He took the script of an exorcism legend, but became the number one anti-fraud expert.

Benjamin's steps became increasingly steady on the open ground of the barracks.

He spread his hands, practiced abdominal breathing, and silently recited the key points Pete had taught him, trying to control his breathing rhythm.

Although my steps are still getting heavier, I'm not as embarrassed as I was yesterday.

Perhaps it was the reward from last night's log that brought about this physical improvement; I truly felt this qualitative leap.

Nothing brings more peace of mind than the certainty that one's efforts will be rewarded.

As Benjamin reveled in the pleasure of training, everyone else stared at him with strange looks.

"Hey! You damn bastard, are you still going to work for this heartless jerk?!"

Benjamin maintained his steady breathing, glancing sideways at the person who had spoken.

As I recall, he was the soldier who had treated me and Pete to drinks last night.

"Watch your tone, Art! This is a violation of military discipline!"

Avery was overjoyed, as if he had found a "backer".

For him, even if it wasn't Benjamin, as long as someone in the barracks didn't strike, he would seize the opportunity to refute those who wanted to rebel.

What's more, this man is Benjamin, the guy who received solid information from Abby that he is most likely a nobleman!

A smug look spread across Avery's face as he called out to Benjamin:

"Benjamin! Come here and teach these veterans what discipline is!"

"..."

Eight laps, whoosh—

Benjamin muttered to himself, ignoring Avery.

"Benjamin!"

Nine laps,

Okay, let's pick up the pace for the last lap and go for a sprint.

"......"

The arguing in the barracks had stopped, and everyone was looking at Benjamin.

Avery was embarrassed, and the soldier standing in front of him was equally confused.

Is this guy crazy? He's so obsessed with training.

As Benjamin spread his legs, he increased the force of his arm swings.

After a period of complete indulgence, he was drenched in sweat.

He exhaled heavily through his mouth, welcoming the rising sun, and a cloud of hot steam billowed from his mouth.

He slowed down and began to stroll and relax.

That's great. As long as you stick to this kind of daily exercise, even if the growth is slow, it will still be effective.

But you can't be greedy, after all, there are other things to do every day, so you need to arrange things reasonably and also get adequate rest.

Once his breathing had calmed down, Benjamin slowly approached the group.

At this moment, he acted like a true superior, not just joining in to appease his colleagues, nor flattering Avery to curry favor.

"I believe that, as a soldier, I have fulfilled the training requirements of the guard regiment, sir."

"Well done, you're a qualified soldier!" Avery echoed.

"But as a new recruit, I have no right to criticize the veterans, much less manage them, do I?"

Avery paused for a second, his eyes darting around, as if he understood the meaning behind it.

Although he had only been there for two days, Benjamin had already gleaned some useful information.

The guard regiment of Windhowl Town is not well-organized, not only because of its remote location, but also because it lacks a reasonable personnel structure.

For example, if the entire garrison only has one lieutenant and one captain, and the captain doesn't make decisions, then Avery can do whatever he wants.

Pete said last night that Avery seems to have some kind of shady relationship with the mayor.

This is probably what gives Avery the confidence to engage in both overt and covert corruption.

The chaotic personnel structure meant it was destined to lose people, and the tenant farmers and refugees outside would probably rather starve to death than risk losing their lives to join the guard.

"Benjamin, you're not thinking of getting promoted to second lieutenant on your second day in the guard, are you? That's against the rules."

Benjamin's ambition for status made Avery uneasy; a promotion meant a raise, and Avery seemed unwilling to share it with others.

He would choose...

[Virtue: Give Avery an irresistible reason to agree, +10%]

[Torture: Continue along Avery's lines without taking any risks, +10%]

Benjamin did not answer Avery's question directly.

"Lieutenant Avery, the guard unit, including the wounded, currently numbers seventeen. If this continues, we probably won't even need to wait for the cold wave; the evil spirits on the beach and in the Black Swamp will likely be too crowded. What do you think is the biggest problem right now?"

Benjamin chose not to indulge Avery; he was determined to get the lieutenant's position, after all, building power was part of becoming a legend.

[Virtue: Fountain Accumulation Progress: 61%]

Avery froze, his stiff expression telling Benjamin that he certainly knew why.

Naturally, due to the deducted salary, Avery himself was unwilling to spend money to recruit more people.

A soldier stepped forward, shouting, "This is unjust! We risked our lives, but this old bastard pocketed our money! We were recruited by the captain, not him!"

"Damn it! Don't you dare ask for it!"

Avery panicked; he pulled out his gun and pressed it against the soldier's head.

The soldiers inside the house came out upon hearing the commotion, and the situation was about to tip toward rebellion.

"wrong!"

Benjamin looked at the two men locked in a tense standoff and said, "There was no clear battle plan or commander. The only strategic deployment was a four-man squad, and then what? Who was in charge of the charge, who was in charge of support, and who was in charge of rescue? In yesterday's battle, everyone was a disorganized mess, so when faced with an emergency, they could only passively take the hits."

Avery breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this; as long as money wasn't mentioned, he would agree.

"That's right, it's a strategic problem. Damn it, it's all the captain's fault. He didn't explain to everyone how to fight." Avery quickly chimed in.

"No, Avery, not because of the captain, but because we didn't have you involved," Benjamin replied.

"Me? Oh my god, don't be ridiculous, I haven't been on the battlefield for years."

Benjamin looked at his bloated figure and doubted his claim that he had been to the battlefield.

"Even with a battle plan, what should the soldiers on the ground do if an unexpected situation arises? The enemy won't act according to your expected plan, Lieutenant."

Avery's pupils were somewhat unfocused. He looked around uneasily, and at that moment, the soldiers gathered around him.

"That's right! We've never had a commander, Lieutenant. Why don't you come with us next time?"

Seeing that someone agreed, Avery unconsciously swallowed, his face filled with fear and unease.

Avery's obese physique made it clear that he was completely unfit to play, but refusing would also be a sin, and Avery had no way to argue with that.

Benjamin leaned in again: "So, Lieutenant, what do you say? Are you going to take charge yourself, or are you going to appoint a second lieutenant as the new commander?"

The room fell silent after he said that.

The salary of a regular soldier is £2.50 per week, while that of a second lieutenant is at least £5 per week.

If you make a contribution, that's a different story. For example, yesterday Pete's group saved everyone. If he were a second lieutenant, he would receive an 8-pound reward or even a promotion!

The soldiers who had just been standing with Benjamin immediately moved to a halt, some even rubbing their hands together in anticipation.

Clearly, whether they could become second lieutenants or not was another matter, but when it came to money, they couldn't sit still.

Benjamin had anticipated this situation, and he remained calm and composed.

This was exactly the effect he wanted: the soldiers, who had just been suppressed and put on the defensive, began to act on their own initiative and, driven by their own desires, would wreak havoc in the barracks.

Chaos, the more chaotic the better.