The Founding Monarch Became the Mastermind

Chapter 80

Finally, she passed by Piotr and Miska, joining the other elves.

However, not only Piotr and Miska, but all the men still had their eyes fixed on her.

“Young Master.”

“Hm? Why?”

“For the first time today, I feel like being born was worth it.”

Piotr stared at Miska in disbelief.

His eyes looked blank, as if he were out of his mind.

But when he looked around, he realized that several other men had the same expression and gaze.

‘Well, she is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.’

Her personality seemed somewhat unusual, but then again, it would be strange if a female warrior, who fought with weapons just like men, had an ordinary personality.

After all, the elven race inherently had a somewhat different way of thinking compared to humans.

“Is everyone gathered?”

At that moment, two men emerged from the entrance of the tent, pushing aside the flap.

One was Swordmaster Blaho, who appeared somewhat thin but had broad shoulders, making him look solid as a person.

The other, Stelman, the captain of the Janstrick Mercenaries, was slightly shorter but had the build and massive muscles that resembled a brown bear.

“Form up.”

Blaho, folding his arms, said just one word, and the Black Eagle Regiment soldiers, who had been gathered in groups of threes and fours, swiftly arranged themselves in rows.

The Janstrick mercenaries also aligned themselves, albeit somewhat clumsily, as Stelman gave them a slight nod.

The elven warriors, as usual, stood in an unbroken formation from the beginning.

Blaho, with an expressionless face, scanned the three groups of recruits before turning his head toward the tent.

“All preparations are complete.”

At his words, the tent flap was pulled aside again, and a man, taller than Blaho and with a build somewhere between Blaho and Stelman, slowly stepped out.

“……!”

Whether they knew Si-on’s true identity, had seen him often but didn’t know his secret, or were seeing him for the first time today, everyone showed a hint of surprise.

Si-on had removed the beard-like mask that he always wore, which completely covered from beneath his nose to his chin, except for special occasions when he had to reveal his true identity.

Those who didn’t know that the beard mask was an artificial piece made from a special treatment of Si-on’s real skin and beard simply thought he had cleanly shaved.

And for those who hadn’t seen him much or were seeing him for the first time today, especially the soldiers of the Black Eagle Regiment, they found his youthful appearance rather suspicious.

However, they weren’t foolish enough to look down on or underestimate a man whom their regiment commander, a Swordmaster, treated with such deference.

Moreover, Si-on was a royal who bore the surname of ‘Salen,’ deeply connected with the Duke’s family and a key figure in quelling this rebellion.

Even though some of the Black Eagle Regiment soldiers harbored suspicions, they didn’t dare relax their discipline or vigilance.

“Well, at least you’ve got the basics covered.”

Si-on smiled, having experienced this atmosphere countless times since the days of his grandfather’s grandfather in the regiment.

“It’d be a bit much if the captain of a new division being formed in the Duchy appeared to be some fresh greenhorn, right?”

“No, sir!!!”

The voices of the regiment soldiers echoed thunderously.

“No? Well, even I’d be wondering if it made sense for the captain to look like a young brat. However, there are two mistakes here.”

Si-on raised a finger.

“First, despite appearances, I’m actually quite old.”

At those words, a few who knew Si-on’s true identity flinched, but most of them seemed to accept it at face value.

“Second, I’m not the captain of the Great Monster Hunting Division. Master Blaho will take that role.”

As Blaho stepped forward, Si-on shifted his gaze to Stelman.

“The deputy captain and first senior company commander will be Stelman Janstrick. The Hunting Regiment will consist of two companies, each with about 30 soldiers, and each company will have three platoons and their respective platoon leaders. Master Blaho will select the other company commanders and platoon leaders, except for First Company Commander Stelman Janstrick. Now then.”

Si-on glanced over everyone as he continued.

“By now, you must be curious. What do I do, then? Why am I here running my mouth if I’m not part of the Hunting Regiment?”

“…….”

Si-on’s grin deepened as he realized that more than half of the crowd was thinking exactly what he had just said.

There were only a few who understood the meaning behind that smile.

Piotr, Miska, and some of the Janstrick mercenaries shuddered without even realizing it.

They knew the meaning behind that smile of Si-on’s.

‘Could it be…?’

As everyone who knew came to the same conclusion, Si-on finally spoke.

“I’m the interviewer and instructor. I’ll judge your potential, decide who gets in or fails, and train you. That’s my role in the Great Monster Hunting Division.

Now, you might wonder again. Can this so-called instructor truly assess us and teach us? Is he really capable?”

“…….”

“…….”

Though still silent, the people could be divided into two groups by the atmosphere.

One group was thinking:

‘Ah, crap, we’re dead.’

Their despair was written plainly on their faces.

The other group had the look:

‘How did he know?’

Si-on locked his gaze on the Black Eagle Regiment soldiers and elven warriors, most of whom belonged to the latter group.

“That’s why this instructor has decided to give an opportunity to those chicks who don’t know their place. If you doubt me, feel free to challenge me one-on-one or all at once.”

“……!!!”

“You can come at me one at a time or all at once. When? Right now.”

Ignoring the shock of those around him, Si-on gave a slight nod.

Stelman uncovered a large pile of wooden swords and staffs stacked up beside the tent, previously covered by leather.

