Chapter 260
"The knights who have all arrived are now actively participating in the training of the royal knight squad. The distribution of artifacts has also been finalized."
"What's the feedback?"
"Instructor Heinckel reports that morale is soaring high."
"Excellent. Just as I anticipated."
Logan, wearing a contented smile upon receiving Dwayne's update, scanned the room around him.
His gaze fell upon the familiar faces of Sword Sage, his father, Eileen, Clayton, Heinckel, Victor, Damian—everyone except Philip, who was in the empire, and Hammer, who was in Taren. They had all gathered, ready to discuss more concrete plans as Logan's idea of implementing a legion system combining all military forces of the kingdom started taking shape.
There was also a new addition to the group.
"It's an honor to know that my assistance has been valuable, Your Majesty."
The kingdom's chief minister, Robert Floyd, bowed respectfully to Logan, a smile adorning his face.
The prior opposition to Logan's plans in the grand meeting, which led to the noble's rebellion orchestrated by Zakk Juan, was now revealed to have been a prearranged act.
With the key figures of the royal court assembled, Robert took the opportunity to subtly remind everyone of his contribution.
"The true beginning is now, Chief Minister."
"I understand that. With Your Majesty leading the way, I am confident that everything will progress smoothly."
The flattery continued.
Beside him, Eileen furrowed her brows slightly and tugged at Robert's arm, but he only looked at his daughter, puzzled.
Seeing this, Eileen let out a small sigh, prompting a chuckle from Logan at the father-daughter interaction.
Eileen then changed the subject, steering away from the awkwardness.
"We have gathered all the knights, but what about the soldiers?"
"We need to gather them as well. A legion cannot be comprised solely of knights."
"What about maintaining peace in each territory...?"
Heinckel quickly voiced his concerns, but Logan remained undeterred.
"After the joint training is completed, troops will be reassigned accordingly. Initially, only a small number will be deployed, following the finalization of basic training and legion organization."
"In the meantime, how do you plan to handle potential incidents erupting across the kingdom simultaneously?"
Heinckel's skepticism was valid, but it was a challenge Logan had foreseen.
"Naturally, standby troops must be prepared in advance."
"Standby troops...?"
"As the harvest season concludes, peasants can undergo training during the idle winter months."
"Training?"
"Similar to what was done in the McLaine territory, neighborhood watch groups will be established, focusing on the use of repeating crossbows."
Logan unveiled his preconceived strategy.
Since regular troops alone weren't sufficient to combat the empire, organizing these local patrols was deemed crucial.
His allies nodded in agreement.
"Equipping commoners with weapons capable of taking down knights could potentially incite a rebellion, but it's interesting how little we are concerned about that."
The notion of a popular uprising was foreign to them.
A fully trained knight could easily overpower hundreds of untrained civilians. If tens of thousands of peasants rose up in rebellion, they would swiftly be defeated by the might of a knight.
But Logan remained unfazed.
"All the rebellious nobles capable of inciting an uprising have already been eliminated by me. Even if a few cowardly troublemakers remain, it's a natural consequence of their actions, not something to implicate the royal family. Moreover..."
"Currently, praise for Your Majesty is resounding. Our lack of concern stems from that, undoubtedly."
While Robert Floyd once again offered flattering remarks, this time no one frowned.
His words rang true.
Logan, too, smiled as others echoed the commendation he would have found awkward to say himself.
"Well, yes. Hence, there's no need to worry. Once the neighborhood watch training is completed in winter, we will call upon the territorial soldiers. By spring, the entire military structure of the kingdom will be reorganized into legions."
"If Your Majesty's plan succeeds, we will have five legions and potentially hundreds of thousands in the neighborhood watch."
Even the usually composed Sword Sage couldn't help but be impressed by the scale of the potential forces.
"That is the objective. Each legion will match the strength of the partisan armies of the first and second princes. I ask for everyone's continued support."
"Yes!"
A wave of enthusiastic smiles spread among them, until Dwayne tentatively raised his hand.
"Your Majesty, what about the expenses of training the neighborhood watch and providing repeating crossbows? The nobles are already facing hardships..."
"The territories of the purged nobles have become royal territories. We can cover the costs. As for the crossbows, since we manufacture them, we can provide them at cost."
"... Even so, we are talking about significant numbers."
"Yes, it is indeed substantial."
Ah.
'If provided at cost... it should be manageable...'
One could almost sense the distant lament of a certain dwarf in Taren, but Dwayne chose to overlook this grim fate.
Yet, Damian's subsequent words paid solemn homage to his colleague.
"Furthermore, there are three more uncultivated lands that can be developed due to the dam projects. Firstly... (content omitted)... We should promptly dispatch a 'specialized construction team'."
"Three additional locations..."
'Forgive me, Hammer, I couldn't stop this for you.'
Even Clayton, a mage, appeared slightly pale, but Dwayne's conscience only whispered a silent prayer.
After a brief moment of reflection, Dwayne swiftly changed the subject to divert from his guilt.
