3: Recruiting personnel

Inside the main tent of the Border Defense Army camp, Count Sena looked at the young man standing stiffly before him.

A somewhat pale complexion and weak Dou Qi fluctuations indicated the young man's physical frailty.

However, from the young man's bright eyes, Count Sena clearly sensed the anger and unwillingness within his heart.

"Your Excellency, Viscount Black Stone is too tyrannical. My father died on the battlefield for the Grand Duke, his bones are not yet cold, yet he commits such banditry in the rear."

"He deliberately delayed support, leading to the annihilation of our allied forces, plundering the populace, and stealing assets. In Red River Town, he coerced and kidnapped over ten thousand people from our Red River Territory. To the south of the Red River Territory, he emptied dozens of villages."

"What is he trying to do?"

"This is naked robbery, a betrayal of the Grand Duke, and an insult to a hero."

"Cough, cough, cough..."

The more Rain spoke, the more agitated he became. The exertion pulled at his wounds, and the sharp pain interrupted his speech, causing him to cough continuously.

"That's enough, Baron Rain, don't get too worked up."

Count Sena spoke to comfort him.

"I already know about Viscount Black Stone's affairs. In fact, after I read out the Grand Duke's appointment to you yesterday, I had already warned him."

"Yesterday, I ordered the Blackstone Territory's army to withdraw from the Red River Territory. They will no longer do anything that threatens the safety of the Red River Territory, and Viscount Black Stone himself has already set off back to the Blackstone Territory."

"As for Viscount Black Stone plundering the population and property of the Red River Territory..."

Count Sena paused. He had seen too many disputes between Nobles, especially when both sides already held grudges. If one party was currently weak, they would inevitably be suppressed and bullied by the other side.

In the end, there was no clear right or wrong in such matters. Who was righteous and who was evil?

As long as the rules weren't broken, he wouldn't intervene.

If you were bullied, it was because you lacked the skill yourself. Who could you blame for that?

But the current situation of the Derrick Family was special, and Count Sena himself thought highly of Rain. Just a day ago, Rain was his subordinate, someone he was focusing on cultivating.

Now that Rain was in trouble, he would certainly lend a hand.

"I investigated the matter of Viscount Black Stone kidnapping people. The Blackstone Territory did not use force; those people all went to the Blackstone Territory voluntarily. Regardless of the means used, that is the result. In this regard, Blackstone did not break the rules, and I cannot convict him based on this."

"Regarding the property of those villages to the south of your Red River Territory, Viscount Black Stone claimed that he needed military funds to reinforce the Red River Territory, and since your Red River Territory did not give him a single grain of food before, those were considered his military supplies. Moreover, you are aware of the exact number of those southern villages; there wasn't much property involved anyway."

"Most crucially, he did not touch your Derrick Family's Red River Fortress. As long as that red line wasn't crossed, the justification for Viscount Black Stone using the supplies and wealth from those villages for military expenses could be argued, so this charge you brought is also invalid."

"Also, regarding what you just said about deliberately delaying reinforcement, causing heavy losses to the lords of the Red River Valley—the other party has sufficient reasons to refute you."

"The population and resources have already been swallowed by the Blackstone Territory. Rain, boy, you are smart, and you know perfectly well that it is impossible to make Blackstone spit out what he has taken just by you opening your mouth."

"Boy, I know you are very angry and unwilling to accept this. Viscount Black Stone's actions this time were indeed excessive; his methods were a bit too crude."

"But that is the reality. You are weak now and have no right to fight for anything."

"The Grand Duke only looks at the results. The result now is that the Fel Orcs did not breach the southern part of the Red River Valley, and the Fel Orcs did not run rampant. Therefore, Blackstone will not be guilty."

"Of the five Nobles in the Red River Valley, three fled, one's entire clan was annihilated, and of the last one, the Derrick Family, only you remain. You have no one at the Rage Bear Fortress, but I must remind you, boy, I know people in the Blackstone Territory are speaking up for them."

"So, boy, you have to accept this loss. If you want to take it back, you must rely on yourself. Understand?"

"You must rely on yourself!"

Count Sena patiently explained everything to Rain. He could empathize with Rain's feelings, so he tried his best to counsel the young man like an elder.

After listening, Rain immediately fell silent.

A moment later, Rain spoke again, but this time he did not mention the Blackstone Territory.

"I understand, Your Excellency!

Rain, having lived two lives, was no longer a child; how could he not understand the twists and turns of this situation?

Even if he didn't understand the network of relationships Blackstone had, he knew that what the Blackstone Territory had swallowed could never be forced out simply by his words alone.

Rain initially brought up these matters mostly to play the victim, setting the stage for what he intended to do next.

"Your Excellency, I implore you, in consideration of the Derrick Family shedding blood and rendering service to the Grand Duke, please help me, help the Derrick Family."

