Chapter 87 - restructured training

Once John had finished his speech/scolding session, Friedrich approached him as instructed. John handed him a stack of papers containing the names of each member for each attache, along with their assigned responsibilities.

"Sir, will this be okay? Having different attache's with different purposes, won't that cause issues in the long run?" Friedrich inquired, studying the plans that outlined the division: one heavy cavalry unit, one light cavalry unit, one flying cavalry unit, one mounted archer unit, and one mounted mage unit. These divisions were carefully crafted by John, who had meticulously sought out talented individuals from across the grand duchy.

"Why do you think my entire unit is entirely mobile?" John responded with a smirk, his confidence shining through. He noticed the guard opening the door to the training hall.

"THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE ARMY HAS ARRIVED," the guard announced, saluting as the grand duke entered the training ground. The soldiers, who had been discussing the training the grand duke would impose on them, swiftly formed neat rows in front of the wooden podium where John stood.

"ATTENTION, SALUTE!" Friedrich assumed his position and issued the commands, prompting all the soldiers to offer a synchronized salute.

As Dante returned the salute, he responded with a smile and said, "At ease."

"YES, SIR."

THUMP

The synchronized sound of the soldiers' feet hitting the ground resonated throughout the training field, eliciting a sense of pride in John. The rigorous basics that he had instilled in his troops were finally taking hold.

"I don't understand what you were complaining about. Your soldiers are moving in perfect synchronization," Dante remarked, wearing a curious and puzzled expression.

"Oh, you haven't seen anything yet, sir. Let's get the training started, and afterward, you'll understand why I had such a despondent look on my face," John replied with a touch of sarcasm, his annoyance evident.

"Alright, then. Let's get started," Dante agreed, focusing his attention on John, who took command of his soldiers.

"ATTENTION!" John bellowed, and in response, all the troops stood upright, their hands firmly at their sides.

"We will now begin basic training, starting with running. Everyone, march to the track!"

The soldiers briskly moved toward the designated area, their footsteps resounding as they formed orderly lines. John, with a commanding presence, guided them through warm-up exercises, preparing their bodies for the upcoming physical exertion. They stretched their muscles, loosening their limbs and ensuring they were ready for the challenges ahead.

"Alright, troops! On your marks, get set, go!" John shouted, signaling the start of the running drill. The soldiers burst into action, their feet pounding against the ground as they sprinted forward. The sound of their rapid footsteps filled the air, accompanied by the rhythm of their controlled breathing.

As they pushed their limits, sweat began to trickle down their faces, displaying the intensity of their efforts. John watched closely, assessing their form, encouraging them to maintain their pace and persevere through the physical strain. His voice carried through the training field, offering guidance and motivation to his soldiers.

"Keep pushing! You've got this! Don't let up!" John's words resonated with determination and echoed in the soldiers' ears, fueling their resolve to give their all.

The training session continued, incorporating various drills and exercises to enhance the soldiers' stamina, strength, and agility. John pushed them to their limits, demanding their best while also ensuring their safety and well-being. He meticulously observed their movements, offering corrections and guidance to refine their technique.

As the basic training session drew to a close, the soldiers stood before John, their chests heaving and sweat-soaked uniforms clinging to their bodies.

"Great job, all of you! Now that we're done with basic training, we'll move on to beast training, and the grand duke here will be supervising you through it. But before that, you have a fifteen-minute break to drink water and change into riding gear," John said, announcing the break and the next phase of training.

"Wait, don't tell me you make them do all that training before you even start beast training?" Dante asked, his surprise evident.

"Yeah, and after beast training, we have weapons training. If we don't do all that, their stamina won't build, and they won't grow stronger. I only make them do this much because I know they can handle it. If you're worried that I'm overdoing it, rest assured, I won't allow them to fucking overexert themselves," John replied with a slight laugh.

"I see. If you're aware of that, then it's all okay with me. Let's go look at the beasts that you selected. By the way, you haven't made a beast contract yet, have you? How are you managing your beasts then?" Dante asked as he walked with John to the stables, a surprised look on his face.

"Uncle, I realized something after getting to meet these beasts a few times. Unlike monsters, these guys are fairly smart and possess a great deal of intelligence. So, I wondered if, like regular animals, one could eventually tame them," John explained, causing Dante's ears to perk up as they entered the shed. The various beasts inside started making loud noises as soon as they noticed someone had entered their home.

"Silence," John muttered as he exuded only the slightest bit of mana, causing all the animals in the shed to immediately shut up.

'Of course, I can't tell him that my mana core, being like a dragon's heart, exudes dragon fear that lets me control these fuckers. ' John thought to himself while continuing to look at Dante with an innocent smile on his face. Given the context, it seemed quite intimidating to Dante for a second.