But fortunately, his plans were entirely different.
"I don't intend to lead this battle myself. I'll leave that to the summoned soldiers while remaining the true commander in the eyes of outsiders."
Arthur glanced toward the side of the training ground, where his newly formed army stood—a group of fresh recruits, sweaty teenagers who could barely hold their weapons, watching the knight with admiration and awe.
Most of them were the sons of farmers—thin, frail adolescents with only a faint hope of improving their lives. As they watched, a furious voice echoed across the training ground:
"Haven't you eaten? Cheer up! More sweat in peacetime means less blood in wartime! You fools, why don't you understand?!"
Victor was shouting at them, his voice cutting through the air amid the roar of exhaustion and fatigue.
He was one of the highest-ranking knights of the Black Raven Order, specifically the deputy commander under Jonathan, a position Arthur had chosen for him after careful consideration.
First, his appearance as a man in his mid-thirties made him seem like someone who still carried the ambition and fervor of youth, making him easier to control and predict—especially for older figures like Arthur's father.
Furthermore, he held the rank of Iron Knight, just like Marks, which added credibility to the "coup" narrative Arthur wanted to craft.
Secondly, from Arthur's perspective, Victor was a skilled leader, adept at training and commanding soldiers, making him the perfect candidate for building a strong army capable of fighting real battles.
As for the true leader of the knights, Jonathan the Silver Knight, Arthur had yet to summon him from the card, along with several other soldiers.
The reason behind this decision was simple yet crucial—once the summoned forces left the card state, they would permanently transition into reality, becoming fully independent entities.
This meant that Arthur would lose the ability to return them to the card once they had been summoned.
This choice carried serious consequences beyond just providing supplies.
The first and most immediate challenge was the constant need for food and water, an issue that might seem minor at first glance but would become a major logistical burden as the number of summoned soldiers increased.
Ignoring this reality would be unwise. The stronger the knight, the greater their food intake and the more energy required to maintain their combat effectiveness—just like powerful magical beasts that consumed vast amounts of resources to remain at their peak.
Energy conservation wasn't just a theoretical principle; it was an absolute natural law that even summoned forces couldn't escape.
For now, Arthur's resources were sufficient. He had acquired plentiful spoils from the battle against the One-Eyed Wolf mercenaries, and the financial support from his family had provided him with a stable safety net.
But Arthur was no fool to be deceived by this temporary abundance.
After all, this wealth was not a permanent and reliable source of funding but merely a fleeting gain that could be depleted at any time. Every move he made had to be carefully calculated, especially since his future plans required massive investments.
Beyond the financial costs, there was also a crucial strategic aspect to consider—revealing all his forces at once would mean exposing all his cards to his enemies, stripping him of the element of surprise.
Keeping an unknown reserve force granted him a tactical advantage that could make the difference between victory and defeat.
Wars were not won by raw strength alone but by maneuvering, deception, and precise timing. If he summoned all his forces too early, he would be left with no trump card to rely on during critical moments.
Additionally, he couldn't always remain surrounded by his soldiers. There would be times when he had to move alone or with a small group of guards.
In such moments, he would be vulnerable to attacks, unless he had a backup plan.
For these reasons—whether out of caution or perhaps a fear of reckless risks—Arthur chose to keep his strongest knight, along with a small group of elite warriors, as his hidden ace in the hole.
This was not an act of cowardice but a well-calculated strategy to ensure his survival and longevity in a world filled with schemes and betrayals.
Victor's voice thundered across the ranks of recruits, but their exhausted eyes reflected only fatigue and dread for what lay ahead.
Since the selection of soldiers was completed, this scene had become familiar to everyone, and no one was surprised by it anymore.
They were training to become real soldiers, fully aware that the battlefield could be their fate at any moment, a place where there was no room for the weak.
Their role was not just to face enemies, but also to serve as living shields, protecting their lords in critical moments.
Recognizing Victor's talent for training soldiers, Arthur began contemplating the formation of a real army, rather than a temporary force of untrained peasants.
