Chapter 47: I have a strategist now!

“The development prospects of my forces are extremely bright.”

The young lady placed one hand on her chest, straightened her back, and began painting a rosy picture, as if she hadn’t been the one covered in mud and disheveled just moments ago.

“Take me personally—I am now heavily trusted by the Maximilian family. Over the past half year, I’ve been promoted repeatedly and entrusted by my lord with important duties, overseeing the training of new recruits. I even command a force of one thousand elite soldiers.”

She paused, her tone rising as her face lit up.

“In the future, I will also petition my lord to expand this elite force to at least three thousand. Three thousand professional elite soldiers—they’ll definitely be the most formidable force in the surrounding area.”

“Is that so? You truly have lofty aspirations, Miss!”

Blücher responded with an impassive polite phrase, his expression courteous and his eyes calm.

It was clear he hadn’t swallowed a single bite of that big promise.

The young lady realized he hadn’t taken the bait but wasn’t discouraged.

She shifted her approach and pressed on, trying to make her tone sound as sincere as possible.

“Although I have two brave warriors under my command, it’s a pity that neither they nor I are well-versed in military strategy—though we’ve managed decently under my lord’s direction. If we ever have to lead troops independently in battle, I’m truly worried.”

She lowered her head slightly, feigning reluctance.

“How could I let my incompetence cost the lives of the soldiers for nothing? I humbly ask you, sir, to generously impart your knowledge and guide me in military strategy and tactics.”

Blücher pursed his lips.

He did want to find a job that didn’t require much physical exertion, and he was also mulling over how to revive his family.

But that didn’t mean he was willing to stoop to working under someone no one had ever heard of.

Moreover, that someone was a woman.

Unfortunately, the prevailing custom in this world was male superiority.

Though he didn’t understand why the two “brave warriors” she mentioned were willing to serve under her, he, a man of honor, working under a woman—if word got out, he’d be laughed at in noble circles.

“Furthermore, my forces offer generous monthly salaries, weekends off, no overtime except in emergencies, nine-to-five hours, five social insurances and one housing fund, meals and lodging included, assigned housing, a personal bodyguard to ensure your safety, free medical care, a publicly issued horse, paid leave, and a year-end bonus.”

The young lady coaxed him step by step.

At least for hiring a military advisor, she could afford these conditions now.

But she’d better not let Mosuosi and Andrew know—if they found out, they’d definitely make a fuss, and she’d have to issue two more bonuses, which would hurt her wallet.

Blücher was a bit shocked.

Although he didn’t quite understand what “five social insurances and one housing fund” meant, from what he could understand, the treatment was really not bad—in fact, it was quite generous.

These days, a fallen noble was worse than a dog.

If he sought refuge with other nobles, getting a meal and a place to sleep was considered good fortune.

With such conditions, it would be far more comfortable than cowering under some other great noble.

Maybe he should just take the job?

The balance in Blücher’s heart had already tipped slightly, but still, having been a duke, bending to serve under a woman felt a bit awkward.

“Miss… no, Your Excellency.”

Sensing the sincerity of her invitation, Blücher’s language grew more respectful, and the trace of noble pride he’d shown earlier quietly faded.

“You mentioned earlier that you command a thousand elite soldiers? Might I be permitted to observe them?”

Exactly—anyone could boast, but what mattered was the real deal.

If she wasn’t bluffing and actually had a genuine elite force under her command…

Then maybe he could take a gamble—a chance to revive his family with the help of someone else!

Hearing this, the young lady knew she had him hooked.

“Easy! But the camp isn’t in this direction. If you don’t mind, I’ll accompany you there.”

“Right now?”

A subtle expression flickered across Blücher’s face as his gaze inadvertently swept over the layer of mud on the young lady—‘You’re covered in mud and reeking of dirt. Are you sure you don’t want to go back and wash up and change clothes?’

“Right now! Let’s not delay!”

The young lady was too excited at the thought of convincing a duke to work for her to care about her own muddy state.

And so, under Blücher’s inexpressible gaze, the young lady led her horse as a guide, and the two headed together toward the EDF camp.

After passing through the camp’s checkpoint and entering, Blücher was amazed.

The camp had a large, carefully leveled open area.

Along the perimeter, a gravel oval track had been laid out.

A squad of recruits was marching in neat formation along the oval, keeping step.

The leading officer chanted cadences, and the recruits responded in unison, their loud shouts echoing over the camp.

Even though it was just marching, the sense of order was striking.

In the center of the open area were various wooden structures of unknown design, clearly arranged obstacles.

Several soldiers in armor, under the shouting of an officer, were repeatedly climbing over these obstacles with swift, fluid movements, showing no hesitation.

Weighed down by heavy armor, their mobility was undiminished—truly impressive.

On the other side, lined up, were clearly veterans.

