On the training grounds, five hundred temporarily conscripted soldiers were running laps around the camp. Ten young men, holding leather whips, acted as instructors.
Run too fast, one lash; run too slow, another lash; fail to maintain proper formation, same result. Every lash that fell wore down the soldiers' temperaments.
From their performance, it was clear that the region's indoctrination education had achieved its intended effect. The imagined rebels had not appeared.
Reya Lu sneered quietly, secretly disdainful of the outdated indoctrination system. Yet, he had to admit that the results of this education method were something he could benefit from.
Though the training time was too short for comprehensive military preparation, it at least taught the soldiers obedience. Even if it was just for show, they had to appear as though they had some combat capability. The actual fighting power wasn't important; the key was whether others could perceive a semblance of it.
Even though he constantly belittled Earl Pierce in front of his father, Reya Lu still didn't dare to take any threats lightly. After all, for someone of that stature, removing someone as insignificant as Reya Lu would be a trivial matter.
"Reya Lu, we depart the day after tomorrow. Do you think the training will be enough?" Baron Redman's voice was tinged with concern.
Although he could see his son's talent in military training, the time was simply too short for comprehensive preparation. In order to depart on time, he didn't dare apply too much pressure.
The intensity of this training was even weaker than the military drills at a university. It wasn't that Reya Lu was soft-hearted, but the soldiers' physical fitness was simply too poor to keep up.
In this era of limited productivity, even a simple black bread, enough to fill seven or eight parts of one's stomach, was a lord's great kindness.
Filling one's stomach was hard enough, let alone talking about proper nutrition.
With poor physical fitness and long periods of heavy labor, the soldiers' physical constitution was naturally far from ideal.
This was also why, whenever the Baron's household recruited soldiers, people from the surrounding areas would flock to join. It didn't matter what the work was—being able to serve under the lord at least ensured they wouldn't go hungry.
Despite the harsh training, the soldiers still showed no signs of backing down.
Going to war was certainly dangerous, but high risk often meant high reward.
Even if they couldn't suddenly rise to prominence, there was still the chance of earning military achievements and joining the guard.
Most of the Baron's household guards had emerged from the battlefield in this way.
Taking this step not only guaranteed food but also the qualification to practice fighting spirit.
Once a soldier, the benefits were vastly different—everything from food, shelter, and clothing was covered, and they also received a salary.
"Don't worry, Father. We don't expect to forge elite soldiers in such a short time. As long as they appear to have some combat capability, that's enough."
"With such a large-scale conscription, even if the rebels have ravaged some areas, the Southeast Province can still muster thousands of soldiers."
"With so many troops, all belonging to different families, it's not going to be easy to command. The army will likely be mixed, and once the fighting starts, who will be able to tell who's who?"
Reya Lu answered calmly, not concealing his disdain for Earl Pierce's mobilization order.
Take their own family as an example: a single charge from the castle's guards could easily crush these five hundred soldiers.
Such a massive conscription force might appear imposing, but in reality, it was merely asking for trouble.
Once they were caught in battle, logistics, command, and combat power would all fall apart.
Rather than this, it would be better to deploy a smaller number of elite nobles, making the command simpler, ensuring better logistics, and possessing stronger fighting power.
Reya Lu didn't think his family was an exception. Any noble who sensed something was wrong would likely choose to hide their true strength.
"Hm."
"If that's the case, that's for the best. However, you've never been in actual combat. When you reach the battlefield, be cautious and don't act rashly. I've written letters for a few old friends. If you encounter them on the battlefield, give them the letters, and they'll look out for you on my account."
"But don't rely too much on them. In true danger or when major interests are at stake, these people are all unreliable. If the situation turns unfavorable, prioritize your own life. As long as it doesn't harm the family's reputation, remember this—being alive means there's hope."
Baron Redman spoke earnestly.
Reya Lu felt a faint sense of discomfort. For some reason, he felt as if his father was implying: in a life-or-death situation, he could retreat as a deserter.
For a noble, desertion on the battlefield was a stain that could never be erased.
But for someone as inconspicuous as Reya Lu, perhaps running away wouldn't draw much attention.
After all, with the information flow in this era, who could catch up with him?
"Father, are you agreeing to let me lead troops into battle?" Reya Lu asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.
He had prepared himself for rejection. After all, sending a sixteen-year-old boy to lead troops into battle seemed rather unreliable.
He hadn't expected an unexpected opportunity. Regardless of the reason, Reya Lu was thrilled by this sudden turn of events.
On the battlefield, preserving one's life was the priority, and this didn't need to be reminded. As a time traveler without a golden finger, Reya Lu couldn't afford to take risks.
Chivalry, noble honor, family reputation—none of these burdens were his to bear.
From the beginning, Reya Lu's goal had been clear—"I seek not glory, but only to avoid fault."
"Don't get too excited too soon. This rebellion isn't going to be simple. If you want to seize the chance to gain merit, I support you, but if you lose your life, don't blame anyone else."
Baron Redman said seriously.
It was clear that he had high expectations for Reya Lu. In this land, for a minor noble to break through, there were only two paths:
One was to become a strong warrior on the battlefield; the other, to become a capable commander of troops.
Of these, the second path held more potential. After all, no matter how strong an individual was, they could never compare to the strength of a nation's military.
Even the might of the Holy Realm had to flee when faced with a thousand-strong army.
But becoming a commander allowed one to emulate countless successful examples. In the court, while the great nobles stood high above, the mid- and low-ranking nobles were often present as well.
It was not uncommon for minor nobles to rise through several generations of effort, eventually becoming major nobles.
But this was not considered a reversal of fortune. The bloodlines, marriages, and intricate relationships among nobles often came together in the end.