DRAMA NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 6: New Recruit Training 1
TL: Etude
The day after meeting with the knights, Paul reorganized his forces according to his new plan, dividing nearly 600 soldiers, both new and old, into two infantry battalions.
After arranging the soldiers, he remembered the guards from the lord’s mansion. Being someone with a touch of compulsiveness, he decided to organize them as well, establishing a separate unit for them – the Inner Guard Unit.
He modeled the structure after the paramilitary system from his previous life, with the basic units still being squads and teams. Higher up, it was organized into squadrons, brigades, and detatchments, corresponding to company, battalion, and regiment in the military. The lord’s mansion guards, numbering only 60, were organized into two platoons.
As for the knights and their squires, this was more problematic. After all, knights were on the threshold of nobility, and, as he observed, the divide between nobles and commoners in this world was quite significant. Mixing them into a single system might cause dissatisfaction. His position as a lord was not yet secure, but setting aside such a considerable force as an independent unit also seemed odd.
So, he first had a secret discussion with Bryce, expressing his ideas and concerns. Surprisingly, Bryce told him he was overthinking it and explained further.
Originally, when the Grayman family was sent to the northwest coast by the king, it was a form of exile. The previous vassals were either implicated and punished or had switched allegiances.
The current knights in the territory…
“Well… how should I put it?” Bryce hesitated. “It’s a bit offensive to say, but your family was prohibited by the royal family from ennobling new vassals. Although your ancestors granted us knightly fiefs, our status as knights is not officially recognized by the kingdom or other nobles. People usually refer to us as ‘wild knights.’ Apart from knowing some literacy and martial arts, we are not much different from commoners. Most of us even work in the fields.”
Paul, curious, asked, “What about Baron Ford?”
“His title was inherited from distant relatives. He had served your family for a long time before inheriting his title. Also, he is a ‘robe noble,’ having only the title but no land.”
“I see. Then you should bring them into the army. You seem to have quite an influence among them.”
Bryce, sweating, quickly agreed: “Oh, not at all. I can only outdrink them at the table. Don’t worry, I won’t disappoint you, my lord.”
As Bryce said, there was no conflict with the knights and their squires. Most of them were appointed as officers at various levels. Bryce and another knight named Claude were appointed as commanders of the first and second infantry battalions, respectively.
Then a series of physical fitness tests were conducted to select squad leaders. Initially, literacy was considered as a major criterion for selection, but it turned out that almost all of the few hundred people were illiterate, with only a few being able to recognize and spell their names. Reluctantly, they had to focus on physical fitness.
Due to the low overall educational level of the troops, the appointed junior officers were given the title “acting” in front of their ranks, and the military ranks were temporary. All soldiers were initially private, and acting squad leaders were temporary corporals.
“Alright, given the current tense military situation, we should start training without delay,” the young count said enthusiastically. Despite opposition, he was determined to take the troops to the forest outside the town for training and announced that they would camp in the forest during the training period.
He took only the second infantry battalion and the first inner guard platoon with him. The first battalion was left in Lakeheart Town to respond to emergencies.
After choosing a suitable location, the new recruits began to set up camp under the guidance of the experienced soldiers. Paul summoned Knight Claude — now Major Claude — to discuss the training plan.
Paul handed Claude a parchment filled with writing, proudly saying, “Take a look, Claude. Have you ever seen a more brilliant training plan?”
Claude quickly scanned the document and, sweating profusely, said, “My lord, this kind of training could be lethal.”
“What, how could that be? I’ve already cut down many sections for this abridged version.”
“My lord, this intensity of training is almost comparable to what I underwent as a knight’s attendant.”
“If you could endure it, why can’t they?”
“Nutrition is crucial! My lord, although I was not well-off back then, I at least had meat once a week. These soldiers of commoner origin don’t have such conditions. Based on the previous food standards, we can only ensure they don’t go hungry. But with increased physical activity, it’s hard to sustain without meat.”
Paul slapped his forehead, “I hadn’t considered that. I’ll write a letter to Philip immediately to enhance our food supply, especially meat. Additionally, we’ll organize hunting parties daily.”
Claude laughed, “Well, I have no objections, but I guess steward Philip will have a stroke.”
“My lord, aside from physical training, your plan also mentions standing at attention, marching, and drill exercises, which are quite baffling. I understand the words, but could you explain further?”
“Discipline, Claude, discipline. Did you see the fiasco at the previous parade? Our army must be uniform and orderly, advancing and retreating in unison, always acting as one entity. That’s how we create an imposing presence, not like a bunch of ragtag militia.”
Claude, sweating profusely from his forehead, replied, “Even the kingdom’s regular army isn’t this demanding! Alright, you have a point.”
“Now that it’s getting late, let’s skip the other subjects for now. How about we start with standing at attention before dinner to whet the appetite? Heh heh heh…”
Watching the bustling soldiers, the eager young count rubbed his hands together, emitting a sinister laugh that sent shivers down Claude’s spine.
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