Black Iron’s Glory

If one was constantly stalked by a wolf that maintained a constant safe distance without approaching no matter what, one would definitely be under constant duress. Who knew when that wolf would strike? The moment it attacked would no doubt be most relieving.

Claude was in such a situation. He was completely put on edge. Looking at the distant Sergeant Major Fitney instructing the other soldiers like him, he bit his teeth so hard that he left marks and even tasted some blood. He could only remind himself to not let his guard down with the pain so that he wouldn’t give Fitney any opportunities.

The officer training course had gone on for a month. Due to the tight schedule, they only had two days of break, during which they were forbidden from leaving the camp.Claude went to the infirmary on the first day to chat and drink with Perunt. The slightly drunk man told Claude that it won’t take more than half a year for Aueras to declare war against the anti-Aueras faction. Naturally, he didn’t hear that from the upper brass. It was his own conclusion based on what he read in the newspapers.

Even during the new year when a feast was held in the camp and soldiers were even allowed to drink, Claude found it hard to eat anything when he thought about Perunt’s prediction of the war. Even the most delicious of food was tasteless to him. There was the threat from Fitney in the short term, and war in the long term, giving him much difficulty sleeping.

Sergeant Major Fitney had become the tentsman of Claude. There was no oddity in his behavior during the first month. Instead, he could be said to have performed brilliantly. He would patiently instruct members of his tent how to shape new recruits into proper soldiers and how to be a good staff sergeant and lead them during their training.

Even when Claude asked him something, Fitney would patiently explain his question to him. The four nobles had let their guard down and believed that he no longer held a grudge for that petty brawl now that he was sergeant major. They even advised Claude to let loose since there probably was no longer a need.

But he knew better than anyone that Fitney’s cordial behaviour was all an act. Sometimes when they locked eyes, Fitney would wear his signature white-toothed smile and Claude could feel the seething ill intent that radiated from it.

The 2nd day of Year 577 of the Sacred Light Calendar marked the end of the break. The cadets would resume their officer training. Though heavy snow had fallen yesterday night, the soldiers were instructed to clean up the field and continue their training.

The weather was rather cold. Their winter gear had long been issued. Each soldier was given wool undershirts and long underpants. The uniforms were also changed from linen to fur. There was another black overcoat made from wool. Even though it still felt cold, the soldiers were at least capable of resisting the assault of the cold winds.

Last month’s training was mostly marching and shooting in formation, but this time around, they would be given combat training. Even though they were in the age of firearms, close combat scenarios weren’t that rare on the battlefield. Sometimes, a melee would decide life or death.

On the large field were thick straw mats lined up next to each other. Combat training was conducted according to tents. Each temporary tentsman would explain the ways close combat could be conducted on the battlefield and make sure their tent members learned them so that they would be able to stand a good chance against an enemy in close range. The staff sergeants themselves would be in charge of imparting the cadets with these techniques.

Fitney brought Claude and the rest to the side of one man and removed his black wool overcoat. He stood on the mat and started expounding on various takedown techniques and had a few cadets help him with the demonstration. A He showed off a few moves and explained their rationale to them.

During the morning, Fitney guided them on the different fighting stances, how to throw faster punches and how to protect one’s vitals. Everything was normal so far. In the afternoon, cadets would be faced off against one another on the mats and Fitney stood beside to comment on their inadequacies.

After one or so hour of training, Fitney gathered the whole group and told them that he would be asking a few of the cadets for a demonstration to show them how to obtain victory on the battlefield.

Claude watched Fitney attentively. He believed that the wolf was finally going to bare his fangs. What he didn’t expect was that Fitney didn’t ask him to be part of the demonstration. Instead, two other members of the tent were picked. He smiled and asked them to attack him.

The two were quickly rendered helpless before him. Fitney commented on their shortcomings and allowed them to back down.

“Looks like two people aren’t much of a threat to me,” he said, “So let’s have four take me on next. I want to see whether you can make me sweat.” So, he picked Aboyev, Berklin, Moriad and Dyavid. The reason he gave for that was the four of them were good friends who could work better together as a team and put more pressure on him.

Only Claude felt a sense of foreboding. It was only growing stronger by the moment.

