It was early morning when Akira returned from a memorial at the newly created cemetery out near the woods behind the castle keep.
The first people to die while living in Kodria were now buried there. The families of the dead had received a small sum of gold as compensation for their dead sons and fathers. It was not much of a consolation for those who lost loved ones but it was all they could do.
This event was a wake-up call for Akira and shined a light on his and several other people's mistakes.
There were several things he had to do today before he joined the Warriors in their daily training, which was why he was walking towards the docks followed by his guards and several workers.
He took out some markers and placed them down outlining the new dock that would be built and only used by the military.
As soon as he left the workers began gathering materials to build the new dock.
His next stop was the shipbuilders who were nearby. Lately, they had been only working on small rowboats and fishing boats, but now Akira had a different task for them.
“Lord it is an honor to see you here! How may I help you?” asked the head shipbuilder.
“The army requires at least 6 transport ships that can carry a minimum of 50 soldiers at a time,” said Akira.
“Yes, I can understand why you would need them after yesterday's problems. We will stop all other projects and work on them. If we work all day we should have all six transport boats finished by the end of tomorrow.”
When Akira finished some other small tasks he returned to the barracks where the warriors were standing at attention waiting. They had already finished their morning run around the city with Varbu and Prince Gobbers while he had taken care of the random errands.
Seeing Akira they all saluted him as he passed by. He made sure to return the salute as well.
Akira inspected each of the soldiers and found that over the weeks of training the average level was now around level 50. With the lowest at level 45 and the highest at lvl 58.
No one in any of the three demon races army's had died from the battle but there were several who were banged up.
“I will now call out several names. The names that are called out will be the new officers of the unit you are in,” said Akira.
When he finished, he pulled an envelope out of a small bag on his side and pulled out the piece of paper from inside.
“The names on this list are the names that the Grand elders have picked as the elite bodyguards of Kodria. The leadership of the Kodria's elite guards will be Co-captains Vilkas and Dolph. Now on to those who have been selected to work under them.”
When he was finished with the names he paused for a moment before talking again. “You have all proved your ability to command in a battle. I thank those of you who have helped protect me during the last few months and are not on this list. I hope you will stay with the army and continue working your hardest for Kodria and its citizens.
Today's training will be lighter to allow everyone to recuperate from yesterday's battle. Tomorrow we will be doing new training. After that we will be hunting nearby monsters on the other side lake. Varbu will be leading today's training while I take care of a few other things.”
With that Akira left the training ground and returned to the castle keep.
***
“The large ships have new captains and are properly sailing the lake keeping an eye out for any enemy that might appear. The army has found all of its officers who picked from those who showed promise in yesterday's battle,” said Akira, giving the Grand elders an update on the morning tasks.
“I am glad you didn't pick any peacetime officers who only know training and theory. I heard that you had commissioned a new dock and 6 transport boats. Do you have any plans of expanding the navy?” asked Àaron.
“Can you even call it a navy? It's just a bunch of volunteers who know how to take care of the ships. They aren't even fully crewed,” said Seoc.
“We do not have the money right now for adding any more sailors or naval ships then what we already have. We can pay the volunteers if they actually decide to join the navy. I decided to spend my own money for the new transport boats due to yesterday's problems with getting to the mining island,” said Akira.
“It is all for the best that we found out about these problems now before the demigods launch an attack,” said Hegir.
“What are the plans for making sure this does not happen again?” asked Carl.
“I have made plans to build a few watchtowers on the other side of the lake as well as a garrison on the mining island for at least a minimum of ten of the city guards to be stationed there at all times. It is not much but until we have enough money and a big enough army we'll have to do this for now,” said Akira.
“Lord, if I may remind you. Since the village security is low creating some temporary forts on either side of the mouth of the river would help secure the lake from that end as well as raise the security of the village,” said Samuel.
“Noted, but as I said before we don't have a full army yet or a big enough city guard to man forts outside of the city protection. But we will have to work on that sooner or later. For now, the watchtowers will be put in place there,” said Akira.
“We can get around that by having warriors in the militia rotate in and out of the forts,” said Àaron.
“Frafrak has left already while you were at the cemetery this morning. Will the army be ready before the Kamen leader arrives in a week or so?” asked Carl.
“I have moved all my plans ahead due to yesterday's battle. The warriors under my command understand all the basic formations and all that is left is to continue to raise their battle experience with fighting. I will be taking them to clear out any monsters we find around the area. I believe within that time the army will be completed,” said Akira.
“Don't forget about teaching them how to swim!” shouted Àaron as Akira was leaving the office.
“That will have to wait until the warmer months.”
***
Next day.
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Akira stood on the new dock that had been built for the army with three new large transport ships tied to the right side of the dock.
Today along with the army, village guards, and the majority of sailors from the patrolling ships were all lined up in front of the docks.
There was currently only one ship patrolling the waters.
“Sailors, you all have been volunteering your time to protect the village and mines. Yesterday's battle proved why we need a stronger naval force and better discipline on the lake.
So I along with the Grand elders ask you to join the newly formed naval marines. As marines, you will be trained every day in both the workings of the ships that you will be assigned to but also fighting on the sea, rivers and lakes.
Your main job will be to protect your ships fighting any enemy who tries to board your ship while also learning proper tactics to board and commandeer a ship. You will also be trained in amphibious landings to fight alongside the army if it is needed. We are currently looking for a minimum of 50 marines. Who will join?” asked Akira.
He was not expecting much since the volunteer sailors on the one ship that was patrolling right now had all declined his offer.
Out of the 100+ volunteer sailors, 61 of them raised their hands.
