Chapter 34 – Training the Knights

I thought how the princess would wake up to find herself in my room next to two naked girls, it would be funny.

I know she'll try to take advantage of me with what happened before, but I already have a countermeasure. A princess masturbating in a nobleman's hallway isn't something you see every day.

My first destination was training camp. During the execution I asked Frederick to take the guards in the morning to the training grounds. It's the right time to improve your strength.

All guards are ridiculously weak with stats close to 10 points. They are ordinary people dressed as soldiers. I had to teach them training, training methods, etc. So, time was necessary. Today I would leave the guideline and Frederick would be in charge of executing the morning training.

The training ground was within the grounds of the mansion, though somewhat removed from it. When I arrived, I saw the city guards properly dressed in their leather armor and spears. The only ones different were Frederick and Lena who wore metal breastplates on their chests.

All the knights were in orderly rows while Frederick thoroughly reviewed their behaviors. Starting with a discipline exercise was fine.

Lena, on the other hand, stayed away from the fully signed formation. As my personal guard, she didn't need to be in that training.

-     Good morning.

Hearing my voice, everyone stopped and gave a military salute. Wanting to get this over with as quickly as possible, I said.

-     All of you. Their physical states are pathetic. During these days I was analyzing them in depth. So today and for the rest of the month we will focus on better their physiques.

All the guards, without exception, looked at me in bewilderment. For some reason everyone had a bad feeling.

-     Frederick, did you prepare what I asked for?

-     Yes! My lord!

Frederick walked over to a tarp that covered what appeared to be a mound of something. When the black cloth was discovered, several sacks filled with some materials were seen.

-     What you're seeing there are sandbags. Each weigh 50 kilograms. Your job is to circle the city 20 times before lunchtime. Whoever doesn't complete it will receive a reduction in their salary, and that includes the two of you.

I pointed out to Frederick and Lena who looked bewildered.

-     Yes, you. Now all of you will come to me and I will give you the bags.

One by one the guards approached. When I gave them the sacks they almost went to the floor. Their forces were pathetic, although there were some who were able to charge them without any problems. I took note of them and they all left the field.

As they were leaving the city, I went straight to the walls. I had to make sure these guys didn't die during training. As the date of departure for the arcane magic academy was approaching. Also, I had to achieve some level of independence in the city. So, I had to hire people who were capable in management and administration.

Until now Merlin was in charge of it, but now that he's gone, I can't take responsibility for everything.

The weapons training would be simple, I just had to make a commission to the adventurer's guild. As for the domestic affairs of the territory, it would be somewhat more difficult. I just don't have anyone to trust to leave you in charge of these matters.

While I was thinking about it, the soldiers had already gone through a lap without any problems. Some looked tired and others were too pale. I knew they were weak, but this is too much. Its endurance is almost exhausted with only one lap.

This training method wasn't even mine. This was the standard for the soldiers of the Diamond kingdom. If I used my physical training method, I knew they wouldn't last an hour.

I continued to stare at them in silence until the first guard who was already being straggled by the group collapsed into a swoon. I ran to him and carried him on my shoulder. After that I saw his status and wrote down his name on a piece of paper. Now his salary was reduced by 20 copper coins. The guards only earn 6 silver coins a month, which was a lot for a commoner who usually only earns 10 copper coins a day. In a month, a normal commoner would only earn about 3 silver coins. Taking 20 copper coins from him was the same as cutting off a day's work.

As this training will take place throughout the month it would be a good way to save money and discipline these useless ones.

After two more laps, two people fell. On the fifth lap a fainting fourth joined. With just the four of them fainting, I had already saved a lot.

By the tenth round, half of the soldiers were gone. Now there were only about 60 people left who continued to run. However, I could see faces that were already on their last efforts. At most, these guards will only last 2 more laps.

*Yawn

Bored by all this, I couldn't help but yawn. While they continue to run, I decided to log into the system.

-     Congratulations to the host for getting 10 silver coins.

Well, even though I didn't get a skill like last time, at least it was money. Speaking of which, I hadn't started the gacha yet.

The gacha was a kind of lottery meant for the players. Inside you could find skill orbs, character skins, and rare items.

Too bad the opportunities to make the porridge were hard to come by. To exchange a shot, one had to exchange them for elemental energy stones or beast cores until a bar was filled. As a bonus gift, the first draw was free.