Chapter 83

"Good morning, your majesty!"

The soldier greeted us as we entered the barracks. He was a lone guard standing by the gate, opening it for when people entered or exited.

"Good morning," I greeted him back.

The barracks were unlike any other barracks. It was more of a military building that housed the guards. There's another building similar to this being made. For the elite force that is.

Many soldiers that were on night duty stayed awake past the time they should sleep. It was an important day for the entire army. An entirely new division was being introduced. Stronger than all others.

Heads turned towards us as we walked down the straight pathway. They all greeted me even if they were sleep deprived. I did my best to reply to all of them, something I didn't see a lot of generals and lieutenants do.

As we entered the building, I was taken aback by its design of it.

It was a simple design. Marble floors with white walls. There were four hallways. Two in front and two on both sides. A straight staircase went up to more hallways.

The building was a two-story building with a dome design on the roof. The dome was not made transparent, however. A wasted opportunity.

"Ah, your majesty," Leo's voice came through from a corridor.

I turned to the sound of his voice. He walked towards me with a giddy smile on his face. He was also in his usual military outfit. Black and navy blue, except he had no coat.

"Are all the preparations done?" I asked him as he came closer.

'Yes! We're just waiting for you," He said as he greeted me with a handshake.

Leo didn't waste any time and started to walk away. He took the lead and was taking us to the back, where the soldiers should be.

"Where is Zenith?" I asked him, wanting to not walk in silence.

"He's preparing the troops," Leo answered. "He is one strict leader I must say,"

I expected nothing less of Zenith. Someone who was made by bloodshed and fighting is sure to be tough.

We walked through the marble floors and white walls. Not knowing where we were being led. All I knew was that he was taking us to the back of the building. The training grounds.

"By the way," Leo spoke up. "When will you be leaving to take on the cave?"

"Today," I replied. "Will be leaving by the late afternoon train,"

"Ah~ must be a nice trip. Going by your own creation."

I couldn't help but smile. "Must test it out for myself, no?"

"Haha! Couldn't be less true!" He exclaimed before turning to the right corner. "We're almost there,"

In front of us was an open doorway with sunlight beaming through. We walked outside of the building as we stepped outside. It was a sandy arena, similar to the ground in the estate. Except this was much bigger.

A track ran around the entire field, marked with white chalk. The middle of the track was also used as an arena for duels and fights to take place.

A podium was set up right in front of the track. Countless men stood before the podium, symmetrical gaps beside each other. They stood firmly like a rock wall, chest puffed up and chin held high.

None of them reacted as we stepped out. Good sign.

Zenith stood next to the podium as well. He had his military outfit on. Black as usual, except he had a lot more silver than everyone else.

"Attention! His majesty has arrived!" Zenith shouts out to his men.

They all bowed down in sync. All of the soldiers were dressed in military attire instead of armour. To begin with, they were never given armour.

I decided to give them none. It would only slow them down due to how heavy armour can be.

I took my spot on the podium, ready to start my speech. Alexander and Vincent stood to my right while Felix, Leo and Zenith stood to my left.

The soldiers stood upright once more. Facing me with stoic eyes and emotionless faces. A cold stare that would pierce through anyone's heart. A sword rested on their hip, ready to strike at any moment.

"Congratulations, brave men. You've passed the hardest training that the world has ever seen. Yes, that's right. The world. No training comes close to this. Not even the royal guards of the Polaris empire.

Now, the question is. Who is willing to risk their lives for this kingdom?"

A terrifying roar came from the soldiers. "We are!" They shouted in sync.

"Who is willing to swim across seas and oceans? Who has the strength and discipline to go into the darkest caverns to the tallest summits!?"

"We are!" They all roared once again.

"Group Alpha, the first of four. The most skilled team to exist in this continent. But remember, just because everyone here has been selected for the first team, doesn't mean your spot is permanent.

When the other three teams are filled in, you're in danger of being replaced by someone from the other team.

If they outperform you. There's no mercy. You will be moved back to a weaker team.

But, that does not mean you are all competitors. Every team must compete to keep their spot in the team or rise, but they also need to learn teamwork. I don't want anyone to begin a mutiny with each other."

A look of concern spread throughout the men. They were not told this before. It was to keep them improving even past their initial training and limits.

With the fear of being demoted, they will keep improving and improving. They will keep going till they are at a limit, and when they are at a limit… they will break past it.

