"Shall we reintroduce ourselves, Rody, the one-star beginner apprentice in alchemy?" Hira asked with a smile.
"Time will be the best introduction," Rody replied lightly.
"This year's freshmen at the Magic Academy are the fewest, but also the strongest in years. It seems the Felic Principality will soon be revitalized," Elizabeth chuckled. "It's a pity that Sherry and I can't participate in the death training. Otherwise, we would definitely show those proud students from the prestigious academies how formidable we are and stop their mockery of Felic for lacking talents."
"Rody, will you join the army?" Hira suddenly asked.
"Maybe, I don't know yet. Why do you ask?" Rody was a bit puzzled. Was joining the army really that important?
"Most students join the army after graduating from the Magic Academy, while a few pursue a career for life. Joining the army in the Felic Principality is not only an honor but also attracts the admiration of countless women. That's the biggest motivation for the men of Felic to enlist! Hehe!" Hira laughed, adding, "Did you know that the Princess of Felic is forming her own knight order? Aren't you aware?"
"I didn't know," Rody shook his head. "I don't like queuing, nor do I have the strength to become a knight."
"Do you think many men in Felic enlist?" Elizabeth laughed upon hearing this, "Felic is famous for its beautiful women, but its men are equally famous for their cowardice. Three hundred years ago, in a bitter victory against the orcs, Felic's army was left depleted and vulnerable to invasions. The capital was almost breached, yet few men were willing to take up arms to defend their homeland and protect their families."
Rody, not a native of Felic and having lived in the secluded Whitestone Town, was aware of Felic's decline three hundred years ago but never imagined the defeat was due to lack of fighters.
"The then Crown Princess of Felic stood up and uttered a shocking statement: 'I will marry the first man who enlists!' However, this did not inspire the men of Felic. Despite Princess Ifis's unmatched beauty, no one bravely stepped forward to fight for her."
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Rody was stunned and incredulous upon hearing this.
"At that time, less than a thousand soldiers defending the capital were all severely injured. With over two hundred thousand civilians in the city, not a single man dared to join the army or lend a hand. Instead, warriors from various tribes came from afar to assist. Since then, women in Felic have stepped up, becoming the main force in the army. Princess Ifis's knight order was all women, no men. They all died bravely in the capital, refusing to surrender. Even now, the Felic army is predominantly women, with over three thousand soldiers and less than five hundred men."
"Since Princess Ifis, each generation's Crown Princess of Felic has been named Ifis in her memory, vowing to marry a brave soldier and forming the 'Bloodflower Knight Order' to awaken the fighting spirit of Felic's men," Hira said with a smile. "If you're interested in joining the modern Princess Ifis's knight order, you probably won't have to queue, as there are less than twenty men in her order so far."
"I will join the army, but I'm not interested in the knight order," Rody said, feeling the men of Felic were too cowardly. Even as a foreigner from Koror, having lived in Whitestone Town for a few years, he felt ashamed.
"Why not? Princess Ifis may not be the world's number one beauty like three hundred years ago, but her beauty is rare," Hira asked, surprised.
"I don't like kneeling. Kneeling respectfully before others is difficult for me," Rody smiled lightly. "Besides my mother, I wouldn't bend my knee even before gods."
"Interesting. Pride is a symbol of a man's strength and a reflection of bravery," Elizabeth and Hira exchanged glances and smiled, no longer speaking.
Rody didn't quite understand why they were encouraging him to enlist. He couldn't fathom their relationship with the Felic royal family, as both were not human. Hira was a deer druid, and Elizabeth was likely a descendant of a powerful race. Their inability to join death training could be due to sensitive identities. Why they knew Felic's obscure history and their relationship with Princess Ifis were mysteries to Rody.
"I will join the army, and so will Jill," the shy girl with silver eyes, Sonia, suddenly said.
"Why?" Rody found it strange.
"We, the Seven Tribes warriors, once drank the milk of Queen Anna and vowed to repay her with our blood," Sonia nodded gently, without further explanation.
Rody glanced at Jill, understanding why her family sent such a shy girl to study.
"During the great war three hundred years ago, Felic's wells were poisoned, and meteor showers caused by enemy magicians brought extreme heat and thirst, weakening all soldiers. Queen Anna, unable to fight like her husband, decided to use her milk to revive the nearly dehydrated warriors. She and nearly a thousand women nursed the Seven Tribes warriors back to health while their husbands and human soldiers all perished. Since then, the descendants of the Seven Tribes vowed to repay this great love with their blood."
"Milk saved lives?" Rody was again shaken. If Princess Ifis's offer to marry the first enlistee shook him, then Queen Anna's choice to save foreign warriors over her husband completely stirred his soul.
"We are all descendants of the Seven Tribes," Jill looked up at Rody and whispered, "I'm glad you'll join the army."
"Ah, my initial intention to enlist was to enhance my abilities," Rody admitted, feeling selfish compared to Jill's noble thoughts.
"No matter, now that you know Felic's proud history, your mindset will change," Hira nodded and smiled. "In Felic, the most admired men are soldiers. If you want a beauty's favor or marry a great beauty, you really have to enlist. Rody, even if not for others, please join the army to protect your mother."
"You are persuasive speakers, but you've convinced me," Rody smiled lightly. "I will join the army."