Chapter 13: 13 Selecting Troops

Chapter 13: Selecting the Retinue

Regrettably, after a bout of fierce bargaining, Romon ultimately failed to secure as many guards as he had hoped.

However, Rulance had relented slightly, directing Wiggins to allocate thirty guards to Romon while also providing him with supplementary provisions:

One thousand pounds of barley, one thousand pounds of wheat, five hundred pounds of flour, three hundred pounds of dried meat, three hundred pounds of vegetables, fifty pounds of coarse salt, twenty pounds of fine salt, five carriages, one warhorse of excellent quality, and one hundred gold coins.

Though the number of guards fell short of his expectations, these subsequent provisions successfully silenced Romon's complaints.

Truth be told, he had not anticipated that the Obsidian Castle would grant him so many extra resources.

Aside from the foodstuffs, there were four carriages and a fine steed!

After expressing his most sincere gratitude to Rulance and Wiggins, Romon joyfully departed the room, following Holwart to select the guards.

"Father, why did you give Romon so many resources?"

Once Romon had gone, Wiggins could finally contain himself no longer. "Only yesterday did we lose a massive amount of resources and even territory because of him. Why do you still shield him so?"

Rulance smiled faintly. "As his father, have you not noticed that Romon has grown?"

Wiggins froze for a moment, then reflected upon it carefully. Though reluctant to admit it, he nonetheless nodded. "He has changed a little, indeed. At least these past two days he has not gone off to attend banquets at any manor."

"In truth, he knew long ago that the guards' betrayal had nothing to do with you. If I were to guess, his throwing the blame upon you was merely a ruse to demand some benefits."

Wiggins gasped, and then, as if suddenly understanding, his eyes widened in indignation. "That scoundrel!"

Rulance, however, merely chuckled. "The matter with Selena this time has greatly affected the boy, forcing him to mature. That is why I am willing to grant him a few resources, to see if he can achieve anything of note."

He let out a heavy sigh. "Our Obsidian family has endured for a mere three generations, and our bloodline is sparse. You are no longer capable now, so we can only rely on the two remaining males!"

"Though Romon has changed his surname, the bloodline remains. If he manages to establish himself, it will be no bad thing for our Obsidian family."

Like a cat whose tail had been trodden upon, Wiggins turned crimson, utterly speechless.

Yet those words spoke the absolute truth. At fifty-two years of age, he ought to have retained the capacity to sire offspring, but his excessive indulgence during his youth had hollowed out his potential.

Ever since Diane gave birth to Breton, no matter how hard he and Diane labored, it was all to no avail.

In private, Wiggins had even tried with other women, but without exception, it was useless.

"Very well, then we shall proceed as Father says. I only hope Romon does not disappoint you!"

Wiggins stood, offered a formal bow, and then swiftly departed the room.

Rulance cast a glance toward the old butler. "When Holwart assembles all the guards, have men drag over the five traitors Romon brought back and execute them on the spot. Let that crowd of guards understand that betrayal of the Obsidian family offers no path but death!"

"As you wish!" Moste withdrew with a respectful bow.

...

On the western side of the Obsidian Castle lay a vast plaza, the usual training ground for knights and guards.

Now, amidst the fading glow of the setting sun, all the guards within the castle had gathered here under Holwart's summons.

Beyond them, a few cavalrymen stood on the periphery, watching the scene unfold.

Romon looked over. Each of these cavalrymen was tall, robust, and full of vigor, appearing extraordinary at a single glance.

"They must belong to the knight squadron guarding the castle today."

Romon's eyes gleamed. If only he could secure such a squadron of knights to accompany him to the Forest Town, how wonderful that would be.

Regrettably, however, in the words of Rulance, a place like the Forest Town was well-served enough by having a single knight like Maken and a squadron of regularly trained guards.

Wiggins had even remarked that one only needed to evade the magical beasts of the Forest Town during the winter, avoid approaching the Obsidian Mountains on ordinary days, and disregard the savage tribes within the woodlands, as they amounted to nothing substantial...

What else could Romon say?

"Young Master, all the guards have been assembled. Sixty in total."

Holwart approached and spoke respectfully. "In accordance with the Lord's instructions, you may select thirty from among them to accompany you to the Forest Town."

