175: Veterans

Chapter 173: The Veterans

Arthur finally met with the Lovich siblings to discuss matters concerning the Plantation.

The siblings were busy scouting for suitable personnel.

They had already drafted an initial list of members and were planning to set out to recruit them.

Seeing this, Arthur specifically reminded them to be careful.

Then, based on the information provided by his intelligence, he added a few more candidates to the list.

“When the time is right, I will go with you to eliminate Isgrasa,” Arthur said.

After the Lovich siblings left, Arthur finally had some free time.

He looked up at the setting sun, beginning to ponder how to handle the dinner with the princess that evening.

He slowly closed his eyes, and the eerie scene from the basement immediately appeared in his mind.

The knight in black armor looked exactly like his former self.

He had brought back the knight’s sword.

It was a very special sword. Not only was it exceptionally sharp, but it also seemed to hide some mysterious magic.

Arthur had tried to attune with this sword but failed.

He had a vague feeling that this sword might not belong to this world.

His former self entrusting him with this sword probably had a deeper meaning.

Therefore, Arthur carefully put the sword away.

He simply could not risk giving such an object of unknown origin, possibly even connected to an evil god, to others to use.

Arthur temporarily set this matter aside and took advantage of this rare free time to check his own condition.

After coming out of the haunted house, his abilities had once again improved.

He now possessed the ability “Purifying Undead.”

With this ability, he could not only dispel the undead but also inflict radiant damage on them.

In addition, as his understanding of the divine power bestowed by Mother Earth deepened, his physical fitness also correspondingly strengthened.

At least he could clearly perceive that his senses had become sharper than before.

His perception of his surroundings, especially those beings from other realms, had also become more sensitive.

Arthur firmly believed that as long as he continued to act in accordance with Shanteya’s teachings,

such as igniting ley lines and guiding lost souls to the Goddess, his abilities and physical fitness would definitely receive further enhancement.

After completing his check of his own condition and newly acquired abilities, he left the house and walked towards the largest building in the South District.

That place had been requisitioned as the temporary barracks for the army, and Jessica and the Pioneer Group’s veterans were temporarily living there.

When discussing the reorganization of the army, Jessica mentioned that the immediate priority was to persuade the Pioneer Group’s veterans to comply with the newly formulated military regulations.

And in the process of persuading the veterans, if their Lord could be present to support them, it would undoubtedly be more convincing.

It was for this reason that Arthur intended to go there and see the situation.

He pushed open the door and walked in, heading directly to a spacious room on the second floor.

All the Pioneer Group’s veterans were inside.

Jessica stood in the center of the crowd, patiently explaining various matters concerning the reform of the Mist Town army to them.

As soon as he entered, the soldiers all stood up and saluted him.

Arthur raised his hand, signaling them not to bother with formalities.

Once everyone was seated, Jessica continued to explain the reform content.

But the veterans still looked unenthusiastic.

They were good at obeying orders and slaying enemies, but not at handling matters that required thought.

This was largely related to their illiteracy.

Even though Jessica had tried her best to explain everything in the most easily understandable language, the veterans’ faces were still filled with confusion.

Seeing this, Arthur couldn't help but worry, feeling that this situation would probably be even more severe among the ordinary soldiers of Mist Town.

Jessica had mentioned this problem to him.

When he previously led the rebel army, he had also formulated corresponding military regulations.

But most of the soldiers were still accustomed to solving problems with their fists.

This led to the formation of many small factions within the rebel army, and its disintegration was only a matter of time.

Arthur could see that Jessica hoped to train these veterans into officers, and then have them lead the reassembled army.

Judging solely from combat experience, every veteran present was fully qualified to serve as an officer.

However, what Jessica hoped for in her heart was far more than that.

Just then, Sariya raised her hand, interrupting Jessica’s explanation.

She asked, “Boss, why do we have to learn to read and write?”

Upon hearing this, Jessica subconsciously turned to look at Arthur, with a clear hint of “help me” in her eyes.

He was clearly planning to throw this difficult problem to his Lord.

“Lord Arthur is here as well, and I believe he can give you a satisfactory answer.”

Only then did Arthur understand why Jessica had so strongly insisted on his presence earlier.

He quickly sorted out his thoughts in his mind, then stood up and walked in front of the veterans.

His gaze slowly swept over everyone present; no one dared to meet his eyes directly.

The veterans all humbly lowered their heads.

Sariya, who had just asked the question, now looked like a child who had done something wrong, her cheeks flushed crimson.

One should know that this female Tiefling, when drunk, dared to strip off her top and dance in public.

Arthur let out a soft breath and said, “First, I want to thank all of you for always upholding your duties and fighting bravely.

“Without your efforts, I wouldn’t have been able to get this far.

“Raise your heads, warriors, you are fully qualified to stand tall.”

Arthur’s sincere words narrowed the distance between him and these soldiers.

The veterans all raised their heads, looking at their Lord.

Before this, these soldiers had always regarded Arthur as an emissary of the gods, feeling more awe than anything else towards him.

And now, Arthur could clearly perceive that their expressions had relaxed considerably.

“I want to ask how many of you are followers of Mother Earth?” Arthur then asked.

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone except the dwarf Jerome raised their hands.

Seeing this, Jerome quickly stood up and explained, “My Lord, we dwarves have our own beliefs, please don’t take offense.”

“No offense taken, I can understand,” Arthur smiled and continued to ask, “Since most of you are followers of Mother Earth.

“Then do you understand the teachings of Mother Earth?”

The room fell silent for a moment; no one could answer the question.

Arthur took the opportunity to say, “See, this is the problem.

“If one day someone spreads false doctrines to you,

“and incites you to do wicked things according to those false doctrines, how would you respond?”

The soldiers remained silent, clearly pondering the question seriously.

“Especially those cultists of evil gods who are skilled at manipulating people’s minds,” Arthur’s tone became a little heavier, “their specialty is twisting doctrines and deceiving others with flowery words.

“But if you were literate, the situation could be very different.

“You would be able to read the original text of the doctrines and form your own understanding of them.

“This way, you wouldn’t be easily swayed by others, nor would you be used as pawns by those with ulterior motives.”

Upon hearing this, the veterans all nodded, agreeing that their Lord’s words were very reasonable.

Arthur did not stop, continuing, “The same logic applies to all aspects of life.

“The contracts you sign with others, your transactions with merchants, and even the battle plans issued by your superiors.

“Literacy is so that you are no longer easily deceived.

“It is so that you truly become leaders on the battlefield.

“At least it allows you to control your own destiny to a certain extent.”

These words had an effect, and the soldiers’ expressions gradually became serious.

However, Azrak, the most impulsive among the group, couldn’t help but ask, “Begging your pardon, My Lord.

“All those things you just mentioned, we can solve with our fists.

“If someone dares to use us, why don’t we just kill them?”

Seeing this, Jessica was about to open her mouth to warn this reckless and tactless man.

But Arthur waved his hand first, then patiently retorted, “What if the one using you is me?

“Among you, who has the ability to first take down Drax and Jessica, and then come and kill me?”

This question instantly silenced the scene.

Arthur softened his tone and added, “I admit, fists can indeed solve many problems quickly.

“But one day, you will encounter that ‘unbreakable wall.’

“By then, if you are literate,

“you will be able to read the words on the wall telling you to go around it.

“Listen, everyone, I will not force you to learn to read and write. I respect everyone’s choice.

“But I still ask you to think carefully: you already possess excellent combat experience and strong enough fists.

“If you also learn to read and write, what heights could you reach—”

At this point, Arthur paused, leaving the question for the veterans to ponder slowly.