"Damn it! Why don't they ever talk about the real wars in those stories? The wars fought by leaders and kings across vast, rugged lands with poorly equipped roads? All they mention are their victories—how they defeated their enemies on the battlefield using clever strategies or swift maneuvers. But where are the real challenges in those tales? Why don't they ever discuss the nitty-gritty details, like handling logistical problems, organizing supplies, and the enormous war expenses that don't usually make it into historical accounts?"
He pauses for a moment, then continues thoughtfully: "I suspect most of those expenses weren't for weapons, armor, or compensating the families of fallen soldiers as they claim. No, they were simply funneled into the soldiers' stomachs—or rather, their needs during those long, grueling marches! How much money was spent on their food and drink? How many resources were wasted due to chaotic movements and inadequate storage?"
He then smiles wryly: "The family always insisted that the funds they provided were to support me in waging war, but did they mean that money was solely for sustenance? Most of the money my family gave me simply went to that."
"Perhaps every future military leader should consider investing in better footwear instead of those armors and swords. The soldiers' feet would be more grateful for that than for their empty promises of honor and glory."
Finally, after more than a month of marching, with tired feet and soldiers' eyes filled with dust, the convoy reaches one of the forward bases.
They traversed rugged terrains at times and open plains at others, and Arthur had begun to grumble, his face reflecting the exhaustion from the long journey.
In reality, what Arthur didn't know was that the financial resources his father provided had been allocated with careful consideration.
The Werner family, whose name was earned through warfare, had left behind a long legacy of military experience, with many generations of viscounts participating in various battles and wars.
But what neither Arthur nor his father took into account was the way they treated the soldiers. The calculation made by the Viscount Rosson regarding feeding and supporting the soldiers was completely different from the treatment Arthur gave them.
The Viscount aimed to provide only the minimum care, while Arthur treated his soldiers, especially the summoner soldiers loyal to him, much better.
Even the conscripted soldiers from the peasants, he tried to offer them more considerate treatment, on the excuse that they held different ranks.
It should be noted that about 70% of the summoner soldiers practice "Chi Breathing," including more than five Iron-level knights who concealed their power.
It was previously known that only a few mercenaries, like the "One-eyed Wolf," practiced "Chi Breathing," and Mark was the only Iron-level knight.
There's also the issue of some summoner soldiers hiding their identity as mercenaries during the three weeks of training.
Initially, Arthur had ordered them to hide their identity and spoils after the battle against the One-eyed Wolf's mercenaries, but they naturally joined him during the march.
Knowing that the greater the strength of an individual, the more energy they consume to maintain it, which naturally leads to an increase in their expenses, this situation put immense pressure on resources.
This forced Arthur to sometimes buy supplies from local traders who had raised their prices due to the war, complicating matters further for the army.
Had Arthur not known that behind every trader or trading post there was a local noble or a group of high-ranking nobles, he might have started to understand the feeling of the nobles in suppressing the lower class that had challenged their authority.
"If the results of this march are just the beginning, I can't wait to see the surprises that await us on the battlefield. And if the benefits of this war against the orcs aren't enough to compensate for what I've lost, I don't mind starting to play the role of an ally who stabs in the back and regaining the loyalty of my future colleagues in this work."
As they neared, the sight of the camp became clearer, where the kingdom's banners fluttered under a sky filled with clouds.
The sound of clashing metals and the shouts of soldiers mixed with the roar of the cold wind, creating an atmosphere charged with tension and anticipation.
From afar, the high wooden walls surrounded the camp, reinforced with watchtowers where heavily armed soldiers kept a vigilant watch over the road.
As the caravan drew closer, Arthur could see the scattered tents outside the castle, where soldiers and knights moved with discipline, busy maintaining their weapons or training in preparation for the coming battle.
Arthur dismounted from the caravan and walked with a number of his soldiers toward the main gate. One of the guards stopped them, his eyes scanning the newcomers carefully before spotting the family crest on Arthur's armor.
After receiving the enlistment order and asking a few questions, the guard nodded and gestured to the path that Arthur was to take first.
With a signal from the guard, the massive gate made of reinforced wooden planks with iron panels swung open, and the noise of the camp spilled out—sounds of metal clanging, orders exchanged between officers, and the neighing of horses between the tents.
Inside the camp, the scene reflected the atmosphere of preparations for war.
The military tents were arranged in strict order, each bearing the crests of noble families who had also come at the call to arms.
Supply carts were stacked in corners of the camp, surrounded by men inspecting weapons, checking food and ammunition supplies.
Arthur made his way through the passages between the tents, observing the soldiers who were occupied with various tasks.
Some sat around the fires, having a quick meal, while others gathered, discussing news from the frontlines.
In one corner, a group of knights tended to their horses, wiping off sweat and replenishing them with water.
