We were relatively successful in drawing in a sound Information Guild.
However, trusting the impoverished, particularly potential criminals, without question is quite difficult.
Of course, people’s thoughts and mindsets often vary depending on the environment they find themselves in.
Since becoming retainers of our family has secured a stable living, they have likely refrained from returning to their former criminal habits.
“This alone isn’t enough.”
Once a mindset, thought pattern, or habit takes root, it’s not easily uprooted.
That’s why people often say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
“To turn them into decent, upstanding individuals, I ensured that once we organized the guild, every single one of them got married and became heads of a household. I wonder if they’re all living happily in their newlywed lives with their wives now.”
It’s not a given.
However, it’s rather common for someone who lived like a ruffian to suddenly transform once they have a wife or even a child.
They even dye their golden hair back to black and struggle to find a job in a small or medium-sized enterprise, or in a technical field.
And I made sure they had enough to eat, gave them a proper home—even if it was cheap.
Unless you’re a person with zero chance of rehabilitation, they should all come to their senses and strive to live earnestly.
If they still can’t get it together after all that, then I’ll have to whip them into shape.
“Character can be flawed, but loyalty must be instilled unconditionally.”
While I was briefly lost in thought, I heard a knock on the door.
“Captain Marina’s acquaintance has arrived. Shall I let them in?”
“Please let them in.”
As soon as I gave the order, the office door swung open.
The man who entered was adorned with various medals of honor from conquests, signifying his rank as an officer and soldier, along with sergeant insignia.
However, unlike the typical officers, he was an elderly gentleman with completely white hair and beard.
“Second Lieutenant, Rupo Giorgio. I’ve come to visit Baron Rothschild upon the recommendation of Captain Marina.”
In terms of the Korean military, this wouldn’t make any sense.
You’d wonder why a second lieutenant is addressing a man in his mid-fifties.
But even over in the neighboring Self-Defense Forces, there are times when a private or sergeant can be promoted directly to second lieutenant, known colloquially as “three-six officers.”
So, in that neck of the woods, a second lieutenant could cheekily ask a Warrant Officer,
“Oh, are you the Warrant Officer?”
Even in our Toscan Empire military, a lowly private or non-commissioned officer can achieve incredible feats and rise to the rank of second lieutenant.
Among the non-commissioned officers, he’s among the top 1%, nay, the top 0.1% of extraordinary talents.
The evidence of that lies in the numerous medals of honor for conquests adorning his chest.
“Make yourself comfortable.”
Upon hearing my words, Second Lieutenant Rupo sat down immediately.
From the movement of a man who had been in active service, you could tell he had honed his skills to nothing short of extraordinary.
I heard he was still active during the last round-up of the impoverished, so he must have been a terrifying figure to them, perhaps on par with the dreaded Sergeant Hwang Geun-chul.
“It’s an honor to have such a fine talent like yourself assigned to guard me.”
“Well, there are more capable individuals hoping to serve the Baron, but I’m simply grateful to be chosen.”
I’ll keep the fact that I’m forming a spy organization a secret from the Emperor.
I’ll also hide it from Duke Visconti and even from Erika, whom I am to marry but have yet to meet.
So, I merely asked Captain Marina to introduce me to a suitable person for guarding duties.
“I hit the jackpot beyond my expectations.”
And with those other fine talents, they can’t even hope to compare to him when it comes to practical experience or whatnot.
“Actually, I’ve told a small fib that I must confess before we proceed.”
Upon hearing those words, Rupo frowned.
“Using a talent like yours merely as a guard for me seems like a waste. So, I’d like to assign you a top-secret mission.”
Even though it’s called a top-secret mission, as long as the ‘security’ is kept, it’s something anyone who has served as a non-commissioned officer of sergeant rank or higher can handle—it really is a rather simple task.
It’s about overseeing mental training, or to be more specific, a process to elevate their sense of loyalty.
“What kind of mission are we talking about?”
“We’ve completely brought an Information Guild under our banner due to the need of our family.”
Rupo’s eyes widened at that statement.
What I’ve done is quite an exceedingly unreasonable and crazy act.
It’s not all that different from gathering high school graduates with a GPA of 8 and landing them jobs in a major corporation.
