While chatting with Henwell, Duveen voices his doubts.
"Are you trying to tell that there are many people with noble blood among the common folk? And with the right guidance and developnt, they can unlock their potential and beco true commanders?"
Henwell considers this for a mont.
"You could say that. But the concept of bloodlines is quite elusive, so let's set that aside for now.”
”I believe it's more about the will to survive. Back in the early days of the Iron Wall Legion, everyone had one goal: to stay alive and make it ho. The drive to survive can push us beyond our limits. To stay alive, we had to tap into every ounce of our potential."
Duveen nods. "Absolutely! During those days, the only thought in my mind was survival. Anyone in my way had to be dealt with."
Henwell counters, "But once the Iron Wall Legion found its footing, why did the veterans from those breakthrough battles fade into the background?”
”Nowadays, the proportion of noble offspring among the officers far exceeds what it was when the Iron Wall Legion was first established. What happened to those veterans? They showed great tactical acun and had the makings of officers."
Duveen sighs. "Ah, Fabio and a few of us old-tirs have discussed this.”
”Normally, you'd expect a higher proportion of officers to co from the ranks of commoners in the Iron Wall Legion.”
”Yet in just over a decade, the proportion of commoner officers has dropped from seventy percent to around thirty percent. That's a reduction of more than half! This is a key reason why the Iron Wall Legion has only grown to just over thirty thousand in ten years."
Henwell asks, "So what conclusion did you reach?"
Duveen replies, "We all believe that during those early survival days, everyone was fueled by determination. But once survival was assured, people lost their drive, and the potential they once had was depleted."
Henwell gestures outside. "The dangers my army faces and endures aren't much less than what the Iron Wall Legion experienced back then. Yet, they still maintain their fierce determination. According to your conclusion, their potential should have been exhausted. But they continue to strive forward, fully committed to learning and seeking better opportunities."
Pausing, Henwell continues, "It's quite simple, really. I've done just one thing: fairness.”
”I offer each of them a fair chance to change their fate. I don't require noble blood certification here. I don't need noble superiority. I only care about results. Whoever performs well moves up, regardless of whether they're a serf, a captive, or a noble's offspring. I don't care about their background or their stories.”
”In my soldiers' records, there's only one identity: a qualified warrior. I simply give them a chance to start over and decide their fate anew."
Duveen begins to understand. "So, you're saying the Iron Wall should also adopt fair talent selection, regardless of background? rit-based?"
Henwell chuckles. "Yes, but that's not all. To prevent the Iron Wall from becoming a noble-dominated legion, the most crucial change isn't just about that."
Duveen asks, puzzled, "Then what is it?"
Henwell points outside again. "Why do you think they believe in the fairness I promise them?"
"Because your promise is known throughout the land!"
Henwell shakes his head. "That's not important. What's important is that in Peace Haven, I have the final say. In Peace Haven, there's only one voice: mine."
Duveen pauses, then falls silent, understanding Henwell's point.
To change the current state of the Iron Wall Legion, the first change must co from Fabio himself. Although the Iron Wall Legion is powerful, there are too many voices. Fabio has to cater to all sides.
The Iron Wall faction consists of several groups: old mbers, people from Iron Pit City, and the Obiken Count's family. Within these groups are nobles, commoners, and serfs—each with different backgrounds. There are even distinctions between locals and outsiders.
This forces Fabio to balance everyone's interests, making it difficult for the Iron Wall Legion to implent any reforms.
The situation in Henwell's domain is even more complex, yet there's a key difference between Henwell and Fabio. Henwell doesn't cater to their interests; instead, they all serve Henwell's interests.
Simply put, Fabio is democratic, while Henwell is autocratic.
If Fabio begins to consolidate power, he can easily implent his plans.
However, this also ans Fabio would need to silence so opposition and possibly purge certain individuals.
Therefore, Duveen decides not to delve further into this topic, as he lacks the authority to make decisions or offer advice. All he can do is convey Henwell's thoughts to Fabio, leaving the decision to him.
Henwell only hints at his perspective and doesn't push the topic further.
Were it not for his relationship with Fabio and the fact that the Iron Wall Legion is his ally, Henwell wouldn't even offer this insight.
Henwell's reminder is not without self-interest. Regardless of whether Fabio changes, the outco benefits Henwell.
If Fabio consolidates power, he could establish a military ritocracy, bringing forth a wave of military talent and elevating the Iron Wall Legion's strength. However, these fairly selected officers would inherently oppose the noble class. This fundantal conflict is difficult to suppress. In such a scenario, the Iron Wall faction would naturally align with Peace Haven.
When Henwell eventually vies for control, the Iron Wall Legion would be a natural ally unless its officers are willing to abandon their interests and revert to a noble-dominated hierarchy.
In this scenario, Fabio's will would be insignificant against the montum of the entire class.
If Fabio doesn't take Henwell's advice, it's still a favorable outco for Henwell. Predictably, the Iron Wall Legion would weaken over ti, posing no threat when Henwell makes his move for dominance.
No one in the duchy can perceive Henwell's deeper intentions. By the ti they realize, it will be too late, as Henwell has already secured his ticket through the fiercest storms.
Using the Duchy of Vorry as a cover, Henwell only needs to achieve his desired outco in the upcoming war. Then, Peace Haven will be unstoppable—not in terms of strength, but in strategic influence.
As Henwell celebrates his twenty-second birthday, the Harvest Festival follows.
Once the crops are stored and the people have so respite, war arrives as expected, presenting Henwell with the ladder of chaos he needs.
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