Training Grounds
The air was thick with tension as Marius held back Conan's blade, his voice calm but laced with a simmering fury."What do you think you're doing, Vice Commander? Are you attacking our Lord from behind like a coward?"
Conan, flustered and defeated, found himself unable to respond under Marius's cold gaze. As the silence stretched, Marius bowed slightly toward Aiden, his tone surprisingly respectful yet firm.
Marius: "Lord Aiden, I apologise for my subordinate's actions. His behaviour is… regrettable."
It appeared Marius was shielding Conan, though his words suggested he was asking forgiveness solely out of his duty.
Aiden glanced at Marius, acknowledging his words. There was no warmth in his expression, just a calm authority that unsettled everyone watching. He offered a slight nod, as if in acceptance of the apology.
Aiden: " I accept your apology , Marius."
Marius's posture relaxed, yet the soldiers remained silent, unsure of Aiden's true intentions. Suddenly, Aiden approached Conan, his expression unreadable.
In a swift motion, Aiden drew his sheathed sword and, without hesitation, struck Conan across the face. The blow left a red welt, and Conan stumbled back, his shock evident. Aiden did not relent.
"I've shown more than enough mercy to a vassal who dared to rebel against his superior," he thought, eyes narrowing with cold determination. Another hit followed, and then another, each one more forceful than the last.
His expression was unreadable save for the flicker of contempt in his eyes.
"What's left now is... Punishment!!!", his mind echoed, a shadow of satisfaction playing at the corner of his lips as Conan staggered, stunned and powerless.
The soldiers watched, stunned, unable to process what they were seeing.
"Huh... That's brutal!" one of the soldiers whispered, his eyes wide with shock as he watched the scene unfold. Beside him, another shifted uneasily, glancing between the commotion and his fellow comrades.
"Sh-shouldn't we be stopping him?!" he stammered, a mix of fear and hesitation etched across his face. The group exchanged nervous glances, the weight of their duty clashing with the fear of intervening in a matter that seemed beyond their rank.
Conan struggled to dodge, barely managing to evade strike as Aiden continued his relentless punishment. His pride shattered with every impact, Conan's face contorted with humiliation and anger.
Marius: (calling out) "My Lord, you've already forgiven him—there's no need for this…"
Aiden ignored Marius's words, his strikes unwavering. Conan finally gritted his teeth, his voice shaking with barely contained rage and humiliation.
Conan: "…I apologise, Lord Aiden. I was wrong."
Aiden stopped mid-motion, allowing a tense silence to settle. He turned toward Marius, an unreadable expression in his eyes.
Aiden: "Marius, I forgave you for failing to control your subordinate. But Conan… I never forgave him for his actions."
The realisation dawned on Marius, leaving him in shock at Aiden's meticulousness and how well he had concealed his true intentions. Aiden's calculated approach left no room for error, and Marius understood just how serious he was about discipline and respect.
Aiden: (nodding) "We can proceed now, but let me make one thing clear—you all need to show greater dedication to your positions. And as for you, Conan, face the harsh reality of a true battlefield before someone slices your head off for good."
He turned and walked over to Muinin, who was waiting nearby. Muinin handed him a towel, his hands shaking with suppressed anger as he cast a glare toward Conan.
Muinin: (grumbling) "That self-absorbed knucklehead! How dare he attack you like that? Does he even understand everything you've done for this fortress? You fought slave traders and stopped a stampede, all while dealing with your… condition…"
Aiden chuckled, taking the towel.
Aiden: "Careful, Muinin. Aren't you afraid Conan might hear you?"
(Aiden's mind wandered briefly to the stampede. He still hadn't uncovered the cause…)
Muinin: (grinning) "As long as you're around, my Lord, I'm not afraid of anyone."
Aiden shook his head, smiling faintly. Muinin's loyalty and fiery spirit were a refreshing contrast to the other soldiers who still looked down on Aiden. With a light sigh, Aiden turned to Marius, adopting a more professional tone.
Aiden: "Marius, I'd like an update on the recruitment process. How is it going?"
Marius: "Of course, my Lord. Right this way."
"Everyone back to training! Is this some kind of circus?" he shouted, his voice echoing across the training grounds, cutting through the murmurs of shock. His gaze hardened as he turned to Conan. "And Conan, get yourself treated and report to my office afterward", he added, his eyes cold and unyielding, leaving no room for defiance.
"Is this really the Lord I know?" one soldier muttered, his voice laced with disbelief as he stared at Aiden with wide eyes.
"How on Earth did he change so much in the past few weeks?" another whispered, shaking his head as if trying to wake from a strange dream.
"His personality changing is one thing," a third soldier added, the tremor in his tone betraying his unease, "but even his sword skills... they're completely different. As if he's a whole new person."
The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances, each grappling with the unsettling transformation of the man they once thought they knew.
Fortress Gate
As Marius escorted Aiden toward the gate, he explained the current situation.
Marius: "We've had quite a number of applicants—mostly beggars, wanderers, and a few who don't seem to belong anywhere. However, there are also a handful of F-rank adventurers among them."
Aiden raised an eyebrow, considering the implications.
(Adventurers? What were they doing here?)
Marius continued, casting a doubtful glance toward Aiden.
Marius: "With all due respect, my Lord… are you certain about these recruitment conditions?"
Aiden's lips curved into a faint smirk, his eyes glinting with a hint of his hidden intentions.
End of Episode 14