Chapter 10: Chapter 10
The territory guard had the duty of defending the territory, but newly joined reserve members had limited capabilities and generally were not required to participate in front-line combat. They were usually assigned logistical tasks.
For example, transporting arrows, passing weapons to Formal Members, helping them don armor, and so on.
After surviving one Aberrant Beast invasion, the odds of surviving future front-line combat would increase significantly. But that was for people of average talent.
For those with exceptional talent, if they could become Formal Knights within half a year, then due to territory law, they would be required to participate in front-line combat regardless of their lack of experience.
It might not seem fair to those individuals, but before the Aberrant Beasts, who had the right to demand fairness?
What Jason was seeing unfold before him now was exactly this situation. He had thought he was already overestimating Ron’s talent, only to realize he had still underestimated it.
“It looks like I need to have a proper talk with him about this!”
With that thought, the worry in Jason’s heart only deepened. Rather than waiting for Ron to come back on his own, he simply shouted at him:
“Ron, come back quick! I have something to tell you!”
Hearing someone call his name, Ron finally snapped out of his hyper-focused training state. He turned to follow the voice and saw Jason waving at him from the doorway.
He grabbed the wooden shovel and hurried over.
…
“Uncle Jason, did I do something wrong?”
“No, you did very well. But precisely because you did too well, I now have some not-so-good news to tell you!”
Jason deliberately paused to observe Ron’s expression, but Ron was already a far more mature Ron now. Naturally, he wouldn’t give anything away. His face remained composed, yet with a natural hint of curiosity showing through, he said:
“Uncle Jason, what not-so-good news?”
Jason didn’t rush to explain. Instead, he first asked a question. “You know about the territory’s annual summer Aberrant Beast invasion, right?”
“Yes.” Ron nodded.
If he claimed ignorance on this matter, Jason would probably rap him on the head. After all, “Ron’s” own father had died during an Aberrant Beast invasion.
“Then do you know that all Formal Knights in the territory have the responsibility and obligation to participate in combat?” Jason asked again.
“That, I didn’t know.” Ron answered honestly.
Though he could guess, the teenage “Ron” wouldn’t have thought about this particular angle.
At the same time, he had a vague suspicion about what Jason’s bad news was, and it was likely related to Knight duties.
“Your talent is excellent, so excellent that you could become a Formal Knight before next summer. And now do you understand what becoming a Formal Knight would mean?”
With things spelled out so plainly, how could Ron not understand? Jason was worried that he would be thrown into the summer Aberrant Beast invasion combat without any experience whatsoever.
“Think this over carefully and decide for yourself!”
Having said that, Jason didn’t add anything further. After all, he was himself a territory guard member, and it wasn’t his place to encourage a prospective member to shirk responsibility. This much of a heads-up was entirely because of Ron’s father.
“Mm.”
Ron nodded, then at Jason’s invitation, returned inside the house to continue “enjoying” the fine food.
This time, however, a weight settled in Ron’s heart. Despite Jason’s warning, he had no intention of slowing his progress. He trusted that the territory guard would fulfill its duty and protect the territory, but what could be more reliable insurance than power in his own hands?
Besides, if he genuinely lacked the ability, that would be one thing. But to choose to run away when he clearly had the capacity, sitting by while others stepped forward to sacrifice and contribute, that was something he simply could not do.
This Sis Territory, despite its somewhat eerie qualities, genuinely suited his preferences. And since he would most likely be living here for a long time to come, he naturally had an obligation to do his part for the community where he lived.
Under the pressure of the impending Aberrant Beast invasion combat, the Fire Beef that had been nearly unbearable just moments ago suddenly didn’t seem so intolerable anymore.
“Sure enough, sometimes a person just needs a little push!”
Ron reflected inwardly.
…
And so, spending the better part of a full day, Ron consumed a bit more than two cow legs in fits and starts. By evening, Jason brought him a piece of definitive news regarding the territory recruitment:
“Just received word. Young Master Foss will conduct the recruitment at the training ground west of the bell tower at noon the day after tomorrow. Don’t forget the time!”
“I won’t forget!” Ron clenched his fist and said with force.
“Good, that’s it for today. Hurry home now, and we’ll continue tomorrow.”
“Mm.”
Ron nodded, thanked Jason, Mary, and Liya, then left Jason’s house.
…
Over the next two days, Ron ate meat at Jason’s house nonstop. Abundant meat combined with proper exercise transformed him dramatically in a short period of time.
His once somewhat frail frame gradually filled out. Muscle definition had begun to surface on his body, and he had even grown a notch taller. Though he still hadn’t caught up to Liya yet, he was getting close.
However, after two and a half full days of intensive cramming, the effects of the 【Comprehensive Body Refinement Technique】 had grown increasingly marginal. For now, it could only serve as a means to maintain his condition. Using it to rapidly strengthen his body further was becoming unsustainable.
It was like using a garden hose to fill a swimming pool. The small pipe was certainly effective, but once the pool grew large enough, the water from the hose might not even keep pace with the pool’s natural evaporation!
Without some kind of change, Ron could practically see the end of the 【Comprehensive Body Refinement Technique】 at a glance.
And the catalyst for that change was today!
…
The training ground west of the bell tower.
Two things had captured Ron’s attention most on the walk over. The first, just as he had suspected before, was that every road within the entire town area of the Sis Territory was paved with the same dark stone slabs he had seen in the residential district.
The second was the population of the Sis Territory.
Although he still didn’t know the exact number, the route from the residential district to the training ground passed through a square bordered on three sides by market stalls, with the bell tower and the lord’s castle to the north. Along the way, he had seen at least several thousand subjects.
Several hundred of them were heading to the same destination as him: the training ground west of the bell tower.
Ron roughly observed the peers who had gathered here. The overwhelming majority were boys, with girls making up only a tiny fraction.
Transcendent power certainly didn’t discriminate against women, but in such a brutal era, a woman’s worth was perhaps difficult to measure purely by combat capability.
Contemplating that possibility, Ron fell into a contemplative silence. His silence caught Liya’s attention beside him. She leaned close to Ron and asked softly:
“Ron, after you become a Knight, will you stop talking to me?”
“Of course not. You’re my fiancée, you know!” Ron teased Liya gently.
Liya flushed crimson but didn’t release her arm looped around Ron’s. She just scolded him in a hushed voice, “What are you saying! There are other people around here!”
Soon, it was noon. A soldier clad only in light armor strode briskly from within the training ground to the outside and announced in a loud voice:
“The territory guard recruitment is about to begin. Those who wish to join, line up and enter. Unrelated persons may wait outside.”
Hearing these words, Ron’s heart jolted. It was finally here. He patted Liya’s arm, then stepped out from the crowd and took his place in line before the soldier.