Chapter 20: The First Chain of Command
The next few days were filled with progress. The camp was no longer just a scattered group of individuals; it was slowly becoming a place of order. Each task, each role, had been assigned, and Kael could feel the camp beginning to pulse with purpose. His leaders, though new in their roles, were already proving their worth.
Kael sat at a wooden table in his modest tent, looking over a map of the surrounding land. His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at the door.
"Come in," he called.
Sura entered, her expression thoughtful. "The soldiers are ready. We've drilled them in basic formations and tactics, and they're already showing improvements."
Kael nodded, satisfied with the progress. "Good. It's time we took the next step."
He rose to his feet, his eyes scanning the room as he considered the next phase of his plan. His power had grown in the past few days, a result of completing tasks and organizing his forces. The system had rewarded him, and his abilities had increased. But there was more to do. Much more.
"We begin training the elite," Kael said, his voice firm. "The strongest among them will be honed into weapons of war. I want them ready for anything."
"Understood," Sura replied. "I will personally oversee the selection process."
Kael turned his attention to Doran, who had returned from his latest scouting mission. The scout's face was grim, his eyes narrowed with the weight of what he had learned.
"I've gathered information," Doran said, stepping into the room. "There are factions nearby—small warbands mostly, but there are larger threats in the distance. We'll need to keep our eyes open."
Kael nodded thoughtfully. "We will. But for now, we focus on strengthening what we have. Keep gathering intel, Doran. I will not move until we are ready."
Doran nodded, already heading toward the door.
As they left, Kael stood alone in the tent, feeling the weight of his decisions. His role as a leader had only just begun, and though the path was uncertain, he knew one thing for sure—he would not allow weakness to take root. His empire was rising, piece by piece, and soon it would be stronger than any force that dared oppose it.
With the first chain of command firmly in place, Kael knew the hardest part was yet to come. But it was a beginning, and beginnings were powerful.