บท 3: Trial

" Woah! This is awesome. " Radd's eyes were shimmering as he looked at the small swaying ball of fire floating above his hand.

Using the independent research function with the help of his own understanding of how fire works, Radd had successfully researched fire, establishing the very first foundation of his civilization. For only 50 CP, the basics of fire were researched by the system. Along with the successful research, the previously empty 'Technology Tree' now have a little seed with one thin root displayed on it.

Although the ball of fire in Radd's hand looked awesome, he couldn't willfully control it as he had only used the 'Build and Create' function to make it. The ball of fire is nothing but a paper tiger as it lacked complexity, it could only be stationary in his hand, and would be easily extinguished whenever he violently swayed his hand. Not only that, but he also needs to continuously provide fuel to the 'Build and Create' function so that it could keep on burning.

But not all doors had been closed, after researching fire, a notification popped up, telling Radd that fire could still be further researched. Maybe with enough CP, Radd could research it to great heights. With high hopes, he thought of continuing the research but eventually gave up as he doesn't think that his pitiable amount of CP would be enough to make great strides.

Two days had already passed, Radd who was previously full of bruises is now able to move unhindered of his injuries. Falko never came back after taking the glass bottle, instead, his servant named Welm would come every day to give him the medicine he needs.

While bedridden, Radd tried communicating with Falko's servant, asking trivial stuff, trying to gain information. But it was to no avail as Welm always had an air of nonchalance, he never bothered replying to Radd and would just do what was instructed of him.

In misfortune comes fortune, that was what wise people of the past said. With Falko and Welm being negligent of him, Radd was able to dedicate his full attention to healing himself without having to worry about being in the spotlight. If Falko just knew how fast Radd recovered, he would definitely make a huge fuss about it.

Still, even though conversations with Welm had never been productive, Radd was still able to gain basic information by asking the soldiers that occasionally came to serve food.

While Radd was immersed in looking at the ball of fire in his hand, multiple loud voices rang out from all over.

" EVERY ABLE-BODIED MAN, GATHER! "

" SIR ADJUTANT GAREN HAS SUMMONED YOUR PATHETIC LIVES. "

" EVERY ABLE-BODIED MAN, GATHER! "

....

Hearing the announcement, Radd extinguished the fireball in his hand, stood up, and left his cubicle.

The large tent is divided by rough brown curtains forming numerous cubicles while only small streaks of sunlight coming from the roof's blemishes would grace illumination to the dim interior. Wounded soldiers once filled the large tent, but as the days passed by, most of them succumbed to their injuries and died, leaving most cubicles vacant.

Walking on the tight passageway, Radd headed outside. As he moved closer to the entrance, a dark and bulky soldier holding a spear went inside.

" You! Hurry up! Heed to Sir Adjutant's summon. "

" Brother, what's happening? Where should I go? "

" You shut up. Don't call me brother. Just go outside and you will know what to do. " The soldier glared at Radd and moved further inside while checking every cubicle.

"It looks like I'm up for trouble. " Radd scratched his head as he felt trouble would come knocking soon.

Outside, swathes of men wearing rough clothing followed the soldiers wearing black leather armor. The swathes of men had varying expressions as they conversed with each other.

Radd silently followed the crowd while keeping his ears perked of any valuable information. The soldiers with black armor made everyone form lines and led them.

Tents were grouped together, forming clusters while being separated by wooden fences. As they moved outside of what seems to be their cluster, they were joined with another group of rough clothed men that was also led by black armored soldiers.

Such an event repeated a couple of times as they moved their way through the thick jungle of clustered tents. When the horde of men stopped at an open area, they already numbered in the thousands.

" SIT ON THE GROUND AND REST! "

" SIR ADJUTANT GAREN WILL ARRIVE SOON! "

" DON'T LEAVE YOUR OWN GROUP, OR ELSE... "

Everyone followed the order and sat down. While waiting, the buzzes of conversation resumed, making the place rowdy.

" Brother, what's your name? Mine's Radd. " Radd introduced himself to the long-faced man at his front.

