Regressor of the Fallen Family (Novel) Chapter 55 - 56 - 57

Note: The Novel Will Be Corrected Until Chapter 105, After That Chapter It Will Be All MTL

C55 - 56 - 57

Chapter 55: Victor’s Pledge

“Pant, pant. I—I’m sorry!”

Victor’s breath was ragged, his words coming out in a hurried rush.

“No, it’s okay. Try it again.”

“Excuse me?”

“I said, try it again.”

“Yes, right away!”

Logan smiled faintly, picking up the sword rolling on the ground and handing it to him.

‘He certainly has an incredible talent.’

It wasn’t empty praise.

Only sixteen and merely a year of sword training.

Was he fully accustomed to the most basic swordsmanship of Grandia Kingdom, or did he naturally assume the basic stance even when swinging wildly?

Even when his slashes deviated from formality, his stride was steady, his eyes fixed on an imaginary target.

‘The basic swordsmanship has been perfectly ingrained.’

Moreover, the force he mustered when swinging aimlessly was much higher than when using formal techniques.

It meant that such a temperament suited Victor well.

The nature of a noble slayer may have changed, but his martial prowess remained fierce and aggressive.

‘I can even discern the nature of his swordsmanship.’

It suggested he himself was transforming just as much as Victor.

A slight smile of satisfaction trickled onto his face.

The only problem was…

“Haap!”

Swoosh. Slice.

Boom.

Harsh and violent swordplay can never be perfected through solo practice.

‘He’ll need an opponent now.’

Not an overwhelmingly powerful being like himself, but someone on his level.

That meant opponents just short of Force User level—A-grade mercenaries or elite soldiers—sparring as real combat was necessary.

“Is it feeling cramped?”

“…”

Victor, who swung his sword with all his might, silently nodded his head.

Ordinarily, he would’ve denied it and just continued to practice diligently.

‘It must be because he feels it too.’

The future Aura User.

His talent once again left Logan in awe.

And fortunately, the solution to Victor’s frustration was straightforward.

“Tomorrow, I plan to leave McLain Castle and train the soldiers in Teslon for the coming winter.”

“Excuse me?”

“Follow me. Make sure to tell your sister.”

But then…

“Can I not take Lia with me?”

This fool of a brother blurted out something absurd.

“Take a girl to a training ground swarming with men?”

“Is it impossible?”

“You think that’s really for her own good?”

“I want to go together!”

He really was a difficult one to comprehend.

Normally too mature, the moment his sister was involved, he turned into a child.

Wanting to bring his young sister to a place filled with men, especially testosterone-fueled teenagers.

‘What kind of trouble is he looking to start… Wait a moment?’

A thought suddenly flashed through Logan’s mind, and against his earlier judgment, he nodded.

“Alright. Let’s bring her.”

“Thank you so much!”

Watching Victor leap with joy, Logan swallowed a sigh inwardly.

‘Ah… this kid…’

While Victoria’s control over her brother was good, her attachment was far too intense.

‘At this rate, he might just keep putting his sister first, no matter what I ask of him.’

This seemed like an opportunity to address his excessive attachment.

If everything went as planned, it would certainly…

“But remember, if any problems arise, it’s all on your head. You asked for this.”

“Yes! I will take good care of it.”

“That’s not the point! Victoria has her own tasks to handle, so make sure to treat her work separately. If you’re useless without your sister, you’re of no use to me.”

“I apologize.”

While his responses were prompt, Victor’s eyes were flickering with unease.

“Victoria. Come here!”

Since his arrival, Victoria who had been anxiously watching from the side came running over.

“I apologize, it’s not my brother’s fault, whatever it is. Please forgive him just this once!”

As the small girl bowed repeatedly with pale cheeks, Logan felt a headache coming on.

“No need for that.”

Though offered goodwill, their instinctual apprehension was the same as siblings.

‘Maybe that’s why he insists on taking his sister with him…’

Logan let out a bitter laugh, hiding his hollow feelings.

Children who have endured hardships, having only each other to rely upon.

One could hope they had found some comfort in the past year, but it still seemed too much to ask.

“We’ll be heading to Teslon Castle for the winter. Your brother will be training with the soldiers, so accompany the maids responsible for food distribution. Understood?”

“Yes!”

Her response was notably better than her brother’s.

After Lia left to gather her belongings…

“Do you cherish your sister that much?”

