Chapter 67: Gathering at the Falling Cloud Slope

Early the next morning, within the military camp, two hundred infantry and twenty knight-attendants were already assembled, standing in formation and awaiting the arrival of their lord.

“Salute the lord!” commanded Eden, a bronze-ranked warrior who had assumed the role of commander.

At once, all present raised their weapons in unison to show their respect to Weilin.

“Excellent. Full of spirit,” Weilin remarked, handing his mount to the knight-attendant Kyle before ascending the platform of the training ground.

“Form ranks,” he ordered.

The soldiers lowered their weapons, stood straight, and fixed their gaze upon their lord.

“From today onward, for the next month, you will train under my personal supervision,” Weilin announced. “During this period, you will address me uniformly as General.”

As soon as he finished, more than two hundred voices responded in unison: “Yes, General!”

And so, for the following month and a half, Weilin thoroughly enjoyed his role as General, putting the men through rigorous drills within the limited time available—driving them to their limits.

In exchange, however, the rations were triple the usual fare, fueling their enthusiasm and leaving no room for complaint.

On August 10th, the month-long training concluded successfully. The newly equipped force, led by Weilin and carrying five days’ worth of dry rations, set out for Luoyun Slope, three hundred kilometers away, to assemble.

…

Luoyun Slope, once a barren and desolate place, had now transformed into a vast encampment. Eligible nobles from across the Kadro Province had arrived, each leading their own troops, preparing to participate in the forthcoming military campaign.

At the registration point by the camp’s gate, the scribe of the Sixteenth Knight Order was recording the details of each noble’s army.

“Name?”

“Weilin Ecks.”

Hearing the familiar name, the scribe looked up to scrutinize Weilin before asking, “Number of troops?”

“Twenty cavalry, two hundred infantry.”

The scribe swiftly took note, then beckoned a bronze-ranked knight on duty.

“Sir,” the knight responded, approaching and bowing.

“Escort this noble to Camp Six.”

“Yes, sir. This way, please.”

Weilin, accompanied by his force, followed the bronze knight to Camp Six.

After a short march, they reached a clean and orderly camp.

“Weilin!”

Following the sound, Weilin saw that it was none other than his cousin, Bryan.

“Sir, this is Camp Six. I’ll take my leave now,” the bronze knight said.

“Thank you,” Weilin replied, before walking straight toward Bryan.

“Weilin, I didn’t expect you to come as well! Well done, you even received an official summons,” Bryan exclaimed, embracing Weilin with a laugh.

“Cousin, it’s all thanks to Aunt Flora’s help that I got this opportunity,” Weilin replied with a smile.

“Oh,” Bryan nodded in understanding. “Come, let me introduce you to our two uncles.”

“Cousin, my men haven’t settled in yet, I should—”

“Leave it to Adrian,” Bryan interrupted.

Adrian, the magic knight behind Bryan, stepped forward to take charge of Weilin’s troops, leading them away to rest. With that settled, Weilin followed Bryan to the main tent to meet their uncles.

Entering the tent, Weilin greeted the two men—Alcott and Edgar—who were engaged in lively discussion.

“Uncles, it’s been too long!”

Hearing the familiar voice, both men turned in surprise.

“So you’ve come as well,” Alcott said.

“Not bad, Weilin. You’ve qualified for this campaign—well done,” Edgar added.

“Come, sit with us. Let’s have a good talk,” Alcott invited.

Bryan pulled up a seat for Weilin near Alcott, and soon the conversation was in full swing.

“You’ve done well—you haven’t neglected your training. You’ve grown sturdy. How many men did you bring?” Alcott asked, stroking his beard.

“Two hundred infantry, twenty knight-attendants, all at least mid-level apprentices,” Weilin replied without reservation.

The two older men were astonished.

Bryan’s mouth dropped open in disbelief. “You said all are mid-level apprentices? You’re not exaggerating?”

“If you don’t believe me, you can see for yourselves,” Weilin answered with a smile.

“Well done! When I first arrived here, it took me five years to achieve what you have in one,” Alcott said, clearly impressed with his nephew.

Edgar, equally surprised, thought of his own eldest son and muttered, “When I return, I must set stricter training for Alik. I can’t let that boy idle his days away any longer.”

Bryan, overhearing, silently mourned for his friend, hoping their next meeting would not be so far off.

“Cousin, uncles, how many men did you each bring?” Weilin asked, pleased with their astonishment.

Bryan took up the task of introduction. “Let me do the honors, uncle.”

“Very well,” Alcott agreed.

Edgar nodded his assent.

“Weilin, I brought six hundred: thirty bronze knights, seventy knight-attendants, three hundred infantry, and two hundred militiamen serving as laborers.

“Uncle Alcott brought eight hundred: fifty bronze knights, one hundred fifty knight-attendants, three hundred infantry, and three hundred militiamen.

“As for Uncle Edgar, he brought the most—twelve hundred men: fifty bronze knights, two hundred fifty knight-attendants, six hundred infantry, and three hundred laborers.”

Then Bryan asked, “Weilin, didn’t you bring any logistics personnel?”

Weilin shook his head.

“In that case, I can spare you fifty—”

“I have some—”

“And I—”

“Cousin, uncles, there’s no need to assign me laborers. Aunt Flora wrote ahead to tell me she’s already arranged for my logistics; all I had to do was bring enough soldiers,” Weilin interjected before they could finish.

“Ah, that works, too,” Alcott said, satisfied, and the group shifted to other topics.

“Uncles, how much more military merit do you need to be promoted to viscount?” Weilin asked.

For once, both Alcott and Edgar fell silent.

After a few moments, Alcott replied, “According to the kingdom’s rules, to be promoted from baron to viscount, you must rule at least thirty thousand people, command a qualified army of a thousand, have twelve silver-ranked transcendants, one hundred bronze-ranked transcendants, three thousand military merits, and most importantly, thirty acts of valor in battle.”

“Our families meet all requirements except for valor in battle. We hope this campaign will finally allow us to reach the standard,” Edgar added for Weilin’s benefit.