Forming the First Vostonia Regiment

"My Lord, the entire treasury belongs to you."

Howard said this devoutly. Having just used the Spirit Vision taught to him by Nimrod—a most rudimentary technique—he had come to realize the immense power of a Beyonder.

Spirit Vision could grasp the emotions of the person one was conversing with; for a noble, this was a practical skill that could secure maximum benefits during negotiations.

"No need. Focus on your duties as an Arbiter first."

Nimrod perceived Howard's desire for greater power and offered a word of caution to the blonde noble.

"Send what I have selected to the palace."

Without a moment's hesitation, Nimrod pointed out twelve types of potion ingredients, totaling nineteen items, including the Siren Stone he had seen earlier.

He also selected eleven additional non-potion materials, mixing them into the request.

"My Lord, I shall have them sent to your palace immediately."

On the return journey, Nimrod sent a message to Rawlslev, ordering him to come to the palace for a briefing.

Back at the palace, Nimrod immediately organized the potion materials he had obtained; he had gathered enough for a "Sailor" potion and another "Warrior" potion.

Beyond that, the "Witch" potion was still missing one main ingredient: the Millipede Snake, which was actually a variant of a highly venomous centipede that lived in the Lower Hive and could grow up to two meters long.

Since there was no suitable candidate yet, Nimrod was in no rush to concoct the potion.

Shortly after, he received Rawlslev.

Conducting his first formal briefing, Rawlslev felt somewhat nervous and took a deep breath.

"My King, in the previous assault on the Hive Spire, the subsequent defensive battles, and the skirmishes to purge the rebels, we lost a total of two hundred and fourteen men."

"Currently, one thousand and fifty-three men are fit for continued combat. Most are rebuilding the Hive Spire's defenses, with three hundred and seventy guarding your fifty-eight factories."

"Additionally, there are one hundred and six wounded; they survived, but all have suffered some form of permanent loss."

Rawlslev read from the data pad to complete the first part of the casualty report.

As he had compiled this report and looked at the numbers, he realized what a glorious victory this had been.

With only two hundred-odd casualties, they had seized an entire Hive City. This was a magnificent victory that only Nimrod could forge, a poem worthy of being sung in the myths of the Old Night.

"I will pay Father Rosicky to provide them with prosthetic replacements."

"Afterward, ask them for their preference: whether they wish to continue serving the Vostonia First Regiment, or if they would prefer to select a home among the Upper Hive residences of the fallen families."

"As you command, My King."

Rawlslev accepted the order, a trace of longing flashing in his eyes, before hearing Nimrod's appointment.

"You shall serve as the Colonel of the First Regiment."

Nimrod recalled the organization of the future Astra Militarum: ten men to a squad, led by a Sergeant; two to five squads to a platoon, led by a Platoon Commander; two to six platoons to a company, led by a Company Commander; five to ten companies to a regiment, led by a Colonel.

He adjusted this based on the current situation: "Ten men to a squad, led by a Sergeant; five squads to a platoon; five platoons to a company; ten companies to a regiment."

"Recruit the vacancies from the Upper Hive. Once the organization is complete, you will serve as the Colonel."

Rawlslev struggled to keep up with Nimrod's speaking speed, shorthand-noting the regiment's structure. He couldn't write many of the characters, so he had to use letters that only he could understand.

When he heard he was to be the Colonel, his hand slipped, and the page turned to the next.

"In addition to forming the regiment, you must replace their gear and teach the soldiers how to use their weapons, paying attention to fire support coordination."

Rawlslev regained his composure; for a "Warrior" like him, this was not difficult.

"Consult the head of the guard at the Howard estate for the training curriculum, and adjust it as you see fit."

Thinking of how he would need to conquer the Oceanic Movement once he left Vostonia, and remembering that the "Sailor" potion only reached its full potential in an oceanic world, Nimrod continued.

"Furthermore, add a swimming component to the training. Go to the Water Guild and demand their cooperation."

"Your regiment will eventually head to an oceanic world for battle; that is the purpose of this training."

"You must also keep an eye on those in your regiment who show exceptional performance; I intend to evaluate them personally in future battles."

Once they drank the "Sailor" potion, they would gain the extraordinary ability—"Aquatic Adaptation." Whether they could swim before was irrelevant; potential and loyalty were the keys.

"As you command, My King."

After noting down the points one by one, Rawlslev continued his report.

"The workers of the Khanty-Mansi Dome have all ascended to the dome. They have moved into the factories and, under the guidance of the original workers, are striving to learn how to operate the complex tools."

"Only the factory owners were collateral branches of Boleslaw, and they have all been executed. The foremen of each team, upon learning that you have the support of the Sage Kaminski, have all pledged to serve you."

"Currently, all factories have resumed operations and will be back to full capacity within three work cycles."

Nimrod nodded slightly. "Among our people, are there any technicians capable of deciphering the Standard Template Construct?"

"My King, in the Lower Hive, someone who knows a hundred words is already considered a scholar. We tinker with those weapons based purely on experience."

"People like Bukayo are fugitives from the Upper Hive, but true technical talent is a resource held by the nobles; it is impossible for them to end up in the Lower Hive."

"Add one more item to your training curriculum: education. Go find Howard."

Rawlslev replied listlessly: "As you command..."

His gaze caught the subtle shift in Nimrod's expression, and he immediately braced himself.

"As you command, my King."

"Go."

After Rawlslev withdrew, Nimrod pondered to himself.

[Even with the STC fragment, it cannot be utilized immediately.

I need a technical expert; if I cannot scout one, I must cultivate one myself. The "Know-it-all" still lacks two potion ingredients.

It is not just a technical expert I lack, but various administrative talents as well. There are those among the nobles capable of the task, and they are likely racking their brains right now, trying to find a way to secure a position.]

After resting for a moment, Nimrod met Rosicky at Bainiban.

The young Tech-Priest's facial features were sharp, still retaining some human characteristics. Having been warned, he wisely suppressed his curiosity regarding Nimrod's physique.

"King Nimrod, Rosicky offers you his greetings."

With his lower pair of mechanical limbs cradling a data-slate, he asked, "What type of weapon do you wish to utilize?"

Nimrod's current digestion progress was halfway complete. Since he still needed to play the role of the "Barbarian" and would need to breach gates when attacking other Hive Spires, he decided to use heavy weaponry for the time being.

"A heavy halberd."

"I hope to receive the weapon and armor as soon as possible, preferably within eight work cycles."

As these were transitional pieces of equipment, Nimrod did not make excessive demands; speed was what he valued most.

"I will do my utmost, but I request your cooperation. There are certain technical parameters that must be finalized by you. What is the ratio of your weapon to your height?"

Rosicky was meticulous, continuing to query Nimrod.

At Curiban, Nimrod sat at a metal desk and chair set, collectively crafted by the artisans of the Khanty-Mansi Dome and delivered by Rawlslev, to handle official business.

[Hive City Security Force Reconstruction Plan]

During the process of seizing the Hive City, the security forces that intercepted Nimrod had been decimated.

His own men were barely sufficient to guard the Hive Spire and the factories. Currently, the duties of the security force were being handled temporarily by the guards of House Finde, but this was not a long-term solution.

The report in Nimrod's hand was a proposal submitted by the captain of the House Finde guards after consulting the surviving security personnel, but it was far too conventional. Recruiting personnel and having the few dozen surviving guards train the new recruits would take far too long.

Just then, the communicator chimed.

"My King, Countess Yelena of House Kournikova requests an audience."

"Let her in."