Chapter 100

It is unknown when it started, but Captain Suldak of the Second Squad, Fourth Battalion, Fifty-Seventh Heavy Infantry Regiment, had become the most capable subordinate of Baron Sidney.

Whenever the regiment headquarters issued some important tasks, Baron Sidney would first think of having the Second Squad carry them out. The main reason was that Captain Suldak always completed the tasks brilliantly.

The dark sentry posts on the west side of the camp were destroyed by demons. This oversight should have been discovered after the camp was attacked, but due to the negligence of the young noble officers in the operations room, the second batch of infantry soldiers who went to relieve the posts were slaughtered by the demons. If it weren't for the alert actions of the Second Squad of the Fifty-Seventh Heavy Infantry Regiment, which avoided the ambush of the demon squad and promptly sent the intelligence back to the camp, there might have been more duty squads falling into the same trap.

This expeditionary force not only suffered some losses but also caused the officers in the military operations room to lose face.

Although one of the squads that were wiped out belonged to the Fifty-Seventh Regiment, this did not prevent Count Monty Goss from praising Baron Sidney.

Baron Sidney was in a good mood. Count Monty Goss promised that after this plane war, he would help him elevate his baronial rank from third class to first class. A two-level promotion for Baron Sidney meant he had successfully preserved his family's honor. Even if his future son turned out to be mediocre, at least his grandson would inherit the first-class baronial title.

On the table in the tent, steaming hot stew and deep red wine were placed. Baron Sidney sat in his chair, holding a fork and knife, enjoying his meal. A stream of grease dripped from the corner of his mouth. He tore a piece of white bread from the basket and stuffed it into his mouth, then drank the last bit of wine in his glass.

Suldak sat across from him, somewhat awkwardly, holding a silver cup. He didn't know whether he should drink the last sip of wine immediately or leave it for the end.

Baron Sidney gestured to his servant to fill Suldak's cup with red wine and drop a piece of ice from the ice bucket into it. With a noble's characteristic arrogance, he said to Suldak, "This is red wine from the city of Helansar, transported by the Masvendo family. Only with ice can you taste the sweetness amidst the bitterness of the black grapes. You can have another glass!"

Baron Sidney had the servant add more stew to Suldak's plate, then put down his fork and knife, smiling at Suldak.

"You and your squad have performed well recently..."

Suldak was well aware of this; otherwise, Baron Sidney wouldn't have invited him to dinner. It was a rare honor for an ordinary squad leader.

"What are your plans for the future? I mean, you can't be a heavy infantry soldier all your life!" Baron Sidney took a sip of water from a glass handed to him by a servant.

Suldak thought for a moment. He didn't see anything wrong with retiring, and he needed Baron Sidney's signature on his retirement application. He said, "Lord Sidney, in two months, when my service term is up, I want to return to Helansar!"

Baron Sidney's eyes showed some surprise. He hadn't expected Suldak to be a veteran with four years of service, and to be retiring at this time.

If it were two months ago, Baron Sidney might not have given this much thought. Since his service term was up, there was nothing to say. He would stamp the retirement application and wait for the logistics department to arrange his return to Bena Province.

But now, Sidney realized that Suldak was an excellent squad leader, and he needed such a young and capable subordinate. So Baron Sidney said to Suldak, "Then... do you have any thoughts about continuing to serve the Fifty-Seventh Heavy Infantry Regiment? The regiment is in dire need of young warriors like you, who possess both strength and wisdom. If you are willing to stay, you will serve as the deputy squadron leader of the Sixth Squadron for two months. When old York retires, I will recommend you to Count Monty Goss to become the squadron leader of the Sixth Squadron."

Suldak had never thought that just over a month after being promoted to squad leader, Baron Sidney would want to promote him again.

In the heavy infantry regiment, the status and benefits of a squadron leader and a squad leader were vastly different.

Firstly, the status issue. Squad leaders are selected from the ordinary soldiers of the heavy infantry regiment, those with outstanding abilities. In other words, squad leaders are still ordinary soldiers, just with slightly better benefits. However, squadron leaders are not easily promoted; those who become squadron leaders generally have the status of a knight.

Becoming a knight is not easy. First, a noble must write a recommendation letter to the local governor. Of course, this noble only has the right to recommend. After receiving the recommendation letter, if the governor deems it necessary, he will conduct various assessments on the prospective knight. Only after passing all the assessments can one become a prospective knight.

Becoming a knight requires a quota. Only nobles of the rank of count or above have the power to confer knighthood.

Typically, a count has the authority to lead a knight squad, while a marquis can lead a knight regiment.

For Suldak to become a true knight, he not only needs to pass the necessary assessments but also obtain a limited quota from Count Monty Goss and have his own fief.

For Count Monty Goss to make Suldak a knight, he would not only have to give up a limited quota but also provide a fief.

The Fifty-Seventh Heavy Infantry Regiment has five battalions, each with five squadrons. Each squadron leader is a knight, but only twelve of the knights in the regiment are directly under Count Monty Goss.

These twelve knights are distributed among the First, Second, and Fourth Squadrons. The squadron leaders of the other battalions are from the other two noble families in Helansar. These twelve knights are considered Count Monty Goss's confidants.

Baron Sidney, of course, did not have the authority to promote Suldak to squadron leader.

If he wanted to promote Suldak to squadron leader, he would need a knight quota from Count Monty Goss.

For Baron Sidney to make such a promise to Suldak, he must have at least received Count Monty Goss's approval.

This sudden news completely disrupted Suldak's plans.

Suldak stood up, at a loss, and said to Baron Sidney, "Lord Sidney, can I think about it?"

Seeing that Suldak was not overwhelmed by this great news, Baron Sidney was somewhat surprised. He looked at Suldak seriously and said, "Of course, let me know when you've made up your mind!"

...

He Boqiang never expected that the recent actions of the Second Squad would earn such high praise from Baron Sidney.

As a result, Suldak was undoubtedly the biggest beneficiary. No one had expected that Suldak would be recommended to become a squadron leader, which was a rare occurrence in the Fifty-Seventh Heavy Infantry Regiment.

The soldiers in the regiment knew that the squadron leaders of the Fifty-Seventh Heavy Infantry Regiment were personally appointed by Count Monty Goss.

When the soldiers of the Second Squad heard that Baron Sidney was going to promote Suldak, they were all amazed.

Augustus, Big Beard, Red Socks, and Billy gathered around, asking questions. Augustus said to Suldak, "Squadron leader? I heard that soldiers who become squadron leaders have the opportunity to study at the Knight Academy. Does that mean, Suldak, you might become a knight?"

Although he didn't know how much of Baron Sidney's words were true, Suldak still nodded.

The title of knight seemed to have a great appeal to Suldak, at least it represented a change in status for him.

Big Beard Cagel said, "Although knights are not considered nobles, at least Count Monty Goss will grant you a fief. A piece of land that belongs to you, where you don't have to pay taxes to anyone, and all the produce is yours."

Red Socks also said, "And I heard that knights have inheritance rights..."