The Kingmaker System-Chapter 147 - 146. Enemy’s Move (1)

The spar ended with my win and the opponents who were thrown away got to their feet while Eric and Rune stood at a distance.

"Damn! None of us could land an attack."

"But we still were able to have him at a few times."

"Right, my arrow almost brushed past him this time."

"And he barely avoided my axe!"

I heard the kids grumbling and discussing excitedly, Kent seemed quite satisfied with his spar. Drac seemed like he was brimming with enthusiasm as he looked down at his hands while Lyall was staring at me.

I turned to look at Eric and Rune who had hesitated to attack me at the last moment.

"Lyall," I spoke up.

"Yes, Master?"

"I see the improvement in them but I think you failed to teach them one thing." I spoke making him clench his fists while the two avoided my eyes.

"Never hesitate in a battle unless you have extra lives to spare." I spoke glaring coldly at the two boys.

"We-We’re sor-"

"I don’t want apologies," I snapped making them flinch before I walked over and stood in front of them.

"I don’t want you to be dead at the hands of some worthless piece of crap so, don’t hesitate even if I’m standing as your opponent." I said and then looked at Lyall.

"Train them harder,"

"Yes, Master."

"And Rune, you won’t go back to Eden for a while, take a leave and stay here." I commanded.

Rune looked at me with confusion swirling in his eyes.

"Our enemy is ready to make a move and it’s time that you two face the consequences of what you did at the banquet so, I hope you train to the point of not disappointing me." I said making even Eric look at me with wide eyes.

"Wha... What do you mean?" He gasped.

I sighed as I looked at both of them before saying, "You’ll know soon."

I turned on my heel and started walking away feeling Drac hurrying behind me. I expected him to hesitate at the last moment along with Eric and Rune but he didn’t, his fist which was on fire was headed straight for me without any uncertainty in his intentions.

"I thought you’d hesitate as well." I spoke up and he looked at me.

"I wouldn’t dare, Master." He said with a smile.

"I know you are capable of turning all of us into dust in the blink of an eye so, if I hesitated it would be like insulting or doubting the might of the Great Dragon and I couldn’t dare do that unless, I really want to die."

I looked at his face which was devoid of any doubt before looking ahead. This kid continued to go beyond my expectations.

"Stay here with them and train along." I said making him halt.

"Yes, yes?!"

"There’s no need to hover around me, you have room for improvement and this place can be your training ground. You saw those kids, right?" I asked and he nodded.

He must have noticed how fast and skillful those kids were at such young age.

"They have only been training for a few months and they are capable of this much, then, can you imagine their potential?" I asked and his head slowly nodded.

Drac had no family, no way of having a happy childhood and even lost the only friend that he made so, I guess staying around the kids who could empathize with him would be good for a change. He could experience the kind of life that he wouldn’t have expected, the new ways of having fun and also train with the fellow comrades who wouldn’t discriminate against him would be the best.

The next few days passed by with me hopping in between Herot City, home and Eldarf manor.

It was an extremely busy time for me and while I was at it, I had Luke Clive, Ralph Greene and Derrick Langland also shifted to Eldarf since they would need training as well.

Derrick had decided to join my side after the successful completion of the Douglas incident, at first he seemed a little hesitant but since his friends were by his side he had no problems settling in his place.

The kids had no idea at first as to how to deal with the new type of situation they were in, one day they were living with their families and the next day, I had them shifted to Eldarf manor for intense training.

Eden University was facing a bit of a tension as well and the classes were once again on hold. It was confusing for the kids and those who had no idea of what kind of storm was brewing on the horizon.

But I, along with a few others were able to see it clearly making things harder for us as we had to juggle a lot of things at once before that storm hit us.

"Reina, are you heading back to Eldarf again tomorrow?" Dad asked as I stood up after finishing my dinner.

"Yes, I need to keep everything in check. I might be late tomorrow so, please don’t wait for me."

"Is there anything that I could do?" He asked and I nodded.

"Yes, make sure you start storing the grains and other resources. I’ve already told Sir Rudyard to train the knights harder but please keep checking on them."

"Reina, you talk as if-"

He stopped midway and then his eyes went wide as he looked at me with the comprehension settling in.

"That’s... not the case, right? Reina, please... tell me, that it’s not what I’m thinking." He said with the color drained off of his face.

"Unfortunately, father. That’s what will happen in the near future. I’m doing all I can to make sure that the damage would be as minimal as possible but, I would want your help in managing the territory in those hard times so... please be careful of it." I said and he clenched his fists on the table while I placed my hand over his shoulder giving it a light squeeze.

The next morning, I teleported to Ryujin mansion where Roan was slumped with my share of work. He was barely awake as I stepped in, he turned his head and his tired eyes fell on me. His face was pale with the dark bags hanging under his eyes.

"Am I hallucinating?" He groaned and I patted his head.

"No, you’re not. I’m really here."

"Thank God! I can go get some sleep now." He groaned as he stood up and stretched his arms, I could hear his stiff muscles popping as he wobbled out of my study.

"On your way, tell someone to send Enora here." I said and he nodded yawning widely.

Enora entered after a few seconds, "You called for me, Master."

"From now on, every morning you will be at Eldarf manor. Train the kids with Lyall."

She didn’t say anything at my random command but simply bowed with the politeness and grace that she always carried.

"I’ll do as you say, Master."

I stayed at Ryujin mansion till lunch time and after that I was at Eldarf to train with the kids. The same routine continued for the next one month and I had allowed no breaks for their training and Lyall along with Enora were also busy with the training.

I had taken turns with the training as the Elves and Dwarves were divided into one team and the six kids, including Drac were in another.

The first team to spar with me were Elves and Dwarves, their fighting style and skills were surpassing that of an assassin with time. They were faster and even more clean with their attacks, I couldn’t help but feel proud of it as this was going to be my elite team in future. The team which would be responsible to protect and purge on my word.

The second team seemed to be a bit lacking as their training time was less and their skills were still on the level of a knight. Eric and Rune were capable of synchronizing with Drac’s attacks but the rest three were having a hard time.

"Attack as if your lives are on line." I instructed as I dodged their attacks.

We trained for the whole day until the sun started creeping closer to the western horizon and the kids were completely down.

"Abandon your chivalry and heroism if you want to survive," I said looking at the kids who were sprawled on the ground.

"I-I don’t understand... it though..." Ralph spoke between his huffs.

"Why... Why are we... suddenly... training so... much?" Derrick asked.

"I... I can’t move... anymore." Luke groaned.

Drac managed to sit up before he got to his feet dusting his clothes without any complaints.

"What the-" Ralph gasped as he saw Drac up and about.

"Ho-How is he... able to get up?"

I saw Eric and Rune pushing themselves up to the sitting position making the other three get shocked.

"Y-You two as well?!"

"It would be better if you train harder and increase your stamina." I said as I reached out to Ralph.

He took my hand and I pulled him up to the standing position before I went ahead and got the other two to their feet as well.

"It’s fine to be a little slow but, you don’t have time so, please exert yourself a little more."

"What do you mean?" Derrick asked and I looked at him.

I hadn’t told them the reason for their intense traing but I guess there was a need to now. Since, the decision was made by my opponent.