Boot Camp and War

Six month in all-inclusive resort "Hangman's Fort" passed very quickly. During those six month I learnt how to properly fight with spear and short sword as well as how to use small shield. Thanks to Brand of Eternal Warrior blessing I was able to learn very fast in last six month and now I could have a spar with more experienced soldier stationed at fort. But I our training involved not only how to fight with spears, we had to learn how to march and fight in formation. And those drills were the worst experience for me so far.

I have thought that recruits of my past world were complete degenerates that couldn't learn quite simple things but in comparison to locals they could be considered geniuses. Most of recruits here couldn't tell the difference between right and left, for first few weeks they were always making mistakes during marches and formation trainings.

I got pissed by this dumbasses that couldn't remember such simple thing that after a bit of beatings I decided to use old trick told me by some old drill sergeants. I shoved nuts in right pocket and leaves in left pocket and after some training with "Nuts" and "Leaves" shout they learned how to march. Despite how dumb that idea looks it actually worked pretty well and now my platoon was one of the best at marching and formations.

I got appointed as platoon leader and was able to use Eye of Commander. But I wish I didn't because in my case ignorance was truly a bliss. Most of soldiers in my platoon showed lack of any potential and had low health stats due to malnutrition and diseases. Only few showed some potential in archery, after some questioning they turned out to be from gang of poachers caught by their lord and sent here, but in current situation this was of no use.

I also tried to get closer with dwarfs and elf but no luck here. They decided to stay with their non-human gang and limit interactions with humans. So I just let it go despite my desire to get them into my platoon as a way to improve overall performance. Dwarfs could be good shock troopers while elf could wreck havoc in melee with his dual wielding skills. I knew all this thanks to Eye of Commander.

Slowly our training at fort turned into routine. Drill, eat, sleep and repeat. But things rapidly changed after one of the scouts reported arrival of small raiding force that was preparing to pillage nearby villages. Drill Master Magnus spitted out that damn Kingdom of Five Towers probably wants to wage war against us and this is their tadeonal reconnaissance method. under the guise of raiding He send report to local lord and started preparing troops to fight back raiders.

Within few hours 200 foot soldiers, including recruits, with the support of 20 horsemen marched towards the last village where enemy raiders have been seen. But we arrived late, enemies have gone long time ago leaving behind pillaged village. There were no survivors or houses left untouched, only dead bodies and burned carcasses. Very familiar picture for me, reminds about our use of scorched earth tactics when we were marching through enemy land during Long War.

Drill Master Magnus ordered to double the pace in hope to capture raiders at next village. His decision proved to be right and we able to catch up with enemies. Raiders were in a middle of pillaging another village. Luckily for us this time they decided to stay a bit longer. Seeing our arrival they started to get on their horses but our cavalry was able to stop them long enough for us to intervene.

Next ten minutes we just slaughtered all of them except for their officers whom we captured for interrogation. After short but bloody interrogation-torture we have found out that Magnus was right and this is just small group of incoming vanguard of Kingdom of Five Towers. Seems this time it will be actual war.

We hastily gathered survivors and provisions from partially pillaged village and started marching back to our fort. We need to prepare for bloody siege since we are the only fort in this region except lord's castle.

Everyone seemed depressed and scared, nobody wants to die. Only I was smiling, finally I am back in war!