New Recruits

Knights orders, besides regular soldiers, also had quartermasters, military doctors, and other logistical personnel.

After Ceredu collapsed, the medical unit quickly rushed into the field to treat him.

After diagnosing that the blue-haired youth had only fainted and was not seriously injured, a captain from the Blue Lion Knight Order indignantly carried their vice commander on his back, leading the Blue Lion contingent away from the training ground in a dispirited manner, without even bidding farewell.

But Ryan wasn’t angry; seeing Mounten calmly lead his team to occupy the Blue Lion Knight Order’s previous position, he turned his head back to look at the blonde girl.

The blonde girl was still very annoyed, and Ryan quickly asked, “What do you think will happen next?”

He asked, but this time, Ryan was actually wondering if there was a way to lose less badly.

At the very least, they couldn’t lose their confidence like the Blue Lion.

In his plan, only the match against the Blue Lion was a matter of pride; for the Azure Sky Knight Order, he hoped his subordinates would learn something and establish goals and directions for their efforts.

If the blonde girl had no good solution, he would step in and explain his thoughts to alleviate the pressure on the soldiers.

However—

“If they still send out that rookie, we can win.”

The blonde girl said with a formidable fighting spirit.

Ryan was slightly stunned, looking at the young spearman who had come out again.

Recalling the opponent’s performance just now, he now understood.

This young man had probably been enlisted for less than half a year, as he only used the most basic standard spear techniques in the army.

At the same time, Ryan also understood that what truly annoyed the blonde girl was the Azure Sky Knight Order’s understated arrogance and disdain.

“Then go and win this battle.” Ryan couldn’t help but feel a little excited.

Subconsciously thinking of oneself as inferior and aiming merely not to lose too badly could never yield more gains than a passionate battle fought with full effort and a desire to win.

“Understood.”

Flora took the order and walked into the Black Dragon Knight Order’s ranks.

This time, upon seeing her, their eyes held more respect, trust, and a subtle, almost imperceptible hope.

“Miss Haggia, does His Highness have any instructions?”

A knight who appeared to be a senior officer asked.

“Yes, His Highness hopes everyone can at least force the opponent to use their full strength…”

Flora this time did not directly say anything about striving for victory or that His Highness believed they could do it.

Times were different.

Facing an enemy that was actually comparable or slightly weaker, what was needed was confidence and affirmation.

Facing a strong enemy, especially when lacking confidence, what was needed was anger that could overcome fear!

So, upon hearing that the Azure Sky Knight Order was only sending out a rookie who had been in training for less than three months, everyone felt indignant and annoyed.

Of course, at this point, it was easy for anger to turn into despair, leading them to simply give up and slack off.

For example, the Blue Lion Knight Order just now, after losing four men, they recognized reality, acknowledged the gap, and became timid before the fight.

To prevent this from happening, while creating anger, one must provide reasonable methods and point out the direction forward!

Miracles in desperate situations are never based on some vague, ethereal fantasy!

“Don’t worry, we are not entirely without hope.”

“To quickly turn new recruits into combat-ready soldiers, the Azure Sky Knight Order only teaches them a simplified version of standard spear techniques.”

“A long inch is a strong inch; the Azure Sky Knight Order’s simplified spear techniques maximize the range advantage of the long spear,

Achieving the great result of one week of training surpassing half a year of short-weapon training, and one month surpassing three years… but this is effective only in a military formation and requires a certain number.”

“Now we are engaging in a one-on-one duel, facing an isolated, inexperienced rookie…”

As Flora explained, the confusion and lingering fear on everyone’s faces gradually disappeared.

Before long, their faces only showed eagerness and a surging fighting spirit to make their underestimating opponent regret it.

Soon, the Black Dragon side sent out a soldier carrying a shield.

“…”

The Azure Sky general, Flax Mounten, couldn’t help but glance at the Crown Prince on the stands, then at the blonde girl who was still in the Black Dragon ranks.

The match began.

The Black Dragon soldier made the first move, throwing a javelin.

As the young spearman dodged, the Black Dragon soldier quickly closed the distance to the opponent’s side and rear.

The young spearman quickly swept his spear back, but it was blocked by the shield.

Following the momentum of the opponent’s spear, the Black Dragon soldier ran diagonally to an even further side-rear position.

By the time the young spearman had completely twisted his body, he had already closed the distance sufficiently and swung his sword at the opponent’s hands gripping the spear.

The young spearman immediately looked flustered; not quite knowing how to respond, he quickly lost.

“Good!”

The members of the Black Dragon Knight Order couldn’t help but cheer.

Ryan also applauded.

Although he understood they had a certain chance of winning after realizing the opponent was a rookie, the rookie’s performance of defeating four Blue Lion members was still vivid in his mind, and only when they truly achieved victory did he relax.

However, he wasn’t overly excited.

The Azure Sky Knight Order’s terrifying reputation was never solely due to its combat effectiveness—

While the Black Dragon soldiers were elated, the Azure Sky Knight Order soldiers also applauded enthusiastically, without the slightest hint of resentment or anger at their defeat.

On the contrary, they looked serious and occasionally exchanged words with their companions.

Clearly, they were analyzing and discussing the problems exposed and the insights gained.

Seeing their opponents like this, the Black Dragon soldiers quickly sobered up and took the next arena match seriously.

Flora, who stayed in the ranks, saw the three preparing to enter the arena from the opposite side and explained again:

“The Azure Sky Knight Order has a system of veterans training new recruits, usually two veterans with one recruit.

This time, they brought a total of six teams, and the first two in the arena battles will be rookies.”

“And after the previous battle, our tactic of exploiting their inexperience has been exposed, but to cultivate the rookies’ independent thinking skills, the veterans won’t teach them the correct approach now,

So… I’m sorry, this time I cannot guarantee you will ultimately win.”

Flora bowed her head apologetically.

This wasn’t a provocative tactic.

Unlike before, deceiving everyone into thinking they had a chance to win was simple, but this wasn’t a moment on the battlefield that required burning bridges.

From a long-term perspective, especially for training, Flora’s judgment was to speak honestly.

“No need for that, we already know we’re not as good as the Azure Sky Knight Order!”

“Exactly, I never even thought we could really win a match!”

“Darn it, if I had known, I would have worked harder normally.”

“Miss Haggia, please continue to give us guidance.

Even if we can’t win, we must let them see the spirit of our Black Dragon Knight Order!”

Fortunately, none of the Black Dragon Knight Order members blamed her or showed signs of discouragement.

After a huge sigh of relief inwardly, Flora also tried her best to show an optimistic and positive expression:

“If I’m not mistaken, the solution those two rookies came up with will either be to bring their own short knives or simply use close-combat weapons against us.”

“But don’t let your guard down just because the opponent abandons their preferred weapons.

The Azure Sky Knight Order is different from the Blue Lion; they employ talent wherever they find it.

Regardless of poverty or wealth, status or rank, as long as they are citizens of the empire dedicated to their country and brave enough to fight foreign enemies, they will be recruited.”

“And because internal discipline is paramount, and the collective comes before everything, the rookie with the short knife is very likely, after abandoning his spear and realizing he’s outmatched, to fully exert himself to wear you down, increasing the chances of victory for his next teammate…”

As it turned out, Flora’s guess was correct.

When the first Black Dragon soldier to enter the arena spent immense effort to win against the Azure Sky rookie, who was armed with a short knife and struggled as much as possible.

The first thing the Black Dragon Knight Order members thought of was not cheering, but admiration and respect.

And whether they, too, could one day become such an “iron army.”