Thus, he decided to take 100 summoned soldiers as the core of an army that would eventually grow to 1,000 troops—the standard battalion size that nobles typically summoned in recruitment orders.
Thanks to Victor's unwavering loyalty to Arthur, he poured all his combat knowledge into training these recruits, using everything he had learned throughout his life.
He was no ordinary instructor—his training was harsh and unforgiving, showing no mercy to the weak.
After three weeks of intense training, the results began to show. These teenagers had gained the foundational skills necessary to become real soldiers.
Even Emanuel, the esteemed commander of the castle knights, known for his imposing presence within the family, could not deny Victor's accomplishments.
Emanuel went even further and informed Viscount Rawson about Victor's abilities, saying, "He has the talent to become an exceptional trainer for the family's soldiers."
However, Viscount Rawson remained unconvinced. To him, talent was merely potential—not enough to grant someone a high position in the family's army.
He believed it was impossible to recruit a former mercenary who had betrayed his previous commander, no matter how skilled he was. Loyalty was more important than anything else.
Moreover, the family's financial situation was not favorable; they could not afford the expenses of a permanent army. The only armed force they possessed was the castle guard, which did not exceed five hundred men.
Despite this, his concern did not wane. Viscount Rawson sent his knights to monitor Victor and assess his combat skills.
If one observed closely, they would notice that Viscount Rawson himself watched from a distance, accompanied by his eldest son, carefully studying everything Victor did with his soldiers.
To Arthur, Victor's training methods seemed like an attempt to earn the soldiers' trust and reduce suspicions among them.
But in Viscount Rawson's eyes, it was an invaluable treasure. Both Viscount Rawson and the castle knight commander were impressed by Victor's training capabilities, opting to silently observe and take notes from the shadows.
That evening, after having dinner with his family, Viscount Rawson summoned his son, Arthur, to his office, where his older brother was also present.
The Viscount spoke, "It seems that Victor, unlike other mercenaries, possesses significant military and training experience. Have you noticed that?"
Arthur responded cautiously, "Yes, Father. I noticed it after I assigned him to train the new recruits. I don't see anything suspicious—most mercenaries were former soldiers. I haven't questioned him in depth."
The Viscount smiled coldly and said, "My son, knowledge is part of power. We must be prepared for all possibilities. We must take advantage of everything we can learn from him."
In this world, where military knowledge was a rare treasure, nobles had few options. There were no military academies open to everyone, nor were there easily accessible instructors. Therefore, nobles had to educate themselves.
Scattered advice from veterans was considered a precious inheritance, a hidden weapon that granted them an edge over others.
The monopoly on military knowledge was one of the key reasons why nobles had been able to maintain their status for generations.
As Arthur pondered his father's words, a knight suddenly entered the room, carrying an urgent letter. Viscount Rawson opened it and read it carefully, his expression darkening.
Arthur asked anxiously, "What's the matter, Father?"
The Viscount replied, "The King has issued immediate orders for the recruitment of nobles from the southwestern region against the orcs. It seems that the situation on the northern border is deteriorating rapidly."
Arthur felt a growing sense of worry within him. He knew this meant mobilizing the troops and preparing for battle.
The most concerning thing was that the family's private connections weren't able to provide an accurate picture of the current situation on the front line, leaving him anxious about the unclear circumstances.
The Viscount said firmly, "Additionally, they mentioned that we need to recruit fifteen hundred men, instead of the expected thousand. We must send them immediately—there is no time for delay."
Arthur responded, "But five hundred extra soldiers... What about training them and equipping them?"
The Viscount sighed and said, "We have no choice. We'll have to rely on Vickthor's expertise in training soldiers quickly and effectively."
As the troops' departure for the northern front approached, final preparations were in full swing.
In the castle's main courtyard, soldiers gathered to receive their armor and weapons, inspecting their gear to ensure everything was in order.
Arthur personally oversaw the entire operation, ensuring that each soldier was fully equipped and ready.