The sun had not yet risen the next day, but Zidan was already awake. After a night spent studying the neuralink chip, his mind buzzed with ideas. Feeding the hungry and building strong foundations were no longer enough - now was the time to sharpen his most important weapon: his army.
Zidan sat at his desk, a dim oil lamp illuminating the parchment before him. The chip projected 3D models of military training methods unseen in this world - not just individual combat skills but complete systems: tactical formations, coordinated maneuvers, discipline drills, even basic field logistics. These methods, drawn from Earth's most advanced armies, could transform ordinary soldiers into a cohesive fighting force.
"Discipline, coordination, speed..." Zidan murmured as he copied the diagrams and basic instructions. The drawings showed how units could move as one, use shields and weapons with collective efficiency, and maintain formation under pressure. There were also intensive physical drills to build endurance and strength.
At sunrise, Zidan summoned his military commander, Sifara. A battle-hardened man in his forties with a warrior's build, Sifara was loyal to the Zidan family and respected by his troops.
"Good morning, Sifara," Zidan said, gesturing to the chair opposite him. "I have something to show you."
He handed Sifara the scroll. The commander frowned as he examined the unfamiliar diagrams. "My lord, what are these... strange formations? I've never seen anything like them."
"These aren't just formations, Sifara. They're the foundation of a modern army," Zidan explained. "These drills will make our soldiers move as one body, fight more effectively, and withstand any enemy. Imagine 800 soldiers fighting with the coordination of 4,000. That's what these methods can achieve."
Sifara studied the details carefully. A practical man, he understood that numbers alone didn't guarantee strength. "This is... truly fascinating, my lord," he said after a pause. "I see their potential. Discipline, coordination... this is what we lack. But..."
He hesitated, then met Zidan's gaze. "These drills will be extremely demanding. They require physical strength and endurance beyond what our men are used to. They'll need much better nutrition than they're getting now. A hungry soldier can't fight, my lord. An exhausted one won't master these complex maneuvers."
Zidan smiled. "I anticipated that, Sifara. That's why I have a plan."
He straightened in his chair. "From now on, every soldier in Kisor's army will receive 100 grams of meat every three days. The top 100 soldiers will get 300 grams, and the top 10 will receive half a kilogram every three days."
Sifara's eyes widened in shock. "Half a kilogram... my lord! This... this is unheard of generosity! The men will be thrilled, but... can you provide so much meat?"
"That's my concern, Sifara. Yours is to turn these soldiers into an unstoppable force," Zidan said firmly. "Begin the drills immediately. I want to see results as soon as possible."
As Sifara left, astonishment and gratitude written on his face, he could hardly believe what he'd heard. Meat! In such quantities! This would change everything.
Word quickly spread through the barracks. "Meat? Every three days?" "Half a kilo for the strongest?" This was luxury beyond their dreams. Training began with unprecedented enthusiasm. Soldiers accustomed to meager rations and routine drills now had powerful motivation to endure the new regimen.
Meanwhile, head servant Javier heard of the decision and rushed to Zidan, pale-faced. "Lord Baron! Is this true? Will you provide the army with such enormous quantities of meat?" His voice nearly rose to a shout. "How? How will you supply all this? The castle stores barely feed the court, and our livestock isn't abundant enough for such generosity!"
Zidan regarded Javier calmly. "Compose yourself, Javier. It's not as difficult as you imagine."
"Not difficult? My lord, we're talking about hundreds of kilograms of meat every three days! This will cost a fortune and deplete our livestock within weeks!"
"No, it won't," Zidan countered. "First, I'll have the soldiers conduct organized hunting expeditions in the surrounding forests. This will cover much of their needs while improving their tracking and hunting skills - useful for warfare."
"Hunting?" Javier said skeptically. "But hunting isn't reliable, my lord. What if they don't find enough?"
"Which brings me to the second part," Zidan continued. "Our fortress maintains about 2,000 head of livestock - sheep, deer, and goats. If we distribute 100 grams per soldier, 300 grams to the top 100, and 500 grams to the top 10, that's only about 100 kilograms of meat every three days - just one sheep from our herds."
Javier fell silent, calculating mentally. One sheep every three days from 2,000 livestock? This wasn't excessive at all. He'd been thinking in terms of immediate expense, not sustainability.
"But... my lord, this... this changes how we manage the castle's resources," Javier said, his objection weakening.
"This is the change we need, Javier," Zidan said. "A strong army means a secure town, and a strong army needs proper nourishment. This is an investment in our safety and future. Do you understand now?"
Javier sighed deeply. "I understand, my lord. Reluctantly, but I understand. I'll make arrangements for the hunting expeditions and meat distribution."
As Javier left, though doubts lingered, he recognized the logic in Zidan's plan.
A week passed relatively quietly in Kisor. The sound of hammers rose from Smith's workshop where laborers tirelessly built the new kilns. In the training yard, soldiers' shouts echoed as they practiced the new formations, calling commands and moving with unprecedented coordination.
At week's end, an excited Smith burst in on Zidan. "Lord Baron! We've succeeded!" he cried, holding a small piece of hard, gray material. "Look at this! The first batch of cement! It's... it's hard as rock! I've never seen anything like it!"
Zidan examined the sample and smiled. This small piece represented a revolution. "Tell me, Smith. Is it strong enough?"
"Strong? My lord, it's tougher than any stone I've seen! I tried breaking it with a hammer - nothing! It's a miracle material! You... you're a genius, my lord! A true genius!" Smith's eyes shone with admiration. "I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself. This will change everything!"
"I know, Smith," Zidan said. "Now comes the real work. Begin reinforcing the castle defenses immediately - outer walls first, then towers, then gates. I want Castle Kisor made impregnable. After that, we'll use it to strengthen the town's main roads for better durability and travel."
"At once, my lord!" Smith hurried off, eager for his new task.
Workshops across Kisor began operating around the clock. The new cement was produced in increasing quantities and transported to the castle where workers used it to reinforce old walls. The cement layers applied to stone gave the walls a sturdier, more formidable appearance. Roads throughout the town also transformed as cement paved and stabilized them, making them weather-resistant and better for carts.
Meanwhile, the army continued its training. The extra meat had a visible effect - soldiers grew stronger, more enduring. Their bodies took shape, muscles developing. Most importantly, discipline improved remarkably. They moved as one, followed commands skillfully, and displayed coordination never seen before.
Sifara watched his men with pride. Though only 800 strong, they fought and moved with the effectiveness of 4,000. Their morale was high, their confidence in themselves and their leader sky-high.
One day, Javier passed the training yard and observed the soldiers drilling. He saw their strength, discipline, and enthusiasm. Remembering his objections about the meat, how he'd feared it would bankrupt the castle, he now saw the results.
"Perhaps... perhaps the meat was worth it after all," Javier murmured to himself, a slight smile forming. He was beginning to trust Zidan's vision, no matter how mad it first seemed.
Kisor was changing. No longer just a crumbling small town, it was becoming a strong fortress with an army to be reckoned with - all thanks to one man carrying secrets from another world, determined to use them to save his domain. Yet danger still loomed on the horizon, and Duke Friedrich's army drew nearer.