Logan asked casually, driven by curiosity.

In his past life, he had lived in regret, constantly apologizing to his family for his faults.

He was continuously striving not to leave that regret behind.

But the way Victor cared for his sister seemed different.

“She’s my only family.”

Victor’s answer was straightforward, perhaps disappointing for the complexity Logan had imagined.

Was it simply the instinct from a blood relationship?

“Hmm. Is that all?”

Logan prodded, and Victor hesitated before replying again.

“…Because of me, our parents passed away.”

Logan was taken aback by the unexpected response.

“Because of me, Lia lost her parents. I must protect her, my only remaining family.”

Victor bit his lip and bowed his head.

Logan had no desire to see further; instead, he looked away into the distance, not wanting to witness the shaken expression.

I will do anything to atone for my sins.

To protect my family, my sister, I will wager everything I have.

No, I must.

Could anyone else understand that tangled mix of affection and regrets as well as Logan himself?

A question asked on a whim had revealed a bitter truth and renewed his resolve.

“Alright. Let’s be strong.”

‘Both of us.’

Logan tapped the shoulder of another version of his younger self and could only offer a comforting gesture.

* * *

With 50 soldiers and around 300 mercenaries escorting the 500 recruits—now trainees—they began their journey towards Teslon, slow but steady.

The tents and camping gear prepared by the mercenaries weren’t of the highest quality, but for those who had never camped before, it was all novel and exciting.

Logan personally served warm stew to the trainees, making eye contact with each one.

“I value ability regardless of status. Strive to be competent. If you prove your ability, I’ll ensure you’re knighted, no matter what your background or origins.”

Perhaps it was just a simple gesture or cheap food, but the naive recruits were easily moved by the slight show of kindness from their liege.

Despite the fact that most wouldn’t become knights, the word spreading of Victor being a former slave, less than a serf, spurred their motivation.

– Let’s become knights.

This resolve firmly embedded itself in the hearts of the trainees.

The ones from McLain’s struggling farmlands, smaller and poorer compared to others.

Those chosen as talented by Logan’s new standards had an even fiercer determination.

– Absolutely…

“Thank you.”

“We’ll do our best.”

Whispers of resolution, small fists tightly clutched.

Though even wooden bowls filled with stew seemed a burden to hold, their eyes were all equally fiery.

Many of those eyes were on Victor, a sight that pleased Logan.

This was one of the reasons he had insisted on bringing Victor.

‘Perhaps the odds are even higher than I thought.’

In the face of another looming crisis, Logan couldn’t help but smile as he felt the pillars supporting the future of his family strengthen.

* * *

In Teslon Castle, opinions about Logan were polarized.

Only half a year ago he was known as the butcher of the former lord and his child, massacring numerous conscripted peasants.

Yet, he was also celebrated for distributing food during the lean season and causing crops to grow in the wastelands—the owner of a miracle.

However, regardless of how people chose to accept him, their reactions were the same when they met Logan in person.

They kept their distance.

From the villages outside Teslon Castle to the interior parts twice the size of McLain.

No matter whom he met, all territory residents lowered their heads and skirted away at the sight of Logan and the fiery banner.

Inside such an atmosphere and before the gates of the inner castle, Becktor welcomed him with an attitude vastly different from what Logan remembered.

“You’ve had a long journey, Your Grace. Would you like to dine first or shall we report immediately?”

With a ninety-degree bow and those familiar slitted snake-like eyes darting around—as always—but there wasn’t even a hint of hostility.

“…Becktor. You’ve changed quite a bit.”

So it was no wonder Logan’s tone sounded incredulous.

“Hahaha. It’s natural for subordinates to serve their superiors, isn’t it?”

“And before?”

“I was but following my lady’s will. She owns my life.”

“Ho. Attempting to blame my mother, are you?”

“If you harbor resentment, take my head. I won’t complain.”

“Really? Truly?”

Logan, not one to pass up on the offer, drew his sword, and despite Becktor’s resolved voice, sweat streamed down his brow, hands trembling conspicuously.

But the usually cunning eyes were locked onto Logan, unflinching.

“If this would spare my lady any blemish, please forget our past because of me.”

Watching his reaction, Logan chuckled and sheathed his sword.

Even with lingering past animosity, Becktor’s loyalty to his stepmother was genuine.

“Just keep serving that faithfully.”

Instead of a slice, Logan patted his shoulder and moved on.

