Seeing something once was indeed far better than hearing about it a hundred times.
The martial prowess Leo had demonstrated before the soldiers had a far greater impact than the rumors that he had defeated the Death Knight.
Moreover, the soldiers’ morale rose far higher than before because he promised to repair the training ground and improve their armaments after demonstrating his strength.
And there was one other thing Leo hadn’t forgotten.
He continued to hold a serious discussion about weapon techniques with Rekton until the very end.
Right in front of the soldiers.
It was a gesture of respect toward Rekton.
Leo was showing them that he also respected the man they respected.
Strength alone didn’t automatically make someone a leader.
Of course, Leo had also done it because he genuinely respected Rekton.
In truth, Leo already knew all of Rekton’s weapon techniques.
He had practiced them every day until just before his death in his previous life.
He simply wasn’t accustomed to using them because he hadn’t put them to much practical use.
In this life, however, he intended to master every weapon.
He knew that to survive longer in battles where one couldn’t see even an inch ahead, he needed to know more than everyone else about everything he could.
“The fortress soldiers have been talking about nothing but you all day, Young Master.”
Three days had already passed since Leo began staying at Rutoa Fortress.
During that time, he confirmed that the merchant caravan whose members had discussed the barbarian slave had departed for Kongd Village.
They had left yesterday, but Leo hadn’t followed immediately because he wanted to become a little more familiar with this place.
Besides....
‘Even if we leave late, we’ll arrive before them anyway.’
The journey would take the merchant caravan two full days, but with Minatos’s power, half a day would be more than enough.
Thanks to that, Leo was leisurely conversing with Rekton in the office inside the fortress’s inner castle.
“Oh, right. Rekton. I have some good news. Want to hear it?”
“Yes, please tell me.”
“Father said he’ll send weapons, blacksmiths, and carpenters to Rutoa Fortress.”
Rekton’s mouth spread into a grin that nearly reached his ears.
“Is that true?”
“Yeah. We need to prepare quickly before the winter war arrives.”
“Haha! Thank you, Young Master! It’s been difficult because we haven’t received any outside assistance...... This is all thanks to you.”
The reason Rekton’s requests had gone ignored was the corruption committed by the previous person in charge.
He had squandered the money provided for the fortress’s repairs. Rekton had been appointed as the new Fortress Commander as a result, but the distrust toward Rutoa Fortress still hadn’t subsided.
Of course, Magenta understood Rutoa’s importance and wanted to provide support immediately.
However, his vassals had fiercely opposed sending aid to Rutoa Fortress.
Leo already knew that from his previous life, which was why he had destroyed the training ground.
He had wanted to give Magenta a good justification for supporting the fortress.
The Second Young Master who had defeated the Death Knight had demolished the training ground, making it difficult to prepare for the winter war.
When word spread that Leo had personally requested repairs because of that, everyone eagerly stepped forward, insisting that they needed to help him.
“Then when do you intend to take full charge of the fortress, Young Master?”
“Ah. I actually had something I wanted to discuss with you about that.”
“Yes. Please go ahead.”
After hearing Rekton’s answer, Leo picked up the teacup on the table, wet his throat, and continued.
“Before I take up my post, I’d like to create an Elite Unit composed of soldiers from the fortress.”
“An Elite Unit?”
“Yeah. Rekton, I’d like you to command it.”
“Hmm....”
Rekton rubbed his chin as he considered the idea.
“Why?”
“The fortress soldiers already have their hands full defending this place. And now you want an Elite Unit...... What do you intend to use it for after raising it?”
He truly was a commander who cared for his soldiers.
The word elite was honorable, but it was also a symbol of danger.
Those with greater strength were assigned more dangerous missions than ordinary soldiers.
Leo had already anticipated Rekton’s concern and answered without hesitation.
“Becoming elite means they’ll gain that much more strength. And didn’t you say yourself that those with strength survive longer here?”
“Ah....”
“I’m not saying we should turn every soldier into an elite. Thirty, including you? We’ll turn them into elites and raise their level by one stage. Those thirty can then raise the level of the ordinary soldiers.”
Rekton nodded at Leo’s words.
“That is a good idea.”
“That’s not all. They’ll operate for House Valantes. I’ll personally ensure they receive proper treatment and compensation for their service.”
Rekton nodded, his eyes filled with trust.
After all, Leo had secured support for the fortress almost as soon as he arrived.
Even aside from the compensation, it was certain to benefit the soldiers.
“But...... I do have one more concern....”
When Rekton cautiously spoke, Leo nodded.
“Winter is almost upon us. It will undoubtedly be difficult for them to complete elite training while also handling the fortress’s defenses. I believe we need a solution to that problem.”
“This is why I like you....”
Rekton looked puzzled by Leo’s muttering.
“Pardon?”
“Ah, it’s nothing.”
Rekton was an extremely fierce warrior, but he also possessed the temperament of a calm strategist.
In other words, he was a flawless choice to serve as commander of a fortress sorely lacking in sharp minds.
“I’ll solve that problem. I’ll also need to leave the fortress for a few days because of something related to it.”
“Ah...... Yes, understood.”
“I’m only telling you. Tell everyone else that I’ve shut myself away to train alone.”
“Yes, I will. But...... when do you intend to depart?”
“Today. Once I return, we’ll select the unit members. Of course, you’ll be included.”
“Ah....”
Leo smiled at Rekton’s quiet exclamation.
“If you don’t want to be rejected, train hard until I return.”
***
BAAAAAM!
“Those damned bastards from the kingdom!”
The Tantra Tribe had made its home deep within the Alaman Mountain Range for hundreds of years.
A furious voice erupted from one of its tents.
