Magic, steel, heavy industry

Chapter 43 Mobilization

A day later, James left Anvil Territory with his caravan.

Vilan readily agreed, promising that if James could provide the Anvil Territory with the much-needed supplies to help Vilan get through the winter, he would become Vilan's agent, and all of the workshop's trade outside the kingdom would be entrusted to him.

In Veran's view, this is a very lucrative opportunity, and as long as James performs well, earning gold coins will be the least significant benefit.

Of course, the food and supplies that James brought also solved a major problem for Vilan. Previously, the lack of supplies prevented him from blindly expanding the population, but now that he has these supplies, it is time to increase the population of Anvil Territory.

That morning, Vilan changed into his most elegant lord's robes and arrived at the military camp.

He had already given the order last night, and those who received it were already waiting in the military camp.

First came the guards. After McKinney returned, all 10 guards were present. Since the mine had a patrol team composed of skilled miners, the guards on duty at the mine also came.

Everyone was dressed in the leather armor of the Ironclad Guards, holding weapons, and with serious expressions.

Behind them were 30 new recruits in the guard team.

After nearly 10 days of training, the recruits were no longer as thin as when they first arrived. Their meals were the most luxurious, with an egg and a large piece of smoked meat at each meal, plenty of vegetables and milk, and unlimited bread.

Under these conditions of food that drove all the serfs mad, the young men developed noticeably more muscle in their arms, and their faces were no longer as thin as skeletons.

Although they didn't have uniforms yet, Vanesa used all her resources to dress them in thick coats. Although they looked mismatched, they all looked energetic and spirited.

Moreover, the high-intensity training every day has improved their physical fitness, and they can stand in very neat formations.

At least in Vilan's view, he had already reached the level of a soldier in the later stages of his military training.

Besides the guards and new recruits, Scarface and other hunters also stood to the side. They were not so serious, and their faces showed a hint of tension.

Several young hunters looked on with envy at the group of new recruits, seemingly wanting to be one of them as well.

Behind Vilan, Llorente maintained his gentlemanly elegance, while Hans held a blank notebook, looking as if he were facing a formidable enemy.

And then there's Iglesias; for some reason, her expression is the most complicated.

Once everyone was present, Vilan went to the center so that all the recruits could see his face clearly, so that he could begin his first pre-battle pep talk.

"Soldiers, I am Wilan Northstone," he called out.

The next second, all the new recruits shouted in unison.

"For our lord! Let's fight!"

Vilan smiled and continued, "A few days ago, I received a report from the hunters that the group of refugees who had been entrenched on the north bank of the Amber River had another brawl, and even injured quite a few people."

"I know you don't care about those refugees. After all, they are just homeless wanderers with nowhere to go, forced to huddle in the wasteland and caves on the north bank, surviving on wild vegetables and tree roots every day. If nothing unexpected happens, they will soon starve and freeze to death this winter."

"But have you ever considered what those hungry and cold creatures might do if winter really comes?"

Vilan paused, his eyes darting among the recruits, seemingly trying to find someone to talk to.

"Report!"

A new recruit who was noticeably stronger than the others spoke up loudly.

Vilan nodded and said, "Go on."

"Reporting to Lord Vilan! I have seen starving refugees. In their quest for food, they lose all humanity, even attacking towns and stealing our grain!"

"Very good, what's your name?"

"I'm Doku, the class monitor of Class 1!"

The boy named Doku raised his head, his eyes filled with respect and admiration for Vilan.

All new recruits were like that, because they knew who was responsible for feeding them.

"Alright, Doku, you're absolutely right. You must remember what I'm about to say—the disaster victims are not human! They are locusts that devour everything!"

"If we let this go unchecked, those refugees will soon become complete disaster victims, and the entire town could face their attacks. As the lord, I cannot allow such a thing to happen."

"Therefore, I will exercise my lordly authority to turn those refugees into subjects of Anvil Territory, providing them with food and warmth. But this will not be free. What you need to do is show them the power of Anvil Territory, so that they will obey!"

After Vilan finished speaking, he noticed that all the new recruits looked completely bewildered.

They didn't quite understand why the displaced people should be turned into leaders.

And we should also share the precious food with them?

Vilan was helpless. He couldn't say directly that he was short of people and that the refugees could temporarily solve the labor shortage problem in Anvil Territory.

Therefore, he changed his wording.

"Simply put, I gave them food, so they owe me money. You must demonstrate the strength of the Guard so they won't dare to default and will obediently pay up, understand?"

"clear!"

A unified shout rang out, and even if they couldn't understand it, they would obey Viran's orders without hesitation.

Looking at these energetic young people, Vilan felt a surge of pride rising within him as well.

Yes, the point of all this is to make everyone show this energetic expression, isn't it?

Let's start with the refugees on the north bank.

He nodded to Carreras, and the recruits immediately began to receive their weapons.

Their weapons consist of a spear for each person, crafted jointly by the blacksmith and carpenter workshops, and equipped with magic powder spearheads, making them extremely effective at piercing armor.

Although their strength is still very poor, so many people wielding spears in unison can definitely intimidate a large group of people.

Vilan then turned around and discussed the matter with Llorente and Hans.

He certainly needs to accept the refugees from the North Shore, but not all of them, at least not now, because those refugees include not only homeless wretches, but also hidden fugitives and thugs.

And these are just the most ordinary problem elements. The group of refugees is also divided into several groups. One group is not close to anyone else because they are not from the North, but from the other side of the mountains.

Yes, they are refugees from Casalan.

To escape warlords and war, they crossed the Stag Mountains and arrived at Anvil Territory.

Although they are not the largest group, these people are the true warriors and should absolutely not be directly accepted as subjects.

Therefore, Viran's plan is to receive them in several phases. Today is only the first phase, targeting refugees from the North who have no criminal record.

Most importantly, they were the artisans among the refugees.