Several hours later, the Wanderers who were able to pass the selection process cheered as they whirred past the gates of the Star Kingdom.
However, not everyone was feeling happy. After all, if there were winners, then there were also losers.
“Bro, we failed,” a man, who was in his mid-twenties, knelt on the ground as he fought the tears that were threatening to fall from his eyes.
“We were too weak,” another man, who was of the same age group as the man kneeling on the ground, commented. “We shouldn’t have run through that drive-thru to order takeout.”
“I shouldn’t have been tempted by that waitress’ sweet talk. I’m sorry, brothers. It’s all because of me.”
The members of the five-man team huddled together as they tried to console each other.
They were a group of friends who were part of a Guild called E4 Mafias and played Army-Type Simulation games.
They were part of the 300th group that passed through the gates, which meant that they were no longer qualified to become part of Zion’s army. free𝑤ebnovel.com
However, during their time of great sadness, a bootlicker—errr, one of Thirteen’s trusted subordinates extended an olive branch in their direction.
“I saw how you performed earlier,” Colbert said as he looked at the macho men, who were older than him. “So, if you don’t mind, would you like to join my team?”
“You are… that guy who stood beside Zion Leventis on the stage during the recruitment,” one of the men said after recognizing Colbert.
“Yes. My name is Colbert Riggs,” Colbert introduced himself. “As you know, I am one of the Captains serving under Zion Leventis. He has given me full authority to scout for individuals that I think have the same mentality as me.”
The five-man team glanced at each other before looking at Colbert with solemn looks on their faces.
“Is plausible deniability your best friend?” one of the men asked.
“Yes,” Colbert answered in a heartbeat.
“What do you do with the Blue Falcons?” the tallest among the bros asked.
Colbert didn’t reply and only smiled evilly because he was one of those Blue Falcons in the past.
But, he was now a changed bird—errr bootlicker, so he decided to not give any comments.
Fortunately, the devilish smile he gave made the five-man team think that he would not hesitate to roast these blue birds to oblivion and throw a grenade at their charcoaled bodies for good measure.
“It’s our job to bend and break the rules,” Colbert said in order to change the topic. “But, we will use this expertise to serve our Battalion Commander. We will do the dirty work for him, and he will overlook everything. Does that sound like a sweet deal to you guys?”
“Say no more, brother. Say no more,” the tallest among the men patted Colbert’s shoulder and smiled. “We’re in.”
The six Wanderers shared knowing grins with each other before they followed Colbert, who was about to recruit other similar-minded people among those who failed to be part of the first one hundred that passed through the gates of the Star Kingdom.
While this was happening, Cristopher was also busy recruiting people.
He recruited those who fought tooth and nail despite not being strong enough to finish the competition with flying colors.
Ones who were dead last and well aware of it but still continued to run regardless of the result. The only thing on their mind was to reach their destination.
Cristopher took note of these people.
Thirteen had given the two of them special orders.
Both of them could recruit fifty people each. The ones they picked would become part of their own Troops and would report directly to them.
Thirteen was only given a two-hundred men quota, but he had negotiated with the Central Government and asked if it was possible to add a hundred more men to become his subordinates.
This proposal was accepted on the condition that the lodging, food, and other expenses of the extra one hundred people would be shouldered by Thirteen.
Naturally, he agreed to this condition, which was also why he had done the bidding war for the first 100 slots of his Battalion.
This was done to gain extra funds to properly equip and accommodate the 300 Soldiers, who would become his sword and shield against the challenges he would be facing in the future.
The next day, the two hundred Wanderers were transported to the Freedom Garrison by the Leventis Family, as per their agreement with Thirteen.
In exchange for their help, they were able to find dozens of skilled individuals who all accepted Michael’s offer to become retainers of the Leventis Family.
Thirteen told his Grandpa and Uncle that if they wanted the Leventis Family to rise up in the future, it was time to expand their forces.
Right now, Arthur was still a Throne in the eyes of the public, and he appeared like he usually did.
However, after the battle in the Arcadia Archipelago, the shackles that bound him had been shattered by Thirteen.
So, when his no-good grandson used this event as an opportunity to recruit talented retainers, he didn’t hesitate to agree and sent Michael to the site to screen those that had caught their eye.
The teenage boy stood on the stage alongside Cristopher, Colbert, Alexis, Paul, and four other people, whom he designated as Captains.
Pietro, who had finished first in the competition, was one of these Captains. He now stood behind the teenage boy, whose small back made him feel as if there was nothing to fear.
“Once again, congratulations on becoming part of the 69th Battalion,” Thirteen declared. “And since you are here, I will tell you our Battalion’s name. From this day onwards, all of you will be called the Green Lanterns.”
A round of applause reverberated in the surroundings as they welcomed the name that was given to them.
“I’m glad you are happy with the name, so to commemorate this day, I will present to you your army uniforms,” Thirteen said before nodding in Cristopher’s and Colbert’s direction.
The two then unboxed two of the boxes that were piled up at the corner of the stage and looked at their contents.
But after seeing what was inside the box, both of their bodies stiffened before exchanging a glance with each other.
A second later, the two helplessly shook their heads as they took out the military uniforms that Thirteen had prepared for them.
“Come forward as I call out your names,” Cristopher said. “Pietro.”
Pietro stepped forward and accepted the uniform that was handed to him by Cristopher. But, after seeing it, he couldn’t help but wonder if there was some kind of mistake.
The Uniform in his hands was light green in color, making those who saw it look at their Battalion Commander in confusion.
After seeing their confused expressions, Thirteen chuckled and said something that made the corner of Pietro’s lips twitch.
“The uniforms look great, right?” Thirteen said with a smile. “But that’s not all. These uniforms actually glow in the dark. You’ll be like those glow bugs in Solterra that light up at night.”
The Wanderers who heard their Commander’s words glanced at each other in dismay.
The military uniforms were supposed to camouflage them on the battlefield, but the one they would be given was the complete opposite of it.
With the bright, light-green uniforms, they would stand out regardless of whether it was night or day!
They were like walking targets to their enemies. Attention would definitely be on them because no matter what they did, they wouldn’t be able to hide from their line of sight.
‘Am I really going to be fine?’ Pietro thought as he looked at the uniform in his hands.
Thirteen chuckled internally because he knew what everyone was thinking.
However, what they didn’t know was that the uniforms that the Wanderers thought were too eye-catching would become a symbol of hope not only for the Central Government but also for the people who would be fortunate enough to see Thirteen’s Battalion on the battlefields of both worlds.