The middle-aged man almost staggered but brightened up immediately.

“Careful there. Anyone else might think I really hit you hard.”

“So-sorry. I was just too tense…”

“Tsk. If we eat with you like this, we might end up sick. Let’s start with the reports.”

“Understood.”

Fortunately, Becktor proved more capable than expected.

“The financial situation is…”

“The state of the residents is…”

“And the paperwork for recruiting soldiers is all set.”

With Becktor’s active cooperation, they quickly wrapped up the Teslon trainee selection the next day.

‘Sigh. Only about 250 here look like they have any talent. Well, we need the crossbow cavalry for now, and…’

The Empire had found a promising method for Force awakening, but the exact mechanics had not been understood perfectly.

Those seemingly lacking talent today might become Force Users tomorrow.

Logan comforted himself with that thought and selected another 500 trainees in Teslon.

* * *

1,000 trainees in total.

The barracks in Teslon fortuitously had enough space to accommodate nearly 1,500 men, including existing soldiers.

Face to face with communal living for the first time, the trainees’ unfamiliarity showed, along with their youth.

Among those gathered, some adjusted well…

“I’m Rom. Let’s do well together.”

“I’m Tess. Yes, let’s help each other.”

Others did not.

“Hey, what’s that? Aren’t you going to apologize?”

“You were the one blocking the way.”

“What did you say?!”

“Sto-stop it!”

Amidst the unfamiliar environment, the blood of the young wouldn’t allow them to settle easily.

“Quiet down, all of you!”

“If you don’t shut up and sleep, I’ll make you sleep!”

Despite the efforts of the senior soldiers and instructors, the trainee barracks remained lively with those unable to sleep.

The next day.

As early morning bugle calls sounded, trainees mustered on the parade ground, clumping together clumsily with half of them sporting bloodshot eyes.

Observing such a pitiful state, Head Instructor Kai didn’t even bother to correct the formation but announced the first training exercise right from the platform.

“Five laps around the inner wall. The last hundred finishers must run two extra laps.”

Taken aback by Kai’s abrupt order, the disjointed trainees were visibly shocked.

“Excuse me?”

“Run!”

“What is this sudden…”

“Run, let’s run!”

As one began to sprint amidst confusion, the rest reflexively followed.

Without considering that running five laps around the nearly 5km perimeter was near impossible for ordinary people, they blindly surged forward.

By the time they had finished one lap in over an hour, staggering began.

“Pant. Pant.”

“Hack. Hack.”

“Huff!”

Stumbling worsened, eyes glazed over, and some fell apart.

But among them, one stood out.

A boy with blue hair and distinct red and blue odd eyes ran at the front, showing no signs of fatigue.

“What’s up with that guy?”

“The, the slave…”

“Of the lord’s?”

As the distance grew, with others faltering, Victor’s performance ignited the trainees.

‘If that slave can do it…’

‘I can do it too!’

‘I won’t lose!’

Fire reignited in their eyes, and strength returned to their trembling legs.

Despite future repercussions from such overexertion, the trainees followed Victor as if enchanted.

‘The Victor Effect… just as Lord Logan said.’

Kai, running alongside to supervise, smiled at the sight.

Logan and Kai aimed not for physical toughness but perseverance, not giving up.

So the first exercise stopped at the fourth lap as soon as a hundred dropped out or gave up.

“Those who gave up or collapsed, get up and run two more laps. If you can’t, just go home. Got it!”

Newly inspired trainees grew pallid, others breathed sighs of relief.

“Huff, huff. I made it.”

“Don’t make me talk…”

“Cough. Huff. Whoa.”

“That monster.”

As the entire lot lay exhausted, only one…

------------------

Chapter 56

“Hey, hey you.”

“Hmm?”

*Choking sounds* “How dare you, a slave, act so impudently.”

“What?”

“No matter how much the young master favors you… *heavy breathing* A slave should know their place.”

The enormous man’s face looked like he would pass out from lack of breath as he started trouble with Victor.

With an incredulous look, Victor glanced back at the large man and then turned his head towards Kai.

As soon as Kai sighed and nodded,

*Pow!*

Victor’s fist buried itself into the man’s belly.

“…Ah, ugh…”

The large man doubled over, barely able to groan.

“Shut your foul mouth, you lump of flesh. Or next time, I’ll twist your waist backwards.”

