บท 12: Elit soldier

[One day later]

Ragnar took 50 men from the village and left the mountain with the Vikings. These fifty were the 25 physically strongest men and 25 women. Some had children, but they lagged. They promised families that they would be given the choices of their lives and that they would not be mistreated. They could also meet every year.

[Arthur Dayne POV]

It's been a while since I came to this world. I'm still not sure about some things.

For example, there is a library that has just started to form in the castle. There is information about monsters there.

At first, I didn't understand how the world still existed if there were such powerful monsters. Later I learned of the existence of Witchers and Wizards. However, instead of reducing the number of these creatures, mages fight other races. Or worse, they're fighting amongst themselves.

I never thought I would be summoned to another world in this way after death.

My memory was erased about the world after death. It's one of the terms of the deal. It's also one of those things I'm not sure why. Lost in my thoughts, I went out into the courtyard. There were about 800 people in the courtyard.

Arthur: "From now on, you'll come to me to be 10 each and memorize the move I showed you. A week from now I will ask you to show it again. Then I will do the first qualifiers by going this way. I will be choosing 50 people by the end of this month. So why go to all this trouble? Apart from glory, power, money, and fame, the first 3 people from the master can request without exceeding the limits. Remember, even we couldn't make a request."

These are the tasks given to me by Master Nashi. I think he's asking me to form an elite guard group.

Arthur showed them only the vertical cross, horizontal cross, and diagonal cross movements in the first week.

The newcomers to the village did not study hard because they did not understand the seriousness of a request from the master, and 400 people were eliminated in the first test.

Arthur showed them the second week of blocking and some footwork.

Those who stayed in the second week started to work much harder, although there was a difference between them as they were studying swords in their spare time after other jobs instead of just practicing swords. Some of them even slept a lot, while others worked for half an hour a day. More than 200 people were eliminated in this exam.

In the third week, Arthur taught them something about how to combine attack and defense.

In the third week, everyone was trying hard, but the difference in talent and perseverance was starting to show. 100 more were eliminated.

Arthur: "I'm not going to show you anything for the fourth week. Those staying here are off from all other work this week. Our test will be your confrontation with each other."

Arthur was doing the exams in his way. Although Nashi knew a thing or two about swords, he was not arrogant enough to order such a great swordsman about sword training.

According to Arthur's observation when the last week came. The powerless were paired with the powerless. If strong, with strong. The fighting took place in the center of the castle. Ned Stark, Varys, Mert Tebernüş and Edendi Nashi came to watch.

All other Assassins either returned to temples or were sent on unknown missions. The whereabouts of the shadow was unknown.

Arthur: "Remember, show your best, even if you lose, you will get a reward accordingly."

Everyone was gassed again. The matches were not very encouraging. These people were people who had only 1 month of basic training. They had neither special education nor experience. Except for the last 10.

They were either talented or determined. Some even beat veterans who had joined the war and rose here.

Nashi sat right next to the field in his chair that he had pulled out of nothing. Then he put 3 more chairs next to it. Ned, Varys, and Mert sat there.

Nashi: Normally I would have accepted you straight away but I changed my mind. In a duel, the losing side cannot participate."

Arthur: "But Mast-"

Nashi just winked at Arthur.

Nashi: "But remember, it wouldn't be nice if one of you killed the other, so Ned and Arthur will be on the side of the fighters and will intervene at the last moment."

They both shook their heads. Ten people did not speak. Surprising as it was, they had no intention of denying or opposing.

The battles went slower than expected. Most of them fought more cautiously and slowly after changing circumstances. It had turned into a death match from a training match.

All 5 of the audience saw a lot of sword fighting. So they were more or less able to comment on their abilities.

The last winner was a villager with red hair and a beard. He was stronger than some soldiers and officers.

The person from below knew the difficulty.

Nashi: "Oh so you won, David."

The man called David immediately knelt on the ground.

Varys: "I think my lord knows him."

Nashi: "I know everyone in the village. Yet he is different. He is the first person to come to this village. I saved him from the bear attack. He was a butcher and was nearly killed by the bear that killed his animals. Well, luckily he was in the village below here."

Everyone was taken aback by a series of coincidences. Did a butcher come first?

Nashi: "Well then I gave him a basic swordsmanship book. For some reason, it didn't work for me anymore. I guess coming back from the brink of death changed him?"

