After the cultural studies class of โDawnโs Childrenโ concluded, Allen smoothly convened a mobilization assembly.
He gave a detailed explanation of the strategies of โcombativenessโ and โsolidarityโ, scanning the crowd.
He noticed that aside from Finn and a few other promising youths heโd focused on training, most people hadnโt fully grasped this seemingly contradictory political wisdom.
This was only naturalโsome people were suited to be leaders, others better as executors.
So Allen called on someone by name: โFinn, let me test you. If we capture members of the Thievesโ Guild, what do you intend to do?โ
Finn knew Allen was grooming him and would definitely call on him, so heโd already considered this possible question.
To be honest, regarding the gang boss whoโd humiliated him before, all heโd wanted was to kill him, with absolutely no thought of absorbing that scum.
But now that Allen had taught him these lessons, he had to integrate this new knowledge.
He stood up, thought deeply, and said, โI intend to execute the most hard-headed ones, those drenched in the blood of innocents. Theyโre of no use to us. As for the rest, Iโll make them start as slavesโworking them to the bone with the hardest labor, breaking their arrogance, and killing any who resist. Only those who show value and are truly reformed can join us.โ
โTheyโre all scum, the main accomplices of the forces of evil. Honestly, itโs best to get rid of them quickly. The ones truly worth absorbing are the lowest rung of the gangโpeople just like us, filled with anger and hatred at the old world, but forced to bow to evil just to survive. Theyโre the ones with true potential for change.โ
Allen nodded in satisfaction. Finn was indeed sharpโeven coming up with โlabor reform.โ And that ruthless desire to thoroughly purge the rotten was exactly right.
โCan you do it? Kill people.โ
Allen looked sternly at everyone, including the young boys and girls, the elderly, and even the disabled.
โKilling means thereโs no turning back. Youโre destined to walk a road paved with blood. Thereโs no redemption at the end of this pathโyou can only exchange your sacrifices for the happiness of others. Are you prepared for this?โ
Everyone had already steeled themselves, nodding in silent determination.
Allen kept reinforcing their mindset, because he understood human nature all too well.
Even the noblest warriors, after a long, difficult journey, could have their ideals stagnate on a comfortable armchair.
Those broad backs that once shielded children from arrows might, in the end, become draped with medals.
The soldiers who once refused to tear down houses to avoid letting anyone freeze could, one day, become the generals who tear down kindergartens to build mansions.
Allen couldnโt prevent all this, but he could tell these young warriorsโ
โAt the very least, for now, you are still walking the path, so the future is not hopeless.โ
After a long silence, Allen finally said, โSince youโre resolved, I wonโt say more. You are a newly formed army; a soldierโs foremost duty is to obey orders. Your training has just begun, but Iโm about to send you to the front linesโbecause in an army, war comes the very next moment, and sacrifices begin now, whether youโre ready or not.โ
โThis long journey is only beginningโitโs a declaration, a propaganda team, a seeder. You are the pioneers, destined to shoulder more burdens and make more sacrifices. Are you ready?โ
โReady!โ
โVery good. Iโve arranged an extra meal tonightโeveryone eat and drink your fill. Tomorrow youโll join up with real soldiers and familiarize yourselves with weapons ahead of time. Listen carefullyโhere are the adjustments Iโm making to the deploymentโโ
Allen explained his full, detailed plan to the โDawnโs Children.โ After several days together, he already understood everyoneโs character and abilities; he had a vision of which post would let each person shine.
Of course, this was just a temporary arrangement due to lack of manpower. Time was short and the task urgent. After capturing the Thievesโ Guild, they would have only two days of buffer time.
On July 1st, the โForgotten Madonnaโ would be renovated and upgraded into the โContinental Hotel.โ
It would retain some of its original functions and hang the plaque of the โHandicraft and Labor Mutual Aid Guild,โ thus adding the Mutual Aid Associationโs union roles.
The public-facing Continental Hotel could continue to employ the staff of the โForgotten Madonna.โ
The place truly needing manpower was the Underground World where the Thievesโ Guild residedโsoon to become the headquarters of the Brotherhood of the Children of Dawn.
The Laval House had started out as construction contractors, never lacking in manpower or materials; renovations would proceed quickly, and the construction team could move in the very day the Thievesโ Guild was taken down.
Just as Finn had said, those scum were still usefulโthey would take part in the underground renovation, atoning for their sins. When they truly changed their ways, they would be set free.
Once the Mutual Aid Association was running, the โLily Guardโ PMC would also quickly begin integrating the other mercenaries.
In the time to follow, โDawnโs Childrenโ would rapidly expand, filling the vacuum in the Underground World.
