Feeling that it was time to proceed, Howard addressed Resarite, “Don’t take Anna’s words to heart, Resarite. She’s young and lacks a sober understanding of war. She comes from the wealthy Katerina family, so it’s natural for someone of her youth not to fully grasp the brutality of war.”
Resarite’s response was slightly cold, “It’s fine. If she comes from such a prominent family, let her be.”
Howard felt a bit awkward, realizing that Resarite’s previous assistance in helping Earl Vancouver defeat Duke William might have caused some resentment.
Partly, it was the nobles’ refusal to follow orders – not Resarite’s fault.
But it might also be due to Resarite’s difficulty in maintaining cordial relations with others.
Seeing Resarite’s mood not yet mellowed, Howard decided to change the subject, “The bustle at the castle gate seems to be growing louder, Resarite.
Why don’t you go and start selecting the new recruits? Follow the general criteria I’ve set to fill our Castle Fernsouth’s ranks.”
Resarite replied, “No, my lord, I wish for you to accompany me.”
Puzzled, Howard asked, “Why do you say that? I fear I might be a hindrance.”
Resarite explained, “It’s for your own good, my lord. Military acumen isn’t acquired overnight; it requires long-term cultivation. Even if you don’t voice an opinion, merely sitting there will teach you how to discern good soldiers from bad.”
Howard felt reassured and grateful, “You have my best interests at heart, Resarite, thinking of my long-term growth rather than vying for power. You truly are a loyal subject. Alright, I will join you in recruiting the soldiers.”
Having said that, Howard stood up to leave.
Anna hurriedly ran after him, grabbing his hand, pleading, “I want to go too! Let me come with you!”
Howard replied, “No, it’s not necessary. Two of us are enough.”
Anna looked as though she was about to cry.
Resarite, not turning back and continuing to walk forward, said, “Let it be, Lord Howard. Allow her to come. Having another noble present might help keep the commoners in check.”
Hearing this, Anna first appeared surprised, then delighted, flashing a triumphant smile at Howard.
Howard, with a wry smile, said resignedly, “Alright, you can come, but please don’t cause any disturbance.”
The group arrived at the castle gates.
Under Howard’s command, soldiers stood guard, weapons in hand, establishing a security checkpoint.
After an orderly security check, maids from the Visconti family brought three chairs, while soldiers from Resarite’s camp brought over a long, narrow table.
Anna took a seat on the left, Howard in the middle, and Resarite on the right.
The assessment process officially began.
The first candidate was a middle-aged man who seemed frail and shaky.
His skin was pale, indicative of long-term malnutrition.
Anna, gripping Howard’s arm, whispered, “We can’t accept someone like him. He’s too weak. How could he fight?”
Howard shared her opinion, and Resarite firmly rejected the man.
The candidate was turned away.
As Howard watched the rejected man’s forlorn figure retreat, he signaled to one of the maids.
The maid quickly approached, lowering her stance and leaning in to listen for Howard’s instructions.
Howard softly spoke to her, “That man seems pitiful, probably hasn’t had enough to eat. Give him a basket of bread as a token of my sympathy.”
The maid nodded, swiftly coordinating with others.
They managed to hand over the basket to the man just before he left the castle grounds.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, the man wept, saying, “Lord Howard is truly kind.
It’s rare to see nobles who care so much for the poor these days.”
The next to approach was a tall man.
He seemed to have no evident issues, and after unanimous agreement from the trio, he was escorted by the soldiers to his new living quarters.
The third candidate was a short, stout middle-aged man.
Anna found his appearance unappealing and was hesitant.
Howard, however, suggested testing his combat skills, a sentiment echoed by Resarite.
The man asked for a heavy chain with iron balls at each end and began to swing it around him.
His movements created a protective sphere, suggesting considerable combat potential on the battlefield.
Howard deemed him suitable, and Resarite saw him as a valuable asset.
With the other two in agreement, Anna relented, and the stout man was also led to his living quarters by the soldiers.
Thus, the recruitment ceremony continued until noon.
Finally, after careful selection, 312 individuals were chosen, and Castle Fernsouth’s ranks of conscripts were filled.
Many were left over, and Howard gently consoled them before sending them away, leaving some regretting not having arrived earlier.
After the conclusion of the recruitment process, Howard, Anna, and Resarite proceeded to dine in the castle.
The setting was familiar – a long, slender table with Howard at one end and the other two seated on either side.
Compared to the initial days in Yami Village, where Anna and Margaret were distant and unfamiliar with Howard, both Anna and Resarite had grown much closer to him through their shared endeavors over time.
They now chose seats closest to Howard.
During the meal, Howard’s witty conversation kept Anna laughing continuously.
Even the usually reserved Resarite couldn’t help but chuckle at the table.
The collective effort in recruiting a capable group of soldiers seemed to have bridged any gaps between them, drawing them closer together.
Anna and Resarite, having moved past their earlier discomfort, now engaged in light-hearted banter.
After the meal, at Howard’s suggestion, the trio strolled around the castle, engaging in casual conversation.
Anna spoke of her family, revealing that she came from a strict household and had rarely felt happy growing up.
Her initial willingness to visit Yami Village was partly driven by a desire to gain a land grant outside her family’s influence, to prove something to them.
Anna wanted to show the Katerina family that she, too, was capable!
Resarite opened up about his experiences of betrayal and the dark days that followed, where he sought solace in alcohol.
As a commander on the battlefield, these experiences profoundly altered his perspective on war.
He now viewed conflict as a means, but not one to be solely relied upon.
Shaking his head slightly at Anna, his eyes conveyed a sense of wisdom and a serene acceptance of life’s complexities.
The three wandered through the castle, engaging in deep conversation, each opening up more as they spoke.
In the afternoon, at Anna’s insistence, Howard joined her for tea, while Resarite headed to check on the ordered swords and leather armor at the castle’s shop.
Though the castle’s economic capabilities couldn’t match those of a city, the experienced craftsmen there were as skilled as any pampered city blacksmith in crafting weapons and armor.
Anna, while sipping her afternoon tea, commented on Resarite, “He’s just too old-fashioned. I invited him to join us for tea, but he refused.”
Howard chuckled, “Resarite is always thinking of the soldiers and the war. He’s a good general.”
Anna, taking a leisurely sip of her tea, mused, “I haven’t seen Margaret around lately. I’ve been here several times, but she’s nowhere to be seen.”
Howard also took a sip of tea and said, “I really don’t know about that. Even as a lord, I can’t interfere with a vassal’s personal freedom.”
After a pause, he suddenly added, “I think Kaido is not loyal. I saw him hunting with a few light cavalrymen recently. He clearly has light cavalry at his disposal, yet he didn’t send them to assist me in battle.”
Anna pursed her lips, her background from the Katerina family making her keenly aware of Howard’s ambiguous attitude towards Kaido.
This was a sign of a lord’s mistrust towards his vassal.
She responded, “Just because Kaido didn’t send his light cavalry to aid you in battle, you hold a grudge against him? Howard, there are rules in our nobility. If a vassal shows loyalty and honor by sending troops, that’s their good will. But you can’t blame them if they don’t send as many as you’d like.”
Howard deftly changed the subject, clearly not wishing to continue this line of conversation.
Three days later, Castle Fernsouth was preliminarily reorganized.
Individual equipment had been distributed, and the ranks were all set and ready. 𝘪𝘳.𝒸𝑜𝑚
Now, they were just waiting for good news from Bosiden.
Margaret still hadn’t visited Castle Fernsouth, but Howard didn’t mind.
He knew that if he called upon Margaret to bring troops to his aid, she would come without hesitation.
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