299fury
299The crossroads of choice (1)
First day.
People flocked to a designated location.
All the complicated formalities were omitted, and Chris told them his future schedule..
“I sincerely congratulate you on becoming Roman Dmitry's private soldier. From now on, you will record that you have officially become a private soldier through a simple procedure. We will proceed sequentially, starting from the order in which your name is called, so please be faithful to the entire process..”
Scott's turn was number 98..
The procedure mentioned by Chris was carried out in the barracks to block out the sun, and Scott's name was soon called as 10 people participated..
As I entered the barracks, I saw individually divided spaces..
It seemed like the soldiers were separated for security reasons, so Scott felt nervous for some reason..
small space.
A man with an ordinary look who was checking documents at the table glanced up at Scott..
“Sit.”
“……thank you.”
“There's no need to be so nervous. This is a simple information verification process, so please answer truthfully. First of all, I am 38 years old this year. Are you ‘Scott’ from the Kingdom of Umberto??”
“you're right.”
“As you know, Roman Dmitry's private position is a very special position. Unlike regular soldiers, a monthly salary of 30 silver will be paid, and additional life allowances will be paid in special situations such as war. And, do you have a family??”
A question that hit me hard.
Scott swallowed dryly..
Umberto was from the Kingdom, but his family was in the Kronos Empire, and the man's question seemed to be asking about his connection to Kronos..
He looked momentarily agitated..
I hesitated a bit because I didn't know how to answer, but I spoke honestly because I thought that a pointless lie could ruin the situation..
“……there is.”
“Where do you live with your family members??”
“He has a wife and one son and one daughter, and lives in the Kronos Empire..”
“It's the same as what we found. The reason we are asking for this information is because if Mr. Scott dies while carrying out a mission for Dmitri, we will personally go to his wife and pay her compensation. Do you agree with this??”
“yes?”
I was embarrassed.
I was horrified by the fact that I had already obtained the information, and I had no idea that the man's question would directly lead to compensation..
As the saying goes, a thief goes numb..
Scott asked with a trembling voice..
“……Is the fact that you have family in the Kronos Empire not a big problem??”
Stand tall.
The man's actions stopped..
The man looked at Scott with a smile on his face..
“yes. As long as Mr. Scott doesn't create a problem himself, everything else doesn't matter at all..”
* * *
First turn is over.
As he walked to the next location, Scott looked confused..
‘……Does this mean that if you don't create problems for yourself, you will leave the past behind and accept Dmitri as a member?.’
In those words.
My heart sank..
It seemed that the spy's identity had been discovered, but Roman Dmitry and his people had no particular problem..
From what I heard, since the introduction of the national merit system, a system related to 'compensation' has been clearly established..
Scott couldn't accept the fact that he, a spy, was among the targets..
for now.
complied with the procedure.
The next place we arrived was a blacksmith shop where rugged men were radiating hot heat..
“come here.”
was a blacksmith.
He, with a rough beard and wearing a safety apron, examined Scott's physical condition, writhing his angry muscles..
“They say you're a war mercenary, and you're definitely in good shape. The problem is that the length of both legs are not the same, so they are slightly out of alignment, and my fingers are short, so the thick handle would be a bit difficult. If it wasn't a custom-made weapon, it would have been difficult to use it.?”
“……That's true, but why are you asking that??”
“Isn’t the reason obvious? This is to produce customized armament for Master Roman's soldiers..”
Custom Armament.
My eyes widened..
Manufacturing weapons that fit the body is not a special task in itself, but the problem is that it costs a huge amount of money to custom-make them for all ordinary soldiers..
In the first place, custom-made armament is a symbol of wealth that only people like ‘knights’ can choose..
From the beginning, I never thought I would receive such luxurious treatment..
Scott asked.
“Are you sure that all soldiers are custom-made? If that were the case, the cost would be high..”
“It will cost quite a bit. Even though this place is Dmitri, which is called the 'blacksmith's mecca', it is certain that customizing all of the soldiers is not an easy task. So, ordinary soldiers adapt their bodies to ready-made products, but Master Roman's soldiers are different..”
While talking.
The blacksmith meticulously recorded Scott's body size..
“Here in Dmitry, Master Roman's direct troops are very special. If danger comes to Dmitry. Master Roman is always on the front lines fighting them, and the same goes for his troops. Therefore, we hope that this will be of some help to people like you who follow Master Roman. You may not be able to hold onto a hammer all your life and have your back on the battlefield, but wouldn't you be able to at least increase your chances of survival if you make a perfectly customized weapon??”
The calm voice.
showed sincerity.
Dmitry's people, including the blacksmith, lived every day expressing their gratitude toward Roman Dmitry..
Roman Dmitry.
He was Dmitry's savior..
He led the revival of Dmitry through the development of the iron mining industry, and raised the people's self-esteem by directly solving the problems facing Dmitry..
Of course, not only positive things happened..
A surprise attack by the Kronos Empire. Some of the bereaved families who lost their families that day showed resentment towards Roman Dmitry..
He made a consequential criticism, saying that if he had known how to compromise appropriately, he would not have lost his family to the attack of the Kronos Empire..
however.
They quickly got their feelings together.
When they heard the news of victory that Roman Dmitry had attacked the Kronos Empire and avenged them tens or hundreds of times, and when he returned to Dmitri and treated the fallen soldiers well, the people of Dmitri were convinced that Roman Dmitry was the person they would sincerely respect and follow. I heard this.
