Chapter 246: Chapter 240 Parallax Mercenary Manor_1
Shadow’s sudden burst of speed nearly threw Yan Xing from the saddle.
Fortunately, the alchemical riding gear from the Goblin Alchemy Shop, though outrageously expensive, was indeed worth every penny. Once the riding gear sensed Shadow entering a flying state, it automatically adjusted to secure the rider’s body.
Regardless of Shadow’s flight posture, Yan Xing remained securely seated on its back.
For Yan Xing, riding a Battle Griffin and riding Shadow offered two entirely different experiences.
The Griffon was a pure flying beast, its flight powered by the force generated from the flapping of its wings.
Consequently, a Griffon’s flight speed was limited, and its large size made it less agile.
This was a common drawback among large flying creatures.
Shadow’s flight power, however, primarily came from its Aero Elemental Wings, which ejected air backward to propel it forward. This allowed for very quick acceleration and rapid movement.
Moreover, Shadow could generate an Air Barrier beneath its galloping hooves, enabling it to perform aerial maneuvers difficult for other flying creatures.
It could even hover in mid-air for short periods.
In terms of flight speed alone, Shadow could already match an ordinary propeller plane.
According to Gaga the Goblin, aside from some freakish ultimate creatures, it was nearly impossible to find any being that could match Shadow’s speed.
In short, his money was well spent, exceedingly well spent.
Whether Gaga the Goblin was boasting or not, Yan Xing was extremely satisfied with his precious steed.
Moreover, as a growable magical beast, this was just Shadow’s initial state; it would certainly become even more awesome in the future.
HAHAHA...
Riding his precious steed, Yan Xing felt immense joy.
However, before he could fully enjoy the ride, he had to land.
His precious steed flew so fast; it felt like they had just taken off and had already reached their destination.
The Eternal Domain Merchant Guild’s Mercenaries’ Training Base and temporary headquarters were situated in a newly built manor, approximately 20 kilometers north of Nuta City.
A new east-west road passed in front of the manor. To the west, it connected to the main thoroughfare linking Nuta City to the Eternal Domain.
A simple earthen wall enclosed a spacious training area within the manor. Farmers from the Eternal Domain were there, using recently delivered barbed wire to construct a military isolation zone for the Guild’s Mercenaries’ manor.
Additionally, the Guild’s Mercenaries’ barracks were undergoing urgent expansion.
Yan Xing placed great importance on this army, therefore prioritizing the allocation of supplies.
Even the first batch of freshly trained and tamed Chocobos, numbering over a hundred, had been dispatched to the Guild’s Mercenaries’ training camp to form their Cavalry force.
As Yan Xing, riding Shadow, landed in an open area of the Guild’s Mercenaries’ manor, he saw the first batch of recruits drilling in formation on the training field.
Yan Xing planned for the Guild’s Mercenaries to have an initial strength of 3,000 soldiers, primarily sourced from the offspring of various merchant families within the Merchant Guild.
Currently, the Guild’s Mercenaries had recruited over 1,000 men. Another contingent of recruits was converging on Nuta City from various locations. It was estimated that the number of descendants from merchant families within the mercenaries would reach 2,200 to 2,600.
The deficit would be covered by soldiers from the Eternal Domain.
Consequently, 500 human Archers from the Eternal Domain were brought in to train alongside the merchant descendants in the use of firearms.
Eddie was in charge of the mercenaries’ training.
Before Yan Xing entered the Thunderous Swamp, Eddie had already led an army to Nuta City for training.
After training and becoming a Knight, he awakened and was promoted to a hero.
Upon Eddie’s return from Nuta City after completing his training, Yan Xing assigned him to command the troops at the Outpost Fort, which was being jointly constructed with Count Theodore.
This time, as Yan Xing was forming the Guild’s Mercenaries, he needed a competent commander. Thus, he transferred Eddie from the Outpost Fort to the mercenary manor, making him responsible for the training and command of this newly established legion.
Command of the troops at the Outpost Fort was handed over to another recently promoted human hero.
As the population of the Eternal Domain increased, so too did the number of heroes. Although few were exceptionally capable, a bad hand was still a hand. Having some was better than none. With further nurturing, perhaps a true talent, a hidden dragon or phoenix, could be discovered.
Eddie, informed via the communication network established by the Eternal Domain that Yan Xing was coming for an inspection, waited in advance at the designated landing area for flying units.
Yan Xing, on his precious steed, descended from the sky, trailing a plume of white smoke. Shadow’s shoulder-mounted wings gradually retracted, and its speed decreased rapidly.
However, as the mercenary training manor was newly constructed and the ground was still bare earth, the airflow from Shadow’s decelerating landing stirred up a cloud of dust.
Still mounted, Yan Xing casually cast an air-type Magic spell. A gust of wind instantly swept all the dust far away.
Eddie, who had been waiting nearby, immediately came forward, bowed respectfully, and said, "Welcome, My Lord, to the Eternal Domain Merchant Guild’s Mercenaries’ Manor!"
Yan Xing dismounted from Shadow, approached with a smile, and asked, "Now that I’ve transferred you here to train the troops, are you accustomed to it?"
Eddie’s appearance had changed considerably by now; he no longer resembled the ruffian who had once tried to rob Yan Xing with a pitchfork.
Although he hadn’t grown any taller, his physique had broadened considerably, giving him a rather imposing, almost brutish, presence when he walked.
Consequently, the armor Yan Xing had provided for him was custom-made to his measurements.
Clad in gleaming armor, Eddie looked every inch a valiant general.
He was the perfect figure to intimidate and keep in line those merchant guild scions who had become worldly-wise and slippery from their time with the caravans.
Yan Xing headed towards the training field. Eddie immediately followed and replied, "I am a servant Your Lordship took in. I will do whatever Your Lordship commands. Besides, I’m in charge of far more troops here than at the Outpost Fort."