Chapter 112

Over the next few days, the atmosphere in Vanguard Valley became somewhat subtle.

With a resolute and swift style, Martina began to implement the new administrative management system.

First, there was the posting of announcements.

Huge bulletin boards were erected in the square in front of the Lord's Mansion and in various major residential areas.

On them, the new assessment system, selection criteria, and the duties and benefits of each grassroots management position were explained in clear and easy-to-understand language.

For a time, the entire Vanguard Valley was abuzz.

Countless refugees gathered in front of the bulletin boards, their eyes shining with longing and anticipation.

"Look! As long as you pass the assessment, you can become an official of the Lord's Mansion!"

A young man in ragged clothes pointed at the text on the announcement and said excitedly to his companion.

"And it doesn't ask about your background or your past; as long as you have the ability, that's all that matters!"

Another person, slightly older, appeared somewhat hesitant.

"That's what they say, but will such a good thing really fall to us refugees?"

"In other places before, those official positions were always occupied by their own people."

A middle-aged man nearby, who looked somewhat scholarly, pushed up the glasses that weren't actually on the bridge of his nose.

"I think Baron Roko is genuinely trying to accomplish something."

"Everyone has witnessed the current situation in Vanguard Valley."

"Food is plentiful, taxes are low, and public order is many times better than before."

"I believe the Baron's move this time is also for the better development of the territory."

Similar discussions rose and fell in every corner of Vanguard Valley.

Most of the residents, especially those refugees who had suffered from war and hunger, held great expectations for the new system.

They longed to change their fate through their own efforts and truly put down roots in Vanguard Valley.

However, just as Martina had anticipated.

The implementation of the new system also touched the nerves of some people.

In some remote alleys or dark taverns, some whispers were quietly taking place.

"Have you heard? That fox-kin Martina is going to hold some kind of assessment and selection."

A steward with a gloomy face lowered his voice and said.

He was originally an agent sent to Vanguard Valley by some small noble, and under the new system, his power had been greatly diminished.

"Hmph, what assessment? I think she just wants to replace us old-timers and install her own people."

Another man with a sharp mouth and monkey cheeks took a sip of inferior ale.

"We've worked hard for the territory for so long; even if we haven't achieved great success, we've certainly put in the effort, right?"

"Now, it's all good, and they want to kick us out with some lousy assessment?"

"I can't swallow this!"

A burly man with a face full of flesh slammed the table hard.

The wine in the cups splashed out.

"Then what can we do?"

The steward who spoke first sighed.

"Baron Roko clearly supports that fox-kin."

"If we dare to openly oppose her, I'm afraid we won't have a good end."

"It's not like you haven't seen the power of the Storm Knights."

Mentioning the Storm Knights, the atmosphere in the tavern suddenly became much quieter.

Roko's majesty had long been deeply rooted in people's hearts.

"Open opposition won't work."

A flash of malice crossed the eyes of the man with the sharp mouth and monkey cheeks.

"But we can cause them some trouble in the dark."

"For example, by pulling some strings during the assessment."

"Or by spreading some rumors unfavorable to the new system."

"I don't believe that fox-kin can really cover the sky with one hand!"

These undercurrents naturally did not escape Martina's eyes.

She had long since laid out her own intelligence network within the territory.

Regarding the small movements of these people, she only gave a cold smile.

"A bunch of clowns."

With Roko's full support, Martina began to implement the new policy with great vigor.

First, she set up public registration points and consultation offices.

Dedicated personnel were responsible for answering the residents' questions and guiding them in filling out registration forms.

Next, she conducted preliminary screening strictly according to the standards in the announcement.

Those who didn't even possess basic reading and writing skills were directly eliminated.

This first round of screening weeded out quite a few people.

But it also allowed more people to see the seriousness and fairness of the assessment.

Following that were the formal written exams and interviews.

The written exam questions were drafted by Martina herself, covering basic arithmetic, understanding of Vanguard Valley's laws, and some simple logical reasoning.

The interviews were more flexible, mainly examining the candidates' adaptability, communication skills, and moral character.

