Chapter 970: Chapter 288: Swearing Allegiance (10,000 Words)

The words of Tyrone Ramirez fell.

Aside from the crackling of the campfire wood as it burned, there was no other sound.

The whole shed fell into silence.

He looked at the faces of his former comrades-in-arms, all shrouded in doubt and hesitation.

Tyrone continued, "Everyone, it’s time we changed the way we live!"

"Look at the environment we’re living in now..."

"Straw as our bed and quilt, the bonfire for warmth."

"The weather happens to be decent right now, but if it rains, how is a shed made of raw logs supposed to shield us from the wind and rain?"

The eyes of the captured soldiers shifted, sweeping over the scene around them.

This newly erected shed had already become a mess after a few days of their living in it.

Even though there was a public latrine in the distance,

there was still a foul smell lingering inside the shed.

"We were indeed defeated once, but on the battlefield there is always a winner and a loser."

"As long as we still have the courage to wear Armor, grip our Weapon, and charge onto the battlefield—"

"then perhaps in the next war, we will be the victors!"

Seeing the light flicker in everyone’s eyes,

Tyrone instantly raised his voice.

"Everyone!"

"The battlefield is our final destination!"

Hearing this, the previously confused and hesitant captured soldiers all had a trace of excitement appear in their eyes.

Tyrone did not stop speaking, but went on.

"I know you’re wondering why the shackles on my hands and feet have been removed."

"I also know you’re wondering why I, who was taken away by the Lord’s Guard, could return to the shed alone without anyone escorting me."

"And I know even better that you’re wondering why I suddenly said all that just now."

The captured soldiers couldn’t help but nod in response.

Those were indeed the things they were curious about at the moment.

Tyrone explained directly, without beating around the bush.

"It’s because the Lord of this territory had a heart-to-heart talk with me."

"He told me that respect is far from something you get just by relying on Negotiation and asking others to give it to you."

"You have to fight for it through your own effort!"

"If Peasants want food, shelter, and respect, they must pay for it with physical labor."

"We, as prisoners of war, if we want food, shelter, and respect, must pull ourselves together and become soldiers once more..."

"To protect this territory, to protect the people living in it!"

"That is the only way to earn respect."

A burly man stared straight at Tyrone and asked,

"Commander Tyrone, right now we’re nothing but prisoners of war."

"We have no Armor, no Weapon, and all we do every day is production labor... how are we supposed to become soldiers again?"

The captured soldiers nodded in agreement.

The question that burly man asked was also the question in their hearts.

Tyrone’s gaze fell on the burly man, and he spoke firmly,

"The answer to that question was also in the Lord of this territory’s talk with me!"

"Lord Lynn told me that as long as I can reorganize you and turn you back into soldiers,"

"he will equip all of us with Armor and Weapons, and provide us with nutritious food and barracks to live in!"

The captured soldiers were visibly moved, their eyes filled with longing.

Seeing how they were all itching to move, Tyrone continued.

"And we will be able to live just like the Townsmen in the small town."

"We can find women who like us and whom we like, build families, have sons and daughters, and treat this place as the homeland we rely on to live!"

Obvious anticipation burst forth in the eyes of the captured soldiers.

Tyrone shouted again, "Who is willing to go with me?"

"To fight for ourselves, for this territory, for our future homeland, and for the Lord...?"

His words had barely fallen,

when a loud shout immediately followed.

"I am willing to go!"

The captured soldiers instantly began searching with their eyes,

wanting to know who had been the first to respond to Tyrone.

However.

Before they found the source of that response,

two more powerful voices rang out.

"I am willing to go!"

"I am willing to go!"

These two responses were like flames setting dry straw ablaze.

Wave after wave of loud replies spread rapidly, echoing again and again beneath the entire shed.

"I’m willing!"

"I’m willing!"

"..."

The voices were so loud it was as if they were going to blow the roof off the shed.

They even—

made those Townsmen who were still chatting and resting in the Lord’s Square all turn their eyes in unison toward the direction of the prisoners’ temporary quarters when they heard the roaring shouts.

In this small town already shrouded in quiet night, it was all the more conspicuous.

A patrol squad of soldiers passed by in the distance, and after a brief inspection, left directly.

Because the Lord had already given them instructions.

As long as the prisoners did not riot, they could be allowed to gather freely.

...

The next morning.

Lynn, who habitually rose early, put on a comfortable and proper long robe and walked out of his bedroom.

After eating the breakfast Kuisi had prepared, he left the castle with Red.

Under the respectful gazes of the Townsmen, Lynn passed by one Red Brick House after another, heading toward the Lord’s Square.

However.

Before Lynn could get close to the Lord’s Square, a Guard up ahead came running toward him at a brisk pace.

When the Guard saw Lynn, his eyes lit up at once and he immediately quickened his steps.

Coming up before Lynn, the Guard spoke respectfully,