Holding the anxious Aileen and Irene by the hand, Grey rushed through Thorn's Tabernacles toward the old manor. The girls had been frightened by their previous experience, so they clung to him as tightly as they could. Branches snagged at their clothes, and the heavy bag weighed on his shoulders, but he didn't slow down.
Today was supposed to be the first proper training session for his newly acquired subordinates, and he intended to be there in person.
Although he had left Sunny in charge and made sure he knew what to do, Grey simply couldn't stop worrying.
They had only just met. At a time like this, it was especially important to establish order from the very beginning, clear and absolute. And he had to set the example himself. Discipline was either built at the start, or later you'd pay a far steeper price for it. Grey wasn't sure Sunny could handle that responsibility, nor that the others would be ready to obey him without question.
Even so, he couldn't simply drop everything and run there without a second thought.
He had to visit the market first, buy food, replenish their water supply, and gather basic necessities. Nothing excessive, only what they couldn't do without in the coming days.
You couldn't build an organization on enthusiasm alone. Knowledge and motivation were incredibly important, but neither of them could fill an empty stomach. Hunger had a way of bringing everyone back to reality.
Junior might know the secrets of cultivation, while Senior carried the knowledge of an entire civilization and could make long-term plans. But without logistical support, all their dreams would remain nothing more than dreams.
Food. Water. Weapons. Resources for cultivation. A safe place to rest. All of these basic necessities formed the foundation without which they simply couldn't take a single step forward.
And on the very first day, Grey clearly felt the crushing weight of responsibility.
Feeding seventeen hungry mouths who exhausted themselves with training every single day required no less than ten copper coins a day.
Yes, the average resident of Thorn's Cloaca could survive for a day on just half a copper coin, but that kind of life was only suitable for survival, not growth.
Intense physical training demanded proper nutrition. Proteins, fats, carbohydrates, even amino acids. Without balance, the body would quickly give out. Even in a magical world, strength didn't come from nothing.
And this was only the beginning.
Clothing, rough but durable enough not to tear from sudden movements. Some kind of weaponry, however basic. Depending on the quality, the total expenses could easily climb to several gold coins. Then there were weapons. In this era, iron wasn't something you could pick up off the ground. It was a valuable commodity and anything but cheap.
And what about the manor?
One glance was enough to understand just how miserable its condition truly was. Cracked walls, enormous holes where windows should have been, a complete lack of furniture. It was embarrassing even to bring it up.
During summer, it could still pass as a temporary shelter. But what would happen in winter, when temperatures dropped below freezing and snow buried the entire forest? A barren landscape didn't mean year-round heat.
Without heating, electricity, or even the slightest trace of industry, winter in this world was considered an exceptionally harsh season.
Most of the poor simply didn't know how to survive it. Food became scarce, work dried up, trade nearly came to a standstill, and beasts that normally wouldn't dare attack humans turned savage and merciless.
Cities faced waves of magical creatures that, driven by hunger, threw themselves at human settlements without regard for their own lives. In more developed regions, such incidents were rare. Strong people and strict precautionary measures kept them in check. The same was true for the village where Junior had lived. It was hard to fear invasions of wild beasts when several Sky-dwellers lived right beside you.
But what about Thorn's Cloaca? A city on the outskirts of the Magic Empire, cut off from civilization by the Devil's Pass, Thorn's Tabernacles, and the boundless Arakis Desert.
Grey had no idea how this city managed to deal with threats like these, and that uncertainty deeply unsettled him.
Over the next three months, he had to prepare those teenagers to survive in the wilderness. He needed to provide them with weapons, stockpile provisions, and implement strict measures to secure their base.
All of that meant expenses for Grey.
He couldn't rely on Veronika for every single operation, could he? He desperately needed alternative sources of income.
With a whirlwind of thoughts running through his mind, the three of them finally reached the manor.
They were greeted by rows of teenagers doing push-ups.
Sweat streamed down their youthful faces and soaked through their shirts, leaving dark stains on the fabric. Some trembled from the strain, some had arms that were already giving out, while others shivered as exhaustion crept through their shoulders. Even so, they gritted their teeth and kept going.
They counted out loud, their voices hoarse and uneven, yet somehow perfectly in sync.
"...twenty-seven... twenty-eight..." The chorus of voices blended into a single faceless sound that brought Grey immense satisfaction.
Only when the count reached thirty and the exercise came to an end did the teenagers allow themselves to lift their heads.
Dozens of gazes turned toward him almost at the same time.
Sunny noticed them first. He straightened up abruptly, nearly losing his balance after the exertion, and stepped forward.
"Good afternoon, Boss, sisters."
