episode_0187

*** ***

“Admiral, can you tell me how the exam goes?”

“Chung! The selection test is conducted as a battle over two days.”

The battle of positions was a kind of mock battle. The test site consisted of various geographical features, and each was given its own position and flag.

“There are three main conditions for victory. First, if the number of troops in a unit is reduced to five or less, it is considered annihilated and the game ends. Second, if you place your unit’s symbol, the tarsus, on the tartar ship in the enemy’s camp, you will win. Third and last, if one person holds both the ally’s and the enemy’s tarsus in both hands and holds on for a certain period of time, victory is achieved.”

“There are so many different ways to win.”

“Chung! Therefore, it is possible to evaluate all capabilities at once, including the capabilities of individual unit members as well as unit-level tactics and judgment.”

“Of course it is. So how is the rise or fall determined?”

“Chung! The three units that advanced to the second round passed. The remaining nine groups that lost in the second round will be selected through a rematch. Today, 3 units were confirmed to have passed, and after a rematch of 9 groups on the same day, 3 groups were accepted.”

“I see.”

Song Ansheng thought.

‘Actually, going to the losers’ bracket isn’t a bad choice.’

Depending on the luck of the bracket, the choice of units with mid-tier strength to strategically fall into the loser’s bracket was not a bad choice. Rather than exposing all of one’s strength and strategy to be in the winner’s group on the first day and falling to the loser’s group, the strategy of simply losing to strong units, preserving one’s energy and power, and winning in the loser’s group was a more likely option.

However, in this selection test, no unit would take that option.

Because Princess Yuya came to visit.

‘It is highly likely that Princess Yuya will personally praise the three units that passed today.’

I visited the Geumuiwibu and watched the exams of trainees, so it makes no sense not to praise the winners. And the reign of the royal family always comes with gifts. In other words, an opportunity to receive a gift from the princess.

Is there any aspirant to the Gold Medal who would want to miss that opportunity?

‘Everyone will risk their lives and fight to be in the winner’s bracket.’

As if to prove Song Chang-sik’s prediction, each division competed with enthusiasm, even mania.

“Victory or death!”

“Get rid of them all!”

In an overheated atmosphere, the units poured out their best strategies, stamina, and internal strength without hesitation from the first game. Strategies to take the tarsus, to occupy the opponent’s base, and to eliminate the opponent were all mobilized.

“The No. 1 trainee in the company’s division is performing well.”

Although the Jinjin Battle was a team event, individual capabilities were also clearly revealed. This is because there were many cases where the victory or defeat of a small number of battles directly led to the victory or defeat of the unit.

The instructors waiting at the highlands with the princess and the admiral desperately cheered on the trainees and worked hard.

Ho Cheon-an stood next to them and observed with interest the instructors’ ever-changing expressions. It was quite a spectacle to see the instructors unable to make loud noises or movements because it was safe for the princess to be there and only expressing their feelings with their facial muscles.

It was the instructors who were most excited by the appearance of Princess Yuya. The instructor was the leader of the training unit, and if an award was given to the unit, the instructor would naturally also be the recipient.

“Winner! Six times!”

The winner and loser were divided, and the two instructors clenched their fists. While the instructor of the 6th division made a gesture that made him want to jump up and punch the air at any moment, the fist of the instructor of the 8th division, who was the loser, was shaking as if he was swallowing his anger.

“Next is the match between the 7th and 12th divisions.”

“Ho-oh, isn’t the Twelfth Division a unit led by an external advisor?”

“Chung!”

Princess Yuya naturally looked at Hocheonan. Where on earth did you get an outfit like that? An angled hat that is not seen in the midfield and a full-length top that is so red that it feels bizarre. Green speckled pants and thick-looking boots.

“The spirit of the trainees is fierce. It looks like you put a lot of effort into it over the past month.”

“I just did my duty.”

“It’s a mission…is that so.”

What else are they planning? What was the reason for appointing Ho Cheon-an as an external advisor? This was to put to rest the rumor that Hocheonan could give enlightenment. In order to put those rumors to rest, it is not enough to not enlighten the trainees.

Although there is actually no correlation between facts and a person’s reputation, it is true that expectations change depending on a person’s reputation and perception.

The ideal result would be to make people wonder how someone who can’t properly train even the trainees of Geumui can give enlightenment to others, so why did Ho Cheon-an train his trainees so strongly?

“I’m really looking forward to it.”

Song An-seong, who was listening to the entire conversation, swallowed dry saliva. The fact that Ho Cheon-an became an instructor of the Geumuiwi was reflected in the emperor’s intention. Does saying that he is looking forward to it is a mockery of the behavior of Ho Cheon-an, who strongly trained the trainee? If so, what will happen to Hocheonan?

‘Please, please lose!’

Song Ansheng closed his eyes, clenched his fists, and prayed for a miracle. If the Seventh Division miraculously eliminates the Twelfth Division, everything will work out!

