The moment Ghislain returned to his domain, he began issuing urgent orders to his knights. “Hurry! We don’t have much time! Get into the formation on rotation!” Lately, the knights had been training in mana concentration chambers powered by fragments of the Dragon Heart. Thanks to the abundance of runestones in Ferdium, nearly everyone had access to their own personal mana-enhancing facilities. However, the Dragon Heart fragments were limited in quantity, allowing for the construction of only about a hundred enhanced mana chambers. Even with such constraints, these chambers provided unparalleled benefits to those who used them. “Ugh... This really hurts,” one knight groaned as he stepped into the chamber. Unlike standard mana training setups, those utilizing Dragon Heart fragments supplied far greater amounts of mana. But the strain on the body was immense. The excruciating pain was a price the knights had to pay to grow stronger quickly. “Grrr... Damn it...” The knights grimaced, groaning as they focused on their mana cultivation. The surge of mana felt like it would rip their bodies apart. They had no choice but to concentrate and stabilize the flow to endure. Once inside, Ghislain didn’t need to berate them to push harder. If they didn’t want their bodies to implode, they had no option but to put in the effort. Still, the results made the suffering worthwhile. After each session, the knights could feel their mana reserves significantly increased. That sweet reward kept them going, even through the agony. It wasn’t just the knights who underwent such grueling training. Thud! “Huff... Huff...” Ghislain himself pushed his body to the brink whenever he could. His training now included wearing solid steel armor that was far heavier than anything he had used before. Clank. Chains with weights far beyond human capacity were attached to his body. Even in that state, Ghislain continued to swing his sword and hone his skills without pause. I have to strengthen my body further. To handle the rapidly increasing mana flow brought on by Dark’s enhancements, Ghislain knew his physical form needed to be tougher than ever. Of course, no amount of training could surpass the inherent limits of the human body. Beyond a certain level, training for mana users required a fundamentally different approach. Endure. Gritting his teeth, Ghislain swung his sword again. Without tapping into his mana, even a single swing demanded tremendous effort. Yet, his stance remained unwavering, his movements precise. Thud. By pushing his body to its absolute limits, his organs and blood vessels began adapting to draw on mana instinctively. This process was similar to how Ghislain had trained himself in the past, forcing mana to flow naturally by enduring self-inflicted attacks. Through this agonizing yet enlightening process, his body grew stronger, allowing him to channel and sustain greater amounts of mana. It was a method to transcend the limits of the human form and step into the realm of the superhuman. Now, Ghislain’s body had begun functioning like a dragon’s, with mana coursing through it as naturally as blood. The harder he pushed himself, the faster his body became accustomed to its enhanced state. Thud. Thud. Thud. Just a bit more. Even as muscles tore and bones fractured, Ghislain paid no mind. The mana flowing through him, combined with his exceptional regenerative abilities, repaired his injuries rapidly. Repeating this cycle over and over, Ghislain’s body continued evolving beyond the constraints of humanity. Watching from the sidelines, Dark clicked his tongue in disbelief. This guy isn’t human. He’s already so strong, yet he’s still pushing himself like this? What a lunatic. An absolute lunatic. If it were him, Dark mused, he’d enjoy the wealth and luxury of such a vast estate for the rest of his life without a second thought. Though... I guess I get it. Having glimpsed Ghislain’s memories of his past life, Dark understood the depth of his determination. That burning thirst for revenge, Dark realized, was something even he couldn’t fully comprehend. On top of that, Ghislain now carried the fierce resolve to protect what was precious to him. Still, running away would be so much easier. That’s what I’d do. While he understood Ghislain’s mindset, he couldn’t entirely relate. After all, Dark had spent his existence alone. Despite his skepticism, Dark couldn’t deny he found his time with Ghislain surprisingly enjoyable. The drama, the absurd characters—everything about it amused him. After finishing his brutal training, Ghislain didn’t take a moment to rest. He immediately began inspecting his domain, meticulously checking the progress of various projects. One of his main focuses was the growing number of mercenaries in Ferdium. “How are the newly recruited mercenaries doing?” Ghislain asked. “They’re in much better shape now. Their morale has skyrocketed,” Claude replied, his pride evident. Under Ghislain’s orders, Claude had worked hard to improve conditions for the mercenaries. With an abundance of resources