The morning sun gently nudged me awake, its warm rays filtering through the fabric of the tent. I groggily blinked, realizing I should have closed the tent flap the night before. As I glanced around, my eyes landed on the watch hanging on the wall, its sticks pointing the time.
8 o'clock... bloody hell, it's too early. I yearned for a bit more rest...
Deciding it was still too soon to engage in any real activities, I closed the tent flap, shutting out the sunlight, and cocooned myself back within the cozy embrace of my blue blankets.
Just as I was on the brink of drifting back into the realm of dreams, Baalkaroth, that bastard , had other plans for my morning.
"Human, stop wasting away your time in slumber. There are countless ways you could be training or doing something useful for both your future and mine," he urged, his voice a persistent hum in the quiet morning air.
I groaned, not entirely thrilled with the interruption. I rolled over, my face buried in the embrace of my blue blankets, shielding my eyes from the morning light. "What good is a life solely dedicated to strength? Real happiness comes from appreciating the little things, and right now, sleep is the little joy that makes me the happiest."
"I've been bored out of my mind for the last eight hours. I need some entertainment. Get up and do something. I can't bear to stare at these dry walls any longer; I'm going crazy," Baalkaroth complained, the impatience evident in his tone.
I sighed, feeling the softness of the pillow against my face. "Not my problem. Shut up and let me sleep." The fabric of the tent rustled slightly as I shifted, attempting to retreat back into the blissful embrace of slumber.
...Seems like I've convinced Baalkaroth to let me sleep a bit longer, very well let's return to our sleeping
-knock-knock-
Bloody hell, can't a man have his sleep?
''WHO IS IT AT THIS TIME IN THE MORNING?'' I shouted, my voice carrying the annoyance of being woken up.
''It's me, young master,'' a somewhat senile voice responded. It was Rox, the old servant. ''Do you need anything, Rox? Don't you know I hate being woken up in the mornin'... at this hour, nonetheless?''
''I apologize, young master, but your father demands your presence in the garden,'' Rox explained, his words carrying a sense of urgency.
I sighed, reluctantly untangling myself from the warmth of my blankets. ''Fine, fine. I'm on my way.'' The tent of the blankets rustled as I got up, cursing under my breath about the ungodly hours of the morning.
''Rox, do you have any idea why Father summoned me so early?'' I inquired.
The old servant shook his head. ''I'm afraid I don't, young master. Your father just mentioned he needed to discuss something important with you. He's assembled the forces and is currently overseeing some drilling exercises.''
''Drilling exercises? At this hour?'' I muttered, perplexed by the unusual timing of such activities. Nonetheless, I quickened my pace, determined to get to the bottom of the matter.
After dressing myself hastily, I made my way toward the garden. The cool morning breeze brushed against my face, providing a refreshing sensation as I strolled through the estate. However, a realization struck me—I hadn't had anything to eat.
''Bloody hell,'' I muttered under my breath. The prospect of facing Father and whatever important discussion awaited me on an empty stomach was far from ideal.
I mean I just came back few days ago from a mission that saved the fucking county and kingdom, the least they could do to me is let me fucking sleep.
As I approached the garden, the sight of my father overseeing the drilling of the troops greeted me. The soldiers were forming a disciplined line, each equipped with a mana gun. The rhythmic sound of shots echoed through the air as they aimed and fired at dummies placed in the training area.
The soldiers efficiently used their shots, passing their rifles back as they received new ones, maintaining a seamless flow in their practice. Observing them, I couldn't help but wonder if this was truly how they would fight in a real battle. I made my way closer to Father, curious about the reason behind this early-morning military display.
I greeted my father with a half-hearted "Good morning," and he responded with a warm smile. "Good morning, Favian. I hope you had a restful night."
I grumbled, "Would've been more restful if I were allowed to sleep longer." I couldn't help but express my displeasure at being awakened so early
Father chuckled at my grumbling and pulled me into a warm hug. "Favian, my boy, you may not appreciate the early mornings, but the king has already sent his thanks for our timely discovery of the dungeon. We may have potentially averted a disaster for the entire kingdom."
I looked up at him, surprised. "The royal army is coming here?You already received an answer?"
He nodded, "Yes, and it's time we prepare for their arrival. Your role in this has not gone unnoticed, my son. We need to show them the hospitality befitting our standing."
''When will they arrive?'' I asked as I observed the troops drilling...how inefficient
''In two weeks''
Holy shit they fast!
"Two weeks?" I asked incredulously. It was astonishingly swift, as I had anticipated a longer timeline. The pace at which the royal forces were mobilizing caught me off guard, and I wondered how efficiently the other nobles were managing their preparations
Father chuckled and asked, "Like what you see, Favian?" His gaze followed mine as I observed the troops drilling.
I furrowed my brow, "Is this really how we fight in wars?" I couldn't help but question the effectiveness of such training methods in the face of the potential threats that lurked beyond our borders.
Father raised an eyebrow, responding, "It is. Discipline, coordination, and precision are vital on the battlefield. The drills ensure that our soldiers can act as a cohesive unit, following orders swiftly and accurately. Wars are not won solely by individual prowess; they are won by armies that can function seamlessly together."
I voiced my frustration, "I am not talking about that. Do we really have only a line of gunmen who shoot before the enemies reach them and then switch to hand-to-hand combat?'' With the weaponry I've seen in this world, I expected more strategic depth. A Napoleonic tactic, or even a Spanish tercio square, would have sufficed. Instead, it seems like they're fighting like chickens....
Father raised an eyebrow, intrigued by my suggestions. "And what do you suggest?"
I pointed to the troops, laying out my plan. "First and foremost, we should form three lines of men while shooting. Organize units based on their height. The first men in each line should kneel, with the second and third lines shooting. Their height will allow them to shoot with a clear line of sight. In this way, the rate of fire will be three times higher."
Father considered my proposal, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "But won't widening the lines make it easier for the enemy to breakthrough?"
I shook my head, explaining, "No need to widen the lines. Keep the formation compact. Just have the first men kneel, and the rest can shoot over them. It will increase our firepower without sacrificing defense."
I continued to elaborate on my suggestion, "And when they shoot, instead of staying still and waiting to be passed another rifle, they should step back and return to the formation. This way, the next three lines of men can shoot in succession without interruption."
Father observed me with a mix of surprise and curiosity. As I explained the tactical improvements, I couldn't help but wonder why the combat strategies in this world seemed so outdated..
I mean it would be normal if they would be staying still for a few decades, but mana gun has been introduced in warfare for like two centuries and they still fight through medieval tactics. Nonethrless think about the setting , It was probably caused by the lack of knowledge of the author of the novel....
Father considered my suggestions carefully before finally speaking
"We will try out these tactics and see if they work in the upcoming drills."
I nodded, satisfied with the prospect of testing more efficient strategies, which could only be a positive thing for the future that awaited me .
However, my curiosity still lingered
"Father, why did you summon me here?" I asked with a igh as hunger was talking its toll on me
"I thought it's time you get accustomed to the sounds of battle. You will be participating in the raid against the dungeon, and it's essential that you understand what lies ahead."
I was taken aback. Participate in the raid? Oh, hell no. I had no intention of stepping into that chaotic mess. The royals could handle their own fucking battles; I'd be safely drinking within the confines of my room, cheering for them from behind the protective walls. No way was I getting involved in that hell.