"I request that you provide the Red River Territory with some grain and supplies so that the Red River Territory can survive this crisis and I can better complete the mission assigned by the Grand Duke."

Count Sena asked, "You want grain?"

"More than just grain, Your Excellency. I need all the supplies that can help the territory overcome this difficulty: grain, potions, winter clothing, weapons for armed warriors, and so on."

"In addition, there is an urgent need for young and strong laborers. Your Excellency, you know that my father pulled all the young and strong men of the territory to the front lines to resist the Fel Orcs, and most of them died in battle. Coupled with the banditry of the Blackstone Territory, the Red River Territory is now left with only the old, weak, women, and children, who are useless for heavy work."

"I need craftsmen to rebuild the territory, soldiers to guard my people, and farmers to grow crops. All of this requires people."

Rain directly listed all his needs. Facing Count Sena, who was about to leave, he didn't have much time for maneuvering. The Count was leaving the next day, so he could only plead his pitiful situation first before directly asking for what he needed.

"Baron Rain, I understand your difficulties. I also visited Red River Town a few days ago and know the situation there."

"Your father died honorably in battle. He and Baron Luke were the pride of the Northern Nobles, both brave warriors. It is regrettable that no one in Baron Luke's family survived, but your Derrick Family is fortunate to still have you to inherit the family title."

"I can give you the supplies you mentioned. I will leave behind a batch of supplies tomorrow when the army begins its journey back to help you rebuild the territory."

"However, the people you requested will be more difficult. The soldiers of the Border Defense Army and those craftsmen are either subjects of other lords or are free citizens. I do not have the authority to hand these people over to you."

"I cannot give you the laborers and Slaves accompanying the army either; the army needs them to maintain logistics."

The Border Defense Army led by Count Sena this campaign numbered nearly ten thousand, and the farmers, craftsmen, and Slaves/laborers accompanying the army for logistics totaled nearly thirty thousand.

Rain was hoping to keep at least three thousand people, which would allow him to maintain the territory's operations and carry out his construction plans later.

"Thank you very much for your understanding, Your Excellency. Your supplies are enough to save countless citizens of the Red River Territory. As for the population..."

Rain thought for a moment and then said, "I will not take the Slave laborers, but please allow me to recruit some soldiers and craftsmen from among the free citizens."

"Recruit free citizens?"

Count Sena considered it for a moment before finally agreeing to Rain's request.

"Alright, then go and recruit. But you only have one day. The army departs promptly at noon tomorrow for Iron Wall Fortress. See how many you can recruit!"

"Thank you for your generosity, Your Excellency!"

"The Derrick Family will never forget your kindness!"

Having achieved his goal, Rain walked out of the military tent with satisfaction. This negotiation had gone much smoother than he had anticipated.

As soon as Rain left, Alman, clad in a long grey robe, emerged from behind the scenes in the large tent. He looked at Count Sena with some confusion.

"Sena, when did you become so agreeable?"

"Does that young man have some extraordinary quality?"

Count Sena shook his head.

"The Red River Valley is a spike driven deep into the Black Mountain Range. The Grand Duke needs them here to guard and monitor the movements deep within the Black Mountain Range."

"In fact, they did very well this time. If those Fel Orcs hadn't attacked suddenly, and if those two Barons of the Red River Valley hadn't held them off, it would have been troublesome for the Fel Orcs to break into the heartland of the Rage Bear Territory."

"Putting it another way, even if those Fel Orcs hadn't moved south, just gathering in the Red River Valley would pose a considerable threat."

"Now, the activities of those foreign races in the north are becoming increasingly rampant, especially with the Fel Orcs frequently moving south. Therefore, the Red River Valley must have a trustworthy lord presiding over its defense."

Alman still didn't quite understand and continued speaking.

"But are you that certain that young man can handle it? Remember, besides Bode and Luke, the other three Barons directly fled, handing their territories over to the Fel Orcs."

"Those three families have lineages spanning over a hundred years. They fled in disarray when facing the Fel Orcs. Now that young man only has himself left; can he rebuild the territory and shoulder this great responsibility? Aren't you afraid he will run away too?"

When Alman mentioned this, Count Sena immediately snorted coldly.

"Hmph!"

"Don't mention those Cowards to me. They are not worthy of being Northerners, nor are they worthy of being Nobles of the Rage Bear Territory. They betrayed the Grand Duke's trust by daring to abandon their territory and flee alone. They deserve to die."

"But you know, they won't die!" Alman also shook his head; he also looked down on such people who clung to life.

"These matters are not for us to decide!"

"That young man is Bode's son and a Knight who graduated from the Raging Bear Fortress Knight Academy—the most outstanding graduate of that class. His performance under me this past year has also been very good. His severe injury this time was due to leading from the front and fighting desperately against the Evil Beastman Warlord."