Each wore a uniform plate armor coat and long chainmail, complete with shoulder and leg armor.

For ordinary soldiers, this outfit was already a costly investment.

These veterans stood silently, eyes fixed straight ahead, no one whispering, no one shifting their feet.

But even just standing there in silence, their aura was intimidating, impossible to meet head-on—truly elite.

Capes, which held more symbolic honor than practical value, were quite rare on ordinary soldiers.

“Your Excellency, those capes…?”

Blücher asked, puzzled, looking at the young lady.

Alicia clasped her hands behind her back, lifted her chin slightly, and looked proud.

“Don’t you think capes look cool?”

“…”

Blücher was speechless.

Exactly—because they looked cool.

There was a story behind those capes.

After the Battle of Biroen Fort, the EDF, having experienced actual combat, proved to everyone that they deserved the title of elite!

Logically, after such a great victory, the army should be rewarded.

But the problem was that the young lady’s wallet simply couldn’t handle the expense.

A lavish feast alone would cost a lot of silver coins.

And how was she supposed to calculate bonuses?

Give too little, and it was worse than giving nothing—it would look stingy.

Give too much, and even selling her underwear wouldn’t be enough!

Was there a way to honor the soldiers’ bravery while keeping costs to a minimum?

A flash of inspiration struck the young lady.

She decided to issue each soldier a black short cloak, calling it a privilege only true EDF elites could earn.

It wasn’t just a reward—it was an affirmation of loyalty, fortitude, and courage.

When those two hundred veterans received their capes, they were ecstatic, their morale boosted.

They wore them everywhere, even refusing to take them off on rare days off.

The newly recruited soldiers saw the veterans’ gear and their eyes went wide with envy, training even harder.

This cool gear also had an unexpected effect on recruitment—countless people fought to sign up for the EDF.

Imagine: you toil in the fields all day, come home sweaty and smelly, and before you can sit down, your wife starts nagging about how little you earn and how useless you are, also complaining about your stinky feet.

Meanwhile, your young child starts wailing.

Unable to stand the racket, you stand up and decide to go out for some fresh air.

Then you spot the EDF recruitment station.

If you join the EDF, the salary is higher than farming and steady; the barracks provide meals and lodging, mandatory bathing and laundry, so no more stinky feet and sweat odor, and your health is guaranteed.

Training is tough, but all equipment is issued by the military—you don’t need to spend a single copper coin.

Wearing that armor and a stylish cloak as you walk down the street—what maiden with a crush wouldn’t take a second glance?

Even if you unfortunately die in battle, your family receives a generous pension and land subsidies; the armor issued won’t be taken back by the military—it can be enshrined at home, inspiring future generations, a great honor to pass down.

So, would you join or not?

But that’s all beside the point.

In any case, having seen the EDF’s elite quality firsthand, Blücher had basically made up his mind—working under this young lady wouldn’t be a bad deal at all!

As for the negative impact on his reputation from serving under a woman?

As long as he won a few battles, those voices would naturally disappear.

Even if some still clung to that point and gossiped behind his back, it would just be seen as jealousy.

Besides, the treatment really wasn’t bad—rarely seen in this world.

He’d take the job!

Now that he was alone with nothing to lose, he might as well go all out and join Alicia’s revolution!

Blücher gritted his teeth and stomped his foot.

“I, Blücher von Hudson, am willing to serve you with utmost loyalty!”

The young lady immediately expressed that all ambitious individuals were welcome to join the Hildebrand family—following her would definitely lead to a bright future!

There would be a three-month probation period, with only 60% of the salary paid during that time.

After three months, he’d be officially hired.

Those who performed well after a full year would definitely get promotions and raises!

‘I’ve got a military advisor now!’ the young lady gloated inwardly, smug with pride.

But before she could enjoy it for even a few seconds, Andrew came trotting over from the other side.

First, he gave Blücher a suspicious once-over, then strode forward with a face full of schadenfreude.

“Lord and Master, did you finally get beaten up?”

?!

Blücher was astonished—could a subordinate really talk to his lord like that?

The young lady was so furious she nearly fell over.

“Andrew, you little brat, tell me—what gave you that idea?”

Andrew calmly looked her up and down and said with certainty, “If you weren’t in a fight, how else would you get covered in mud?”

“Oh? So getting covered in mud can only mean fighting? No other possibilities?” the young lady gritted out, lowering her voice.

“And I think I heard you say ‘finally’ just now…”

“No way, you must have misheard! Ah-hahaha!”

Andrew immediately forced a dry laugh, shrinking his neck.

“Hahaha! Andrew!”

The young lady burst into an equally hearty laugh, stood on her tiptoes, and gave Andrew’s shoulder a hard slap.

“Just you wait for this month’s salary review! I promise I’ll give you a surprise!”