Chapter 11 - Land
-At Night, in the Barracks-
The barracks were located close to the king's palace, and because of that, there were a few people still awake to prevent unwanted situations.
A guard could be seen guarding the barrack's gate while yawning, and some guards were patrolling around the king's palace. The security was so tight that even a guard must inform their situation every time to their superior.
The barracks occupied 5000 meters of land, and a wall surrounded the barrack. In this world, a wizard/witch could replace the bowmen, so they guarded the top of the wall while swordsmen guarded every gate and corner.
The barracks was divided into two areas, each area representing a class. The swordsman's area had a vast training ground and more room, while the wizard/witch area had an experimental building and less room.
The rooms were used for many functions. If you were on duty, you couldn't go home until you'd finish your task, but you could rest in the barracks rooms. This rule applied to all ranks, whether it be a superior or lower rank.
There were many rooms in this barracks: There were rooms for a lower guest, a higher guest, the army, and a superior room. Only a 3rd class or higher could have their room.
-Inside a superior's room-
There's still a room shining with candles, and you could see an older man sitting on a chair, reading some of the documents on his desk. The older man then focused his gaze on the door, and a knocking sound could be heard.
A beautiful woman in a military uniform entered while holding a kettle; she looked at the older man and bowed, then she asked,
"Master, it's already late at night. Doesn't it affect your health?" The woman asked worriedly as she placed the kettle on the table.
"Hahaha. Don't worry, even though I'm old like this, my body is still strong, just like a young man," the older man spoke and then coughed.
"Master." The woman hurried to hold the old man's shoulder while using a spell to create a cup and pouring some tea.
"Ah. Thank you," the old man said after drinking the tea. The woman smiled and stood beside him.
After a few minutes, the woman saw that the cup was empty, "So why did the master call me?" The woman asked while tilting her head.
This was Weston's room; after he made Bastian's family citizens of the North Empire, he immediately looked for land to live on according to his promise. He also prepared documents regarding Bastian and Leona's placement in the military.
His position was the Grandmaster of the North Empire Kingdom. This year, he would retire and become the North Academy principal, which had just been built. Even though he was ancient, many people respected him, not only because of his rank but because he was also the teacher of the latest king, Edward.
" Tomorrow, you go and tell Bastian's family that their house is ready and tell them to move to the inner city land located close to the market," Weston said, handing over the file he was holding.
The woman took it and looked at the file; after a few seconds of reading it, she asked, "Will this be okay, master?"
"Hmm, is there a problem?"
"It doesn't really matter, but the land is the largest area in the city, and it was also the former residence of the former nobility before the revolution happened.
"They just arrived in the North Empire and are also bringing trouble.
"After all, why did the master lie about the lack of troops?
"Is this okay?" The woman said breathlessly with a worried expression. She noticed that Weston has closed his eyes and went silent without saying a word and just listened.
"Ah, sorry for my impudence." The woman was embarrassed by her behavior and lowered her head.
"Noel, let me ask you a question? How do you win a war without casualties?" Weston asked while looking straight into Noel's eyes.
"That's almost impossible, in my opinion, master. Because the war started after there were casualties, both sides can declare war."
Weston shook his head and said, "You're still naive, Noel, even though you're already an Officer as well as a Master Witch in the army."
Noel lowered her head, and her cheeks burned red. She then asked, "Then-please-tell-me. Is there another way?" in a lower voice.
"Tsk... what if before the war, we get the enemy's heart?"
"By provoking or sabotaging the allegiance of the enemy army camps, we can initiate a rebellion, the assassination of the leader, or we can immediately attack when their morale drops."
"Ah," Noel snapped. "Master is right, but what is the connection between the Bastian family that we are talking about now?"
Weston sighed and said, "How did I have a student like you," while shaking his head. "How stupid of myself in the past."
Noel grumbled, sticking her tongue out at Weston.
"Listen carefully, and don't interrupt me while I am talking."
Noel chanted a spell and made a chair in front of Weston. Noel sat and listened carefully without even batting an eye.
"Although we don't lack a master wizard/witch, what's wrong with adding another one? From my observation, it seems that this master wizard is still as young as you.
"Even her partner is not inferior. He has a dual-class like you but with older age."
Weston paused for a moment, allowing Noel to absorb his words. After a few seconds, Weston spoke again, "And why don't I want the secret it carries?"
"If you want to earn the loyalty of others, the first step you have to take is not to peer into their privacy."
"But Master-"
"Let me finish," Weston interrupted, shaking his head.
"If we have earned their loyalty, they will divulge the secret of their own."
"That way, we get the secret that the Imperial Empire wants, as well as a strong soldier. Our fighting strength will be increased to fight the Imperial Empire in the future."
"Ohhhh… I understand now, Master."
"If the plan the master spoke of works, then it's like killing two birds with one stone," Noel said excitedly.
"True, but this plan will take a long time because gaining loyalty is not as easy as buying vegetables at the market."
"Master, that's Genius, Incredible ..." Noel continued to praise his master with words of wisdom. Meanwhile, Weston continued to nod, smiling.
"Go now, do your job as I ordered."
"Yes, Master."
"And the Witch Master will be in the same rank as you, so treat her politely," Weston said with a severe tone because he knew that his students often underestimated and caused trouble for other people. And then Weston spoke again, "Also, prepare people to watch over them."
"Tch," Noel muttered.
"Where is your answer?!" Weston said in a high voice.
"Yes, Master."
"Good."