416: Transia's Governor? Bah, Ruling a Bunch of Thugs, Refugees, and Criminals-What's the Point?

"Expeditionary force! Fall in!"

The shrill shouts and assembly whistles echoed through the barracks of the Pioneer Fortress in East Prussia.

In the darkness before dawn, a flurry of curses and the pounding of boots rang out. Within minutes, the expeditionary force, composed entirely of young officers, had assembled. By the time Marshal Loren arrived with his adjutant, General Soros, and the marshal's guards, these vigorous young men had already brushed off the last specks of dust on their boots.

The short-statured marshal, who was strict with both himself and others, walked with his hands clasped behind his back. Beside him, a burly dwarf guard carried the marshal's imposing yet practical battleaxe, following close at his heels as he inspected the barracks.

Colonel Fraser, standing at the front of the formation, felt his heart jump into his throat when he saw General Soros touch the top of a doorway with his white-gloved left hand.

But the glove remained spotless, proof that the officers under the colonel's command hadn't slacked off on housekeeping. They had fulfilled his exacting standards to perfection.

"Not bad."

General Soros nodded, satisfied yet still critical, then shot a fierce glare at his younger son, who stood in formation. Poor Major Ron had no choice but to straighten his back even more, refusing to show any weakness in front of his father.

But considering that he had been appointed second-in-command of the vanguard, it was only fair for his general father to hold him to high standards. They couldn't let the young people of House Cape look down on the Soros family, could they?

"Commanders, today you will leave the safety of this fortress, taking the soldiers assigned to you and those foolish, pitiful former soldiers to Transia. There, you will carry out the duties in this