Chapter 174
Chapter 174
The recruitment of female soldiers in MacLaine Territory continued for a full three weeks.
But at some point, the number of applicants stopped increasing, which began to sow unease among those who had already enlisted.
The recruits, each with their own reasons for joining, huddled together in small groups, buzzing with chatter about the situation.
"They feed us well... Surely they're not just going to shut this down, right?"
When Cassandra voiced her concerns with a worried expression, the others shot her dirty looks as if to say, Don't jinx it.
But no one dared to confront her directly.
Over the three weeks of barracks life, most of the recruits had learned that despite her delicate appearance, Cassandra possessed monstrous strength.
None of them wanted to provoke someone who could effortlessly lift a boulder half her size.
The only exception was a round-faced girl with adorable features who clung to Cassandra's side, stomping her feet in protest.
"Sis, you can't say things like that! What if it really happens? I already took an advance on my monthly pay!"
"Ah, Evelyn. Sorry. I'm just nervous..."
"Anyway, even if they tell me to leave, I won't! I'll endure no matter what. The food's good and— Ow! Stop pinching my cheeks! I'm not a kid!"
Cassandra couldn't help but smile at Evelyn's pouty expression as she crossed her arms.
The girl reminded her of her little sister back home, making the waiting period feel less tedious.
"...Right. Well, he is a noble. He'll keep his word. They say he's quite famous."
She tried to reassure herself, but the unease lingered—until a commanding voice cut through the murmurs.
"All recruits, assemble at the training grounds! Knight Eileen Floyd has arrived."
"Nice to meet you all. I am Eileen Floyd, your commanding officer and head instructor from this day forward."
The moment she finished speaking, murmurs erupted among the recruits.
"No way! A knight that pretty?"
"Is this for real?"
"That's insane!"
While the general recruits whispered among themselves, Cassandra felt a shiver run down her spine as she stared at the petite, beautiful woman standing before them.
The sensation was more intense than encountering a starving bear prowling the mountains.
No doubt. She's the real deal.
Even the knight who had visited her village years ago hadn't exuded this kind of pressure.
As she tensed up, Eileen continued.
"I assume most of you don't know much about me beyond vague rumors. That might make you uneasy. So, I'll show you firsthand."
Whoosh.
Blue flames erupted from the extraordinary sword Eileen drew—Forcefire.
A technique where overflowing Force manifests visibly, beyond mere weapon enhancement.
Though inefficient for actual combat, it was perfect for demonstrating one's prowess.
Only high-ranking knights could perform it, but no one present would know that.
All they saw was—
"Whoa...!"
Cassandra gasped involuntarily.
"I trust your doubts have vanished now. In case you still don't understand—"
Crack.
CRACK!
The stone podium split cleanly in half under a single slash.
"WHOA—!"
"Believe what you've seen with your own eyes. The woman standing before you is the one who will make you strong."
The recruits' eyes gleamed in unison at the knight's confident declaration.
Looks like it worked.
Eileen rubbed her hands behind her back, a proud smile forming.
The sword strike had strained her body—she wasn't fully accustomed to her new level yet—but seeing the recruits' transformed expressions confirmed her plan had succeeded.
Off to a good start.
What had begun as a suggestion had become her mission, and she now understood its significance: to create a new wave of change in this land.
The weight of that responsibility had shifted her perspective.
And in that moment, she had broken through years—perhaps decades—of stagnation, ascending to a higher realm.
Other knights who had plateaued for years might've coughed blood in envy, but Eileen accepted it as a form of revelation.
I can do this.
Which was why she needed to instill unwavering confidence in these recruits.
"You will become the pride of our territory. A secret weapon unlike any other. You'll receive ample support, and we will exceed expectations. Any doubts?"
"None!"
"N-none, ma'am!"
"Good. Then we begin training immediately. Instructors, step forward!"
"Forward!"
"Move!"
The abrupt shift in tone was followed by sharp commands, and the instructors below the podium broke into a run.
"W-what? Already?"
Some recruits hesitated, but—
"Follow them!"
Led by Cassandra, who immediately sprinted after the instructors, the recruits fell into formation—a messy, uncoordinated mass.
This was the humble beginning of what would one day become the renowned MacLaine Female Knights.
"Huff... huff..."
Keeping pace with the instructors wasn't particularly strenuous for Cassandra.
Strength and stamina were her forte.
So even as she ran, her mind wandered elsewhere.
If I'd been born a noble, if I'd trained properly in swordsmanship... Could I have been like her?
She envied the knight who had already achieved the ideal she'd dreamed of at a similar age.
And she wanted to become that herself.
I can do it too!
Wasn't that why she was here?
The knight's display had given her conviction.
She might've started late, but she was on the right path.
If she could overpower every man in her village, her talent couldn't be lacking.
If I work hard, I'll make it.
Lost in her thoughts, she kept running—until a voice startled her.
"Have you trained separately before?"
"Gah?!"
"Ah, sorry for surprising you. Breathe steadily—slow, slow. Yes. That's it."
Huff. Huff.
Cassandra turned wide-eyed toward the knight who had suddenly appeared beside her.
"T-trained?"
"Yes. Your physique and muscle tone suggest disciplined training. You have talent."
"N-no, I just... farmed... huff... all my life..."
Cassandra's face flushed.
The knight's words carried sincerity.
Her 180cm height, broad shoulders, and densely packed muscles had always been the butt of jokes—but...
"D-do I... huff... really have talent?"
"Absolutely. A body like this without formal training? Overflowing potential. I'll be expecting great things. Your name?"
"C-Cassandra. Huff."
"Good, Cassandra. Soon, our territory will have one more female knight. Work hard."
"Y-yes, ma'am!"
