Promotion

The next day.

Taking in the prisoners had taken so long yesterday that it was already late at night by the time they finished. Eren had wanted to set off straight away, but had no choice but to rest there for the night.

It was also the first time in a long while, since arriving here, that he had fallen asleep alone. Eren felt deeply lonely.

Early the next morning, Eren led the army and the surrendered prisoners back to his camp.

When he returned, he found that the prisoners Modun had brought back yesterday had already been settled at the edge of the army's camp, near the camp holding the prisoners from Slaver's Bay.

By now, the prisoners from Slaver's Bay had lost many of their older members and those whose injuries made it difficult for them to move.

These people had all contributed some of their strength to the Dothraki grasslands, turning themselves into spring soil to nourish the earth.

Surely, next year, the grass beside the roads Eren's army had traveled would grow lusher and stronger.

Fewer people also meant less food consumed. Although Eren had obtained plenty of grain by sweeping through Slaver's Bay, these people were not doing any work now, so he would reduce consumption wherever he could.

The Dothraki brought back were settled beside them, allowing the soldiers watching the Slaver's Bay prisoners to watch them as well. Moreover, they were at the edge of the camp, so even if a revolt broke out, it could be quickly suppressed. After they had been confined for three days and drunk Eren's blood wine, they would all be split up and assigned to the various units.

After returning to his tent in the camp, Eren sent word for the division commanders to come for an audience.

Upon receiving the summons, Modun, Flock, Link, and John immediately put aside their work and came to Eren's tent.

When the four reached the entrance to Eren's tent, the female Dothraki warriors on either side signaled for them to stop. One of the female guards spoke into the tent:

"Your Majesty, the division commanders have arrived and request an audience."

"Let them in."

Eren's voice came from inside the tent, and the female guards outside immediately stepped aside to let the four enter.

Once inside, the four bowed to Eren. Eren nodded and said:

"I called you here to discuss the newly incorporated soldiers."

"Modun, how many captured soldiers did you bring back ahead of us this time?"

Hearing Eren's question, Modun said, "Your Majesty, in this battle, we captured a total of 18,482 men and took a little over ten thousand heads."

After hearing Modun's words, Eren said, "Nearly all those who fought this time were warriors of the Guard Corps. In a moment, I will impart a divine oracle to you and the officers of every rank under your command."

"The oracle will contain the number of heads taken by the Guard Corps warriors in this war. Once the oracle has been delivered, go back and ask the warriors on its list whether they want partners assigned to them. If they do, assign them partners according to the system I issued before."

This so-called divine oracle was actually Eren using the Coordinate Power to extract memory fragments from everyone who had participated in the war, then using the Coordinate to tally the number of heads each had taken.

Once the tally was complete, he would put that information directly into the minds of Modun and the officers of every rank, allowing them to question each warrior directly based on it.

"In addition, for those killed or severely wounded in this battle who have families, the empire will support their families. The young will be educated and trained by the empire, while the old will receive pensions and visits from the empire."

"The head counts of those killed or severely wounded may also be inherited by their relatives, with children and parents as the primary heirs. Ask their relatives whether they wish to redeem those head counts this time or save them to continue accumulating later."

Hearing Eren's instructions, Modun immediately declared, "I will obey Your Majesty's wishes."

Eren then continued:

"In these battles, from Meereen to Astapor, and now this battle on the Dothraki grasslands, every unit has lost quite a few men. There were no replacements before, but we have taken plenty of prisoners this time. In three days, each unit may select men from among the prisoners to replenish its ranks."

"As for those left after the selection, there should be enough to form another regiment.

"Let Rolo, who came over to our side, command that regiment. As I said before, it will be placed under Link's command for now. Link, once I hand them over to you, I hope you will not disappoint me. You may choose a deputy regimental commander yourself to place among them." Hearing Eren's words, Link immediately understood what he meant. The warriors left after this selection would certainly be those with little fighting ability or those who were older.

To prevent Rolo from becoming dissatisfied about this later, another deputy regimental commander needed to be placed there to keep him in check. Link would also have to pay more attention to them day to day to prevent any unrest.

Once Link had thought it through, he said directly, "Your Majesty, you may leave this matter to me without worry."

Eren looked at Link and nodded. "Good. Do not disappoint me."

"In three days, the Guard Corps will have first pick of the men. After that, your unit will replenish its ranks first, Link, followed by John, and finally Flock."

The four immediately answered, "Yes."

"Modun, the Guard Corps now numbers fifty thousand. A regimental organization has become somewhat unwieldy for it, so it will be renamed the Royal Guard. You will be its corps commander, with three division commanders under you, each commanding fifteen thousand men."

Hearing this, Modun hurriedly said to Eren, "Thank you for the promotion, Your Majesty."

Eren nodded, then looked at the other three and said:

"As for the remaining five thousand places, select female warriors from your respective forces to fill them, and transfer the men currently in those places into your own units. When selecting the female warriors, consider nothing but their fighting ability. These female warriors will be dedicated to guarding my song and dance troupe."

The three also hurriedly replied respectfully that they would attend to it as soon as they returned.

Eren was very satisfied with their attitude, so he continued:

"Your current formations each have thirty thousand men. Since the divisions under Modun each have fifteen thousand, it is time to promote you as well. If we have more men in the future, I can add another division to your establishments as circumstances permit."

"Flock, Link, John, from now on, the three of you will be corps commanders. Your forces will be the First, Second, and Third Corps, respectively. The divisions under you will be designated, for example, the First and Second Divisions of the First Corps, the First and Second Divisions of the Second Corps, and so on."

"As for the division commanders, choose them yourselves from the regimental commanders under you."

Hearing Eren's orders, the three looked pleasantly surprised and hurriedly declared, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Eren waved to them and said, "That is all for this meeting. You may leave now. Remember to carry out everything I have told you."

"Dismissed!"

The four answered, "Yes," then withdrew together.

Watching the four leave, Eren went over to the bed. Having no one to warm his bed last night had felt very strange to him.

Today, Eren intended to indulge himself properly, and immediately instructed Lydia to arrange for members of the song and dance troupe to come perform.