Selected 200

Sunrise, outside the Sekle village.

At the entrance of the village, 200 men from the tribe were selected at Krei's command to be trained as his bodyguards. These men are the best in the tribe. They had been hardened by experience, keen of their surroundings, proficient in ranged weapons as well as exceptional riders.

They held spears as they stood steadily waiting for Krei's command who was atop his elevated wooden platform.

" Attention! You should know by now why I gathered you here. "

" If not, let me remind you once more. By my holy decree, you shall become my sword and shield in this mortal world. You will become my war dogs. Wherever or whoever I point to, you will attack. "

" Stand by my side. Accept your divine destiny. "

As the tribe leaders finished translating Krei's decree, the open ground was disturbed by a cracking cheer.

" My Lord God, we are at your command. Our lives are yours alone. " The men exclaimed on top of their lungs. Their eyes expressed a tinge of fanaticism as they relish their seemingly elevated status.

The tribesmen that Krei confronted on the battlefield, the once-mighty predators who had reaped the lives of the militias had wholly shifted their attitude. They had become akin to puppies begging for their master's affection.

After seeing Krei's miracles, the people had experienced a sweeping baptism. They had been thoroughly convinced that they had been chosen by a might God... That they are blessed beyond measures... That they had been pitied after being humiliatingly banished from their homeland...

Humans are tricky creatures, they are cunning beasts. However, when faced with something they can't comprehend, they tend to be fascinated in awe. When paired with human desires, the awe is then turned to longing.

Yearning to become great. Seeking splendor, meaning to their seemingly pointless existence.

If given a chance to come close to something they awe, humans become moths to a fire. They would lay down their entire being just to be in presence of light.

In the eyes of the tribesmen, Krei is their light. A light so blinding, someone who can provide meaning to their life. As such, the tribesmen aspired to be graced by Krei.

" My Lord, even if the earth spits the enormous fire of hell to block our way, we shall still go to wherever you want! "

" The Lord's sacred decree is supreme! It shall not be tarnished! "

" Whoever goes against God's will is the enemy of all heaven! Let the spears of light of the skies strike them down! "

The people present openly declared their outlandish statements in front of Krei.

" Heed my command! Do you see these kits? One kit per person, you have 5 minutes to strap in. " With a stoic face, Krei commanded.

The kit in question is a uniform filled with sandbags that are strapped into the body. A single kit weighs 10 kilos distributed throughout the body.

Taking their share among the heaps of kits, the men secured the straps and rallied. At the lead of the column are the Sekle leaders. They are dressed differently.

The attire they were given by Krei is a generic military outfit designed with a wooden camouflage pattern. The military look was matched with an accompanying black baton and a loudspeaker.

At Krei's cue, Sugude utilized his loudspeaker to initiate the activity.

" Men, follow along. Those who can't keep up will be punished. "

The group dashed around the village, their lines are inadequately conformed. Nevertheless, Krei was amused with the high spirits that the trainee are demonstrating. They obeyed Krei's wishes in his specified training plan.

Well, it cannot be called a proper training plan since Krei totally copied the training videos of the army that he had seen on youtube. The training regime consisted of running, running, and more running.

Krei hoped that their mentality will be weakened to a certain degree by the continuous exercise. Once they had become vulnerable, Krei will begin the formal training and discipline as well as indoctrination. The soldiers will primarily be drilled in martial arts and close combat techniques to fill up their poor capabilities in head-to-head fights.

Earlier in the battle between the militia and the Sekle tribe, the tribesmen effortlessly dominated the ragtag army. However, when they were faced with the Viscount's army, they weren't able to stand a chance.

Largely, their downfall was due to the insufficient power of their bows. The protective equipment of the Viscount's soldier is far ahead of what the Sekle can take on. The tribe lacked in abilities about metallurgy, their arrow tips are rarely made out of metal.

When their ranged talents were thwarted, the Sekle was forced to fight head-on. Confronted with professional infantrymen, the Sekle proved to be easy pickings.

The tribe had excessively concentrated its military might on one aspect. They were dependent on their ranged armaments.

