Barrett's arrival caused a significant stir among the knights of Blackstone. When Leylo introduced this somewhat bedraggled veteran to Captain Ed and the men, appointing him as the Chief Instructor, everyone was stunned. A crippled old man? As the Chief Instructor? The knights exchanged glances, their eyes filled with doubt and confusion.
However, the skepticism didn't last long.
Early the next morning, Barrett appeared on the castle training grounds, leaning on his wooden stick. He offered no grand speeches; he simply ordered the knights to perform basic daily drills—slashing, parrying, sprinting, and formation. Initially, the knights were somewhat lackadaisical—after all, they had practiced these basics countless times.
But soon, they realized something was wrong. Barrett's eyes were too sharp.
"You over there! Your posture is wrong. Your wrist is too stiff; you're losing all your power! Again!"
"Parry! Parry! Raise the shield higher! Do you want an enemy spear to puncture your neck?"
"Sprinting! Your footwork is a mess! Keep your center of gravity! You are a group of knights, not a swarm of headless flies!"
Barrett's voice was raspy yet possessed immense penetration. Every command precisely pinpointed their errors; even the smallest flaw could not escape his eyes. His critiques were sharp and ruthless, yet he always provided the most effective methods for improvement. After just one morning of basic drills, the knights were drenched in sweat and groaning in exhaustion.
Yet, their contempt and doubt vanished, replaced by awe and conviction. They could clearly feel that under Barrett's guidance, even the movements they took for granted had massive room for improvement.
Captain Ed was particularly impressed. A practical man by nature, he recognized the veteran's immense value. The tactical insights and battlefield examples Barrett occasionally shared provided him with invaluable lessons.
"My Lord, you truly have... an eye for talent!" After the training, Ed found Leylo, his face full of sincere admiration. "Instructor Barrett is incredible! With him, the strength of our knights will surely skyrocket. More of these new apprentices will likely awaken their Knight Seeds as well."
Leylo smiled and nodded. He wasn't surprised. True gold, even when covered in dust, will eventually shine again.
Meanwhile, the castle kitchen was a different scene entirely.
Marlin reported for duty on time, bringing along a pile of her "treasures"—oddly shaped pots and pans, and a locked wooden box containing her prized family recipes. Upon arrival, she displayed remarkable efficiency. The once-cluttered kitchen was quickly organized, and she directed the kitchen servants with such competence that they followed her orders without complaint.
By noon, Marlin had prepared a sumptuous meal for Leylo and the core members of the castle. Though there was no roasted goose, the home-style dishes—seared meat steaks, thick mushroom soup, and creamy baked potatoes—were exquisite in color, aroma, and taste, far surpassing the previous cook's efforts.
Barrett ate with great satisfaction, some color returning to his gaunt face. Moonlight ate until its belly was round, circling Marlin and purring continuously, clearly having accepted her as "one of their own." Leylo enjoyed the meal, feeling refreshed. A good chef not only satisfies the palate but boosts the morale and quality of life for the entire territory.
Simultaneously, good news came from Old Buck. Following Leylo's instructions, he had quickly organized men to isolate the wheat fields infected with Rust Disease and decisively burned them. Though they lost a small portion of the crop, the spread was effectively halted.
"My Lord, it's lucky you discovered it early," Old Buck reported with lingering fear. "Rust Disease spreads too fast. A few days later and the entire northern sector would have been doomed!"
In the afternoon, Leylo wiped his mouth with a napkin. "Ed, gather a squad and some good hunters. We're heading out."
The primary goal: Herb Rabbits. These rabbits were named for their meat's unique herbal fragrance; they were delicious and bred quickly. Leylo planned to integrate them into the territory's livestock program.
Upon entering the woods, the hunters fanned out. "My Lord, look over there!" a hunter whispered, pointing to a thicket. Several grayish-brown rabbits were nibbling on tender grass, their ears twitching alertly. The knights and hunters silently formed a perimeter.
Moonlight, interested in the hunt, crouched low and crept forward. Suddenly, a rabbit sensed danger and bolted. In a flash, Moonlight pounced like an arrow, pinning the startled rabbit to the ground.
"Well done, Moonlight!" Leylo praised.
The team managed to capture five live Herb Rabbits and two complete burrows containing several newborn kits. "Take them back to Marlin and have Old Buck set up a breeding area," Leylo ordered, satisfied. "Tell her the castle menu might soon feature 'Roasted Herb Rabbit'."
The team began their journey back, the air filled with a sense of progress. However, they had only been walking for ten minutes when an unusual whistling sound swept over their heads.