A soft voice clearly echoed around. And as Victor turned to look around, the trainees hastily averted their eyes, causing Logan to let out a smirk. This brief incident confirmed something.

There was a second reason for bringing Victor…

‘This will be smooth sailing.’

Now that Logan had begun earnestly building up the family’s military might, Victor was the most reliable card to wield that power.

“Feast to your heart’s content. Just don’t let it interfere with the next training session.”

After the brutal training session, a feast of simple foods awaited them: bread and soup in abundance, though there were no fine gourmet dishes.

“Wow!”

“The best!”

“Look, there’s even meat in the soup!”

For the mostly pauper-born trainees, it was a feast like no other. They marveled even at the small bits of meat in the vast quantities of soup.

The trainees began to devour mounds of bread and soup piled on their wood utensils, the stress from the first training session melting away.

And then,

“Eat plenty.”

With a bow,

among the servants distributing the feast, was a small blue-haired girl who looked to be about ten years old. Her devastating cuteness captured the hearts of many.

“Is she an angel?”

“So cute!”

“Look at her eyes! They’re so pretty.”

Many trainees felt a warm breeze in their weary hearts, soothing themselves with the thought that they’d made the right choice becoming soldiers. Of course, the girl was older than ten, but her appearance was truly that of a young child, and the trainees found it endearing.

“I want to pinch those cheeks.”

“I want to kiss her.”

Some expressed excessive affection, but then, *Bang!*

“Turn your eyes away, before I gouge them out.”

With blue hair and heterochromatic eyes similar to the girl’s, a boy’s threatening voice deterred them from any further action. The training for the soldiers seemed to be progressing without a hitch.

* * *

Training continued, designed to test the recruits’ mettle and perseverance.

Enduring simply forming lines and columns for twelve long hours was torturous, yet it served as a test of extreme endurance, breaking down the soldiers.

However, most recruits came from families who struggled to survive, and for them, this place offered a warm bed and sufficient food, making it a place they could never give up easily. Thus, there were hardly any dropouts from training.

“Is it tough?”

“No, sir!”

“If it’s too hard, you can give up. Go home and rest.”

“No, sir!”

“I like your attitude. Now, two more laps!”

“…”

“Did I hear no reply?”

“Yes, sir!”

Even during grueling training, the eyes of the trainees gleamed fiercely.

Even the frail ones staggering on the verge of collapse gritted their teeth and completed the training.

“The basic physical fitness of the trainees seems to have been established.”

“Already?”

“They are well-fed and rested, and as you ordered, daily showers and hygiene management are in place. It’s only natural they progress swiftly with such luxurious training.”

Pleased with Kai’s report, Logan nodded.

“Any troublemakers?”

“They’re getting used to the training, so if there are any, they’ll stand out soon.”

“Right. At this stage, it’d be nice if one stood out.”

“You mean as an example?”

“Yes. It’ll make things easier going forward.”

“It would.”

The two shared a smile, having devised the grueling training. Indeed, there were troublesome elements among the trainees, but not quite as they’d expected.

* * *

The expression “lacking common sense” describes someone who lacks the basic decency expected of any person. Although it’s not common to find someone truly devoid of such basic concepts, there are a few whose behavior qualifies them as lacking all common sense. Most people would refer to these types as mad, evil, perverse, or trash.

Cowell, who came from a village near the southern mountains close to Maclaine Castle, was such an individual. His main problem was his perversion—he was sexually attracted to young girls. His decision to join the cadets was to avoid being driven out of his village for his deviant behavior.

To Cowell, even young Victoria, who appeared to be no more than ten, was just “a girl.”

Moreover, here, there was no father to discipline him, no village elders to admonish him.

“She’s just a kid, right?”

“She’s a ‘girl’.”

“Mad! You know she’s that monster’s sister, right?”

“If it goes well, it’s good for both of us. And what can that scrawny little monster do to me? Can’t you see my size?”

“You’ve really lost your mind…”

Laughing off his friend’s comment, Cowell proceeded to carry out an action he’d been considering for weeks.

“Who’s there?”

“How about you come over there with me for some fun?”

As the burly man blocked the way and uttered something strange, Victoria instinctively recoiled.

But then she remembered that showing fear only encouraged such men, and she tried to appear bold.

“What? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“It’s nothing much. Just that we could be friends who take care of each other.”

“I don’t need that. My brother takes good care of me already.”

“Aah, Victor? I know him. But what’s wrong with one more brother?”