at their disposal, they implemented policies that other domains wouldn’t even dream of. “Mercenaries from all over the kingdom are clamoring to join our ranks,” Claude added. The reputation of the Ferdium Mercenary Corps was spreading like wildfire, drawing mercenaries eager to enjoy the unparalleled benefits they offered. “We’re implementing everything you suggested,” Claude said, referring to the ideas Ghislain had shared from his own time as a mercenary. These were concepts Ghislain had once thought would make life easier for those in the trade. Claude had refined those ideas into effective policies. “First, we’ve built hospitals in every region for mercenaries and are providing affordable medical services. Thanks to the academy in the domain, we’re continuously training doctors, so we’ll be able to expand these facilities even further.” One of the greatest fears for mercenaries was the cost of medical treatment. Priests were scarce and charged exorbitant fees, making healing inaccessible for most. Many resorted to self-treating wounds with rudimentary methods, often worsening their injuries. To address this, the Ferdium Mercenary Corps established affordable medical facilities in every part of the domain connected by roads. Mercenaries could now receive proper care without breaking the bank. The academy Ghislain had founded ensured a steady supply of trained doctors to staff these facilities. “Good. There’s nothing worse than being sick or injured and broke. What else?” Ghislain asked. “For the Loyalist territories, we’ve implemented a system to provide mercenaries with basic food and housing.” The workers who had previously been involved in road construction were now running out of tasks and idling. Ghislain quickly redirected them to a new infrastructure project. This time, the initiative involved constructing safe, secure housing where the mercenaries of Ferdium could rest free of charge. These facilities were available not only during missions but also while traveling, allowing the mercenaries to minimize hunger and exhaustion. Saving money was an added benefit. “Are the families of the mercenaries being taken care of properly?” Ghislain asked. “Of course,” Claude replied with confidence. “We’ve provided them with housing, and when they need supplies, they can request deliveries at reduced costs.” Using Ferdium’s renowned arrow-fast delivery system, essential goods were promptly dispatched to mercenaries' families, ensuring both the fighters and their loved ones were satisfied. Ghislain smiled approvingly. “Good. Having nowhere to go and no place to rest is truly a miserable experience.” He spoke from personal experience. In his early days as a fledgling mercenary, he had frequently found himself exposed to the elements, with no shelter from the biting wind or torrential rain. He understood the despair and bitterness of such a life all too well. Claude also resonated with this sentiment. He had once been burdened with gambling debts, living a destitute life as a self-proclaimed "King of Beggars." “In addition to housing projects, we’ve also begun constructing educational facilities and implementing social welfare programs,” Claude added. Traditionally, mercenaries learned their skills and knowledge from veterans, which often resulted in incomplete or informal training. Ghislain had ordered the establishment of training facilities to ensure mercenaries could acquire professional skills in various fields. Moreover, a social security program had been introduced for retired mercenaries who could no longer work due to injury or age. Former members of the Ferdium Mercenary Corps were guaranteed basic living support, allowing them to maintain their dignity. “It’s still in its early stages, so it needs refining. But the mere existence of such programs has already put many mercenaries at ease,” Claude reported. Ghislain thought back to his past life, where the fates of retired mercenaries were often grim. Most mercenaries struggled to save money due to the constant drain of medical expenses and the cost of living. Those who retired often found themselves barely scraping by, and many were swindled out of what little they had left. A peaceful retirement was a luxury only a select few, with fame or exceptional skill, could afford. For ordinary mercenaries, it was an unattainable dream. Determined to change that, Ghislain ensured every detail of the welfare programs was carefully planned. As Ghislain reviewed the reports, a satisfied grin spread across his face. “Everything’s going well. It seems like we’ve gained a lot more mercenaries.” 