The fifteen men staggered to their feet.
Their faces were streaked with sweat, and their muscles screamed in protest.
Alexander dropped from the platform, his boots sinking in the damp earth.
He walked down the line, inspecting each man.
He then stopped at the last one, tapping his shoulder.
"What's your name, son?"
The man managed a weary salute.
"Reinhardt, sir!"
Alexander blinked, before grinning deviously.
"Reinhardt huh? You know that's a real fancy name."
He muttered, massaging his chin.
"I'm promoting you to corporal, how's that sound, Reinhardt?"
Reinhardt stepped back, his eyes wide.
"U-uh…" he stammered, "it sounds fantastic, sir!"
The other fourteen men who were on the verge of collapse, suddenly forgot their exhaustion.
And replaced it with confusion.
"Outstanding!" Alexander clapped his hands, satisfied.
He turned back to Klaus, "Sergeant Major, I want these men organized into four platoons, each with two squads! I want each squad to be well-rounded, organized, and capable."
He then turned towards Reinhardt.
"And as for our new Corporal, I want him in the first platoon! Is that understood, Sergeant Major?!"
Klaus's expression was stone cold.
But his eyes followed Alexander with a questioning glint.
"Yes sir."
Klaus began barking orders for the men to march out onto the parade grounds.
As he did so, Alexander let out a long sigh.
Today was stressful.
But it was over, mostly.
"Well, what's next? Commander Alexander?"
Hinata teased, poking him in the back.
He chuckled, turning around.
"Well, once Klaus organizes everyone, I'll have him and Hans meet me in my office."
He scratched his cheek.
Despite all of his grandeur, Alexander had little idea how an actual military unit functioned.
Unlike pathfinders, who had a streamlined rank system and mostly operated in small, independent squads.
Regular Infantry/Marines had a strict command structure and operated with more conventional warfare in mind.
Hinata smiled.
"A wise man always listens, that's why we have two ears."
She handlessly wiggled both her ears.
The duo laughed.
— — —
The sun had set and Alexander sat in his office shuffling through paperwork.
Most of it was related to his soldiers.
Their reported background.
It was just the basics, age, names, place of birth…
Alexander had to wait for the Prince to get the veterans' service records.
As for the scholars, Alexander had Han test them.
Other than that, Alexander had to look at the salaries of his men.
Each man was to be paid one golden ember a month.
That's a hundred copper embers, more than enough to feed a family of four.
As for food, that would be bought from lord Engel.
Anything logistics-related would fall to Elizabeth and her people.
That includes uniforms and the eventual equipment such as rifles and ammunition.
Alexander sighed as he sifted through it all.
He was eventually disturbed by a firm knock on the door.
"It's open."
The door creaked open, revealing Hans and Klaus.
The two men saluted crisply.
Alexander gestured to the two empty seats across his desk.
"At ease, gentlemen."
The two men took their seats, with Klaus holding Alexander's gaze and Hans staring out the window.
It was well into the afternoon.
Alexander set aside his papers and leaned forward.
"Sergeant Major, what are your thoughts on our current situation?"
"Sir," he began, his voice low and deep.
"We have a collection of misfits, farmers, city-boys, and veterans. We are not a unit, but a mob, and trying to turn that into something productive within three months is impossible."
Alexander hummed.
"I see." He nodded, "And what do we need to make the impossible… possible?"
Klaus didn't waver, gripping his knees.
"Absolute hell. The training I went through wasn't nearly enough for modern combat. If we want these boys to become men, we'll have to be unconventional."
Hans, who had been silent, spoke up.
"Sir, I recommend that some of these men learn to read maps and perform squad-based tactics as well. From what I've learned, fighting is mostly cover to cover, tight formations are a thing of the past…"
He finally met Alexander's gaze.
"But considering the time restrictions… I understand if it's not possible."
Alexander listened carefully.
It felt just like the old days with Karl and Jules.
He smiled, missing them.
"I agree with both of you," Alexander said decisively, "we won't use a conventional method to train these men. Klaus, you have full responsibility for designing an effective training program."
He nodded, but Alexander continued.
"However, in the afternoons Hans will teach the men how to read maps and topography. You will take the best of those men and develop them into specialists, understood?"
Hans and Klaus nodded in unison.
"Understood, sir."
Alexander leaned back.
"Any questions?"
Klaus spoke almost immediately, as if he had been waiting for this moment.
"One, why did you promote Reinhardt?"
Alexander raised a curious eyebrow.
In all honesty, he only promoted Reinhardt because of his name. It's not often you come across someone with a name that strong.
But Alexander could see his sergeant wanted a good answer.
One he didn't have.
"Is there a problem with my promotion?"
Alexander asked, crossing his arms.
"Several," Klaus answered with a frown.
"First, handing out ranks like they're candy sets a bad precedent amongst the qualified. Second, we have to follow a command structure, if half of our NCOs are untested boys, the unit suffers. Third, placing the burden of leadership upon the unproven doesn't create leadership, it creates resentment."
Alexander let the silence hang in the air as he steepled his fingers, resting his chin atop them.
"Everything you have said is 100% correct. Not only was my decision reckless, it could be downright detrimental."
Klaus's eyes flickered with confusion, "Then?"
Alexander smiled.
"I want you to think about why I did what I did, Sergeant Major. And then, explain it to me."
Klaus's expression remained stoic as he fell in silence.
Then, he answered.
"I believe your decision was two-fold, sir. First, it was to test Corporal Reinhardt. Though he is inexperienced, the pressure he'll face will reveal his true character."
He raised a second finger.
"Second, I believe you were testing me. From the moment we met, you placed an enormous amount of trust in me. Most new commanders would want to lead their own units, you left that to me. But to feel comfortable in that decision, you did something reckless. To see if I would question it."
Alexander grinned.
"And guess what, you passed with flying colors, Sergeant Major."
Klaus reclined in his seat, satisfied.
Before any more words could be exchanged, there was a knock on the door.
It was Gentle.
"It's open."
The door creaked open, revealing a pair of tired pink eyes.
"My love…"
Elizabeth offered a small, tired smile.
"…it's time for bed."
Hans and Klaus immediately shot to their feet, saluting.
Elizabeth stepped inside, stopping at the desk with her hands held out.
Alexander chuckled softly, reaching into his desk to produce a ring of keys.
He set them on the desk.
"Sergeant Major, these are the keys to the fort. From my office to the front gate, don't lose 'em."
"Sir."
Alexander then sighed—taking Elizabeth's hand.
She squeezed it tightly.
As the duo walked out, Alexander waved a dismissive hand toward his subordinates.
"Goodnight, gentlemen."