"Both Bode and Rain have inherited the wolf-like ferocity and resilience of the Derrick Family, truly worthy descendants of that Wolf Knight from back then."

Sena looked in the direction Rain had departed.

"Originally, I planned to promote him after this battle, but I didn't expect his family would suffer such a calamity."

"With the gift I prepared for him, I believe he has the ability to manage the Red River Valley well again. Those remaining Fel Orcs are no longer a threat and will not be his match."

"The Fel Orcs killed his entire family. Facing such a deep, blood-soaked feud, he will not and cannot run away. That young man is smart and knows how to choose."

"Besides, the Derrick Family truly bled for the Grand Duke this time. The Grand Duke already intended to assist him; I was merely going with the flow."

"Moreover, if that fellow Blackstone hadn't gone too far this time, I wouldn't have gone out of my way to help that young man."

"That was also the Derrick Family's own doing. Bode used to bully Blackstone quite a bit. Now that Blackstone has seized an opportunity, he will definitely seek revenge." Alman had met Bode and had some impression of him, and he was aware of some grievances between the Derrick Family and the Blackstone Family.

"The Derrick Family's attitude towards the Blackstone Family isn't something that just those two families can decide."

"You mean?" Alman instantly connected the dots and asked, looking up.

"The Grand Duke's side?"

Count Sena shook his head and did not elaborate further on this topic.

"Let's not talk about these things, Master Alman."

"This sustained, large-scale southward offensive by the Fel Orcs is unusual. I need more assistance from the Mage Corps."

...Rain was unaware of the situation in the military tent after he left. He was currently recruiting freemen in the army, and his first stop was the Third Battalion of the First Legion of the Border Defense Army, which he had once commanded.

"Battalion Commander!"

Seeing Rain arrive, many soldiers instinctively greeted him with the familiar title.

"You must address him as Lord Baron!"

Ross, who had been following closely behind Rain, stepped out to correct their address.

"No need, Ross. I prefer everyone to call me Captain; we are all brothers, so it feels more intimate!"

Rain had always treated the soldiers under him exceptionally well, showing none of the airs of a Noble. He ate, slept, and fought alongside his subordinates. Consequently, the soldiers of the Third Battalion held Rain in high regard, with Ross being the most prominent example.

"You all already know that my family suffered a blow from the Fel Orcs. I have inherited the family's territory and now need manpower to defend it. Therefore, with Count Sena's permission, I have come here to recruit some people. Are there any brothers here who are freemen willing to follow me and join the Red River Territory?"

"After joining my territory, I will pay monthly wages to those who join according to the customs of the North. The treatment will be no worse than in the Border Defense Army."

After Rain finished speaking, Ross was the first to step forward.

"The brothers all know what kind of person Your Lordship is. I, Ross, will follow Your Lordship first!"

Ross and Rain were friends who had faced life and death together. Rain had saved Ross's life on the battlefield more than once, and during training, Rain often personally instructed Ross, sharing his experience.

Ross was someone who repaid kindness. He understood how much help Rain had given him, and coupled with Rain's powerful talent and strength, Ross firmly chose to continue following Rain.

"Count me in!"

"Me too!"

With Ross taking the lead, quite a few soldiers who were freemen in the Third Battalion chose to follow Rain.

Among the remaining soldiers, although some also had the desire to follow, they were not freemen; they belonged to their respective lords and could not freely follow another lord. After their term of service ended, they were required to return to the territories they came from. At this moment, they could only watch anxiously from the side.

Rain quickly recruited forty to fifty people, a number that did not satisfy him.

"Even in the familiar Third Battalion, I could only recruit this few people. It seems I won't be able to recruit many soldiers in the end; there are simply too few soldiers with Freeman status."

As Rain had predicted, after touring all the military camps, he managed to recruit only two hundred and twenty-three people in total.

The vast majority of soldiers already had allegiances and could not be recruited. The remaining Freeman soldiers had no desire to join the unfamiliar Red River Territory.

This situation made Rain somewhat frustrated.

However, on the other hand, contrary to his expectations, he managed to recruit quite a few farmers and craftsmen—around five hundred people. Although most of them were farmers and only a few were craftsmen, this still greatly encouraged Rain.

These freemen were conscripted for various reasons. They did not wish to join the war but could not evade conscription. Thus, when faced with Rain's recruitment, many chose to join the Red River Territory, as it meant they wouldn't have to return to the Iron Wall Fortress to work day and night, risking death on the job one day.

Counting the farmers, craftsmen, and soldiers, the total came to over seven hundred people—this was Rain's final result.

"Seven hundred people it is!"

"Seven hundred people can still accomplish great things!"