Cassandra shouted louder than intended, her breath quickening again.
The knight gave her a pat on the shoulder before darting off to another recruit.
Her ability to hold a lengthy conversation mid-sprint—while wearing heavy armor—without losing breath was proof of a high-ranking knight's stamina.
Watching her, Cassandra's eyes shone brighter than before.
I'll definitely become like that.
While Cassandra kept pace at the front, others struggled not to fall behind at the rear.
Among them was Evelyn, forcing her trembling legs to move as she gasped for air.
She'd hit her limit less than 30 minutes in, yet she refused to stop.
I can't... collapse.
At least here, she'd eaten three full meals a day for weeks.
Her body would endure.
It had to.
If she dropped out now, she might have to return the advance on her pay.
She couldn't let that happen.
I'm... my family's only hope.
Evelyn didn't aspire to be a soldier or knight.
This was simply her last chance to feed herself and her remaining family.
Which was why—
I can't fall!
She'd never run this long in her life.
She'd never considered herself athletic.
So she had to learn.
Evelyn adjusted her posture bit by bit, watching the instructors and frontrunners.
Still, her limits loomed constantly—until suddenly, running became easier.
Her breathing smoothed, and strength returned to her limbs like a lie.
See? I can do it. Hehe.
Just as she cheered inwardly—
"Oh no, already?! Focus on your breathing—long inhales, slow exhales! Move your limbs rhythmically!"
Huh?!
The pretty knight!
Evelyn turned to see Eileen beside her.
"Don't look at me—focus on breathing! Overhigh at this stage? Move steadily! Don't tense up! Listen if you want to keep training!"
Evelyn didn't understand the terms but obeyed instinctively.
Long breaths, rhythmic movements.
As she matched the formation's pace—
"We'll focus on stamina training for a while. This might happen repeatedly, so remember what I said. That's how you'll finish without aftereffects."
She couldn't voice her thanks—her breath was still ragged.
But she burned the knight's retreating back into her memory.
Someone who cares even for stragglers. Someone who believes in me. I can't betray that trust.
The thought gave her strength.
Faith for faith.
Repeating the sole creed of her sixteen years, Evelyn pushed her limbs harder.
And she struggled to focus on her breathing as the knight had taught.
-Sigh. She's so earnest... How can I...
-Don't just trust those who feed you. Trust those who believe in you. If you uphold that trust, others will care for you more. Understood?
I'm keeping my promise, Father.
When I get next month's pay, I'll buy good medicine for you.
Shaking off the gloom, Evelyn smiled again—as she always did.
It felt like she'd gained a little more strength.
"Master Clayton has informed us that twelve new disciples have been recruited for the Magic Tower."
"Only twelve out of that crowd? Is there an issue with the talent-detection magic circle? After all that investment..."
Logan frowned, recalling the Magic Tower swarming with far more applicants than during the administrator recruitment.
Dwain shook his head.
"It just shows how rare magical talent is. Master Clayton also values character, so he's filtering out some of the qualified candidates."
"Hmm. Fair enough. But they're still accepting more?"
"Yes, they are."
"Good. The numbers are disappointing for now, but that's not my concern. Any other reports?"
The subtle hope in Logan's voice wasn't lost on Dwain.
"Huh? Ah, you mean that experiment? No updates on that front."
"Hmm... I should visit in person. Speaking of, how's the merchant guild preparation going?"
"It's proceeding as instructed, but... Are you truly planning to establish a guild?"
Dwain still looked uneasy despite Logan's firm response.
"I admit Philip is clever, but handling capital of this scale..."
"I've prepared contingencies, so don't worry too much."
"Contingencies?"
"They exist."
Logan smirked mysteriously at Dwain's puzzled look but offered no further explanation.
Then—
"Logan, something just occurred to me..."
The door swung open without a knock, revealing Patrick.
"Father?"
"Lord MacLaine? What brings you here?"
"Is there an issue with knight training?"
"No, no. They're managing fine on their own. But a more pressing matter came to mind."
"...A more pressing matter?"
Something more important than knight training to Patrick MacLaine?
Logan and Dwain stiffened instantly—until Patrick chuckled at Dwain's exaggeratedly slow retreat.
"Dwain, would you mind stepping out? Father-son talk."
"Huh? Ah, of course, my lord. Young Master, I'll take my leave—"
"Go ahead. Father, what's this about?"
"Well, you see..."
Just as Patrick began, the door burst open again—this time revealing a bright-faced Eileen.
"Ah! Young Master Logan!"
She blinked at Patrick.
"Oh. Father MacLaine is here too."
The term "Father" made Patrick's smile widen briefly.
"I came to report on training progress. Should I wait outside?"
"No, no. Come in. This concerns both of you."
Both?
Logan and Eileen exchanged puzzled glances, but Patrick gestured for them to proceed.
"Ah, but my report is just routine..."
"Go ahead, Eileen. You mentioned training?"
"No issues to report. Quite the opposite—they're overflowing with talent or determination. Some lack stamina, but none are giving up. In a few months, we can wrap up endurance training and start proper combat drills."
"...That's excellent news."
"Of course!"
Eileen's enthusiasm drew a smile from Logan.
To break through in such a short time...
He'd worried the project might start weakly, but seeing her passion eased his concerns.
"They'll become a formidable asset to the family."
"Naturally. I'll trust you to deliver."
Their exchanged gazes carried firm belief—a shared confidence that everything was falling into place.
Until—
"Right. This is the problem."
"Huh?"
Patrick's sudden interjection made both turn.
"How come the two of you only talk about work? Family growth is good, but I'd like grandchildren. Have you been on any dates lately? When's the wedding?"
The barrage of questions froze Logan and Eileen in place.