710 Vertical Alliance, Trend Part 2 (2/2)
Lex left behind quite a number of resources that were sufficient for Saleen to start work and arm his armies. This time around, the first group of soldiers that he would set up would be the temple corp.
The temple corp, which would be Saleen's bodyguards, would be made up of three battalions. These thirty-thousand men would be complemented with one-hundred and twenty-thousand demons so there would be four-thousand demons in every regiment. In the future, the temple corp would be Saleen's core force to suppress any noble families that dared to rebel. These thirty-thousand men and one-hundred and twenty-thousand demons would be the equivalent to Holy Rock City's royal swordsmen battalion.
The proportion of the temple corp would be the benchmark for demon armies. There would be eight-thousand demons for every two-thousand humans.
As Saleen's influence expanded, more and more noble families began to pledge their allegiances to him. It was essential that Saleen possessed the means to deter these noble families, otherwise it was not impossible for a rebellion to take place.
Since the demons had yet to be summoned, the equipment that Saleen prepared for the temple corp was a little strange.
Magic wolf warriors would take on the role of scouts since they could not be included within the three battalions. There were two-thousand of them in total. Saleen did not wish to depend on these Caucasus people riding on magic wolves as his assault team. He would have plenty of demons in the future. They would be the ones making up his main force.
In reality, after the temple corp had been set up, it would be made up of fifteen battalions and every battalion would be made up of two human regiments.
Demons would take on the roles of heavy-armored knights, heavy-armored infantry, and light-armored knights while the two human regiments would be in charge of command. The captain of each regiment would command four regiments of demons, then there would be a single battalion commander who would be given two-hundred bodyguards and would command a battalion on his own. Saleen gave all his best equipment, such as the wings of an elf and elf alchemy crossbow, to the temple corp first.
The palace swordsmen battalion would support the temple corp. If the temple corp suffered any losses, the vacancies would be filled from the palace swordsmen battalion.
The alchemy factories were doing all they could to produce the equipment that Saleen needed. If he did not arm the temple corp, Saleen felt insecure. How could he think of gaining the support of all the noble families if he did not even have his own core force in place?
Metatrin City seemed to regain peacefulness once again. Aini had left to build a city while the second battalion had led the noble families' armies to Huoxing City. Other than training every day, Saleen would also head down to the alchemy factories to check on the progress of the production of equipment.
On that day, Saleen was on his way back to the temple when he was stopped by someone.
”Brother Saleen!” A young lady in long dress stopped him. Nailisi was not by his side, but he was accompanied by Isabella and a few hundred soldiers. The soldiers were ready to spring into action when they saw someone blocking their path.
Saleen waved his hand and said, ”Sharman, you are looking for me?”
”Yes, Brother Saleen. What happened to what you promised me?”
Saleen smiled and said, ”Why didn't you just look for me at the temple? Why did you have to stop me on the road?”
There was sorrow on Sharman's face as she spoke, ”There was no way I could get near your temple. No matter what I said, those Caucasus people never let me pass.”
At that point, Saleen recalled the order that he had given. No one was supposed to get near the temple other than the temple corp or anyone from Sregl Island.
”Come with me then,” Saleen waved his hand and allowed Sharman to come to his side. Saleen preferred to walk instead of ride on a horse when he traveled within the city. Sharman tugged at Saleen's sleeve with a grin on her face and said, ”Brother Saleen, did you miss me?”
There was nothing seductive about her smile, only naivety. Saleen's mood improved greatly. He patted Sharman's hand and said, ”Don't beat around the bush. You want to become a general right?”
”Of course.”
”What does your sister think?” Saleen asked about Guya's opinion. Guya was in the first group of people to whom Saleen had given the title of 'Duke'. She was also a grand mage herself so she was considered to be a member of a noble family that was most similar to him.
”Sister said that it is better to become your follower first if I really want to become a general.”
”Haha!” Saleen laughed. Guya was really smart. If her sister did not become a follower, she would only be a battalion commander at most and lead ten-thousand elite soldiers. On the other hand, if she became a follower, there would be more paths for her to take in the future.
”Sharman, are you willing to become my follower?” Saleen smiled and asked.
Sharman felt awkward and said, ”Brother Saleen, why should I become your follower?”
”So, you are unwilling?” Saleen purposely teased Sharman. This girl was already powerful but still had a very pure heart.
”No, I just want to know what is in it for me.”
”I want to set up an elite corp and I will need a general. A general and not a battalion commander. It will be tied to a rank of nobility. The person taking up this position needs to gain the trust of the people around me first.”
”So, I will have to be like them and call you 'My Lord' in the future?” Sharman pouted and seemed unwilling.
”If you prefer, you can still call me 'Brother Saleen', but we need to sign a bond first, alright?” Saleen felt a little uncomfortable bringing up bonds. It was as if he only believed in the power of bonds more than anything else now.