Chapitre 32: Bootcamp

While Derrick was going through William's lecture, something else was happening during the day.

It was time for the new training regiment of the army!

Thomas, who hadn't slept since seeing Derrick rip out his friend's heart, was one of the first to arrive at the designated area.

The location was where the future Military Quarters would be built. The terrain was mostly flat, but the vegetation was dense and the presence of bugs, suffocating. Curses and clapping sounds could be heard randomly throughout the group of soldiers.

"Why the hell was the rally set here?! I understand that it's our future base, but there's nothing but mosquitoes here!!!"

"I agree! What the fuck were they thinking?! We can't train in this shithole!!!"

While some were venting out their growing frustrations, Thomas just stood still, awaiting orders. He also spotted other thugs who had been 'reformed' by the same method he had gone through.

"Atone or join your friend"

Those were the words that kept replaying over and over in his head.

It hadn't been his first time witnessing people perishing, but the fact he had been completely powerless in front of true strength made him realize something... He was scared of death.

Scared of dying without accomplishing anything meaningful in his life.

After another few minutes, the 160 soldiers all stood together, making for a juicy snack for the hordes of mosquitoes that kept on coming.

Their curses were only getting louder and louder, to the point where some almost convinced themselves that they could just leave without being punished.

"YOU PATHETIC WEAKLINGS!"

The thunderous voice came from the front, and all eyes swung in its direction.

A chill then covered the entire crowd, with those previously exclaiming their grievances stopping and not daring to let out another word.

On a big boulder that overlooked everything stood a woman and a man. The woman was dressed in brown leather armor that matched her untied red hair. She was pretty, but not too overbearing. She looked pretty down to earth.

However, her gaze shook the spirit of every soldier who met it. She looked at them as if they were... trash. It was a look filled with so much disgust that she nearly made them rethink their entire lives.

As for the man next to her, he was recognized right away. After all, he was the only ex-chieftain who had somehow survived Derrick's wrath, a feat only he could boast about.

When Atta saw Eloise's expression, he couldn't help but grimace...

"YOU'RE FUCKING DISGRACES TO THE PROFESSION! COMPLAINING LIKE THE LITTLE BITCHES YOU ARE! ARE YOU SOME HOUSEWIVES WHO WAIT FOR THEIR HUSBAND TO FUCK THEM SO THEY CAN HAVE KIDS?! CAUSE RIGHT NOW YOU SURE LOOK LIKE SOME"

All their expressions fell.

Did they really look like that? And how was this woman spouting so many vulgarities?!

However, some hotheads had taken offense and promptly replied.

"What the fuck did you just say, lady?! Say that again!"

"Yeah, if there's a bitch here, it's you!"

"Come beg on all four, and we'll play with you to show you who's really in charge here"

All the other soldiers took in a mouthful of air and immediately distanced themselves from them, forming a human arena.

Were these fellows suicidal?! Hadn't they seen Derrick's strength?!

It wasn't long before the offenders were recognized. They were Martin, Lucas and Trey, the strongest soldiers of their past villages.

Eloise and Atta's gazes narrowed on the three individuals, with the atmosphere becoming heavy and stifling as neither party backed down.

After a long minute, Eloise erupted in a clear and cold laughter.

"I never expected that three morons would make my life easier. COME FIGHT ME ALL TOGETHER, YOU PUSSIES!"

She unsheathed the sword at her waist and jumped down of the rock.

When the three of them heard her, their faces turned bright red.

"YOU BITCH! YOU BETTER NOT BEG FOR MERCY BEFORE WE'RE DONE WITH YOU!"

Martin was almost frothing at the mouth. He had never been this disrespected in his life. He was used to being admired and given leeway whenever he wanted.

This wasn't going to work.

The trio whipped out their respective weapons and leaped forward. It was time to break their supposedly new General.

When she saw them move, she sneered.

They were simply... too weak.

*BANG*

With a single swing of her sword, she knocked them all out before sending them crashing into the nearby trees.

The impact was so violent that the trio felt their bones crack, which then made them spit a mouthful of blood.

"Ho... How"

Their minds simply couldn't process how a woman could wield such monstrous strength.

While they were reeling, the others were awed. Their General wasn't all talk!

Even Atta had to admit that she looked impressive.

"NOW THAT YOU'VE SEEN THAT I'M NOT LIKE YOUR WIVES, YOU BETTER FUCKING LISTEN! HIS HIGHNESS DERRICK HAS ASKED ME TO TRAIN YOU AND MAKE YOU 'RESPECTABLE'. I SEE WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO"

"Now, as for you three retards..."

Everyone suddenly had looks of pity. What was going to happen to them?

She approached the bodies and leaned close enough for them to hear her whispers.

"I'll break you, and by the time I'm done, you'll be begging for your mommies... Your bones, your organs, your very being. Everything is mine now... You're basically glorified prostitutes, nothing more. I ask for something, you agree. If you don't..."

She brought her blade next to their necks and faked slitting them, making the previously confidant men shake uncontrollably. This girl was crazy!!!

When she saw that she had successfully scared them, she straightened herself and looked around.

"NOW LISTEN UP, YOU FOOLS! I WANT YOU ALL TO RUN THREE LAPS AROUND THE TOWN WHILE GEARED UP, FOLLOWED BY 200 PUSH UPS AND SIT UPS THAT WILL ALSO BE FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER THREE LAPS. THE LAST ONES WILL RUN AN ADDITIONAL 3 LAPS. OF COURSE, THEY WON'T BE RUNNING ALONE..."

Her voice was loud and domineering, and it left no place for debate. Eloise also threw the injured fools a vicious glance, making them tremble even more.

When they heard her directives, the soldiers had started to heavily sweat. They had barely done anything in the past, and except for a few, they were all out of shape.

When she saw that nobody moved, she yelled again.

"RUN NOW OR I'M DOUBLING THE WORKLOAD!!!"

Everyone snapped out and started running, since nobody wanted to be last.

Even the three fellows got up, albeit with difficulty, and started running.

Satisfied, Eloise joined Atta back on the boulder, who appeared to be in a daze.

He had tried to train his soldiers in the past before ultimately giving up, as they were all fatsos who barely had more willpower than a potato.

Seeing her accomplish something he hadn't been able to, in a day at that, hurt his pride more than he wanted to admit.

"I know you're still on the fence about Derrick, but from what I've seen so far, he's worth following"

Her sudden affirmation startled Atta, but he nodded.

Sure, he looked tyrannical at times, but his actions were never out of place. In the end, all of those who had been punished had deserved it. Maybe it was time to reconsider his initial assessment.

Meanwhile, Thomas was running with all his might. The General's display of power had motivated him beyond anything he had ever seen.

This was where he could finally turn his life around.