"Do they usually train this late at night, Paladin?"
"They don't. Today is a special case." Replied Trodin.
Honestly, I figured as much.
Since we were coming and all, I think Trodin made it so that they could fit our schedule.
It was a bit forced, but since I still couldn't exactly wander around freely during the day, nighttime was the only chance we got.
So we were watching the former slaves doing some basic training. Mainly physical workouts to build their muscles first.
However, that was not everything.
Following Trodin, he took us to a different area where magic was taught. Some of the more talented personages who showed some promise as magicians were further excused to physical training. They were still subjugated to some simple exercises to improve their health due to their horrible body state, but that was it.
Trodin had picked the cream of the crop as a simple demonstration of their progress so far. To be honest, I couldn't judge for much, but simply from the looks of it, everything was going smoothly.
It was good.
The process was neat and not messy in the slightest. Control was prioritized over meaningless power. And most of all, they were taught how to work together first before how to kill. It really showed what kind of person Trodin was.
Yes. It was good. I was satisfied with what I was seeing.
'Hm...? Ah, I know her.'
From the second row of children who were trying their best to impress us by showcasing their magic, a certain Foxkin girl was stealing peeks at us instead.
"General!"
Finally, as if she couldn't hold herself back anymore, the familiar fox girl stepped up and raised her voice.
She was trembling while putting on a facade as though she was ready to brawl at the drop of a hat. In other words, she was bluffing.
"I want to talk to the Shepherd!"
"Impudence! I will have your tongue, you ungrateful wench!!" Renata, with a voice as cold as winter, furiously berated the girl.
"Stand down, private! You are in the presence of the Lord of the House!!" Being a military man himself, Trodin undoubtedly knew the importance of one's ranks. The girl was clearly acting out of line, and it did not look good for anybody.
For the sake of everyone, I should let them handle this, but I just couldn't help but get intrigued by her. Seeing how scared she was, I wondered just where did she find the courage to do this.
I kinda wanted to hear what she had to say, but I also didn't want to slap mud to Trodin's face while he was in front of the soldiers.
"What kind of punishment do you give to this type of case, Paladin?" I asked.
"We will shape her mind and heart by working her bones to the ground. By then, I believe she will at least understand the meaning behind the word Discipline." Answered Trodin calmly.
"Tell me, child. Do you think your general is a man that fond of lying?" I addressed the girl whose tail had long curled from fear.
"I...I do not think so, Lord." Confessed the girl, stuttering.
"Do you regret your action then?" I asked slowly.
"I-I...do not, Lord. I have something to say to you." She braved through the terror that gripped her heart and answered.
"Even at the cost of undergoing a harsh punishment?"
"I-I am used to being locked up and starved! Working and training is far easier, Lord Shepherd." Her breathing had turned ragged due to the ongoing pressure.
'Heh, look at the way she talks...'
And judging by the softened expression from some of Trodin's men, I'd say the girl has left a favorable impression on them.
'I think that was enough of a show.' As I said, I was curious about what her deal was.
"Very well, speak." Thus, I relented.
"I want revenge, Lord Shepherd!" Growled the girl, showing her fangs.
'...Hmm...Okay...?'
"My Father was a chieftain of my former tribe. He was the strongest and wisest out of everyone there. The man Lord Shepherd killed, Gragas The Limp, had conspired with the people of the tribe to poison my Father. They murdered him and framed my brother for my Father's demise, killing him in the process. Then they sold me and my Mother to Gragas as pleasure slaves...My mother had passed away due to an illness because of that..."
She was filled with boundless rage and thick sadness as she brought the story of her family into the light.
It was basically the cliche plot where they really did her family dirty, and now she was looking for blood.
"And your reason for telling me all this?" I questioned her calmly.
She wiped her tears, hanging her head low.
"...I want more power. As powerful as I can and as soon as it can be." Replied the girl, soft as a whisper.
"And what will you do with all that power?" I carried on.
"I will kill them all. The tribe! All the slave traders!!" Snapped the girl madly. Her mana began churning wild in response to her emotion.
Trodin's men were about to move and do something, but he waved them to do nothing instead. Right, if this girl was dangerous, my blessing would know first, and Renata would be the second one to follow after that.
Anyway, the exchange continued.
"You will kill them? Okay, an eye for an eye...Fair enough...Now tell me, why should I listen to you?" I returned to her, still a bit intrigued and apathetic at the same time.
"I-I know my own talent. Everyone here knows that I am the best at magic! If I can have my revenge, I promise to my life for you, Lord Shepherd." Declared the girl, both sure and unsure at the same time.
"Hahaha." I couldn't help but laugh. It really was funny, though.
It was like she was obviously confident in herself, but there existed a gap between her timid self and her beliefs, and that gap which contradicted her two opposing natures, was funny to me.
'Okay, enough teasing...Now, let's teach her some life lessons.' I mused inside.
The timing was great since I have the homework from both Renata and Trodin.
"Paladin. Have some of your strongest men step forward. Elite Shadows. You guys too."
Trodin nodded without posing so much of a question, and a bunch of hard-washed dudes with packed bodies stepped up. Meanwhile, as soon as my words fall, five Shadows immediately appear as if they've been waiting all along.
"You've spent time with these people more than I do...Now tell me, are they strong?" I stepped to the side, addressing the girl once again.
"...Yes, Lord Shepherd." Plagued with questions, the girl answered hesitantly. Her face was stern and rigid.
"Do you think they'll stand a chance against me?" My tone was light and playful.
"O-Of course not!" She jolted in surprise and remarked flusteredly.
"Really? What if I let them use their strongest spell all at once?"
"Maybe..."
I nodded and let the girl wallow in her own thoughts before I opened my mouth again. "Look carefully..."
I waved my hand casually toward the seasoned warriors and Shadows alike and spoke, "Kneel."
Word Magic responded to my decree, and my mana moved. At the same time, their knees hit the ground, resulting in the cold gasps of the surroundings.
Of course, being the main reason why this happened, the girl must be shocked more than anyone else.
I peeked subtly at Trodin. He caught it and simply nodded quietly.
'Okay...One more time then...'
"Stand up. Now, make sure to be prepared this time. Use everything you can to defend." I said to them.
I urge the bitter-looking warriors and Shadows. Auras burned, and barriers were erected.
I told them to do everything they could, and they did just that. When I saw the zealous looks burning on their faces, I knew they were ready.
"Kneel..." And they knelt yet again. Some of the stubborn ones bit their lips so hard they started to bleed.
To be fair, it was Trodin's idea to crush these soldiers' egos. It was something like they didn't buy how their leader got done in by someone else and wanted to check me for themselves.
Of course, Renata was more than on board with stuff like this. She then said that having the Shadows involved would also be great. After all, being told not to cross me was one thing, but to experience what would happen if they crossed me was another thing altogether.
"Talent? Power? You don't know what you are talking about. If you want revenge, learn how to turn that obsession into your tool first. And when you finally have enough power at your disposal, do what you need to do...That is my answer."