Chapter 113: Just Call Yourself Barrett
Whoosh!
A sharp whistle pierced the air, catching Charlotte's attention.
Douglas blew the assembly whistle, the shrill sound resonating across the entire camp. Soldiers, no matter what they were doing, immediately stopped and began gathering on the central playground. Within five minutes, the area was filled with soldiers standing in orderly formations.
Charlotte glanced at the rows of disciplined troops, weapons in hand, their posture firm and unwavering. They stood neatly in square formations, divided into two distinct groups: one of adult soldiers, and another of youth recruits.
Charlotte couldn't help but feel admiration for Captain Douglas. Regardless of his reputation, the man clearly knew how to train soldiers effectively.
As Charlotte scanned the ranks of young recruits, one figure immediately caught his eye.
In the group of youth soldiers, all barely 1.5 meters tall, a towering boy nearly 2 meters tall stood out. His presence was unmistakable, and Charlotte couldn't look away.
The boy seemed to sense Charlotte's gaze and raised his head, their eyes locking for the first time.
Charlotte's lips curled into a satisfied smile. He was sure this was the Douglas Barrett he had been searching for. While the boy might not yet carry the name "Barrett," his imposing stature and sharp gaze left no doubt in Charlotte's mind.
Barrett stared back, unflinching, his youthful yet defiant eyes meeting Charlotte's with equal intensity.
"Bring him here," Charlotte ordered, pointing at the towering boy.
Douglas hesitated, his expression briefly clouded with reluctance.
"What's wrong?" Charlotte asked, his voice carrying a subtle edge.
"No, nothing!" Douglas stammered before Tang En stepped in, giving him a firm pat on the shoulder.
"Get him here immediately," Tang En barked, his sharp tone jolting Douglas into action.
"Bullet Soldier No. 9, step forward!" Douglas commanded as he approached the recruits.
"Sir, yes, sir!" a voice rang out, the boy's tone youthful yet firm, his towering frame stepping out of the formation.
"Everyone else, disperse!"
Douglas' command was met with immediate compliance, and the remaining recruits quietly left the area.
"Follow me," Douglas said, turning on his heel.
The boy silently fell in step behind him, his height surpassing even Douglas'.
When they reached the platform, Douglas stopped in front of Charlotte and saluted. "Sir, the person you requested is here."
Charlotte didn't respond to Douglas, his focus entirely on the boy in front of him.
"How old are you?" Charlotte asked, his voice calm yet probing.
The boy hesitated, glancing at Douglas as if seeking guidance.
"Answer the question!" Tang En barked, his commanding voice startling the boy into a reflexive response.
"Sir, I am eight years old!"
His answer stunned everyone except Charlotte and Douglas.
"Eight years old?" Tang En muttered, his disbelief mirrored by Elena and the other onlookers. How could an eight-year-old child be nearly two meters tall?
Charlotte, however, seemed unfazed. He smiled at the boy, his eyes gleaming with interest.
"Would you like to follow me?" Charlotte asked, extending his invitation.
Tang En and Douglas stiffened at the question, their unease evident. Even Elena turned to Charlotte with surprise, her curiosity piqued.
The boy blinked, clearly taken aback by the unexpected offer.
"Soldiers obey orders!" Tang En snapped, his authoritative voice cutting through the boy's hesitation.
"Yes, sir!" the boy responded automatically, standing at attention.
Charlotte smirked, satisfied with Tang En's intervention. This simplifies things. Otherwise, convincing him would have taken much longer.
"What's your name?" Charlotte asked.
The boy hesitated again before answering, "Sir, I don't have a name. I'm known as Bullet Soldier No. 9."
Charlotte frowned briefly before his expression softened into a thoughtful smile.
"How about I give you a name?" he offered.
The boy's eyes flickered with curiosity, though his face remained stoic.
"Let's call you Barrett," Charlotte said decisively. He glanced at Douglas and added, "And since Captain Douglas raised you, we'll make it Douglas Barrett. How does that sound?"
The boy's calm demeanor faltered slightly, a ripple of emotion flashing across his face.
"Thank you for the name, sir," he said, his voice steady despite the impact of Charlotte's words.
"Good! From now on, you'll follow me," Charlotte declared. "But understand this—I'm a pirate. If you join me, you'll become a pirate too. Are you ready for that?"
The boy's expression tightened at the mention of pirates. His upbringing in the military had instilled a natural aversion to pirates.
Before he could answer, Tang En intervened. "Do you even need to think about it? It's an honor to follow Lord Charlotte!"
The boy's hesitation evaporated under Tang En's commanding tone.
"Yes, sir! I will follow you to the death!" Barrett declared, his voice loud and clear.
Charlotte nodded in satisfaction, silently commending Tang En for his timely support.
With Barrett on my side, the future is looking brighter already.
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