Firearms in a Fantasy World

Chapter 99: Militia Training

Translator: Cinder Translations

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"Fool! I said turn left! I said LEFT!"

Markalov roared, dragging someone out from the ranks.

This was Kas Village on the southern border of Alden, a large village with nearly 200 households and close to 1000 inhabitants, making it a significant village in Alden.

During the pirate invasions, the villagers organized a militia of over 50 people for self-defense.

After driving away the pirates, the steward sent by the lord's manor established a farming association in the village and recruited several dozen more people into the militia, totaling nearly a hundred men.

As for why Markalov, a regular army member, was here, we must go back a few days.

A few days ago, the military suddenly intensified its training regimen. Many speculated that Alden might be gearing up for another war with a neighboring region.

Many were excited because for these standing soldiers, war meant military achievements and rewards.

The soldiers rubbed their hands in anticipation and focused on training. Victories against pirates and the rebellion of Byerldine had gradually made them realize the special advantages of their unit, advantages they had previously thought were useless training.

For example, formation drills allowed them to swiftly form advantageous formations on the rapidly changing battlefield. Units like squads, platoons, and companies were very convenient for splitting and combining formations, making it easier for commanders to deploy orders.

Then there were the long-distance marches, which allowed them to seize advantageous terrain or appear unexpectedly in front of enemies.

"Sweat more in peacetime, bleed less in war."

Now everyone in the army firmly believed in this.

Just as everyone was training with great enthusiasm, the staff headquarters suddenly selected a group of highly qualified veterans and sent them to various villages to oversee the training of local militias.

According to the training outline previously drafted by the staff headquarters, except during busy farming seasons, local militias needed to undergo at least one day of collective training per month. Training included: emergency assembly, long-distance marching, formations, and combat drills.

Compared to the standing army, such training could almost be considered unnecessary, especially since the nutrition of militia members couldn't keep up with high-intensity training.

Previously, militia training had mainly relied on retired soldiers discharged due to injury. However, due to the shortage of these "specialists," many areas' militia training was essentially ineffective.

The threat of war from the Kent family once again drew the staff headquarters' attention to the militias, especially now that the busy farming season had passed, prompting them to standardize and strengthen militia training.

Markalov was one of the selected veterans.

Due to his previous military achievements, Markalov had been promoted to corporal. Upon arriving at Kas Village, he supplemented the militia to a full platoon and organized them into squads and teams according to military standards.

He immediately began training them and even enlisted the local craftsmen to build equipment like parallel bars and horizontal bars.

There were many difficulties. At first, these fellows couldn't even stand in a proper formation. Every time Markalov got them into formation, after dispersing, many couldn't find their positions again, and the formations became chaotic.