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Chapter 6: Recruitment orderNotes:

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(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Chapter 6

She researched these "Divine Protections" before dinner and found out that they were basically another separate magic system; only more specific and not attainable by those born without one. At first the name tripped her off, but she quickly understood that these came most likely not from Being X, because they did not require the bearer to pray or worship anything in return. That bastard would never be so generous.

Dinner was delicious as expected although good food no longer had the awe-inspiring effect on her it previously caused. After wiping her mouth while thinking of her plans for the near future she decided to ask Reinhard a few questions.

"As an expert in swordsmanship would you be able to select a fitting blade for me? While I am on a mission tomorrow would be a good time so that I have at least three days to get comfortable with the blade."

"Of course I can Milady. But... allow me the question; do you honestly expect a fight to break out at the royal selection?"

Oh, he was catching on quite nicely.

"Not Necessarily. But it seems very likely. If not at the royal selection then shortly thereafter."

Her knight seemed distraught by the idea so she decided to cheer him up.

"Don´t worry Reinhard. I will not let it escalate into a civil war or anything close to that."

´Yet´ was left unsaid by her. She totally missed the expression of horror that flashed through his eyes.

"Ah, and before I forget, do you have a problem with me using your appearance for tomorrow? I would like not to be seen or recognized by possible agents of the other candidates."

"I am afraid I don't understand Milady. Can you change your form at will?"

"No, but I can create illusions."

She produced an optical formula that layered itself over the table and painted it at first blood red and then changed into a holographic depiction of Lugnica´s topography. It was extremely simple and required barely any attention to execute, but to Reinhard it looked stunning.

"I cannot say that I like the idea of anyone impersonating me, but if it assures my Lady´s safety then I have no qualms about it."

"Wonderful. And lastly; as a knight of this city do you have any knowledge about why the people there are so poor that the area is only called ´the slums´? Did a war happen recently or a famine perhaps? Any information could be invaluable."

"The witch cult is the reason for many, I believe. They attack countless smaller villages and settlements causing many people into flee to the capital for safety. Due to the loss of their possessions they often don't have enough money to build themselves a new life here. A terribly tragic affair."

"Yes, very unfortunate."

They had already experienced loss and hardship. That meant that these people were hardened by life and probably really desperate... very desirable aspects in fresh recruits. Breaking them in would be fun. Only the thought was enough to bring a small smile to her face. She hadn't really trained anybody in years!

To make sure her information was correct she left the Astrea estate in the early morning and made her way over to the slums. They indeed looked terrible compared to the clean and lively streets of the city centre, but she had seen far worse. Arene for example. At least after she had been finished with it.

There she asked some loitering thugs and even homeless people why they had come to this part of the city and patiently listened to their life stories. Some needed a bit more convincing in form of one or two small bottles of cheap booze that she had bought in bulk for exactly this reason. To not arouse any suspicion later she changed her illusionary disguise every time. From children to adults Tanya used every face that she could remember from her walk through the city earlier.

When she had heard enough she went back to a dilapidated shack where she had stored the materials needed for the next step of her plan. To gather a crowd she had bought a few baskets of fruits and bread. Using a voice manipulation formula and a sound amplification formula in tandem she went around the streets and screamed:

"Free food at the abandoned brewery! An announcement is being made! Free food at the abandoned brewery! Bread for all who want it!"

She made her way around a few blocks and repeated her message over and over until she was sure even the most drunken of lowlifes had heard her call. Then she made haste to the described place and took on Reinhard´s appearance. He was a well respected figure in Lugnica so she hoped his face would bring the people to trust her more easily.

Soon a sizable crowd gathered around her makeshift podium made from a few barrels and a plank. Many of the humans and demi-humans present looked malnourished and all had the same beaten down expression on their faces. It looked as if all hope had been sucked out of them.

Normally ordinary mercenaries would be better for the tasks she envisioned, but needed loyalty above all else. Mercs were professional veterans, but they could also be bought and they would rat out her secrets without problem to the highest bidder. They also were naturally well known and could be easily identified which was not what she wanted.