Before people even realized what was happening, โDawnโ would have arrived underground.
Of course, planning was one thing; carrying it out would bring all sorts of trouble.
But what did that have to do with Allen?
The โprogramโ had been writtenโif it ran, that was enough!
Allenโs โcodeโ was already concise enough, and heโd even thoughtfully annotated every line.
If even such a foolproof โtutorialโ couldnโt help future generations fix the โbugs,โ itโd be better to scrap the โmountain of crap codeโ and rewrite it from scratch.
Any โgarbage softwareโ the people didnโt like would ultimately be replaced by something better.
In the end, one must trust in the wisdom of the people.
The mobilization assembly concluded, and it was time for dinner.
Thanks to Allenโs special arrangements, tonight โDawnโs Childrenโ would enjoy a buffet, with standards matching those of a Noble banquet.
For this meal, the old butler had even temporarily hired other chefs and brought in a mountain of ingredients.
The spread was so lavish that even with a glutton like Anna, everyone could eat their fill.
The former Grandmaster of Swords of the War Hound mercenary group, now Joint Founder of the โLily Guardโ private military company, Werner Kruger, and his trusted aides also attended the internal banquet.
As members of โDawnโs Children,โ they were naturally invited.
Wernerโs confidants had all been given titles like โAction Director,โ โTraining Director,โ โVice President of Business Development,โ and โRegional Presidentโโalthough the posts were currently nominal, they greatly satisfied their vanity.
After gaining โstatus,โ these men finally spent money on proper clothes and looked presentable.
Allenโs grand vision for the future made them all eager, their enthusiasm so high Allen wondered if theyโd recklessly charge ahead the moment battle began.
Not badโcomrades with passion make the revolution thrive!
These battle-hardened veterans quickly hit it off with the younger members of โDawnโs Children.โ
As they devoured the various delicacies, they gathered around the veterans, listening to tales of the battlefield and all sorts of survival tips.
The atmosphere was lively and joyful, with an infectious spirit of optimism. It felt less like the day after tomorrow would bring dangerous missions, and more like a highly anticipated adventure.
โLeader, would you like a drink?โ
Dressed in a maidโs uniform, โNightingaleโ Eleanor came over with a tray full of beer, giving Allen a deliberate wink.
Her fresh, beautiful face looked especially radiant under the lights, tinged with a flirtatiousness far beyond her years, carefully practiced.
Allen took a glass with a smile. โYou should enjoy the banquet as well. Thereโll be much work for you aheadโI hope you can bear it.โ
โItโs fine, I can handle everything of yours, you know.โ She said meaningfully, her gaze openly wandering over certain parts of Allen.
Of course, Marianne noticed all of this. Seeing her subordinate dare to flirt with Allen, Marianne smiled and said,
โDay and night we guard against outsiders, but a thief at home is hardest to guard against. Looks like, as Head Maid, Iโll have to properly educate some disobedient maids.โ
โWah, Head Maid, please forgive me!โ
โEnough talk!โ
Dragged away by Marianne, Eleanor still shot Allen a pitiful look, seeking help. Allen just raised his glass in a toast, wishing her a fun night.
Allen wasnโt worried Marianne would bully Eleanorโthey actually got along well.
To be precise, they were kindred spiritsโboth from humble backgrounds, both adept at using their feminine wiles.
Allen had realized long ago that the two of them were putting on an act for his sakeโhe wouldnโt fall for it.
At this moment, Allen noticed that โShadowโ Luca, even amid the merriment, was still communicating with Finn about combat plans through writing.
He was the fastest-progressing member of โDawnโs Childrenโ in the cultural lessons, and even after class, he would pester Franรงois for more knowledge.
Franรงois, once an overlooked city hall clerk, now found himself the childrenโs pillar and had truly become a teacher in spirit.
He did his utmost to help these eager youths, refusing even any overtime pay.
Allen thought to himself, After observing him for a bit longer, Iโll formally bring him into โDawnโs Children.โ
Anna, though not a member of โDawnโs Children,โ was at the banquet as well, happily eating her fill.
Having this Inquisition โspyโ deeply involved in Allenโs and โDawnโs Childrenโsโ daily life was clearly Allenโs design.
He had already handled the Church. Next, he was preparing to take the Inquisition.
Allen knew well that the Inquisition was preparing to break free from the Churchโs shackles. The more radical Allen appeared, the easier it was to attract the equally radical Inquisition.
Anna diligently continued her surveillance and reporting, unaware that her straightforward log-keeping would bring about unforeseen consequences.
Allen felt a twinge of guilt for taking advantage of the naรฏve, absent-minded nun, so he made sure Anna was well-compensatedโwith food.