“Those that wish to join the marine units please talk to captain Walcott over there he will take down your names,” said Akira pointing to an older gentleman with a sea salt gray beard and a black leather hat.
“The rest of you will join in today's training as it is vital that you at least know the basics,” said Akira before turning to the army.
“Officers! It is your duty to not only lead the warriors under your command but also know how to control and navigate the transport ships! Line formation by Omega unit!” shouted Akira.
The volunteers who were unsure what to do watched the army form 20 lines of ten warriors, as well as the guards who formed 5 lines of then beside them. The volunteers decided to follow suit and formed it into lines of ten as well.
“Army 1st Omega unit 1-5 forward march to the third transport ship, 1st Omega unit 6-10 to the second transport ship, 11-15 to the first ship!” shouted Akira.
The units that were called stepped forward and marched to the ships they had been ordered to. The dock was now crammed with 150 warriors who waited for Akira's next orders.
“Embark! Officers at the rear of the ship!”
All 150 warriors entered their assigned ship and picked up the oars on the side of the boat, with the officers standing at the rear.
“Disembark!”
“Move faster! The enemy will kill you before you can get out of the boat if you are that slow!”
“Yap!” Fluffball let out his own agreement scolding the slowpokes.
For the rest of the morning, Akira rotated the Army, guards, volunteers, and others onto and off of the ships. While they were training the fourth ship was delivered to the docks.
Ding!
The Army now has a basic understanding of boarding and disembarking ships. Several warriors, naval marines and volunteers, have leveled up due to training and new knowledge.
Fluffball's understanding of tactics for battle has been enhanced with a better understanding and a higher level he will now be able to receive more experience points.
“Good you know how to board and disembark! Transport ship 1-4 you are ordered to move to the mining island and disembark march in line formation to the new garrison and return to your ships. Where you will once again row to the mouth of the river with ship 1 and 2 disembarking on the right bank and moving to the new watchtower. Ship 3 and 4 will disembark on the left bank moving to that watchtower. You will then return to your ships and return here where you will disembark and await further instructions. You will be timed and judged on your skill at following these orders. Move out!”
Akira watched as the officers started to shout commands. The boats pushed away from the dock and started to quickly row away from the dock. Some more graceful than others.
“Village guards, naval marines, volunteers, watch and learn from them as you will be doing this as well after they return!”
“Yes sir!” shouted everyone.
The rest of the day was spent with everyone taking turns using the transports to embark and disembarking at the designated places, each a different from the other.
They needed to be able to do everything without flaws or mess-ups so that there would be no major flubs when they needed to get to a certain place to engage an enemy.
***
Over the next several days Akira took the 200 warriors out to search for and fight nearby monsters. A large portion of the warriors were leveling up quickly due to this.
The naval marines trained daily with the army during the morning exercises then returned to their ships to continue their training. The five ships small and big that were being used for the navy were now manned with 12 naval marines to help protect and fight off enemies.
Since there was little traffic in the wilderness and no nearby settlements there was no lack of monsters to fight. It was all for the best that they started to clear out the monsters near the village.
Ding!
You have leveled up to level 78!
Fluffball has leveled up!
For clearing out a large swarm of [Pinecone bombers] Security of the village has gone up by 1%.
Fluffball was allowed to join in the fights as well when the monsters they fought were not too strong, and because of this, he was able to grow stronger faster.
Ding!
Officer Hurst has reached level 60 and has received the status of soldier!
Everyday more and more of the warriors reached level 60 which the system decided was the level a common soldier should be. Soon all of the warriors would reach level 60.
***
“Awoooo~!
“Sir! Burkin and several other ships have arrived at the mouth of the river!” shouted a nearby messenger.
It was noon and Akira and the army had just finished eating lunch, and they were now all getting ready to head out for the afternoon monster clearing.
“Officer Hurst! Today you will be in charge of the monster extermination! I expect you to complete the task with no mishaps!” said Akira, picking the officer at random.
“Understood commander! Omega units head to your designated ships!” shouted officer Hurst.
Akira, Fluffball, and his guards walked over to the fishing docks to meet Burkin once again.
As he walked down the dock he looked at the several new ships that carried new faces he had never seen before.
Burkin and the dwarves under him had brought several ships with them all filled with items.
“So we meet again young pup. When we last met... please forgive my stone-head husband for creating so much trouble for you,” said Kurzlin as she was helped off the ship by an annoyed Burkin.
“..yeah nice to meet you as well madam,” said Akira giving a slight bow to Kurzlin. “Burkin it sure looks like you brought a lot of things this time.”
“The majority of it is from the shop. I convinced Kurzlin to close the shop and take everything down here. There are a lot of good quality things that the village is missing.”
“Hmph! Knowing Kofac and how he does things, I'll have a lot of work to do in order to reorganize, stock, and make it so that everything fits my taste,” said Kurzlin.
“Who are they?” asked Akira pointing to the other human sailors that had come with Burkin.
“Fellow traders! After I told them about my success they all wanted to come as well! I told them that they would have to pay an import tax and stuff like that and they still wanted to come. With word getting out like this the village will be able to have a better flow of gold,” said Burkin.
“Ah, in all the recent commotion I forgot about stuff like that. I'll have to consult with the grand elders on what the tax will be for those who wish to trade their goods here,” said Akira.
“What happened?” asked Burkin.
“If you and Kurzlin will join me for dinner tonight I can catch you up on all the details,” said Akira.
“Alright, can you give us a hand with unloading the ships?” asked Burkin.
“I would be glad to help out.”