Regressor Of The Fallen Family [EN]: Chapter 173

For three weeks, McLane territory kept recruiting women soldiers. But then, fewer women applied. The women who had already signed up became worried. They gathered together and talked about what was happening.

“The food is good… They won’t stop now, will they?” Cassandra said, worried. Everyone around her glared at her, as if saying, ‘Don’t say that!’ But no one else spoke up.

In the three weeks at the training camp, everyone learned Cassandra was very strong, even though she looked pretty. They saw she could easily lift heavy rocks. No one wanted to make her angry.

But a girl with a cute, round face stayed close to Cassandra. She stomped her foot and told Cassandra off.

“Sister, don’t say things like that! What if it comes true? I already got paid part of my salary!”

“Ah, Evelyn, sorry. I’m just worried…”

“Anyway, I’m not leaving even if they tell me to. I’m staying here no matter what! The food is good… Hey! Don’t pull my cheek! I’m not a baby!”

Cassandra smiled at Evelyn. Evelyn crossed her arms and puffed out her cheeks, looking even cuter.

Evelyn reminded Cassandra of her little sister back home, so waiting wasn’t so bad.

“…Well, he’s a noble, right? Nobles keep their promises. And he’s supposed to be a famous one.” Cassandra said this to calm herself down.

Suddenly, a loud voice shouted, “Everyone, to the parade ground! Lady Aileen Floyd is here!” Everyone stopped talking and looked around.

“Hello everyone. I am Aileen Floyd. I will be in charge of you and your main teacher from now on.” As soon as she finished talking, the women who were unsure before started whispering excitedly.

“Wow! She’s so pretty! And she’s a knight?”

“Really?”

“No way!”

While the other women whispered, Cassandra felt a cold shiver go down her spine as she looked at the pretty knight. Aileen was shorter than Cassandra, but Cassandra felt even more scared than when she saw a hungry bear near her village. ‘She’s definitely a real knight.’ The knight who visited her village years ago didn’t feel this powerful. Cassandra’s heart beat fast as she watched Aileen on the platform.

“Maybe you don’t know me well, or you’ve only heard stories about me. That might make you nervous. So, I’ll show you what I can do.”

*Whoosh!* Suddenly, blue flames burst out from the strange blue sword Aileen held. This was Force Fire. It was more than just making a weapon stronger with Force. It was showing off power. Knights didn’t use it much in battles because it wasted energy, but it was perfect for showing skills right now. Only very strong knights could do this, but the women there didn’t know that. They just gasped, “Wow…!” Like Cassandra, they were amazed.

“I hope you are not worried anymore. If you don’t know what this is…”

*Slash! Craaaack!* The sword cut through the hard stone platform in one hit, breaking it in two.

“Woooow!”

“Believe what you just saw. I am the one who will make you strong.” The 232 women in the training ground looked at Aileen with wide, excited eyes when she spoke confidently.

‘It worked,’ Aileen thought. She rubbed her hand behind her back and smiled. Swinging the sword so hard, even though she was still getting used to her new power, hurt a little. But when she saw the women looking at her with new respect, she knew her plan was working. ‘A good start.’ She had felt pressure when her idea became a mission, a mission to change the country. This pressure made her think differently. And then, she broke through her limits and became even stronger. Other knights who had been stuck at the same level for years would be very angry if they knew, but Aileen felt like it was a gift. She could do this now. So, she needed to make these trainees believe in themselves too.

“You will make our territory proud. You will be our secret weapon, something no other territory has. We will give you everything you need, and you will do amazing things. Does anyone not believe in themselves?”

“No!”

“N-no!”

“Good. Then, training starts now! Instructors!” Aileen’s voice became sharp and loud. “Forward! Run!” The instructors below the platform immediately started running. The trainees copied them, repeating the commands.

“W-what? So soon?” Some women looked confused and surprised. But…

“Run! Follow them!” Cassandra shouted and started running. The other women followed her and the instructors. They ran clumsily, all in different directions, with no order. This was the start of the McLane Women’s Army, which would become famous one day.