Looking at Song An-seong’s side face with such earnest desire, Princess Yuya smiled bitterly inwardly.

‘Is the person making a fuss this time Deputy Song An-seong?’

If I go a little too plain, I wonder if thorns will sprout in my mouth. If I had just been lazy, wouldn’t it have ended smoothly?

Princess Yuya believed that Hocheonan had planned something. Because I have experienced several times how Hocheonan solves cases.

‘This is why Black Cat never stops sighing.’

Hocheonan’s solution is unexpected and will make even those who have experienced it sigh in relief!

I heard that Song An-seong was involved in a major incident in the group test on behalf of Song Chang-sik.

Even Princess Yuya, who has experience with Hocheonan, feels a little anxious, but how does Song An-seong, who is experiencing Hocheonan for the first time, feel?

It was easy to guess how he felt as he was making his last prayers out of fear of failing to carry out the Emperor’s command.

Princess Yuya looked at Song Chang-sik sitting next to her. The way he looked straight ahead without any pretense was a clear contrast to Song An-seong, who was clearly showing his earnestness.

‘You seem to be quite strict with your children’s education. Admiral.’

Princess Yuya returned her gaze to the front. Instead of going head-to-head with the Byeongjin of the Twelfth Division, which had strong long-distance gunnery, the Seventh Division chose to spread out its troops in all directions.

It was a choice to break down the opponent’s organizational power through surprise attacks and melee in complex terrain…

“Stone word!”

The strategy of the Twelfth Division against the Seventh Division was to rush forward without hesitation using the central highway. Kangchumoru’s bold choice after perfectly reading the opponent’s strategy.

Song An-seong’s earnest prayers were in vain.

“Twelve wins!”

The Twelfth Division won an easy landslide victory.

*** ***

Excellent strategist.

High basic competencies.

Disciplined lows.

Creative stopping power.

A means of long-distance attack.

The advantages more than compensate for the disadvantages of one person being short and the power of the peak expert being low.

“Winner 12 times!”

“Aaaaa!!”

“Wow!!”

The 12th division proudly passed the exam by overwhelming the 3rd division in the second match, despite Song An-seong’s earnest prayers once again!

All the trainees hugged and were happy.

“Ugh! Gaju Jo, thank you for your hard work!!”

“Gangchumorudo…! Hehehehe!!”

From the middle, some people shed tears, perhaps because of the sadness they have felt over the past four weeks, but apart from the crying, laughter did not leave their faces.

Jo Ga-ju felt the hands of his colleagues patting his shoulders and tightened his grip on the spear.

‘…I did it.’

The anxiety I felt when I picked up a new weapon called a spear was indescribable.

It was true that I felt the limitations of the sword. However, Jo Ga-ju was a master at the peak. Did you feel limited? There are one or two people who devote their whole lives to the sword in the hope of becoming a top expert.

I felt a strong attraction to the spear I happened to catch, but I wasn’t confident. You have achieved the pinnacle with the sword, but even if you give up that and grab the spear, will you really be able to go beyond the pinnacle? And will I be able to endure the long period of time I will have to endure before I can become even more skilled than I am now?

‘can do.’

You can do it now. I saw the potential of the spear and felt the advantages of the spear as a weapon.

It was proven by the results.

“Thank you!”

“Kkeuuu! We are grateful! Gaju Jo, you worked hard! ”

Jo Ga-joo gave a sincere greeting to her classmates. What would have happened if they hadn’t believed in me, if they hadn’t had my back?

There was no way the word ‘window’ would be firmly entrenched in my mind.

Jo Jiaju became part of the twelve soldiers who were all gathered together and howling, swaying back and forth and looking at the stands on a distant hill.

[How about giving it a try?]

Jo Ga-ju felt deep regret. This was because Hocheon’s eye, which could be detected even from ten miles away, was not visible to the eye. It was probably impossible to see due to the difference in elevation of the terrain.

‘thank you. Instructor…’

That’s why Jo Ga-ju kept saying thank you to herself.

“Kuheungheung!!”

“Ughhh!!”

The group training and testing of the Twelve Units came to an end with moving tears and cries.

*** ***

The screening test was over, but not everything was over.

“Gongjumama said she praised the trainees from each dormitory.”

“It is easier to hand out awards all at once at an official event, but considering that the exam is still in progress and only half of the successful candidates have been selected, please keep this in mind by visiting the dormitories of each unit.◦# ◦

Naturally, the princess’s attendants follow her on her way. The court ladies, who were the princess’s attendants, went around the residence and made threats.

For Ho Cheon-an, these were familiar faces he had seen many times at public hearings.

‘Since they know Hyuk Kirin’s identity, I guess their affiliation has been changed to maintain confidentiality.’

The twelve trainees washed and changed their clothes with tense expressions.

“As for the actual condition of the clothes…”

“Behaving like a dog…”

The two sets of clothes provided were so tattered that it was hard to believe they had been worn for four weeks. The only thing I can say is that I washed it again and again because the princess was coming.

