Chapter 31: Recruitment (4)

The day before the exam.

Lord Romero sipped from a teacup that was surprisingly small for his size, listening to the report from Knight Commander Jonathan.

"The test preparations are all complete. We will only provide the minimum necessary control forces, and we have concluded that Young Master Roman will be in charge of the overall test administration."

"Already at this stage?"

"Yes. Due to the number of people who have expressed their willingness to support the soldiers, the number of visitors has increased significantly from early morning."

"Is that so?"

Lord Romero recalled the moment he first heard the plan.

At that time, he found the idea of training personal soldiers more absurd than the possibility of the plan itself.

'Roman told me. He wanted to train personal soldiers, not for the Dmitri family, but for individuals. That is something not allowed in the world of nobles. When the issue of succession has not been resolved, giving personal power to one son could lead to irreversible consequences.'

However.

Lord Romero readily agreed.

Most people believed that the second son, rather than the eldest, should succeed, and despite the significant expense of paying 8 silver coins per month to 30 soldiers, he did not even ask about Roman's purpose.

In fact.

Roman's recent actions were incomprehensible.

When he heard that Roman had broken off his engagement with the Lawrence family and was attending Barco's social party, he thought Roman was using his connections to collaborate with Barco. The structure of the future succession. To push aside the second son and seize power, Barco's support was a very attractive card.

But the result was different.

In front of the nobles from the northeast, Roman slapped a knight's face despite Anthony Barco's attempts to stop him.

He crossed the line.

Anthony Barco is a narrow-minded and vengeful man, and it was clear that he would bear a grudge against Roman for humiliating him. He might not be able to directly threaten Roman.

That indicates the strength of the Dmitri family, but Anthony Barco had plenty of ways to take revenge on Roman, such as interfering with the succession.

Therefore.

Lord Romero agreed to Roman's request.

Roman Dmitri, who had spent over a decade being called a fool in the Dmitri family, began to live a 'self-determined life' starting with the Blood Gang incident.

He wanted to see it.

Although the gap between Roman and the second son in the succession structure is significant, he still hoped that Roman could do everything he wanted.

A father's heart.

He could only cheer for the sore finger.

His second son, after all, was living a truly elite life, recognized for his talent even in the capital.

Lord Romero said,

"So, how many applicants are there? 50? 100? Considering Roman's reputation, it would be fortunate if it exceeds 50. Being a personal soldier for an individual rather than a family is not a particularly appealing job for people."

That's true.

Personal soldiers.

As the term suggests, the role of personal soldiers, primarily used for personal matters, is not a preferred occupation.

It's different from the soldiers of a noble family.

While soldiers trained to protect a family are preferred as stable jobs, personal soldiers can easily be abandoned depending on the situation.

At best, 50.

That was Lord Romero's estimate.

He thought that there wouldn't be many people hoping to become personal soldiers, to the point where the test might not even be necessary.

However.

Jonathan shook his head and said,

"According to the guards, more than two hundred people have already visited Dmitri for the personal soldier test. Moreover, it's not even the day of the test yet. At this rate, we estimate that at least five hundred people will take the test on the day."

Five hundred.

At the unexpected number, Lord Romero, who was about to take a sip of tea, froze.

"......That many?"

Suddenly.

Lord Romero realized he was still underestimating Roman.

At that moment.

Dmitri's inn was bustling.

In the crowded inn, Lucas sat at the bar, drinking beer.

*.

"Ah."

The swallowing was an art.

Feeling the characteristic thickness of Dmitri Mountain black beer, Lucas frowned and carefully observed the surroundings.

'To have so many people gather the day before. There will be more applicants than I expected. The problem is not just the number of applicants, but the level of the people applying for personal soldiers is higher than I thought.'

This recruitment of personal soldiers.

It's about recruiting ordinary soldiers.

While 8 silver coins per month is a decent reward, there was no real reason for veterans like himself, who have experienced countless battles, to join.

However, the reason Lucas applied was out of curiosity about Roman Dmitri.

He wanted to see how much the man, once called a fool in the Dmitri family, had changed and whether he truly valued people as the rumors suggested.

Therefore.

Lucas was a special case.

He thought most applicants would be ordinary people, but he saw more capable individuals than expected.

'Three men at the corner table, loudly talking. Judging by the similar identity badges hanging from their waists, they are likely C-class mercenaries. And the guys drinking in a row at the bar. They don't look like mercenaries, but their build and posture suggest they are skilled in combat.'