Romon swept his gaze over the guards standing below. They were merely clustered together in a loose formation, lacking any semblance of proper military posture.

"Only sixty men?"

Romon was unfamiliar with the defense situation of the Obsidian Castle, so he was thoroughly surprised to hear this number.

This was the Obsidian Castle, after all—the stronghold of a Marquis—yet it possessed a mere sixty guards.

"Sixty guards are quite sufficient."

Holwart explained, "The true core of our fighting strength consists of twelve professional knights. The squires and guards perform the majority of the sentry duties and serve the professional knights."

Romon nodded slowly in understanding.

Indeed, Maken, a mere novice knight, had been able to slaughter the nine traitors and scatter them like leaves. In the presence of transcendent beings, the combat prowess of ordinary men was truly insignificant.

Looking at it this way, the defenses of the Marquis's estate were formidable enough.

An ordinary person could hardly stir up any trouble here.

"What is the salary for these guards?"

Romon turned to inquire about the guards' compensation.

Although Holwart was not responsible for the guards' wages, as the butler, he still possessed a firm grasp of such information.

"One copper coin per day, with room and board provided."

Romon could not help but sigh inwardly. A salary of only one copper coin a day was meager indeed.

Fortunately, room and board were included; otherwise, survival itself would have been a struggle for these guards.

"Announce the Count's arrangements to them."

"Understood."

Holwart faced the guards. "Guards, standing before you is the noble blood of the Obsidian line, the grandson of the Marquis of the Obsidian Fief, the son of the Count of the Obsidian City, and the Baron of the Forest Town—Romon Tempest!"

Though the guards were well aware of Romon's identity, upon hearing the butler's grand introduction, they nonetheless cheered aloud, offering their earnest greetings to Romon.

Holwart smiled faintly and continued, "The Lord Baron is about to depart to build a new settlement for the Obsidian family. He needs to select thirty men from among you to journey to the Forest Town and serve as his guards. When the Forest Town flourishes into a new city in the future, you will be the very first generation of meritorious pioneers!"

"This is a grand endeavor! Now, those willing to follow Lord Romon, please step forward!"

As his words fell, a reaction entirely contrary to the previous cheer ensued. The guards did not shout in joy; instead, they began to whisper and confer among themselves.

The news of Romon being stripped of his inheritance rights had already spread far and wide. As guards of the castle, they naturally knew of it, and they certainly knew what kind of place the Forest Town was.

Aside from being remote and perilous, its primary drawback was its vast distance from the Obsidian City. Since the guards' homes were all established here, they naturally harbored some resistance toward voluntarily relocating to the Forest Town.

For a moment, not a single soul stepped forward.

Holwart frowned slightly. "Are you all cowards, daring not to seize such an honor? Hmph, if no one volunteers, then I shall make the selection myself!"

All the guards ceased their chatter. Their expressions grew tense, resembling students terrified of being called upon to answer a question.

Romon took a step forward, gesturing for Holwart to let him speak.

He looked down at the guards below and held up a single finger:

"Any man willing to accompany me to the Forest Town shall immediately receive a reward of one silver coin!"

Another wave of murmuring rippled through the crowd.

Romon raised a second finger. "Any man willing to accompany me to the Forest Town, in addition to receiving room and board, shall be paid a daily wage of two copper coins!"

The volume of discussion instantly rose several degrees, and even three or five men excitedly stepped forward.

Luoning smiled, raising his third finger. "For any guard who follows me to Forest Town and dies in battle, I will grant one gold coin as compensation to your family!"

"I'll go, I'll go!"

Finally, more than half of the sixty guards stepped forward.

At this moment, Luoning raised his fourth finger.

"I promise that by the end of next year, if you wish to return to Mount Black City to live, I will not hinder you in any way!"

"Of course, if you want to bring your families from Mount Black City to live in Forest Town, I will also petition my father and ensure your families safely arrive in Forest Town!"

After these words, even the dozen or so who had not stepped forward could no longer hold back.

Higher pay, more reliable benefits, being part of the initial foundation, and the chance to bring their families to Forest Town in the future.

Under such favorable conditions, the guards had no reason not to be tempted.

"I'll go too!"

"I'll go too!"

They all surged forward to the front.

(End of chapter.)