“If you’re surrounded by enemies who have a numerical advantage over you on the battlefield, you must pick which direction you want to break out of and charge in with taking them down with you in mind, just like this…” All of a sudden, he flashed and appeared in front of Moriad and sunk his fist into his left abdomen. Moriad opened his mouth, but no sound came out. He slumped forward immediately and Fitney raised his left knee for a kick, bloodying the poor boy’s face and knocking him out immediately.

Claude could hear a crisp snap the moment Fitney struck.

“Just like that. You have to charge in the direction of one enemy in the shortest amount of time and not go light. Remember, they are your enemies and enemy casualties will only go in your favour. The more of them that get hurt or killed, the safer you will be,” Fitney explained smilingly, “Just look. I now only have three enemies remaining and I no longer have to worry about my back. I managed to create a direction which I will be safe from attacks.”

As Fitney was too quick while he took down Moriad, Berklin and Dyavid didn’t know the extent of his injuries and that he had passed out. They were still counting on Moriad to climb up and hold Fitney back from behind.

Aboyev on the other hand managed to see the blood from his angle. He blinked a few times in stupor and realized that it wasn’t an illusion. Moriad had indeed collapsed. He wanted to warn the other two to be careful, but he no longer had that opportunity, as Fitney had already leapt for him.

“When we realize that numerical advantage isn’t that big a deal, the best course of action would be to take the initiative to attack. Take down another stunned enemy whille you’re at it.” Fitney charged for Aboyev and rammed into him.

This time, he spat out blood and was knocked airborne. He spun in the air as his blood trailed across the air and spattered some three or four feet away. With a loud thump, he landed on the cold and hard ground not far away.

Claude shouted, “Stop!” before charging ahead. However, he didn’t go for Aboyev.

“When the remaining enemies are at a loss, they’ll be far easier to deal with.” Fitney then charged for Berklin and Dyavid.

“Ouch!” Berklin yelled in agonizing pain as Fitney elbowed his right cheek, causing blood and two teeth to fly out of his mouth. He clutched his face in pain. Fortunately for him, he was still able to cry out while Dyavid wasn’t.

Dyavid was knocked out just like that. After Fitney defeated Berklin, Dyavid became his punching bag. He rained a flurry of strikes on him and ended it with a suplex, completely knocking him out.

“You can’t hold back the slightest bit on the battlefield. Be as cruel as you can. You’re putting your life on the line!” Fitney stood on the mat like there was nothing amiss and eyed the frightened tent members before he set his eyes on Claude. “Don’t worry about them. I know they look rather bad right now, but I already controlled my force. They only suffered some external injuries and will recover at the infirmary after a few days. It’s four against one after all and I had some difficulty facing them as well. You must remember how harsh the battlefield will be too. I had no choice but to demonstrate it with them.”

Claude glared at him with flaming rage. He didn’t think Fitney would stoop so low and go four his four minions first with that kind of excuse.

“Claude, do you have anything against my methods? Speak out loud if you do. I won’t fault you for that,” Fitney said with a beaming smile.

Claude ignored him and headed for Aboyev. He told his tentmates, “Guys, come help out and send them to the infirmary.”

“Halt, Claude. What are you doing? I am now your tentsman. Without my permission, you are forbidden from leaving the field on your own accord!”

By now, everyone knew who Fitney had it up against. The other tentmates took a few steps back and watched.

“What do you want? You hurt them so badly, yet you won’t let me send them to the infirmary?” Claude said as he looked straight in Fitney’s eyes without budging.

“Hehe, they are not in that dire a situation,” Fitney said nonchalantly, “I held back. At least, they are far less worse off than my brothers. What’s the harm in letting them lie there unconscious for a while? We’re doing combat training today. It should be your strong point, right? Why don’t we have a duel and settle any misgivings we might have right here? What say you?”

“I’m not interested.” Claude passed him by and checked on the injuries of his four friends.

“Hehe, spineless coward, did I say anything wrong?” Fitney began to laugh. “Claude, you seem quite dissatisfied. Come take me one-on-one. Don’t chicken out. I want to see whether you can live up to graduating number one from the physical stream in your middle school…”

Claude continued to ignore him.

“You may get away with it today, but there’s still tomorrow. If you don’t agree to duel me, then I’ll send your four friends here to the infirmary again. We will be conducting combat training for the whole month anyway. I will make sure to give them extra classes to make up for the time they spend unconscious during lessons,” Fitney said gleefully.

Claude turned around and removed his coat and dropped it on the ground. “Bring it.”