The way militaries work in the Empire is it has standing armies but they are mostly based around provincial capitals and so they won't be able to respond quickly to threats of monsters and undead which is why there is the adventurer's guild. Why am I saying all this well... You will get it later.
Since standing armies are usually based around provincial capitals villages at the outskirts of the Empire's reach usually have militias made up of farmers and the like. But for Edward who's territory is at the very very end of the Empire's reach his case could be considered special as his militia is made up of convicts and slaves who refused to work under a master. Due to that his militia is always getting new recruits every once a month.
But the similarities stop there. Since Edward's militia is made up of the criminals and slaves his militia received poor training and equipment from the Empire.
Militias in villages tend to receive training from officers called "Commisars" sent by the Empire and receive equipment from them as well. Since Edward's milita is a penal one they received scraps that are called "weapons" and receive little to no training for they did not receive a commisar to train them since the emprie deemed it "a waste of resources to train slaves convicts who are about to die anyway."
Edward's milita is made up of around 9,000 men which he then proceeded to split up into two groups of 4,500 men each. One group will then stay near by the Chasm while the other group stays in reserve and rests. An action which I approve of. But being an enginner by heart and not a military man the training regime he has set up for the militia is bad.
After waiting for three months for enough muskets, gun powder and ball bearings to be made I requested Edward to allow me to handle the matters of the militia to which he readily agreed to, which is a surprise as I was expecting more resistance on a six year old boy like me to take over the militia but oh well. With the matters of the militia handed over to me I made changes to the regime and told Edward to gather the group of militia men currently stationed in town to the front of the manor.
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"Hey, you know any idea why Sir Edward has called us here?" A demi-human who looks like a cross between a human and a tiger asked a man beside him.
"No idea. I just hope it's something that is worth waking me up Rol'kuth." The man, who's face is missing an eye and filled with scars, a stubble, black hair so long that it's tied up into a ponytail and pale white skin, answered back.
"C'mon don't look so pissed Pete. Arent you glad that you chose to serve in Edward's militia instead of that sick bastard Johanson?"
Hearing that Pete shot a cold look at Rol'kuth.
"I..Uh.. Guess I should shut up now."
"You better."
After a few more minutes of waiting Edward appeared from the front doors of the manor.
"Guys it's Sir Edward!"
"It's Sir Edward."
And other countless mutterings holding Edward in the realm of godhood are muttered.
Feeling irritated by the mutterings Pete shouted out at them to shut up.
"For the love of Syrion, all of you shut your bleeding mouths up!"
Within seconds the courtyard packed with 4,500 men was so silent that you could hear a pin drop.
"Ahem, thank you Pete." Edward thanked Pete who is standing in front of the crowd distinguishable by his lack of a left eye, a ponytail and pale white skin.
Pete nodded back in acknowledgement.
"Right, on to the reason why I called you all here today is because I want to introduce somebody to you."
Hearing that the 4,500 men gathered at the courtyard of the manor started muttering again only to be shutted up once again by Pete.
"Pual You can come out now."
The two front doors of the manor opened up to reveal a child of six years old stepping through.
The child has similar features as Edward. The same blonde hair, the same blue eyes and the same shape of their cheek bones. But the similarity ends there as Edward's body is skrawny while the child's packed full of muscls despite being six years old.
Seeing the similarities the milia men began muterring for the third time and to be quieten down by Pete.
"As you can see, this child over here is six years old and is my nephew. And from this day onwards he will be in charge of you men."
Hearing the statement that Edward just said the men began muttering for the fourth time and to be shutted up by Pete.
"My gods! Are you woman for Syrion's sake! No? Then stop muttering at every single statement Sir Edward makes! If Sir Edward wills us to obey some six suns old kid we will! Is that understood?" Pete shouted at the militia men.
Fearing his anger the militia men all nodded their or replied with a "Understood Pete."
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While I stood by the door way I focused my attentin at this "Pete" as he shouted at the militia men to quieten down. The way he acts and talks is reminiscent of a certain NCO.
