Kingdombuilding: All My Inventions Are Novelty

”And what’s wrong with us firing cannons from the walls? Without our artillery support, would you have it so easy?” Liam sneered back, shouting to his men. ”Am I right?”

”Right!” His soldiers roared.

Sitting on horseback, Simon watched them bicker with amusement.

Just then, the soldiers parted to make way; Benjamin had arrived.

Seeing him, both Liam and Lancelot immediately quieted down and stood aside respectfully.

Glancing at them sternly, Benjamin looked at the carts filled with uniforms, his heart full of expectation.

”Your Highness personally delivering the uniforms, such an honor,” Benjamin said respectfully.

”It’s nothing.” Simon smiled. ”I promised before the New Year to deliver these. It’s a little late, and the quantity isn’t enough for everyone yet, but let’s get the men dressed first.”

To Simon, military uniforms weren’t just clothes; they symbolized the Brambleford Army’s move toward formalization and professionalism.

Moreover, these new uniforms were different from traditional plate armor. Soldiers could wear them not just in battle, but when going home, or even in public.

Thus, Simon had designed them to appear dignified and grand, highlighting the heroic spirit of young men.

The uniforms weren’t traditional Eldorian Empire style, round-collar shirts, but standing-collar tunics, straight-cut, tailored at the waist, and slit at the knees. The fabric was black-green, with epaulettes on the shoulders.

When Simon first saw the finished design, he had looked forward to seeing the soldiers and officers wearing them; they would certainly look impressive.

Taking a package from the frontmost cart, he retrieved the officers’ uniforms. Each officer’s uniform had epaulets with different numbers of yellow bars to denote rank.

”General Benjamin, Lancelot, Liam...” Simon called out the names one by one, distributing the uniforms.

”Thank you, Your Highness!” The officers replied joyfully.

Feeling the sturdy fabric, they couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear; the craftsmanship was truly excellent.

After the officers received their uniforms, Simon said. ”Go change, let the soldiers see how you look.”

Benjamin and the others immediately returned to their barracks, quickly removing their plate armor.

Before long, they reappeared, wearing the black-green standing-collar uniforms.

Simon was very satisfied. Once they put on the uniforms, their entire aura changed.

The tailored fit, combined with their natural military bearing, made them look dignified and heroic. If word spread about these uniforms, countless young men would surely be envious. After all, military uniforms themselves were a kind of combat power.

”Right, there’s one more thing,” Simon said, suddenly remembering. He took out several leather belts from the cart and tossed them over.

That winter, Edger had acquired many slaves, and Percival had gathered plenty of livestock hides. Joan had stitched these into belts.

”My Lord, how do we use these?” Liam asked, confused.

Simon personally demonstrated. These belts were simple; each had a metal ring and a metal tongue that fit through a punched hole in the leather strap.

Understanding dawned on the officers. They fastened the belts around their waists, instantly tightening the uniforms and enhancing their sharp appearance.

The soldiers’ mouths dropped open. They were full of envy; these uniforms looked even better than what noble sons wore!

”How do I look?” Lancelot asked, grinning so widely his mouth almost split.

”Sir, you’re dashing now! Like a phoenix rising from a chicken coop!” One soldier joked.

Lancelot’s face instantly turned green. ”Phoenix rising from a chicken coop, huh? You little rascal!” But he couldn’t help laughing; he was obviously very pleased.

At that moment, Liam suggested. ”General, don’t you have a mirror in your room? Let’s go have a look!”

”Right, right! Let’s go!” Lancelot said eagerly.

Benjamin didn’t object. Moments of celebration were good for morale.

They hurried to Benjamin’s quarters and, facing the mirror, finally saw themselves properly.

”My Lord,” Liam said, spinning proudly in front of the mirror. ”If I walked into Eldora wearing this, noble ladies would be lining up to propose marriage!”

Simon laughed. ”They wouldn’t be after you; they’d be after your uniform.”

Lancelot joked. ”It really is like turning a chicken into a phoenix. Your Highness, these uniforms are truly excellent.”

Benjamin looked at his officers, now upright and dignified in their new outfits, and sighed.

”Your Highness always surprises me. I never thought I’d live to see the day soldiers dressed like this.”

Simon smiled and said. ”Old General, this is only the beginning. In a few more months, the Brambleford Army will undergo an even greater transformation.”

”An even greater transformation?” Benjamin asked, full of doubt and curiosity.

First cannons, then mounted crossbowmen, now these stunning uniforms, what could possibly come next? It felt like Simon’s vision was always one step ahead of their understanding.

”This new equipment,” Simon said. ”Will shake the very foundations of the Eldorian Empire.”

He gazed northward and added. ”Once it’s ready, I’ll lead a northern expedition to drive the reaver tribes beyond Snake Pass.”

Benjamin was startled. ”My Lord, the West Ham reavers aren’t an easy threat to eliminate. There’s no need to rush.”

Simon understood Benjamin’s concern about being reckless.

”Old General, in time, you’ll understand my intentions,” Simon said calmly.

Overall, the uniforms fit perfectly and looked incredibly sharp on the officers.

From now on, the soldiers’ public image would be elevated. When ordinary citizens saw them, they would feel admiration, and young men would aspire to join.

As for how the uniforms would be distributed among the soldiers, Simon left that to Benjamin to handle.

The long winter gradually receded, and the warmth of spring began to spread across every corner of Brambleford.

As the temperature warmed and everything began to revive, Brambleford seemed to come alive as well.

After delivering the military uniforms to the Brambleford Army, Simon released an announcement through the government, which immediately stirred up a huge response.

”Brambleford is going to build cement roads! They say that all the streets in the city will be paved with it, and the Eastern and Western Markets will be the main focus of the renovations. Looks like His Highness has big plans for this year!”