Four years had flown by since the conversation Julius had with his parents, learning about his family and part of the power they held, being rank 4 beings, a top-level power in this kingdom.
During the previous four years, many events have happened. Julius started studying when he was two to become the next king, learning much and remembering everything thanks to his photographic memory.
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First Year:
In the first year of this new world, a trade deal between Romanium and Galicia was signed, easing tensions on the border for a time and earning Romanium 2000 gold coins. These gold coins were immediately used to fulfil the king's pledges during the speech.
Firstly the army recruitment had gone fantastically, with many keen to enjoy the benefits of being part of the Romanium royal army. These benefits include paying no wage tax and using many army training grounds. The biggest advantage is getting access to the army library techniques and, depending on rank, learning different techniques.
In total, 39,000 knights, 10,000 miscellaneous soldiers and 1000 mages were recruited, with many more wanting to join. This includes 10,000 swordsmen, 5000 archers and 4000 spearmen. These new soldiers have undergone a year of training in an army camp 20 miles away from Romus, hidden in the woods under strict supervision from Marshal-General Helvius. After the first year, these men have already completely integrated into the army, learning new techniques and formations. The knights that have shown good leadership qualities and ability have also been considered for promotion into leadership positions within their new legion. Each legion is commanded by a general at the late stage of rank 3 Squire Knight.
The legions are spread throughout the kingdom. Six legions are stationed within the six newly constructed stone border forts, ready to protect against any incursion on the border. These border forts are equally placed along the northern and eastern borders, three on each.
These border forts started construction 2 months after the king's speech and were built in another 10 months. The brand new forts consist of a deep moat with a strong stone gatehouse, with a retractable drawbridge surrounded by 20-foot high walls and a tower on each side. Inside the border forts consist of a small town allowing the soldiers to train, rest and recover.
Two of the other four legions are stationed south on the coast in the strategic port cities of Brutium and Lonium, offering protection to local commerce and trade. The other port cities are not far away, being able to reach them with a two-week march.
Of the final two legions, one is stationed near the border of the ancient kingdom of Hesper in the city of Rarena. The final 10th legion is the most elite, and only veteran army personnel are members. The 10th Legion is stationed near the capital in the army headquarters, which is also used to train new troops, ready to move at a moment's notice.
One year after the king's speech, the kingdom now has 10 reformed Legions, each consisting of 20,000 soldiers, around 10,000 swordsmen, 4,000 archers, and 4,000 spearmen. The rest of the legion is made up of 1800 miscellaneous soldiers, such as engineers, cooks, and normal doctors. 200 mages of all elements, from destruction to restoration, make up the remaining numbers, which are small but the most integral part of the legion.
Kitted out in their new armour, they made a menacing site on the battlefield. The swordsmen and spearmen were dressed in grey chain mail armour, with a steel arm guard just below the elbow. The soldiers had a galea helmet on top of their heads, with a long flowing royal red cape which went down below their kneecaps; the cape had a golden eagle sitting proudly on the back. Knights also wore thick leather shoes and used grey-leg guards to protect against enemies.
The only difference between these soldiers was their weapons and shields. The swordsmen used a royal red 100cm wide kite shield with a golden edge and a golden eagle on the front, intimating the enemy. The spearmen had a circular 80 cm royal red shield with a black edge. Upon the shield lay a golden eagle singling the kingdom. Weapons also varied depending on the size and structure of the user and also depending on rank.
Archers wore a royal red armless chain mail armour that glinted in the sunlight, offering protection if the enemy ever got too close. They also used black arm guards on their bow, holding hands to protect against recoil damage to their arms. On the archer's backs sat a black quiver with a gold-rimmed top; each quiver could hold a total of 100 arrows ready to rain hell on the kingdom's enemies.
Miscellaneous soldiers were all kitted out in similar uniforms: a royal red tunic and black pants. The only indication of their speciality came from the symbol placed over their hearts. For example, the engineers had a catapult there, the doctors had a scalpel, and the cooks had a bowl and spoon.
Mages wore full-length black robes with a hood over their heads. These enchanted robes had golden outlines and a golden eagle on the back. Commanders of the legions 1-10 tried to balance out the mages so they had around the same number of elements in each legion.
Many political moves have also been made during the last year, such as the continued request for a political marriage from the Hesper royal family. The Hesper royal family wanted to solidify the alliance with Romanium so they could continue to work together against aggressive kingdoms and empires. While the marriage alliance has been put on hold, trade deals between the kingdoms have become more frequent. Merchants can often be seen on newly constructed roads between the kingdoms, bringing with them great wealth.
The empires of Siracatan on the east and Brisania, which stretches over the top of Galicia all the way to the northern coastline, combined to control half of the Hatel continent. These two empires had been fighting fiercely within the last year causing death and destruction across the continent, this has displaced many citizens of the empire forcing them to emigrate. The war forced over 100,000 families to move to the kingdom of Romanium, causing an influx of specialists who wanted to live a peaceful life. This has, in turn, caused the local economy to improve, with these new citizens bringing new and old services along with them, pleasing the royal court greatly.
Galicia also started to request more food monthly to alleviate their food shortage, promising gold coins and causing Romanium to increase food production. Luckily for the royal court, the influx of immigrants from the empire meant that many people needed jobs. The royal court decided to lease or mortgage land not currently being used to the citizens in return for the kingdom buying 80% of the yield at a reduced price. This allowed many citizens to become landowners and start farming, being guaranteed that they would be able to sell at least 80% of their yield.