Given the Faolan family's authority and credibility on this island, assembling a patrol force was about as simple a task as could be.
However, Lei Lin stood on the threshing ground where grain was spread out to dry, surveying his men below, and a slight frown crept across his brow.
"Fifty pulled from the port, another thirty from the manor — and that's already pushing the absolute limit?"
A sparse, ragtag crowd stood on the threshing ground awaiting Lei Lin's inspection. Though they had done their best to polish their leather armor and weapons to a shine and straighten their posture as best they could, the impression they gave Lei Lin was, regrettably, that of a motley rabble.
"These people — you can have them patrol and maintain order, fine enough. But the moment you put them on a blood-soaked battlefield..."
Lei Lin shook his head inwardly, though his face was full of rallying fervor.
"People of Ferolan Island! A band of vicious, ruthless pirates is about to land on these very shores! They will slaughter your parents, seize the copper coins and bread from your homes, and violate your wives and daughters — there is nothing these scum won't do!!!"
Lei Lin did his best to make his voice ring with impassioned, rousing intensity.
As for what pirates would actually do — was there even need to spell it out for common folk? After a moment of commotion among the soldiers below, they quickly realized Lei Lin was stating facts — and that he'd even been mild about it.
"Then tell me — are you willing to let that happen?!"
Lei Lin's sharp voice echoed across the threshing ground.
"No! Never!" Many among these men were mercenaries working for pay, but a good number were locally conscripted farmers whose entire families lived right here. Even among the mercenaries, plenty had settled down and started families of their own.
At the very least, when it came to defending their own property and interests, these men could still muster a spark of fighting spirit.
And so, once stoked, many of them flushed crimson from neck to forehead and began bellowing at the top of their lungs.
"Good! Now, I call upon you in my capacity as your lord! Take up your weapons and fight to defend your homes!!"
Lei Lin's voice carried powerfully — even those at the far corners of the threshing ground could hear every word with perfect clarity.
Moreover, under this atmosphere of mounting fervor, even one or two who remained timid or level-headed were quickly swallowed up by the surging crowd and swept along with the tide.
"The Faolan family will not neglect a single one of its people!"
Lei Lin clapped his hands, and two guards came forward bearing a multitude of chests, setting them down before the raised platform.
Click! Click! The massive copper locks were opened, revealing rows of brand-new leather armor inside — and even chainmail forged from interlocking metal rings. This metal armor offered far greater protection than leather, yet lacked the inflexibility of traditional plate. Its practicality was superb, though the forging technique required was equally demanding, making it the kind of equipment that money alone often couldn't buy.
Beyond the armor, there were even more gleaming weapons — bastard swords, scimitars, war hammers, even Knight lances — everything one could wish for.
Every single weapon had been meticulously maintained, its surface coated with a thin layer of oil, without the faintest trace of rust or corrosion. The edges gleamed with a razor-sharp luster.
"Anyone who participates in this operation may choose a weapon for themselves! Those serving as squad leaders or above may select one additional piece of armor!"
Lei Lin's gaze swept across the crowd below the platform. The appeal of such finely crafted armaments was plainly lethal — he could already spot several men whose eyes had lit up with unmistakable greed.
"Of course..."
Therefore, he deliberately raised his voice a few notches: "If you distinguish yourselves in this battle, then these weapons and armor can certainly be bestowed upon you!"
As soon as this promise was made, the crowd below immediately erupted into an uproar.
In this era, metal weapons and armor held enormous value — some were even family heirlooms passed down through generations of Knights. Many people could hardly believe Lei Lin's words.
"Don't doubt it! I swear on the honor of our Fairlan family!!"
Lei Lin's expression turned solemn as he made his guarantee on a nobleman's honor. Though in his heart he considered such things utterly worthless, in the values of the Gods' World, a nobleman's word still carried considerable weight.
As a result, many of the guards couldn't help but cheer.
"Furthermore... if you are injured or even killed in this battle, I will absolutely provide compensation! Even if you fall in battle on the spot, your reward will be delivered to your family!"
Lei Lin cleared his throat and delivered his final incentive.
"Hura!" "Hura~~!"
Under these various inducements, the guards below immediately began to cheer. In this age of feudal lords, the fate of disabled veterans and the families of the fallen was extremely wretched. Yet here was Lei Lin, willing to provide compensation — even the churches of the gods were not this benevolent.
"This level of morale... I suppose it'll have to do? Though... it'll only work once!"
Lei Lin watched the high-spirited guards below, a bitter smile forming in his heart.
If he had his way, even a victory in this battle would still result in a net loss, which was why feudal lords rarely employed such tactics.
Even those weapons and armor represented generations of accumulated wealth from the Fairlan family — a substantial portion of the family's total assets.
But this time the situation was special, and Lei Lin had no choice but to make exceptions.