13 and 12 would casually mention the names of those who were new and working on the farm; these were local farmers from the town of Sillesden that their family is currently managing under the authority of the nobility. Many were surprised to see the mysterious and introverted daughter of the new baron; the town farmers only heard stories about her beauty and elegance.
Seeing her openly walking and greeting them was a pleasant surprise. She was indeed beautiful beyond compare, with an aura of grace and sophistication that left a lasting impression on the townspeople. The new recruits who were there to help couldn't help but be captivated by her presence during their interactions on the farm.
The townspeople knew the new lord who managed their land came from a family of warriors, but the way they treated them was gentle and kind, unlike what they had expected. The baron's genuine interest in the well-being of the town and its people quickly earned her respect and admiration from all. Ragnar and Roshia Lierin were seen interacting with everybody; they were making sure that everybody was treated equally and disciplined.The townspeople were pleasantly surprised by the Hellmane family's humility and willingness to listen to their concerns.
Ragnar was harsh to those who disrespected the town or caused trouble, but always fair in his judgments. Roshia, on the other hand, was known for her compassion and generosity towards those in need, making both of them well-balanced and respected lords and ladies of the land.
Within a short period of time, change was seen as numerous construction projects were seen throughout the town, including new homes for the less fortunate and improvements to the infrastructure. The Hellmane family's dedication to their people was evident in every aspect of their rule, as they never swayed away from informing the people that they were supported by the Empress and her son, the King of Arcane, as the infrastructure was different.
Irles was leisurely walking and exploring the area. Seeing people looking at her with a smile, as this was the only moment they saw the young lady, a dozen small children, both boys and girls, whose ages were around five to eight years old, suddenly came up to her and complimented how beautiful she was and offered her small handpick flowers. Irles was new to this social interaction. Even if she was this afraid of her, it might be because she was wearing her military clothing and her aura was very intimidating at that time.
But now it was different; she was wearing garments fitting a noble lady, and her movements were seen to be elegant and graceful, making her appear approachable and friendly. Despite her initial intimidating presence, those who interacted with her now found her to be warm and charming.
She couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth from the innocent gestures of the children, making her question her own perception of herself.
"Was I really that different from before?"
"My lady, you are so lovely , and your skin looks soft and radiant,"
One of the children exclaimed, causing her to smile genuinely for the first time in a long while. The innocence and sincerity of their words made her realize that perhaps she wasn't as unapproachable as she thought.
The children's words reminded her that her true self was still there, beneath the hardened exterior she had built over the years. It was a comforting realization that gave her hope for a brighter future.Irles thanked the child and asked if there was anything else,
The children eagerly nodded, sharing their favorite snacks and treats with her. It was a simple gesture, but it made her feel a sense of connection and warmth she had been missing for so long. She realized that sometimes all it took was a kind word or gesture to break down the walls she had built around herself. The parents of these children came and greeted her and ordered their young ones to leave and not disturb the young lady. Irles smiled gratefully at the parents and assured them that she was happy to spend time with their children. As the children reluctantly said their goodbyes, Irles felt a renewed sense of hope.
She asked 13 to gather the rest of the numbers, and they would help out in making cadies for the children. 13 and 12 nodded and just continued to watch over their lady as she ventured even further near the training facility. As she could see more of the new candidates gathering outside the open ground outside the main building, Irles saw both male and female grathering in the place she could believe her parents were able to have this many people to serve under them, 13 commented.
"My lady, these people still lack the basic fundamentals of being loyal to the Hallmane oath."
Irles observed the candidates closely, noting their lack of discipline, She knew that her parents had high expectations for those who served under them, and she was determined to uphold those standards.
"We will need to work on instilling loyalty and dedication in these new recruits."
" I know they just came here because of personal reasons."
"This is something that we need to address immediately before they can be trusted with important tasks."
12 suddenly gave her own opinion on the conversation to Lady Irles.
"For these people , serving under the Hellmane clan is just another job to earn, but unlike us, we all face and experience firsthand what it means to be weak and helpless."
"We all don't need fame and wealth; we are here to uphold justice and protect those who cannot protect themselves."
"We must find a way to show these new recruits the true meaning and importance of our cause, so they can fully commit to our mission."
She remarked that a sense of responsibility was evident in her tone.
"As you command, my lady."
As soon as Irles was seen, many were dumbfounded to see her up close and finally confirm the stories about her. They were mesmerized by her presence. Her beauty and sexual allure seemed to captivate everyone in the open field , making it clear why she was the talk of the town.
The recruits looked on in awe; men were flabergasted seeing her; one of them even took the risk of talking to Irles but was quickly persuaded by 13 and 12 stares. These two will never let anybody approach their lady with lustful intentions . Despite their admiration, the recruits knew better than to cross the line with Irles, as they could sense the protective energy radiating from her loyal companions. They watched from a distance, respecting her boundaries and understanding that she was not to be trifled with.
