Chapter 145: Starting to Reform the Prison

Looking around, I saw that we were in a giant stone dome. There was a reception at the very back, but that was it. It's connected to five individual hallways that I assumed were where the prisoners were locked up. 

"How many prisoners are there currently?" Homura asks. 

"We are currently holding about 30 right now," The man says. 

Much less than I thought. Not that it's terrible, but it makes me worry that many criminals are getting away. 

"Hmmm… gather all the guards beside the one's guardian the cells. If one of them escapes, that will be my fault, so gather everyone," Homura says. 

"As you wish," The man replies, quickly dashing off to the receptionist's desk.

About 30 minutes had passed, and about 90 guards were lined up neatly in front of us. Most of them seemed invested in their jobs, while some were just here for the money. I would assume this job pays well since you have to watch over some crazy guys.

"Everybody here works under me now. I'm going to end up hiring some more people later down the line, but you weaklings should be good for now," Homura says, releasing a menacing aura.

Everybody in front of us froze in place.

"Noah, how many of each class are here?" Homura asks, the man in a tuxedo beside her. 

"There are currently 42 tanks, 29 archers, and 25 swordsmen," The man replies.

"Okay, now follow my orders precisely. Spread the current amount of archers along the walls, spread the tanks around the bottom of the border. The tanks can push back anybody that tries to infiltrate or escape. Now finally, spread the strongest 15 swordsmen throughout the prison. 

That amount of guards might not seem like enough… cause it isn't, but I'll recruit some guys from the army. The remaining ten will be a special corps that I'm putting together to monitor the entire kingdom. And for them to do that, I'll need them to go through… actually, everybody here to go through my rigorous training. 

If you can't keep up, you leave. If you cry or complain, you leave. If you faint, you leave. If you slack off, you leave. If you try to escape the training sessions, you leave. And finally, if you die… you go for good," Homura says, a sadistic smile slowly forming on her face.

"Wow, scary," Kumo mutters. 

"Actually… Arpious, could you be a dear and recruit some people for this place. Kumo can help organize the armies while she's there as well," Homura says. 

"Sure, Kumo, let's go. It's no fun watching other people do rigorous training if you didn't make the training regime," I say. 

… 

We arrived at a giant stone building. Not many people were coming out of it, and the ones walking in and out of it were soldiers. The presence they emitted showed their hefty amount of experience in battle.

"Are you sure this is the right place?" I ask Kumo. 

"Of course, I was just here yesterday and the day before," Kumo replies.

As we walk through the wooden door, we were greeted with a few chairs lining the walls and a receptionist desk right at the back. 

"Welcome future soldiers- Y-y-your highness!?" A fire harpy woman shouts in shock. 

Everybody in the building snaps their heads in our direction, and once they confirmed who we were, everybody started to greet Kumo and me. I enjoyed the attention, but Kumo seemed to be pretty annoyed by it. 

"Yes, yes, hello, hello to you too, please let us through. Oh, miss, is this the place where people can sign up for being soldiers?" I ask the woman who greeted us from before. 

"Yeah, it is… everybody, please move out of the way," Kumo says, pushing her way through the crowd. 

"Sorry, we need to see the receptionist," I say, pushing through the crowd as well. 

Soon, everybody noticed how we were getting annoyed and backed up, not wanting to anger us. 

"Hello, can you recommend us some soldiers that are thinking about retirement?" I ask the beastman receptionist. 

It's pretty simple, and I don't want to take out any growing or exceptional warriors just for a correctional officer. The best people for being a guard would be somebody with a lot of fighting experience but isn't in their prime. They are more than good enough to be a guard at a simple prison… unless Homura is thinking of putting these guys into her special corps… because she might want some younger ones who have yet to reach their full potential. 

tsk

"What wrong?" Kumo asks, seeing my furrowed eyebrows. 

"*sigh*, Mister receptionist, give me about 50 soldiers that are thinking of retiring and about 20 promising young ones that are interested in being a part of a special force," I say. 

"I can give you some soldiers that are thinking of retiring, but the 20 younger ones that are interested in being part of a special force… we will need a survey," The man says. 

"Can you get at least ten by the end of the day?" 

The man looks through a window and checks where the sun was. 

"I might be able to… If you want, I can send a message to the soldiers thinking about retirement… if I may ask, what do you need them for? Please forgive me if I'm coming off as rude, but I need to give them a valid reason," 

"It's fine. Tell them that they can go to the prison where they can be hired as guards if they want. Since my wife just took over, they will happily accept them, and they will be paid generously as well," I say. 

As I turn around, I notice Kumo wasn't near me. I scanned the room but still couldn't find her. 

"Your highness, if you're looking for your wife, she is currently in the back room. I think she arranged a meeting with the new commanders," The receptionist speaks up. 

She's swift or I'm getting dull… Maybe I should practice in the arena as well.

"Thanks," 

I push open the gate that leads towards the opposite side of the counter. Patting the receptionist on the back, I then open the door to the backroom. 

