Dealing with knights or samurai is always harder than dealing with than men-at-arms. You need to treat them with a respect they may not deserve, and that is just how things are. Furthermore, on this exact point I am biased by the punishment system of my former world as well. Something like lashing a samurai cannot and must not be done.

Furthermore, Peony doesn't really react to punishment. The punishment of making friends with everyone is being done, but not with as much passion as I'd like. If anything, he appears to have given up on hunting and just trains instead. My punishment is meaningless if he just detaches himself from it after all.

He doesn't have the pride to care for humiliation. Not the dedication to anything but training to care for anything I take away. He doesn't care for his reputation or for the demands of chivalry that follows along with his role as a knight. I can imagine the words 'inefficient' spouting from his lips, and just the thought sends a swirl of irritation through me.

It's morning, and we're preparing for another day as I call for a gathering. I have to punish Peony, not for making him actually feel regret, but to satisfy the anger of everyone else. Once you know he won't care, any punishment is dissatisfying. I look over the ranks of knights calmly. Usually most of the troops would be men-at-arms, so for there to be this many knights is a blessing, but also a message of how many men Father expected to lose over the next few years... the number was almost foolish, but let us put that aside for now. Most of the young men here seem stiff, but I can also see the glances towards Peony. Rumors move fast, especially since Vitis is generally well known and well liked. Vitis has a habit of walking around camp and chat up people once they're free to do as they want. Once this pattern is broken people get curious.

In many ways Vitis and Peony are opposites. Vitis has the pride to feel guilty of missing out on one of his men leaving. He doesn't leave anyone behind and is gracious and polite. Friendship among knights is an incredibly important thing in this world. It is more than political connections. Knights friendly with one another help each other improve. As a knight, your reputation is your lifeline. It is how you gain glory, and thus status and land. Someone like Peony would never be landed. Vitis, however, is in a good position for it once he finishes his time at the academy. However, Peony doesn't seem to care for land or the life of his future children. It's the worst career choice I've seen. Worse than Darius'.

"Today again we head towards the battlefield to assist the Tepet army. We will likely be used to break enemy lines, so steel your hearts. We will be heading back into the fray!" I start out and measure the reactions. I can see a few trembling at the thought.

"But before that, Peony!" I call out his name and watch his calm expression as he turns against me. I plan on doing this calmly. Everyone here are supposed to be shining examples for the men-at-arms. They should be what every men-at-arms wants to be, and more importantly... I should never have to worry if someone retreats before they absolutely have to. Their career and their future depends on their reputation. Thus, one of the worst things you can do, both for a knight and for a samurai is to publicly humiliate them. Every humiliation will haunt them for the rest of their lives until they disprove it. Peony won't care, but society does.

"In a display of clear lack of discipline you neglected to inform your superiors of your injuries and retreated correctly but without giving notice." I must add the 'correctly' to avoid this from getting out of hand. The moment it becomes a matter of cowardice or abandoning comrades it take an entirely different tone... and not a good one. Both of those are directly against the code of chivalry for knights, and will not go unpunished. Peony is close enough that I can see the gears ticking in his head. He doesn't actually care, but he doesn't want to lose. Pointless. If you don't care, then swallow it.

"You will be required to pay your monthly stipend as a fee as punishment for the offense. Furthermore, you'll be sentenced to cleaning pots for the next two weeks." For someone like Vitis the first part would have been an incredibly severe punishment. Vitis having a bundle of younger siblings need the money that comes along with the job. The stipend for students is quite low as well, so most save their earnings carefully to be able to buy the equipment they've been supplied with and either buy or tend to their horse, some even manage to save up just enough for a custom made shield or weapon. Someone like Vitis keeps just enough to clear his debt on the armor and then sends everything else to his family.

Peony watches quietly. He almost looks surprised like he's going to shrug it off with a laugh. Peony doesn't need to take care of a horse, neither does he spend any money on enjoying life or gaining favor with people. He could care less about money. No, he could care less about everything that doesn't prevent him from training. He is a pain in the gut to deal with.

I glance to everyone else to measure their reactions. They don't look surprised. If anything I catch condescending glances cast towards Peony like they expected something like this out of him. The only one that appears to have been surprised with his little lack of communication is Vitis. They don't look dissatisfied yet, however it might flare up if Peony keeps acting as he usually does. A word from him that he got off easy and he'll effectively get enemies rather than people that just dislike him.

Vitis, however, looks somewhat satisfied. He gives a worried glance towards Peony as he waits for him to answer and accept his punishment, but with the punishment being what it is Peony swallows it graciously.

"As you wish. I shall make sure it does not happen again, Celeste-sama," Peony responds calmly and shrugs it off.

I proceed to praise them for their efforts the day before and round everything off with consulting each squad leader about their roles and how to deal with their less confident subordinates.

---*---

Rudder's Point Of View

Peony was punished. As expected Peony just doesn't know how to collaborate with people. If only Vitis didn't have to deal with him that would've been the optimal solution for us.

We get ready to head for the battlefield as I notice Mike and Darius chatting next to me. After Darius got Mike off the battlefield they've been getting along well. Darius took responsibility for his weaknesses and Mike reacted to that. I am thankful for Darius' quick action. I myself had my hands full covering Vitis' side after all. Peony usually stands between and slightly behinds us so that Vitis and I can form a shield wall and he can stab people over it. Of course when we spread out a bit Peony stands on his own just fine. He's a good warrior, he just sucks at communication. Either way, when Peony retreated yesterday was in the position to cover his spot. Not a spot I'm happy to be at, but at least I have Mike by my other side.

"Hey, Darius," I call out and watch Darius perk up cautiously. I don't usually interact with Darius a lot after all. Still, I toss him a hip flask filled with whiskey.

"You got his back, I got yours," I say calmly with just a hint of kinship and watch him catch it easily. He stares at it for many moments and then looks up at me with this puzzled reaction. He's likely never been very friendly with people because of his 'habits' so he looks a bit overwhelmed. He puffs up a bit with what looks to be a bit of relief and happiness.

"I'll make sure you don't regret giving me this trust," he declares proudly and lets our eyes meet. I'll be able to get along with this guy for the rest of the trip. With a tinge of determination I agree with myself to add Darius to one of the people I want to see return home.

Mike hits Darius' shoulder with a big grin of approval. Arven walks up next to me with hints of a smile.

"Looks like he's becoming a part of the group just nicely," he says with a hint of teasing. After all, he likely noticed I disliked Darius as much as Mike did.

"Sincere effort is rewarded with trust and friendship. That's all," I reply back.

I want to see these guys return home to their families.

I glance to Vitis that's a bit ahead of us and move to his side as we begin the walk.

"Vitis, how are you feeling?"

He looked like a hung cat yesterday after all. Vitis glances back to me with a hint of a smile.

"I am doing alright, Rudder... I am just reconsidering my priorities..."

He pauses, and then looks at me with a slightly colder and more serious expression.

"Let us get through this and return home. You to your love, and I to my family."

I watch him quietly and then smile.

"Of course. I've got your back, Vitis. I'll make sure you get home so you can meet your future wife." I decided to tease him a bit, and as expected he looks a bit awkward and flustered for a moment. Yet, there's a tiny smile on his lips.

I glance back to Mike with a hint of worry. I just hope he won't do something reckless. He can get a bit hot headed once in a while after all, and Darius is still not as good with the sword and shield as the rest of those of us that use it.