This was a red brick house that Akai had selected to be his headquarters. The building was well-guarded as planned. The guards bowed down to Kinoya as he entered the house.
They knew the relationship between Kinoya and Akai. Adding Kinoya's temper and achievement, there were very few who would dare to disrespect him.
After the confirmation was received, Kinoya moved into the room. Vaicus was present along with Akai, and there were two more that Kinoya had never seen before.
"Come here, Kinoya." Somewhere in the royal blue aura of Akai, Kinoya could see a tinge of red blood.
'Blood red on the edge? A negative emotion, huh? Sensing self-pity in Akai's voice could only sigh,' What are you worried about? '
Soon the blood-red was replaced by the proud violet with Akai's words, "This is my son, I was talking about it."
Both men took another look before a smile broke out on their lips.
"Congratulations to the general for finding such a frightening son."
"Now you don't have to worry about the future of your house."
Listening to the complement, Akai could stop smiling. Only Kinoya wasn't sure of their intention, "You know who I am?"
"The youngest major of Godola's front, the mad slaughter that fights against Cantela, and ..." where one stopped with a smile, the other added, "The blind devil of the red army.
"However, I don't think my achievement is ear-smoothing and it shouldn't be compared with my father's achievement."
"Little general." The man waited a moment before adding, "Death, blood and fear are the only achievements that a soldier could earn on a battlefield."
"The reputation of a captain to precede the accomplishment of a cardinal general is nothing to be laughed at."
'They're everywhere, whether it was the earth or here in Aborion. Salesman, huh?' Kinoya smiled, "It looks like my reputation is well spread."
Although he was unsure whether or not Kinoya could see, he still smiled like a businessman, "The little general may not know, but he is quite famous on both sides of the border."
"It would be better to use 'notorious' than famous."
"It depends on one who is thinking about it."
"He might be blind but nothing escapes his perception," Akai said with a smile. "They're the guy we're doing business with."
The tinge of blood-red aura reappeared. Kinoya couldn't help but laugh seeing the old man's uneasiness. "Don't worry father, I'm not infantile enough to throw a tantrum at the most obvious. It is expected to occur during the battle. I know that I can not save everything. Yet ..."
Kinoya turned to the other two, "I don't know who had employed such a weak-willed mercenary, but we had a deal involving two slaves. It was sad that things didn't go well and I had sort of wasted him. I'm ready to compensate the two slaves and the mercenary.
Kinoya was all smiles, but both dealers broke into a cold sweat while looking at it. They have been trading with a lot of people, but General Akai wasn't the one they could tread lightly.
The child in front of them may not be the most intimidating one they've ever met, yet every cold sweat on their body cried out not to mess with him.
They thought the rumours of the devil they had heard about might have been an exaggeration. However, after meeting the child they thought it might be true. Little did they realize, after seeing the mercenary's corpse, such thoughts would shift again.
"Little general, don't worry about that. No matter whose people they are, we're going to take care of it. Let it be the start of a long-lasting business relationship.
Shifting to Akai, he added, "General, we're going to take leave for now. We'll talk to you later." Akai just nodded as Vaicus led them out of the room, leaving only Kinoya and Akai behind.
Even though Kinoya had said those words, Akai was still a bit hesitant. Kinoya was known for defending people but ...
"Don't worry father, I'm not that short-sighted." Akai couldn't help but look at him again, "I can't save them all even though I wanted to. And I don't have any intention, either."
"We've got to do it. Even if they are civilians, they are still rivals. Holding them inside the city would not be rational, in the event of an enemy siege. On top of that, there could be another probability of attempted assassination. But most of all without selling them, the army might not have enough food to feed themselves."
'Yes, that's what I want to say.' Akai nodded. He was glad when he heard these words from the lips of Kinoya.
"Father, I want something." Akai could help but smile, even though the child in front of him called him father, he had never come to ask for something.
He had refused anything else but the military ration given to his troops, even though he was outside the city. He was able to last for a whole month, even with 150 people under him.
"Tell me what you want."
"I want a magic orb which can read stats and skills."
"Why do you want to buy it? "Akai was a little surprised about that.
"No, I just want to hire a few. According to the edict, there will be a year of relaxation before going into the war again. The suspension will be over around then.
"Do you think there will be any good seedlings who will be willing to join the suspended troop? And you can't hold the recruitment before the recruitment of the main army has finished. So the people you will get..."
"Are the rejected ones."
The straight face of Kinoya shocked Akai for a moment. "You're sure of it? What are you going to get? Criminal? People with insufficient stats? If you want, I can send you a few.
"No that is not going to happen. For me, criminal records are off-limits but low stats aren't going to be a problem. Anyone with any other options would not be able to carry on my training. Stat can be increased, but the mentality of working hard can't be. "Kinoya smiled," I don't want to make any problems for you. Don't worry, my army is going to be strongest."
"Ho, man! That's a pretty good argument. Even the Moon General may not be able to say it out in the open."
"I am not the Moon General, but I have my trust. "Looking at the serious face of Kinoya Akai could not have laughed.
"Is there anything else I can do?"
"Can you give me horses?"That's one of the key causes of his visit. But creases formed on Akai's forehead hearing the request.
"How many do you want?"
"100 will be enough."
"That might be a problem."
Kinoya knew that something like this could happen. Horses are an important resource that's hard to find. And a good warhorse will be harder to find. The issue of finding 100 may be an enormous challenge.
Kinoya was prepared, "I don't need war horses, even draft horses will do. On that point, 100 draft horses will be better."
'Draft horse? Those are good to drag a carriage.' Akai wasn't expecting such a response. "I thought you were going to train a cavalry unit."
He was further surprised by Kinoya's nod. Akai could not think of a reason why he would need so many draft horses. "Draft horses may be easier to train, but it's harder to ride. It has stamina, but it does not have the agility of a good warhorse."
"As you had said, It will be hard to get 100 good war horses. Even if they are hard to ride, the draft will be a good choice for training. We can get better horses later."
'Using a draft horse to train soldiers?' Akai couldn't remember anyone else who had used this tactic. 'Then again when did he have done anything by logic.'
"That could be done. Do you want anything else?"
"There is one more thing."
"Now you are acting like my son." Akai was quite happy that Kinoya was asking for the things he wanted without hesitation. Now he was relieved.
"You were the want who wanted me to be your son, and if you want to be my father then you have to cope up with my necessity." Kinoya gave a mischievous smile. With the happy yellow aura Akai was releasing, Kinoya had no way to misunderstand him.
"I am really happy that you are asking." Akai gave a warm smile seeing Kinoya's embarrassed look, "What do you want?"
"I want a merchant. I want to buy something."
"Alright, I'm going to send you someone from the trading company, Golden Arm. They are from the capital. No matter what you want, they can give you as long as you pay the right price. You got the money?"
"Don't worry about it. I have quite a lot."
"If you need more, just ask." Throughout his over 50 years of service, he had earned more than he could count.
His wife didn't spend much and continued to live a simple life until her death. His first daughter was married to a noble, the second one was to a magic knight. His little one is a mage and rarely comes home.
The money he had accumulated over half a century was enough to buy him a town. And he doesn't think Kinoya will order something absurd enough to cost his entire fortune.
"Don't worry, I have the money, what I don't have is the connection."
He nodded, "Before you go, you should take a look at the stable, I have a surprise for you."
*Gong* Gong*
Kinoya wasn't even able to nod when the bells all over the city continued to scream.
"What? An enemy attack?" Akai was dumbfounded. It was something that he had never expected, but what was more surprising was the smile on Kinoya's face.
"Better late than never."