Magic, steel, heavy industry

Chapter 30 Selection

Carl nervously raised his head, trying to stand as straight as possible. Because he was dressed in thin clothes, the cold wind blew into his trouser legs, making him want to shiver.

"Hold on! As soldiers of the guard, can't you even withstand a little bit of cold?!"

Suddenly, Carreras’s loud shout made Karl’s heart sink to the bottom. He dared not make the slightest movement. No matter how cold it was, he had to force himself to stand up straight.

Not only him, but everyone around him was in the same state.

They were arranged in five rows and three columns according to their height, and everyone had to keep their eyes level and not even move their fingers.

Carl didn't understand why they were doing this.

He didn't think that standing still like a piece of wood had anything to do with being a soldier, but he didn't dare to disobey because three people had been eliminated at the beginning for moving around.

Karl realized that the knights were serious; anyone who disobeyed orders would be kicked out without a second chance.

"Everyone, get your movements right! Hands pressed firmly against your trouser seams, heels together, toes pointing outwards, and no looking around!"

Carreras continued to roar, moving through the gaps in the queue to correct the distorted movements. If he saw someone about to give up, he would immediately kick that person away.

Unlike him, Rossi, who was at the front of the line, looked at everyone with a smile and occasionally uttered words of comfort.

"Hold on a little longer. This is a necessary test for joining the guard. The lord said that the ranks are the face of a soldier. If he can't even stand in formation properly, then he is not suitable to be a member of the guard."

Rossi kept encouraging everyone, but he himself didn't know if it would work; he was just doing what Vilan had taught him.

Last night, Vilan called him and Carreras together and they talked for a full two hours.

This includes how to train soldiers in formation, how to stand at attention, how to cultivate obedience, and how to feed them to ensure they can grow strong quickly.

To be honest, Rossi really wanted to know where Lord Vilan had learned these methods from. He was certain that no army in the entire North was trained like this.

Although he didn't understand, he didn't want to argue with Vilan. The lord must have his reasons for doing this, and he just needed to carry out the orders.

"Third in the first row, it's a pity you've been eliminated," Rossi suddenly said, pointing to a boy.

The boy was taken aback for a moment, then quickly explained, "Sir... I just couldn't help but sneeze..."

"I told you from the beginning, whatever you're going to do, you have to submit a report first."

Rossi gave him a helpless look, and the boy's eyes immediately reddened. He lowered his head and left the military camp.

As Karl watched the boy's lonely figure disappear into the distance, he couldn't help but feel a surge of relief.

His nose was also very itchy just now, but thankfully he managed to hold it in.

Just then, a tall figure suddenly passed by Karl; it was Carreras.

Carl's heart pounded, and he quickly straightened his back. Carreras sensed Carl's tension, turned to look at him, and asked, "Are you afraid of me?"

Karl instinctively wanted to deny it, but as soon as he was about to speak, the image of the boy leaving suddenly appeared in his mind.

His heart skipped a beat, and he shouted, "Report! I'm not afraid!"

Carreras paused for a moment, then gave him an admiring look.

This guy reacted pretty quickly.

Carl escaped unscathed, but the others were not so lucky. Several guys were quickly eliminated for not reporting when answering questions, and the number of people in the camp dropped from more than 50 at the beginning to only 35 now.

Half an hour later, Rossi felt that the time was almost up, and then suddenly blew the bone whistle hanging around his neck.

"Everyone, sit down and rest for 10 minutes!"

In an instant, everyone went limp and collapsed to the ground, uttering strange groans.

"Finally, I can rest. I can't feel my legs anymore."

"God of Iron Laws, I really shouldn't have joined this guard team, it's torture."

"Then why don't you leave?"

"How can that be! I've already held on for so long, wouldn't it be a waste to leave now?"

……

"Hey Karl, don't you find it strange? Why are the instructors just making us stand still?"

Carl turned around and saw Blackie peeking his head out from behind him, whispering something.

Carl shook his head. "I don't know either, but it's always better to listen to others."

"Hmph, once I become a knight, I'll make these instructors stand there for a whole day!"

"Don't be silly, if you become a knight, the instructors will all be knighted."

The two were joking quietly when suddenly a rich aroma wafted into the military camp.

Everyone twitched their noses, then simultaneously looked towards the entrance of the military camp.

Two burly women carried a large pot into the room.

A woman followed behind, carrying a pot of freshly stewed mutton, which still smelled enticing.

Everyone was stunned.

"Karl! Did you see that?! That's stew!"

"Stop shaking me, you damn black Shiba Inu! I saw it!"

"Is this meant for us to eat?" Black Shiba Inu's mouth was already watering, while Skinny Skin, who was a little further away, was completely stunned.

At this moment, Rossi walked over and sat down next to the iron pot. He started a fire as if no one else was around, skillfully placed the iron pot on it, and threw the mutton into the pot.

"What are you all looking at! Break time is over, stand at attention right now!"

Carreras roared with a dark expression, startling everyone. They quickly stood up and resumed standing at attention, but their eyes were all fixed on the direction of the iron pot.

For many people, they may never get to eat stewed mutton in their lifetime.

Therefore, after only 5 minutes, many people's saliva had already landed on their chests.

Seeing that the effect was about right, Carreras, contrary to his usual self, smiled and said, "Want some mutton? Sure, this is what we've prepared for you. Everyone who walks over now can get a piece of mutton. Don't worry, we don't charge gold coins."

No sooner had he finished speaking than two men of serf origin ran madly toward Rossi.

Never mind that! That's stewed mutton!

Many others are also eager to try, but their remaining rationality is reminding them otherwise.

This is a trap!

Anyone who steps out will be eliminated!

Then they saw that the two serfs who had run away each got a piece of stewed mutton. They didn't even care that the mutton was scalding hot; they grabbed it and put it in their mouths, showing extremely satisfied smiles.

They actually got to eat!

At that moment, three more people couldn't resist running out.

There were exactly 30 people left in the queue, no more and no less.

Seeing this, Carreras stopped pretending. His expression instantly turned cold, and he roared, "The selection is over! You're all eliminated!"