After observing the church knights for a few minutes, I concluded who I would ask to join my knight squad.
I wasn't trying to find strong knights. Strength and speed could be increased later by hunting and training. What I needed the most was their decision-making and techniques, which was hard to teach.
And among the dozens of knights, 3 individuals especially stood out among the others. They were quick, smart, and sexy… Well, the last part wasn't that important, but yeah.
They were resting now, and the female knights went to the shade below the tree at the corner of the training ground. The tree was massive, and the branches extended to cover almost a quarter of the training area.
The smaller branches swayed ever so slightly from the gust of the winds, and these knights took off their armor and helmet, including Sophia. It was my first time seeing her appearance.
A striking red hair fell onto her hips as fiery, sharp r ed eyes looked over to her companions; they looked like they could put a crying baby to a stop just by glaring at them.
The sexy curves clad in a tight bodysuit with sweat beads running across them could excite any man. Her breasts jiggled as she took off her plated chest armor, and her mature appearance of a woman in her mid-twenties only added to her charm.
If I could describe her in a word, then she looked like a lioness. Strong and sharp-looking. It made me excited to have her in my knight squad. Her personality might be contrasted well with the masochist Rania.
The other female knights also took off their armor and only donned their tight leotard bodysuits. Their sweaty appearance only increased their alluring charm. But, unexpectedly, the men continued their training and didn't even glance at them. How gentlemanly. And how unmanly.
There were literally sugars on the side, and they didn't even glance at it? Were they truly men?
My opinions were indeed contrasted with each other, but I was a bit disappointed in them. Maybe I should take them to Sin Kingdom and teach them how to have fun with a prostitute there. Of course, I wouldn't allow them to touch or watch my women with lecherous eyes. Not a chance, dude.
Anyway, this was my chance to talk to them, so I moved to the shade under the tree. I jumped off the shadow behind the massive trunk, hidden from the female knights' sight, and took off the [Shadow Cape] before revealing myself.
Sophia was the first one to notice me. No wonder as she was the only one who was looking at this side and the only one standing while the others were sitting on the ground, pressing their soft sweaty butt on the soft pavement.
"Sir Paladin!" She immediately saluted, throwing the armor she held to the ground. Her breasts jiggled due to the sudden movement.
Now that she didn't wear her plated armor, I could fully see how big they actually were. As expected, only a size smaller than Garcia's and Emilia's. Her body was wonderful, having lean and defined muscle, though not as clear as mine as she was a woman.
The other knights immediately turned around and stood up, saluting with their right hand on their chests.
"Sir Paladin! Good Morning!" They greeted me cheerfully at the same time.
Their voices were loud enough to alert the other knights in the training ground. The clanging metals immediately stopped as I noticed them saluting at me at once, discarding whatever they were doing.
"At ease, knights," I said with a smile. "And you guys can continue your training, don't mind me. I only have some business with Sophia and other female knights."
"Yes!" The men replied at once and returned to their training. They started to train even harder than before.
Were they feeling pressure because their higher-up was coming to see them and wanted to show me how great and reliable they were?
The female knights also lowered their hands but kept standing at attention. Being the tallest of them all, Sophia stood out with her red hair at the back of the line.
"Sophia, come here," I called out to her. "I have something to say. Follow me. The others may rest; I might call some of you later."
"Yes." She nodded firmly and approached me, parting the crowd of female knights.
The others gave way to her, parting in the middle. I walked behind the large trunk, and Sophia followed closely behind me. After we were out of everyone's sight, I turned around to see her sharp eyes looking straight at me.
She was expressionless, giving her a strict and scary look. However, there was respect in that fiery gaze, so that was only her normal gaze, and she didn't mean to intimidate me.
Using this chance, I used <Appraisal> on her.
