It did not.
Instead, he found himself dragged to the militia training grounds, where Varian Blackthorn was personally inspecting Duskwatch’s forces.
Lucian squinted at the field.
His so-called militia was, in reality, a random assortment of farmers, merchants, and former bandits holding weapons in various states of confusion.
And yet, Varian looked… impressed.
"Fascinating," the Mercenary King murmured. "Their movements are raw, but there’s discipline beneath it. You trained them yourselves?"
Lucian yawned. "Nope. They trained themselves."
Varian stroked his beard. "Of course. You let them find their own strength. A true warlord does not micromanage his soldiers."
Lucian blinked. "Wait, what?"
Dorian, who had been sweating profusely in the background, quickly stepped in.
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"Yes! Lord Veilwood’s philosophy prioritizes self-reliance and adaptive combat structures!"
Varian nodded approvingly. "A masterstroke. A rigid army breaks under pressure. A self-taught militia? They become warriors of their own making."
Lucian stared at him. "That is definitely what I meant."
Within minutes, Varian had taken control of the training exercises, barking orders and making immediate improvements.
- Farmers learned how to form a defensive wall.
- Former bandits refined their ambush techniques.
- The merchants—who were supposed to be non-combatants—somehow became experts at battlefield supply chains.
Lucian watched in horror as his militia turned into something dangerously competent.
Elaine, leaning next to him, smirked. "Your militia is looking more like an army, my lord."
Lucian groaned. "That’s what I’m afraid of."
Varian turned, grinning. "Veilwood, I must say—this militia of yours? It has real potential."
Lucian rubbed his temples. "Fantastic. Can I go now?"
Duke Reinhardt’s latest spy report arrived.
Reinhardt read it slowly.
Then, he put the letter down and exhaled.
"You’re telling me Veilwood now has a mercenary general training his people?"
Lord Cedric Vale, sitting stiffly nearby, nodded. "It… appears so, my lord."
Reinhardt narrowed his eyes. "Duskwatch was a wasteland months ago. Now, it’s a military stronghold?"
Cedric hesitated. "It would appear that Lord Veilwood has… a gift for leadership."
Reinhardt scoffed. "A gift? Or a hidden plan?"
He tapped his fingers against the desk.
"No one is this lucky."
A long silence followed.
Then, Reinhardt smirked.
"Fine. Let’s test him again."