Benedict stood confidently at the forefront of his army after receiving respectful greetings from his captains and lieutenants.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Unfortunately, due to the unexpected attack of those mysterious beings, we find ourselves facing a shortage of staff. The recent conflict resulted in the loss of numerous skilled officers and soldiers, but their brave actions successfully halted the enemy's advance and secured a triumph for our forces once more."
"I have three important announcements to share: firstly, injured individuals are encouraged to take some time off to fully recover; secondly, anyone with broken equipment should head over to the blacksmith area by the dock; and finally, due to a shortage of staff and the discovery of some skilled people, promotions to temporary ranks will be given."
As soon as the promotion notices were released, the quiet whispers quickly grew in volume. This rare chance was seen as a golden opportunity for individuals seeking to advance in their careers and experience authority.
Benedict used a loud voice to bring everyone to silence before announcing the names of those who would receive temporary promotions. Following a brief moment of silence, Benedict turned his gaze towards Kaylessa.
"Kaylessa, I am promoting you to lead a team of 50 men temporarily. Remember, if you misuse your authority, you will have to face a military tribunal."
Kaylessa was caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events, especially when she noticed a group of people in the crowd cheering for her. These were the same individuals who had fought alongside her the day before.
"Those that received their ranks go search for your own men that are willing to join you; you all have half a day to form your squads and go report to your unit captains; thats all demissed."
Kaylessa approached Ayaka, who shared a silent understanding; the unexpected situation would now require Kaylessa to recruit 50 men to form a team.
"Um, hey, do you happen to know where I can find 50 men? Actually, let's make it 49 because you're going to join me, right?"
Kaylessa looked at Ayaka with a pleading expression, confident that Ayaka would agree. Ayaka simply nodded in response, but before she could speak, the men from the eastern side approached Kaylessa.
"Oh, magnificent Valkirya, we humbly beseech thee to allow us the honor of accompanying you on your journey towards greatness!"
One man kneeled down and conveyed those words to Kaylessa while reaching his hand out towards her.
"I don't have any issues with it, but I only need 49 additional people because I already have my second-in-command, the lovely Ayaka."
Kaylessa spoke nonchalantly, while Ayaka's face turned as red as a ripe tomato.
Ayaka eventually selected the members of the team, anticipating that Kaylessa would be chosen at random. The squad led by Kaylessa was now prepared for action.
[Shield warriors]x10
[Infantry warriors]x20
[Archers]x12
[Mages]x7
[Ayaka]x1
"All right, everyone, you are free to go for now. Take care of your gear and gather supplies. We will meet back here in the afternoon. Make sure you're on time."
After uttering those remarks, the men paid their respects and went their separate ways. Then Ayaka reached out and took Ayaka's hand.
"Alright, Kay, it's time to fix your equipment; it seems to be very worn out."
Ayaka guided Kaylessa to the docks after speaking to her, in search of the blacksmith.
The harbor bustled with activity as it served as the main hub for supplying and reinforcing the frontlines. It was heavily protected by two entire armies and their generals, prepared for any situation that arose. Wagons filled with various supplies, such as minerals, food, and armor, constantly arrived at the dock.
Kay and Ay stood by the docking bay, pausing to admire the impressive armored ships that were anchored. Ayaka marveled at the incredible sight of the massive boats effortlessly floating on the water, while Kaylessa couldn't help but dream of owning one for herself.
After some time, they eventually reached the blacksmith district, where numerous houses with open furnaces and workshops could be seen. The workers were tirelessly busy fixing the soldiers' equipment following the previous day's battle, while others were constantly producing arrows and cannonballs.
Kaylessa and Ayaka made the choice to take a leisurely stroll in search of a less crowded shop where Kaylessa's armor could be repaired and where Ayaka could purchase additional arrows. Luckily, Kay's mother provided them with 100 gold coins to help with their expenses.
She refused to give them additional money, stating that the enjoyment comes from earning it themselves. Following a short walk, they arrived at a blacksmith's shop where only five people were in line ahead of them, prompting them to wait for their turn.
The cost of repairs and extra arrows was 60g [40g]. With a bit of extra cash, they opted to grab a bite before heading to the designated meeting spot later in the day. They stumbled upon some food stands by the port; one of them specialized in delicious roasted meat tacos!.
The tacos were quite affordable at only 1 g each, prompting them to consume four tacos each before continuing on their way to the training grounds [32 g].
After reaching the training grounds, they opted to hold off until their team arrived. When everyone was prepared, Kaylessa entrusted Ayaka with completing the necessary preparations as she headed to the Dareldrin office to receive her instructions.
Upon reaching Dareldin's office, she tapped on the door and could hear his voice on the other side, prompting her to enter.
"Squad leader Kaylessa, with a team of 50 men, is here to report for duty, sir."
Kaylessa, speaking in a formal tone, stood in close proximity to Dareldin's desk. The dwarf acknowledged her presence and gestured for her to wait for a little bit.
A couple of moments later, Dareldrin rose from his seat and approached Kaylessa, handing her the document he had been reading moments earlier.