Irles was still navigating social interaction, especially with people who were the same age as her, but her loyal companions always had her back, guiding her through any potential social pitfalls with their watchful eyes and protective presence. But Derion Sulviger, the lion beastfolk, was not intimidated by the 13 and 12 auras. He was able to walk close enough to greet Irles,
But not without getting stopped, as 13 and 12 have already unshelved their weapons and pointed them at his neck with blinding speed.
Derion Sulviger felt a cold, sharp steel on his neck. He felt fear and dread , but because of his ego, he covered this emotion with arrogance and defiance. Despite the overwhelming odds, he stood his ground and met their aggression with a confident smirk, refusing to show any weakness in the face of danger.
13 was about five feet six, while 12 was five feet two. They were able to quickly dash a few feet from where Irles was standing to stop Derion Sulviger from getting too close. The tension in the area was palpable as the standoff continued, with neither side willing to back down. As the seconds ticked by, it became clear that this confrontation would not end without a show of force.
Derion Sulviger continued to advance, his eyes locked on 13 with fierce determination. Suddenly, a loud voice boomed from the distance, breaking the tense silence and causing both parties to pause momentarily. It was Daran, the twin brother of Saran. He was in charge of the training grounds and an assistant to Roach. Derion Sulviger was still pointing out that he was just greeting the young lady as a representative of the Sulviger beastfolk clan,
His arrogant tone could still be heard as he added that being compared to those weaklings was a mistake and that they should be welcomed with open arms. Daran's authoritative voice demanded respect as he reminded Derion that all visitors were to be treated with courtesy and hospitality, regardless of their background or status. And pointed out that this is neither their land nor their home; the moment their feet touch the Hellmane territory, they are now bound by rules implemented by the governing nobles.
"You are no longer Sulviger. The moment you are accepted to be a Hellmane Brigade,"
"As I will mention again, the Hallmane Brigade is another unit serving a much bigger authority.."
" Remember, your loyalty lies with the Hellmane Brigade and the Crimson Trone. It is important to uphold their rules and show respect to all on their territory."
Derion Sulviger smirked and released a hint of his power, and he answered Darans with a confident nod.
"I understand my allegiance and will honor it without fail."
"We came here to seek the strongest, but sadly, we saw only feeble wanabe warriors, they cant even lift a sword properly. It's disappointing to see such a lack of skill in this region."
"Perhaps we should continue our search elsewhere for the strength we seek."
Irles smiled and asked the beastfolk if he was truly strong. Derion Sulviger answered with an arrogant tone and told her he could beat any warrior if they matched him., Irles chuckled and accepted his challenge, eager to put his skills to the test. Derion Sulviger smirked confidently, ready to prove his strength in battle.
"Daran, I will let this beastfolk show his true skill; I know he passed the initial test, but it was just a normal assessment test that can easily be passed by anyone with basic combat training."
"Let's see if this beastfolk truly has what it takes to be considered strong."
With that, Derion Sulviger asked the young lady for a simple wager: if he beats a Hellmane warrior, she will grant him the opportunity to court her. 13 and 12 nearly snapped with anger, but Irles smiled and told him ,
"Better win then; don't lose your arm."
"Daran, please inform your sister that this great beastfolk warrior will battle one of the numbers serving under me."
" Six will suffice. Facing him,why, what is your name?"
" I am Derion Sulviger , the eldest son of the great warlord, Alaric Sulviger, and I will not disappoint in this battle."
"Very well, Derion Sulviger. May the best warrior win,"
Daran replied with a nod of respect.
"I accept your challenge. Remember, the reward is the moment I win "
"And the glory that comes with it,"
Derion Sulviger declared confidently.
Saran receives the Irles command and orders six to proceed toward the training ground,
Irles was seen sitting comfortably in a small wooded chair. The other nine Sulvigers were watching and were giving their full attention to the Helmane beauty as they talked to each other.
All of the training candidates were scattered all over the area; some were already grouped among the others and were giving out their own opinions on what just happened; some were pointing out their own Irles behavior and speculating on the reason for her presence on the training ground. Despite the confusion and curiosity, Daran maintained a calm demeanor and signaled for the group to continue with their training exercises as planned.
With a determined expression on his face, a young man who appeared to be approximately 17 years old and was only 5 feet tall approached Daran. He was wearing a tattered, worn out cloak with a hood drawn up over his head and reading glasses. approached Daran with a happy look of drive on his face. He introduced himself to Irles.
"Greeting my lady, I am six; as you command, I am her to answer your call."
"Who is the person with whom I shall battle?"
"Please do not worry, my lady; details of the battle were already given to me."
Derion Sulviger laughed at seeing a weak looking man face him—a lion beastfolk towering over him at nearly 7 feet tall. "Prepare yourself, young one," Derion growled, his lion-like eyes gleaming with confidence.