"There are a hundred and twenty of you here. You will be split into two platoons and stationed in different cities. For today, celebrate the success! You all did well! Out of thousands, only a hundred and twenty passed.

You are part of a handful of men. Part of the most disciplined and toughest. Men that have gone beyond their limits and reached new heights. You are men of bravery, chivalry and discipline.

Remember what you work for. You fight for your kingdom, your king, and the people. But most of all, you fight for your family,"

My speech inspired the men, lighting their hearts aflame. They looked at me with glitter of determination in their eyes.

"Give yourselves a round of applause. I'll let Zenith take it from here,"

The soldiers broke out into booming claps. The sound of their thundering claps is strong. It proves to me they are strong.

Alexander and Leo looked at me with bright smiles as I stepped down from the podium. Felix clapped with a prideful smile on his face.

"What an inspiration," Alexander pats me on the shoulder.

I stood next to him and clapped till it died down. Zenith got up on the stage and looked at the soldiers with a stern gaze. They all fell quiet and held their breath.

Wonder what kind of leader Zenith is. To make soldiers still from his stare must mean he's extremely strict.

"Tomorrow you will be split into two platoons. The first platoon will go to the capital and meet with his majesty. The other platoon is tasked to visit the mountains to the east,"

Zenith briefed the soldiers on their work. The task was picked by me.

I'm still curious about the mountains. I would've visited them myself but the cave is where I'm headed today.

The mountains must have a lot of raw materials in them. Which means I won't have to focus on importing them over the borders. If I have a supply of material, I can use it for weapons and the locomotive.

Zenith continued to speak about their mission as a group. But I was not interested anymore. My job was done.

He finished his talk and stepped down from the podium. We clapped for him and the soldiers once more.

Leo shot me a smile from the other side before walking up to me.

"Perhaps you should shake hands with the soldiers," He told me with a grin.

"Huh, sure," I replied. "Bring Felix."

Felix heard his name and came over. I told him what we were doing. He had no objections.

Leo and Zenith crowded the soldiers into one line. They all took formation in an instant, not even taking a minute.

Men lined up shoulder to shoulder and stood with perfect posture. Their uniform seemed almost royal. Especially with the decorative designs on their uniform. Many have a brooch and a chain attached to them.

Alexander, Felix and I walked away from the podium, approaching the soldiers that stood with smiles. Bright smiles of pride.

I walked and shook everyone's hands as I walked past. Congratulating each of them and patting them on the shoulder. They smiled and shook my hand firmly. I could feel the power in each of them, oozing out with a strong aura.

Each soldier had varying height and characteristics to themselves. But one characteristic stayed constant, their pride and loyalty to me and the kingdom. It was detectable from their smiles.

All 120 soldiers were built from hard work. No matter what background they came from. If a soldier once a farmer outperforms a soldier from nobility, he will be valued higher.

The ceremony was finished after I shook each of their hands. Alexander walked alongside me with Felix, making small talk with the soldiers. Glad to see he's glad to work with them as well.

"Let's go now," I told Alexander as we walked away.

"What should we do now?" Alexander asked me as we walked away.

"Hmm, I'm not sure," I looked up and thought. "Another lazy day I suppose,"

"Huh, perhaps I'll go back to the palace and play chess,"

It piqued my interest but I was hesitant. "Sounds like a good idea!" I exclaimed. "Maybe you can play with Vincent,"

"Why won't you play?" He asked me with a skeptical look.

"I'll be taking a walk around the city," I answered as we entered the building again. "Thinking of talking with Wilkins as well,"

"Uh huh…"

Felix led the way around the building as we continued to stride forward. A few soldiers dressed in uniform crossed paths with us. They bowed in response as we walked past.

As we make it to the entrance, I sigh out a deep breath of relief. Amelia became tired of walking all the time and jumped back on my shoulder.

"Isn't it difficult for you to sit now?" I asked her in telepathy.

"Nah~ this side has no stars," She answered while taking a deep breath. "It's more comfortable. This side has a pad on instead,"

"Touche,"

Alexander and I split up from each other once more. We split at the gate of the palace before walking our way.

We waved each other goodbye before going our ways. Felix came with me, as expected. It had been a while since we were just taking a walk.

Felix was in a cheerful mood, holding his chin up high and walking with his hands held behind him.

But it didn't take long for us to grow attention. My uniform was an eye-catcher in the crowd of ordinary citizens.

