The moment the news broke, the entirety of Blackstone Town erupted like a boiling cauldron!
"What? Recruiting knight apprentices? Fantastic! My boy does nothing but run wild all day; this is the perfect place to send him!"
"Hey, did you see the last line? No gender restriction! Girls can be knights too?"
"Is that for real?"
"Hah, why do you care? The Lord himself issued the notice—how could it be fake? My daughter is stronger than most boys; she might actually get picked!"
"And what if she does? What if she can't get married later?"
"Can't get married? If she truly becomes a knight, she won't have to worry about that! She might even become a captain! There'd be a line of boys begging to marry her!"
In the square and throughout the streets and alleys, crowds were everywhere, deep in discussion. Shock, excitement, and anticipation—a myriad of emotions intertwined. For families with sons of the right age, this was undoubtedly heavenly news. Becoming a knight was the dream path for many commoners; it meant glory, status, and a stable income.
For families with daughters, the reaction was far more complex. Some thought it was nonsense, believing girls should stay home to learn needlework and manage chores. But some more open-minded parents—or the girls themselves, who were spirited and unwilling to lead a mundane life—saw an unprecedented opportunity.
"Father! Mother! I want to sign up!" A girl with hemp braids, slightly tanned skin, and exceptionally bright eyes burst through her front door, waving a crumpled registration form, her face glowing with excitement.
Her father, a simple carpenter, froze before frowning. "Nonsense! A girl like you joining the commotion? That's a man's job!"
"The Lord said no gender restriction! Why shouldn't I go? I'm as strong as any boy!" the girl argued defiantly.
"What use is being strong? That's putting your life on the line!" her mother added worriedly.
"I'm not afraid! I want to be a knight! To be as majestic as Captain Ed!" Loneliness and yearning shimmered in the girl's eyes.
In the town square, the sea of people was so dense the clamor nearly lifted the roofs. Leylo stood by his second-floor window, rubbing his temples as he looked down at the dark mass of subjects. He had expected enthusiasm, but the reality far exceeded his projections. The broad square was packed tight, and the surrounding streets were so congested that traffic had come to a complete standstill. The guards maintaining order had shouted themselves hoarse but still struggled to contain the passion of the crowd.
"My Lord, this... there are simply too many people!" Ed stood behind Leylo, his face a mix of excitement and worry.
Leylo sighed. "Yes, it seems we underestimated their fervor. This won't do; order will collapse sooner or later. Go find Old Buck and bring a few young administrative officers. Have them set up several more registration points across the square immediately."
With the additional points, the flow of the crowd smoothed out considerably. Old Buck shouted the registration requirements at the top of his lungs, while the young officers patiently answered questions and guided the people. Though the noise remained, the order had improved significantly.
Relieved, Leylo turned to give Ed further instructions when a white blur flashed into his arms. Moonlight was back.
Having been gone for a day, Moonlight looked a bit travel-worn but was in high spirits. "You rascal, you're finally back." Leylo smiled, stroking its head.
Moonlight nudged his hand affectionately and let out two "meows."
"You mean... you found the Blood Wolf camp?" Leylo asked, testing his intuition. Moonlight extended a front paw, gesturing toward the northwest. The meaning was crystal clear—Found it!
"Good job, Moonlight!" Leylo was overjoyed, vigorously rubbing the creature's furry head. "Brilliant work! Ed, go to the kitchen. Have the cook roast those Grey-Headed Geese we prepared! Today, we feast our greatest hero!"
The Blood Wolf group was a malignant tumor on the edge of the territory. Now that their lair was found, the day of its removal was near.
Half an hour later, two golden, glistening roasted geese were served, their aroma filling the air. Moonlight pounced on them, devouring the feast like a whirlwind. Once satisfied, it licked the last bone clean and sprawled on the table, burping.
Leylo patted the soft fur and stood up. "Ed, get ready. Take a few men and come with me."
"Where to?"
"The stunted woods fifty miles to the northwest," Leylo's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Moonlight says there's something good there."
Since Moonlight had displayed such immense sapience, Leylo had begun attributing his intelligence-based insights to the creature.
They set off, galloping toward the northwest. The territory was vast and largely undeveloped, retaining its primal beauty. By twilight, they reached the destination. Deep within the grove, after pushing aside waist-high weeds, the sight before them made their spirits soar.
In a clearing, over a hundred exotic plants grew. They were barely half a foot tall with thick, dark-green leaves shaped like miniature dragon claws, edged with fine serrations.
"Earth Dragon Grass!" Ed gasped in surprise. "It really is Earth Dragon Grass! And... so much of it!"
Earth Dragon Grass—the primary ingredient for the Cubs' Growth Stimulant. With this, Leylo could produce a large quantity of the potion, allowing Moonlight to pass through its hatchling phase much faster and grow into a true Dragon.