The banquet hall resonated with the clinking of glasses and lively discussions.
For many military officers attending such an event for the first time, the sight was overwhelming: rare delicacies spread across tables, endless supplies of exotic wines, and elegantly dressed noblewomen speaking softly among themselves. Occasionally, these women would glance at the officers and giggle, leaving the men feeling both flattered and distinctly uncomfortable.
These officers, largely overlooked before William's rule and only marginally valued during his reign, had never experienced such opulence. Many appeared visibly out of place.
The banquet hosts, however, were keenly observant, frequently approaching the officers with wine glasses to engage them in conversation. Some even encouraged their daughters or female relatives to dance with these military men.
"Dias, you're not a noble yet, are you?" asked a portly elderly nobleman, his tone casual but probing. "Not even a knight?"
A middle-aged officer with a dark complexion nodded somewhat awkwardly. During William's rule, when noble titles held little sway, Dias and many other officers had little reason to aspire to such distinctions. But now that William had fallen, the aristocracy had reclaimed their position, and titles had once again become symbols of prestige.
The surrounding nobles sighed in apparent sympathy, as if genuinely lamenting Dias's lack of status.
"You are the protectors of this city and deserve the honors that come with such a role," the elderly nobleman said, glancing around before continuing in a measured tone. "The Marines have been investigating Morgan William's associates and have been wary of military commanders. But based on your efforts to maintain order these past days, I believe it's clear that you and your fellow officers are not his accomplices. Tomorrow, I will petition His Majesty to grant you and the other commanders noble titles and formally reinstate your positions, ensuring that the Marines from Headquarters no longer trouble you."
Dias was overjoyed and quickly expressed his gratitude.
The elderly nobleman nodded benevolently, taking a sip of wine before adding with pointed emphasis: "Soon, you will be one of us. I trust that you will uphold the interests of the nobility. Morgan William has been branded a criminal by both the World Government and the Marines. The laws and policies he enacted during his rule were illegitimate and likely served ulterior motives. As the rightful and legitimate rulers of this nation, it is our duty to repeal those chaotic decrees that plunged this country into disorder and blurred the lines of hierarchy. Restoring proper order is not only our expectation but also that of the World Government and the Marines."
Dias, who had been about to take a sip of his drink, froze momentarily at these words. He quickly recovered, smiling as he replied, "I understand. You're absolutely right."
While the noble district of Kalmar City was alive with music and dancing, with military commanders mingling with aristocracy over drinks, the scene in the city's industrial district painted a starkly different picture.
Although William had spent the past two years reforming the Navia Kingdom's military, his primary focus had been on the Royal Guard, assembled from seasoned veterans and elite trainees from various units.
In his past life on Earth, William would never have concentrated his efforts so narrowly. However, given the significant differences in individual strength in this world, the selection criteria and organizational priorities for military forces naturally required adjustment.
Numbers still mattered, but their primary purpose was to serve as a mechanism for identifying talent—a net to catch promising individuals and allow them to rise to prominence.
Soldiers selected for the Royal Guard were already considered to have potential. They received priority training, learned advanced techniques like the Six Powers (Rokushiki), and were systematically promoted through the ranks.
William did not entirely neglect the rest of the military, however.
Recognizing the evolution in weaponry and the increased firepower available to armed forces, he implemented reforms to streamline the previously bloated and chaotic military structure. He reorganized local garrison forces into smaller, more agile units: squads of fifteen soldiers formed the smallest unit, with three infantry squads and one machine gun squad comprising a platoon. This restructuring allowed for more flexible command and operations.
William's most innovative reform, though, was the introduction of a system where squad leaders were elected by their peers.
He believed that soldiers, living and working closely together, were best positioned to recognize true talent. In an era of frequent conflict, soldiers would not risk their lives by making foolish choices. This system helped identify hidden talent outside the Royal Guard while providing these individuals with opportunities for advancement.
One such squad leader was Basco. Intelligent, capable, and dutiful, he was deeply respected by his subordinates despite his reserved nature, which made him less sociable.
As night fell and their commander departed for the noble district's banquet, Basco's squad decided to seek their own entertainment.
Although Basco wasn't particularly fond of such outings, he didn't want to appear unsociable, so he reluctantly joined them.
Guided by a well-informed comrade, the fifteen young men—now out of uniform and brimming with youthful restlessness—made their way to the industrial district. To Basco's discerning eye, however, the area seemed to be reverting to its former state as a slum.
William had made significant efforts to address unemployment in Kalmar City, with the industrial district standing as one of his signature achievements. Through immigration programs and rural development campaigns, he had eradicated what was once a sprawling slum comparable to the Goa Kingdom's infamous Gray Terminal.
But with William's imprisonment, all this progress was being undone. Factory managers were arrested by the Navia Kingdom's nobles as alleged associates of William. Marines from Headquarters imposed strict port blockades, preventing the transport of manufactured goods. The once-thriving textile industry fell into disarray, with factories closing one after another. Streets became increasingly populated with the unemployed, forcing people to find new ways to survive. "Fortunately," the industrial district was still relatively new, and many residents remembered their previous survival strategies.
Basco's comrade led them to a bar in the industrial district. Upon entering, Basco immediately understood the strange expression on his friend's face earlier—it had been a lecherous grin.
The bar was dimly lit, save for a single spotlight illuminating the center stage. A young woman with a voluptuous figure and revealing attire performed a provocative dance, drawing whistles and catcalls from the crowd below.
The establishment wasn't large, and the arrival of fifteen young men crowded together made the narrow walkways even more cramped.
Felisk, who had just finished cleaning a table, found his path blocked by the group. Balancing a tray in one hand with a rag slung over his shoulder, he cautiously approached Basco and the others, speaking in a deferential tone: "Excuse me, could you let me through?"
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