Regressor of the Fallen Family novel Chapter 87

Chapter 87

Sigh!

Thud-thud-thud-thud.

Whish-thwack.

Despite earnestly making the horse gallop and taking aim with the crossbow, the bolts fired in quick succession narrowly missed their targets, embedding themselves in the ground instead.

Ah

A sigh laced with disappointment escaped Norden, a fledgling soldier who had barely finished a year of training.

Yet, his performance was still somewhat better than his peers around him.

Whish-whish-whish.

The bolts misfired embarrassingly off-target, while some soldiers still struggled to manage the reins atop the unsteady saddle, their sore backsides testament to their turmoil.

In truth, this was to be expected.

Accurately hitting a target with a bow while on horseback, let alone even with a crossbow, was challenging with just one year of training.

But Nordens eyes were fixed not on his average performing peers but rather on the few who appeared to perform this nearly impossible task with disconcerting ease.

Charge!

Fire!

Effortlessly shooting targets while charging and even hitting them from behind, nine times out of ten, was the Knight Trainees.

Recognized for their talent and solely focused on training, exempt from guard duties, Norden had believed their training primarily consisted of physical conditioning and sword and spear techniques.

Buoyed by the overwhelming victory in the last battle, he had wagered that he had dedicated just as much time, if not more, to crossbow training as them.

Yet, it was these three hundred who boasted a remarkable performance.

Even when facing Sylvan in battle, more than half of them hadnt been as adept.

There was no other explanation but a stark difference in talent.

Those are the ones wholl become knights.

The crossbow cavalry, including instructors from the royal guards and the half of veteran soldiers who had been with the young duke from the beginning plus the knight trainees, now numbered over nine hundred.

Minus the Order of Knights, they were the MacLaine Armys finest at this moment.

The tale of how the young duke had saved the family in crisis with just three hundred crossbow cavalrymen was known far and wide in MacLaine.

Being recognized as one of these elite meant receiving the same honor.

Moreover, the crossbow cavalrys wages had officially more than doubled the standard soldiers pay after the previous battle.

With that in mind.

After all that effort

Overwhelmed by a sense of defeat, Norden hung his head low.

He had felt his lack of knightly talent over the last year, putting aside monstrous outliers like Victor, who had quickly risen to knighthood, and turned his ambition to joining the crossbow cavalry, only to fail there too.

His own ineptitude felt all too acute.

If he failed again, the next selection would be even more challenging with soldiers from Sylvan also eligible to apply, many of whom were cavalry experts.

I need to provide for my family.

His father had been bedridden for three months due to illness.

His pregnant mother, nearing childbirth, could hardly tend the farm.

Despite clenching his teeth to resist, tears flowed helplessly.

How embarrassing

Wiping away tears in a hurry, his attention was pulled by a robust voice suddenly carrying over.

Enough! You, you, you, and those with similar scores, select and round them up to a thousand. For now, exclude lance and sword techniques from their training and focus on horsemanship and crossbow!

Watching from a distance, the young duke pointed out several individuals.

If Norden wasnt mistaken, one of those points was definitely directed his way.

Me, sir?

It seems so.

Sighing, the instructor next to him patted Norden on the back.

Oh, hurray!

Although Norden cheered,

This could mean another war

The worn-out mercenary-turned-instructor sensed another ominous scent of blood in the dukes orders and grimaced.

* * *

How have the Sylvan knights settled in?

Perfectly assimilated into the Order. Theyve received their mithril swords, and the morales high with the imparting of the bloodsteel swords, replied Knight Commander Heinkel to his liege, Logan.

Good, Logan responded, a trace of satisfaction in his voice.

What about the others?

No issues, just good news, Heinkels lips curled into a faint smile as he continued his report.

Such as?

Our morales notably uplifted thanks to Lady Aileens participation in the training.

Hmm?

Well, for now, theyre motivated by not wanting to be beaten by a lady.

Amused by the unexpected beneficial effect, Logan chuckled.

Whats the headcount for our knight forces?

Counting myself, 152 in full.