“Hoo…” Running after the instructor was easy for Cassandra. She knew she was strong and had good stamina. So, even while running, she was thinking about other things. ‘If I was a noble, if I had learned to fight with a sword properly, could I do what she did?’ She was jealous of Aileen, who was already so skilled at a similar age. Cassandra wanted to be like that too. ‘I can do it too!’ That’s why she came here, right? Seeing Aileen’s power made her believe in herself. Maybe she started a bit late, but she had found the right way. She was strong enough to beat all the men in her village. She must have some talent. ‘If I train hard, I can do it. I can do it if I train hard.’ She kept running, feeling determined.

“Have you trained before, on your own?”

“Huh?!”

“Oh, sorry if I scared you. Breathe slowly, slowly. Yes, like that.” *Huff. Huff.* Cassandra looked surprised as the knight came up beside her.

“T-trained?”

“Yes. Looking at your body and muscles, you look like you’ve trained a lot. You seem talented.”

“Ah, no. *Huff.* I just do farm work…” Cassandra’s face turned red when Aileen said that. Aileen’s words sounded real. Cassandra’s height, her wide shoulders, and her strong muscles had always made people laugh at her….

“D-do I really, *hah, hah,* have talent?”

“Yes, you do! If you have a body like this just from farm work, you have amazing talent. I’m excited to see what you can do. What’s your name?”

“C-Cassandra. *Huff.*”

“Good, Cassandra. Soon, we’ll have another woman knight in our territory. Work hard!”

“Yes, yes!” Cassandra shouted so loudly she had to gasp for air again. Aileen smiled, patted Cassandra’s shoulder, and then ran to talk to someone else. Even while running fast in heavy armor, Aileen talked easily and breathed normally. Cassandra could see how strong a real knight was.

Cassandra’s eyes sparkled as she watched Aileen. ‘I will become just like her!’ While Cassandra ran easily at the front, some women struggled at the back, trying hard to keep up. Evelyn was one of them. Her legs felt like lead, and she gasped for breath. She felt like she couldn’t run anymore after only 30 minutes, but Evelyn kept going. ‘I, I can’t give up.’

I wasn’t sure I would be accepted, but I applied anyway. For weeks now, I’ve been eating properly, three meals a day.

My body *must* hold up. It has to.

If I fail and collapse, I might have to pay back the money they gave me upfront.

I can’t let that happen.

‘I am my family’s hope.’

Eileen didn’t particularly want to be a soldier or a knight.

It was simply the only opportunity for her and her remaining family to make a living, so she had to seize it.

But that’s precisely why even more…

‘I absolutely cannot collapse!’

It was the first time in her life she had ever run this far.

She had never particularly thought of herself as having good athletic ability.

That’s why she had to learn.

Eileen watched the instructors at the front, trying to copy their perfect posture.

Of course, even so, she reached her limit from time to time.

Then, at one moment.

Suddenly, running became easier.

Her breathing became easier, and strength returned to her arms and legs as if by magic.

‘See, I can do it if I try. Hee hee!’

She was happily thinking to herself when…

“Oh dear, already at this point?! Focus on your breathing, inhale deeply, and exhale slowly! Move your arms and legs rhythmically.”

Huh?!

T-that, that pretty knight lady.

Eileen was surprised and turned to her side, and there was the knight.

“Eyes forward, soldier! You’re doing great, just breathe with me! You’re pushing yourself too hard already, and we’ve barely started! Arms and legs rhythmically! Don’t put in more strength! If you want to continue training, listen to me!”

Eileen didn’t understand what the knight was saying, but she instinctively followed her words.

Long breaths, and arms and legs moving rhythmically.

As she slowly followed the formation.

“For now, we’ll just focus on getting stronger. What you just felt – feeling suddenly better – might happen again. Remember what I told you, and you’ll be able to finish training without feeling too bad afterwards.”

Eileen was too breathless to thank the knight, but her heart was full of gratitude. She would remember this kindness.

Thinking that, she seemed to gain a little more strength.

Recalling the only belief of her sixteen years of life, Eileen once again vigorously moved her arms and legs.

And she tried to focus on her breathing as the knight had taught her.

*(Sigh)* She’s such a kind girl. I hope she understands what I’m trying to teach her…

“You need to trust those who believe in you, Eileen, not just those who give you things. If you have faith in them, they will look after you even better. Do you understand?”

I am keeping your words well, Father.

When I receive my next monthly salary, I will buy you good medicine, so please hold on.

