Chapter 66: Selecting the Troops

“We need to speed up,” Wu Qingsong said to Harold while riding.

“At last, you’re showing some sense,” Harold remarked, nodding in agreement.

The idea of attending a half-elf gathering was out of the question for Wu Qingsong. With only a few months of understanding this world, coupled with snippets of knowledge gleaned from Ram, he simply couldn’t navigate the intricate social dynamics among the half-elves. If he ventured into such a gathering, he’d likely expose his naivety within the half-hour, outing himself as a complete novice.

That was unless he relied on tales from his past gaming life.

However, those tales would be of no use in his current endeavors. As a half-elf masquerading under another’s identity, closely aligned with the rebels, and looking to grow his influence through smuggling, it was paramount to keep a low profile and amass wealth silently.

“They’re weighed down with their war loot, which should slow them,” he reasoned. “If we can recruit enough people within a day, we should be able to leave before they return.”

“Then let’s move even faster,” Wu Qingsong pressed.

Liuli and Ling kept to themselves, not chiming in. They were out of their depth in this situation. Their main concern was to not cause any undue trouble.

The recent events concerning the rabbitkin reopened wounds that had barely started healing. It was during times like these they grasped the stark contrast between Wu Qingsong and other half-elves.

Liuli, with no other option, rode with Harold. But Ling, nestled close, clinging to Wu Qingsong from behind.

“Am I going too fast for you?” Wu Qingsong asked, misunderstanding her intention.

“No, I’m fine. I can handle it,” Ling murmured softly, her face pressed gently against his back, her words a hushed whisper close to his ear.

“Then hold tight.”

“I will,” Ling nodded determinedly. “I won’t let go.”

Both horses were nearly spent as they finally approached the gates of Bota City by twilight.

The city of Bota was only marginally larger than Rem City, with a strikingly similar layout. A distinguishing feature, however, was the multitude of blacksmith shops lining one side of the town. The surrounding forests appeared to be sparse, presumably cut down for fuel.

“This region is particularly known for its rich iron mines,” Harold remarked as they sought accommodations. “In fact, the whole area is famous for its iron deposits. In some mining spots, when dug too deep, there’s the risk of breaking into the underground world, letting those insectoid creatures emerge from the mines. This very risk accounts for the high death rates among the mining slaves and the abundance of mercenary groups in the vicinity.”

Once they secured lodgings, Harold set about negotiating with the city’s defense officials, seeking troops to aid in maintaining peace. Wu Qingsong, meanwhile, took on the role of procurer, purchasing the supplies Harold had detailed, tents, attire, basic utensils, and considerable amounts of coarse dark bread and dried salted fish.

“This food is more suited to their tastes than refined white bread and ham,” Harold clarified to Wu Qingsong. “These houndfolk, having lived on the edge of famine for so long, prioritize satiating their hunger and ensuring leftovers for their family. Offer them something like white bread, and they’ll likely barter it for the more familiar dark one. Another downside to offering such delicacies is the potential perception of being overly generous and thereby fostering laziness. There’s no harm in granting them better provisions, but only after they’ve undergone training and proven themselves worthy. Rewards should be for those who perform well, not handed out indiscriminately from the get-go. If you do that, your team’s cohesion is doomed.”

Wu Qingsong nodded in understanding. Though he had encountered these concepts in storybooks, there was a vast difference between merely knowing about them and aptly applying them in real situations. Being able to consistently implement this knowledge from a practical perspective signified a profound depth of ability.

By early the next morning, they found themselves on the outskirts of the slums where the houndfolk lived. However, the city’s defense troops took their time, sauntering in only by midday. Only then could the recruitment process begin.

While Harold was primarily at the helm of recruitment, Wu Qingsong asserted his half-elf identity, ensuring that Harold’s appearance as an elderly, disabled wolfkin wouldn’t be a cause for disrespect. His presence demanded that both the soldiers and the houndfolk heed Harold’s orders earnestly.

Harold’s first selection criteria hinged on physical condition. 

The houndfolk were slender by nature, with few showcasing robust physiques. However, those possessing a sizable build, exhibiting good health, vibrant energy, and a tenacious gaze were seen as having the potential to be molded into formidable warriors.

The next criterion was obedience.

