[No Work, No Pay]
The number one policy that was implemented throughout the recovering Eshu County.
The morale of its citizens had skyrocketed, and talks about the young lord's generosity reverberated.
"I can't believe they'd give us one month's worth of food!"
"If we consume it sparingly, it'd even last another month… The young lord's so generous!"
"Perhaps the rumor about him being a good-for-nothing son was false all along?"
"But we are encouraged to work… Are we going to be alright?"
"You fool! Are you that ungrateful?! We would get paid, it's not slavery!"
The 'Health Maintenance' was the first step to mobilize the workforce.
Having been starved for so long, the citizens' physique and stamina were too frail to do any labor.
That's why Lugh prioritized them to get back in shape, at least to the point where they could swing a sledgehammer.
In addition, every soldier with family was provided additional food; it's to encourage the others to apply to become soldiers-something that Lugh intended.
That being said, the fifty soldiers were summoned to the mansion's dilapidated training ground.
It's time to forward another plan to secure an enormous amount of funds for the territory.
*
Seeing the fifty soldiers seated on the dusted ground, with their attire crude and casual, I quietly observed their expressions before opening my mouth to speak,
"First of all, despite everything, I'm grateful to each of you for being loyal to the family."
Regardless of what had transpired, based on Kaya's solemn praise yesterday evening, these soldiers were once helped by the father.
It was not a simple gesture, but rather the treatment they experienced was once in a lifetime.
Because of what the former Patriarch had done for them, their loyalty was engraved to this land, whether during its prosperity or ruination.
What's more, the perpetrator of the territorial war, who was another Count, was known for his intense dictatorial governance that he could dispose of any insignificant mouths to feed.
"Thank you for not giving up." I expressed my sincere gratitude. Without these additional able-bodied men, the semblance of order before I arrived in this gloomy place would have long collapsed.
Hearing my words, most of the soldiers gritted their teeth, their lips trembling. Some couldn't help but weep.
Dying in this place.
Looking for anything that could be eaten.
Even if it's one's flesh.
"…"
"Huff."
My sudden presence looked like a heaven-sent.
"Now… I'll repeat what I said earlier in the morning—I need your help to rebuild everything from scratch, and here's what we're going to do…"
Beside me was my sister, who was jotting something on a piece of paper, looking like an elegant office secretary.
'Her talent's convenient…'
*
Talent: [Discerning Eye]
Description: ["The eyes' function is to see; the heart is to feel; and one's spirit to discern." – Lost Scripture of '???']
Unique Effect: [You will be able to discern the target's talent.]
Talent Uniqueness: [Optional: Upon depleting 50% of your maximum mana, you can accurately know the target's hidden talent.]
…
Seeing her writing, I recalled a part of our conversation last night.
"Do you perhaps have a Divine Guide?" I abruptly asked.
"Huh…? H-how do you know that?"
"That's why you have to think before responding. Of course, I didn't know. But your reaction just now…" I spouted crap, though with the [Eye That Witnesses Heaven and Hell] I was already aware that she had this world's Divine Guide.
Divine Guide, in fantastical terms on Earth, was the same as the 'system window.'
Every [Talent] bearer or hero, true or pseudo, which possessed an 'Eye-related Skill,' was believed to be blessed by the divine, granting them the theologically known 'Divine Guide.'
The downside was that – even if it was called the 'Divine Guide' by the Orthodox Churches, it didn't necessarily provide guidance similar to the 'suggesting or yapping' proactive system. Rather, it merely served as a guide to observe one's own progress.
However, there were exceptions; if the one possessed an appraisal-type [Eye-related] talent, then they could depend on the 'guide' to check on others.
Just like how Kaya was doing right now.
"Brother… This one… and this one, as well as this one."
Soon after, five names—two women and three men—were simultaneously called.
Standing up with baffled faces, I addressed them with conviction,
"We will begin the reformation of the military."
"…"
"I will appoint each of you as the new squad leader. Every squad will then have an additional nine personnel, making it ten soldiers per squad unit."
They looked at each other, confused.
Well, in their eyes, I looked like someone saying bullshits. Not that I could blame them, considering my current physique and previous reputation.
But for some reason, I did not hear a question or complaint, prompting me to grin.
'I see… this will be fun.'
"I will handle the training regimen. We will begin next week, but first…"
I informed them of the urgent matters, such as burying the dead bodies, demolishing the already ruined homes, and posting posters regarding workforce recruitment.
After that, I also told them about the Golden Crown's promise of fifty slaves, which according to Sohkran, would also arrive next week, coinciding with the training regimen.
'Prepare for hell.' I chuckled inwardly.
*
One day before the arrival of the fifty slaves from the Golden Crown.
The health maintenance finally ended, giving time for the citizens to be able to work, even if it's minimal.
The fifty soldiers assisted in cleaning up the dead bodies on the road and streets, as well as within the destroyed houses.
It was swift. Thanks to the citizen's cooperation…
'Thanks to the power of food, I'd say.'
At least some areas surrounding the mansion, where the tents were situated, were becoming more livable.
Standing on the balcony, my sister, who also worked hard these past few days, queried,
"Brother… A-are you sure about this?"
"Whether I'm sure or not doesn't matter; it's for our survival," I said, my eyes remaining downward, witnessing the smiles of the people whose conditions some time ago were on death's door.
"W-well… even then, it's the family's…" Kaya stuttered.
I eventually gazed at her.
Seeing my amethyst eyes reflected in hers, she grumbled.
"Sigh. Alright! But what about my admission to the Hero Academy?"
"Pfft!" I snorted at her question; it was the first time since I landed on this territory.
"W-what? Why, brother?" Kaya's expression darkened, sensing something ominous.
If not for the territorial war that washed everything, Kaya would be a first-year student in the Hero Academy.
Sadly, with the comprehensible fear of the former Patriarch that she would get kidnapped or killed outside Eshu County, her enrollment was put on hold.
Hearing her cracking voice, I held her wrist, and looked her in the eye, before speaking coldly,
"What do you mean? You will become a soldier too."
Nothing would escape.
Not on my watch.