The Conquerors Path Chapter 1004 - 1002— Lets Make Something Worth It.

A couple of the participants moved ahead on impulse, pulled by the blank sheet.

'Fine,' I remarked, continuing from the momentum building in the space. 'Let's establish structure. We'll outline the basics we understand — the essential needs for an operational group inside the war council system, and expand onward. I refuse to craft something isolated only to discover midway that we're duplicating an existing superior model.'

'Wise approach,' Carven noted, giving a slight nod. 'The core operational standards are thoroughly recorded. Each group under the war council must uphold at least three distinct membership levels, a designated command chain with at least two specified roles below the group leader, and a documented procedure for adding newcomers submitted to the council's oversight within sixty days of initial active enlistment.'

'Submitted in what way?' the lady next to him inquired. Her speech was sharp and exact — I'd noted her as Seris from the dossier, an ex-administrator from a mid-level group with twelve years immersed in the field.

'Routine paperwork set,' Carven answered. 'Level labels, role names, admission standards, and a short mission outline that captures the group's goals and guiding principles. They won't examine it deeply yet. It's largely procedural rather than a deep review.'

'So the mission outline holds greater weight inside than outside,' I observed.

'At present,' Seris affirmed.

Colis had remained silent after his prior input.

'Three levels,' Brek declared, grabbing a pen and sketching a basic vertical outline on the empty board. Three stacked lines. Simple. 'Bare minimum. We could go beyond, but first, should we?'

'Groups that surpass three levels usually do so for one of two causes,' a softer-spoken fellow midway along the table suggested — Daven, matching my recollection from the summary.

'Either real complexity in operations demanding more layers, or rank padding — assigning titles to satisfy folks instead of fulfilling true purposes.'

'And that second type,' Seris stated bluntly, 'leads to twelve levels where three to nine hold no value and all recognize it, yet removing them risks upsetting half the group.'

Some regretful murmurs circulated the table.

'Begin with three levels,' I decided. 'Straightforward, effective, without bloat. We'll assign real significance to each — entry rules, benefits unlocked, and duties involved. Beyond mere labels.'

'Next, determine tier progression,' Brek mentioned, pointing at the board. 'Based on achievement, duration, or mixed.'

'No duration-based,' I responded without pause.

'Concur,' Daven supported.

'Many groups I've been part of adopted a blend,' Carven proposed. 'Basic time limits paired with achievement metrics. The point is, even the gifted can't skip building basics.'

'That makes sense in an academy,' I countered. 'But in a group, a set time barrier for promotion ignoring results signals to your top talents that their growth speed is capped by dates, not deeds. Thus, your best leave first if elsewhere offers quicker paths.'

The point hit home distinctly.

'Achievement-based, then,' Brek concluded, jotting the detail near the level sketch.

'With clear standards, not personal judgments,' Seris inserted. 'Vague promotion methods breed entrenched bias.'

'Yes, both,' I consented. 'Achievement with precise measures, no vagueness on qualifications.'

The board gradually gained content, in pieces and annotations.

'Now, leadership roles,' Seris pressed on.

'Two at least, per rules. Better to identify key operational zones needing dedicated heads before naming them.'

'Operations and enlistment, bare minimum,' Carven stated. 'These domains will face the quickest actions and disorders in a group this scale without assigned overseers.'

'Resource handling,' the dwarven lady contributed.

'Liaison and intel,' Daven supplemented.

'That makes four zones,' I summarized, eyeing the group. Two roles mandated, four areas requiring attention. So, we merge some under combined duties or establish four distinct roles with sharp boundaries.'

'Combined duties hold until growth strains them,' Brek warned. 'Once beyond a size limit, dual-role holders will favor one instinctively, often their strength.'

'Four it is,' I settled. 'Outline the four sharply, and future growth fits without total overhaul.'

The session flowed smoothly. Productively, in unity. I offered input carefully — firm on my views, receptive to collective ideas. Balance was key. Push too strong, and ideas halt, turning to mere agreement. Ease too much, and direction wanders.

Colis altered the atmosphere.

'The admission procedure,' he uttered.

'Go on,' I encouraged.

He spread his hands, placing one firmly on the surface.

'You mentioned earlier seeking strong, unaligned Imperials. Those rejecting all current group invitations and staying solo. You suggested a unique method to attract them.'

'Correct.'

'I trust you possess connections and insights making that feasible beyond appearances,' he went on, his voice free of any antagonism.

'Yet a group founded on elite independents as core faces a foundational issue unrelated to strength.'

I stayed silent. Allowed completion.

'These mighty, unaligned Imperials shun groups exactly to avoid oversight, guidance, or confinement in limiting systems. Recruit them initially and shape around their whims, and the system warps to fit them over its own sense. Later, adding regular folks to base levels meets not a solid group — but elite loners uninterested in guiding, commanding, or aiding those below.'

Silence gripped the room.

I pondered it truly. Solutions existed for me, but wisdom lay in listening to these seasoned survivors. I knew enough to hold back.

'You're correct,' I acknowledged.

Colis showed no triumph. Just a single nod.

'Admission must serve average recruits foremost,' I proceeded, voicing thoughts, adjusting order live. 'The base level requires sufficient numbers — a true community — so when elites join, they step into authenticity. Not atop a hollow shell feigning substance.'

'And retention rises,' Seris noted, tracking the reasoning swiftly, 'if they join an active entity. Solo Imperials flee stagnant setups. They crave motion in what they commit to.'

'Thus, initial efforts focus on the base,' Carven reasoned deliberately, piecing it together verbally. 'Even if those starters seem ordinary in records.'

'Ordinary in records,' I repeated, 'yet the shapers of this group's ethos. Elites arrive afterward, into a developed ethos, beyond a mere list.'

Brek swiftly updated the board.

Colis reclined once more, beginning to resemble a relentless machine in my eyes.

The following hour mostly went to completing details. The three levels formed with real titles and standards per each. Base level — starter access, broad admission, set duty outlines. Inner level — achievement rise, resource entry, minor directive roles in domains. Leadership level — four slots, precisely split, without authority bleed.

When Brek placed her pen and rotated the filled board central, it appeared substantial.

'That's a framework,' Daven commented.

'Frameworks begin the build,' I responded.

Brek eyed the board briefly, then me. 'Strong foundation. Stronger than expected, considering the blank start an hour back.'

'It's progressing nicely, all smooth.'

My thoughts reflected, owing to Ralph's efforts, this assembly holds top talent, the elite, and their guidance lets me forge something solid, an infiltrating force in foe lines, valuable when the moment calls, shining brightest then.