Chapter 110

Chapter 110 As expected, the Pereta family has submitted a request to become our vassal. Percival or Rufman wouldnt be a problem, right? For now, as theyre outside our domain, and those guys have already joined the Second Princes faction with all their main forces. They were dispatched as soon as the civil war began. Its difficult to interfere. I see. For now, well have to be satisfied with this. Logan had no intention of simply accepting the once-bared fangs of Pereta with just their taxes. Slowly drain them until they die, and then completely absorb their forces. Imagining his future, Logan smiled with satisfaction.New novel chapters are published on Weve already achieved more than enough. The previous lords would be pleased. Who knows? They might be cheering us on, saying its still not enough. . Despite the chill that followed Patricks stale joke, the lords office was enveloped in a heartwarming atmosphere for the first time in a while. There were still unresolved issues, but those were worries for the future. All immediate threats could be considered gone. And now Its time for the delayed party. At Logans words, everyone laughed. The war was over. At a time when the entire kingdom was in turmoil due to the civil war, it wasnt something that could be said officially. But it became a widespread secret that everyone knew. McLain would not wage war anymore. And to prove that rumor, Logan generously rewarded the knights and soldiers, even holding banquets for the combatants to ensure they had ample rest. Although morale was high following recent victories, the actual state of the forces was not that great. There were few casualties in the capture of Bifrost Castle, but the loss at Tomodo Castle was far too great. The numbers told a clearer story. Knights: 152, with 54 dead and 98 survivors. Crossbow Cavalry: 1,000, with 289 dead and 711 survivors. Infantry: 1,532, with 655 dead and 877 survivors. Moreover, the most effective method McLain had to bolster forces in the past, converting captured knights, was no longer viable. Although there were a few who surrendered at Tomodo Castle, converting them was pointless as long as their former lord lived, branding them as traitors. Of course, they were previously sent to appease the Second Prince faction by way of Roger Bifrost. Therefore, it was even more crucial to raise morale as high as possible in celebration of the current victory. Thus, Logan prepared a separate party for the knights who were the main force, aside from the banquet for the soldiers. And not just any party, but one with lavish gifts. Sir Heinkel, step forward. Yes, sir! In recognition of your efforts in leading the knights to victory in the war, I hereby award you one million gold in prize money and lands of equivalent value. All onlookers gasped. An incredibly generous sum of prize money alongside land was distributed, sharing the spoils of conquering a wealthy Earldom with his men without reserve. If only the artifact storehouse had been intact, it would have been even better. About twenty artifacts had disappeared without a trace, possibly taken by Bifrosts forces. While a bit regretful, Logan continued to smile and applaud endlessly. The Crown Prince has reportedly cleared out this warehouse. Should we be concerned as well? Eh, its different for a captain. Though the knights spoke with some expectation. That expectation was soon met. Each knight received a reward of at least 100,000 gold not as much as what Heinkel received, but a significant prize nonetheless. While all the knights were overjoyed, Eileen stood out, notably pleased with her reward. Are you so happy? The Floyd family isnt exactly lacking in funds. This is the first money Ive earned myself! And its such a large amount Ah In this country, there arent many opportunities for women to earn this kind of money. This alone makes it feel like my dreams are getting closer to reality. Seeing Eileen on the brink of tears, Logan could only silently smile and pat her on the shoulder. However, the greatest reward of the evening did not go to the knights. The greatest merit of the defense of Tomodo goes to the Golem Tower, so we declare that the land of the Golem Tower within McLain Town is to be granted to the tower perpetually without imposing any taxes, and in addition, a prize of ten million gold will be awarded. Yet ironically, only Sylvan Castle saw an influx of applicants over five times the expected number. Only the citizens of the castle, who had joined McLain under its banner after suffering under tyranny, chose to take a risk over safety. This led to nearly 3,000 candidate enrollees far surpassing the initial goal of 2,000 due to the sheer number from Sylvan, though the test results were far from satisfying. Logan had devised only two criteria for the new soldier fitness test. The first involved surrounding the applicant with hung wooden logs while a test administrator hurled them randomly at the candidate. With their eyes blindfolded with cloth, the participants simply had to time their dodges correctly to avoid the logs. It was a test designed to measure beyond the tactile sensation of a slight breezea test of intuition. While the wooden logs wouldnt cause substantial harm even if they hit, some applicants didnt bother to dodge at all. Why dont you even try to avoid it? Why are you even taking the test?! Frustration boiled over even for the examiners. But the second test was even more telling. Mid-level knights who could manipulate murderous intent served as examiners, brandishing wooden swords and stopping them right before the applicants face. The test required choosing the sword that felt most threatening to touch. It was a test of survival instinct, but yet again, disinterested applicants were common. Despite the apparent danger, some tightly shut their eyes, refusing even to look. In the end, the candidate selection process, which spanned ten days across McLains entire domain, yielded only about a thousand individuals who fell short of the projected figures, even when taking those who barely missed the cut. Lowered the standard and yet only a thousand? Is that all? Isnt the number of those who passed the peculiar test more important? . Hm. Hm. My apologies. Anyway, the reports say that more than half the applicants from both Bifrost and McLain Town seemed to lack any will to participate. .. The issue was more serious than it appeared. These tests werent just for drafting soldiers to handle the immediate crisis at hand. Broadly speaking, it was a test to select the knights of the future, the pillars who would withstand the empires invasion. But how could they cooperate like this? Its problematic Should I delay it? They could hastily recruit soldiers now to boost immediate forces, quieting the chaos within the country before spreading new standards nationwide; that was one option. But even if everything went smoothly, it wasnt clear if that would take a year or two. With at most just over seven years until the war with the empire, that time could mean the difference between thousands of knights existing or not. I need to start getting this right. Forcing recruits through harsh training wouldnt produce worthy knights in the end. The dilemma was acute, with no clear solution immediately apparent. But then, Whats the big worry? Theres a simple solution. What? Dwayne suggested a method with a smirk. Throw some money at it. Anyone who passes the soldier test above the threshold gets a thousand gold. If they have sons, families will swarm to you. A thousand gold was a game-changing amount of money for an ordinary citizen. Oh. If were talking about 2,000 men, two million gold will cover it. Its pocket change for our domain right now. Two million gold, considered pocket changea day he never thought would come. Life sure has a lot of twists and turns. While the finance manager Dwaynes inner joy danced to the beat, That would work? Excuse me? What do you mean? People who didnt apply because its dangerouswill they really move for some money? Heh. Havent I told you? Theres nothing money cant do. But still, thats Minister Dwayne. I implore you again with sincerity. Remember this well. What Theres no such thing as an impossible task with money, just insufficient money. This is the truth! The truth! More reliable than any scripture! . Crushed under that inexplicable zeal, Logan nodded, though he didnt truly believe those words. A week later, He received a report that an additional 2,000 trainees who had passed the requirements had been secured.