(Third-person perspective)
Aermir has a grand plan: to expand the influence of the commoners' school, and this expansion will take the form of a guild system. In the school halls, children will discover their innate skills. Once their abilities are recognized, these talented young people will be guided to the appropriate guilds as apprentices.
These guilds covered a wide range of trades, from the Smith and tailors to tanners, carpenters, bricklayers, builders, fishermen, and many other professional fields. The goal was to cultivate and develop these talents, providing them with organized apprenticeships and opportunities for growth.
For those who demonstrate exceptional skills, a more prestigious path awaits. The doors of the military academy are open, offering them opportunities for advanced training and education. Aermir's vision extends beyond creating a comprehensive education system; it aims to provide diverse career prospects for the young people of Moat Cailin, ensuring their future success and contributing to the prosperity of the kingdom.
To establish a more efficient command system, Aermir introduced the decimal system into his army. His army now consisted of 3,500 soldiers, 1,500 of whom belonged to the Knights Templar. However, it must be noted that half of these temple members, along with 100 knights, had now taken their oaths and were firmly under Aermir's command. The core of the temple must be strictly controlled by him. He did not want internal strife to occur.
The army at Moat Cailin was well-organized, consisting of 50 knights, 400 archers, 300 cavalry, and 1,250 infantry. Aermir only accepted knights into his military academy, and recruits could only enter after signing an oath.
This stringent requirement ensures that military secrets are rigorously protected, making any potential leaks more challenging.
After recognizing the unique skills his comrades possessed, Aermir began training Caygan in reconnaissance, infiltration, espionage, and assassination.
As time went on, Caygan became Aermir's shadow, leading the Crow Guard "—an intelligence organization dedicated to monitoring potential threats.
Meanwhile, Harrick continued his rigorous vanguard training. As a vanguard, he was responsible for commanding the Templar forces and provided invaluable assistance to Aermir in overseeing matters related to the Templars. Together, they formed a powerful alliance to defend Moat Cailin.
Two months ago
Aermir began an ambitious training program, moving more than half of his troops to the rugged Flint Mountains. The region is diverse, with towering mountains, vast plains, and dense forests, its area comparable to the famous Wolfswood.
However, most of this territory belonged to the House Flint, with only the northern edge of the forest falling under Aermir's control. To carry out his plan, he obtained the House Flint's consent and respected their territorial rights.
His soldiers assembled at a makeshift training ground on the edge of the forest, and Aermir began a masterclass in the art of tactical formation. He meticulously organized the troops into different units and vividly explained the strategic advantages of each formation, demonstrating how they could effectively counter a range of enemy tactics.
After spending a significant amount of time familiarizing himself with these formations, Aermir decided it was time to put the theory into practice with a simulated match.
On a sunny afternoon, Aermir personally took the helm and led the soldiers in a rigorous combat drill. During the practice of various formations, the soldiers personally experienced the powerful force of a well-coordinated shield wall.
However, Harrick single-handedly destroyed this seemingly impregnable defense, which fully demonstrated his exceptional talent.
In recognition of their dedication and ability, Aermir rewarded his loyal squires Harick and Caygan, bestowing upon them the prestigious title of knight and the proud Greenwood surname.
When Ser Harrick's awe-inspiring prowess was displayed on the training grounds, a young soldier Eric was deeply inspired. Eric was originally a student at a commoners' school, but his exceptional swordsmanship and keen intelligence were not overlooked. Recognizing his potential, he was promoted to a prestigious military academy, where he honed his skills under the guidance of experienced warriors.
When Eric mustered the courage to approach the renowned knight, his eyes gleamed with unwavering admiration. Ser Harrick exuded an aura of respect and reverence, which drew Eric to him, eager to seek wisdom from this legendary figure among commoner students.
" Ser Harrick, may I ask you something?" Eric inquired.
"Go ahead and ask," Ser Harrick replied, his gruff voice heavy with experience.
"Sir, is it true that the Emre the Druid blesses you with the blood of Giants in recognition of your service to the North?"
The surroundings fell silent instantly. Eric's question touched upon a much-discussed rumor. The curiosity and gossip surrounding Ser Harrick were irresistible to Eric.
Harrick was a Giants standing 2.3 meters (7.6 feet) tall, whose figure evoked images of legendary Giants. To those who saw him, he seemed to be part of the Giants, a living testament to the awe-inspiring power of nature.
When Eric boldly inquired about the origin of Ser Harrick's enormous body, the young soldier's eyes gleamed with anticipation. He secretly hoped to find a shortcut to acquiring such astonishing strength. However, Harrick's answer left the boy somewhat disappointed. In response, Ser Harrick let out a hearty, rumbling laugh that seemed to echo across the training grounds.
"Where in the Seven Kingdoms have you heard such a bizarre story?" he exclaimed, his smile clearly evident.