Si-on took a 90-centimeter ebony wooden sword from Stelman, slinging it over his shoulder as he spoke.

“Lastly, this instructor is very generous. Not only will I personally make sure you chicks know your place, but I’ve also prepared another gift. Whoever lands a single hit on me will be appointed platoon leader on the spot, and whoever beats me will become company commander.”

Some felt their pride deeply wounded, others were filled with the spirit of challenge, and still others sneered as if they found it absurd.

Si-on, smirking provocatively at all of them, raised his left hand and beckoned.

“I’ll give you 10 seconds. Attack me with whichever weapon you prefer. Oh, and you can even use real swords. They won’t touch me anyway.”

His final statement was the decisive blow.

A hundred or so veteran warriors, their pride wounded, charged at the arrogant instructor like a herd of wild buffalo.

* * *

Stella Gosan was one of the few who knew Si-on’s true identity.

Si-on had permitted his identity to be revealed to the Elders leading the Gosan and Namsan elves and their successors.

As the only daughter of the Gosan Elves’ Elder and their best ranger, practically confirmed as the next Elder, she had rushed over without hesitation upon hearing that the legendary Hero, Duke Jang Si-on, was still alive and had returned to the Duchy.

Her mother, the Elder of the Gosan Elves, hadn’t stopped her.

In fact, she welcomed her daughter’s decision.

This was because her mother had been as close as a sister to Si-on’s wife.

She had even named her only daughter ‘Stella’ after her.

Of course, Stella Gosan had never seen Si-on or Princess Stella.

But she prided herself on knowing everything about Si-on—at least, until he had faked his death and completely left the Duchy.

She had heard countless stories about Princess Stella, who had been like a sister to her mother, from a young age. However, Stella admired Duke Jang Si-on much more.

Was it because he had defeated the Dark Dragon with his fellow Heroes?

Because he had gathered his endangered kin at the Duchy, offering them hope?

No.

She simply respected Si-on because he was incredibly strong.

Possibly the most powerful being in the world.

– But could all of that be true?

Still, having only heard stories and never seen him in person, she had a slight doubt.

That was why she had rushed over without a second thought.

The Great Monster Hunting Division?

I don’t care about that.

Stella Gosan had only two objectives.

The first was to personally confirm whether the ‘Hero,’ whom she had respected so much as a child but now doubted slightly as she grew older, was truly as strong as the legends claimed.

And the second, if the opportunity presented itself, was to surpass that legend herself.

Stella was confident.

That is, until about a minute ago when she was the first to rush at the legendary figure she had admired.

Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!

“Argh! Kegh! Gah! Squawk!”

As strange, rhythmic thuds combined with grotesque screams, forming a bizarre harmony she had never heard before, Stella came to her senses.

“Grrk! Hkk! Ack! Blarg!”

Already suffering from a headache, the strange, unrelenting screams continued to pierce her ears, and she furrowed her brow, trying to rise.

“Ugh!”

But a sudden, sharp pain shot through her head, causing her to grimace and instinctively press her hand to her forehead.

“Huh?”

Her forehead, which should have been smooth, was swollen.

The unfamiliar sensation brought back Stella’s memory of what had happened.

“One hit…?”

In that fleeting moment when the ebony wooden sword blurred, she had felt the pain of her skull splitting apart.

And with no memory after that, she assumed she had been knocked out with a single blow.

“I-I need to get up. Ugh…”

She tried to gather her strength and rise, but the world suddenly spun before her eyes, forcing her to give up on standing.

“Phew, phew…”

With her eyes squeezed shut, she took deep breaths and barely managed to regain her composure.

Finally, she looked around.

Some were lying on the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth.

Others, grinning like fools, lay unconscious with blood gushing from their noses, as if they were having pleasant dreams.

Some were kneeling on the ground, trembling uncontrollably, vomiting without pause.

And so on…

There were too many to count, all in filthy, pitiful states, either knocked out or worshiping the ground.

Stella realized that these were her comrades starting today.

Her foolish chick comrades who didn’t know their place.

And over there, more comrades were being added to their ranks.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

It wasn’t even visible.

No, she could see it.

Each time a dark, snake-like blur hissed through the air, drawing both straight and curved lines, another person was knocked down.

Defense?

They tried to block the upper strike, only to suddenly fold at the waist and collapse to their knees, probably from being hit in the stomach.

Evasion?

Whether it was a fist, a foot, a knee, or a shoulder, whatever it was, they were struck by a body part other than the hand holding the wooden sword.

Counterattack?

How could they possibly counter when they couldn’t even grasp where the attack was coming from?

In that way, nearly a hundred veteran warriors were all laid out.

“…….”

Having been the first to be knocked out, Stella stared blankly at the scene once she regained consciousness.

And when it finally ended, she, the top ranger of the Gosan Elves, muttered a single word.

“One minute.”

It had taken exactly one minute from the moment she regained consciousness for that man to knock down the rest.

As her originally dazed eyes gradually regained their usual sharpness, she began to feel something new.

Thump thump.

She felt her heart (which she prided herself on as being far from small) beating intensely.

It wasn’t just the shock still reverberating in her head or the fear she had felt right before being struck.

It was the overwhelming awe she had witnessed firsthand, and the deep admiration that followed.

Stella Gosan had finally met the idol of her life today.