You were made to farm, and now you're the emperor of an empire?

Chapter 437 The Great Expedition
This place used to be a pasture, but now it's a military assembly point.

Edmund first joined up with the rest of the squadron, and then, led by the think tank Phillip and the captain of the guard, they gathered in this field.

They marched dozens of miles on foot, along rugged roads, and were exhausted when they reached their destination. It was only through their tenacious spirit that they did not collapse into a puddle of mud.

Philip saw the high platform in the distance, and the tall, unyielding figure on it, with a huge flag fluttering in the wind behind him.

“Your Highness,” Philip exclaimed.

Many soldiers also raised their eyes and saw that imposing figure. Their eyes were filled with reverence, and their exhausted bodies seemed to be filled with new vitality.

Because this is the figure they all believe in and worship; just seeing him here is enough to uplift their spirits.

Just then, a young man walked towards them from a distance, his sharp, piercing gaze causing them pain.

Philip and the captain saluted side by side: "Commander-in-Chief Kao! The entire 7th Guards Battalion is present!"

Kao's face was frozen.

He raised his right fist above his head and replied, "You guys did a good job this time, saving me a lot of trouble. Unlike the Fifth Brigade, where they got into a fight with the clerk. That was outrageous. The village clerk submitted a report and asked Green to mediate personally... It was a disgrace."

His tone was extremely unpleasant, and Edmund knew that their commander-in-chief was never in a good mood.

The Fifth Battalion is definitely in trouble, Edmond thought. Their brigade is just as strict with themselves and others.

Indeed, as they marched in formation toward the Guards Battalion's encampment, they found the Fifth Battalion men sweating profusely as they chopped wood and started a fire.

Edmund knew what they were thinking. Every time they were penalized, the guards wondered why they were led by Kaa instead of Aaron or Green.

Why is the Royal Guard the largest of all professional squads, and why is its commander the most demanding?

Edmund glanced at the figure on the high platform again without realizing it.

It is said that Aaron and Green are true knights by birth, humble and gentle, while Khal was personally promoted from commoners by His Highness, and is cold and ruthless.

Through hard work and talent, a man from the lowest rungs of society rose to become a prominent figure in the army, alongside a knight-born gentleman.

All the officers had received this favor—although few were as highly regarded by His Highness Roman as Káo.

Edmund recalled those experiences. He too came from a poor peasant background, yet His Highness Roman personally stood before him to award him a medal, praising his bravery and wisdom, and promoting him to squad leader, and later to company commander.

After spending a month in the village of Wormwood, today the think tank master Philip said he would recommend him to His Highness to serve as the captain and form a new guard battalion.

He was not the only one to receive this honor.

In fact, high-ranking officers in the military knew that the River Valley Army would undergo a second expansion during the expedition, and some non-commissioned officers who had performed well in the past would have the opportunity to be promoted.

Edmund couldn't understand why, despite simply doing what he was supposed to do, his military rank kept rising, his salary kept increasing, and the letters he wrote to his wife kept getting thicker.

Now, gazing at the figure on the high platform, he suddenly understood something in a moment.

I understand what His Highness is thinking, and why he is gazing northwards.

Because there are enemies in the north!
His Highness nurtured and promoted him so that he could overthrow those enemies.

In order to give someone like him, who came from a poor family, a chance, a chance to move up in society.

……

evening.

The last professional battalion assembled in the afterglow of the setting sun; it was the 13th ordinary battalion.

Edmund watched as the towering figure on the platform finally disappeared.

He appeared on the ground, gentle as a ruler.

Commanders Jet and Dick, along with Captains Aaron, Green, Nathan, and Kao, followed behind him, attracting the attention of many soldiers. Roman nodded to the soldiers from afar and said, "It seems all our warriors have returned."

Green said with a smile, "Hopefully, this period of hard labor hasn't diminished their fighting spirit."

Roman glanced at him sideways: "You haven't been working in the fields, have you become so strong?"

Green pointed to himself and said confidently, "But it's even more tiring than working in the fields."

Governing a new territory requires not only overall planning ability but also strong organizational and coordination skills. It also requires timely responses to any eventuality and the resolution of conflicts between various departments.

Roman turned his head away and stopped looking at Green.

Green nudged behind him, making a face under his breath. Aaron was a man of few words. Kao, however, remained silent, his face almost razor-sharp. Dick and Jet were whispering about something private…

Roman personally greeted the last returning squad.

“Ed, you did a great job. The administration department has praised you highly. You did better than many professional teams.”

“Your Highness, this is just a normal thing. The villagers are all good people. They cooperate with our work very well and never slack off,” Ed replied meticulously.

“It’s not easy to do ordinary things well,” Roman said with a smile.

They had only been in this land for a short time, and it was already difficult for them to get along and adjust to each other, let alone work together.

Roman admires Ed and has a strong impression of him. It's rare to see a one-star operator grow to this level.

“Your Highness, those good families are short of food and water, so I had to lead them to dig wells. Since the beginning of spring this year, there has only been one light rain. I am very worried about the drought…” Ed looked at Roman.

Roman pursed his lips, his crimson eyes intensely focused. "I'll handle things here, you don't need to worry too much. You must be tired, settle in first, dinner will be served soon."

Ed could sense Roman's seriousness, and he realized that his prince had probably already noticed.

Ed saluted Roman and then left with his men.

During the dinner, Roman visited the tired officers and soldiers around the campfire, shaking hands with them in a gentle and friendly manner.

On the second day.

Roman changed his appearance and stood on the high platform, like a statue of a god, heavy and majestic.

Or rather, when a person is untemptible, unoffensive, and unwavering, he possesses something that can be called divine.

He spoke in a deep, resonant voice.

“Everyone has their own mission. My mission is destiny, which is to lead humanity to a better and fairer future.”

"As for you, you have only one mission: to end the centuries-long period of conflict on earth!"

"I want you to launch an unprecedented expedition across the land!"

"I want you to dedicate yourselves, give yourselves, and sacrifice yourselves, to offer your souls to me, and in return, you will gain eternal life during the expedition!"

Roman's voice rose from a low murmur to a final roar.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he raised his arms and shouted, while a huge banner embroidered with thorns and iron rings fluttered in the wind behind him, as if crowning him.

"For Your Highness! I am willing to die! For Your Highness!!" In an instant, it seemed as if a vast ocean of sound surged forth.

Everyone is responding enthusiastically.

Roman stared straight ahead, his expression solemn and unwavering.

(End of this chapter)