"Everyone in Moat Cailin says that. Because you're so big, nobody can stop you."
"I might be a big shot, young man, but that's just my fantasy. I'm just like any other soldier, with nothing but diligence and dedication. Don't believe all that lofty talk. It's true, I was born with a uniquely gifted body, thanks to the Old Gods. That's my only blessing."
Eric's disappointment was palpable, and his desire for quick power was unmistakable. But Harrick, with his profound experience and wisdom, taught him a lesson.
"My child, there are no shortcuts to power. If you wish to become a true warrior of Lord Drashir and defend the honor of the Old Gods, you should train until your hands bleed; diligence will never bring regrets."
Harrick's words seemed to ignite a new flame within Eric. His face was filled with determination; he understood that there were no shortcuts to becoming a powerful warrior.
On this day, Aermir planned a series of simulated battles, appointing different knights as commanders each time. As the sun dipped below the horizon, he gathered his soldiers and knights to share valuable insights.
Aermir stood before the chessboard, holding a piece of limestone in his hand. He drew out the chess formations and discussed them.
"Every formation has its advantages and disadvantages, and we must adjust according to the enemy's methods. The key is to maintain flexibility and respond quickly to constantly changing situations. For example, the shield wall formation is weak against cavalry, just like Ser Harrick here."
Laughter echoed through the group, and Aermir seized the opportunity to emphasize his point of view.
"Or rather, phalanxes, with virtually no protection on their flanks and rear. There are no perfect tactics; the commander must use the right tactics in the right place. Knights and soldiers of the Old Gods! How do we know what the right tactics are?"
The soldiers and knights erupted in a loud, unified shout.
Train under different conditions to adapt to changing circumstances!
Aermir affirmed their answer with a sense of pride and mission.
"Well done, soldiers!"
"Yes, sir!" they replied spiritedly, which fully demonstrated the dedication and discipline of the Aermir troops.
A few days later, Aermir assembled two Ranger companies, commanded by Ser Dick and Sir Anguy. These experienced troops were masters of guerrilla warfare, tracking, reconnaissance, and sabotage. Each Ranger company had a dedicated platoon specializing in complex tracking, reconnaissance, or sabotage operations.
After completing their training, Aermir selected only 100 men from among them, and from each company, he chose two elite platoons to accompany him on an expedition. Their mission was to hunt.
Led by Aermir, the archers ventured deep into the dense forest. However, this expedition was not merely a leisurely hunt, but also an opportunity for rigorous training and honing their skills. Their target was a stag, its noble form standing proudly in the distance, an alluring challenge. They stood atop the mountain, maintaining a distance of 200 meters from their prey, ready to face the test at any moment.
"Remember, the most important things when shooting are accuracy and control," Aermir instructed the archers, his voice carrying authority.
"We're not firing randomly, we're firing with a purpose. You're not ordinary archers, you're a Ranger company. No firing beyond 20 meters. The first platoon is to surround and kill it. A true Ranger must be able to approach the target silently and slit its throat before it even realizes it's dead. Understand?"
In response, everyone in the platoon silently clenched their fists and saluted Aermir.
"Very good," Aermir continued. "If you alert them, that will be the second row's chance."
Aermir designed these incomplete scenarios to hone their tracking and coordination skills. A line of men moved laboriously and slowly, attempting to surround the stag. However, before they could complete their operation, one of the rangers made a grave mistake. Due to carelessness, he revealed his position when they were still 40 meters away from the stag.
Startled by the ranger's mistake, the stag swiftly fled and disappeared into the woods. This outcome marked the beginning of a particularly challenging month of training for the soldiers. After the first platoon's failure, Aermir stipulated that they must wait an hour before attempting to track the elusive creature again, which intensified the challenge they faced. This gave the stag an advantage; instead of resting, they used the waiting time to practice target shooting.
With his incantation, he already knew where the stag was, but he offered no help. The second group eventually found the stag but failed to hunt the beast. If they hunted in groups of 2-5, they might succeed within 20 meters, but approaching a timid beast in a group of 50 was no easy task.
Aermir couldn't help but recall the grueling military exercises he had endured during his time in the army, a memory that sent chills down his spine. He remembered how each exercise seemed to end in deliberate failure, providing his superiors with a pretext to punish the soldiers. Now, Aermir found himself employing similar methods in training his own troops. His authority Lion's Roar Technique, Aermir bellowed.
"You will pay the price for this defeat with your blood and sweat!"
Aermir infused an arrow with wind elemental power and released it. The arrow flew approximately 120 meters, piercing the stag's eyes, entering through one and exiting through the other. The animal died almost instantly. The soldiers, witnessing Aermir's astonishing archery skills, were filled with awe and admiration. They shouted in unison:
"Yes, sir!"