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
The way the militia men react and look at him is also the same as that certain NCO. This guy is definitely a natural leader is what I'm thinking.
"Listen up!" I shouted at the militia men.
They all looked at me sizing me up. Seeing that I couldn't help but taunt them. A habit back from my army days when I used to taunt recruits to see how aggresive they are.
"I may be only six suns old but I bet I could wipe the floor with you guys without even sweating! So don't let my age fool you!"
Hearing my taunt a majority of the militia men started getting worked up and drew their blunt brittle swords.
Oh, they sure are an aggresive bunch.
"What did ya say ya brat?" One of them shouted out.
"I said that I could wipe the floor with you guys and not even sweat." I taunted again making sure to drag out the words to make them sound like I was doubting his masculinity.
Reaching the end of his patience a man so ripped you can seee his muscles through the shirt that he was wearing stepped forward. The man has short cropped brown hair, a face which has seen too much sun, brown eyes and tan skin.
"That kid is so dead."
"Damn, isn't that Chuck?"
"They say that he fought against a pack of Wind Wolves bare handed and that he even tore their heads from their bodies through pure strength only."
"Seriously?"
"Seriously."
Mutters of the various deeds that Chuck has done surfaced.
But my eyebrows raised at the wind wolves part. I'm not so familiar with monsters but I've heard that a wind wolf's strength is equal to that of a squad of magus which is equal to a company of foot soldiers.
"Stop it Chuck. That kid is just six suns old. He may not know what he is sayng." Pete stepped forward to block Chuck's way.
"It's alright Pete. Let him come." I told Pete.
Pete while sighing stepped aside while shooting me a look which says "If you find yourself living a painful life kid, remember it's your own fault."
To which I shot him back a look which says that I'm fairly confident in taking on Chuck.
Seeing that look Pete merely sighed again.
"Kid, you sure have a death wish if you are thinking of taking me head on without any weapon or armour." Chuck said with a sneer.
Chuck and I stood about 50 centimeters apart. Our hands in front of us. I took up a south paw stance gambling on the fact left handed fighters are rare and it will take him by surprise while Chuck merely raised his arms up like a street brawler.
Since Chuck is bigger and taller than I am I have a feeling that he is going to rely on his reach and brute strength. Whereas I will have to rely on the nimbleness of a six year old's body.
"Oh don't worry. You are still not yet at a level where I must use a weapon on you." I taunted him.
"Don't talk shit about me brat."
"YARGH!" After finishing his sentence Chuck shouted and threw a fist at my direction.
Deflecting his right fist with my left fore arm I ducked down just in time to avoid a punch from his left fist. Which caused him to lose his balance. Seeing that he had lost his balance I kicked him with all of the strength a six year old body could produce right where the sun don't shine making him kneel down on both knees.
With him kneeling down on both knees Chuck is now at the same height as me.
"That was a dirty move kid!" Chuck cried out.
"Like I said you aren't even worthy enough for me to use weapons." I taunted before knocking him out cold with a kick to the head.
"Anybody else?"
I turned back to the militia men who were all shocked at what just happened to Chuck. After all, a six year old kid had just beaten someone who is feared throughout the militia.
"No? Good. I want you all to gather your belongings and gather back here again after two days."
I was expecting a reply but got back none. Which deeply angered me as I was used to recruits replying back to me instantly.
"Well!?!" I shouted at them.
"Yes, Mi'lord." They replied but the reply was scattered like rain drops and not one in unision. Which made me much much much more angrier. In fact I was so angry I could feel my cheeks becoming red.
"You shall address me as 'Sir' and you will all reply together is that understood!"
Seeing that I am about to explode with anger and knowing that they are weaker than me they answered back in the way that I wanted them to.
"Yes Sir!" This time they answered back in unision but not loud enough to satisfy me but that is enough scolding for them today. That problem could be fixed again when I begin my "Basic Training" .
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A/N : Sorry for not posting past week and the late post as real life stuff are happening and have a feeling I will be busy again so chapter releases may not be on time.