Taught a depressing lesson, the tribe leaders had actively suggested to improve their armament and combat mastery. They even beseeched Krei to grant them some of his divine artifacts.

But they were shut down by Krei, he didn't entertain the idea of giving away his sense of personal protection to other people. Even if those people are his subordinates.

As long as it is not needed, Krei doesn't want to distribute guns as that would open a whole new world on the battlefield. Besides, if given an absolute advantage, his soldiers would degrade over time and become conceited.

When the circumstance permits, the progression of armaments will come forth.

The best Krei could do is give his army drones so that the commander can have a perfect bird's eye view. He had also planned to give armaments made with modern-day steel. Likewise, for added benefits, tasers, pepper spray, and the like are also considered by Krei.

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" HUUUAAHH!! "

" Keep up! The speed will increase once more! "

" The last to drop will be rewarded handsomely! "

At lap 15, a couple of men was left behind. Their breaths ran thin while their sweat trickled down to the ground.

Even the tribe leaders found it difficult to keep up as the speed kept on increasing. Every time the momentum intensified, a part would quickly be cut off from the marching column.

As the laps ticked to 30, apart from the tribe leaders, only 16 men persisted. Their notable stamina is obvious from their physique alone.

Their toned and ripped body, callused hands and feet stood out from the rest. Most of them were the fighting core that had survived the previous war. Nonetheless, there were still budding younglings who had earned a spot for themselves.

" To all of you who had won the selection phase, Congratulations! From today on you will become temporary team leaders! " Krei smiled as he appreciated his soon-to-be officers.

" Get your badges and find your teammates later. If you keep excelling in the next training sessions, your position will be yours to hold. "

Still panting like dogs, the officers shakily received their numbered badges. Their faces beamed with determination as their dusty and sweaty bodies shivered in excitement.

In just a single morning, they've become team leaders that will be responsible for 7 subordinates. By just persevering more, a bountiful reward had already shown its presence.

" Since you seem to still be out of it, we will meet next time. Continue following Sugude's commands. " Krei waved the officers off when he noticed a group of messengers galloping from afar.

Krei motioned Tolui to meet the group of messengers. " Accompany them to my hall. I'll be there later. "

" This humble one heeds my Lord's command. " Tolui bowed and went off his way with his close assistants.

" Yisu, organize a banquet. Use whatever you want from the warehouse. Let the other leaders help you." Krei then turned to Sugude. " Stop the training, let the men rest. You can continue tomorrow. And wait for me here, I'll depart for a while."

" We follow your holiness' wishes. " The two simultaneously paid their respects.

With that out of the way, Krei faded away in front of the tribe leaders.

At Earth, Krei bathed and rejuvenated his mind. While dressing, he rehearsed his acting skills in front of the mirror.

Krei had to make sure that his character is flawless. An impression is a powerful weapon. Even a faker will become legitimate if dressed nicely.

To get himself in disposition, Krei scrutinized videos of charismatic people. He sought to move the way that they do.

Their smile... the way they stand... and their overall finesse.

Of course, such things cannot be acquired easily. But it is better to practice than procrastinate while dreaming that everything will turn out fine.

Krei tested his movements, body language, and rhetoric skills on and on. But by the end of his practice, Krei wasn't convinced with the outcomes.

He still stutters every once in a while, especially when his mind gets crammed with what-if scenarios.

" Damn... This sucks! this sucks ass! " Krei whacked himself and tried for the last time.

This time, Krei altered his approach. Instead of communicating fancily, he slowed down. He deepened his voice and spoke as little as possible.

The impact was admirable. Krei replayed his practice video over and over again. He thought, ' Hell yes! I look stunning here. '

" This is great! Less talk, don't get too excited. " Laughing out loudly, Krei delightedly went back to the other world.

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Squad/Team composition:

- 8 men in total. A leader, a deputy, and the rest are foot soldiers.

- More information will be revealed in the future...

Sekle Tribe's war capabilities:

- Can muster 200 men.

- Heavily relies on ranged weapons.

- Weak in frontal clash against well-equipped foes.

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