Though it seemed like the citizens grew used to me taking gentle strolls. They all didn't flock around me. Instead, they greeted me or waved from afar. It has become a tradition to greet me by now.

"The citizens have grown a close bond with you, haven't they?" Felix asked while giving me a stare of satisfaction.

"It's not unusual to see me walk around nowadays, is it?" I smirked.

"It never was," Felix's lips relax. "It's different when you are king. There's a certain barrier, you know?"

"I never thought of having a barrier. I work for the people and they work for me. I may be king but I'm human at the core,"

Felix chuckled as he turned his head back. "Hard to believe that after seeing you at war,"

A sharp but short sound escaped my throat. "Believe it or not, it's true!"

Our conversation lasted till we were in front of Wilkins' pub. It was busy as usual, bards singing ballads and playing instruments, maids serving customers with jolly smiles as they converse.

We entered with ease. People moved out of the way as they noticed us, giving us a way to enter.

When we entered, audible gasps went around the pub. My eyes fell straight to Wilkins who was serving customers as usual.

"Ah~! Your majesty!" He exclaimed excitedly. "Welcome, welcome!"

I smiled and waved at him. "Good afternoon, Wilkins," I greeted him while approaching him.

He understood I was here for business. He left the work to the other staff, which day by day seemed to be growing larger.

Before he only had two or four but now there were at least a dozen. With the growing number of customers, he also needs a helping hand.

"Let's talk in the back, as usual," He said as I approached the bar.

I nodded and walked behind him. He opened the door to the back and let us walk in first. Closing the door behind him after we had entered.

The room was filled to the brim with boxes of alcohol. Multiple storage containers full of wine were stacked on top of each other. There was barely enough space for walking.

"Huh, seems like the storage room isn't sufficient for you," I softly chuckled.

"Business is booming," He laughed. "I need a lot in stock. This is estimated to last only for today,"

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. "Booming? Seems like an understatement,"

Soft laughter sounded from Wilkins as he walked in front of me. "Well, it's much more than I expected,"

He moved the seats to the table we usually sit at, telling us to take a seat. He took his seat opposite us.

"So, what brings you here?" He asked as he locked his hands together on the table.

"Business, as usual," I answered him while laying back.

He looked away for a second while laughing. "Of course, why else,"

"I need you to make a fruit drink," I leaned forward. "It's a drink you can sell later but first you need to supply it to me,"

"Oh, what kind of fruit drink?" He asked as it piqued his interest.

"Drink made up of mostly oranges, lemons and grapefruits," I told him.

"Huh, that's an interesting blend," Wilkins scratched his chin. "It sounds like an interesting concept. Where did you come up with it?"

"It's for a journey I'm going to have in a month or so," I explained. "I need it for a large group of men too. Lasting at least a few months,"

"Anything else specifically?"

"Make it taste sweet but not addicting. Make sure it can last a few months as well,"

His brows furrowed as I mentioned the last part. "Hmm… That last bit is a complex one. Give me a week, I should come up with something by then,"

"You have at least two weeks," I told him while leaning back. "I'll be out of the capital again,"

A smile broke from his lips. "Always busy," He softly laughed. "Well, I should be able to do something. The last part should be challenging, but it will be worth a try,"

I was satisfied with his answer. "Good, at least you're up for the challenge," I said as I stood up.

"Take your time, take as many funds as. I need it done, that's all,"

Wilkins stood up as well. "No art is rushed," He said with a determined smile.

Felix stayed quiet the entire time, wondering why I asked for something so strange. He didn't question me but looked at me with curious eyes.

We didn't waste any more time in the room. Wilkins went back to attending the bar while I slowly walked out, growing the attention of his pub and turning heads.

As we stepped out of the pub, Felix turned to me and finally asked the question.

"Why did you need a fruit drink so suddenly?" He asked me with a clueless expression.

"It's not for me," I answered with a smirk. "It's for the crew that we'll be sailing with,"

"How so?" He scratched his head as we began walking.

"You wouldn't understand if I explained now,"

The reason was scurvy. Early sailing had a big issue with this disease in my past world. The main reason? Low Vitamin C.

In this world, vitamins aren't identified yet. It would be a lengthy process to explain my reasoning.

"Haa~ where to next?" Felix says as he lets out a deep sigh.

"You can go home," I answered him. "I'll be walking around a bit more,"

"Where exactly?"

"You know where," I smirked.

"Ah, of course,"