This inn.

One of many in Dmitri.

If there are 5-6 good applicants in this small space, the overall level of applicants far exceeded expectations.

Of course, even so, he didn't see anyone who could surpass him.

The difference between B-class and C-class in the mercenary world is significant, and he was a valuable presence who would be treated well wherever he went.

Lucas was puzzled.

Why.

He could understand the ordinary people, but why did men who had lived by the sword also apply to be personal soldiers?

He didn't think it was just because of the rumors.

Roman changing the Clark family's life and severely punishing a knight of the Barco family for mistreating Kevin were impressive deeds.

However, the most important value is money.

8 silver coins per month is a tempting offer for the ignorant, but it's not an appealing proposal for someone like him.

'I don't get it.'

* * *

He finished his drink.

Just as he was about to get up, a voice caught his attention.

"Henderson. Why are you here when you said you would become a soldier for the Lawrence family?"

A conversation between two men.

Lucas, who had been about to leave, sat back down and listened.

The situation was as follows.

Henderson.

He was from Lawrence.

Lawrence, preparing for war with the Barco family, conscripted the local residents.

As a result, most of the strong men responded to the conscription.

Henderson, until recently, was also prepared to fight for Lawrence, but an incident completely changed his mind.

Henderson said,

"As you know, I was going to respond to the conscription even though I wasn't a target. If Lawrence, my hometown and the foundation of my life, were to fall, my life would have no meaning. But after seeing Roman Dmitri eliminate the Blood Gang in Lawrence, my thoughts changed. I realized that he was a true leader."

That day.

Henderson was one of the people in the square.

It was a new world.

A young noble, who had grown up in luxury, appeared before the common people, covered in blood.

Roman grabbed Ben Miles by the hair with one hand and dragged him.

Knowing how dangerous Ben Miles was, people like Henderson held their breath in the tense situation.

And.

Roman executed Ben Miles.

Those who weren't there couldn't believe what happened, but Henderson couldn't forget that moment.

"The Blood Gang extended its reach to Dmitri. They dragged the people of Dmitri into despair with their dirty tricks and even tried to kill me for interfering. The crimes of the Blood Gang are clear. Therefore, I will root out the source of evil before your eyes."

Roman said.

He came to Lawrence with a sword to punish the Blood Gang for harming the people of Dmitri.

Blood splattered.

Ben Miles' head flew off.

Children screamed and closed their eyes, but Henderson witnessed the scene clearly.

'Ah.'

A shiver ran down his spine.

Look at Roman!

A leader who wields a sword for the people!

There are such people in the world!

With a flushed face, Henderson explained why he wanted to become Roman's personal soldier.

"People doubt and deny the events in Lawrence. They don't think Roman Dmitri could do such a thing. But I saw it with my own eyes. Roman Dmitri is not a weak person as the rumors suggest, but a leader who will fight for his people. This recruitment is a golden opportunity to become Roman Dmitri's person. I want to pass the test, gain the lordship of Dmitri, and live as Roman Dmitri's person."

The reputation that had fallen.

A new story was layered on top of it.

The elimination of the Blood Gang.

The Clark family.

The Kevin incident.

People gathered around Roman's name not because of one event but due to the synergy of multiple events.

People thought.

Roman.

Isn't he worth pledging loyalty to?

He treats people with respect, does not hesitate to draw his sword against evil like the Blood Gang, and offers such treatment in return for loyalty.

It was impossible not to apply. Even those who thought their value was worth more than 8 silver coins felt their blood boil when they heard Roman's story.

This personal soldier recruitment was not a coincidence.

People have eyes and ears.

Thus.

Roman's true nature was gradually coming to the surface.

* * *

On the day of the test.

The sky was bright.

In the bustling test site, Lucas was still lost in his own world.

'If everything I've heard is true. What choice should I make then?'

This place.

Others were the same.

Those who had applied with half-hearted intentions would soon face the truth about Roman.

That would be the moment of choice.

To genuinely take the test.

Or to back out after a cursory inspection.

Lucas, who had spent his life on the front lines to earn a B-class mercenary badge, genuinely pondered whether it was worth investing his life for a meager 8 silver coins.

Under normal circumstances, it would be a condition he wouldn't even consider.

But Lucas's instincts, the same instincts that made him a B-class mercenary, led him to the test site.

The test site