David: "As you say, my lord. I sold all my remaining possessions and worked every day before and after you came to the castle you said you would build."

Nashi: "Whatever. 10. 8. 6. 4. and 2. Persons were eliminated. But I will keep my word to the top three. What do you want?"

The middle-aged man who came in third immediately knelt, banging his head on the ground.

Man: "My lord, my name is Hans. I came here from the cursed land of Velen. I lost my wife and child there. I beg you, save them."

Nashi: "I remember you, Hans. Former army officer. Exactly how long ago and how did you lose it?"

Hans: "Sir, it's been about 5 years, when I was in the army, the villagers offered them as offerings."

Nashi: "Tch, your wife and child are dead. Those old wives deserve to die. Hans, I can't bring your wife back unless there's someone related to her by blood. I can bring your child, give me your hand."

Hans immediately extended his hand and began to speak at the same time.

Hans: "Sir, in the city called Novigrad my wife always talked about a cousin, would that be?"

Nashi cut Hans' palm at this time and blood began to flow to the ground. Nashi was still sitting in his chair.

Nashi: 'I haven't tried this but with a little tax I could find and smuggle him out of hell. That's nothing for a loyal and strong subordinate.'

Suddenly, a pitch-black hole opened up in the ground, and an air came out that frightened everyone. Nashi immediately sealed the forcibly withdrawn spirit and closed the door.

Nashi: "Hans, this is the soul of your child. If we make a container for him, he will come back. As for the wife, talk to that cousin of mine, Mert, and see if we can find him."

Hans collapsed to the ground crying and was just trying to say something.

Nashi: 'Damn, I shouldn't try this again. What bastard is this world under? He received as many health points as the rare class from me.'

Everyone else was over it. The villagers had very different feelings for having such a thing.

For those who were summoned, they had more mixed feelings as they saw what was promised to them.

Nashi: "Okay, the second one. Hmm, Frank if I remember correctly. What do you want from me, I suggest you don't want to join here."

Frank was surprised by two things. Both because of his name being remembered and because of the suggestion.

Frank: "Sir, I'm honored that you remember me. Since I don't want to participate. You decide my reward."

Nashi looked at Frank. His hair and beard were almost that of a white man. His swordsmanship was fine, his body just couldn't keep up with David. Nashi pulled a potion out of nothingness.

Nashi: "It's a rejuvenation potion that brings you back to around 25 years old. Of course, it doesn't work for the superhuman, but you'll have no problem here."

Frank thanked him and took his gift, then drank it. He turned into a blond-haired, blue-eyed man.

Only David remained, and he was still kneeling on the floor.

David: "Sir, I can't ask you for anything, you've already given me my life."

Nashi: "It's a different subject, you have to ask for something different."

David: "Then I would like you to choose my reward, sir."

Nashi: 'Hmm, even if I give him middle-class swordsmanship, he's not at the level to learn. At the same time, this thing is very expensive. If he wants to get stronger, I will give it to him.'

Nashi pulled out a book out of nothing.

Nashi: "Normally I would give you other things, but Arthur will teach you how to make up for your lack of swordsmanship. So take this, if you find out in a month, I'll give you another gift."

The book Nashi gave is the working diary of a great blacksmith. Even as David rises in swordsmanship, maybe this unbalanced thing can teach him. David took the award and withdrew.

Nashi: "From now on, Arthur will train at the training ground every day. Remember, anyone can watch this. But you will be penalized if you cause discomfort during the lessons. Ah, there will be a tournament every month from now on, anyone can challenge the top 50. If you win, you start from the 50th Rank. There will also be some rewards of 10 gold per month. There are special houses for the top 10 and a big prize from me for the top three."

From these words, everyone managed to understand certain things. Those who were eliminated or lost should not be upset because they can win again. It just needs a lot more work. Because while 50 people are not doing any other work, they should continue other jobs. Winners should not let themselves go because they could lose their place.

Nashi stood up and started to leave. Ned, Varys, and Mert followed him. Only the trainees, the eliminated, and Arthur remained behind.

This chapter 1832 words.

ok guys first of all happy new year to you all. I hope you have a happy, peaceful, healthy and rich year. I also love you for the few comments. For your support, I can post a bonus section.by.