The others go back first. Remember, no news can be leaked in advance."

The knights nodded, and those who were not named left the room.

Charles took out paper and pen, raised his head and looked at the other three.

“What price should we ask?”

All three of them were a little stuck.

Steam Knights never had to worry about logistics before, and when they did - logistics no longer existed.

Charles, the housekeeper, was a newcomer after all. He had a fairly good understanding of the supplies and logistical quantities needed by the entire Order, but he was a bit at a loss as to the prices and funds - after all, they could only purchase locally, so the price fluctuations were as great as the gap between Victoria and a unified country.

"Drive higher."

The squadron leader who spoke first gritted his teeth.

"We should first test whether the other party is sent by the nobles, and ask them to pay a deposit first, and then pay half of the price when we need the person - even if it is a trap, as long as they can deliver enough supplies, we will accept it!"

"Yes, they start high, ask for an exorbitant price, and then pay a low price. If the other party is really sincere, at worst they can lower the price later."

The other two echoed.

Charles hesitated and filled in a number.

"Is this... too high?"

The squadron leader asked hesitantly.

He said to open at a higher point, but this price, which is visibly extortionate, is a bit too shameless.

"this one!"

Charles gritted his teeth.

"Anyway, I think the other party is pretty anxious, so let's test the waters first. If it doesn't work, let them bargain."

But then the truth about his lack of confidence was exposed.

After all, he also felt that the price seemed a bit excessive - after all, the other party said that they only wanted a few people, not the entire group.

"Uh... that's fine, as long as you have a base price."

The squadron leaders looked at each other, and finally nodded in agreement.

"Let's go and talk together."

Charles stood up and led the three people to his own office.

-------------------------------------------------- ----

When four Steam Knights walked in, Qiao Yelan was admiring the portraits of successive leaders of the Steam Knights.

"Very efficient notification, His Excellency Captain Charles."

"We are soldiers, and it is not good for us to discuss for too long."

Charles sat down opposite Qiao Yelan again, and the other three stood behind Qiao Yelan.

"After discussion, we agree in principle to accept your employment - but we would like to discuss the details of the contract first."

"No problem, what do you want to discuss?"

Qiao Yelan said very straightforwardly.

"Uh, how many Steam Knights does your business, Babel, need?"

"Generally speaking, competitions are divided into team competitions and individual competitions, so I need two strong enough steam knights. In addition, I also need three to five knights to be responsible for team battles. Of course, in team battles, the number of participants on each side usually does not exceed one hundred."

Five to seven people, almost two teams.

This number made several people breathe a sigh of relief. If it was a trap, there would be no need to be so narrow-minded.

But after he was relieved, Charles seemed a little embarrassed——

If there are only a few of them, then the price he offers is no longer just rip-off, but pure extortion.

The three people standing behind Qiao Yelan were already winking at each other, signaling Charles to charge a certain price and not to scare away the fat sheep - no, not to scare away the financiers.

"How long will it take?"

"The competition will be in the second half of next year, so it will be about two years - we also need to do some warm-up competitions to make a name for ourselves. But vacations are guaranteed, and we will try to reduce unnecessary appearances, so there is no need to participate in commercial endorsements, and the workload is not too heavy."

The treatment sounds really good.

Charles cleared his throat and flipped open the paper in his hand.

"We think that three, no, two million Victorian pounds would be a reasonable price."

Qiao Yelan nodded, and continued to wait for what was to come.

But there was no further news.

He looked up in surprise, only to see Charles looking at him eagerly.

No, gone?

Buddy, I'm here to buy Steam Knight from you, not Steamed Rice Knight.

Two million Victorian gold pounds, I don’t even know if it’s enough to hold two cocktail parties at the Kaister University - can this buy two teams of steam knights, with a full two years of service?

Are you still asleep or am I still asleep?

He turned his head and looked at the three people behind him. The three squadron leaders quickly restrained their expressions of threatening Charles to lower the price, and their faces were full of seriousness.

Then, as if he remembered something, he forced a flattering smile towards Qiao Yelan.

Qiao Yelan was almost scared to stand up from his wheelchair.

This is a bit too scary.

But after thinking about it for a while, Qiao Yelan realized a problem -

Don’t these guys know what price their fighting power can be sold for?

"Cough-cough-"

Charles cleared his throat, apparently intending to reduce it further.

"So, is this enough for the deposit?"

Qiao Yelan asked suddenly.

"Cough cough cough cough cough -"

The leader's throat clearing turned into a real cough.

The three squadron leaders also widened their eyes.

"Deposit...deposit?"

"Uh, isn't it the deposit? The official employment price should be discussed when the contract is signed."

Qiao Yelan covered his slightly sympathetic gaze with confusion - before he came, he really didn't realize that these guys were controlled so badly. After all, according to what Clovisia said before, he thought that the unicorn was secretly supporting the Steam Knight.

But now that this situation has been discovered, what else can Qiao Yelan say?

——Thank you for the gift of nature.

"Ahem, ahem - yes, that's right, it's a deposit, this is a deposit."

Charles nodded frantically.

"Okay, the deposit is a bit high, but considering the combat effectiveness of the Steam Knight, it's not impossible - but you have to give a positive answer, otherwise I won't be able to explain to the company's directors."