After two days of relentless preparation—discussing supplies, gathering equipment, and organizing everything with Sora—I finally felt like we were ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead. The gears were in place, and we’d managed to equip seventeen of our men as infantry and the other six as crossbowmen. It had been a long two days, with a lot of decisions to make, but we pulled through. The air felt lighter today as if the weight of all the planning had been lifted. Now, it was time to focus on something I hadn’t been able to do much: train with my troops.
It was still early when I stepped out into the courtyard. The cool air clung to the remnants of the morning, a gentle breeze carrying the scent of damp earth and the distant clamor of metal on metal. I had eight days left to train my men, and this was the first day I would personally be leading them into it. It was a different kind of excitement, a restless energy. I had fought alongside these guys, and seen their potential in skirmishes, but now it was time to shape them into a proper unit.
The recruits were already in the field when I arrived. Leon and Silvana had done a commendable job organizing them. I could see the rough forms of battle formations being practiced, spears held steady, shields locked together. Silvana stood with the crossbowmen on the far side, demonstrating a proper stance to one of the younger recruits, her movements precise and calculated. Conversely, Leon was barking orders at the infantry, his voice rough but encouraging. There was no doubt that both of them had earned their positions.
I approached them both, nodding as I observed their efforts. “Good work,” I said, stepping up beside Leon. “We’ve got a lot to do, but this is a solid start.”
He smiled, wiping the sweat from his brow. “They’re tough, but they’ll need more discipline if we’re going to face any real threats.”
“I know. That’s why I’m here today.” I patted his shoulder and glanced over at Silvana, who gave me a small nod. Her crossbowmen were lined up, ready to fire at a set of wooden targets we had built just the day before.
The field was lively with activity, the sound of men grunting as they sparred with wooden weapons, the thud of arrows and bolts hitting the targets, and the steady clink of armor being adjusted. The sun was high now, beating down on us, and the atmosphere felt heavy with anticipation. My mind, however, was elsewhere.
While watching the troops go through their drills, I couldn’t help but think about the system—specifically, the ability to check someone’s loyalty if they became my companion. This feature was still new to me, but I realized that if I wanted to avoid betrayal, like what happened to Mannes, it would be wise to make officers out of my companions. Trust had to be earned, but the system gave me a way to solidify that trust.
With that in mind, I decided to act. Silvana, with her skill in archery and cool-headed demeanor, was the perfect candidate to lead the crossbowmen. Her loyalty to me had never been in question. Leon, while not as experienced, was popular among the infantry, and I needed someone the men would follow without hesitation. He had earned their respect in small ways—whether it was sharing his food with a hungry recruit or cracking a joke during the hardest of drills, the men listened when Leon spoke.
I approached Silvana first. She was watching her unit closely, correcting stances and offering advice with the calm authority I had come to respect. I waited until she finished speaking to one of the recruits before stepping closer.
“Silvana,” I called, catching her attention. She looked up, her brow furrowed slightly as if expecting bad news.
“Everything alright?” she asked, wiping her hands on her tunic.
“I’ve been thinking,” I said, my tone more serious than I intended. “You’ve proven yourself over and over again, and I think it’s time we make it official.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Official? What do you mean?”
Stolen story; please report.
“I want you to be in charge of the crossbow unit,” I replied, watching her reaction. “An officer, with a pay raise to match. You’ve earned it.”
There was a brief moment of surprise in her eyes before it was replaced with her usual calm composure. She nodded slowly, processing the offer. “I appreciate the trust,” she said finally. “I’ll do my best.”
“I know you will,” I said, offering her a small smile. “You’ve already done more than enough to prove yourself.”
She didn’t smile back, but there was a warmth in her eyes that hadn’t been there before. It was enough for me.
Next, I sought out Leon. He was overseeing a group of recruits sparring with wooden swords, his sharp voice cutting through the noise of their clashing. When he saw me approaching, he waved the men off for a moment, stepping away to meet me.
“What’s up, boss?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Leon, you’ve been doing good work with the infantry,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “The men respect you, and that’s something we need right now.”
He shrugged modestly. “Just doing my part.”
“I’m making you the temporary officer for the infantry,” I said bluntly, watching his reaction. His eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, I thought he might protest.
“Temporary?” he asked, a small grin forming on his lips.
“For now,” I clarified. “Until you prove you can handle the responsibility. But with a pay raise, of course.”
He laughed, a sound that cut through the tension like a knife. “Hell, I’ll take it! Temporary or not, I’ll make sure these guys don’t embarrass you.”
I clapped him on the shoulder, relieved to see him so enthusiastic about the promotion. “I know you will, Leon. Just make sure you keep them in line.”
As I walked away, leaving Leon to return to his drills, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride. My party was growing stronger, not just in numbers but in unity. We were no longer a ragtag group of mercenaries—we were becoming something more. A real force.
The rest of the day passed in a blur of activity. The recruits were pushed to their limits in the sweltering heat, but they didn’t complain. Every swing of the sword, every shield raised, every bolt fired was a step toward making us stronger. And now that Silvana and Leon had taken up their roles, I felt more confident in our ability to face whatever came next.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the training field, I gathered the recruits for one final briefing. Their faces were tired, some bruised and battered from the day’s training, but there was a fire in their eyes that hadn’t been there before. They were ready. We were ready.
“We’ve got eight days to make sure we’re at our best,” I said, my voice carrying across the field. “Today was just the beginning. Tomorrow, we push harder. We’re not just training to survive—we’re training to win.”
There were nods of agreement and a few scattered cheers. I dismissed them for the evening, knowing they’d earned their rest. As they trudged back to camp, I lingered behind, watching the last light of the day fade into darkness.
I had eight days to make this group into something formidable. Eight days to prove that I could lead them into battle and bring them out the other side alive.
While I was lost in my thoughts, Silvana approached me, her expression serious. As she was currently acting as the quartermaster, I knew her visit could only mean one thing—inventory and supply updates. “Augustus,” she began, her tone heavy with concern, “we're running low on supplies and denars. If we don’t do something soon, we won’t be able to pay the recruits.”
I had anticipated this. After spending fourteen thousand denars on equipment and gear, it was only a matter of time before the lack of funds caught up to us. I sighed, nodding as she confirmed what I already knew. “I’ve been thinking about that since yesterday,” I admitted. “We’re strapped for cash, and our supplies won’t last more than a week. But with Sora covering the food and accommodations, for now, we have some breathing room.”
Silvana’s brow furrowed, waiting for my solution. “I’ve decided to talk to the troops tomorrow,” I continued. “I’ll explain the situation—be honest with them. I’ll tell them there might be a delay in their pay but promise them they’ll receive triple the amount they’re owed once we are done with the assignment.”
Silvana nodded slowly, considering my plan. “That might work,” she said, “but they’ll need to hear it from you directly. Your word means a lot to them.”
“I’ll give the speech tomorrow,” I reassured her. “We’ll make it through this.”