Hmmm... I was thinking about this in the previous chapter, but whatever gave MC the idea that in a band of mercenaries, he'd be safer than in a village? Although I guess either option has it's risks, but in this chapter, it becomes all the more clear, that war is pretty much a given here (not that MC could take that into consideration yet, given the limited knowledge and information he's gotten). Would there be any point in wartime, to destroy villages (especially the country side ones, that produce food), when you want to take over countries? What's the point of taking over a country, when you can't sustain it, because not only does it lack food, there's nobody left alive to pay tax, or whatever?
...
I guess it is a good point for this story that gambling and good food are the main forms of entertainment, despite the inclusion of women in the group... It could have gone in other directions easily enough (and I would like it less for it, probably).
Not that I am greatly enjoying it so far, but I am still willing to give it a shot.