" Oh… It's Warik. Nice to meet you. " Warik turned back and smiled politely.

After their respective introduction, Radd proactively started the conversation. He talked about trivial things, not specifically asking for something. Instead, he made sure that the topic would be centered about Warik.

Radd had once read a book written by a master con man. The book gave a detailed explanation on how to become a smooth talker, and one of the tips given by the master con man was ' People love to talk about themselves. Let them talk, they would eventually give you what you need'.

With his cautiousness, Radd was able to gather a lot of basic pieces of information that normal people would need. Warik, who was happily talking about himself was completely sucked into it. Eventually, the men around them also chimed in, making Radd smile from ear to ear.

After an hour under the blistering sun, a group of heavily armored cavalry arrived. They escorted a middle-aged man wearing a luxurious white tunic that flowed with the wind.

" EVERYONE, RISE! "

" SIR ADJUTANT GAREN HAS ARRIVED! "

Everyone rose from their seats seeing the arrival of the adjutant. Adjutant Garen's well combed blonde hair complimented his sharp facial features and pointy mustache. He looked like a well-dressed butler, but instead of having tight a fitting suit, he wore a loose tunic that gently flapped whenever he moved.

The adjutant and his aides dismounted and headed to the elevated platform at the front.

Well adorned wooden seats stood firm at the platform, waiting to serve men of honors.

" THE TRIAL SHALL NOW COMMENCE. "

" TROOPS WILL BE TRIALED STARTING FROM THE FARTHEST ON THE LEFT, AND ENDING ON THE FARTHEST RIGHT. "

" FAILING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FINAL VERDICT WOULD RESULT TO PUNISHMENT. THE MOST SEVERE PUNISHMENT COULD BE GIVEN IS DEATH BY HANGING."

" EVERYONE SHALL STAY SILENT WHILE SIR ADJUTANT OR ANY OF HIS RESPECTED AIDES TALK. FAILING TO COMPLY WOULD RESULT TO THIRTY LASHES. "

...…

Rules were announced one after the other, most of them favoring men of status.

" FIRST TRIAL OF THE DAY, FOUR-HUNDRED THIRTY-SIX MEN THAT WAS UNDER THE DECEASED BARON SCROOGE, PREVIOUS HEAD OF THE RANK THREE BARON'S HOUSE OF SCRALF. "

" SAID TROOP, MOVE FORWARD AND FACE YOUR TRIAL. "

The troop in question moved forward, greeted Adjutant Garen, and faced the questioning of Adjutant Garen's aides. The interrogation went for a while, afterward, the verdict was announced.

" FIRST TRIAL, ACCEPT YOUR VERDICT. "

" FOR FULFILLING YOUR DUTIES AT THE BEST OF YOUR CAPABILITIES, THE ADJUTANT'S LENIENT HEART HAS BEEN MOVED. THE VERDICT IS AS FOLLOWS: FOOT SOLDIERS SHALL RECEIVE TEN LASHES, NORMAL OFFICERS SHALL RECEIVE THIRTY LASHES AND WOULD BE STRIPPED OF ANY RANKS, BARON SCROOGE'S DIRECT HOUSEHOLD GUARDS SHALL RECEIVE SEVENTY LASHES AND WOULD BE SENT BACK TO THE HOUSEHOLD OF SCRALF. EXCEPT FOR THE HOUSEHOLD GUARDS, EVERYONE SHALL BE INTEGRATED TO THE CAMP'S RESERVE ARMY AFTER FACING PUNISHMENT. "

After the verdict was announced, the black armored soldiers escorted the said troops off. Then, the announcer proceeded to call the troop that is next in line.

Time ticked fast, the open area's crowd slowly thinned after every finished trial.

Eventually, it was the turn of the troop that Radd was in.

