Translator: Cinder Translations
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Dirk Doyle, a mage in whom Giles had placed high hopes, led a thousand of his most elite warriors to attack Lion's Port.
The plan was for them to act as a sharp blade, striking the unsuspecting northwesterners from an unexpected direction. They would collaborate with Collins' allies outside the city to take this small but resource-rich town.
However, the mage failed. Worse yet, he fled disgracefully.
Doyle was fortunate—this was a crucial period for the Duke's recruitment of spellcasters, so he was spared harsh punishment, receiving only a severe scolding.
The Duke knew better than to believe that Paul Grayman, one of Aldor's most formidable lords, would fail to uncover who was behind the attack. He needed to prepare for Grayman's wrath before the truth came to light.
Yet Giles was caught off guard by how quickly Grayman found out.
A merchant from the Northwest Bay delivered a personal letter from Paul Grayman to Five Goats City.
The letter left the Duke speechless.
First, Grayman stated plainly: I know you did it.
TL/N: 🤣
He expressed his outrage and condemned Giles harshly.
But the final section was peculiar—it hinted that if Giles could provide a reasonable explanation, the matter could be brushed aside.
This…
After reading the letter once, Giles rubbed his eyes in disbelief and read it again carefully.
He concluded that either:
This is a trap. In which case, he shouldn't trust it. Grayman has encountered difficulties. If true, he could exploit this vulnerability.
After much thought, Giles leaned toward the latter. Grayman's territory bordered the orcs, and those grassland savages were not easy neighbors.
Thus, Giles decided to dispatch an even stronger force to conquer Lion's Port while Grayman was preoccupied. He needed to act quickly before the merchants began transferring their wealth away.
Giles sent a response, which enraged Paul Grayman.
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Paul had made one last effort for peace, only to have Giles trample all over it.
Giles brazenly mocked Paul's weakness and declared that he would show him the brutal reality of the world as punishment for refusing his offers of allegiance.
This audacious arrogance reminded Paul of Maltz Kent, a villain who was struck by lightning even after death!
Since Paul had defeated Kent, taken control of the Northwest Bay, become a royal confidant, and earned the title of hero for defending against the orcs, everyone treated him with respect—even those who secretly despised him.
The humiliation Giles inflicted rekindled a long-dormant fire within Paul.
The indignity energized him, filling him with determination, focus, and adrenaline.
Whether his attempts at peace had been sincere or not, Giles would pay the price.
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Hansel Abbott was dispatched south to Crystal Glare with a military advisory group led by Claude.
When news of their arrival reached the royal palace, King Rodney XVIII laughed with delight.
Thanks to a large number of war bonds, Rodney XVIII had assembled a considerable army, one fully under his control and free from external interference.
However, after learning about Alden's military prowess against the orcs, he grew dissatisfied with his own army's traditional structure.
Now, Alden officers were present to assist his troops—his dream had come true.
The advisors, now instructors, evaluated the royal army. They were pleased to find that the soldiers were well-fed and in good physical condition, unlike many undernourished conscripts of the era.
This was an excellent starting point—the soldiers could handle Alden's intense training regimen.
But the instructors' job went far beyond drills and exercises. If that were all, any random Alden soldier could suffice as a trainer.
The key challenge was to organize the army, elevating its overall level of discipline and effectiveness.
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Historically, armies relied heavily on their leaders' charisma and abilities. A capable general could lead his troops to greatness, but replacing him with someone less competent often caused the entire force's effectiveness to plummet.
Additionally, hierarchical rigidity meant that subordinates only followed direct orders from their immediate superiors. If a critical leader was incapacitated, chaos ensued, as lower ranks became paralyzed and unsure of their responsibilities.
This lack of structural cohesion plagued old-style armies, often leading to rapid collapses once key figures were removed.
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Beyond combat, day-to-day operations revealed glaring inefficiencies.
While many armies had rules and codes of conduct on paper, execution was another matter entirely. Illiteracy among soldiers meant they relied heavily on their officers for guidance, leaving much to subjective interpretation.
Paul Grayman saw this reliance on personal relationships as a major flaw. Though exceptions could be made in extraordinary circumstances, Aldor's military—and society—was far too reliant on ad hoc decision-making.
For small matters, everything depended on "special handling" based on a leader's mood, preferences, or whims.
For major issues like taxation, hierarchy, and noble privileges, the system was strictly enforced to protect the elite's wealth and dignity.
Paul was determined to reform the military organization, addressing these deep-rooted problems to create a more cohesive and efficient force.
(End of the Chapter)
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