Old Soldier (Bonus Chapter Requesting Monthly Votes)

In the blink of an eye.

Jupiter was already nine years old.

Ever since he turned seven, he had followed his father, Herak, through grueling training every day, regardless of cold or heat.

Although Herak had sensed something ominous from the declining income of warriors, that did not stop him from passing on his combat experience and knowledge to Jupiter.

After all, this world was still exceedingly savage. Only the strong could survive.

The fact that patriarchy reigned supreme and strength was revered throughout the city and the kingdom was proof enough of that.

However, Herak was a clever man, after all.

He prepared generous gifts and hired a Scholar to teach young Jupiter—the man was Mr. Turing, who lived next door.

"Teacher!"

Before dawn had even broken, Jupiter got up, went next door, and waited outside Sulu's door.

After an unknown amount of time, the door creaked open, revealing Martha's face. "Poor little thing..."

She quickly brought Jupiter inside and handed him a cup of goat's milk.

By then, Sulu was already up, leisurely eating breakfast.

"Teacher!"

Jupiter respectfully approached Sulu.

"Mm... You've nearly mastered the Hormong Kingdom's common tongue. Next, we'll learn the northern orc language. You can regard it as a variation of the Hormong common tongue; they share many similarities..."

Sulu spoke calmly.

Jupiter's little face was full of misery.

Learning the common tongue had already been difficult enough for him, and the orc language was an even greater challenge to his throat and pronunciation.

"Teacher... why do I need to learn so many languages?"

If it had been his father, he would never have dared ask. Otherwise, a cane would have come down on him immediately.

But Teacher Turing was very kind and had never hit him even once, so Jupiter had gradually grown bolder.