『Status』

[Name: Akito]

[Race: Blood Elf]

[Status: Direct Subordinate]

[Level: 69/110]

[HP: 700/700  MP: 700/700  SP: 300/300]

[Strength: 150]

[Defense: 150]

[Magic: 200]

[Speed: 175]

[Luck: 1]

[Charisma: 40]

[Skills: [Slash] [Body Enhancement] [Gust] [Wind Magic] [Blood Healing Magic] [Intense Focus] [Blood Manipulation] [Enhanced Regeneration] [Enhanced Senses] [Contortion] [Cut] [Bloodlust Cape] [Forbidden Magic: Dracula]

[Mastered Weapons: [Spear]

[Titles: [Direct Subordinate] [Party Leader] [Great Commander]

… 

『Status』

[Name: Sophia]

[Race: Lesser Spirit of the Forest]

[Status: Servant]

[Level: 56/110]

[Spirit Power: 2500/2500]

[Strength: 150]

[Defense: 150]

[Magic: 150]

[Speed: 150]

[Luck: 2]

[Charisma: 50]

[Skills: [Body Enhancement] [Contortion] [Berserk] [Intense Focus] [Forest Magic] [Earth Shattering Blows] [Plant Manipulation] [Plant Growth] [Wind Magic] [Summon: Trent] [Summon: Flower Dryad] [Ethereal Weapon Coating] [Weak Spirit Manipulation] [Snake Manipulation] [All Language Perception] [Language of the Spirits] [Physical Immunity (Partial)]

[Mastered Weapons: [Plants] [Whips (Partial)]

[Soul Equipment: [Emerald Snake Sleeve]

[Body Modification: [Forest Spirit Marking]

[Titles: [Chiefs Daughter] [Servant]

…

『Status』

[Name: Richard]

[Race: Immovable Siren Guardian]

[Status: None]

[Level: 67/100]

[HP: 900/900  MP: 200/200  SP: 600/600]

[Strength: 200]

[Defense: 250]

[Magic: 100]

[Speed: 50]

[Luck: 1]

[Charisma: 30]

[Skills: [Greater Body Enhancement] [Fire Control] [Wind Control] [Concentration] [Immovable Body Enhancement] [Berserk] [Shield Slam] [Earth Magic] [Enhanced Senses] [Enhanced Guardian Regeneration] [Earth Wall] [Earth Barrier]

[Titles: [Grand Tank] [Blessed by the Emperor Spirit of Immovable Objects]

...

『Status』

[Name: Zoe]

[Race: Wind Elf]

[Status: None]

[Level: 26/100]

[HP: 500/500 MP: 700/700 SP: 600/600]

[Strength: 120]

[Defense: 100]

[Magic: 150]

[Speed: 200]

[Luck: 1]

[Charisma: 50]

[Skills: [Body Enhancement] [Grand Wind Magic] [Concentration] [Slash] [Wind Blade] [Gale Walk] [Enhanced Hearing] [Wind Knives] [Enhanced Senses] [Presence Eraser] [Grand Dagger Enhancement] [Silent Steps] [Lie Detection] [Tangible Bloodlust] 

[Mastered Weapons: [Dagger (Partial)]

[Titles: [One with the Wind] [Hard Worker]

…

『Status』

[Name: Adam]

[Race: Child of the Forest]

[Status: None]

[Level: 24/100]

[HP: 700/700 MP: 400/400 SP: 700/700]

[Strength: 200]

[Defense: 170]

[Magic: 100]

[Speed: 130]

[Luck: 1]

[Charisma: 50]

[Skills: [Body Enhancement] [Contortion] [Berserk] [Jungle Magic] [Boost] [Critical Strike] [Wood Body Armor] [Wood Sword] [Grand Sword Enhancement] [Earth Shattering Strike] [Tangible Bloodlust]

[Body Modification: [Natures Tattoo] [Wood Skin]

[Titles: [Loved by Mother Nature]

…

『Status』

[Name: Aaron]

[Race: Child of the Forest]

[Status: None]

[Level: 22/100]

[HP: 700/700 MP: 400/400 SP: 700/700]

[Strength: 200]

[Defense: 170]

[Magic: 100]

[Speed: 130]

[Luck: 1]

[Charisma: 50]

[Skills: [Body Enhancement] [Contortion] [Berserk] [Jungle Magic] [Boost] [Critical Strike] [Wood Body Armor] [Wood Shield] [Grand Shield Enhancement] [Earth Shattering Strike] [Tangible Bloodlust]

[Body Modification: [Natures Tattoo] [Wood Skin]

[Titles: [Loved by Mother Nature]

…

"You know we need two more right?" I ask, turning my head to Kumo, who was sitting on a bench. 

"Yeah, I know… finding good leaders is hard. They need to be strong, but they also need to adapt to whoever they're with… so I chose these guys," Kumo responds. 

All of them are familiar. 

"M-master, please forgive my rudeness. I will go prepare a drink if you would like," Sophia stutters, scampering over to me and bowing deeply. 

"You don't have to do that. Also, I'm officially relieving you of your duties as a maid," I say bluntly.