" EIGHTH TRIAL, SEVEN-HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR MEN UNDER THE CAPTURED YOUNG BARON LOUVEL, HEAD OF THE HOUSE HEMERI. "

" MOVE FORWARD, AND FACE YOUR TRIAL. "

Radd followed the troop that he was in as they moved forward. Everyone moved nervously, the air around them stiff. They had just witnessed the prior trials, even the lightest punishment was ten lashes. Each of them knew that their punishment would be much more severe since the announcer's tone was stricter than ever before. Not to mention, the announcer also highlighted the word 'captured' when he spoke.

After settling down, a couple of men from their ranks were escorted to move further to the front.

When Radd saw these familiar faces, he got a hint of what would happen.

The men being escorted were the mounted officers that were at the forefront of the rout. These scumbags didn't even look back and just rode to the distance during the rout.

" THE ACCOUNTS OF THE PRIOR EVENTS BEFORE BARON LOUVEL'S CAPTURE SHALL BE ANNOUNCED. "

" BARON LOUVEL OF HOUSE HEMERI, RANK FIVE, HAS TEN VILLAGES UNDER HIS RULE, AND A YOUNG LORD EAGER TO PROVE HIMSELF. AFTER THE DEATH OF HIS FATHER, BARON LOUVEL HAD USED HIS FIEF AS A GUARANTEE TO TAKE A LOAN WORTH THREE THOUSAND GOLDEN SERPENTS."

" USING THE THREE THOUSAND GOLDEN SERPENTS, BARON LOUVEL RECRUITED AN ARMY OF SIX THOUSAND UNTRAINED PEASANTS AND HAD PROVIDED EACH A SUBSTANDARD MILITIA GRADE EQUIPMENT. AFTER FINISHING THE RECRUITMENT, BARON LOUVEL HAD MARCHED HIS MEN DAY AND NIGHT TO SEEK HIS FORTUNE HERE AT THE IMMORTAL GRAVEYARD."

" WITHOUT PROPER PREPARATION, BARON LOUVEL HAD RECKLESSLY ENTERED AND GOT HIS ARMY AMBUSHED. AT HIS FIRST BATTLE, HIS ARMY OF SIX THOUSAND MILITIA WITH TWO HUNDRED HOUSEHOLD GUARDS was REDUCED TO A COUPLE HUNDRED. NOT ABLE TO ESCAPE, BARON LOUVEL HAD BEEN CAPTURED BY THE BLOOD BEAR BANDITS AND IS NOW UP FOR RANSOM. "

Hearing the accounts announced, Adjutant Garen and his aides had grim faces.

" A cub knows no danger. What does this young baron think this place is? His backyard? " The aide wearing blue robes said and clicked his tongue.

" Indeed, it seems like we've got ourselves another reckless lord here. " Another aide wearing grey robes agreed.

" But still, letting your enemy capture your lord, isn't that enough to behead all these men? Even if not all, at least the household guards should take responsibility. " The youngest aide said.

" You're still new here Isake, even though it is a grave crime to let your lord be captured. It is not entirely their fault. It is not the servant's fault if the lord is fatuous." Adjutant Garen, who was silent all along, spoke as he looked at the trialed troops with knowing eyes.

" Isake, this kind of event are a common occurrence here." Adjutant Garen waved his hand, and added: " We are in need of replenishment right now, give out the usual verdict for this case."

" Yes, Sir! " The soldier nodded.

" THE VERDICT HAS BEEN FINALISED. SAID TROOP, ACCEPT THE VERDICT! "

" FOR LETTING YOUR LORD BE CAPTURED, THE HOUSEHOLD GUARDS SHALL BE DEMOTED ALL THE WAY TO SLAVES AND WILL BE SENT BACK TO HOUSE HEMERI FOR FURTHER TRIALS. OFFICERS SHALL ALSO BE DEMOTED ALL THE WAY TO SLAVES AND WILL BE INSTITUTED TO OUR CAMP'S SLAVE ARMY TO REDEEM THEIR LOST GLORY. FOR FOOT SOLDIERS, EACH SHALL RECEIVE SEVENTY LASHES AND WILL BE INSTITUTED TO OUR CAMP'S AUXILIARY ARMY. "