Chapter 72: The Border of Kadro Province—Forming the Defense Army

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Aside from this, the remaining personnel were organized into the Defense Army, tasked with guarding the borders of the Cadro Province while the Knight Order went to reinforce the front lines of Lensa, Ist, and Dani provinces.

To Veylin’s surprise, Alcott, Edgar, and Brian all stayed behind, foregoing the chance to earn military merit by accompanying the Knight Order.

Thus, though the vast camp still housed over twenty-six thousand people, its elite core had been siphoned off.

“Veylin, let’s begin,” Flora said to him.

Within the command tent, everyone fell silent, their gazes converging upon Veylin.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the Defense Army currently has thirty-six silver-ranked professionals, three hundred seventy-three bronze-ranked, about eighteen thousand apprentices, and the remaining eight thousand are laborers and logistical support staff.”

“As for provisions, we have enough food to last over a year.”

“In terms of weapons and equipment, we can sustain two high-intensity battles.”

“That concludes my report.”

Once Veylin had retaken his seat, Flora tapped the table and asked, “Now, share your thoughts—how should we defend this border?”

Alcott, the most senior figure present, stood to speak first.

“In my view, we should clear key border areas and then fortify them, with nearby units ready to reinforce in case of emergencies.”

“I agree.”

“I concur.”

“I am of the same opinion.”

Without doubt, the two remaining nobles and the sole pioneer knight made their stance clear, leaving the other silver knights exchanging uncertain glances.

Except for Flora’s subordinates, the remaining fourteen silver knights were left by other nobles to command the troops, lacking noble titles or military positions and thus losing their voice.

Within the tent, three factions could be distinguished: Flora and her ten silver knights, along with a low-ranking silver priest, represented the kingdom’s military as the Knight Order’s delegates; Alcott and the other two nobles, together with Veylin the pioneer knight, belonged to the Exes family with ten silver knights;

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The last faction comprised fourteen silver knights forced by fourteen noble houses to remain and lead troops—banding together to protect their interests and retain a say in proceedings.

Three minutes passed without Flora making her stance known, leaving the fourteen noble representatives in silence, heads bowed as they studied the patterns on the carpet.

Lacking noble status or military rank, mere knights, they simply could not assert themselves.

After an indeterminate time, Flora looked at Alcott, nodded, then stood and declared, “My full name is Flora Exes, current commander of the Defense Army. For the sake of the province’s safety, I expect you to make your choice clear—or don’t blame me for taking ruthless measures.”

Internal strife was something Flora despised.

The fourteen silver knights glanced at one another, understanding that they must either obey the commander’s orders and fulfill their assigned duties, or risk being eliminated with their own lords unable to protest, unless they wished to become enemies of the Exes family.

The next moment, all fourteen stood, saluting Flora with military etiquette and swearing, “In the name of the Goddess of Life, we vow to obey the commander’s orders unconditionally until the end of the military operation or the return of our lords.”

“Good. Now that we’re of one mind, let’s proceed directly to the operational meeting and make further arrangements.”

“Bring the map.”

Two silver knights behind Flora followed the order, spreading a detailed map of Cadro Province and the surrounding Graylight regions across the carpet.

“Alcott, you’ll handle the deployment.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Alcott took the pointer from Flora and began tapping various locations on the map, assigning tasks: “There are five key sites outside the border that need thorough clearing.”

“My lady, do we need to clear the site near the border of the Sepro Province as well?” asked a silver knight from the noble faction, unable to hold back his question.

Veylin glanced at the area mentioned—it was indeed the region directly in front of the Lake of Star Prayer.

Remembering last night’s absence from the discussion, Veylin had wanted his elders to exclude that area, since he could handle it himself.

But Flora had said, “You’re staying to help your aunt, so you deserve some compensation. That’s settled. Otherwise, beware a thrashing.”

“So, you have an objection?” Flora fixed her gaze on the questioning silver knight, the warning obvious.

“My lady, he’s just lost his wits. None of us have any issues,” answered the leading silver knight of the noble faction, glaring at the one who had spoken.

“In that case, the first phase is to clear these five regions, and the second is to fortify them,” Alcott continued once the matter was settled.

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Next came the assignment of personnel.

Alcott, Edgar, Brian, and Flora each took responsibility for one area, while the last was entrusted to the leading knight of the noble faction.

Under Flora’s assertive leadership, the force tasked with clearing the Yellowstone region of the Graylight Wastelands, where the Lake of Star Prayer was located, was the largest—over eight thousand strong, commanded personally by Flora.

As expected, Veylin was assigned under Flora.

After the meeting, the units began their reorganization.

To maintain control, Flora, Alcott, Edgar, and Brian requested only common soldiers and junior officers, excluding mid- and high-ranking officers to prevent disruption in command.

Faced with Flora’s uncompromising attitude, the noble faction had no choice but to acquiesce.

That night, in a remote corner of the camp, the silver knights of the fourteen noble factions gathered.

“I’ll go first,” said the leading mid-ranked silver knight, “My lord left behind two thousand two hundred men. Flora took away fifteen hundred, leaving me with fewer than seven hundred.”

“You’re lucky,” replied a baron’s representative, dejected, “My lord left eight hundred men, seven hundred were taken, less than a hundred remain.”

“I’m in much the same boat—eighty percent of my troops were withdrawn and reorganized, leaving me only two hundred.”

One after another, the officers reported their situations.

Once tallied, the leader found that the combined strength of all fourteen amounted to only six thousand men; thirteen thousand had been requisitioned.

“Damn that woman—if only…”

“Shut up. If you want to die, don’t drag us with you.”

The silver knight who had spoken out during the day grumbled, but was sharply rebuked, and even the others distanced themselves, watching him coldly.