“I don’t like it. I only need my one brother! Now, please step aside!”

Despite her fear, there was no hesitation in her clear voice.

That resolute attitude is mistaken by the pervert, as her zeal for a pure heart, ignites a flame within him.

“What did you say…”

“Please let me pass, mister!”

Victoria’s loud plea snaps the remnants of Cowell’s restraint.

“Mister?! Is that what you call me!”

*Slap!*

“Ah!”

“Oh, whoops. Sorry about that. That’s because you didn’t listen to your big brother.”

Cowell smacked the child’s cheek and rambled as though it was a genuine accident. But, to Victoria, who was now terrified of him, he was nothing but fear incarnate.

“I don’t want this!”

Frightened, Victoria retreated while crouching.

In this state, many would feel compassion and pity, but Cowell—devoid of the rationale—was merely excited by her reaction.

“Yeah, that’s right. Keep still. Just like that…”

At that moment, there was the sound of ripping fabric.

The pervert Cowell, eyes ablaze with twisted desire, shimmered with an even more dangerous aura.

“You son of a bitch!”

SMACK!

“Ugh!”

A forceful shout followed by a sharp impact thrust Cowell’s massive body across the air. He crashed to the ground, and before he could recover, a merciless beating continued.

“Die! You filth!”

SMACK! *Crack!* *Snap!*

“How dare you! How dare you!”

Amidst the blood and foam, Cowell, now a pitiful, pleading mess, could do nothing to quell Victor’s raging fury.

“Go to hell!”

By the time Victor’s thoughts cooled, Cowell’s body was too mutilated to resemble anything human.

* * *

“What?!”

Upon hearing the news of Victor’s actions, Logan was noticeably shocked.

Had the aristocratic slaughterer’s true nature burst forth?

But understanding the reason clarified his perspective.

“Is Victoria okay? Not hurt?”

“Yes. She’s a bit shocked, but her health is fine.”

“And Victor?”

“We’ve locked him up for now…”

“Annoying… That wasn’t the trouble I wanted.”

At Logan’s words, Vector could only offer a strained smile.

“Cowell’s crime is clear, but Victor effectively killed him. Moreover, given their current statuses—Cowell as a civilian, Victor as a slave—it complicates things. Customarily…”

“No, that won’t be an issue.”

“Yes?”

“Well. Everything seems to have worked out for the best after all. Let’s go see him.”

Logan strode off with a smile, Vector trailing behind him with a puzzled look.

* * *

In the deepest part of Teslon Castle’s dungeon, reserved for the worst criminals shackled with chains, there sat Victor.

*Screech*

As the door opened, Victor peered through the dim torchlight in the direction of the noise and saw Logan approaching.

His fiery gaze dimmed as Logan drew near, and finally settled to the floor as he stood before him.

“…I apologize, Lord Logan.”

“Do you regret it?”

“Never! I do not regret it at all.”

“Then why apologize?”

Victor hesitated briefly before replying,

“I killed your soldier without permission. I apologize for that action.”

“Is that so? Hm, that’s not entirely incorrect. But in my view, you should be regretting something else.”

“I definitely do not regret it! That scum was going to…”

“Bring your sister here.”

“Excuse me?”

“Don’t you see? Your stubbornness nearly ruined your sister.”

“…”

“You can’t just keep her close and protect her. That’s the lowest form of care.”

“But if I had always been by Victoria’s side, she never would have had to face that bastard!”

“Are you planning to spend every hour of every day with Victoria? Even when training? Even in war?”

“That’s… not possible…”

“Unexpected dangers can arise anywhere. Ah, a place teeming with testosterone, sharp weapons, and young men may have been somewhat predictable.”

“…”

“Rather than bringing her into potential danger and struggling to protect her, it would have been safer not to bring her at all. The reason I allowed you to bring Victoria was for you to realize this.”

Logan felt a twinge of guilt, having not anticipated such an extreme situation, but Victor needed change.

“Do you understand?”

After a moment of silence, Victor grudgingly nodded.

‘For now, this will do.’

Knowing that this incident will slightly ease his overprotectiveness, Logan nodded back with a smile.

“Good. Come with me.”

“Lord Logan!”

Ignoring Vector’s alarmed cry, Logan unlocked Victor’s chains with a key.

*Click*

With the chains removed, Logan pulled Victor to his feet.