Even though Annaโs freakish strength, which had floored Pseudo-John, made people wary at first,
once everyone saw how trustworthy she was, the younger kids played with her, while the adults and elderly looked after her, growing fond of the pure little nun.
Anna was on her way to becoming the groupโs mascot, grinning happily.
Watching hope gradually return to peopleโs faces, Allen was moved as well.
Werner, seeing Allen quietly keeping watch over the others, joked, โYoung Master Laval, why not join them?โ
Allen shook his head. โโWe are Dawnโs Childrenโโsomeone must remain alert in the darkness, even as others celebrate. That person is me now; in the future, it will be them. Only after enduring a long, endless night can one welcome the light. So, let them enjoy this brief moment of brightness to their heartโs content.โ
โYoung Master Lavalโฆโ Werner sighed sincerely.
If he hadnโt seen it with his own eyes, heโd never believe that this natural-born leader was only a fifteen-year-old boy.
Beneath that youthful exterior hid a soul both noble and mature!
His seemingly ruthless ideas were, in truth, full of compassionโif not for the sake of the people, why would a young Noble risk such deadly dangers? He was no mere schemer, but a savior!
If he were a Noble lord, Werner would willingly become his most loyal knight. As it was, being his equal partner was an even greater honor.
The two of them began discussing business amidst the festivities.
After hearing Allenโs detailed plans for combat and the future, Werner exclaimed,
โYour strategy is flawless! I know many Imperial Refugees who fled hereโthey could be your strength. I vouch for them with my own honor: they are absolutely loyal and reliable. You neednโt worry about a lack of manpower. As for the gaps left by those gang bossesโ disappearance, rest assuredโour men are battlefield-hardened elites. Controlling the remaining gangs will be easy.โ
Allen understood Werner was probably hoping to plant his own people, but with โDawnโs Childrenโsโ ability to assimilate, Allen wasnโt concerned about โfactionsโ or โcliquesโ emerging.
Allen nodded. โExcellent. This way both โDawnโs Childrenโ and the โLily Guardโ can expand rapidly, growing like a snowball. By the way, Werner, my dear Joint Founderโdid you veterans ever think of replacing the Thievesโ Guild? After all, they charge your people a steep brokerage fee.โ
โYou must be joking. As outsiders, no matter how tough we are, it means nothing. Only with your protection do we dare stand up to them.โ
As a former mercenary captain, Werner understood the gray rules of the Underground World.
People in the Underground World always said the strongest fist ruled, but the real power always lay with the bigwigs on stage.
Yet, Allen feared nothing from the bigwigs!
When the Thievesโ Guild colluded with heretics, no โumbrellaโ was tough enoughโthey would die, no matter what!
And now, Allenโs own background was terrifyingly solidโdidnโt they know the true weight of being a โmessenger of Godโ?
โBut compared to a nationโor even the worldโmy protection means little.โ
Werner got Allenโs hint but just smiled and said, โA warrior dies for one who truly understands him. Your enemies are ours, no matter who they are. We are ghosts of the battlefield; no matter where we die, our souls return home.โ
โWell, after all that talk, are you hungry? The roast wild boar tonight is excellent.โ
โI must try the Nobleโs delicacies. For us wild boars from the hills, eating fine bran like this is hard to believe.โ
Allen suddenly spoke in a gentle tone, โThe day will come when everyone eats fine bran.โ
Wernerโs smile froze, then he nodded gravely, as if understanding some great calling. โIt will, Young Master Laval.โ
When the dining hall was littered with drunkards, the old butler, whoโd been busy all night, approached the solitary Allen (while Marianne was elsewhere as โLamplighterโ bonding with her subordinates), and spoke in a low voice, โYoung Master, Iโve just received news.โ
Allen glanced at the butler, frowning slightly. โMm, judging by your expression, itโs bad news.โ
The butler nodded. โTomorrow, the Count of the Borderlands and your fiancรฉe, Miss Livia, will officially visit the Laval House.โ
โโฆโฆAh, thereโs no escaping fate.โ
Allen had expected that, upon Liviaโs return to the capital, she would quickly come knocking.
He was mentally prepared.
Itโs justโฆ how to say itโฆ in the previous round, heโd been killed by Livia. Just thinking of her made his stomach ache.
Forcing himself to appear composed, he elegantly dabbed his mouth with a napkin and said, eyes gleaming, โButler, make preparations for our distinguished guests.โ
โYes, Young Master.โ
At the same time, in the Count of the Borderlandsโ mansion.
Livia stood leaning against the window, gazing out at the tranquil night sky, a flash of resolve in her sapphire eyes.
โThis time, I will decide my own fate.โ
She whispered softly to herself.
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