Martina personally served as the chief examiner, while Fura, Buck, and others assisted as deputy examiners.

The entire assessment process was open and transparent.

Resident representatives were allowed to be present to supervise.

At the same time, Martina also established a reporting mechanism.

If anyone discovered any fraudulent behavior during the assessment, they could report it to the Lord's Mansion.

Once verified, it would be punished severely without leniency.

Under such a strict and fair system, a group of truly capable and virtuous talents began to stand out.

Among them, a young man named Lindsay left a deep impression on Martina.

Lindsay was originally an accountant for a small merchant caravan who had ended up in Vanguard Valley due to the war.

Although his clothes were simple, his speech and demeanor were quite organized.

In the written exam, his scores were among the best.

During the interview, faced with a thorny question Martina posed about how to mediate neighborhood disputes, he spoke eloquently,

proposing several practical and feasible solutions.

Martina decided on the spot to appoint him as the head of the newly established Civil Mediation Office.

There was also a retired veteran named Old Morris.

Although he was older and not very literate, the composure and reverence for the law he showed during the interview, as well as his considerable prestige among the refugees, led Martina to decide to let him be in charge of a security patrol for a newly built residential area.

Of course, there were also some who tried to muddle through or engage in fraud during the assessment.

Martina showed no mercy to these people.

A small steward who had previously managed the warehouse tried to bribe the examiner to obtain a position.

As a result, he was exposed on the spot, not only having his assessment qualification canceled but also being sentenced to three months of labor in the mines.

This act of killing the chicken to scare the monkey immediately shocked those who harbored ulterior motives.

The assessment proceeded in full swing.

The entire Vanguard Valley was immersed in a positive and upward atmosphere.

The residents saw hope for changing their fate, and their enthusiasm for participation reached an unprecedented high.

And those old forces that had originally harbored dissatisfaction also gradually restrained themselves under Martina's resolute methods and Baron Roko's powerful majesty.

Although they were unwilling in their hearts, they understood that the tide had turned.

The sky over Vanguard Valley was about to change.

A month later, the selection work for the first batch of grassroots management personnel was basically completed.

Hundreds of outstanding talents who passed the assessment were appointed to various key positions.

They were like fresh blood injected into the massive body of Vanguard Valley, significantly improving the administrative efficiency of the entire territory.

Lord's Mansion, Council Hall.

Martina reported the work results of this period to Roko.

"Roko, at present, we have successfully selected and appointed three hundred and twenty-seven grassroots management personnel."

"Among them, sixty percent are from the newly arrived refugees, and forty percent are original residents."

"They have taken office one after another, and various affairs within the territory are gradually getting on the right track."

Roko nodded with satisfaction.

"Martina, you have done very well."

"This administrative reform has laid a solid foundation for the future of Vanguard Valley."

A rare smile also appeared on Martina's face.

"This could only be completed smoothly with your support."

She paused and continued, "Through this assessment, we have also discovered quite a few talented individuals with potential."

"I have already compiled a list of them, preparing to focus on their cultivation."

"In the future, they will become the backbone of Vanguard Valley's development."

"Very good."

Roko pondered for a moment and said, "The cultivation of talent must be pursued unremittingly."

"In addition to this centralized selection, we must also establish a normalized assessment and promotion mechanism."

"Let everyone see the hope of changing their fate through hard work."

"At the same time, for those who are unqualified or who do not perform their duties, we must also resolutely eliminate them."

"Only in this way can we maintain the vitality and efficiency of our management team."

"I understand."

Martina nodded solemnly.

"I will draft a detailed follow-up plan as soon as possible."

Roko looked at Martina, a glimmer of gratification flashing in his eyes.

Having such a capable Chief Administrative Officer was his good fortune.

The future of Vanguard Valley was therefore full of more possibilities.

The initial establishment and improvement of the territory's administrative system allowed Roko to breathe a sigh of relief.

But new problems followed.

That was the improvement of military strength.

Although Vanguard Valley had a large population, the true core armed force remained those hundred or so Storm Knights.

This appeared somewhat stretched under the increasingly complex surrounding situation.

