Days had passed since his inspection of the mines, and his responsibilities only seemed to be increasing. Edmund had met with all the city's officials to understand how everything worked, but it was the same old story: foolish loyalty to tradition, or incompetence and corruption within the system.
If Edmund wanted to properly develop his territory, he had to put down deep roots in that place. Although the land was a wasteland, it could be restored with ease. If the territory proved too small, he could always expand. The problem was not just a lack of labor or insufficient income; he would have to build a system from scratch so he wouldn't try to fix something already broken and bleeding the treasury dry.
After the assistant minister left and they confirmed that the local nobles were concealing the amount of iron being produced, Edmund called for Commander Jhon and ordered him:
"Gather your men and look for a few more trustworthy guards. They must have combat experience and be in good health."
After the knight saluted and left, Edmund rubbed his forehead while continuing to examine the data collected by Minister Barov.
The frontier city's main exports came from mining and hunting, while most of its imports were food. Everything was transported directly along the Tana Dante River, which passed through the territory of the Kingdom of Khypris, the local kingdom attempting to expand its lands in Border Princess.
The city's mineral exports included all kinds of minerals: iron, copper, sulfur, and, with luck, some precious stones such as sapphires and rubies…
The city did not pay for its mineral exports with gold, but with food from outside. One would expect that, given that gems were considered highly valuable luxury goods, the frontier city would have accumulated a considerable surplus of grain over the past five years.
But that had not been the case.
Wasteful spending on unnecessary art and knightly festivals had bled the house's treasury dry.
Edmund would have to secure enough funds to begin the changes he wanted to make. Otherwise, he could be left with half-executed plans that would only worsen the situation.
All of this was based on the premise that he could defend himself against all the enemies surrounding him, but to do that, he needed a capable force.
Jhon acted quickly. The next day, he gathered thirty of his trusted men alongside two knights, the same ones who had accompanied us during the inspection of the mines: Ser Aldren and Ser Mathis.
Worn armor, spears or swords that had seen better days. Some looked too thin for the equipment they carried, while others displayed old scars and the rigid posture of men who had spent too many years surviving with insufficient resources.
Edmund observed them in silence.
He had not expected to find elite soldiers. Graymont could barely keep its men fed and equipped, much less pay for a professional army. But he did not need to begin by teaching them how to wield a sword.
Most of these men already knew how to fight.
The problem was that each of them seemed to have learned how to do so on his own.
"Are these the best we have?" Edmund asked.
"The most reliable and the ones in the best condition," Jhon replied. "Some have served for years in the patrols around the mines and roads. Others have experience fighting bandits and greenskins."
Edmund looked again at the irregular formation before him.
"Good. Then we will begin with something simple. Starting today, all of you will begin rigorous training. It will be mandatory and will take place every day."
The reaction was immediate.
Several guards exchanged displeased looks. Some frowned, while others let out annoyed sighs. They had come expecting to receive new patrol orders or participate in some operation, not spend hours repeating basic movements under the sun.
Even the two knights seemed annoyed.
Ser Aldren crossed his arms over his chest, while Ser Mathis watched Edmund with a skeptical expression. Both had trained since childhood and considered the guards long past the training stage.
Edmund noticed their reactions but paid them no attention.
"Before you start complaining, listen carefully. Everyone who completes the training will receive a salary increase. It will not be a symbolic reward; it will be a real increase for those who follow the program."
Although Edmund did not want men who were loyal to him because of money, he was not foolish enough to believe that everyone would be loyal to him simply because he was the lord of the land. He would leave that kind of thinking to the Bretonnians.
The murmur of discontent diminished, though it did not disappear completely.
"Additionally, food will be served to all participants after every session. And whoever finishes each exercise first will receive double the normal portion."
This time, the silence was absolute.
The men looked at one another. For many of them, a double portion of food was a much more convincing incentive than any speech about honor or discipline.
Jhon observed the men and then turned his gaze back to Edmund.
"What exactly do you plan to accomplish by training simple guards?" he asked. "Some of them have barely participated in organized combat. And the knights already have their own training. What do you expect to achieve with all this?"
Edmund held his gaze.
"I need soldiers and commanders for my next battles."
Jhon frowned slightly.
"Soldiers and commanders? My lord, these men are guards. Ser Aldren and Ser Mathis are knights, not army officers."
"That is what they are now," Edmund replied. "But that does not necessarily mean it is what they have to remain."
He turned toward the men, who were listening to the conversation with growing attention.
"I do not need simple guards who know how to watch a gate or chase a thief. Nor do I need knights who only know how to fight on their own. I need men capable of standing firm in formation, obeying orders, leading others, and making decisions when the battle becomes chaotic."
Edmund allowed his words to sink in before continuing.
"Each of you must ask yourselves a question: what do you want to become?"
Some raised their heads, slightly confused by Edmund's words.
"Do you want to remain poorly paid guards, destined to patrol roads and guard mines? Do you want to become soldiers capable of defending your homes? Or do you aspire to become commanders, men whom others will follow when the time comes to fight?"
The courtyard remained silent.
Even the knights had stopped openly displaying their displeasure. Ser Mathis lowered his arms, and Ser Aldren narrowed his eyes, as if he were seriously considering Edmund's words for the first time.
"The answer will depend on how much you are willing to endure," Edmund continued. "Today, I am not going to teach you anything glorious. You will march, halt, turn, close ranks, and advance without losing formation. Afterward, you will learn to attack and retreat in turns. If anyone breaks formation without an order, everyone will repeat the exercise."
The men prepared themselves with evident reluctance, although there was now some interest in Edmund's words.
Edmund stepped aside and rejoined the three knights.
"Each of you will take command of ten men and ensure that each group is coordinated and able to fight as one."
Jhon watched as the guards began forming clumsy, irregular lines and merely shook his head, somewhat overwhelmed by the task his new lord had placed in his hands.