Brushing aside the sudden gloomy thoughts.

Eileen smiled again, as she always did.

She seemed to gain a little more strength.

Later that day, in Logan’s office…

“We received a message from Clayton that the Magic Tower has filled its twelve apprentice slots.”

“It was so crowded, and only twelve? Is there something wrong with that talent assessment magic circle? We invested money in it…….”

Logan frowned, thinking about the Magic Tower. It had been packed with people, much more crowded than when they were hiring staff.

Then, Dwayne shook his head.

“It probably means that there are that few people with the talent of a wizard. Moreover, Clayton values personality, so he is filtering out a few even among the successful applicants.”

“Hmm. Well, that’s understandable. Anyway, they’re still going to accept more, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Okay. The immediate numbers are a bit disappointing, but it doesn’t seem to be a problem I need to concern myself with. Were there any other reports?”

Logan’s voice showed he was hoping for good news. Dwayne knew what he meant.

“Yes? Ah, you mean that experiment? There was no separate mention of that matter.”

“Hmm……. I should go and visit once. Anyway, how is the merchant guild preparation going?”

“Yes. We are preparing as you said, but are you really going to create a merchant guild?”

“Yeah. That’s why I ordered the preparation.”

Logan’s answer was firm, but Dwayne still looked uneasy.

“I admit that friend Philip is smart, but still, this scale of capital…….”

“I’ve also thought of a backup plan, so don’t worry too much.”

“A backup plan?”

“There is such a thing.”

Logan smiled meaningfully at Dwayne’s puzzled expression but didn’t explain further.

And at that moment.

“Logan, something suddenly occurred to me…….”

Patrick entered without knocking.

“Father?”

“Lord, what brings you here?”

“Is there some problem with the Knights training?”

“Ah, no. They’re doing well on their own now. A more important matter came to mind.”

“……A more important matter?”

A ‘more important matter’ than the Knights training? Logan and Dwayne were surprised. Patrick McLain *always* cared most about the knights.

“Dwayne,” Patrick said, with a pointed look. “Shouldn’t you be getting back to work?”

“Yes? Ah, I understand, Lord. Young Master, I’ll be going then.”

“Yes, go ahead. Father, what’s going on?”

“Well, it’s…….”

The moment he was about to open his mouth, Patrick chuckled as he saw Dwayne’s movements, who was about to leave the door, becoming noticeably slower.

“Dwayne. Aren’t you busy?”

“Yes, yes. I’m going, I’m going. Still, if it’s such an important matter……. Hmm. There are some matters I don’t need to know. Yes, I’ll disappear.”

As soon as Dwayne closed the door and left under Patrick’s glare.

“Young Master Logan!”

The door opened again, and Eileen appeared with a bright face.

“Ah. Father was here too.”

At the word ‘Father,’ a smile momentarily spread across Patrick’s face.

“I have something to report regarding the training. I’ll wait a bit.”

“No, no. Come in. I had something to discuss with both of you anyway.”

Both of us?

A question momentarily arose on Logan and Eileen’s faces, but Patrick gestured and stepped back himself.

“Ah, yes. But I’m just giving a progress report…….”

“Tell me, Eileen. What about the training? Is there a problem?”

“No. I’m here to tell you that there isn’t a problem. Everyone has talent or is overflowing with willpower. It’s more of a problem that they’re overdoing it. Their stamina is a bit lacking, but no one is trying to give up, and in a few months, we can finish physical training and start full-scale military training.”

“……That’s good news.”

“Of course!”

Eileen’s excited face made Logan smile involuntarily.

‘It’s amazing that she has risen to such heights in such a short time.’

Training the knights was essential. At first, Logan had been worried because it started slowly. But Eileen was doing a fantastic job, so his worries were fading.

“If the results continue like this, it will be a great asset to the family.”

“Of course. I believe in you.”

The intersecting gazes carried firm belief and brought the conviction that everything was going well.

But then.

“Yes. This was the problem.”

“Yes?”

At the sudden interjection, Logan and Eileen turned their heads to the side.

“How can you two be together and only talk about work?”

“……?”

“Family growth is good, but I want to see grandchildren more. Have you two been dating recently? When are you going to get married?”

At Patrick’s barrage of questions, the two of them froze in place.