“Chris even asked me what on earth I was thinking while I did this.”
“Admittedly, their conduct is rotten to the core, but they do collect information pretty well. That’s why I bought them.”
When I almost got swindled out of 7,000 gold coins by Albert, it was the Information Guild that stirred up false rumors and promptly delivered cash right to me.
“But they still haven’t shaken off their old habits.”
I can’t really fault them for drinking so heavily on significant occasions that their noses might get twisted, suffering hangovers the next day.
I don’t do such things myself, but that degree of indulgence is something anyone can manage.
However, can I honestly claim that living a life where I provide them with money, food, and a place to stay while they spend the days eating and sleeping, only to engage in relations with their newly acquired wives at night is wholesome?
They shouldn’t spend days on end in such a state, at the very least.
“We need the necessity to lead their lives in the right direction and to instill absolute loyalty toward our Rothschild family. And who excels at that better than the military?”
Of course, that’s not to be said for non-commissioned officers holding on to the last remnants of privilege in our empire.
Regular soldiers, those who’ve been conscripted, wouldn’t develop loyalty strong enough to throw their lives away for the empire just through mere ‘training.’
In fact, many might end up losing the little patriotism they once had, just like regular soldiers.
“It’s stranger that they’re forced to roll around for three years under state orders while their patriotism bubbles over.”
“That’s right.”
However, those who became retainers of our family weren’t forced into service; they voluntarily sought out a path to a better life.
So, I provided them with stability beyond what they had enjoyed, albeit not at the pinnacle.
Gave them a wife, a home, enough food, and some pocket money.
Finding what I didn’t do would be much more challenging than identifying what I did.
Given this, instilling a sense of loyalty will undeniably yield significant results.
I’ve given hope to those who lived at the very bottom.
“How can we best reshape their ideologies?”
The non-commissioned officers of this era are pretty much tools for their officers.
So, they haven’t undergone proper training in active thinking…
Yet, if one were in the top 0.1% of talents, surely they ought to stand out in some way.
After all, one wouldn’t have simply climbed that far through mere effort alone.
“I think it would be effective to conduct very vigorous physical training in the mornings and afternoons. And before dinner, it would be beneficial to instill loyalty toward the Rothschild Baron Clan.”
“What leads you to that conclusion?”
Without hesitation, Rupo replied after listening to my words.
“Harsh physical training, doing drills with weapons, and so forth for the soldiers isn’t simply about making them skilled fighters. It’s about pushing their limits to foster resilience. Have those rogue guild members ever pored over their efforts, pouring sweat and blood throughout their lives?”
“They probably slacked off in committing crimes. I doubt they ever worked hard.”
“Therefore, instead of just exercising to build strength, we have to train them to expend every ounce of effort, resulting in ‘grit,’ changing them as individuals.”
Looking at athletes, it seems there literally isn’t a single one without grit.
Some ice queen practiced her spinning routine so many times she twisted her innards, and a basketball player ran with a wrecked leg amid a crucial match without feeling the pain longing to keep going.
In that sense, exercise can indeed be a great means to cultivate grit.
“And when people are completely drained of energy, they don’t entertain any stray thoughts. So at that time, telling them about their trashy lives as impoverished people versus the hopeful future under Baron Rothschild will leave a more profound impression.”
From the perspective of soldiers who’ve been forcibly recruited, they might wonder what nonsense that is.
But for those who chose this path and are being compensated, if they undergo such education…
Their sense of loyalty would surely skyrocket.
“Lastly, I think it would be wise for them to write letters to their wives every night and receive replies. Just like all soldiers, I endured tough times thinking of my wife and children. By cherishing their families who thrive thanks to them, their loyalty to the Baron will deepen.”
…… Is this really the top 0.1% of non-commissioned officers?
Heh, I should definitely give Marina a hefty introduction fee to show my gratitude.
I handed him the cap hanging on my coat rack.
The bright red eight-pointed cap brought to mind images of drill sergeants.
“Just do as you think. As long as you turn them into decent human beings, I’ll reward you handsomely.”
And in a town not too far from Florence, the wails of those who were part of the Information Guild echoed.
It wasn’t the last cries of someone being murdered but rather the sound of them growing through training.
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