The military council began. Nimrod first listened to the reports, and Bukayo gave Szczesny the opportunity.
"My king..."
Szczesny nervously raised his head and happened to meet Nimrod's pitch-black eyes. His mind immediately went blank.
He stood there dazed for several seconds. Bukayo gave him a push from beside him, and only then did he come back to his senses, remembering the boy's kind reminder on the way here.
"Look at my lord's feet."
Szczesny hurriedly lowered his head, instinctively changing his form of address and following Bukayo's lead.
"My lord, the 7th Company has already secured the Piszczek. Everyone aboard has sworn loyalty to you."
"The ship is in good condition and can set sail at any time."
"Well done."
Hearing Nimrod's words, Szczesny breathed a sigh of relief. He still could not understand why it was not the company commander reporting, but him, a mere squad leader.
"My king, the defensive positions around the Hive Spire have been initially established."
Rawlslev still addressed his master in his own way, even though Nimrod was a god in his heart.
"Additionally, among the living prisoners, 4,806 believe that you, who slew the Mad King, are the true representative of the Omnissiah. They wish to swear loyalty to you."
Thierry noticed that everyone's eyes had turned toward him.
"My king, I believe their loyalty is sincere."
"The way Puhach commanded this army was by cultivating personal worship. He emphasized that his perfect body made him the representative of the Omnissiah."
"After years of indoctrination, his private army believed his nonsense. Now that you have slain the Mad King before their eyes, their faith has been shattered."
Thinking back on what had happened not long ago, Thierry still felt deeply shaken.
"Thus, they naturally see you as the image Puhach sought to create."
Nimrod nodded and immediately reconsidered his army-building plan in his mind.
Ten seconds later, he spoke.
"I accept their loyalty. Rawlslev, immediately select soldiers and bring the 1st Regiment up to full strength."
"Thierry, use members of House Viera as the foundation and select personnel from the surrendered army. Organize the 2nd Regiment according to the 1st Regiment's structure."
"Bukayo, you will be responsible for organizing the 3rd Regiment. You may select personnel from the surrendered soldiers or recruit independently."
Nimrod gave Bukayo more freedom. After all, the boy's physique was still within the limits of an ordinary person. A "Sleepless" did not possess the absolute combat power of a "Warrior," so building his own regiment was more unusual.
"As you command, my lord."
"Szczesny, you will be responsible for organizing the 4th Regiment. Your squad and the remaining prisoners will form your foundation. Recruit anyone else you need yourself. Any objections?"
Szczesny had earned the fewest military achievements among them, so Nimrod could only give him the people left over after the other regimental commanders had made their picks.
This was also his final test. If he did not dare accept the order, Nimrod would have him remain a squad leader.
Szczesny froze. He had not expected to be promoted directly from squad leader to regimental commander in a single leap.
Though surprised, he did not raise his head this time, nor did his mind go blank.
"My lord, since you trust me, I will not disappoint you."
"Szczesny, don't be nervous. I won't take anyone from the prisoners. They are all yours."
Seeing that Bukayo had plans of his own, Nimrod approved their proposed distribution. After pondering for a moment, he spoke.
"In that case, send the rest back to Tezwork and order Howard to organize the 5th Regiment."
With all five regiments at full strength, there would be a total of 12,500 warriors. Including the commanders and the armored vehicles to be added later, Nimrod, who controlled Tezwork and Lukpo, could still afford the total supply expenditure.
Besides, he would conquer another two Hive Cities. If not for the shortage of capable people, adding another five to ten regiments would not have been a problem.
I still lack talent!
Thinking of this, Nimrod remembered the two portions of "Know-it-all" potion he could prepare and looked toward Thierry.
"Do you have any technical talents under your command?"
"My king, I have a technical team under my command with a total of thirty-seven people. Among them, only Wojciech Bielik can truly be considered technical talent."
As he spoke, he took out a Data Slate and showed Nimrod the file.
"House Bielik has produced mechanics for generations. Wojciech has dealt with machinery since childhood."
"He developed the technique for awakening the Machine Spirit of the Maglev Train, then taught it to the others."
"I need his services."
Nimrod decided to keep this man at his side for observation. If both his ability and loyalty met the minimum standard, he would train him into a "Know-it-all."
"It would be his honor to serve you."
Thierry gladly offered up his most capable technical subordinate. "I will send him a message at once and order him to come report to you."
Nimrod swept his gaze across the four regimental commanders. "All your regiments must undergo swimming training, especially the 4th Regiment."
Szczesny revealed a bitter smile and accepted the order along with the other three. Troubled, he thought, Is my lord deliberately warning me? Does he know I can't learn to swim?
A moment later, a middle-aged man dressed in red with white trim and neat short brown hair strode into the palace. He solemnly saluted everyone.
"My king."
"Lord Thierry, my lords, Wojciech Bielik offers his greetings."
"I hear you are technically skilled. I have two tasks for you now. One is to repair the crack in my halberd, and the other is to research waterproof weapons."
Nimrod immediately assigned Wojciech test tasks to assess his abilities.
"As you command, my lord."
"Szczesny, stay. Everyone else, leave."
Thierry's loyalty still needed to be tested, so Nimrod decided to first cultivate Szczesny into a Beyonder.
After everyone left, Nimrod looked at Szczesny.
"You seem to be under a lot of pressure?"
"My lord sees clearly. Everything else is fine, but I truly have no talent for swimming."
Nimrod casually picked up a book from the desk and handed it to Szczesny.
"Go read in the side hall and wait for my summons."
"As you command, my lord."
After taking it, Szczesny discovered that it was not a book on military theory as he had expected, but a book on rhetoric.
He helplessly walked into the side hall. Though his background was somewhat better than that of Lower Hive residents, and he had received a basic education at an Omnissiah altar that allowed him to read and write, rhetoric was a field only nobles, Arbites, Lawyers, and other upper-class people needed to study. He had no foundation in it whatsoever.
Szczesny felt that this had been both the luckiest and most troubling Work Cycle of his life. Even so, once he sat in the leather chair, he immediately began reading in earnest.
Just as he was seriously wrestling with the rhetoric book, he heard Nimrod's voice.
Szczesny picked up the book and hurried into the palace.
He stopped when he was still ten meters away from Nimrod, but the giant walked straight over to him.
Szczesny saw Nimrod extend a bottle of potion before him in his left hand. The blue gel inside resembled the sea.
"Drink it."
Szczesny did not hesitate for even a moment. He took it and directly tipped back his head, drinking the potion.
Half a standard hour later, Szczesny had mastered meditation and Spirit Sight under Nimrod's instruction.
"Thank you for your gift, my lord."
The "Sailor" said excitedly. He became even more convinced that Nimrod was a god.
"Are you still troubled by swimming now?"
"My lord, the sea is my home. I want to jump into it right now."
"The opportunity will come soon enough."
Before you continue