23 Think of a name

Matilda, a member of the Valkyrja, couldn't bear Ashley's actions any more. She had been carefully listening to the conversation between Lena and the maid the whole time in case something like this happened.

She used to be from a normal middle-class family before her father passed away in a traffic accident. It was after that she realized how horrible human beings could be... how horrible people who call themselves friends and family could be. Her mother had started working in a small factory for making fireworks, with wages well below the minimum, unpaid overtime, and the worst possible work environment. As expected within a couple of years her body broke down.

Eventually, it was discovered that her mother had lung cancer. And if anyone has not been living under a rock their whole life, they know how costly treatments for cancer are. Matilda tried everything she could, applied for every scholarship she could, begged everyone she could, and cursed every god she could... Everything was not enough though.

Finally, Luca Romano appeared in front of her. When he promised her enough money to cure her mother, she was understandably confused. Her first thought was that he wanted to keep her as a mistress of some kind. But that idea was quickly thrown out of the window. She knew that she wasn't beautiful enough to warrant such a high cost.

She was quite surprised after seeing the effect of the pill given by her new boss, Oliver Hanover, and it was at that moment she decided that she would follow his orders as long as he needed her.

She was young, she wasn't stupid. Matilda knew that a man who could possess such miracle pills could easily assemble a powerful army composed of the best talents around the world... but for some reason, she was chosen. She promised herself to both make full use of this opportunity, as well as, repay him with all her heart.

That was why she was starting to dislike the girl named Ashely more and more. From Oliver's solemn expression she could clearly imagine how serious the situation was.

'This bitch just has no sense of timing. Can't she see the timer at her peripheral vision. A timer always signifies urgency. Can't she get such a simple thought through her head?'

So, she calmly walked near Ashely and tapped her shoulder.

"Can you please be silent for another 60 minutes. We have some important stuff to do, like not die." Simultaneously Matilda started increasing pressure on Ashely's shoulder. She thought that some pain would definitely help this bitch understand her place.

Obviously, Oliver noticed it.

"Matilda! Stop this instant. Give yourself a slap and stand to the side. I don't want even my own subordinates to challenge my authority."

Although there was a slight inflection in his voice when he called her name, but the rest of the sentence was delivered in an eerily calm manner. As if quietly roaring, 'I dare you to not follow my orders!'

Matilda was completely surprised for a moment... but it was just that, only for a moment, she immediately proceeded to slap herself as hard as she could. She softly muttered I am sorry and went back to stand with the members Valkyrja again.

By now everyone in the room was looking towards his direction.

*Sigh* Oliver pinched the middle of his brows to slightly alleviate the incoming headache.

'Orb, I fucking hate you so much right now! I think the main mission is to not to win a war, but destroy my future-not-so-hopeful love life.'

Orb didn't even bother replying back.

Oliver decided to simply pretend that nothing happened and continue with his mission for now. He could clearly feel Lena, Ashely, and Emily's heated gaze, but he splendidly 'forgot' to address them.

A small cough and some intense throat clearing later,

"Mother, what is the population of this place, and what is the military strength of this place?"

"According to Marilyn, the maid, the population seems to be around 7,000. There are 11 Knights and 300 infantry as the main fighting force available."

"And, can you command them?"

"I am the ruler of this fief apparently. My husband died and he had only two daughters, Emily and Ashely, and so an actual heir is not present. That is why it is currently being ruled by me. So, I should be able to order them without any problem."

"Good. Immediately order them to prepare for battle. The timer for invasion has already started so the orcs must be very close. But I can't see them and that means they are hiding nearby. For what? I don't know, but I know that the only place around Wessex that can do that is the small forest to the North of the village."

Lena gave a form nod to Oliver and started speaking something to Marilyn in Azeroth's language. The maid gave a quick bow and hurriedly walked out of the door... not before giving a weird glare towards Oliver.

'At least things have started moving in the right direction.'

He then walked towards the members of Valkyrja. He could clearly see a red mark on Matilda's left cheek. Although it was fading relatively fast, it didn't reduce Oliver's guilt about harming his subordinate just because he was irritated by Ashely's constant questioning.

'I feel like such an asshole for letting my annoyance get the best of me. I need to be more careful in the future about my behaviour. Sigh, that is easier said than done.'

>

'Grace, you are a lifesaver!'

>

Oliver ignored her smug tone and said to Matilda in a gentle tone, "Is it still hurting?"

Matilda gave a firm shake and replied, "No boss."

Oliver closed his eyes for a second to think of an appropriate response. "I don't regret ordering you to slap yourself. But I really hate to see my precious subordinate getting hurt. Still, thanks for the support, I appreciate it. Just... those three are kind of very precious to me, so don't hurt them. Ever!"

Something indistinct flashed within those eyes before she gave a reply in her usual tone. "I will always keep that in mind boss."

Oliver gave a small smile and said, "Great! Now, grab yourself a spear or a sword and get prepared mentally. I will show you how to deal with enemies with stronger Strength attribute but weaker Agility attribute (hopefully) very soon."

...

*knock* *knock* *knock*

"Lady Countess, knight Ronald Shield is here to answer your summon." A deep male voice sounded from behind the closed door. Obviously, Oliver didn't understand a single word. Ellie translated it for him.

Lena said a word and an old man entered the room. He was shortly followed by Marilyn.

The said man's white hair and some wrinkles on his face were the only indications of his old age. If someone just looked at the buff 2-meter tall body carrying an equally large bastard sword present on the back, people would strongly disagree that it was a body that belonged old man.

The old man instantly dropped on one knee when he was a couple of meters away from Lena. They both started talking in Azeroth's human language. The conversation came to an end when the old man gave a firm nod and started walking out of the room at a slightly hurried pace.

But just as he was about to walk out of the room he seemed to have finally become aware of Oliver's appraising eyes. It was the first time he had even noticed him.

'Hmm, that boy seems powerful even though he is so young.' With that thought, he left the room as he had more pressing matters to attend to, like getting a whole town ready for battle.

Lena turned towards Oliver and spoke in English, "He is the strongest knight under me, so he also acts as the knight commander. He said he will try to get the soldiers ready as soon as possible. But he suggested that it is unwise to care for the civilians as it won't be of much use. Instead, it may severely affect their ability to defend this castle. Though I have asked him to at least try and save as many of them as possible."

"Oh... "