They had been keenly observing the houndfolk, who, upon hearing the announcement, had scrambled for favorable positions in the open area outside the slums. When the actual selection process kicked off, they had the houndfolk form a line. Midway, they strategically changed the gathering location, compelling them to re-align. Any among them who showcased bullying tendencies, displayed overt strength, or cunningly tried to game the system were swiftly singled out. 

Wu Qingsong had made his intentions clear to Harold right from the start. He sought a disciplined military force, not a band of uncontrollable roughnecks.

The third requirement was a radical departure from what the houndfolk were accustomed to.

In the past, when half-elves sought to recruit, they favored those houndfolk who were the last remaining members of their families. They believed such individuals, without any familial ties, exhibited the utmost dedication in battle and posed no complications upon death.

However, Wu Qingsong specifically advised Harold to give preference to houndfolk who had families, especially those with children. He also had Harold assure them that, given good performance, their entire families could relocate to their mercenary group’s territory and even be considered for roles in logistics.

Such promises were met with a degree of skepticism among the houndfolk. Yet, it instilled a heightened sense of hope and belonging toward this relatively unknown mercenary group.

The recruitment spanned three hours. Each eligible houndfolk was presented before Wu Qingsong and, adhering to tradition, would kneel on one knee to pledge their loyalty. Wu Qingsong would then ask for their name, extend a few encouraging words, and direct them to Ling and Liuli to collect their allotted goods.

Receiving even the simplest of clothes and food moved many houndfolk to the brink of tears. Despite the modest quality of the provisions, a great number hadn’t savored such food in a considerable while. They wasted no time in eating their share. Yet, soon enough, some tentatively approached Wu Qingsong, wondering if they could share some of the ‘surplus’ food with their families.

“My lord, we promise not to waste your time. We will return promptly,” they pleaded earnestly.

“What a load of rubbish!” exclaimed a soldier who, though tasked with maintaining order, had spent his day merely observing the proceedings. “My lord, don’t be fooled by their words. At every recruitment, there are always such types, seeking a meal and bolting once they secure their rewards. If you were to ask me, you handed out the supplies too early. You should make them march several miles away from Bota before distributing anything. Let them cover that distance on empty stomachs. That’s how you’ll truly weed out the weaklings. Once they finally get their rations, it would be hard for them to escape.”

The expressions of the houndfolk quickly turned to a mix of hurt and anger. Yet, they held their tongues, choosing instead to direct pleading eyes toward Wu Qingsong.

“I’m in search of warriors, loyal and obedient, not enslaved captives,” Wu Qingsong replied, catching the houndfolk off-guard with his response. “This food is meant for you. Eat without hesitation. The provisions intended for your families are already set aside. They’re loaded on those carts over there. Once we conclude today’s recruitment, you may take them home.”

“Are you truly sincere?” The houndfolk’s skepticism was evident, their tails wagging rapidly in a mix of anticipation and doubt.

“Why would I deceive you over something so basic?” Wu Qingsong countered. “These are but minor provisions. Pledge your loyalty and bravery, and my rewards will be generous in turn. As long as you fulfill your duties, neither you nor your families will go hungry again. And I assure you, the rewards won’t be limited to just food.”

A wave of excitement surged among the houndfolk, expressed through elated, subdued barks.

Feeling thoroughly slapped in the face, the soldier, with his pride stung, retreated to the sidelines. In a show of audacity, he even rallied his peers and, before long, made an unceremonious exit.

Fortunately, by this time, the recruitment was nearing its end. The houndfolk, who had successfully passed the assessment, felt refreshed and reenergized after their meal. Recognizing this, Harold promptly assigned them the task of maintaining order.

Some of those who had been eliminated in the first round continued attempting to slip through unnoticed. However, the newly recruited houndfolk knew each other well, quickly identifying and driving away individuals with undesirable temperaments. They even took the initiative to discreetly inform Harold about which individuals were trustworthy, who had the stamina to endure hardships, and who demonstrated keen intelligence.

The houndfolk had already begun to identify with and feel a sense of allegiance to this mercenary corps. So, they were hesitant to let deceitful individuals or those merely there to pad the numbers receive the same privileges as they did.

This active participation by the houndfolk helped speed up the recruitment process, wrapping it up faster than anticipated.