"Do you know what this ans?"
Facing his father's question, Fabio nodded: "I know!"
Count Obiken behind the desk looked up at his youngest son: "Decided?"
"Yes! When the ti cos, I have a way to escape, I'll—"
Obiken raised his hand to stop Fabio from continuing: "Enough! You don't need to tell the rest of your plan!
How you plan to do it, don't tell anyone! Anyone at all! Understand?"
Fabio nodded: "I understand!"
Obiken stared at him for a mont, then changed the subject: "The conditions you proposed, I'll explain them at the Command. There shouldn't be much obstruction."
As Fabio saluted and turned to leave, Obiken added: "Co back safely! I'll give you a chance to prove yourself!"
Fabio paused for a mont, then turned and walked toward his camp.
Count Obiken watched his son's retreating figure, his gaze lingering for a long ti.
"Go! Protect young Fabio! He hasn't yet understood what I ant.
If by the end he still doesn't understand! Then help him understand!"
The professional in the shadows nodded to Obiken, then lted back into the darkness and disappeared.
Returning to his tent, Fabio found Henwil alone: "Things are basically settled, just as you said. The Command should agree to my demands.
Now we need to intensify training for those serf soldiers, strive to make them into real warriors!"
Henwil shook his head: "Not enough ti! Don't train combat skills and battle formations! Those can't be learned in a short period!
In the next few days, sir, you need to select enough young and strong n from the serf army.
I think after you offer those generous terms, they'll enthusiastically sign up.
Other nobles won't obstruct too much either. After all, if they want to keep their own serf soldiers, they'll have to stay behind as rear guard.
The noble lords' lives are very valuable—whether to survive or risk their lives to preserve their conscripted serf soldiers.
This isn't even a choice; they'll cooperate with you very well, and might even owe you favors!"
After taking a drink of water, Henwil continued his analysis: "Our task isn't to select elite soldiers!
We need to choose people who can retreat with us, which requires long-distance travel.
Physical strength and endurance are crucial! This shouldn't be difficult for serfs. The hard part is maintaining formation while retreating.
Next, sir, you need to personally lead the selected serf soldiers in running around the camp every morning and evening."
Fabio asked doubtfully: "Running? Will that work? Not learning killing techniques?"
"Instinct in life-or-death situations will teach them how to use weapons to cut people down! But orderly retreat obviously isn't innate.
We've experienced two major retreats, sir, you've seen it too. If we scatter, it becos a huge disaster!
So they need to adapt to running in formation, at least not chaotically.
Controlling breathing rhythm, managing pace—these all determine whether we can escape successfully!
Not just the serf soldiers, sir, your Guard Corps needs to run too. Their horses will transport supplies and armor!"
Fabio chose to believe Henwil, but he also asked his own question: "Henwil, I want to know what made you choose to actively help ?
We've been in contact for a while now, and I sowhat understand your character.
You're very smart. Such precocious child prodigies usually like to show off.
But you've always hidden your abilities, afraid others would see your sharpness.
Now you could obviously follow and the main force to evacuate. Why step forward to give advice?"
Henwil had already prepared an answer for this question: "I hide my abilities precisely because I'm just a child!
This is a battlefield. If we were in a peaceful dostic environnt, I'd also show off my cleverness.
As for why I actively chose to assist you, sir, it's also because I'm precocious and have ambitions beyond my age.
My father died in battle. If I return to the Billie Kingdom, I have no inheritance rights and will eventually fade into obscurity.
Now, by following you, sir, I see a huge opportunity!
If you succeed, you'll surely be rewarded. When you return to the Worui Duchy, you'll be given important positions.
A hereditary title is already a predetermined outco for you, sir.
And when I grow up later, you can help obtain a knighthood!
I'm considering your future, sir, but also my own future. Our interests align!"
Hearing Henwil's answer, Fabio was sowhat surprised.
He looked strangely at this tall youth, feeling an illusion that the person standing before him wasn't a half-grown child but a mature adult.
After a mont, Fabio drew his longsword and placed it on Henwil's shoulder.
Henwil imdiately understood what this ant and knelt on one knee, left hand lightly touching his right shoulder.
"Henwil! I accept your loyalty in the na of my family's honorable surna—Rhine. I, Fabio, swear henceforth to regard you as a brother. Gods and glory will bear witness!"
Henwil bowed his head: "I will protect Lord Fabio. May you achieve great deeds and bring glory to your family!"
Fabio helped Henwil up: "Alright! Little Henwil, from now on you're my younger brother!
No more hiding your abilities! Our lives are tied together now, brother!"
Henwil: "Don't worry, sir! I'll do my best!"
Henwil thought to himself: As long as you don't betray , helping you advance won't be difficult later.
If we're lucky, you might even get to sit on that Grand Duke's seat and experience it!
The next day, Henwil began assisting Fabio in selecting young and strong n.
Imdiate military pay, main force rations, complete standard equipnt...
Imdiate military pay, main force rations, complete standard equipnt...
Because of the Command's order, no nobles prevented this poaching behavior.
Because of the Command's order, no nobles prevented this poaching behavior.
That afternoon, Fabio personally led the serf army in running around the large camp.
In the evening, Henwil brought hot water for Fabio to soak his feet.
Fabio's voice was hoarse from shouting all day. For the first ti, he discovered how difficult it was to make people run in formation.
Just organizing them into square formations took the entire afternoon.
Unexpectedly, after starting to run, before they even covered five hundred ters, the entire formation beca completely scattered.
Unexpectedly, after starting to run, before they even covered five hundred ters, the entire formation beca completely scattered.
To Fabio, this was simply unbelievable. How could it be so difficult?
The next day, Fabio followed Henwil's suggestion.
He assigned his guards to various square formations, requiring each to lead forty serf soldiers in running.
Once in the morning, once in the evening.
Finally, on the third day, there were no serf soldiers who got lost while running.
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