The day after, the first thing Rojan and Wren did was visit the Peslir Kingdom navy soldiers they’d captured. And, they’d brought Tim along.
It was imperative that they create their own naval force, and where better to start than with soldiers who already had training regarding ships, naval warfare, and the like?
The thousand or so sailors they’d captured had been corralled into a section of the beach, against the northern wall. They’d been stripped of their weapons and armor, and were under the supervision of a thousand soldiers at all times.
“Governor Cheru, Commander Flameheart! Great to see you.” The officer in charge hurried to greet Rojan and Wren as they approached.
“Hey, you maggots!” The officer turned around and yelled at the captive soldiers. “Your saviors have arrived! The holy-”
“Ahem.” Rojan quickly cut the officer off and glanced at Wren. Just what the hell was that officer on?
“That’s enough of that. Who is in charge here?”
Nobody stepped out, but Rojan could see most of the captive soldiers’ eyes glance towards a single person.
“You.” Rojan pointed at this individual. “Who are you?”
“I’m...Er…”
“Nevermind.” Rojan turned, and motioned for a few of guarding soldiers to approach.
“Bring him away, and have him executed. He won’t be of any use to us.”
“Yes, sir!”
As they watched their commander being dragged away to their death, many of the soldiers couldn’t help but gulp nervously. Some even glanced at the nearby guards, looking for a way out.
“Well then, who is next in line?”
This time, the captured soldiers eyes glanced at multiple people - clearly, the few that were next in command.
Rojan smiled. Even if one didn’t speak the truth, their eyes wouldn’t lie.
He slowly cast his eyes over each individual who’d been inconspicuously singled out.
As his eyes drew over the third, the soldier stood up, as proudly as he could given his current situation.
“I’m the 2nd Company Commander. What do you want?
“Hmmm…” Rojan observed the young man for a while, then nodded.
“You have spirit. Do you have any unbreakable ties with the Peslir Kingdom?”
“...My family, sir.”
“Who is your family in the Peslir Kingdom?”
“...I am from the Sercen family. Our family has been serving the Peslir Navy for generations.”
Sercen. This name didn’t jog Rojan’s memory.
Seeing that his family name didn’t mean anything to Rojan, the soldier shrugged. “My father’s the Admiral of the 6th Fleet.”
“Ah, I see.”
No wonder Rojan didn’t recognize the family name. While the Peslir Kingdom’s navy was generally famous for being very well-trained and equipped, the infamous 6th fleet couldn’t be farther from the standard Peslir Navy fleet.
While the sixth fleet’s officers were typically from similar backgrounds compared to those of the other fleets, but their sailors were...outlaws, to say the very least.
Criminals. Murderers, rapists, and all other scum of the Peslir Kingdom - they’d been given the chance to see the sky again. In return, they were given the duty of boarding the Peslir Navy’s least sea-worthy ships and braving the riskiest positions in battle.
They were given minimal training, and next to no combat resources. Quite simply, the 6th Fleet was there to die so that the rest of the navy could win their battles.
Strangely enough, many of the low-lives seemed to relish the feeling of being on the front lines, flirting with death.
It was a thankless job to look after and “command” the low-lives of the 6th Fleet.
Hm.
Rojan felt the beginnings of an idea forming in his head. For now, though… the man before him was clearly brave, willing to stand up and identify himself
“For now, you’ll be the Vice Admiral of our First Fleet, under Tim here. You will also be responsible for teaching him naval standards and tactics.”
“I - but-”
“Your only other choice is to die, here and now. That goes for all of you, by the way.” Rojan looked at all of the captured soldiers.
“Fight for us, or die. Don’t worry though, we’re not monsters. You’ll be paid well. I believe we pay our soldiers what, 20% more than the Peslir Kingdom?”
He looked at Wren, who nodded.
“Thereabouts.”
“As for you, Vice Admiral Sercen, think about it. The Peslir Kingdom is about to come under the attack of the Krohan Empire. Its chances of survival are extremely low. Besides, they’ve never treated your family as they should.
“Send your father a letter. If he comes to our side, we’ll give him leeway to train and build an entirely new fleet, that will be trained by and listen to him - a chance the Peslir Kingdom has never given him.”
Rojan paused for a second to let his offer sink in.
“Of course, we can always find another. Do have him make his choice quickly.”
Rojan turned. “Everyone, let my soldiers know your choice within the hour. I trust you’ll make the right one. Oh, and Vice Admiral Sercen. What’s your given name?”
“Paul”
“Glad to have you on the team, Paul.” With that, Rojan left, with Wren in tow. Tim, however, stayed.
“I-I still haven’t said I’d help! Aren’t you-”
Rojan didn’t respond, but Tim stepped in front of Paul.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Tim. I’ll be in your care.”
“...Nice to meet you.”
At the end of the day, just about all of the soldiers pledged themselves to Venite City. After all, few men who would choose to die when there was a clear way out. But, there was still the issue of the ships.
During the battle, most of the ships had been damaged, many wrecked beyond repair - it would be better for them to be scrapped for firewood more than anything. Before they could even dream of forming a naval force, they would have to repair the ships that could still be saved, and find some shipwrights to begin building new ships.
Which was where, hopefully, that Sercen family would come in.