"The Healers Guild has made final preparations to establish branches throughout the kingdom. They seek permission from the royal family and each lord."
"Oh, is that so? Permission will be granted. Are there any requests for financial assistance?"
"Fortunately, they have requested a modest sum of 3 million gold. Guildmaster Gilbert is truly honorable and modest."
According to Dwayne, someone who asked for a small amount of money was considered good-natured. Requesting only 3 million gold to establish guild branches across over 80 territories of the royal family was deemed as exceptionally modest, even saintly.
"Send an official decree encouraging the sick to seek treatment at the Healers Guild. Most commoners do not have access to shrines anyway."
"It will be done."
The expansion of the Healers Guild across the kingdom.
In a previous existence, this accomplishment was only achieved over a decade after the kingdom's fall, when it had become the empire's Grancia territory. This progress marked a new and profound experience for Logan.
A sense of gradual progress filled him with certainty.
Additionally, he recalled Gilbert's words from their last meeting after dealing with the plague.
- It doesn't have to be just about plagues. Based on our data, improving hygiene conditions could significantly reduce the incidence of all diseases.
This statement acted as a catalyst for Logan to further his preconceived plans.
"How is the progress with the sewage system project?"
"In the royal territory and the Esperanza territory, the project is nearing completion. With more labor available during the off-season, the initiative can swiftly extend to other territories."
Simply by establishing proper sewage facilities to eliminate waste from cities, sanitary conditions would witness a remarkable enhancement.
'No more unpleasant odors upon entering cities, no more garbage cluttering the streets.'
It was an enhancement of living standards with the added benefit of disease prevention. Most likely, the empire's system, developed years after conquering Grancia, also aimed for that objective.
'Learning from the empire to resist them.'
The irony of selecting such a method brought a smile to Logan's face.
But the outcomes were bound to be unambiguous. What Logan eagerly anticipated was this revelation, discovered by the empire after conquering Grancia, only by chance and years later.
"How is the progress with the mana irrigation farming method?"
An unexpected gift from the Grancia Liberation Front, handed over by the empire.
"Since Magician Victoria determined the mana stone ratio, progress has significantly accelerated. By next spring, every inch of the kingdom's land is projected to transform into fertile soil, guaranteeing abundant harvests for a decade."
Dwayne's report elicited smiles from everyone in the room.
"An incredible method indeed. Truly..."
Even the typically composed Sword Sage couldn't conceal his wonder.
Logan, with his customary grin, contributed to the conversation.
"Hasn't it already proven successful in Esperanza?"
"Ah, yes. That's what makes it even more unbelievable. It's almost miraculous."
"As costly as it may be."
"When weighed against the results, it's a trivial expense."
Everyone nodded in agreement with those sentiments.
While the mana irrigation method came at a high cost, its potential to revolutionize the world was evident to most present.
- Forget repeating crossbows, the Liberatio, artifacts. Once this method becomes widespread, it could create a paradise.
Such a prospect was enchanting.
The root of wars engrained in human history was greed, stemming from limited resources. If humanity had sufficient food and more, many wars would lose their purpose.
Of course.
'However, the cost of mana stones will skyrocket, and the powerful will monopolize the few mines.'
Understanding the utopian nature of this theory was shared by all.
"If today's discussions come to fruition, and the kingdom is fully prepared, we will establish a robust nation capable of withstanding threats from the empire. And..."
With this young king leading the way, the utopian theory might just materialize in the Grancia Kingdom.
At least, that's what Dwayne believed.
"... Perhaps our resilience will compel the empire to abandon their warmongering intentions."
The sentiments expressed by the young king with fiery red eyes may have been wishful thinking.
"Although unlikely, the mere possibility fills me with immense pride. And being able to discuss and envision it in this moment..."
But if the lord who consistently defied common sense and delivered remarkable results...
"... I am acutely aware that all of this was made possible because of everyone here who supported my impulsive decisions and ideas."
Could aim to achieve, why couldn't he?
"I had many thoughts to share, but there's only one thing that comes to mind right now."
As Dwayne regarded the king with hopeful anticipation, Logan suddenly bowed his head.
"Thank you all sincerely."
A momentary hush fell over the room.
The unexpected gesture by the king momentarily caught his ministers off guard, but soon their eyes gleamed with unified blessings.
'Indeed.'
If this young ruler at the Kingdom's peak could bow in such humility...
"There will be numerous challenges in the future. But I assure you of one thing."
He had the potential to accomplish anything.
"I will tirelessly strive to safeguard you and this kingdom until the end."
The confidence deeply entrenched in his heart resonated.
Perhaps that's why.
Unable to contain himself, Dwayne impulsively exclaimed.
"I pledge the same!"
His spontaneous outburst left no room for embarrassment. One by one, similar impassioned declarations reverberated throughout the room.
"I will serve with unwavering loyalty!"
"For the kingdom!"
"Glory to McLaine!"
"Let's see this through to the end!"
Individuals who had endured hardships and finally tasted a glimmer of hope.
The fragments they held merged into one aspiration, filling the space entirely.