Magic

Magic

Ignoring the crowd still reeling in shock, Roderick hurried into town to meet Albert. The Guard's regulations, the structure of its leadership, further improvements to the training grounds, the construction of a small barracks... Time was short, there was too much to do, and a busy, fulfilling life was what suited him best.

"Yug, this is far better than what we got over at the mines. Let's go find Lord Roderick."

"Yeah. Going down into the mines was hard every time, and that blackhearted foreman even docked our wages. I never want to work in a mine again."

The people around them chattered noisily. The bald man said calmly, "Wait first. Let's see what conditions this afternoon's test requires. Perhaps..." He was full of misgivings and did not finish his sentence. He had seen too many duplicitous nobles, while Roderick's strength had far exceeded his expectations. He did not know whether that young knight could truly fulfill his promises. They had fled all the way from Tirisfal and settled here, but they could not trust him so easily.

While Yug was burdened with worries, the militia from Southshore grew even more excited. They would receive a full thirty silver coins every month. After working for a few years, they could buy a decent plot of land in Southshore. For most farmers born into poor families, such temptation was irresistible.

They would go back and have a good meal, pick up their somewhat unfamiliar weapons and practice quickly. If they were truly selected, perhaps they could earn military merits in the future, be made knights, and have others respectfully call them Sir Knight. Many young people dreamed of rising to the top in one leap as they eagerly awaited the afternoon's selection test.

The meeting place with Albert was Southshore's largest inn. It occupied an excellent location, directly across from the Southshore Town Council hall. This street was also the most prosperous area in Southshore. The innkeeper, Anderson, had run the place for more than ten years, and most travelers with even a little status chose to stay here.

Roderick pushed open the door. The hall was as bright as the outside, and the beautiful display windows had been wiped spotless. The fire in the hearth had not gone out either, its small flames dancing mischievously.

A young figure sat beside the fire, her head bobbing down now and then as though she were about to fall asleep. The owner, Anderson, was sorting things behind the counter. When he saw Roderick, he put down his work and came over.

"Isn't this Roderick? How do you have time to come here during the day? Nilma, hurry and bring two bottles of Southshore Spirits."

"Oh? Ah! Y-yes, yes, I'll go right away." Startled awake from her nap, the girl sprang up like a panicked rabbit. She answered as she ran toward the wine cellar.

"No, I arranged to meet Albert here today. Bring a glass of water later as well. No roast meat today; some vegetable salad and bread will do." Roderick chatted with Anderson. "Has business been good lately? It seems there are fewer travelers."

"Holy Light above, if this keeps up, Uncle Anderson will go bankrupt. Damn Undead. There are barely any travelers willing to come here." The innkeeper cursed the Scourge bitterly.

The two had barely begun talking when a bang rang out, followed by a clatter. It was the sound of a wooden tray hitting the floor, then two crisp cracks. The fragrance of Southshore Spirits spread through the room.

"Ow! That hurts." The girl's soft cry was mixed into the chaos.

Anderson could not help covering his face with a hand. "Sorry, sorry, Uncle Anderson, I didn't mean to, I just..." The girl's face swiftly turned scarlet as she apologized over and over.

"Forget it. Don't blame our adorable Miss Nilma. Put the two bottles on my tab. Bring a glass of strawberry juice too, and be careful this time." Roderick waved his hand generously.

"Sir, is that really okay?" Even the freckles on Nilma's face seemed to sparkle.

Anderson nodded helplessly, earning a cheer from the girl. After watching her clean up the shattered glass, Anderson smiled at Roderick. "That silly girl is always so clumsy. Kerry and Jason have both gone out. I'll go prepare the bread and vegetable salad."

When Albert sat down, Anderson happened to be carrying food out of the kitchen. "Roderick, my head still hurts. That day was truly insane." Albert gnawed on a piece of bread as he spoke to Roderick with lingering fear.

"That's why I haven't had you involved with the training grounds lately. By the way, my dear secretary, the newly formed Southshore Guard needs its own rules too. I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you with that."

"The management methods used by the old militia Guard won't work anymore. In truth, their old system was barely different from having no management at all. I'll look through the Kingdom of Lordaeron's infantry regulations and the Kingdom of Stormwind's regiment organization. They can serve as references."

"I trust you in this regard, but the regulations must require everyone to strictly obey their superiors' orders. You know, we don't merely need to defeat weak Murlocs. The enemies we face in the future will be far more evil and brutal."

"Roderick, are you really planning to do this? Orcs and the Undead are enemies even the kingdom's regular army cannot defeat. And now you want to rely on these farmers? Forget it, that's your problem to worry about. I'm just a lowly secretary."

"Albert, to defeat these powerful enemies, we need more strength, and these people are the only strength we can rely on right now. After all, the enemies are too numerous and too close, while the Kingdom of Stormwind is too far away."

Not wanting to dwell on the matter any longer, Roderick said to Albert, who was frowning as he ate vegetable leaves, "Come to the training grounds this afternoon as well. The Guard needs your help. Choose some people to serve as clerks too. Their treatment will be better than that of ordinary soldiers."

"Got it. But, Roderick, let me remind you: you've raised their treatment by so much now, so you'll have to spend a large sum every month in the future. The Town Council's budget probably won't be much. Even with Uncle Heni's private sponsorship, a force this large can only be maintained for three months. When that time comes, if..."

"Don't worry. I already have a plan. I'll tell you when the time is right." Roderick's confident expression slightly eased Albert's doubts.

"Oh, right, Albert. The main reason I asked you here today was Remilia."

"Remi? What happened to her?"

"I can sense a strange energy within her. Although it feels different from when you cast spells, it is definitely magical energy."

"What? You're saying Remi has awakened a talent for magic? How is that possible? That's impossible..." Albert shot to his feet, muttering in astonishment.

"Come to my house tonight. You can confirm it yourself."

Albert now seemed not to hear him at all, his eyes unfocused. "I'm not going this afternoon. Roderick, I have to go home first. I need to get to the bottom of Remi's situation." With that, Albert left Roderick behind and walked out of the inn alone.

This matter had hit Albert hard. Roderick finished his last piece of bread thoughtfully, then called Nilma over to settle the bill. Not only did he generously pay for the two unopened bottles of Southshore Spirits, he also gave the girl an extra silver coin as a tip.

Nilma watched the departing knight. He was tall and handsome, gentle in temperament, and even came from a noble family. She wondered who might have the chance to marry Sir Roderick. Anderson watched his niece staring blankly from beside the window, her face slightly red and a foolish smile on her lips. He opened his mouth and roared again, "What are you standing around for? Get back to work!" After driving the girl off to work, Anderson carefully took a puff of smoke. Watching the knight disappear at the end of the street, he slowly blew smoke rings outside. Ah, that silly girl.