Chapter 57 Selection of young knights

"Completion of the task will grant you a Tomato Elf Worm as a reward."

"Task: Your territory lacks the protection of knights, leaving it perpetually on the brink of danger. The four Squire Knights have proven ineffective, but there is potential in others. The seafood has provided nourishment; thus, select suitable youths for knight training. Reward: An un-hatched magical bird egg."

The serpentine script made of smoke gradually dissipated.

Lister came back to his senses. The task in Tomato Village had been easily accomplished, and in truth, all the smoke tasks were without difficulty – they simply required taking advantage of the situation to complete a series of actions.

"A magical bird egg yet to hatch, huh? That means I'll be receiving another flying magical beast," Lister thought, glancing at Hiddleston, who was sprawled at his feet, panting like a dog to cool down. Suddenly, a vivid image came to mind.

On my left hand, I lead the golden retriever, and on my right, I hold the falcon high.

In my old age, I still indulge in the fervor of youth.

No big yellow dog, no majestic eagle, but he has a mightier magical beast. Hiddleston, the fierce earth dog, has been trained to respond instinctively to Liston's commands: to pounce, tear, sit, lie down, or leap and climb. Compared to training ordinary dogs, Hiddleston is easier, for it possesses greater intelligence.

Yet, Hiddleston has yet to successfully unleash its mastered spell – Rock Spikes.

"I know how to train a dog, but not an eagle. This magical bird, soon to be my pet, I wonder if it's clever or trainable. If taming fails, it might just end up as a roasted feast." As he mused, Liston couldn't help but flick out his tongue, licking his lips.

In Flower Town, chicken farming was scarce and mainly focused on egg production. It was already difficult for him to enjoy a meal of chicken, let alone the more elusive ducks or geese.

Now, his taste buds were truly "bored to death."

Thorns Ridge, on the other hand, was teeming with wildlife. Marcus was an excellent archer and could easily shoot down a few birds. However, he was proud and aspired to nobility, so he would not readily take up hunting.

For nobles, hunting was a leisure activity, but for him, it would be a degradation of his status.

To Liszt, this was an odd perspective, but for someone like Marcus, it was a pursuit in life. Therefore, Liszt did not feel comfortable ordering Marcus to casually hunt a few birds for his own craving.

"I originally didn't plan on forming a knight squad so soon, as there aren't enough residents to choose from. But since the mission has been issued, I'll go ahead and assemble one. There should be several hundred boys aged ten to sixteen in the town, so we can select twelve of them to form a squad."

A knight squad consisted of twelve members, one captain, one deputy, and ten team members.

Grand nobles would establish their own Knights Academy, selecting children from a young age to train. Through a process of elimination, they would eventually retain suitable candidates to become the lord's squire knights and join the knightly order. Marcus was such a knight; his father had sent him to the Knights Academy at a very young age.

Many baronets and knights' sons, including Liszt himself, would also undergo training at the Knights Academy.

Flower Town lacked this foundation, so they could only select a few physically fit youths to form a makeshift knight squad. With no resources available, Liszt was helpless. For now, he would make do and complete the Smoke Mission first.

...

"Milord, you plan to select new squire knights and form a knight squad?" Thomas perked up the moment he learned of Liszt's intentions at the banquet.

"The food supply in Flower Town has improved, so there's no need for us to be cautious. We can't rely on the patrol team; they're just ordinary folk, and Karl and his companions haven't developed their Aura yet. Thus, I require new forces to safeguard Flower Town's safety... Winter is only half a year away."

Liszt blinked as he continued, "In fact, I will eventually deal with Thorns Ridge – they hinder Flower Town's development. Master Marcus, I'll need you to oversee the selection and training of the knight squad." The Earl hadn't set any boundaries for the town, leaving it open for Marcus to annex Thorns Ridge if he wished.

Thomas promptly performed a knightly salute and vowed solemnly, "Please rest assured, Milord. Marcus will surely choose capable candidates and train them into qualified knights!"

"I will have Teacher Gort lend you his full support to ensure their excellence, Master Marcus," Liszt promised.

"As you wish, Milord!"

As Marcus left the castle, he walked tall and proud, his demeanor that of an elite Earth Knight. Ever since arriving in Flower Town, he had been frustrated, with his daily tasks limited to protecting Liszt and drilling Karl and the other four squire knights.

He had witnessed Liszt's wisdom and luck, understanding the young lord's ambition and determination. Thus, he had pledged his loyalty, biding his time for the opportunity to prove his worth.

Moreover, after witnessing the "treasures of the sea" that Liszt had spoken of, he was now even more convinced of the young lord's potential.

Throughout the process, he felt a bit awkward, unsure of what role he could play in the town. For at least a few years, Liszt wouldn't be able to join the battlefield – how could he without any knights? Though he was eager to cleanse Thorns Ridge, he knew that as a mere Earth Knight, it was beyond his capabilities.

It was a regretful feeling of being unable to serve his country.

Now, the opportunity had finally arrived, and Liszt decided to form a knight squad, taking the first step towards his ambitions. He wished he could immediately select the most suitable squire knights, train them, and promptly clear out Thorns Ridge. That way, they would be ready to participate in the war whenever the Grand Duchy called for it.

That very evening, he requested the population census list of Flower Town from Gort.

After selecting all boys aged ten to sixteen, the next day he sent four squire knights to bring these youths to his residence.

Under the scorching sun, two hundred thirty-three young boys, of varying heights and builds, stood straight with their chests puffed out, focusing intently.

In their eyes were a mix of longing, nervousness, worry, fear, and anticipation. They had been informed that Lord Liszt was about to choose his squire knights.

They understood the significance of being a squire knight; even if they didn't, their parents and neighbors would have explained it to them.

Squire knights fell into two categories.

One type was like Karl Hammer and Rohm Barrel, who primarily served as " squires." They were serfs who sold themselves to nobles, primarily tasked with accompanying their lords on travels and handling tasks such as carrying equipment, laundry, and cooking during battles.

The other category comprised "squires" like Marcus, who primarily served as knights and were mostly free commoners with the main responsibility of combat.

Many sons of minor nobles would also serve as squires in other noble territories to learn the art of knighthood and noble etiquette. Upon completion of their training, they would either return home to inherit their titles or go to battle to earn their glory.

In essence, squires were a sort of reserve force for the nobility, a stepping stone to eligibility.

Even serfs, upon being chosen as squires and earning merits, could regain their status as free commoners. Further accomplishments could lead to them being ennobled.

Even if they didn't achieve significant feats, serving a noble ensured a life free from want, with the potential to save money to support their families.

Thus, the young lads stood tall and straight, striving to showcase their best in the hopes of being selected as squires. They all understood that this was a rare opportunity to alter their destinies, perhaps the only one in their lifetime.

Marcus sat on his dun-colored horse, observing the young lads, seeing a reflection of his own past. Many years ago, he had gone through a similar selection process, chosen by the knight captain of the Earl's household. Of course, back then, he had already spent two years studying at the Knights Academy.

The boys before him started from zero.