Volume 6 Chapter 19 Friends Aren't Just Luke
Randy, led by Keith, visited a building constructed a bit away from the magistrate's residence.
"This is intended to be the soldiers' barracks."
As Keith described, the rugged building somehow resembled Waldner's castle.
Randy, glancing around, thought that many soldiers and knights would eventually gather here.
"By the way, what will happen with the defense organization of this town?"
As the town develops, the population will increase.
With more people, troubles will surely also rise.
In the small town so far, a few knights had been sufficient to manage the local militia, but that wouldn't work from now on.
He has heard that in the port town, Volcan and one of the squad leaders──Harrison's assistant──have already begun training new soldiers.
However, he hadn't inquired about what would happen in this new town.
"In this town, we plan to reorganize the Knight Brigade and its subordinate organizations centered around the squad leader."
"Oh really? Will their subordinates increase as well?"
Randy murmured cheerfully.
The Victor Knight Brigade, as its name suggests, is small in number.
Compared to the knight groups from other territories, which exceed 100 or 2 hundred, it's a compact elite group of less than 50 knights.
While they are a bit short on numbers to call themselves a brigade, all of them have passed strict entry exams, making them formidable warriors.
There are veteran Knights, like Alan, who have served since their youth, but in the past year or 2, the core of the team, including the Deputy and 3 squad leaders, has been replaced by younger members.
By the way, Luke was also a former squad leader.
He is currently on a business trip to Hartfield... or rather, in a near transfer status, so a veteran is acting as his substitute.
This too is planned for eventual generational change.
The changes in leadership positions carry significant meaning to gain experience.
But above all, their collective strength is a major factor.
After all, starting with Deputy Harrison, 2 squad leaders──excluding Luke──also hail from the Randy Exploration Team.
Of course, unlike the perfect attendance of Harrison and Luke, the remaining 2 were unable to participate for family reasons, but to Randy, they are undeniably childhood friends.
"It might be about time to call it the Knight Brigade."
If the Knight Brigade continues to grow, Harrison will serve as the vice captain, and the 3 squad leaders will be promoted to lead their respective teams.
With everyone, including the veterans, being competent, Randy would be thrilled to reward their efforts if possible.
"So, that means the interrogation of the [Pilgrim of Truth] is also being *conducted* by them?"
At Randy's tilted head, Keith nodded, saying, "Yes."
If one is with Volcan and the port, it naturally means the other is here.
After all, one wouldn't move a veteran squad leader away from the capital.
"It has already been implemented in the training ground of the courtyard."
Keith placed his hand on the door.
Judging from the light leaking from beyond the door, it was clear that the courtyard lay just ahead.
As the door slowly opened, the incoming light made Randy involuntarily squint.
"If it's him interrogating, then I have no part to play──"
Randy closed his mouth at the nostalgic presence he felt from beyond the light.
The faint aura that Randy could finally perceive after coming this far was truly on another level.
As Randy's eyes adjusted to the light, he saw a small, black-haired man standing in front of several individuals bound in the courtyard.
"Hey, it's been a while... Abel."
Randy, showing a smile, caught the attention of the man called Abel.
"Hey, it's been a while..."
Abel raised his hand, but his expression hardly seemed to change.
Only Randy could notice the difference.
"Is it since the Harvest Festival?"
"Yeah."
Abel, appearing like a sleepy cat, stood beside Randy, who seemed like a child beside an adult due to their height difference.
Still, his sharp movements and the swift strikes from his 2 daggers showcased an attack power that stood out even among the fierce Victor Knight Brigade.
Additionally, unlike Harrison and Randy, he could also wield magic with ease.
In this sense, he had similarities to Luke, but while Luke was an all-rounder hero, Abel was closer to a ninja.
With skills in stealth and agility taught by Keith, along with his proficiency in magic,
Randy believed that the unit led by Abel would become the reconnaissance team for Victor in the future.
In fact, even Randy found it difficult to read his presence, second only to Keith.
"You really helped with everything from security at the Harvest Festival."
"No problem. The squad had fun too."
Randy returned a smile to the expressionless Abel.
Abel appeared emotionless, but he was truly smiling brightly at the moment.
"...But *Galhart told me*, 'I'll join next year.'"
"Ah, sumo..."
A wry smile crossed Randy's face as a large man, one of the squad leaders like Abel, came to mind.
He was a sturdy companion, rivaling Randy, crushing enemies with sheer strength.
"That guy will have an exhibition match with me next year."
Randy scratched his cheek as Abel's eyes sparkled slightly at the mention of "the battle for supremacy."
"I'll take him out in one hit."
Laughing heartily, Randy learned from Abel that Galhart was currently training hard with Volcan.
"He's starting his training over again under his master."
"Oh, that sounds exciting."
Randy, genuinely happy, heard Abel exclaim that "You are getting stronger too" with a tone filled with both envy and joy.
Just as the two were getting excited, the restrained man shouted, "Hey!"
"How long do you plan to keep us like this?"
At the man's dissatisfied voice, Randy and Abel simultaneously shifted their gaze to him.
"Seriously, they just can't read the room."
In Randy's view as he turned, there was clearly a person of that kind.
It was different from the brainwashed commoners infiltrating Waldner; this one was undoubtedly a member of the underworld.
"I found a suspicious guy and followed him to his hideout."
"So that's how you ended up with these guys."
With a sigh, Randy glanced at Abel, who quietly nodded and handed him several small vials.
"What is this?"
"It's poison."
At Abel's flat tone, Randy shook the vial, saying, "Poison... huh."
"And there's this too."
What Abel handed over was a hand-drawn map of the town and streets.
The circled positions of wells and water facilities, along with the vials of poison, made their plan evident without the need for further details.
(What can I say...)
Feeling a slight discomfort, Randy sighed and returned the vials and map to Abel.
"So, did they talk about anything?"
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