The air carried a mix of smells—the scent of iron and oils used to maintain weapons, the odor of sweat from the training soldiers, and the steam rising from large pots where cooks prepared quick meals for the men.
There were also blacksmiths working tirelessly, the sound of their hammers ringing as they repaired armor and sharpened swords.
These soldiers and workers in the camp were different from those outside it, as they were directly part of the military command and not the nobles who joined the campaign.
In the heart of the camp, the grand command tent stood out, surrounded by a number of heavily armed soldiers.
This was Arthur's first stop, where he was to meet with the leaders responsible for assigning tasks and directing the nobles and new troops to their positions according to the appropriate specialties and strategies.
Despite the organization and discipline that characterized the camp, as well as the commanding authority granted to it, it was not the main castle from which Duke Kreeman managed military operations.
Rather, it was a mere defensive point and advanced logistical station, responsible for supporting and protecting a specific sector of the northern border, where the orc forces had recently begun to move.
The air was filled with the scent of iron, oils, and tanned leather, mingling with the rising steam from large cooking pots. In the heart of the camp, the grand command tent loomed, where plans were drawn, and critical decisions were made.
As he approached the command tent, a military officer stopped him, wearing armor adorned with the kingdom's crest, eyeing him carefully before speaking in an official tone:
"State your name and purpose for arrival."
Arthur didn't hesitate, replying confidently:
"Arthur Werner, son of the Viscount Rosson Werner from the southwest region. I have arrived in response to the enlistment order."
The guard glanced at the document still in his hand, then entered the tent, perhaps to confirm the matter. After a short while, he returned and gestured toward the inside, saying:
"You may enter. The commander is awaiting the new recruits."
Arthur pushed aside the heavy tent curtains and entered, finding himself in a spacious room with a large table in the center, upon which was a carefully drawn map, marking battle locations and supply points.
Around the table stood several men, some wearing armor decorated with their family crests, while others bore only the kingdom's insignia, their eyes closely studying the plans laid out before them.
After hearing the question, Arthur thought to himself: "It's not that I want this. If things had gone as originally planned, I would have waited to arrive with the rest of the nobles and joined that group, without standing out so clearly."
The reason Arthur was thinking this way was that, the previous month, after his conversation with Edward, he had met several nobles from the southwestern province during the march, including Gerard Glovas, whom Edward had spoken about as the person who decided to form the alliance.
In the end, Gerard had invited him to a banquet with the other nobles under his supervision.
This time, Gerard had personally extended the invitation again, along with a group of other hesitant nobles.
Arthur was not a child or a teenager still holding onto the mentality that others are kind until they do the opposite. He seized the opportunity not to respond immediately, but first asked Gerard about the workings of the alliance.
Gerard's response at the banquet was that everything would be based on individual ability and contribution, in terms of resources and soldiers.
He added that he and his family would provide the largest contribution of resources and that he had already communicated with family members and some military leaders who owed services to his father, which would help the new alliance secure a favorable location for battle where defense would be easier, with more opportunities for attack and victory.
This move was meant to present the military position as an initial gesture of good faith, but he also pointed out that he would need to manage everyone's resources, including soldiers, to ensure harmony, military discipline, and improved effectiveness. These promises impressed the other nobles at the banquet.
However, Arthur, despite his interest in the invitation, began to feel that there was a trick behind the way Gerard intended to manage the alliance.
He sensed that what Gerard was offering was nothing more than a way to create a fake alliance that served his own interests.
It was clear that Gerard was not being straightforward in his intention to support everyone equally; it seemed illogical because the military merit achieved would certainly be far less than the combined efforts of the participating nobles.
Therefore, it was clear that Gerard aimed to strengthen himself with resources and weapons from other families, trying to steer things in his favor so that he would receive the largest share of military power and resources, ultimately making the alliance serve his personal interests.
Arthur didn't think others were foolish enough not to notice this. He understood that Gerard had thought this through carefully and targeted those who might understand some of his plans.
Perhaps Gerard had used coercive or manipulative tactics, such as inviting people to the banquet and sending out invitations among the guests, putting the person in a difficult position to refuse.
Rejecting the invitation would implicitly be a direct offense to the beloved eldest son of Earl Glovas, which most of the smaller noble families in the southwestern province could not afford to do.
As for the conspiracy, it might have already occurred with Edward and others like him whom Gerard did not fear, unlike the rest of the nobles.
Therefore, Gerard needed to offer some benefits to these individuals, which made Edward work hard to convince and deceive others into joining the alliance.
This led Arthur to conclude that a secret agreement had been made with Gerard.
As for why Gerard didn't choose to strike a deal with Arthur, the son of the Viscount, who also possessed military strength and a solid background like his cousin, it might be because the pieces of the pie Gerard had promised had already been distributed to others.
Offering more now could hurt Gerard's core interests, which made him avoid doing the same with Arthur.