Tristan now had a total of 9 major city-states, 16 smaller city-states not to mention the 23 settlements that had come forward to join the coalition.
There were still over 20 other settlements and warlord controlled areas all around, and several other barbarian camps. The small settlements and villages served as breeding grounds for bandits and other malcontents in the society.
Security in the cities was handled by city guards. They were employed to maintain the peace and arrest the occasional trouble-makers. The law was not a primary concern, but in cases of things such as curfew or major events, they were in charge of maintaining peace and order.
The King's guard unit was in charge of managing security for the royalty and the palace in general. In times of war, they would serve as the elite force, but since these were peace times, there was nothing elite about them. They were chosen based on status, not strength.
The various lords and ladies all had security guards working under them, to protect their holdings and enforce their authority in their lands.
Since there was no standing army, conscription would be done when there was a need. That meant that most soldiers did not even know what they were doing. When facing elite Gumina forces, the Guminates had wiped the floor with them.
The first order of business, according to Barda, was getting some structure to the military. That way, there could be career-warriors, not just temporary conscriptions.
Barda felt that he would best structure the military into 2 main categories, that is, the defense force and the police force.
With these jurisdictions clear, there would also be clarity of mission. The defense force mandate was to protect the Kingdom from its enemies, while the police force was to maintain law and order.
The previous system allowed for a lot of cracks. Many of the city guards were in bed with many local mafias. Without people to maintain security and provide justice, it was not uncommon for fiefdoms to form around strong influential people.
In most cases, these minor chiefs and heads would be good guys, but sometimes, a criminal would rise to the ranks. Without any form of oversite, the people would be under their mercy. This sort of uncertainty was what Barda did not want in his newly formed Kingdom.
In many other settlements, away from the cities, there was no such thing as city guards. Warlords and bandits would then rule with an iron fist, dictating terms of peaceful coexistence.
The Police force was split into 2 categories. The first was the Kingdom Police Force who had the mandate to operate across the entire kingdom. The other was the City Police Force or Regional Police Force. They would operate within the regions demarcated.
Having never experienced such a thing, when those gathered heard the announcement, they couldn't help marveling at the novelty of the idea. It was ingenious but also so basic.
Thinking about it after the fact, the simplicity of this idea made it even more ingenious. Of course, the true test would come in its delivery.
City guards had been there to keep the peace, but the police would serve and protect the people, maintaining the law and order in the kingdom.
Their mandate would be higher, but so would their authority. The guards never had to do any investigations, not even handling civil disputes. Their focus was any violence that escalated to the point that it disturbed the peace. They could also take out dangerous criminals, but those are already known.
The concept of justice was still very strange in these lands. Even though no real justice exists, Barda could bring something close to it.
The defense forces would not get to be divided across the city and regional lines. Instead, they were divided into the 3 main military divisions depending on where the war is at. That is the Air Force(Air), the Army(Land), and the Navy(Sea).
So far, the least developed forces were the navy, but Barda had plenty of plans for them. The air force was very advanced at this point, but they were still a lot more work to be done.
A paramilitary force was forced which was neither defense nor police but set apart from these two. Though they were under the Queen's rule, these guards were placed under the command of the regional leaders they were under. He then christened this new force the Kingdom Guard Force.
"Every force, every unit, every army needs capable leaders to spearhead new developments. You are all gathered here because that is what you are. You have proven yourself in battle both to your men and your Kingdom.
Given the magnitude of responsibility that will land on your shoulders, you will all have to choose where you fee you are better qualified.
Let's be honest. The leaders can have their meetings, but as warriors, we all know they would not have anything if it was not for us," This elicited some chuckles and a few grunts of approval.
We come together, and the Kingdom will unite. As commanders, we will no longer see each other as Reuzeans, Retoans, or Fulans first, but as Tristanites, not just citizens of Tristan the city, but members of the Kingdom of Tristan.
I know this is a big decision, so go home, kiss the wife, hug the kids. Tomorrow, come back with your decision. Only then can I begin Dismissed."
After Barda's speech, the gathered men were free to leave. As they did, many analyzed the pros and cons of this new formation. They also took the time to think where they would fit in all this.
***
If you haven't guessed by now, Manga had an overbearing aura of manliness. His gait, his walk, his voice, even his very manly face all spoke to this. He had a natural charisma that made people want to follow him or clear a path for him.
Moreover, he had gained the respect of not just the city he served, but the entire Kingdom spoke of his deeds. He was hailed as a hero everywhere he went.
Considering he hailed from a smaller city, Retoa, it made his achievement all the more dazzling and brought the small city to the limelight. This only enhanced his profile, especially in the city.
Even though he had yet to go back home to the city, his King had already appointed him as head of his guards, a similar position to what Barda had in Tristan. All that would soon change, but that just went to show how deeply honored the man was.
He did not take the decision lightly and it took a lot of soul-searching, but the next morning, he found himself in the Lord Commander's Chamber with a decision made.
"I want to serve in the Regional Police Force," Manga stated resolutely.
Manga was not born from riches but was a son of a weaver. As such, he had grown up without much protection and shelter, and he knew first hand how destructive the inequalities could be.
For the most part, Manga could not see a way out. It was just one of those things that he had to accept as his reality. However, as Barda was explaining the work and the purpose of the police service, it resonated with him completely.
He had grown up to be a strong man in his community. As it always was, the strong bore the responsibility for the weaker members in the society. He would probably have grown to become a community head and a pillar, looking out for his people.
He didn't say any of this out loud, but Barda could see it on his face. Like he needed another reason to seem hero-like.
"I can tell just by looking at you that you will make a great fuzz, sorry, Police Officer, but does it have to be regional?" Barda asked. He had big plans for such a man. He did not see the point of letting such talent waste away in some small city.
"Sir?" Manga asked in shock.
"If you decide to become a Kingdom Police Force, I will name you the Kingdom Police Commissioner right here right now. Making you the head of the entire Police Force, both Regional and Kingdom Police. What sat you, Lord Manga?"
For this project, Barda needed motivated hot young blood. Also, having someone who could command respect across the entire Kingdom was not a bad idea at all.
Manga's face drained of color as he looked at his commander in shock. A lot of emotions bombarded each other. The man had simply not been ambitious enough. He needed to broaden his horizons, that's for sure.
However, to be in such a position. Wouldn't that be like the crowning moment of his life? How could he say no to that?
"I accept, My Lord," Manga answered, instantly making his judgment. As he walked out, a smile grew to become a grin that transformed into pearls of laughter. There was nothing funny, just overflow of joy. Never had he thought he would rise to become what he was now.