"So, does this mean our mission is over?" On the square, Cat's Claw cleaned up the remnants of the burnt-out bonfire, saying with regret, "I really don't want to go back to work in the mines. Honestly, I even miss the Months of Demons a little."
"Yeah, I don't want to deal with those rocks either," Yupi responded. "Most importantly, the pay is so much different. Where else can you find a job like the artillery team, where you eat meat every day and get paid 15 silver wolves a month?"
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Vanna, who was holding a torch to provide light, said irritably. "This time, His Highness the Prince distributed a lot of food, so no one starved to death during the Months of Demons. Think about the past two years, half the people in the old district didn't make it through the winter! And you miss it? Besides, the team won't be disbanded. His Highness recruited us into the artillery team and burned so much gunpowder, just to hear a bang?"
"But there are no more demonic beasts. What does His Highness need the artillery team for?" Rodney asked, leaning on his broom.
The artillery team wasn't prepared for demonic beasts, Vanna thought. In the end, he didn't say it. "Anyway, we'll know the answer tomorrow," he yawned, waving his hand impatiently. "Hurry up and clean this up. I want to go back to sleep early."
The next morning, the assembly horn that echoed throughout the camp confirmed Vanna's words.
After everyone had gathered, Iron Axe stood in front of the line and said loudly: "You have completed the first phase of your mission—protecting Border Town from demonic beast attacks. After three months and six days of battle, you have gained His Highness's recognition! The following militia team will be reorganized into His Highness's regular army. If anyone is unwilling to continue fighting, you can stand out now. His Highness said that those who leave the militia team at this moment will receive their full salary and an additional 25 silver wolves as..." He thought about what His Highness had said, "Well, as a retirement fee."
Not a single person among the three hundred moved. Only Cat's Claw raised his hand and said, "Report."
This was also one of the strange rules set by His Highness the Prince during training. Team members were not allowed to whisper to each other in private, and they had to call "Report" before asking questions.
Iron Axe nodded. "Speak."
"What does 'regular army' mean? Does it mean we will be knighted?"
Vanna couldn't help but laugh, but he quickly returned to a serious and solemn expression.
Knights? That would be considered nobility. They not only own property and retinues, but also land. To ask such a question is a disgrace to the artillery team.
"No," Iron Axe explained patiently, obviously he had also asked His Highness about this. "The regular army is an army that is dedicated to combat, fighting only to protect His Highness and His Highness's territory. In other words, while workers are mining in the mountains, you are training. While farmers are harvesting wheat, you are training. While merchants are selling goods, you are still training. All training is to achieve victory in future battles, just like what you did during the Months of Demons."
"Then what's the difference between that and the militia team?" Cat's Claw asked again.
"More frequent training, stricter rules, and more generous rewards."
"Report!" This time it was Rodney. After Iron Axe nodded, he couldn't wait to ask, "What are the more generous rewards?"
Vanna sighed. Why were the young men in his group so impetuous? Although he also wanted to know the answer to this question.
"The regular army will implement an officer system. Those who complete combat missions according to the designated plan in battle, or have outstanding performance, can be promoted to officers." Iron Axe said loudly, "For example, standing in my position."
Is this what His Highness said... Vanna thought. If it were really implemented, wouldn't it be encouraging everyone to rebel? He quietly looked around. Everyone else didn't seem to realize this problem and were still listening with great interest.
"Officers will receive higher salaries, and... their own land."
The last sentence caused a cheer in the ranks. Vanna was no exception. He even wondered if he had heard correctly. If they could get land, what would be the difference between that and a knight?
"But remember, once you choose to become a regular army, the rules you must abide by will be completely different from the militia team. For example, failure to complete the mission, desertion, betrayal, and other violations of discipline will be severely punished. This is not a matter of eating one less egg. Punishments include labor, imprisonment, and even hanging. And the positions and rewards obtained will also be taken back." Iron Axe paused. "There is still time to quit now."
The crowd was silent. Iron Axe counted to ten silently, but no one moved. He couldn't help but grin and said, "Very good, then from today onwards, you are a regular army directly under His Highness Roland. Wimbledon!"
Vanna himself found it unbelievable. If he had heard those terrible punishments three months ago, he would have run away long ago. What's the use of promotion, what's the use of land? It's better to save your own life. But now, he almost chose to stay put without hesitation. Compared to going back to the North Slope mine to break rocks, or staying in the old district doing nothing, Vanna felt that he was more suitable here.
"Good observation, what's your name?"
"Mr. Vanna, work hard."
Thinking of His Highness's encouragement, he reaffirmed his thoughts—he belonged to the militia team, and in the future, he would continue to fight for His Highness as a member of the regular army.
……
Iron Axe quickly announced the first training item of the day: cross-country training.
At first, Vanna didn't think much of it. Running training like this was rarely interrupted even during the Months of Demons. After breakfast, depending on the weather, they would run two laps around the town, unless it was snowing heavily. According to His Highness, this would help exercise the muscles and bones, so that they wouldn't be stiff when defending the city walls and unable to thrust their spears.
However, when the team ran out of Border Town, he immediately felt the difference between the two.
At this time, the snow in the wilderness was far from melting. The snow that had fallen intermittently for three months had now reached over the knees. It was more like climbing in the snow than running. The team suddenly became scattered, and it took a lot of effort to pull each foot out.
There was no doubt that this kind of training that was designed to torture people was definitely thought up by His Highness the Prince. Vanna had already figured out His Highness's thoughts. Protesting was basically ineffective at this time. The only thing to do was to persevere to the end.
This round trip took up the entire morning. When the team returned to the town, Vanna felt that his legs were no longer his own.
The snow that had poured into his boots had turned into water. Even standing in the sun, most people were still shivering from the cold. The huge physical exertion only exacerbated this chill. Even Iron Axe felt a little overwhelmed. He announced that the team was dismissed and the lunch time was postponed by half an hour so that everyone could change their soaked shoes and pants.
To the slight relief of the crowd, the afternoon training was also cancelled.
Of course, they didn't know that Lightning had been tracking their training situation all the way—this was also the little girl's daily training content: precisely controlling the magic power for constant-speed flight. When she reported the observed information to Roland, the latter almost didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Total mileage of the team's progress throughout the morning: four kilometers.