“It means that bastard came all the way into our territory!”
At the words of the young man seated at the head of the table, everyone else bowed their heads.
He was Magalo Rekus, the Tantra Tribe’s greatest warrior, whose short black hair and beard, square jaw, and fierce eyes left a powerful impression.
“Lord Magalo...... We cannot simply endure this without retaliating.”
At the middle-aged man’s words, Magalo ground his teeth and clenched his fist.
Seeing him, the others also voiced their anger.
“Stealing our land wasn’t enough for them, so they even laid their hands on the Priestess!”
“We must attack at once and take her back! She is the Priestess, no less!”
“That is right. Capturing the Priestess is an affront to the Forest God!”
“We must punish those kingdom bastards!”
“Let us wipe out their stronghold before this winter arrives! Our preparations are complete!”
As each person shouted their opinion, Magalo slammed the table again.
BAAAAAM! CRACK!
This time, the table failed to withstand his fist and collapsed to the ground.
“Silence!”
At Magalo’s command, the tent immediately fell silent.
Everyone gathered there was older than Magalo.
Even so, they obeyed him.
That was because the Tantra Tribe’s customs dictated that its leader be chosen based on strength rather than wisdom.
The culture had arisen naturally from the dangers constantly lurking in their surroundings. When the Tantra Tribe’s chief died, the strongest warrior succeeded him as leader.
“I will make the decision. Do not make any more noise!”
“Forgive us.”
When everyone bowed their heads, Magalo thought briefly before looking at the man seated to his right.
“How many troops can we mobilize right now?”
“Around three thousand.”
“Prepare them.”
“Yes, understood.”
The man answered and left the tent. The man seated on Magalo’s left then cautiously spoke.
“Do you have a plan?”
Magalo glared fiercely ahead at his question.
“There has always been a plan. The answer was already decided as well. We were simply unable to act. I will endure no longer. This time, we will reclaim the honor of the Tantra Tribe.”
Magalo rose and picked up the long spear beside him.
“The kingdom bastards entered our land, built walls wherever they pleased, and stole our home! The time has come to pass judgment upon them! Rise, Tantra! We march!”
Magalo strode out of the tent. The others followed him, roaring as they went.
***
“Make every necessary preparation before I return.”
“Yes, Young Master. Please have a safe journey.”
After giving Rekton his orders, Leo left Rutoa Fortress with Igrit and Minatos.
-Then shall we fly straight to Kongd Village?
At Minatos’s suggestion, Igrit, who was carrying Leo, snorted.
-Fly? Why would we fly? I can run much faster than you can fly, kid.
-Carrot-brained moron. Your head is full of nothing but carrots, isn’t it? How could running possibly be faster than flying?
-Haha. You think you can make us fly? Nonsense. Do not try any of your petty tricks.
-Don’t say “us.” I have no desire to fly together with you.
-What?! Want to race and see whether I can run faster than you can fly?
FWOOSH!
Red flames instantly blazed from Igrit’s mane.
“Igrit. We’re in a forest.”
-Why are you only scolding me? That’s not fair.
At Igrit’s complaint, Leo looked at Minatos.
“Minatos. That’s enough from you too.”
Leo smiled when Minatos pouted.
“Now, we’re going to Kongd Village. I think the slave merchant will arrive there sometime this evening. We’ll time our arrival to match theirs. Okay?”
-Great! Let’s go!
-I can do it!
“Minatos. I’m counting on you.”
At Leo’s words, Minatos clenched their fist and began using the power of wind.
Igrit and Leo slowly rose into the air.
-Oh! What’s this?! We’re really flying!
-Of course we are. Did you think I was lying, you carrot-brained moron?
In truth, Igrit could have carried Leo to Kongd Village in a single day.
However, Leo intended to ask Minatos to fly them there safely and rest for a while during the journey.
There would be plenty to do once they arrived.
‘Minatos, I’m counting on you.’
-Yes, Leo. Don’t worry!
‘Igrit.’
-What?
‘Get plenty of sleep. We’ll have a lot to do once we arrive.’
-What sort of work? Is someone who steals carrots waiting for us?
Minatos frowned at Igrit’s words.
-What a moron....
-Be glad you’re a Spirit. If you weren’t, I’d drive a hind kick straight into your ribs.
-Do you think I’d just let you hit me? I’d roast you with fire and turn you into a horse-meat steak before you could touch me.
-Sorry, kid, but that won’t work on me.
-Want to test whether it’ll work or not?
“Both of you, be quiet. Let’s get going.”
Leo closed his eyes as he felt Igrit’s body float gently into the air.
-Leo! We’re leaving!
The moment Leo heard Minatos, he snapped his eyes open and looked at them.
“Ah, Minatos.”
-Yes, Leo!
“You remember how fast we flew from Ril Village to Rutoa to save Father, right?”
-Yes, of course.
They had flown at tremendous speed back then.
“Let’s go even faster this time.”
-Huh? Will you be all right?
Leo patted Igrit’s neck with his palm and asked.
“Igrit. You’ll be all right, won’t you?”
-I’ll be fine, but I don’t know if you will.
Leo smiled at Igrit’s words.
He was different now. He had grown stronger after defeating the Death Knight.
“I’ll be fine. I’m counting on you, Minatos.”
-Yes! Then I’ll increase our speed a little more!
The moment Minatos answered, Leo and Igrit shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.
And on Igrit’s back, Leo wore....
‘At this speed, we could reach almost anywhere in the south within three days. What a great breeze!’
A radiant smile.
-Oh, right. Leo.
As they flew through the sky, cutting through the fierce wind, Igrit quietly spoke to him.
‘What?’
-Did you regress?