IHBWAT 09

Chapter 9

Military Development

Elimis Territory.

There was truly nothing here.

No resources, and no talent either. In such a territory, Nigel was a precious asset.

“Ahh……”

The old man’s eyes grew moist after hearing his own words.

He lowered his head.

After everything that had happened, he had come to deeply admire the greatness of the acting lord, Cliff. His wisdom was beyond what Nigel could comprehend.

And this time, he was moved by his vast generosity.

To think I would meet a true master who recognizes me like this…

He had met his rightful lord far too late.

With that thought, Nigel bowed deeply.

“I am deeply moved and overwhelmed by your broad heart and great wisdom, Acting Lord Cliff.”

He expressed his emotions in grand, flowing words.

Cliff quietly listened.

“Please forgive me for previously judging you with my narrow-minded thinking. From now on, this old life will be devoted entirely to you, Acting Lord.”

Cliff smiled.

‘Good.’

At a glance, Nigel was a rigid and principled man.

The fact that he had been so moved and bowed his head carried great meaning. At the very least, he was not someone who would easily betray or change sides.

‘He might still be stubborn and nitpick things, but his loyalty won’t change.’

A man of principle.

With that upright personality, he was also the intellectual of this territory.

In a place that already lacked talent, someone like him was indispensable. Cliff intended to raise him beyond a mere “old man” into something like a principal figure of administration.

Of course, that was for later.

For now—military matters came first.

“It’s about time we reorganized the territory’s military. Gather them.”

“I will follow your command, Acting Lord.”

Cliff had begun to grasp the system’s mechanics.

When he first selected the economy category, quests related to economics appeared. This time was no different.

<The Lord’s Majesty>

Description:
Through your achievements, the people of the territory now trust and expect you. However, a ruler must also make them believe he can protect them.

At present, the territory has only a weak and shabby military.

Bandits do not fear the guards, and the people do not trust them.

Change their perception and raise a force that demonstrates the lord’s authority.

Conditions:

• Train 50 soldiers

• Eliminate criminal organizations

Rewards:

• Lord EXP +50

• Territory EXP +100

Cliff understood after reading it.

So even this poor territory has criminal organizations.

Perhaps poverty made such groups even more common.

And since the territory was isolated, it was an ideal place for criminals wanted elsewhere to gather.

They would need to be eradicated eventually—but for now, building the military came first.

“Hmm.”

Cliff looked over the men gathered in the training ground.

He already knew their general condition, but seeing them in person made it worse than expected.

‘Disorganized formation, mismatched clothing, poor posture.’

They didn’t even look physically fit.

The quest description made sense now: soldiers that neither citizens trusted nor criminals feared.

There were about thirty of them.

Cliff stepped onto the platform.

“Is this all of the soldiers?”

“Yes, sir.”

“That’s too few. Increase recruitment to at least 100 men. And for now, the soldiers will eat with me.”

“W-what?”

Even Nigel could accept increasing the force to over 100.

But eating together with the lord?

That was beyond comprehension.

“You mean all of them will dine with you, Acting Lord?”

Cliff shook his head.

“Of course not. Just prepare a slightly more generous meal. Set it up here in the training ground. I will also eat here.”

“Hah!”

A noble eating with common soldiers—this defied Nigel’s worldview.

But now he was starting to understand Cliff little by little.

‘If Acting Lord Cliff says so, there must be a reason.’

And feeding that many people would be expensive.

The territory still lacked stable production. They were currently surviving on supplies brought by Tom’s caravan, but that could not last forever.

Still, after seeing the soldiers’ condition, Nigel could not object.

They must be fed first. A soldier cannot fight on an empty stomach.

That explained their weakness—they were all skin and bones.

No wonder they were so ineffective.

“Dismissed. Recruitment will continue starting tomorrow.”

Thus, it was decided: more soldiers, and a promise of full meals.

The rumor spread quickly—new recruits would be fed properly.

And indeed, the next morning, breakfast was prepared in the training ground.

Sizzle.

Boil.

By now, nearly a hundred men had gathered.

The smell of food spread everywhere.

That too was Cliff’s intention.

It didn’t take long for nearly every able-bodied man in the territory to gather.

Good. The numbers are enough.

Cliff’s eyes gleamed.

The quest required 50 soldiers—but it didn’t specify they had to be trained soldiers.

Looking at the crowd gathered for food, he spoke.

“Those who stand here are men who will fight for me, for this territory, and for its people. From today, training begins.”

For three days, Cliff had simply gathered people without training them.

“You will do something simple. Morning running with me.”

Farmers usually had good stamina.

Running would not be too difficult.

So he set a long course.

Cliff himself had learned swordsmanship in a ducal house, so at least physically, he was confident.

“Huff… huff…”

“Ugh…”

“Kuh…”

Groans spread.

Some of the men who had seemed fine began to fall behind.

Cliff stopped them.

“You are not qualified to be soldiers.”

Dropouts.

“If you are not soldiers of this territory, you are not entitled to eat.”

They were excluded from meals as well.

Gradually, their expressions changed.

They were beginning to realize.

Those who finished the run could rest and eat.

Tomorrow would be harder—those who thought it was too much could leave.

The next morning, the bell rang again.

Some were already gone.

But many still came for breakfast.

Cliff looked over them.

“Begin morning formation run.”

This run also served as patrol training, showing the villagers that soldiers were protecting them.

“One, two, three, four.”

He even taught them cadence.

“Left, left, left.”

He lacked proper instructors, which was unfortunate.

Then he noticed something surprising.

There are still more than expected.

Over a hundred men remained.

Even after another lap, none dropped out completely.

They were exhausted, yes—but none gave up.

Not bad.

Cliff realized something.

The “morale maintenance” skill was extremely effective.

It prevented morale from dropping even under hardship.

That likely explained their persistence.

Still, more than enough remained.

‘Stamina will improve naturally.’

He knew this from his previous life and even this world.

If they didn’t give up, they would grow.

“We only needed about fifty…”

But over a hundred remained.

Maybe this is another overachievement?

However, more people meant more upkeep.

Then Cliff changed into prepared uniforms.

A black military uniform and cloak.

“From now on, this will be the standard uniform of our soldiers.”

Something the people could respect and trust.

Just like when he appeared before them in noble attire.

“It will only be given to fifty people.”

Immediately, the soldiers’ eyes sharpened.

Now it was no longer just about food.

It became selection.

Only fifty out of a hundred.

A prestigious honor.

Then Cliff added:

“Furthermore, I will teach literacy to soldiers’ children.”

Writing.

A privilege once reserved only for nobles.

Many of these men were already married or preparing for marriage.

If unmarried, becoming a soldier makes you a top bachelor. If married, a respected provider.

That was the incentive structure.

Competition had begun.

And Cliff simply had to stoke it.

Elsewhere.

Beluman frowned.

The atmosphere in the territory had changed recently—because of the acting lord’s reforms.

‘The guards’ eyes have changed.’

That alone was troubling.

If the guards became stronger, his organization might be threatened.

“What should we do?”

“What do you mean? We strike back. We can’t let him continue like this.”

“But boss… if we attack a noble—”

“Of course we won’t touch the noble directly.”

Beluman smiled coldly.

“But we can send a warning.”

He was confident.

“I have a very good idea.”