Poor, homeless, futureless peasants on the contrary were far more malleable and could be perfectly trained to fulfil exactly the jobs she gave them. Nobody would look even twice at them when they walked through the streets and for nobles they would be entirely beneath their notice; practically invisible in the buzzing chaos of the city.

Now it was time to catch some new recruits.

"Good Citizens! You all have been abandoned by society. Your hopes of a better life in the capital have been crushed and your fellow humans and demi-humans have left you here to rot away in shame and misery. The nobles, they speak of honour and bravery, but where is honour and bravery in letting innocents suffer like this is ask? Where are they with their lofty promises and overflowing money bags?"

Some huffed in agreement others spit on the ground in disgust.

"They all never gave you a chance. They never believed in you and they never trusted you. To them you are less than dirt! It is not fair that you could never show what you are truly worth. All your hidden talents and obvious strengths. They never took interest in you."

Approving murmurs spread through the crowd.

"But not me! What would you say if I had an offer for all of you? Of an honest job with good pay and incredible benefits? I believe in you, because I know that you are not the same as these arrogant fools behind their walls of stone and wealth. I will give you a chance to show them all how amazing you can be! That you will not be forgotten, because of your race or your heritage or the place where you live."

A few nodded ecstatically while other cheered loudly.

"Every man or woman above the age of fifteen in my employment will receive ten silver coins per month. You will be able to quit at any time and I will not punish you for it. In case you are injured I will pay for your full treatment by some of Lugnica´s best healers. Should you lose your life in an accident then your families will receive compensation in form of one hundred silver coins. All the equipment and training will be paid for by me and you will also be able to live in rent-free houses that put these here to shame."

A look of amazement appeared on many faces.

"All of that and more can be yours with no caveats attached if you accept my offer. What do I want for that? Your loyalty. Your secrecy. Your trust. I want you to follow my command and to not question my orders. You are going to protect what is rightfully mine and slay my enemies that want to ruin our country. You are going to unearth terrible secrets and expose scandalous plots."

Now came the real catch. If she told them about the dangers then many would only want it more to prove themselves. And it weeded out all the cowards among the crowd as a nice bonus.

"It is not going to be easy! You will face brutal training that will polish your skills to the maximum potential. I will personally mould you into Lugnica´s most fearsome warriors and most clever spies. This will come with pain and exhaustion. You will cry and bleed and collapse in fatigue, but it will be worth it in end, I promise you! This job is not for the weak or the foolish. Only the best of the best will prevail."

She saw it in some of their faces that they were hooked, drunk on hope and desperation. Perfect time to seize her prey.

"Now I give you a choice. Will you take this one opportunity that some of you have been waiting their whole life for... or will you stay here and continue you life in the slums? All who want to come with me step forward now!"

Three dozen people came immediately up to her. It was time for the inspection.

"Thank you for participating. Now, do any of you know how to fight with a weapon?"

Half of them raised their hand. Very good.

"Have any of you experience with magic?"

Only one girl hesitantly held up her hand.

Another volley of questions followed.

"Do you have closely related family?"

"Do you have any long lasting injuries or terminal diseases?"

"Can you remain cool at the sight of blood?"

And lastly: "Are you really willing to undergo the most exhausting training you have ever experienced? Because in the next few weeks you are going to wish that you had never been born. It will be worth it, but it will also feel horrible. No weak or fragile people can withstand my education."

Indirectly calling everybody who dropped out a coward was a good method to scare them into obedience.

All except two boys (who wouldn't have made the cut either way) nodded their heads.

"If you have any remaining belongings then gather them now and inform your friends of your decision. Meet me in exactly one hour here and I will show you your new accommodations. Whoever arrives too late will be left behind."

Tanya was not a sentimental person. Quite the opposite in fact. But in this moment she felt that she simply had to honour her past and with that her former comrades and friends. Even if it was mostly an inside joke the idea was too funny to pass up. So she let a bone-chilling smile creep onto her face and spoke in her sweetest voice:

"I welcome you to the pits of hell my 204th battalion."

Notes:

"dazai_osamu27" your wish has been granted.

Who do you all think Tanya should make an alliance with?

Crusch? Emilia? Anastasia? Priscilla? Haha Who am I kidding. I hate Priscilla.