“The princess is visiting the Eleventh Division, so please prepare.”

“Unit. Attention.”

“Evil!”

“….Please unify the slogans with loyalty.”

The middle-aged court lady who served as Gongcheongjeon’s court lady touched her forehead as if she had a headache. Why on earth does the dormitory smell so fishy? Have you been eating only chicken for a whole month? Also, why are the 12th Division’s outfits so weird? Was it rolling around on the gym floor like a tumbleweed?

There were more than one or two things that caught her eye, but there was something else that was really urgent, so the middle-aged court lady approached Ho Cheon-an.

The real reason why Princess Yuya visits this narrow living room.

‘Did you say you only showed this person dressed as a man?’

This was because she wanted to show Ho Cheon-an her full appearance as Princess Yuya, not as Hyeok Kirin, a cross-dressing woman.

‘But this guy…’

What does Hocheon-an look like as it welcomes Princess Yuya, who has been busy dressing up since early in the morning with such a girlish heart? He was wearing an indescribably strange outfit.

No, I liked the outfit.

During her stay at Gongcheongjeon, the middle-aged court lady keenly sensed Ho Cheon-an’s lack of tact and quickly began to crack down on Ho Cheon-an’s tact.

This is a princess who worked hard to dress up since dawn hoping to be admired by this man. I had to make Ho Cheon-an aware of that in advance.

“It is a glorious place to meet the princess. How will the external advisor welcome the princess?”

“Then you must strictly follow the manners.”

“Yes. That’s right. But isn’t that a little bit insufficient?”

“Hmm. If so, should you at least introduce yourself to the trainees?”

The trainees’ complexions turned pale at Ho Cheon-an’s bombshell declaration. The court lady gritted her teeth in frustration and continued speaking.

“…Not that one. The princess spent a long time getting dressed up for today’s event since dawn.”

“Oh, you must be tired. Should I at least prepare a chair?”

The middle-aged court lady lamented inwardly as she looked at Ho Cheon-an, who had no sense at all. Even the princess had a man like this idiot in her heart…!

“The princess is entering!”

The middle-aged court ladies and Ho Cheon-an, who were bickering, as well as everyone in the dormitory bowed down in unison.

“Everyone, lift your head up.”

The trainees who looked up twice were all impressed by Princess Yuya’s appearance. A completely different feeling than seeing it from afar. Not only her beautiful appearance, but also her strong yet transparent eyes and warm smile naturally penetrated the hearts of the trainees.

“I watched your performance well today.”

“Chung!”

“It was an opportunity to indirectly feel how much effort you have put in over the past month. It must have been a very difficult period.”

When Princess Yuya gestured, the court ladies moved quickly. What was held in the hands of the trainees was a belt.

“This belt is a gift, but at the same time, I hope it will be a token of your hard work.”

“Chuuuung!”

I never thought there would be someone with such a warm heart! The trainees were filled with emotion and raised their voices.

“Instructor Ho Cheon-an, please come forward.”

Ho Cheon-an bowed before Princess Yuya. Princess Yuya accepted the item given by the court lady next to her.

Hero thing.

‘The hero gun you made became a symbol of you as a hero of Sichuan.’

Princess Yuya, or rather Hyeok Kirin, remembered. No matter what anyone says, the main character who drove away the darkness in Sichuan Province was Ho Cheon-an.

However, Ho Cheon-an had no hero. Everyone in Sichuan was delighted with each person’s performance, and when he received the Heroic Medal, Ho Cheon-an’s forehead was empty.

Is it because that image remained in my memory?

When I thought about the gift I had to give to Ho Cheon-an, Yeong-Geon clearly came to mind.

Does Ho Cheon-an know its meaning?

This was something Princess Yuya could not know.

Ho Cheon-an just took off his octagonal hat and tied his hero gun without saying a word.

“You look good on me.”

“Thank you. Princess Mama.”

Ho Cheon-an said.

“Just seeing the beautiful princess this close is the honor of three lives. I will treasure the gift the princess gave me.”

“Hehehe, it’s worth it to hear you say that.”

The trainees blinked as they saw Princess Yuya smiling while covering her mouth. Are you telling the royal family that you are beautiful? It was a line that she had nothing to say even though she was scolded for being rude, but Princess Yuya looked really happy after hearing those words from Hocheonan.

‘….why?’

If you don’t have a good-looking face, what about the clothes you’re wearing? Do you have a good personality? That wasn’t it either. But why does instructor Ho Cheon-an have a girlfriend of peerless beauty and why does the princess get happy just by saying something like that?

The trainees alternately look at Ho Cheon-an and Princess Yuya while rolling their eyes in a mysterious way.

The court ladies secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

And Princess Yuya smiles at the fact that she finally showed Ho Cheon-an her appearance as a woman.

With Princess Yuya’s laughter, the official schedule of the Twelve Units came to an end.