“It’s true you’ve committed a crime by killing a man, but today you did well.”

“Really?”

“Just make sure to get my permission next time. I don’t want my future knight caught over something so trivial as a disgraceful pervert.”

“Yes! I’ll bear it in mind!”

Victor’s face brightened once more, but beside them, Vector had to interject in disbelief.

“Lord Logan. You’ve said that our ruler must set an example.”

“That’s right.”

“And wasn’t that just days ago?”

“Yes, did I say something contradictory?”

“A slave has killed a civilian. If we just dismiss this…”

“Victor is my property, right? If I use my property to kill a criminal, what happens then?”

“That would be… Oh, I see.”

Vector finally understood and nodded.

Victor, too, looked back at Logan with a new perspective.

“Yes. According to me, Victor killed him. Hang his head outside the castle gates with a statement of his crimes, and especially, warn the soldiers.”

“Understood.”

Logan slowly exited the dungeon, followed by Vector and Victor. In the back, Victor looked at Logan’s back with a complex gaze.

* * *

Cowell’s sudden death shook the soldiers, but the effects quickly dissipated when word spread that “heaven’s angel” had been Cowell’s target and that he had died for it.

“The bastard deserved it for even thinking of touching our angel!”

“He got what was coming to him! If he weren’t dead, I’d have killed him!”

“You?”

“What? You think you could have done it?”

“No, we would’ve!”

As the stress affected Victoria, causing her to avoid others, the anger at Cowell only intensified with each passing day.

“Ria, are you okay? Can your brother come in?”

– …Sorry.

‘Dammit!’

Victor cursed inside as his sister’s weak voice conveyed her refusal even to meet with him.

‘Let off that scumbag too easily.’

Thud!

“Ah, Ria. Sorry. Brother didn’t mean to hit the wall.”

– …

Apologizing to a wall for an unintended punch, Victor couldn’t fathom how things had come to this.

--------------------

Chapter 57: Two Years Later

“Is it already the New Year….”

“Time flies, Lord Logan. It’s already been two years since we first met.”

“Yeah, it’s already been that long.”

As winter reached its peak, a new year began.

The distribution of food rations was still ongoing.

It was said that the citizens of the territory, who now had more leisure than in the past, were even holding New Year’s celebrations.

However, outside of Teslon Castle, regardless of such festive moods, soldiers were still sweating through their training.

“One!”

“Ha!”

“Two!”

“Ha!”

Despite the biting winter winds, soldiers clad in iron armor continued to swing their swords, drenched in sweat following the intense swordsmanship training that proceeded their 10 km run.

“No more dropouts. As you mentioned, only those with the requisite physical strength and perseverance remain.”

“It appears so.”

After ninety days of training.

Starting personnel: 1,000.

Dropouts: 12.

Deceased: 1.

Those who passed basic training: 987.

Regular soldiers: 502.

Excluding regular soldiers, with knights and other forces including a mercenary troop, the number totaled about 1,300—more than Logan initially planned.

He couldn’t help but be satisfied with these results.

“Basic training seems nearly complete. The production of the crossbows you mentioned has also progressed considerably. Not enough to equip all soldiers yet, but we have 400 new ones.”

“Good. Hamar has worked hard.”

Logan couldn’t help but chuckle when he thought of Hamar tirelessly producing crossbows and directing village construction immediately upon returning from leave.

Every time they met, she seemed to curse him with her glare, but at least until a civil war broke out this winter, the plan was to keep things tight.

Thanks to her, the foundational military power he had planned was nearly in place.

Then.

“Now, it seems we can undergo a real battle.”

“…A real battle?”

“You’ll find out. Look forward to it.”

Kai’s face was expressionless, wrapped in a sense of unease, but Logan simply smiled faintly.

* * *

“You want to clear the Monster Forest for timber supplies for the town… Is this also your idea?”

“The Monster Wave is bound to occur sooner or later anyway. Since we don’t know when the monsters will come rushing out, let’s take this opportunity to clear the forest.”

“Do you think the Monster Forest, left untouched by our House’s ancestors for hundreds of years, will be easily logged?”

“Yes. Now that we have sufficient forces. Of course, that includes when the knights have been mobilized.”

Logan had faith in the repeating crossbows that had already been tested several times against the monsters of the southern forest.

The subjugation of the Monster Forest was feasible because he had confidence that even dozens of the lowest-tier monsters could be handled in an instant.

