Saruman's Chance for Promotion

Even after everyone left, no one mentioned the retired Auxiliary Troops. After all, these Auxiliary Troops were all young and strong, much younger than the retired veterans, and were the future foundation for the territory's private army. They didn't think Victor would be willing to assign these people to them.

However, Victor did consider allocating some Auxiliary Troops to the various noble territories. They could serve as the core population of their territories, capable of both fighting and providing high-quality labor, which would help them build their territories better and faster.

However, considering that these newly promoted nobles, apart from James, Ron, and Sonanda who still have some family wealth, the others rely on the rewards given by Victor as start-up capital. That little money is enough to relocate veterans and their families, and later they will need to build their territories, purchase supplies and livestock, hire engineering teams from Two Rivers Territory, etc., so it is really tight.

If Victor were to give these Auxiliary Troops slots to them, it would only bankrupt them. Victor didn't intend to be a creditor, so he naturally didn't want that to happen and didn't bring up the matter again.

After everyone left, Victor immediately ordered someone to notify Chief of the General Staff Saruman, asking Saruman to come to his Ducal House.

Not long after, Saruman arrived at Victor's Ducal House.

"Saruman, this is a new order concerning the allocation of retired veterans that we discussed before. I've already signed it; just notify the Veterans Management Office directly!"

After finishing his sentence, Victor handed a document to Saruman. Saruman glanced at it briefly, saw Victor's signature, and then put it away.

However, Saruman did not turn and leave, but continued to stand in place. Victor smiled when he saw this. Saruman had always been a meticulous person and knew that he had not only come to him for this matter. If he did not have this ability to draw inferences from one instance, Victor would not have entrusted the Operations Staff Department to him.

"Are you a little disappointed that you were only promoted to Knight this time? After all, you've been in charge of the Operations Staff Department for so long and made significant contributions to the territory's military operations!"

Saruman shook his head repeatedly. "I was unable to join the army in the southward campaign, and naturally I do not have any military merits worthy of being knighted. Being conferred the title of knight is already a great favor from you, not to mention that you have also granted me a large territory, although it is not as large as the territory of a baron."

But it's still nearly 30 square kilometers, much larger than the knights and nobles of the former duchy, enough for me to build a large manor!

If I'm still not satisfied after all that, then it's my problem!

Saruman's words were sincere, Victor could tell that these were indeed his true feelings. After all, Saruman was among the knights who had acquired the most territory, on par with Steward Powell and several veteran deputy Regimental Commander.

"I didn't expect you to be so frank. Well, I was originally thinking of giving you a chance to be promoted to baron!"

"Then I'll go find one of those vice -Regimental Commander. I think Knight Jack is pretty good; he's a veteran. Or Rodriguez would be fine too. Oh, and..."

At this point, Saruman, who had been calm all along, immediately became excited. After all, who wouldn't want to become a true nobleman? Saruman had originally thought he would find an opportunity to mention to Victor that he would send him out to lead troops and earn merit during the next war in which the territory was attacked.

But he had already said it, so he couldn't really say that he still wanted the opportunity to be promoted to baron.

Seeing Saruman's rapidly changing expression, Victor suddenly burst into laughter. "Alright, I'm not teasing you anymore, Saruman. You've been in the Operations Staff Department for so long, and you're even the Chief of the General Staff. You should be more confident."

"Because this really can only be done by you; no one else can do it!"

"Is this true, Marquis Excellency?"

"Of course, do you think I would lie to you?"

Hearing this, Saruman breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Victor expectantly, wanting to know what kind of opportunity it was.