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These Indahl natives, some from the city and others from the surrounding towns, ranged from their early twenties to no older than thirty. The city defense force was more of a straightforward military unit, less entangled in internal politics than other official departments. But to say that they were oblivious to the struggles of hierarchy would be untrue.

Non-commissioned officers like Wagner, even if disliked by superiors, could still retire with a generous pension. But ordinary soldiers weren't as fortunate. Every three years during the discharge season, some would be replaced by new recruits, losing their near-middle-class income and leaving with just a severance package.

Once forced into retirement, a non-commissioned officer like Wagner, with some social standing and political savvy, could seek a position as a town sheriff. Options for ordinary soldiers were more limited—either becoming precarious mercenaries or returning to the humble trades of their ancestors.

The soldiers struggled to accept this harsh reality; some looked lost and anxious, others lowered their heads in sorrow.

Wagner sighed once more.

His personal grievances with Commander Horn shouldn't have led to the disbandment of the entire squad.

However, their entire squad being captured in Weisshem had indeed infuriated Adra III. His lack of effort to even send Steward Gould to pacify them was a clear indication of his rage over this disgraceful incident.

The City Defense Force had 24 cavalry squads, and Commander Horn, already at odds with Wagner, was unlikely to risk the emperor's wrath to save Wagner's unit.

"Once you guys return… report to the headquarters and see what they say," Wagner did his best to maintain his composure as he spoke. "If headquarters seeks accountability, remember to describe the situation as it happened. The fault for our capture lies with me due to my misjudgment leading to this disaster. Do not speak in my defense as it might make you complicit, and the military tribunal could withhold your severance pay."

"Lieutenant Pitt—" A soldier visibly upset wished to speak up, but Wagner raised a hand to stop him.

"If we give the tribunal an excuse, they won't just deduct the severance pay from one or two of you. It could affect everyone. Think of the others, not just yourselves."

The soldier fell silent once more.

"If…" Wagner sighed again, "If you have nowhere to go after all this… Once you've settled your families with your severance pay, you can come back to me."

The downcast soldiers looked up in surprise.

Wagner managed a bitter smile. "As much as I don't like saying this… Weisshem is likely to offer many new positions, more suitable for young people like you than in Indahl."

Weisshem was short-staffed; its town hall clerks consisted solely of rescued sex workers, with no formal employees yet. Ben, the fit and capable-looking former bouncer of a brothel, was still assisting Miss Mia.

From Wagner's observations, Yang's support for Rex as the local lord wasn't impulsive. Complex as his feelings might be, he had to admit that these young men he knew so well would have better prospects in Weisshem than if they were discharged to fend for themselves.

After all, even as a prisoner, he couldn't deny that both Lord Rex and the undead mayor—difficult to distinguish from ordinary skeletons—were doing an impressive job.

Having briefed them on the situation, Wagner led the 43 men to collect their earnings for their "jailed" period…

Upon entering the administrative office (formerly the militia commander's office) and seeing Hal instead of Miss Mia, Wagner was taken aback. "Isn't Miss Mia in charge of payments?"

"Cut the crap. Are you here to collect your pay or not?" Hal was as irritable as ever.

Wagner expressionlessly extended his hand.

Hal, with veins bulging on his forehead, picked up a ledger and scribbled calculations on paper for the "early release" pay of these 43 men. Then, he took the keys from his waist and opened the large safe behind the desk.

Seeing the safe filled with copper and silver coins made Wagner's jaw drop in astonishment.The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the Noᴠᴇlꜰire.nᴇt

"Don't even think about it. No one who can steal from me has been born yet," Hal barked rudely. He skillfully counted the coins, dividing them into small pouches.

"Forty-three men, 14 days of labor, daily wage of 30 copper… 420 copper for 14 days work. Each person gets 4 silver and 20 copper."

While dividing the money into small pouches, Hal used his palm to push the filled pouches to the front of the desk.

"Take and count them. No takebacks once you step out of the door!"

Wagner, knowing Hal's temper, silently signaled the soldiers waiting in the corridor to come in and collect their pay.

After the money was distributed, Hal, more anxious than those collecting money, chased them away. "Scram after you've collected your pay! Don't loiter here!"

Wagner, initially intending to thank Hal, held his tongue and let his men away.

