Hey, welcome to the forum. You don’t have to level as the final build works which requires certain items to work. There are multiple alternatives how you level with warlord so there is no right path here. Check these;
If nothing feels right, you go standart pyhsical shield & blade build; first pick Oathkeeper skills likes RF and shield WPS then go for soldier side for support skills, it should work for every situtation. I definitely do not recomment S&B Blade Arc leveling, if you insist on BA then go for 2H until you get the full gear.