Lord: I can see loyalty.

After Jimmy left to spread the news, Vio and Gina finished handling the funeral arrangements before leisurely heading to the main square.

Although it is called a large square, it is actually just a poor imitation of the former Bordeaux village.

Having fled here not long ago, the people, who still held onto hope, built this empty square in imitation of the former grand square of Bordeaux village.

The New Grand Place is located in the center of New Bordeaux village, not far from Vio's residence. The venue can easily accommodate a hundred or so people. Vio strode up to the high platform in the center.

A number of citizens had already gathered around, whispering among themselves as they stared at their lord above.

Before long, the number of people gradually increased, and the things they said became increasingly bold.

"I'd almost forgotten what the lord actually looks like. What brings you here this time?"

"The lord was still distributing rations just a few days ago, didn't you know..."

Once the crowd had mostly gathered, Vio glanced at the panel quickly and casually.

Loyalty is roughly the same as last time the food was distributed, still around 60%.

However, this time, with everyone standing in front of him, Vio could directly feel it—

I've visited quite a few people over this period.

This was to be expected, after all, there will always be young people who can't stand it, and nobody wants to wait here to die.

As he was pondering, he heard the sound of orderly footsteps behind him. It was Jimmy leading two other guards up to the platform.

"Lord Vio, we've called everyone, but a small number might not have come..."

"It's alright, let the servants drag the body up."

Vio waved his hand, and at Jimmy's call, several servants dragged a grotesque corpse up to the platform.

It wasn't until the body was lifted up that the villagers could see that the dark shape was actually a human corpse.

Everyone fell silent instantly, terrified into complete silence.

"Isn't this Guard Luke?"

A gruff voice broke the silence as a tall man pointed at the corpse and stared at it, asking a question.

Vio glanced at him and nodded, saying:

"That's right, he was my former guard Luke. Just now, Luke betrayed the village and tried to steal all the money. He has now been executed by Jimmy."

Jimmy stood to the side without saying a word, which could be considered as tacit agreement.

The people below looked at each other in bewilderment; they had all seen the relationship between Jimmy and the other man.

Only after the scene quieted down again did Vio have his servants retrieve the body, and then he cleared his throat.

"Everyone, after what happened with Luke, I understand that you all harbor resentment. If you want to leave the village, you can leave now, and I will not stop you."

Upon hearing Vio's words, not only the people below, but also the guards on the side and Gina were stunned.

"I've thought a lot during this time," Vio said, ignoring them. "At one point, I thought that losing Bordeaux was a problem for our family."

"But I was wrong. My father lost his life for the village of Bordeaux, and my mother died on the run while protecting the villagers. Was it really their dereliction of duty? I don't think so."

"The new king has been crowned, yet he is powerless to govern our remote borderlands. Our plea for help sent to the fortress has gone unanswered. The enemy has fewer than a hundred bandits. Are we really going to sit here and wait to die, handing over Bordeaux village to them?"

The people remained silent, heads bowed, their faces grim. They had all witnessed the actions of their former lord, Vio's father.

The members of the Ross family, who ruled the village of Bordeaux, were at the forefront of the bandit invasion, sacrificing themselves one after another.

"I don't want to wait to die, and I believe you do too!"

Vio's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable power, and the people all looked up at this young lord.

"I will carry on my father's will and reclaim Bordeaux! Your decision to stay or leave is yours to make; I will not force you."

"Whether you choose to hide in this barren place and eke out a living, or join those bandits and die fighting with your comrades, or fight to the last for your homeland and your family, the decision is yours!"

After pausing for a moment, Vio took a few breaths and observed his subjects below. Their expressions were already somewhat moved, and their loyalty fluctuated wildly.

He understood that it would be difficult to persuade them with words alone; he had to offer something they needed right now…

"I swear on the honor of my family that I will lead my followers to reclaim the village of Bordeaux! Starting tomorrow, I will personally recruit and train the militia..."

"All attendees will be rewarded with bread and dried meat. Those selected as militia members will receive 20 silver coins per month! The families of those who die in battle against bandits will receive an additional 2 gold coins as compensation!"

These words immediately caused an uproar in the previously quiet area.

20 silver coins! The people looked at each other, their eyes filled with disbelief.

You should know that the merchants who came from the fortress in the past might only earn 20 silver coins a month!

"I am willing to follow you, my lord!"

The tall man who had broken the silence earlier shouted again, and once he took the lead, the other citizens began to shout as well.

"I am willing to follow you, my lord!"

"I am willing to follow you, my lord!"

Their voices grew louder and louder, as if afraid that the lord hadn't heard them, until they finally merged into a unified wave of sound.

Seeing this, Vio breathed a sigh of relief, and Gina stepped forward to wipe the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.

Vio glanced at his subjects below.

Loyalty: 78%

Loyalty: 80%

Unlike the guards who had received only a basic education, most of the people were farmers eager to reclaim their land and small merchants wanting to take back their houses... How could they not be loyal when they could get money to eat their fill and reclaim their homes?

"It seems to be working quite well."

Vio nodded in satisfaction, glanced at the tall man who had shouted the loudest, and gave him a wink.

This was naturally a plant he had hired. He was only worried about an awkward silence, but he didn't expect the plant to be so effective.

……

The next morning, Vio arrived at the main square with three guards to begin recruiting soldiers.

Three guards would conduct an initial review, and only those who met the requirements would be sent to Viona for the final test.

Basically, it's just letting Vio look at the panel.

Vio also had his servants prepare the promised bread and jerky.

His requirements for passing the test were simple: "Male, aged 15 to 60, of normal intelligence, without physical disabilities, and willing to follow instructions."

However, after half an hour, Vio paced back and forth in his makeshift tent, waiting, but had only seen a panel of less than 20 people.

Most of them are extremely mediocre.

Perhaps I was being too demanding of these "refugees"...

Most of them were extremely thin, their clothes were barely enough to get them through the winter, and they were around 30 to 40 years old. It seems that most of the younger people had already run away.

Vio's final test was not actually strict. He was just looking to see if there were any geniuses like Gina. The only condition for passing was that loyalty was above 70%.

"Yes, it passed." Vio patted the last person's shoulder weakly; the person was as excited as if he had won the lottery.

Jimmy, who had returned to Vio's side after completing his mission, led him out of the tent while shouting "I will always follow you, my lord."

"Sir, the investigation is complete. That person was the last one."

Vio slumped in his chair, glanced at Jimmy, whose loyalty had reached 68%, while the other guards had also reached 60%.

It seems that my recent actions have been approved by them.

He took a deep breath, sat up, and checked the final number of militia members selected.

There are about 70 people.

They couldn't outnumber those bandits.

Vio frowned slightly, although this was within his expectations, since the total number of his subjects was only about a hundred.

"Jimmy, get them to start training tomorrow. We need to get moving."