The six senior soldiers, two squires, and Wagner himself would continue to serve their "sentence," while the 43 freed soldiers were now free to move about. Noting there was still time before dinner preparations, Wagner decided to take these men, who hadn't been outside during their "sentence," to buy some "local products"…

The town's main street's supermarket was still being constructed, leaving only the undead delicatessen and the orc bean product store open for business.

The soldiers, having eaten many standard meals prepared by the Undead Merchant Association canteen, were visiting the store for the first time. Despite initially dismissing the wages of 420 copper they had received, they were surprised by the purchasing power they held—

Half a kilogram of fine salt for just eight copper!

Bright red chili oil sauce (Lao Gan Ma chili) with various spices for only 15 copper!

A box of mixed spices for making flavorful soups, only 10 copper!

And there were also peppercorns, black pepper powder, chili powder in transparent packing… All were available for just a third to a fifth of what they would cost back home!

The soldiers, initially planning to only buy fabric, couldn't control themselves as they browsed the shelves of the undead delicatessen, mesmerized by the variety of products, each tantalizingly affordable compared to Indahl's prices.

After much deliberation, each soldier ended up purchasing over ten bags of salt and more than five boxes of the mixed spices, known as "Thirteen Spices."

The diligent young clerk, Brooke, cheerfully packed their purchases in greaseproof paper. Learning that the soldiers were taking local specialties back home, he enthusiastically recommended the neighboring bean product store.

The bean product store boasted two adjacent storefronts: the left side offered a free soybean oil press for locals, and the right side sold various tofu products made from residual soybean pulp.

The soldiers, clutching their remaining coins, were greeted by a long line at the right storefront. Behind the counter, a human woman and a grown orc were working tirelessly, yet the queue seemed endless.

"There are too many people here. Let's go to the town hall for fabric first," Wagner suggested upon seeing the crowd. "We can keep a few copper coins to buy bean products later. Everything here is surprisingly cheap."

Since the popularity of "Undead Cloth," Rex had stopped Hal and his team from setting up stalls and designated a room in the town hall as a fabric outlet. Whether for personal use or small business ventures, locals and nearby villagers could purchase fabric anytime.

When Wagner brought his men there, the clerk handling the fabric offered a "product catalog" made of scrap fabric for them to choose from—an ingenious idea from the resourceful Shirley, much more efficient than browsing through rolls of fabric.

"If you're making summer clothes, the first and second pages offer suitable materials. These eight types of fabric are soft and breathable," the young male clerk, strikingly handsome with a soft, charming voice, advised, with full professionalism. "For autumn and winter coats or long skirts, I recommend choosing from the third and fourth pages. Lining them with cotton will make the garments warm."

After much discussion, the soldiers unanimously chose the thicker, more ornate fabrics, seeing them as a better value for money.

Pleased with their fabric purchases and returning to the bustling bean product store, the soldiers regretted buying too much fabric. They should have saved a few more copper coins for these products—

The tofu they had in their standard work meals was just too cheap!

This sort of fried tofu cost only two copper a bag!

Dried tofu, delicious when cooked with any food or stir-fried with vegetables as the undead cooks did, was only two copper coins for a substantial piece!

And there was their beloved snack "spicy strips" made from chili and spices. A large pack cost merely one copper!

These young soldiers, with only a few copper coins left, agonized over their choices at the counter…

Wagner could hardly bear to watch. He called out loudly, urging them to hurry up, "Stop dawdling! Decide quickly what you want to buy; others need to do business too!"

In the end, the young men, prioritizing what they saw as "value for money," reluctantly forsook the dried tofu and spicy strips. Instead, they chose the fried tofu, which had a longer shelf life and could be shared with their families for a while.

By the time they finished shopping, it was almost three in the afternoon. Wagner hurriedly led the soldiers, laden with large and small packages, to rent horse-drawn carriages.

Fortunately for him, the town hall would cover the rental fee for transporting the soldiers back to Indahl. Otherwise, Wagner would have had a headache—these young men had spent every last copper coin they had just received!

As the four carriages left Weisshem, the soldiers seated inside enthusiastically waved goodbye to Wagner.

"Lieutenant, we'll be back!"

"Don't go singing Weisshem's praises back home before you get your severance pay!" Wagner yelled back, exasperated.