Name: Sophia Holt
Race: Half-Human Half-Beastkin
Lv: 45
Sins: 0
Virtues: 520
Status:
HP: 100/100 (MAX 100)
MP: 41/41 (MAX 100)
STR: 45 (MAX 100)
VIT: 49 (MAX 100)
AGI: 43 (MAX 100)
DEX: 42 (MAX 100)
INT: 41 (MAX 100)
LUC: 50 (MAX 100)
Skills:
[Lv 4 Swordsmanship] [Lv 3 Holy Magic] [Lv 3 Horse Riding] [Lv 2 Beast Instinct]
Titles:
[Castitas Church's Knight] [Captain of the Church Knight] [Red Lion]
Her status was really great. Her race made me stop for a while to read it again.
'Half beastkin?'
Maybe that was why she was so tall and had a sharp gaze. My description of her was on point, a lioness. But she had no animal characteristics, which made me wonder. Perhaps she didn't inherit them from her parents or something like that.
Her status was balanced, but her LUC was just average. And then I used 'Requirement Appraisal' next. Her eyes narrowed slightly when I used the skill on her.
'She noticed it, huh?'
Even Rania didn't notice it when I used 'Requirement Appraisal' on her. Probably it was because of her <Beast Instinct> skill that she realized I used a skill on her, but she didn't voice out anything and just looked at me.
Her information popped up in front of my face, and I grinned as I read it.
Name: Sophia Castitas
Race: Half-Human Half-Beastkin
Description:
An orphan raised in one of Castitas Church's orphanages. A talented knight who fought with a greatsword, gaining the title of Red Lion after her achievement of rising to the rank of Captain a few years after joining the church knight. She sees Rania Reynala as her rival.
Her fiery and intense gaze scares the others, and that's why she is always insecure about her appearance. Wanting to find a respectable man who's not afraid of her look and eyes.
As a half-lion beastkin, she's clinging and loves to keep hers to herself. A possessive lion who can't be tamed.
Status:
Sins: 0
Virtues: 520
Sins needed to dominate her: 500
Requirement:
1. Beat her in an official duel
2. Get her respect (Done)
3. Compliment her look.
4. Dominate Rania Reynala
5. Make her beg you to take her virginity
6. Dominate 3 female knights
Her appearance and personality didn't to be different from what I expected. I loved this. A possessive woman and a lioness on top of that. Dominating her would definitely give me satisfaction, unlike the others.
Still, she saw Rania as her rival, huh?
'Perfect.'
I could use that as bait to ask her to join my knight squad.
"I actually have a proposal for you and a few other female knights." I started with a smile, looking straight into her eyes.
It was mentioned that she was longing for a man who didn't fear her looks. And I wanted to convey that by matching her intense gaze with a feral smile.
"A proposal?" She raised her eyebrows slightly, clearly sounding interested.
"Yes." I nodded. "I am about to create my knight squad and think of inviting you to join my squad. After I saw the training earlier, I have 3 people from the female knights, excluding you, I wanted to invite. With someone I have in mind, there will be 5 people in the squad with me as the leader."
"Hmm." Sophia hummed, holding her chin.
It was rare for someone in the church not to immediately accept my idea. But once again, this would be a big decision for her. If she joined my squad, her position would change from the Captain of a squad to a mere squad member.
"If I may be a bit rude, Sir Paladin. May I know who's that someone in mind you have to join your knight squad? Is it the lady from that day?"
"No." I shook my head. "It's someone I know very well, but it's not Eliza."
Sophia looked at me interestedly, waiting for me to continue. I chuckled at her curious expression. She only raised her brows a little bit. Changing that expressionless face into a pleasured one would be worth the problem dominating her.
And it was just my guess, but maybe Sophia might refuse if I asked her to sleep with me before I dominate Rania. Because of her possessiveness, I would expect her to go to me first if she truly wanted it. That wouldn't be too far in the future if she truly liked me.
The energetic front when I first met her may have been caused by her nervousness only.
Then, I continued.
"The one I have in mind is Rania Reynala, the current self-defense teacher in the Royal Academy."
When I mentioned Rania's name, Sophia's eyes bulged slightly, and her lips curled up into a feral smile, revealing a pair of sharp canine teeth.
"Sir Paladin." She said, growling a little bit. "Please let me join your knight squad."
"Welcome." I extended my hand, which she took almost immediately. "I am hoping for your cooperation, Dame Sophia."
"Yes, Sir."
