"So, what do you think, Douglas?" Noel asked.
"I don't have any problems. But if we're going to build it and destroy it over and over again, then I have to take into consideration the materials as well as the effect it will cause on the downstream area." Douglas explained.
"I can provide with funds, and I believe this is going to take priority. It's going to be our weapon against the first attack."
"If that's the case, you might have to consult with Dimitri regarding the workers. As long as we have enough workers, creating a broken dam should be easy." Douglas thought for a moment. "What I'm interested in is this outpost. Are you sure you want to build an outpost in that area?"
"Yes. For the territory's defense."
"Interesting." Douglas raised two fingers. "In that case, I believe it's better to make it a bit grand if you want to make the enemies believe that it's a fort while it's not. There is also a chance that the enemies will attack that place instead."
"I have considered it." Noel nodded, assuring Douglas.
"In that case, I can create the blueprints for you within three days. Dimitri has to get the workers, though."
"Alright. I'll leave it to you." Noel waved his hand and finally went to Dimitri to discuss the workers.
…
While Noel was discussing a lot of projects with other pillars, Anna finally arrived at the barrack where Howard trained the soldiers.
Clink!
Clink!
Clink!
A clicking sound could be heard from a hundred meters away as Anna was sure that there was a sparring between two soldiers.
When she arrived at the soldier camp, she found that there were two soldiers surrounded by others. One of them was sitting on the ground with a sword on his neck while the other was raising his hand as if showing that he had won.
Howard was supervising the entire process and nodded his head as if approving the match. Soon, he noticed that a person was coming in their direction. A few other soldiers seemed to have noticed her as well and turned their heads around, finding Anna.
"Well, well, well…" Howard squinted his eyes. "Who do we have here? Isn't this Mistress Anna?"
Anna could feel from his voice that Howard looked down upon her. As expected, Howard was one of the people that was against Noel's marriage, so she could understand the prejudice he had.
And it was her job to dispel that prejudice by showing that she was the only one for him.
Anna asked, "Are you training right now?"
"Of course, Madam!" Howard answered while smirking. The other soldiers were whispering to each other. If they had Howard's position, they might do the same thing. However, they didn't dare to do it because they were still seeking the points to get runes on their bodies.
"I see. It seems that I have to interrupt your training session." Anna smiled.
"For what reason?" Howard asked while furrowing his eyebrows.
Anna actually brought a big scroll with her. She walked past the soldiers skillfully and reached the center.
The two soldiers stepped back, not knowing what to do in this situation. In the end, Howard waved his hand, signaling them to return to the rank while he took care of Anna.
Anna placed down the scroll and rolled it, showing everyone the map of the territory.
"Hoh?" Howard was amused. It seemed that the interruption was bigger than he originally thought. "It will require a lot of time."
"I'm aware. That's why I just wanted to tell you about the plans for now."
Howard walked toward Anna with a sharp gaze. It seemed that he wanted to tear Anna down so that his master didn't need to marry her. And this was the opportunity.
He sat down in front of the map while saying, "I'm all ears."
Anna raised her hand and circulated her energy, forming a stick in front of her.
'She has good control…' Howard sensed the high-level control that Anna had and confirmed the rumors. It seemed that Anna truly defeated Count Heirden. Her achievement was truly based on strength instead of a hidden trade in the royal court.
Anna pointed at three locations with the stick. "I want to mobilize the soldiers and clear up these three areas."
Howard noticed the river and the mountain, so he immediately asked, "Do you want to utilize the river and mountain?"
"Yes. Noel is planning to build a dam in this area, so I want to clear up all the demons that are scattered so that the workers can come in. As for this mountain, we've verified the existence of a mine here. We're not sure about what kind of vein is buried underneath it, but it's something we can utilize. The mine itself doesn't have any demons, and all their remains have been destroyed, so we're only clearing up the perimeter."
Howard fell into deep thought. "The mountain should be fine. But the river is trickier. The river is about fifteen meters wide. Looking at this map, we have to go around and cross this section of the river. But doing so will take a lot of time."
"I know your concern. That's why we'll create two groups."
"And are you planning to lead the second group?"
