Resilience

Hubble knew that talking about patriotism and the greater good was useless at a time like this.

Only tangible benefits could move people's hearts.

In the end, some people were willing to take a gamble.

There truly was no better plan than this.

As people from the bottom of society, it was not that they lacked the resolve to risk their lives. They simply lacked the opportunity to prove themselves.

In another time and place, even if they fought this desperately, they might only become cold numbers in an official report, unnoticed by anyone.

But now, everything was different. The Empire's Crown Prince was right behind them, and every action they took could be seen.

That made all their efforts meaningful, and death was no longer merely a string of cold numbers.

Very soon, someone changed his mind.

"Boss is right. Our worthless lives aren't worth much anyway. I won't be satisfied unless I take a shot at this."

"I'll listen to Boss too. Even if I die, Boss will take care of my family."

Morale swiftly recovered. Hubble immediately announced, "Don't worry, I won't mistreat any of you. I can't guarantee anything else, but I can guarantee you'll be paid handsomely.

"Now, help me find a group of people willing to risk their lives. Want money? No problem. I guarantee in the name of the Armstrong family that every promise will be honored."

Hubble offered generous rewards, confident that someone would be tempted.

Money had always been one of the driving forces. Sure enough, he recruited more than a hundred soldiers willing to risk their lives overnight.

In truth, the fact that they had followed their commanding officer through a rout and charged out with him already proved that their caliber and courage were extraordinary.

With Hubble adding the