Deterrence (1)

The first person to step forward and challenge discipline was Brooks. He came from a viscount's family in Stromgarde and was a troublesome soldier with multiple disciplinary violations.

Before Roderick could speak, another soldier explained, "Commander, I think Brooks makes a lot of sense. In the end, wars still depend on knights like us, don't they?" After speaking, he casually removed his gear and sat down on the ground to rest.

According to the roster, the soldier who spoke afterward was named Rudy. He was Brooks's cousin and also came from a knightly family.

Because of their distinguished backgrounds and considerable fighting ability, these two held great prestige among the new recruits recruited from the refugees of Refuge Pointe. Many incidents of collective insubordination involved them; perhaps they had been the ones stirring things up from the start.

Seeing someone set an example for them, and that the officers of the Raven Guard Warband had no intention of stopping it, the other soldiers could no longer hold back. They wanted to take off their heavy armor and cool down.

Seeing the recruits on the verge of falling apart, Alwyn hurriedly stepped forward to stop them. "Stop! What do you take this place for? Any soldier who violates discipline will be dealt with under military law!"

"Ahem, we're not like you. You grew up beside a blacksmith's furnace, so of course you're not afraid of the heat. Hahaha." Brooks simply sat on the ground and mocked him in passing.

Some soldiers below could not help laughing, and the solemn atmosphere of the camp vanished at once. Other soldiers feared the so-called military law and did not dare move recklessly. Yet some still ignored Alwyn's warning and followed the others' example, taking off their armor.

Brooks's words made Alwyn's face flush red