"Indeed." Anna nodded with a serious expression.
Howard squinted his eyes. He didn't like that idea, but this was the perfect opportunity to see Anna's ability. Although she had proven her strength, it didn't mean she had the commanding ability.
But before agreeing to her, Howard changed the topic slightly. "How about this mountain?"
"Since we'll clear the river first, the two groups should have been established. So, we'll sweep the mountain with two groups as well and further investigate the mine."
Howard noticed a bit of unrest coming from his subordinates. Anna was too young and had never gone through anything with them, so they doubted Anna could make a good command.
Hence, Howard came forward with the last trial. "In that case, can you tell me about the plan for this area? I don't see anything special."
"This area… is his direct order. No questions are allowed." Anna stated with a solemn tone.
"!!!" Even though Howard wanted to rebuke that word, the fact that Noel had given the direct order for this area meant the information was classified. Since the soldiers were still watching, it wouldn't be best to talk about it.
After looking at the three locations that Anna had pointed at, Howard explained, "We've scouted the area before gathering in the city. There are numerous Peak Level Demons, so it's going to be dangerous. We've noticed at least seven Peak Level Demons around the river and thirteen of them in the northern part. The mountain is trickier, but we believe the number is even higher than the other two."
Anna also noticed the tricky part of the mountain. Even her instinct picked up several dangers, so she asked, "How many men do you have, and how is their strength?"
"I am a Spirit Grandmaster. There are four Spirit Masters under me, followed by ten Spirit Wielders and thirty Spirit Practitioners. The rest are Spirit Apprentices. In total, we have ninety people."
"Hmm…" Anna looked down as if falling into deep thought. "It's going to be dangerous for the Spirit Apprentices… But the runes…"
Howard was worried about it as well. However, they worked for Noel and were ready to throw their lives for the sake of this territory. So, Howard assured her, "We're men of the battlefield. We're not afraid of anything."
"No. I'm not worried about your resolve. Right now, the territory doesn't have any new batch of soldiers, especially to protect a big city and those soon-to-be walls. So, we can't afford to lose soldiers." Anna shook her head.
Howard's expression turned serious, realizing that Anna might not be a sheltered girl and understand a bit about the management of soldiers.
As Anna said, if they lost too many soldiers, they would have a hard time finding their replacement. Those soldiers could also help with the training of newer soldiers that the territory would recruit in the future.
"What do you think, Howard?" Anna raised her head, asking for Howard.
This question took him by surprise. Anna's status as Noel's fiancee toppled even him, so the fact that she lowered her pride and asked for his opinion meant that she was serious about protecting this territory.
Because of that, Howard decided to give her an honest opinion. "The safest will be to clear one side first. However, it'll take too much time. Hence, we'll divide the soldiers into two groups."
"Won't it be too dangerous?"
"We've received some equipment from Sir Roel, so we'll arm them with those equipment. Besides, this will be a big opportunity for the soldiers to earn points and learn a lot from the battle."
"So, I will still get the command of the second group?"
"Because you're the only Spirit Grandmaster here, then yes. However, I will send two Spirit Masters who are adept at commanding the soldiers. They'll take over once you encounter a problem."
"I don't mind." Anna agreed without hesitation.
"In that case, I can feel assured. Please don't look down on these soldiers. They might not be as strong as you, but they won't go down without a fight."
"Alright then." Anna looked left and right, observing the soldiers' expressions. She couldn't help but say, "I know that you are unsatisfied with me. However, I won't use my authority to make you acknowledge me. That's why you're free to express those arguments in the way you did earlier…"
"Hmmm? Are you…" Howard was quite surprised that Anna decided to do it this way.
"Who do you think has drawn runes on Noel's body?" Anna paused for a moment so the others could think of the answer. But even without saying it, they could clearly see that person. Anna pointed at herself. "I was the one who drew them. If you have an objection, fight me.
"Any Spirit Masters who can hit me once will be considered to win, any Spirit Wielders who can push me back will win, any Spirit Practitioners who can force me to use my abilities will win…"
Anna smirked as her words managed to pique the soldiers' interest. Anna asked out loud, "So, who will be the first?"
