Chapter 39 - Everyday
Rygar walked through the Iron Legion base, observing the activities and progress of each sector. Wherever he passed, the members greeted him with respect, some with evident enthusiasm. He waved back, offering a discreet smile as he continued. It was fascinating to see how everything was developing.
As he crossed one of the training zones, his gaze settled on a group of children led by Rufus. Yan, the former slave trader, had reinforced the training of the younger children in the legion and seemed to be adapting well to this new life. In fact, his son was among the young trainees, showing dedication and determination.
Rufus, in turn, seemed to have befriended a peculiar boy from the beastmen race named Garrison. He was part deer, with small horns beginning to sprout from his head. Despite his delicate appearance, Garrison demonstrated remarkable combat talent, particularly with spears, which was his favorite weapon.
However, Rygar couldn't help but notice some prejudice associated with the use of spears among warriors. He knew this was deeply tied to stories about the Superd, a demon race described as terribly evil. His master, Verdia, once told him she had met a Superd. According to her, he was incredibly strong, but Rygar had never seen reason to judge someone just based on the weapon they wielded. Still, he had yet to meet a Superd to form an opinion on them.
In fact, he made it a point to cultivate diversity in weapons within the Legion. To him, the predominance of swords as a symbol of combat was too restrictive. There were countless possibilities beyond that, and he wanted his warriors to explore each of them.
Rufus' wolf, Geri, was also growing quickly and helped with the children's and Rufus' training. The animal seemed to be almost a celebrity among the children, admired as much as Rufus himself. Rufus' skill with magic and having such a large wolf made him a kind of unquestionable leader among the youths.
After watching for a long time, Rygar couldn't help but smile as he noticed Rufus trying to imitate his way of giving orders. It was an endearing sight, and he felt proud of the boy's progress. He had already taught Rufus most of the beginner-level magic and even some advanced spells. His latest advice had been for the young man to focus on improving his magic control and practical skills without chanting, something crucial for future magic.
As he observed the training, a beast-girl from the Adoldia tribe approached him. She appeared to be around 13 or 14 years old, with reddish-brown hair and strikingly beautiful features. Pushed by her friends, she took a few hesitant steps, her ears twitching nervously.
"Hey... leader..." she began, her voice trembling. "Would you like to go for a walk around the city with me?"
Rygar turned to her, surprised for a brief moment before giving her a kind smile. The girl's tail wagged frantically as she waited for a response, revealing her excitement and nervousness.
"Unfortunately, I don't have time at the moment," Rygar replied politely and sincerely. "But I appreciate the invitation. Maybe another time?"