CHAPTER 517: CHAPTER 495 BATCH CONVERSION OF HOLY GUNMEN

"Praise Holy Wind!"

Amidst the chorus of calls, distant targets quivered as if shaken by a storm.

In a hail of countless lead bullets, hundreds of Long Spearmen wearing tight-fitting jackets marched in orderly formation.

From the bird’s-eye view in the sky, the surging crowd and the swaying long spears mixed together, performing daily drills on the earthen-colored training grounds outside Joan of Arc Castle.

Petier, still recovering from a serious illness, wrapped in a thick robe, rubbed his ears, still unable to adjust to the continuous sound of gunfire.

Beside him, Horn, dressed in a black half-cape priest’s robe, smiled unfazed and said, "Not used to it? You’ve just recovered from illness, rest more."

In the last Rapids City siege, Petier fought as soon as he recovered but overworked himself, causing a relapse, eventually being sent to Joan of Arc Hospital for recovery.

After recuperating for two months, he brought his wife and children from his hometown, and only then did he return.

Looking at his old friend, Petier couldn’t help but smile wryly, "Holly (nickname between friends), you’ve done a great thing."

"Hahaha, just a chance encounter."

Actually, Petier had many questions in his mind, like how Horn received Holy Father’s divine revelation, where his military knowledge came from, and why his small habits changed.

But he didn’t press for answers; Horn also tacitly refrained from mentioning them.

Both were wise enough not to pierce through that layer of ambiguity.

Petier was astonished at how this once pitiable job-seeking boy rose to power suddenly, and Horn was surprised that this passerby accountant could secure a city so tightly.

Enduring through a city-wide fire, Rapids City’s downfall was delayed for over a week.

A natural strategy Saint.

Most coincidentally, he was still an old acquaintance of Horn, a friend knowing his origins with absolutely no issues.

It’s conceivable their future dwelling loft will surely become a renowned tourist attraction in High Castle.

Guides might even mention how the two discussed military politics, learning and exploring together.

Yet their frequent topics were "What’s for dinner tonight?" and "Have you bought the latest ’Nun in Distress’?".

Thinking of this, Horn couldn’t help but laugh.

Seeing Horn laugh, Petier had an inexplicable expression until Horn, suppressing his laughter, explained it to him, resulting in them bursting into laughter.

"How is it? Are you comfortable with your new house?" Clearing his laughter away, Horn asked as they walked.

"Comfortable, it’s close to Saint Danji Military Academy, so I often go to listen to lectures when free."

After implementing the Plan, Horn’s first step was assigning houses to officers and monks.

Previously, numerous houses constructed in Joan of Arc Castle and various towns finally served their purpose; the devil properties were remodelled, and new housing settled the officers and monks.

As Horn’s roommate and having a big family, Petier naturally received a good countryside villa, complete with a flower garden, yard, and two-story brick home with stables.

The distributing monks claimed impartiality, not letting the relationship with Horn affect them, allocating fairly and justly.

However, considering the disparity compared to other officers sharing rooms, Petier was advised not to spread it around.

"Comfortable is good."

Under the cloudless blue sky, the air held the scent of wood smoke, Horn and Petier continued walking along the countryside path.

Similar to when they walked the streets after dinner to the grocery store to settle daytime accounts.

It’s been a year and a half since those times.

From the war’s end in mid-August to now mid-October, two months rushed by again.

In these two months, the Black Hat Battle Group cleared Dog Fox Village, aided by staff from Meigedi Commerce Association and priests from Salvation Army, who began governance.

Due to a lack of talent, Dog Fox Village still adopted previous Holy War Zone strategies.

It means settling accounts only with the Church, stripping power from noble landlords but keeping small landlords’ lands, without implementing aggressive land division.

The Black Hat Battle Group took over Dog Fox Village, without electing a Hundred Households Captain, directly liaising with stewards and village heads, temporarily letting former local leaders manage.

Dog Fox Village was lucky, conquered by Salvation Army before autumn taxation, enjoying 1445’s one-year tax exemption policy.

To the northwest of Langsande County, Jeska and Mira led the Black Hat Army, confronting the defenders of Deer Horn Town and Walnut Creek Village.

As the battle line extended, faced with Prince Kongdai’s five decree regiments threat, Horn had to expand the army again.

Taking a deep breath, Horn slowly introduced,

"Now Salvation Army has two barracks, one is Saint Machinery Court Barracks, the other is Joan of Arc Castle Barracks... look, it’s right in front of you.

Currently, Joan of Arc Castle Barracks has 1000 Black Hat Army new recruits undergoing intensive training, with seventy percent having been on the Rapids City battlefield, not ordinary recruits, they are meritorious recruits, recruits pinned as Holy Junior Generals.

Besides, Joan of Arc Castle Barracks has 500 Imperial Guard new recruits in training, Saint Machinery Court Barracks has 1500 Imperial Guard in training, expected to enter battle sequence by mid-November.

At this rate, we’ll roughly have 9000 elite foot soldiers, 500 Holy Gun Cavalry, 800 Beastman Cavalry, and 800 Close Combat Cavalry by year’s end."

With that, Horn couldn’t help but stop by the practice ground fence, observing straight-standing recruits on the leveled grass field.

Many had a distinct feature, their left hand wrapped in bandages; those with this mark were Holy Gunmen or Holy Gunmen in training.

Since discovering the Demon-Loving Fungus, Horn attempted Holy Gunmen vaccination.

The main method was having the Pharmacist blend golden pus with Horn’s blood and saliva, making it into Holy Oil.

Horn, under the guise of baptism, required soldiers to cut their palms, then apply Holy Oil on them.

A session could baptize about a hundred people, with roughly half successfully contracting Divine Favor.

Among that half, two to three-tenths had such severe symptoms that forced them to take garlic extract to stop the transformation process.

Meaning a session could only convert thirty to fifty people at most. If it failed, they’d have to wait a month before trying again, preventing soldiers from recklessly pursuing rapid vaccination at their own risk.

After a month, with his self-infection, Horn barely transformed 600 Holy Gunmen.

But this method wasn’t ideal, the blood too intense, saliva ineffectual unless diluted, necessitating Horn’s blood draw weekly.

If not for quickly developing Blessed, he wouldn’t do this.

"The future Salvation Army will have two Battle Groups, one Black Hat Battle Group, one Guard Battle Group." By now, Horn and Petier had walked out of the barracks and onto the main road.

"Any thoughts?"

"Then I’ll become a Legion Secretary; that’s how it starts." After pondering for a while, Petier calmly said.

Horn patted his shoulder, "I didn’t plan to favor you; in the Rapids City battle, you proved your skills. A Legion Secretary underuses your talents."

"Doesn’t Salvation Army mandate grassroots experience before assuming Brigade Commander positions or higher?"

"With your health, how could you manage?" Horn shook his head, "If you go to the grassroots, instead join the Exorcism Court, be a strategist under Jeanne, what do you think?"

"Strategist? The one who plans operations?"

"Exactly, read some military history, and get your health back; with your coordination ability during the Rapids City battle, you’re more than fit to be a Chief of Staff."

"Alright, I trust your recommendation." Petier smiled with emotion, "Back then, you asked me for a referral into the association; now you’re helping me find a job."

"Hey, being an accountant isn’t bad, but a strategist can achieve boundless opportunities!"