Especially the threat from the Dark Temple, which forced him to accelerate the pace of strengthening the army.

And the first step to strengthening the army was the renewal and replacement of equipment.

The power of 【Obsidian Gold】 equipment had already been fully verified in previous battles.

Making 【Obsidian Gold】 equipment fully universal to the Storm Knights, and even to future expanded troops, became Roko's next key goal.

Early morning, sunlight spilled onto the training ground of Vanguard Valley.

The knights of the Storm Knights were undergoing arduous daily training.

Hart, this steady Knight Captain, watched every movement of each knight.

His brows were slightly furrowed, as if he were not entirely satisfied with the current training results.

"Move faster!"

"Your swords are for killing enemies, not for embroidery!"

Hart's roar echoed across the training ground.

Fine beads of sweat seeped out on the knights' faces, but not a single one complained of hardship or fatigue.

They all understood that only by sweating more in peacetime could they bleed less in wartime.

Roko, accompanied by Fura, walked slowly into the training ground.

"Hart."

Roko called out.

Hart immediately stopped the training and walked quickly to Roko.

"Master."

"How is the knights' training going?"

Roko asked.

A look of shame appeared on Hart's face.

"Reporting to Master, the knights are all very diligent."

"But our equipment is still lagging behind somewhat."

"Ordinary steel armor and weapons appear somewhat insufficient in defensive capability and lethality when facing powerful enemies."

Roko nodded.

"I understand what you mean."

"This is also the main reason I came to find you today."

He paused, his tone becoming serious.

"Hart, I order you to carry out a comprehensive military reform of the Storm Knights."

"The primary task is to re-equip all knights with 【Obsidian Gold】 armor and weapons."

Hart's eyes suddenly lit up.

"Master, are you serious?"

He knew the power of 【Obsidian Gold】 equipment better than anyone.

If the Storm Knights could be fully re-equipped, their combat effectiveness would definitely be raised to a huge level.

"Of course, it's true."

Roko smiled slightly.

"I have already discussed it with Patriarch Bagelumu of the Stone Hammer Tribe."

"They will prioritize providing us with 【Obsidian Gold】 equipment."

"However, the production capacity of 【Obsidian Gold】 is limited after all, so it cannot be done all at once."

"We need to carry out the re-equipping in batches."

Hart said excitedly, "Master, rest assured, I will arrange it well!"

"In addition to the re-equipping, I also need you to formulate a more rigorous training plan."

Roko continued.

"Including more complex team coordination, more realistic wilderness survival training, and special tactical drills against different enemies."

"I need the Storm Knights to become a truly invincible sword!"

A look of determination appeared on Hart's face.

"Yes, Master!"

"I guarantee that under my leadership, the Storm Knights will absolutely not let you down!"

As time passed, the re-equipping work of the Storm Knights proceeded in an orderly manner.

Although the speed was not fast, every time a new batch of 【Obsidian Gold】 equipment arrived in Vanguard Valley, it would cause a cheer among the knights.

Wearing brand-new 【Obsidian Gold】 armor and holding 【Obsidian Gold】 weapons that flashed with a cold light, the knights' morale was at an all-time high.

The new training plan formulated by Hart also began to be fully implemented.

Weighted cross-country, extreme combat, simulated sieges, jungle infiltration...

One rigorous training subject after another constantly challenged the knights' physical and psychological limits.

On the training ground, one could see the knights sweating like rain every day.

Mick, this once somewhat lazy son of an Earl, also underwent significant changes under the influence of this atmosphere.

He no longer complained about the hardship of training as he used to, but instead gritted his teeth and tried hard to keep up with the pace of the other knights.

Although his talent was not top-tier and his progress was not as fast as Falco and the others.

The determination in his eyes grew day by day.

He knew that only by making himself stronger could he protect the people he wanted to protect in this chaotic world.

Fura would also often come to the training ground and silently watch the knights train.

Her pair of heterochromatic eyes, one deep blue and one shattered gold, flashed with complex light.

She was also working hard to cultivate the 【Flame Griffin Breathing Method】 and the 【Great Sun Blazing Slash】.