Chapter 34: Military Expansion

The military meeting commenced. Nareth first listened to a briefing. Bukayo gave Szczesny the opportunity to speak.

"My King…"

Szczesny nervously looked up, meeting Nareth's pitch-black eyes. His mind instantly went blank.

He froze for several seconds until Bukayo nudged him from the side, reminding him of the advice he had given on the way there.

"Look at our lord's feet."

Szczesny quickly lowered his head and instinctively changed his way of addressing Nareth, following Bukayo's lead.

"My Lord, the Seventh Company has taken control of the Piszczek. The crew has sworn their allegiance to you."

"The frigate is in good condition and ready to set sail at any time."

"Well done."

Hearing Nareth's words, Szczesny breathed a sigh of relief. He still didn't understand why the company captain wasn't giving the report, why he, a mere squad leader, had been chosen instead.

"My lord, the defensive perimeter around the Spire Tower has been mostly completed," Roslov reported, still using his preferred form of address, though to him, Nareth was nothing short of a deity.

"Additionally, out of the surviving prisoners, 4,806 believe that you, who defeated the Mad King, are the true representative of Omnissiah. They wish to swear allegiance to you."

Thierry noticed that all eyes were on him.

"My lord, I believe their loyalty is sincere."

"Puhachi ruled this army by cultivating a personality cult, claiming his perfect physique proved he was the emissary of Omnissiah."

"His private army, indoctrinated for years, truly believed in his lies. But now, you've slain the Mad King right before their eyes, shattering their faith."

Thierry was still deeply shaken by what he had witnessed.

"Thus, they naturally now see you as the embodiment of the image Puhachi had constructed."

Nareth nodded, immediately revising his plans for military expansion in his mind.

Ten seconds later, he spoke.

"I accept their allegiance. Roslov, immediately select soldiers to replenish the First Regiment ranks."

"Thierry, you will use the personnel from the Vieira family as a foundation and recruit from the surrendered troops to form the Second Regiment, following the First Regiment's structure."

"Bukayo, you will be responsible for forming the Third Regiment. You may select from the surrendered troops or recruit independently."

Nareth granted Bukayo greater freedom, given that the young man's physique was still within the normal human range. The "Sleepless" did not have the sheer physical power of the "Warrior," so forming his own regiment would be a more specialized task.

"As you command, my Lord."

"Szczesny, you will form the Fourth Regiment. Your squad and the remaining prisoners will serve as your foundation. For any shortages, you may recruit independently. Any objections?"

Among everyone present, Szczesny had the least combat merit. Nareth left him with the leftover troops, this would be his final test. If Szczesny dared not accept the task, Nareth would simply demote him back to squad leader.

Szczesny was stunned. He hadn't expected to be promoted directly from squad leader to a regiment commander.

Though surprised, this time he didn't raise his head or freeze up.

"My Lord, since you place your trust in me, I will not disappoint you."

"Szczesny, no need to feel nervous. I won't be selecting from the prisoners, they're all yours."

Seeing that Bukayo had his own plan, Nareth accepted their division of labor. After some thought, he said:

"In that case, the remaining prisoners will be sent back to Tizca. Instruct Howard to form the Fifth Regiment."

 At full strength, the five regiments would comprise 12,500 soldiers. Factoring in commanders and future armored vehicle reinforcements, the logistics would be a burden. But with control over Tizca and Lukevo, Nareth could afford it financially.

Not to mention, he still planned to conquer two more hive cities. If not for the lack of capable personnel, he could raise five to ten more regiments without issue.

'The lack of talent is still a problem.'

At this thought, Nareth recalled the two doses of the "Savant" potion he could prepare. He looked at Thierry.

"Do you have any technically skilled personnel under your command?"

"My lord, I have a technical team of thirty-seven members. Among them, only Wojciech Bielik can truly be considered a technical expert."

He pulled out a datapad and showed Nareth the personnel file.

"The Bielik has been a lineage of craftsmen for generations. Wojciech grew up working with machines."

"He developed the method for awakening the machine spirit of the maglev train and taught it to others."

"I need his services."

Nareth decided to keep the man close and observe him. If his ability and loyalty met the minimum standards, he'd be made into a "Savant."

"To serve you would be his honor."

Thierry gladly offered up his most capable technician. "I'll send word for him to report to you at once."

Nareth's gaze swept across the four regiment commanders.

"All your regiments will undergo swimming training, especially the Fourth Regiment."

Szczesny gave a wry smile and obeyed along with the others, thinking bitterly to himself:

'Is my lord deliberately picking on me? He must know I can't swim.'

Moments later, a middle-aged man with short brown hair and a red-and-white uniform walked briskly into the palace and solemnly saluted.

"My King."

"Lord Thierry, my lords. Wojciech Bielik greets you all."

"I hear you're a technician. I have two tasks for you: one is to repair the crack in my halberd, the other is to develop waterproof weaponry."

Nareth gave him trial tasks to test his ability.

"Understood, my lord."

"Szczesny, stay. The rest of you are dismissed."

Since Thierry's loyalty still needed further testing, Nareth decided to begin training Szczesny as a Beyonder first.

Once the others had left, Nareth looked at Szczesny.

"You seem stressed."

"Your insight is keen, my Lord. Everything else is fine, but I truly have no talent for swimming."

Nareth casually picked up a book from the table and handed it to him.

"Go read this in the side hall and wait for my call."

"Yes, my lord."

Upon receiving the book, Szczesny discovered it wasn't military theory as he had expected, but a book on rhetoric.

With no choice, he went to the side hall. Although he came from a better background than those from the lower hives and had received a basic education at the Omnissiah's altar, rhetoric was a field only nobles, arbiters, and baristers studied. He had no foundation at all.

Szczesny felt that today was both the luckiest and most frustrating day of his entire work cycle. Still, once seated in the leather chair, he immediately dove into the book.

While he wrestled with rhetorical concepts, Nareth's voice called to him.

Szczesny picked up the book and quickly entered the palace.

Ten meters away from Nareth, he stopped. But the giant strode directly toward him.

He saw Nareth's left hand extend a bottle toward him, blue gel-like fluid, as vast as the sea.

"Drink it."

Without hesitation, Szczesny took it and drank it all in one go.

Half a standard hour later, under Nareth's guidance, Szczesny mastered both meditation and spirit vision.

"Thank you for your divine gift, my Lord."

The "Sailor" said with great emotion, ever more convinced that Nareth was a true god.

"Still worried about swimming?"

"My lord, the sea is my home now. I want to dive in right this moment!"

"The opportunity will come soon."