Regressor of the Fallen Family Novel - Chapter 173 (New)

Chapter 173: Enlisting Women for the Maclaine Military

For three continuous weeks, the call for female recruits echoed throughout the Maclaine lands. Eventually, however, the stream of newcomers trickled to a halt, sparking a wave of concern among the women who had already committed. These applicants, each carrying her own heavy burdens, congregated to fret over the uncertain future.

“The meals are excellent, but… surely they won’t just call it quits now, will they?” Cassandra gave voice to the lingering dread, earning sharp looks from those around her who didn’t want to hear their own fears spoken aloud. Despite the tension, no one dared to argue with her.

During their twenty-one days of drills and communal living, the volunteers had become well aware of Cassandra’s hidden lethality, which belied her graceful frame. No one was eager to pick a fight with a woman who could hoist a boulder half her size without breaking a sweat.

Only one person remained undeterred—a girl with a soft face and a charming demeanor who stayed glued to Cassandra’s side, stomping her feet in protest. “Big sister, don’t say such things! What if you jinx us? I’ve already spent the advance on my first month’s pay!”

“I’m sorry, Evelyn. I’m just feeling restless…”

“Regardless, I’m not budging even if they order me to go. I’ll dig my heels in right here. The food is wonderful and—hey, quit pinching my cheeks! I keep telling you, I’m not a child!”

Watching Evelyn huff and cross her arms brought a genuine grin to Cassandra’s face. The girl’s antics reminded her of her own little sister back home, making the agonizing wait feel a bit shorter.

“…Besides, they are high-born; they have a reputation to uphold. They wouldn’t break a promise.” Just as Cassandra tried to soothe her own mind with that thought, a loud decree cut through the air.

“Everyone gather at the drill grounds! Sir Ailen Floyd has arrived.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Ailen Floyd, your lead instructor and commanding officer.”

The moment Ailen finished her introduction, the ranks erupted into stunned murmurs.

“Wow, how can someone that beautiful be a knight?”

“Is that even possible?”

“No way!”

While the others gossiped, Cassandra felt a cold shiver of intuition regarding this small, striking woman. She felt a sharper sense of danger than the time she stumbled upon a starving bear in the mountains—there was no doubt. This was a true warrior.

The knights who had passed through her village years ago didn’t possess this kind of crushing presence. As Cassandra stiffened, Ailen spoke again.

“It appears many of you are unfamiliar with me or have only heard whispers, leading to some doubt. Therefore, I will demonstrate my position directly.”

With a fluid motion, Ailen pulled a sword with a blue-tinted blade that suddenly erupted into a magnificent blaze.

Forcefire.

It was a brilliant and intimidating exhibition of martial skill. More than just reinforcing a blade with internal energy, it manifested as an overwhelming aura of power for all to see. While such a display was rarely used in actual combat due to how quickly it drained one’s reserves, it was the perfect tool for command. It was a technique reserved for the elite, though the crowd didn’t know the technical name for it.

“Incredible…”

Cassandra was just as mesmerized as the rest.

“I assume your doubts have been settled. For those who still don’t understand…”

With a sharp arc of her arm, Ailen sheared through the heavy stone podium as if it were soft clay.

“Woah!”

“Believe in the power you have witnessed today—I am the one who will forge you into warriors. Does anyone still question my authority?”

“No!”

“Excellent. We shall commence the first drill immediately. Instructors, take your positions.”

“Move out!”

“Run!”

Following the sharp orders, the trainers at the base of the platform began a steady jog, with the frantic recruits scrambling to follow. Though they were clumsy and disorganized, this chaos marked the birth of the renowned Maclaine women’s corps.

“Huff…”

For Cassandra, keeping pace with the trainers wasn’t a struggle, thanks to her natural vitality and raw power. As her feet hit the ground, her mind began to wander.

‘If I had been born into nobility and taught the way of the sword—could I have reached that level?’

She felt a surge of longing for the female knight who, at a similar age, seemed to embody everything Cassandra dreamed of. She wanted that life for herself.

‘I am capable of this!’

That ambition was the reason she had enlisted. Seeing the knight’s display gave her the confidence that she had chosen the right path. If she had made it this far through nothing but grueling manual labor, her natural gift must be significant.

‘I just have to give it my all. That’s the secret.’

Fired up with new determination, she pushed forward, only to realize the knight had pulled up alongside her.

“Have you received formal training before?”

“Huh?!”

“Apologies for startling you. Just keep your breathing steady. Yes, just like that.”

Gulping for air, Cassandra glanced at the knight running effortlessly beside her.

“Training, ma’am?”

“Yes. Your build and muscle tone suggest you’ve been conditioned. You have the look of someone with real potential.”

“No, ma’am. Just… working the fields. Huff…”

Cassandra felt her face heat up at the knight’s honest praise. Her six-foot stature and broad, muscular frame were usually the punchline of jokes in her village.

“Do I truly have talent?”

“Without a doubt! To achieve such a physique without specialized drills implies a remarkable foundation. I’m eager to see your progress. What is your name?”