And Padric agreed.

“Hmm. A forest at the base of the mountain range should be easy. The knights need real battle training too.”

“Oh? Then, the inheritance of the Ironblooded Sword…”

“The basics have been mastered by all. But practice leads to proficiency.”

“I agree. Only real combat can enhance skills.”

At the moment the most powerful father-son duo in the domain joined hands in satisfaction, the grueling fate of the MacLaine troops had been scheduled without their knowledge.

* * *

“Is everyone ready?!”

“Yes!”

Faces drained as if they weren’t even Force users.

Yet unnaturally, they responded robustly with bright smiles.

‘The real fight is more comforting.’

The knights were reduced to half their previous selves due to the extreme swordsmanship training disguised as drills in recent months.

At that moment, all of them shared a single resolve.

But.

“However many low-tier monsters the Monster Forest holds, a scratch earns you three days of personal sparring with me. Understood!”

Padric’s roar momentarily silenced the rowdy knights.

“What?”

“Some ridiculous…”

“This is insane…”

Soft curses began to spill from the mouths of a few heads bowed low.

But when these curses burst out from various places at once, the atmosphere of the training ground instantly became like a bustling market, and with Padric’s grimace, silence returned.

“Oh? You don’t have the confidence to face mere low-tier monsters without injury? Is that all the MacLaine knights amount to?”

Fortunately, no foolish knights took the bait.

It wasn’t the level of monsters that was the issue.

An unprecedented large-scale subjugation mission was underway, and being told not to even get scraped by a twig—it was like being told to walk on eggshells rather than charging valorously.

But their lunatic lord added yet another ridiculous requirement.

“Line up in rows and cut down the trees with a formation call. And in between, deal with any monsters that pop out. Utilize the Ironblooded Sword to the maximum, and never retreat. Hold your ground!”

“Huh…”

“They really want to kill us…”

“What if the monsters escape?”

Low-tier monsters had strong instincts for battle, unlike humans. If not faced with an overwhelming force, they’d never charge at knights. And if too many monsters attacked at once, there would inevitably be some that escape.

Chasing them would negate the purpose of maintaining the formation.

It was a relevant question considering the overall situation, but the answer was simple.

“Leave them be.”

“Excuse me?”

“Trained soldiers will be arranged behind us. We need to test their training results, too.”

So, in essence, the knights’ mission was practically that of lumberjacks.

The knights’ pride was subtly wounded, yet they presented no argument.

Over two months of training, they experienced first-hand the extremity of their lord-turned-superior knight’s stubbornness.

The knights suppressed their past squabbles and united firmly to withstand the madness of their lord.

Any opposition now would only lead to nightmares of one-on-one combat training with their lord.

“Now, everyone, take your positions! I’ll have your back!”

To the knights, it seemed their lord meant he’d knock them senseless if they didn’t perform.

The visors of their helmets could barely conceal the ferocity in their eyes.

* * *

“The monsters will flee towards the backs of the knights. Don’t let a single one escape.”

“Yes!”

“First wave, crossbows. Those that approach too closely will be confronted by the standby troops. Understand?”

“Yes! Understood!”

Tension was evident on the soldiers’ faces.

It was more than just the anxiety of facing a first real battle after training.

Prior to the training, Logan had declared that those who showed talent in this real battle would be selected as knight trainees.

The soldiers’ eyes blazed with eagerness. Logan, however, remained calm as he observed them.

‘As I suspected… the feeling I had during training wasn’t a mistake. This test might be pointless…’

Among those he kept an eye on, he noticed a few had made progress.

While observing the soldiers’ training, Logan discovered something peculiar.

A faint change emanated from a minor group of soldiers, including Victor.

In contrast with others, they seemed to accumulate Force in slight increments.

It was a trifling capability, barely calling it Force, merely a fragment or scent, but it was a distinctive feeling.

Many of them had been selected for their senses, some were from existing soldiers, and a few, though a minority, had only been picked for their physical prowess.

It was an unfamiliar experience for Logan.

Possibly due to the incremental strength of his Force core and the amplification of his senses to match, this was a subtle yet significant discovery.

‘It seems possible to select those with a high likelihood of becoming Force users without such tests.’

Focusing further on this difference brought Logan to that notion.

As his senses continued to grow and he observed these soldiers’ achievements to find a common factor and create a pattern, perhaps…

Maybe he could even clarify the ‘talent in the Force’ that even the future Empire had failed to precisely identify.

