Chapter 65
“Commander!”
Cain quickly tried to stop her, but Layana was firm.
“Commander, how could you proceed with this matter on your own!”
Cain’s mind raced, recalling the backgrounds of the knights in the order.
Some were skilled in swordsmanship, others were proficient in duels, and among them were the children of important figures from the old noble faction, people whom they had to tread carefully around.
And yet, she was suddenly going to pick up a sword? If a wound appeared, it was easy to predict the excuses that the old noble faction would make.
“Isn’t this just a matter of pride? Saying you’re going to face all the knights is no different from declaring a challenge to them all.”
Contrary to Louise’s words, half of them had already stepped back. These knights had all fought alongside Layana in the war.
‘Cowards.’
While she was risking everything to restore the honor of the 2nd Order of Knights, they were the ones who had tossed aside the honor of being knights.
Louise did not believe in the accomplishments that had been written about Layana in the newspaper.
How many people could even believe it? While some might accept it, her many feats were too much.
Someone had been saved from the brink of death by monsters, someone had been rescued from enemy captivity, and others had been saved from the risk of dying from a monster’s core infection, with Layana personally escorting them to a priest.
Each story sounded like the ramblings of fanatics, and thus, lacked credibility.
Her feats, accumulated over thirteen long years of war, had become so numerous that the empire now looked at her accomplishments as commonplace.
However, as the war dragged on, people began to treat her as ineffective, even with all her accomplishments.
The public did not praise her much, except for those who had fought alongside her.
The knights who had distanced themselves from the training ground, half of whom had backed off, looked at Layana with admiration. Louise could not stand it.
That was why she was determined to expose her true skills in this duel.
Louise drew a practice sword and stepped forward. As he took the lead, the old noble faction members lined up behind him.
“What’s the difference if they all rush at me?”
Louise was irked by Layana’s calm voice.
Later in the Duel
“Indeed…”
Armel muttered, looking dazed.
“Next.”
The sharp voice calling out made Armel’s heart flutter, realizing it belonged to the commander.
He first saw her on the battlefield.
A third son from an insignificant family, he had to be ready to be discarded at any moment.
He had gone to the battlefield in place of his older brothers to protect their family but almost lost his life in the process.
The difficult life of a soldier was his first experience: hunger, thirst, exhaustion, constant muscle pain, bruises, and the mental torment of watching comrades die.
He was barely able to endure it.
‘Why am I even here…?’
He was always on edge, knowing that if he relaxed for even a moment, he could die.
When he was deployed to battle with the temporary force organized by the Duke, he faced a creature he’d never seen before.
Since the Three Kingdoms War, the Gelta Empire had been experimenting with monsters and had begun deploying modified ones in battle.
This was the reason the Astel-Gelta war had dragged on. There was too little information on these unfamiliar creatures.
The modified monsters had tough skin that deflected swords and killed indiscriminately.
They were not your typical monsters, resembling humans but emitting animal-like roars.
Confronted with these bizarre creatures, the troops panicked, scattering into the woods. Armel fled as well.
He ran, hearing the horrific screams of his comrades echoing through the trees.
His jaw clenched tightly as he sprinted, his breath becoming ragged, but he couldn’t stop running, knowing death was chasing him from behind.
How far had he run?
Just as he thought he had gotten far enough, the strange creature’s breath reached his ears, and his whole body froze.
Fear gripped him, and his muscles stiffened. He couldn’t flee.
The monster was about to catch him when suddenly, a burst of light pierced through the darkening vision.
“Armel, are you alright?”
Layana, standing over the severed body of the creature, reached out her hand.
She was the Duke’s fiancée, an adopted member of the Chester family…
He had only known her by these titles, but his perception changed that day.
She was his savior.
“Sorry I’m late.”
Layana knelt down and helped the dazed Armel to his feet.
“How about the others…”
At her careless question, Layana’s expression darkened, and Armel, realizing what it meant, awkwardly spoke up.
“Thank you for saving me.”
Layana did not respond. Her calm demeanor made him realize something he couldn’t have understood at the time.
Later, as he spoke with the other soldiers, he learned that most of them owed their lives to her.
She had saved many lives, and receiving gratitude was something she was accustomed to.
She was the light on the battlefield. With her there, it seemed possible to win the war.
Everyone looked up to her.
That was why Armel could not tolerate the insult to Layana. How could someone who was not even there speak so arrogantly?
“Didn’t she even officially join the Order? Why does this have anything to do with Commander Layana?”
Armel couldn’t accept Louise’s insults.
The more Louise mocked her, the more Armel’s patience wore thin.
Had Layana not appeared, his sword would likely have been aimed at Louise.
Kneeling on the floor of the training ground, Louise glanced at Layana.
With her concise and minimal movements, she was able to defeat any opponent.
Despite her smaller stature and the large number of opponents, she wielded her sword without hesitation.
Her flawless technique seemed as if she already knew how her opponents would move.
‘She must not be human.’
A pure respect shone in Louise’s eyes.
The chaotic training ground gradually quieted.
“Next.”
Layana’s voice rang out, but no one stepped forward.
“Is there no one?”
She lowered her sword and glanced around.
She was not out of breath, nor was she sweating.
She simply adjusted her shirt as if finishing a light workout.
“We’ll finish this morning’s training here.”
Looking over the fallen knights, Layana added,
“Those with injuries should receive treatment, and those who want a break for the afternoon can take leave. However, for those attending this afternoon’s training, I will personally conduct it.”
Looking over the fallen knights, she spoke once more,
“One-on-one.”
The soldiers, who had witnessed Layana’s one-sided victory, burst into awe and whispers.
It was rare for the commander to participate in training.
Moreover, receiving direct training from the hero was more than just a joy—it was an honor.
As Louise and the others cheered, the knights lying on the floor groaned.
It was an opportunity they couldn’t miss, yet they knew they would likely be bedridden for days if they joined the afternoon training.
Layana glanced briefly at the training ground before leaving.
She predicted that those who participated in the afternoon session would soon become members of her order.
The others were certain that nothing would leak out of the training ground today.
Those who hadn’t fought against her respected her, and those who had faced her couldn’t bear the humiliation of being so easily defeated.
After thirteen years of war, Layana had faced countless unpredictable monsters.
Knights who only received basic training with no real battle experience were just dull practice opponents for her.
Since she had started training with the Duke of Crociad after the war, she had been constantly honing her skills.
She had been continuously trained against monstrous men and had no time to rest.
