Chapter 825: Be My Eyes!

Henwell's decision still catches everyone by surprise.

He motions for the senior commanders to sit. "I have already assigned all of your former commanders elsewhere."

"DeWitt has been transferred from the Wind Raider Cavalry to command the Ninth Legion."

"Samul now commands the Third Cavalry Legion, while Wizet is commander-in-chief of the Liverpool Military District."

"Taylor will soon take command of Peace Haven's newly formed Twelfth Legion."

"All of you are senior commanders, and every one of you could lead a legion."

"But talented officers are rising through every branch of Peace Haven's forces. I cannot fill every legion command with someone from the Lord Iron Guards."

"Officers in the other forces would think their path to advancement had been cut off."

"Yet keeping you beside me forever would waste your abilities."

"With the Calamity War upon us, you finally have room to use those abilities."

"A combat battalion and a reserve battalion together are already the size of a small knight order."

"Train them well, and they can play a far greater role in the battles ahead."

"Earn greater achievements, and greater opportunities will follow."

"Besides, all of you have already reached the Iron Rank."

"The Calamity War has given many factions large numbers of new professionals. Some of them have already started looking down on Peace Haven."

"You go as my representatives. Show them how deep Peace Haven's foundations truly run."

"I will also grant each of you a privilege: you may recruit suitable people wherever you are stationed."

"But I will not order the districts to help you. How many talented people you recruit will depend on you."

"Recruit as many as you can. As long as they qualify and pass inspection, I will provide all the equipment and supplies they need."

"Foreigners are acceptable as well. If you run into a dispute you cannot resolve, notify me and I will handle it."

Anticipation grows in their eyes. Henwell continues, "Dalton, you won't need to play political games at the Northern Mountain Front."

"But do not steal the spotlight from our brother units. Simon, commander of the First Cavalry Legion, was the first leader of the Lord Iron Guards and used to be your superior."

"His First Cavalry Legion is already taking shape as a knight order. One of its main warbands has six thousand members, all at the Knight Rank."

"Learn from him how to evoke the Light of Civilization and bring out the full combat power of a knight order."

"You also have much to learn from him about strategy and tactical command."

"Do not waste the opportunity. Train yourself well. You cannot remain captain of my guard forever."

"And you will obey Arius unless the commanders of both battle groups oppose his order."

Henwell turns to Strite. "When you join the Eastern Theater Army Group, do not act on your own."

"Your task is to destroy strategic nodes belonging to calamity creatures and capture certain high-level calamity creatures."

"Obey Kivel, commander-in-chief of the Eastern Military District. He knows how to make use of your force."

"The east is complicated. Sixth Prince Sundike's faction is there, along with those shit-stirrers from Diversion Bay."

"Be careful during cross-border operations. Whenever possible, have Sundike's people accompany you."

"But when the time comes to act, do not hesitate. Survive first. I will handle the consequences."

Henwell looks to Pinas. "The situation in the Southern District is already clear. Neither Obilian nor Roderick is a fool."

"They understand perfectly well that this is no time to obstruct us."

"The gods may be easy to appease, but priests are never satisfied."

"Quite a few lesser nobles want to stir up trouble, so move carefully."

"Do not give anyone an opening. If trouble arises, speak first with Sera, commander of the Southern District."

"Your main task is the targeted elimination of high-threat calamity nests."

"Use your head in a fight. Do not charge blindly into every battle."

Henwell turns to Clarke. "You are going to the Expeditionary Zone to fill its shortage of high-end combat power."

"Because of the distance, some of the Expeditionary Zone's advanced equipment falls short of what our other districts possess."

"Keep your people under control. Do not let them grow arrogant, and do not try to push the local command aside."

"Elia, the Expeditionary Zone's military chief, came from the Military Intelligence Office. Focus more of your efforts on gathering intelligence."

"You also need to discipline Barbosa, commander of the Expeditionary Zone's Second Mixed Fleet. That old pirate has slipped back into his old habits."

"Remind him that he is a naval general of Peace Haven now, not the lawless pirate he once was."

"He represents Peace Haven. He needs to show restraint and start behaving like an officer in a regular military."

Henwell takes out a box and hands it to Anzo. "Inside are details on my covert contacts in Kriye City and the tokens you will need to identify yourselves."

"Once you arrive, find time to meet them in secret. That should prevent any unfortunate misunderstandings."

"Kriye City is now the joint combat trial site proposed by the Western Federation. Forces from every faction have gathered there."

"The crowd is mixed, and the situation is more complicated than anywhere else."

"You are the cleverest among them, but play the fool while you are there. Act like a brute and keep your head down."

"The Military Intelligence Office's chief intelligence officer in the city will arrange your operations."

"He has a keen sense for changing circumstances. Listen to his advice and consult him before you act."

"The Church will soon send my elder brother Orak back. When that happens, arrange an escort to bring him to Peace Haven."

"No one may approach Orak along the way, no matter the reason. If anyone tries to force the issue, kill them on the spot."

"Finally, I have a secret mission for you. The details are in the box. Destroy the documents when you finish reading them."

At last, Henwell looks at Windsor. The tall female knight has risen above a crowd of rough men to reach her position, clear proof of her ability.

"Windsor, as I said, you are meticulous. I need you to mind the home front. When you escort the supply convoys north, do not exterminate all the unaffiliated professionals who come out against you."

"There will be more civilian professionals in the future. Kill too many, and interested parties will use it against us and turn civilian professional factions hostile."

"That would make all our later work more difficult."

"Kill the most brazen and vicious among them, and make them examples of what not to do."

"Then recruit a suitable group and show them Peace Haven's goodwill toward civilian professionals."

After finishing his instructions, Henwell surveys the group. "You should understand that there is a deeper reason I am sending all of you out."

"I will not spell it out for you."

"You are my guards, warriors who represent me directly, and extensions of my will."

"No matter what anyone tells you, how appealing their words sound, or what justification they invoke..."

"Remember this!"

"I am the only person you serve and the only person to whom you answer."

"You will be my blade, the embodiment of my spirit, and my... eyes!"