If he managed to unveil something not discerned by any form of magic, it would truly be an event that could alter history.

‘So it’s necessary to confirm that my feeling wasn’t an illusion.’

This Monster Forest expedition was not only a real battle training but also an information-gathering mission related to it.

Without exception, those who failed to demonstrate skill in battle were of no use.

With that thought, Logan had already picked out notable soldiers and had them wield swords instead of crossbows to observe their close combat performance.

‘In that sense, maybe it’s actually good that only about 400 crossbows have been supplied.’

With 150 soldiers in mind, along with another 150 who excelled in martial training.

Logan expected the distinction they would show now to provide information to prepare for the future.

As Logan brightened his eyes examining each of them,

“Begin!”

“Ha!”

At the edge of the forest, knights arranged in lines simultaneously belted out a cry.

Crack, splinter.

A sound of something being torn apart followed, and exactly 73 trees began to sway in unison.

Bam!

While there were small variations depending on the knights’ skill, southern mountain ironwood trees—guaranteed by Hamar for construction, untouched by human hands, each as thick as a man’s torso—fell.

Such a task would have definitely been impossible for the MacLaine knights of the past.

“Wow!”

“I can’t believe it works…”

Amidst the astonishment of the watching soldiers, the knights themselves erupted into cheers.

Having been relentlessly drilled for two months, they freshly realized the power of the Ironblooded Sword, the intermediate-level sword technique focused on forceful strikes.

And as they heard the knights’ cheers, Padric joined in with a small smile and immediately shouted.

“Move right! Redeploy in horizontal formation!”

South of MacLaine Castle, half a day’s distance.

A forest possibly a kilometer long started to get trimmed from the edge.

Rumble.

They had been working for over three hours.

As the booming sound of falling trees became familiar and the soldiers began to yawn one by one.

Nine golems of about 2 meters in height, and one even larger at over 3 meters, were busily moving the felled trees.

Unlike people, the golems were neither intimidated by the loud cries from the animals and monsters within the forest nor slowed down by fear – their unwieldy movements bore immense strength as they effortlessly transported the trees to the rear.

As Logan was giving a thumbs up to Clayton and his disciples,

Shriek!

An unpleasant raspy breath followed, and then small humanoid monsters with black horns, only about half the size of an average person, poured out of the forest.

“Goblins!”

With the knights’ shout, the boring ambiance instantly shifted.

Low-tier monsters living collectively in the forest.

Small but quick, and efficient with small weaponry like daggers and poison darts.

But…

“Of all things, the first to come out is…”

Slash!

“Goblins!”

Scrape.

“So boring!”

Slice.

“Squeak!”

The first wave of goblins that rushed out were swiftly dealt with by the knights at the forefront.

“Kiek!”

However, with the cries from deeper within the forest came more goblins not confronting the knights directly, but scattering left and right.

“Formation! Crossbows!”

“Ha!”

“Sweep away the escaping ones! Open wing formation to the left and right!”

Currently, the goblins scattered from places crowded with people, but if left alone, they’d regroup. And a horde of goblins without a home could deal fatal damage to commoners.

Luckily, having anticipated this, the soldiers reacted quickly.

Ratatatat.

Broken into 100 squads of 12, the soldiers spread to the sides and pursued the goblins.

And then,

“Fire!”

Following the squad leaders’ orders, the firing commenced.

Ratatat.

The bolts fired from the crossbows rained down like streaks of light.

Lacking speed to outpace horses or leather tough enough to withstand arrows, these feeble low-tier monsters began to be slaughtered without resistance.

In their midst, one particularly large, red-skinned goblin fell under concentrated fire from the soldiers.

“We got the Hobgoblin! Leave the escaping monsters! Back to base!”

Without their Hobgoblin leader, the goblins couldn’t form a group.

Knowing this, the soldiers, following their training, returned to their original formations, leaving the scattering goblins behind.

“Ha ha ha! See that?”

“I killed two!”

“I got three!”

“This is nothing! I can’t believe I was scared of these things.”

Soldiers exchanged their experiences with flushed faces, comparing their battle exploits.

Most were new recruits on their first engagement.

The appearance of the goblins provided a welcome kick of energy to soldiers bored of repeated drills.

But that was a fleeting moment.

“Kyao!”

An eerily different wail echoed, turning their faces to stone.

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