For a brief moment, Grey wanted to slap himself across the face.
'And I was satisfied with his performance... Looks like he still has a lot to improve.'
"Get back in line," he barked, instantly slipping into tyrant mode.
"What did I tell you about discipline? As the acting leader, you left your position without permission. What example are you setting for the others? Your lunch will be reduced today. Next time, you ask for permission before interrupting the training. Otherwise, the punishment will be harsher. I'll personally give you three strokes of the cane. Understood?"
Sunny froze where he stood.
"Yes, Boss."
Without another word, he returned to formation. The teenagers exchanged glances, and someone whispered something into a companion's ear, but no one dared laugh out loud. Sunny took his place once more and stood still, waiting for further orders.
Since Grey was there, it was only natural for him to take command.
He slowly swept his gaze across the formation.
"I can see you weren't slacking off while I was away. That's good. Maybe you're not complete trash after all. You still have a chance to become something greater."
He raised his chin slightly.
"A full set of squats. After that, await further instructions. Move."
He had just finished giving the order when he felt two small hands tugging at his clothes. Aileen and Irene were worried.
"Brother Grey," Irene was the first to speak up. Unlike her sister, she had never been good at reading the atmosphere. She was bolder and more outspoken. "Please forgive our brother. He's just happy to see us."
"That's right," Aileen echoed. She was quiet and extremely obedient, but when it came to important matters, she showed a surprising strength of will.
Grey slowly turned toward them. His gaze was calm, almost cold. Not angry, but not gentle either.
"Your brother wants to become a strong fighter, which means he has to teach himself discipline," he explained evenly. "There's nothing to discuss here. A lack of discipline is unacceptable. I've already shown him leniency, since this is his first mistake."
The girls hesitated. It was the first time they had seen him like this: composed, distant, and strict.
They hadn't been present during yesterday's welcoming speech, so they had no idea just how authoritative and unreasonable Grey could be. To them, he was still the same boy who had reached out a helping hand when they needed it most. Kind, considerate, and friendly.
Throughout all the time they had lived at the brothel, he had never raised his voice at them. He made sure they ate their fill and slept in soft beds. That was why this transformation frightened them so much that it made them want to cry.
"There are no personal relationships here," Grey continued explaining. "There is order. And there is responsibility."
Aileen and Irene exchanged glances.
The anxiety in their eyes hadn't faded, but now it was mixed with confusion, with the realization that the world around them was far harsher than they had once believed.
Grey let out a breath.
Compared to the teenagers who had gone through Hell while being hunted by cultists, these girls were delicate little flowers. Their lives had been difficult, but not tragic. They had always followed behind their brother, who protected them like precious treasures. Even back in that rat-infested shelter, everyone knew they were the boss's daughters and didn't dare bully them.
After arriving at Venus's Embrace, the girls had once again found comfort and peace. Their lives had regained their color, and the future had seemed bright and cloudless. Grey hadn't forgotten his promise to let them sing, and he had no intention of breaking it.
However, as a leader, he had to remain impartial.
He understood that if things continued this way, they would grow into beautiful vases. Fragile ornaments that had to be protected and hidden away from the world.
They were far too beautiful for their own good.
Who knew when some expert he couldn't afford to offend would appear at his doorstep and try to take advantage of them? He didn't want that kind of future for them.
So he decided to be a little cunning.
"If you're that worried about your brother, then join the training," Grey said with complete seriousness.
He nodded toward the formation.
"Sunny will bring you up to speed. Today, I'll give you an extra portion of food. You can share it with your brother."
The girls were already about to sigh in relief when Grey immediately continued,
"But this is the last time. There won't be any more special treatment. Women's training isn't any easier than men's. If you don't want to become a burden, you'll have to endure the workload and train yourselves to be disciplined. No one here is special."
Sunny looked troubled and hesitant. He didn't want to drag his sisters into this, but he didn't dare speak out.
Casting him a sidelong glance, Grey added in a gentler tone,
"Think it through carefully. Is this really the path you want to choose? You can refuse, and I won't say a single word against it. In that case, we'll simply return to our previous agreement. But if you decide to begin, there will be no turning back."
Aileen and Irene exchanged glances.
They took each other's hands and began whispering quietly. They didn't fully understand everything Grey had said. The only thing they grasped clearly was that if they wanted to help their brother, they would have to train alongside everyone else.
They were smart girls and knew that becoming strong required hard work, so they were willing. They had absolutely no idea what they were signing up for.
"We'll train," Irene and Aileen said in unison only a minute later.
They had absolutely no idea what they were signing up for.
Grey clapped his hands.
"Excellent. Then get in line."
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