chapter 13

Chapter 13

The next morning, Elion went to the inner courtyard of the castle, where the first troops of the Kingdom of Sky had gathered. Under the glow of the nascent sun, the soldiers formed an impeccable line, their leather armor tarnished by wear and tear but worn with obvious pride. They were nearly three hundred, a modest force compared to the armies of other kingdoms, but Elion knew that quality often outweighed quantity.

Veyla stood by his side, watching the soldiers with her usual cold look.

"They're ready to get their new instructions," she whispered.

Elion took a few steps forward, facing the troop. The soldiers immediately straightened their shoulders, looking tense.

"Soldiers of the Kingdom of Sky!" His voice echoed with sharp authority. "We have survived so far out of sheer will. But survival is no longer enough. From this day forward, we will no longer be an insignificant force on the map of kingdoms. We will become a military power capable of competing with any enemy."

A whisper went through the ranks. Elion raised his hand, immediately imposing silence.

"Our first priority is discipline. No soldier will become a competent warrior without rigorous training. From now on, every combat-ready man and woman will be subjected to intensive military training, inspired by the practices of the Spartans."

Elion turned to Veyla.

"Veyla will lead this training personally." It will select the officers who will prove themselves worthy to command. The others will be sent back to the fields."

Veyla sketched a cruel smile.

"It will be done."

A young soldier came forward slightly, his face pale.

" Majesty... " We are few in number. Even with good training, can we really face an army two or three times bigger?"

Elion slowly approached the young man, his gaze piercing him like a blade.

"A larger army? Yes. We will crush them."

The soldier shuddered under the intensity of his gaze.

"You think I'll just train ordinary soldiers?" No. We're going to merge magic with technology. We will create a new generation of warriors, equipped with armor and weapons that will surpass anything our enemies know."

He took a few steps back.

And for that, we have to start by turning you into real fighters. Not as pawns in battle, but as predators."

Elion raised his hand.

- "Training!"

The soldiers immediately lined up, instinctively obeying command. Veyla passed through the ranks, her scrutinizing gaze gauging each soldier.

"From today, you will get up before dawn and go to bed after dark." Your body will become a weapon, your mind a fortress. If you fail to adapt, you will be rejected. If you survive, you will become the first line of defense of the Kingdom of Sky."

Elion crossed his arms, watching the soldiers' reaction. Some had determined eyes, others displayed poorly concealed fear. But fear could be transformed. Courage was forged in adversity.

"Start training."

Veyla made a quick gesture, and the officers began to divide the soldiers into groups, forcing them to run and practice on the rocky terrain. The cries of commands and the thuds of the training weapons striking the shields began to echo in the courtyard.

Elion turned away. He knew the process would be brutal. Many would not hold out. But those who would survive would form the nucleus of the future army of the kingdom.

Later in the day

Elion joined the council chamber, where several representatives of Sky's minor noble houses were waiting for him. These nobles, once arrogant and distant under his father's rule, were now tense and suspicious of his new authority.

He sat at the end of the table, his cold gaze running through the room.

"Speak."

The first to come forward was Lord Elrik, a middle-aged man with a stress-ridden face.

"Majesty, agricultural reforms come at a cost." Our lands are not producing enough to support an increase in military charge. If you continue down this path, the people will suffer."

Elion stared at him without blinking.

"The people need security as well as food." When our harvests increase, thanks to the mana amplification towers, we will have enough to feed the whole kingdom."

Another nobleman, a younger man named Lord Valrin, intervened.

"It will take time." What if our neighbors decide to attack before these reforms bear fruit?

"Then we will respond by force."

Valrin scowled.

"With which army?" We are weak in the face of the kingdom of Thorn or the kingdom of Velia. A frontal attack would be suicide."

Elion leaned slightly forward, an icy smile appearing on his face.

"Do you think I'm going to face them on their terms?"

A tense silence set in.

"No, we're going to force them to play by our rules." We will exploit their arrogance, their confidence in numerical and magical superiority. Asymmetric warfare. Quick strikes. Ambushes. And once they are disorganized, we will strike directly at the heart."

Elrik opened his mouth, but Elion raised a hand.

"Brude force is not enough. Strategy will decide this war. And I alone will decide this strategy."

A cold roamed the room. The nobles looked at each other, some nervous, others fascinated by the icy confidence he exuded.

"If you doubt my plan, you can withdraw." But if you stay, you will follow my orders without hesitation."

Elrik exchanged a restless look with Valrin before bowing slowly.

"We will follow you, Your Majesty."

Elion watched them retreat from the room, letting silence reign behind them. Veyla appeared in the shadow of the door, arms folded.

"They're afraid of you," she said.

"They should."

"What if they start plotting?"

"They won't dare. Not as long as I hold the key to their survival."

Veyla stared at him for a long time before nodding her head.

"What next? Once the kingdom is stabilized?"

Elion stood up, his dark gaze directed towards the map of the kingdom hanging on the wall.

"Then we'll look beyond Sky's borders." It is not enough to survive in this world."

His smile widens, icy.

"We must dominate it."