From then on, Dmitry built an internally strong fortress..
A large number of people came out saying they would grab straws and jump into the fire pit for Roman Dmitry's sake..
blacksmith.
He was one of them.
Although he lost his family and was devastated, the fact that he died for Dmitry remained a source of pride in his heart..
showed sincerity.
The man in front of me.
I saw it for the first time.
I didn't know anything about Scott, but the fact that he followed Roman Dmitry directly was reason enough to show me sincerity..
That was Dmitry's public sentiment..
As Scott, who was experiencing Dmitri for the first time, whom he had only heard about through rumors, he could not readily accept those feelings..
the blacksmith said.
“Trust me. Just wait a little while, and I will give you the best weapon for you..”
* * *
a series of surprises.
Hwaryongjeomjeong (畫龍點睛) was the lodging..
After completing all procedures, Scott looked at the scene in front of him with a lost expression..
“……This is the accommodation?”
“yes. Dmitry's soldiers all have private rooms and are guaranteed to live independently. If your family settles in Dmitri, we can also provide you with a separate residence where you can stay with your family..”
The corners of my eyes were fluttering and trembling..
surprised.
The spacious, neatly organized space was beyond anything I had imagined..
I heard a rumor about Dmitry..
I knew that those who devoted themselves to Dmitry would be treated well, but I had no idea that they would provide compensation and custom-made weapons to basic living conditions like this..
Scott was unknowingly drawn to the bed..
It was not a shabby inn room bed covered in dust, but a bed wide enough for a man of sturdy build like himself to lie down on..
It was fluffy.
It was comfortable and warm.
“……honey.”
Tears came to my eyes.
if.
If his wife and children were with Dmitry, what a happy smile they would have shown as they lay in bed together..
For a moment, I closed my eyes tightly..
It was dangerous.
The family in Kronos did not know that they were being held 'hostage'.
Scott was not yet important enough to be classified as such, and if he betrayed Kronos, then Kronos would not hesitate to harm his family..
I had to fulfill my role as a spy even for the sake of my family..
Dmitry made him dream of the future, but for Scott, there was no future without his family..
I endured it.
I suppressed it..
It's barely been a day and I already can't shake it..
I thought it wouldn't be too late to at least finish all the training and make a decision then..
that day.
Scott couldn't go to bed until late at night..
And just like Scott, most of the yet-to-be-identified spies had the same night as him..
* * *
The first training was called.
Roman Dmitry said.
“We will conduct basic adaptation training for about 10 days from now. There are no downfalls. Regardless of means or methods, everyone will complete this training from beginning to end..”
then.
didn't know what it meant.
It was clearly said to be basic adaptation training, but the first training that Roman Dmitry conducted was a march carrying 40kg of military gear..
Marching is a very basic training..
If things had proceeded within common sense, Scott would not have been embarrassed, but the problem was the terrain on which he was marching and the speed of the men ahead..
only 30 minutes.
Soon after, Scott felt his eyes tighten..
“Huh, huh.”
‘This is crazy.’
this training.
It was a mountain march..
It was a march over terrain so steep that one had to crawl up it, and people who knew how to use mana were strictly prohibited from using it..
I trained solely based on my physical abilities..
Still, at first, I wondered if he could keep up well because he was a former mercenary who had experienced mountain warfare, but at some point, he was out of breath as he was moving so fast that it almost felt like he was running..
“Heo, heo, heo.”
It was fast.
If you slow down for just a moment, you move so fast that people in the distance move away..
every time.
Chris shouted..
“Quickly catch up! This is a battlefield! If the enemy is behind you, or if you are catching up with the enemy. Just because you're carrying 40kg of gear, or because you lack physical strength, would you move at such a slow pace? Physical strength is directly related to life. If you think it's impossible because you've reached your physical limits, foam at the mouth and collapse. We will take responsibility for you and lead you there..”
It was a voice like thunder.
Scott came to his senses and followed along relentlessly..
the problem is.
It was the appearance of seniors..
The new recruits, including Scott, all had faces as if they were about to die, but the seniors walked with a relaxed look on their faces, as if they had just gone for a walk..
It wasn't difficult at all.
However, as they experienced numerous trainings, this level of marching fell to the level of difficulty equivalent to 'basic training'..
I was astonished.
I knew that they were formidable when dealing with seniors in the enlisted test, but I couldn't help but be even more surprised by the situation in which they were training together like this..
Their strength wasn't just created.
By handling such training without any hesitation, he showed the strength of his arms that people had ever witnessed..
I was out of breath..
suddenly.
I had a doubt.
Normally, general commanders do not train together with the soldiers, but at the head of the soldiers was Roman Dmitry..
timely.
I asked a senior named ‘Hunt’ who walks at the right pace about it..
Hunt laughed..
“In a normal situation, the commanders would just scream. But Dmitry is different. Since we always have to follow our master on the front lines and carry out our duties, our master shows us what his tempo is like. Do you know what I mean? If we can't even keep up with this speed, we don't even deserve to follow our master on the battlefield..”
Then I realized.
This situation I am experiencing right now.
This is the truth about Dmitry, who shocked the continent and led numerous battles to victory..
“Do your best. Because training starts now.”
Moment.
I got goosebumps.
Even before he could carry out his mission as a spy, Scott felt like he might fail..
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