Henry was no longer short on manpower. To him, those who had not undergone "loyalty" training were tasteless to keep yet a pity to discard.
Henry summoned several New Recruits and had them drive the three men away, completely ignoring their pleas for mercy.
Henry beckoned a New Recruit closer and whispered, "He insulted my honor and dignity. Make them disappear."
Henry did not want those who insulted him to remain alive, but he could not say so openly. That would harm a noble's dignity.
The New Recruit nodded. "Great Lord, I'll make sure they die in an alley."
After the New Recruits escorted the three Skirmishers away, Bain snorted coldly. "My lord, these Spearmen and Skirmishers rely on their military merits to throw their weight around in front of the New Recruits. They are always ordering the New Recruits about.
My lord, you should have thrown them out long ago. They are not even as reliable as these New Recruits. Of course, I would rather call them infantry."
The New Recruit Squad's combat ability had already earned Bain's approval. They were qualified soldiers, and in Bain's view, they should no longer be called New Recruits.
"Go tell the others what happened to those three. If anyone wants to leave, tell them to get out immediately... including those heavy cavalrymen."
Soon, the news spread through Henry's garrison camp. Philip hurried over to apologize to Henry and promised that the remaining soldiers were all qualified private troops loyal to Henry.
Henry looked at the submissive Philip, a trace of satisfaction flashing through his eyes.
"Very good. I hope you remember today's promise."
Philip straightened up and saluted.
"Yes, my lord."
After Philip left, Henry said to Bain, "Don't stand around. Go buy some peaches and watermelons with Oriana."
"Right away!"
Henry had eaten a little too much that day, so he went into the city to walk it off and watched the Girls' Academy's evening opera. As a noble with real authority, Henry was provided with a private box and the most sought-after performers.
How should he put it? It was a little too wild. This kind of vulgar performance had to be criticized! Henry criticized it all the way until eleven at night before staggering back to his tent.
"My lord, you've had too much to drink. You can't bathe. I've prepared your Tooth Powder, so please go to sleep early."
Henry drifted off in a daze and was not awakened by Ailiya until the sun was high the next day.
"My lord, it is time to wake up."
"What time is it?"
"Eleven."
Henry hurriedly got up, washed up, and did some simple stretches.
"What's for breakfast, Ailiya?"
Ailiya sighed and replied, "It's lunch, my lord. Vegetables, Cream Bread, potatoes, and Meat Soup."
Soon, Henry was sitting in his tent enjoying his meal when Claude rushed in.
"My lord, an officer wishes to see you."
Henry frowned. Why did someone always come to discuss business with him whenever he was about to go out and have fun or was in the middle of a meal?
Does eating trigger some kind of quest? This is ridiculous.
Soon, an officer entered, wearing an Imperial Visored Helmet and Imperial Lancer armor.
Looking closer, one could see a layer of Chainmail and padded leather beneath the armor, while a cloak bearing the legion banner draped over the outermost layer.
"Honored Knight, Right Wing Logistics Officer, greetings. I apologize for interrupting your meal, but I must speak with you now. We depart tomorrow, and you need to take over as Logistics Officer shortly."
"Understood. I'll come find you soon."
Henry quickly finished eating. After putting on his Imperial Robe, he brought Bain with him to take over the Right Wing Logistics Team.
The Seventh Legion's camp looked far more orderly. Its tent areas were divided according to units of five hundred men per camp and fifty per company, as well as by troop type. It was far better than the chaotic camp of the Noble Private Army.
An assistant immediately came forward and said, "Logistics Officer, there are four hundred wagons and more than four hundred Auxiliary Soldiers in the Supply Convoy. Here is the inventory ledger."
Henry accepted the ledger and flipped through it roughly. "Why is it all potatoes and Pearl Rice Flour? And why is there so little oil and salt?
During a war, soldiers need to eat rice, cheese, grapes, and meat."
The assistant gave an awkward laugh. "Sir, the previous Logistics Officer embezzled the food. He has already spent all the stolen money, so it cannot be recovered."
"Then where is the previous Logistics Officer? Where is he? Where is his head?"
"He ran away... We are pursuing him."
Henry thought for a moment and asked, "Does the Legion Commander know about this? Does the Right Wing Commander know? Do the soldiers of the right wing know?"
"The Legion Commander knows. The Right Wing Commander knows. The ordinary soldiers do not."
Henry laughed angrily. He grabbed the assistant by the collar and snarled, "Now, take the ledger and go tell those soldiers, company by company and camp by camp, that their previous Logistics Officer embezzled their food.
And I have no obligation to make up for their missing Military Provisions!"
The assistant shuddered in fright and said tremulously, "Sir, if you do this, morale will be shaken. The Legion Commander will..."
"I don't care!"
Before long, word of the food shortage spread through the right wing camp. Thousands of battle-hardened warriors flew into a rage, while the New Recruits followed behind them, shouting in support.
The right wing had six full camps—three thousand men! Half were veterans. Once they started causing trouble, the officers could not easily suppress them.
A great many soldiers and officers came to the logistics office, demanding an explanation. Henry sat on a wagon, watching the furious soldiers, irritation churning in his heart.
The elite Lancer from noon found Henry and publicly demanded, "Sir! What you have done has greatly affected morale!"
Henry snorted coldly. "What? Are you going to punish me under military law?"
Henry stood and shouted, "I am an Independent Noble! How dare you raise your voice at me!"
The officer froze, then hurriedly dropped to one knee. The other soldiers, who had been raising their fists and demanding an explanation, also behaved themselves and knelt.
The Empire's laws were very clear: offending a noble would most likely cost one's head.
"Tell your Legion Commander that he invited me here, and I can leave whenever I wish. Don't forget, I am the Lord of West Lyme, the King's fief, and the Dean's... student."
"If Count Sebastian wants me to cover your food shortage, I will personally cut off his head and the heads of his entire family with my sword! I will take his head to the Capital and let the Dean decide!"
The officer and the other soldiers hurriedly rose and left. Henry's words had simply been too terrifying.
In their eyes, Count Sebastian had always been their Legion Commander. He had held the position for thirty years, and no one had ever dared defy the Legion Commander's orders in the army.
The matter stirred up a wave of discussion throughout the entire legion. Some veterans even began placing small private bets over who would lose face: the Legion Commander or Henry.
Before you continue