After assigning everyone to their units, Ye Wei'an began his pre-battle speech.
"I know some of you came here to earn glory, while others came because you're interested in me."
Ye Wei'an reined in his horse. His wizard's robes snapped in the morning breeze, and his voice, amplified by Minor Illusion, carried across the whole field. "But I don't care. The results of this battle will prove everything."
"In my company, the number of people you kill isn't what matters most. Following discipline and completing the tasks I give you are your only goals."
"I promise that I'll take only two tenths of the spoils from this battle. The rest will be distributed among you as bounty, and compensation for the wounded and the fallen will be paid according to the standards I set before!"
"Not only that, those who perform exceptionally will have the chance to be knighted!"
With every sentence Ye Wei'an spoke, the soldiers' morale rose another notch.
But then he changed his tone.
"And those who flee in the face of the enemy or disobey military orders..."
He casually swept out a hand, and a blue-white bolt of fire shot forth, instantly shattering a stone weight at the edge of the training ground. The scorching wave rolled over them, making the soldiers in the front row instinctively step back.
"...this will be your fate!"
The soldiers stiffened at the sight.
"Finally, the Weave will bear witness to my oath. Move out!"
At his command, the soldiers and wagons set off for the Black Forest.
A minor incident occurred early in the march.
As she had the last time, the young maid Ailian had planned to claim her legs were weak or make some other excuse so she could ride with Ye Wei'an.
But before she could