Team Organization

Team Organization

Back home, Roderick needed to discuss the problems he had encountered with Astartes. Although he had easily defeated Darezzo earlier, there were still many things he was dissatisfied with.

"Even in a place this unscientific, mathematics and physics still have their uses. Calculate the maximum kinetic energy and peak speed of that warhammer, determine the area of force on the defender's shield, and factor in Azeroth's gravitational constant. Your shield needed a smaller angle of tilt, along with a more appropriate leg stance, to disperse the impact from the attacker as much as possible."

"I'll keep that in mind, but for now, I only have training dummies. Actual combat won't come for another month. By the way, if I went all out, how much damage could I deal at present?"

"Based on your shield strike just now, you could shatter every bone in his chest and break his spine as well. But he was unprepared just now. If you attacked a fully focused, defensive Darezzo with all your strength, you could probably break the arm holding his shield in fewer than ten strikes. Of course, that assumes you were attacking the shield with full force."

"This sword isn't powerful enough either, Astartes. I'm still more accustomed to a power warhammer. Do you have any ideas?"

"The internal furnace lacks sufficient output, and raw materials are scarce. There isn't even enough to make the head of a power hammer. The best option is to coat only the striking tip of the hammer. That would maximize its lethality. I'll calculate the warhammer length and weight best suited to your current height and reach. Hopefully, the blacksmiths here are capable enough to handle the preliminary forging."

It was not until the sky had grown dark that he finally left home. When he reached the inn's hall, everyone was gathered around the table, waiting for him.

"Roderick, you're finally here. I'm starving to death."

"Darezzo lost at noon, so everyone can drink as much as they want today. Let's thank our generous Sir Arnold!"

Yug sat quietly to one side with a smile on his face. After respectfully greeting Roderick, he joined in the crowd's lively chatter. Once everyone had arrived, Roderick signaled to the innkeeper, Anderson, that the food could be served. Before long, the chef Jason carried over an enormous platter and placed it on the table: a whole roasted wild boar. Then came smoked meat, wolf ribs, and bear paws, laid out one after another. Kelly the bartender and Nilma the server busied themselves placing cups, bowls, plates, and all kinds of hard liquor before everyone.

After Anderson tactfully sent the others back to the kitchen, the Southshore Guard's first formal meeting began at the dinner table. At Roderick's request, everyone was limited to one bottle of alcohol, and no one was allowed to drink more. The dozens of sturdy men could only lower their heads and eat. Like a whirlwind sweeping away clouds, they reduced the table to a complete mess. The knights were not only formidable fighters; they were formidable eaters too.

Once everyone had stopped eating, Roderick said, "I'll leave the Guard members' training to all of you. The security force can't completely abandon military training either. Every member of the security force will train with the Guard once every ten days and maintain a basic level of intensity."

"Also, we need to improve Southshore's security. After dark, patrols will operate in groups of four, lightly armed with two longswords, two spears, and simple wooden shields. Patrol the docks, the town center, and Southshore's northern outskirts. During the day, the number of patrols can be halved."

Arnold was the first to speak. "In that case, eighteen people a day will be enough to maintain basic security in town. There are currently more than one hundred and eighty people in the security force, so each person would take a shift about once every ten days."

"Then there shouldn't be any problem. It won't affect their daily lives much."

"Roderick, you're being soft-hearted. Why pay them wages? If enemies really attacked, could we count on those farmers?" Chris had no respect for the farmers' fighting ability and said it outright.

Roderick listened to everyone's feedback.

It seemed there would not be much resistance to putting this into practice, so he added, "All members participating in security patrols can receive corresponding pay. Of course, it won't be much." Only then did Yug say to Roderick, "Then there definitely won't be a problem." The others also voiced their support. After settling the security issue, Roderick continued, "If our Guard is to become an elite military force, what are we still lacking?"

Adrian spoke first. "We have too little ranged power. We don't have any archers at all, so we'll be at a huge disadvantage in battle."

"We don't have any mages either, and we don't know when Albert will return."

"We don't have any priests. The paladins still need to charge at the front, so they can't look after this many people."

"We don't have cavalry either. I wonder how many soldiers even know how to ride."

"It would be best to build several barracks beside the training grounds. They would make it more convenient for soldiers to live there and store equipment."

Everyone discussed the matter at once, comparing themselves to the standards of the kingdom's elite troops. By comparison, the newly established Guard seemed like little more than a militia. In truth, that was exactly what it was.

Sensing that everyone's spirits had fallen somewhat, Roderick calmly said, "These are only temporary difficulties. As long as we find solutions, they aren't impossible to overcome."

"The priest issue is easy enough. I've already spoken with Priest Barlow of the Church of the Holy Light. When the time comes, he'll lead several apprentice priests to join our operations, on the condition that we guarantee their safety."

"With priests, the soldiers' morale can be assured, and the chances of casualties will drop considerably." Someone immediately agreed with the proposal.

"I wonder if we can find a way to recruit those apprentice priests into the Guard as well." The Church of the Holy Light's logistical support capabilities made them deeply envious.

"As for cavalry, we currently can't afford a large number of military warhorses, nor do we have suitable soldiers to turn into cavalry. But we can first buy a small number of military horses from Lady Melydres Carlson, select some soldiers who can ride, and train them up. They can begin by handling dispatches, communications, and reconnaissance."

"Right, she has a nephew in the unit. That kid has been around horses since he was young, so he definitely won't have a problem."

"We should also pick out those with hunting experience. People with some foundation in archery can be trained as archers first."

"There's nothing we can do about mages for now. No proper mage would be willing to join a militia force like ours." At the mention of mages, everyone could only stare helplessly.

"Albert will return to fight with us. As for the future, we can only see when the time comes." Roderick's words reassured everyone considerably.

Adrian was clearly dissatisfied with the suggestion to train archers. "Archers aren't as easy as you make them sound. There won't be much result in a short time, and they might accidentally shoot their own people."

Kelly the bartender happened to set a bottle of alcohol on the table. "This is Dwarf ale brought from their homeland by those Dwarves. Have a taste as well. Consider it my gift to congratulate you, gentlemen."

"Dwarves? Mr. Kelly, didn't you go to the Stromgarde Kingdom to trade?"

"Yes. Jason and I spent nearly half a month on the road before we got back. When we passed Thoradin's Wall, we ran into a Dwarf patrol. We happened to sell them some supplies, and those Dwarves gave me a crate of ale."

Dwarves, the Dwarf garrison at Dun Garok... How had he forgotten such powerful allies? They were an elite force of Stormpike Dwarves, with large numbers of riflemen working alongside Dwarf defenders, supported by several high-ranking Dwarf priests. Ordinary Undead forces were no match for them. They were also an important force working with human troops to defend Thoradin's Wall.

"Adrian, starting tomorrow, select suitable soldiers and begin archery training. I've already thought of allies for the battle to wipe out the Murlocs. They'll definitely satisfy everyone."

Finally, there was the issue of the camp. After training over the next few days, everyone would go to the woods outside town to fell timber, level the ground, hire craftsmen, and build several large wooden houses. The discussion grew increasingly heated. Knowing that they were building a powerful Guard with their own hands, every one of them was filled with passion. Roderick clinked cups with Yug, swallowed the slightly sweet ale, and watched everyone's discussion with a smile. The hot blood of youth—this was the strength he trusted most.