Brian Sr._2 178: Chapter 101 Mr.
Brian Sr._2 Leon now understood.
The Cat Spinning Technique was not ideally used.
Against a thrust, logically speaking, the Cat Spinning Step combined with a slanting side strike was the optimal solution, whereas a direct frontal counterattack was undoubtedly a waste of opportunity.
It seemed that the stuttering youth had only mastered the basic “spoon-shaped” step.
Leon stepped forward with his left foot, pulled his arms up, twisted the sword grid to block Hawk’s blade, and immediately crossed his arms, spinning his long sword like a helicopter propeller, slanting it toward Hawk’s side waist.
The stuttering youth clenched his teeth and twisted his suddenly stiff body, barely dragging his right leg and spinning out a step in an extremely ungraceful posture, and with a clang sound from the shield on his left arm protecting his body,
he barely blocked his own lord’s rapidly sidestepping and swinging attack.
But Hawk, whose balance was unstable, also staggered and tripped over his own overly forceful Cat Spinning Step.
The youth embarrassingly lost his balance and fell forward, lying on the ground with his sword and shield.
he had managed to endure five moves.
“You’ve passed,” Leon retracted his sword blade and said to Hawk, who was getting up from the ground.
Listening to the envious murmurs from the crowd, the stuttering youth took off his helmet and grinned so widely that he could not close his mouth.
In his excitement, his already stammering mouth couldn’t even form words.
Leon pulled him up, allowing him to stand with the Guards.
Finally, a Selvian had passed the selection, and the stuttering youth had somehow redeemed some honor for the young men of the village.
Only thing was, he had to recruit a new stableman.
After the selected Guards went back to collect their personal belongings, Leon took them to the large house formerly owned by the village officials of Selva Village to temporarily settle them.
Although he hadn’t been able to recruit ten Guards, given the mere population of over a hundred families across the three territories, he couldn’t expect many more talents.
After a brief rest at noon, in the afternoon, the other young men, under Azeryan’s arrangement, fetched logging tools from the storehouse and headed east of Selva Village to clear the woods, preparing for the future construction of the barracks.
Leon took all the young men who claimed to know archery to the fields outside the village and set up targets.
Although they didn’t receive the high treatment of Heavy Infantry, he also offered a standard full-time archer’s salary, aiming only to recruit relatively skilled archers.
…And as the only subject in Selva who could shoot, Mr.
watched indifferently nearby as young men from other places took turns drawing bows and shooting at targets, competing in their archery skills.
His gaze lingered briefly on Leon, who was focused on selecting archers, then glanced at Olivia, who was casually chatting beside him.
The old blacksmith’s expression slowly became complex and hesitant…
As dusk fell, the bustling young men from the various villages disbanded with their leaders to rest, and Leon and Olivia separated to return to their homes.
Before it was even dinner time, while Leon was discussing with Azeryan and others about how to construct the barracks, he heard from Little Lina that Uncle Bryan had suddenly come over for a visit from next door.
Seeing the solemn-faced old blacksmith, Leon was not surprised.
“Forgive my intrusion, Lord Azeryan, Lord Lokhak, I wish to speak to Mr.
Brian requested seriously upon seeing the other young men in the room.
Azeryan and Lokhak looked at Leon, who nodded at them, and they stood up and left with Kovis.
Waiting until his three friends had temporarily left, Leon leaned back in his chair and looked at the old blacksmith: “You’ve kept your composure better than I expected, Uncle Bryan.
I thought you would have come to me a few days ago.”
“It’s not about keeping composure, I just didn’t know what to do, Mr.
Brian revealed a bitter smile: “May I ask…
how much do you know?”
Leon waved his hand, “Not much, only that she carries the blood of the Orland Royal Family.”
Even though he had already heard from Olivia that her origins had been disclosed by an outsider, Bryan’s eyelids jumped upon hearing this.
Leon sighed and continued, “Although I still know nothing about her identity, or your identity, I have some speculations.
But I hope you understand that no matter how much Olivia is involved, we are all willing to risk our lives to protect her.
Isn’t the strength of all of us much greater than yours alone?”
Remembering the young girl’s own wishes supporting him, Leon’s tone became firm with his identity as a lord, “Since Olivia told me she does not want to leave, you cannot possibly take her away from me.
Even if you are stubborn in your opinion, I will reject your request for relocation.
I do not trust you to take her away alone.”
Hearing the direct words from the young man in front of him, Mr.
“You’re right; I’ve thought it over these past few days.
Since you already know the special nature of Olivia’s identity and still wish to protect her, I’m not here today for my original plan.”
“What did you come here for then?” Leon puzzled.
Brian Sr., thinking about the ominous undead frequently appearing around the village and the signs of gathering arms within Selva, first expressed his worries, “Mr.
Leon, can I know what major events have been happening around Selva?”
Leon shook his head, “Sorry, Uncle Bryan, I cannot trust you like I trust Olivia; this is still a secret that cannot be spread.”
Hearing this, the old blacksmith simply nodded, “Then I can only guess slightly.
Buying so many materials and arms, gathering food and forage, hastily selecting guards, recruiting archers…
Even recalling the labor from the fortress’ territory and starting deforestation, are you planning to build a barracks next to Selva?
This is not something a Feudal Knight usually does…
Such a significant movement must have the support of Baron Eriv.
In that case, I guess you and a few lords will evidently become a force, participating in a military campaign for the Thorny Flower Family.”
Could the old blacksmith discern that he wanted to build a barracks, not construct a manor fort?
Leon responded noncommittally, “…So, what about it?”
Without getting an exact response, but Mr.
Brian Sr.’s heart already understood.
He straightened his face, as if shedding the lowliness he always feigned, and his aged voice seemed to change slightly.
Facing the young knight before him, Mr.
raised his hand and bowed.
“I have no other choice, Lord Leon, to now hope that Olivia could live peacefully as an ordinary girl is indeed an impractical fantasy.
I can no longer bind her wings, and rather than choosing an unknown fate, it’s better to prepare for the future early.
Although you cannot trust me yet, my constant observation has allowed me to believe in your promises.
Now, I would like to join your command, to help you gain enough strength, and this is also…
for better protecting Olivia.”
Leon raised an eyebrow, “You are already a village official appointed by me.”
“No, my lord, not as a village official…” Mr.
“I was once a knight who raced across battlefields and commanded armies; I know how to train soldiers and construct forts.
No need for personal compensation, nor any promise of status or rewards, consider it the boastful words of an old man, but please give me a chance to prove myself.”
The old blacksmith’s eyes burned intensely as he stared at the young man.
Listening to these words, even though Leon was prepared, he couldn’t help but sit up straight.
His eyes, even more eager than those of the old blacksmith, looked at the other.
The sudden delight in his heart was far greater than the sight of a beautiful naked body.
A veteran of war, a commander of soldiers…
perhaps even a general?
Leon had already made many bold and clear assumptions about Olivia’s identity.
Considering some of those conjectures, Leon intuitively didn’t think the other was merely boasting.
Besides, whether it’s the current construction of a barracks or future battle engagements, he was precisely lacking a military advisor who could assist him.
“I don’t know your past, Uncle Bryan.
If you don’t disdain the current ragtag team, then I might first try appointing you as my Centurion, in charge of managing the Conscripted Soldiers in the territory.”
“However, before that, I’d like to ask you a question, of course, if you prefer not to answer, I won’t insist.” Leon frowned and asked, “Are you really…
Olivia’s biological father?”