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞 Claude nodded with pride. “We now have 20,000 mercenaries officially registered. Despite this, we’ve maintained their independence as much as possible.” The groundbreaking policies introduced in Ferdium had attracted mercenaries in droves, even luring fighters from other kingdoms. The scale of the migration caused an uproar in the western territories of the Ruthania Kingdom. While the southern regions had traditionally been self-sufficient without relying on mercenaries, the western lords were heavily dependent on them. With most western mercenaries flocking to Ferdium, tensions began to rise. Meanwhile, in the eastern regions, the Drake Mercenary Corps had been actively recruiting new members. Initially, their methods were closer to forced assimilation, but as word of Ferdium’s benefits spread, mercenaries began voluntarily joining. In short, the kingdom’s entire mercenary scene was rapidly falling under Ghislain’s control. “Finally,” Ghislain murmured. “We’re ready.” The standing Ferdium army had grown to 30,000 soldiers, thanks to systematic population management and recruitment across the expansive territory. Each soldier was equipped with Galvanium armor, making them a formidable force. Among them, 10,000 elite troops, known as the “Mobile Corps,” had been trained under elven guidance. These troops mastered horseback riding and archery and were armed with mobile siege equipment, making them a fearsome offensive unit. Beyond the regular army, the 20,000 mercenaries stationed across various regions would rally to Ghislain’s command at a moment’s notice. The knight corps had expanded to 400 members, while the ranks of mages had swelled to 100. Most of the mages had been coerced into joining, but they now served Ferdium willingly. Ghislain himself was a master, and Vanessa had reached the pinnacle of the 7th circle. Combined, their strength was unparalleled, and several other high-ranking talents added to Ferdium’s power. “This is enough to make a stand against anyone in the kingdom,” Claude observed with a grin. When Claude first arrived, he had worried about how they would make ends meet. Now, Ferdium was the strongest power in the northern regions, poised to claim dominance over the entire kingdom. Every step of this journey, Claude and the retainers had been by Ghislain’s side. Their pride in Ferdium’s transformation was immeasurable. Objectively, the Ducal Houses still had more raw strength than Ferdium. But with the support of the Royalist faction and the Four Great Orders, Ferdium was no longer at a disadvantage. Ghislain nodded firmly as he addressed his advisors. “The Ducal Houses will be held back by the Royalists for now. In the meantime, we’ll deal with Marquis Rodrik.” “All preparations for the campaign are complete,” Claude reported. “The soldiers are armed, supplied, and ready for war.” Gillian added, “The troops’ training is flawless. Not only the soldiers, but even the citizens are fully motivated and ready to defend the territory.” Ferdium’s current prosperity stood in stark contrast to the poverty and hardship its people had previously endured. That transformation had instilled in them a fierce determination to protect their newfound way of life. Even the prospect of war with Marquis Rodrik didn’t faze them. They were ready to fight—and, if necessary, die—for Ferdium. Several days later, the knights completed their training in the enhanced mana chambers. “Hah... I feel like I’ve doubled in strength,” Gordon said, his voice brimming with newfound confidence. The other knights nodded in agreement. Despite the excruciating pain of the process, the results were undeniable. Their mana reserves had grown significantly, enabling them to fight longer and harder than ever before. As Ghislain reviewed the state of his domain, a satisfied smile spread across his face. There was only one nagging disappointment: Alfoy’s progress in magic remained underwhelming. “Alfoy! What on earth were you doing while I was away?” Vanessa’s sharp voice rang out from the magic research lab. “I... I was supervising the mages...” “I told you to study!” “It’s not easy...” “What’s so difficult about it?” “Fine, fine... let me take a break, then...” “Where do you think you’re going? Get back to your studies!” “...Yes, ma’am.” Vanessa’s reprimands echoed daily throughout the Ferdium Magic Research Institute. Alfoy had barely managed to learn a handful of 4th-circle spells, let alone reach the 5th circle. His reluctance to study had stalled his progress entirely. At least he had mastered a few incantations—if only to avoid Vanessa’s wrath. With all preparations complete, Ferdium was poised for its next move. It was then that a messenger arrived with urgent news. “Marquis Rodrik has mobilized his forces.” The announcement surprised no one. It had been expected. “Should we summon the mercenaries?” Claude asked. “If we issue the command now, they could rally en route.” “No,” Ghislain replied calmly. “For someone like Marquis Rodrik, there’s no need to disrupt the work of our mercenaries. I’ll call on them when the time is right.” “Are we taking a defensive stance?” “That would be boring.” Ghislain’s lips curved into a cold smile. “I’ll lead our elite Mobile Corps—10,000 of our best—to the west. The rest of you, follow the contingency plans I’ve laid out.” As he rose, his gaze turned steely. “Let’s go. This time, we’ll take the west for good.” Thus, the 10,000-strong Ferdium Mobile Corps began their march.