"I may look weak, but I assure you, I am not to be underestimated."
The open ground was still made of dirt, and only the pathway going inside the training house had a concrete roadway. The area was big enough to accommodate a few hundred individuals. The sun beat down on the training ground, casting harsh shadows across the dusty terrain. Despite the vast space, the atmosphere was tense with anticipation as spectators gathered to watch the impending battle between Derion and his opponent.
Each of them stood their ground, and it was around ten feet away from each other. So soon, people watching the situation unfold started to encircle them, while Irles Daran 31 and 12 stayed in the same spot. The crowd murmured in excitement, eager to witness the clash between the two. Derion Sulviger extended his claws and made sure he was in a position to strike first, his eyes locked on his opponent's every move. But there was none; six just stood there, and the only thing he could hear was faint whispering.
Irles more interested in seeing the numbers abilities in fighting. Ramiel wouldn't be such a big influence on them if they remained average; she could see that the numbers were talented and were fast learners. They might have been orphans before, but they were elated when they openly told her that Ramiel, the person she loves, was their savior and inspiration. Because they saw him fight before, it made a lasting impact on all 13 of them. Their encounter might have been brief, but it was enough for them to break beyond their previous limitations and strive for greatness. They were determined to follow in Ramiel's footsteps and become the best fighters they could be.
There was nothing running through Derion Sulviger's mind except the excitement of winning him the main prize , the idea of obtaining the greatest treasure the hellmane has, and he wants Irles to be his tropy since the night he saw her over the wall; his animal instinct to have a mate was now consuming his ego, and the woman she wanted was right in front of him on the training ground.
As Derion Sulviger stretched his lithe body, his piercing gaze was fixed on Irles, the enigmatic and aloof figure standing nearby. However, Irles seemed oblivious to his presence, engaged in an animated conversation with Daran. Derion's frustration grew as he yearned for her attention. Suddenly, Irles raised her hand, her commanding voice echoing through the air.
"The fight will commence upon my signal. Killing is strictly forbidden, but accidental deaths are an unavoidable consequence of this encounter."
she declared. Irles' words hung in the air, causing Derion to pause his stretching. As she waved her hand downward, signaling the commencement of the battle, Derion's heart pounded with anticipation. The fight was about to begin, and he was determined to prove his worth, not only to his opponent but also to the elusive Irles, who still seemed indifferent to his presence.
"You may begin!"
Derion took a deep breath, steadying himself as he prepared to engage in the battle. He knew that his opponent looked weak and feeble and would be an easy adversary because he was overconfident in his own abilities. As he stepped forward, his muscles tensed and his mind focused, ready to face whatever, while six just stood there.
When Derion dashes forward with the intention of killing his opponent, at the first step he takes, something grabs Derion's left foot, stopping his frontal assault, then a foot long ice shard stabs his right leg, causing him to stumble and fall to the ground. Despite the pain, Derion quickly rolled to the side and sprang back up, determined to overcome this unexpected obstacle. When multiple small fire orbs appeared in front of Six, he just waved his hand as they flew toward Derion. The explosion was small, but it was effective in stopping the lion beastkin in his tracks; they were like fire crackers popping around Derion, causing him to shield his face with his arms. The intense heat and force of the explosion left him momentarily disoriented. Six's calm demeanor never wavered; his strategic mind was always one step ahead of the strong and visious lion beastfolk.
Six saw the opportunity; he ran toward Derion and delivered a strong burst wind spell at his stomach. It was enough to win six victories. Seeing their brethren fall, the remaining nine became furious, their roars shaking the ground beneath them as they charged towards Six, who was obsessed with killing the challenger. Irles was now sure these ten were not fit to be part of the Hellmane force.
Six saw the nine bearing their fans toward him when an overwhelming aura made the nine stop in their tracks. It was Irles standing and her killing intent was overflowing. Everybody felt this, especially Ragnar, Roshia Lierin and Roach. The first person to reach Irles was her mother.
She hugged her and whispered in her ear, "Calm dowm childm gettig angry is no good for your baby."
When Ragnar drops from the sky and obliterates the ground from the sheer impact, the ten Sulvigers are puched away by the force of the impact while six casually jump backward using a spell. Roshia Lierin quickly cast a protective barrier around Irles, shielding her from the aftermath of Ragnar's dramatic entrance.
Roach, on the other hand, took advantage of the distraction to sneak up behind the other male Sulviger candidates and deliver a swift, unexpected blow. The protective barrier shimmered with magical energy as Roshia focused on maintaining it, ensuring Irles remained unharmed. Meanwhile, Roach's calculated strike incapacitated the male Sulvigers, leaving them stunned and vulnerable.
While Ragnar was upset seeing that someone was stupid enough to upset her daughter Irles,