“Cassandra. Huff…”

“Very well, Cassandra. Our lands will soon boast another knight. Stay focused on your goal.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Cassandra’s excitement nearly choked her as she answered. The knight gave her a quick, encouraging pat on the shoulder before accelerating, her breathing perfectly calm despite the weight of her full plate armor—the unmistakable sign of a master.

Cassandra’s eyes burned with a new fire.

‘I will reach that peak.’

While Cassandra chased the leaders of the pack, the rest of the column was beginning to fray. Near the rear, Evelyn was fighting a losing battle with her own legs. Her body felt like it was failing after only a few minutes, yet she refused to surrender.

‘I can’t quit. I’ve been eating well these last few weeks; my body has the strength.’

She had already accepted the advance on her pay—returning home in shame was not an option.

‘My family is counting on me.’

Evelyn hadn’t signed up out of a desire for glory, but because it was the only way to save her family from starvation. Strengthening her resolve, she told herself, ‘I will not fall!’

She struggled on, trying to mimic the steady gait of the instructors, but her energy was flagging. Suddenly, she found a second wind.

‘See? I knew I could do it.’

Then, the knight appeared by her side.

“Oh dear, hitting a wall already? Take a deep breath in, then let it out slowly. Match the movement of your limbs to your breath.”

Startled, Evelyn realized it was the same beautiful knight.

“Eyes forward, focus on your lungs! If you want to survive this training, listen to my voice!”

Though she didn’t fully grasp the mechanics, Evelyn obeyed instinctively. By synchronizing her breath and her stride, she found it much easier to stay within the group.

“We are building your stamina. Commit these patterns to memory to prevent injury and finish the course.”

Evelyn couldn’t find the breath to say thank you, but she carved the advice—and the image of the knight’s retreating form—into her mind.

‘She is watching over me. She believes in me. I won’t let her down.’

Fueled by the feeling of being seen, she kept her legs moving—meeting expectation with effort.

Evelyn vowed to honor her father’s lessons, imagining the medicine she would buy him with her next paycheck. She pushed back the creeping sadness and forced a smile, feeling her spirit grow a bit tougher.

Meanwhile, word was delivered to the seat of power.

“Twelve apprentices have been selected from the tower,” reported the aide to Lord Clayton.

“Only twelve? With such a massive turnout, is it possible the detection circle is faulty? All that gold invested…” Logan mused, thinking of the crowded tower.

Dwayne shook his head. “It’s more likely that the gift for magic is simply that rare. Furthermore, Lord Clayton is being very picky about their temperament, sending away even some who have the talent.”

“That is fair. Will the search continue?”

“Indeed it will.”

“Good. The initial numbers are low, but that’s not my primary concern. Are there other updates?”

Logan’s hidden eagerness was obvious to Dwayne, who quickly understood what his master was really asking about.

“Ah, the research project? No news from that department yet.”

“Hmm… I’ll have to pay them a visit myself. And what of the merchant guild?”

“Things are moving as you commanded, but are you certain you want to move forward with this?”

“Certainly. I wouldn’t have told you to start the groundwork otherwise.”

Logan was firm, though Dwayne still looked worried.

“Philip has skill, but managing that much gold…”

“I’ve put safety measures in place; don’t lose sleep over it.”

“Safety measures?”

“Yes.”

Logan offered a cryptic grin but didn’t elaborate. At that moment, the door was thrown open without warning.

“Logan, a thought just struck me that we need to go over…”

Sir Padric, the former lord, walked in unannounced.

“Father?”

“Your Grace? Is there a problem with the knights’ drills?”

“No, the knights are doing fine on their own now. This is something far more urgent.”

“More urgent than the military training?”

The seriousness of his tone caused Logan and Dwayne to turn grave.

“Dwayne, leave us. This is a private talk between father and son.”

“As you wish, Your Grace. Lord Logan…”

“Go ahead. Father, what is happening?”

“Well, it’s just…”

Before Padric could finish, he noticed Dwayne hovering by the exit with lingering curiosity, prompting a dry smirk.

“Dwayne. Don’t you have work to do?”

“I’m on my way. But if it’s truly that vital, I thought—well, if I’m not needed, I understand. I’ll be going.”

As Dwayne exited and pulled the door shut, another person arrived.

“Lord Logan!”

Lady Ailen, the knight, stepped into the office.

“I see the former lord is here as well.”

Recognizing Padric, Ailen’s polite greeting brought a small smile to the older man’s face.

“I have a briefing on the new recruits, but I can return later.”

“No, stay. I wanted to talk to both of you anyway.”

Logan and Ailen looked at each other in confusion, but Padric stepped aside to let her in.

“Actually, I just wanted to report that the training is going perfectly. Every one of them either has natural ability or a mountain of willpower. They lack endurance, but they make up for it in spirit. In a few months, we can transition to formal combat drills.”

“That is excellent news.”

“Truly!”

Boosted by Ailen’s enthusiasm, Logan felt his mood rise.

‘Her growth in such a brief window is remarkable.’

Seeing Ailen’s initiative and passion gave Logan a sense of peace, washing away his earlier stress.

“If this keeps up, these troops will be a massive boon to our house’s power.”

“Without a doubt. I have complete faith in them.”

They shared a look of mutual determination, and for a moment, the future looked bright.