The hero way.

From the very beginning, Louis didn't expect them to pass this test. It was more of an experiment than anything else. An initiation you could say. In any case, the quotas were already filled. Though, if someone did pass the test, then he would manage to make a deal with Cleppe and obtain some quota. In this way, the chances of survival would increase drastically, because while the mortality rate in this type of war was around 7% for the inhabitants of Nirl, it was only about 1 to 3% for Cleppe.

This could be explained by both the mental and physical capacities of their new recruits.

He heard chuckles behind him.

''With that, we can begin.'' He pointed to a prisoner, "He is the first test : a serial killer, war criminal, and rapist. A former veteran, he has no morals, not hesitating to kill to steal the treasures of the church to strengthen himself.''

He looked at the soldier forcing him to look down despite his resistance. The soldier nodded and released him - removing his gag while stopping his physical pressure - the bonds still immobilizing him.

Raising his head his eyes didn't hide the hatred he was currently feeling - this feeling of being treated like cattle.

''Those who feel able to do it may come forward'' to his surprise, more than 2/3 came forward, though some trembling could be seen.

A feeling of pity came over him as he thought about the fact that they were only children but he hid it in a humorous tone that did not fit the atmosphere at all.

''So now you're going to ask me: but what can we do? Only three people at the most can participate in the war? Fortunately not. You will first start by giving him a blow each.''

"You shitheads! Try to hit me! I'll kill you all!'' The prisoner screamed.

One look from Louis was enough for the soldier to understand what to do. He attacked the prisoner in the stomach, making him even angrier.

'' Isn't torture forbidden?'' A child asked

''Exactly. I do not force anyone. Besides, that much isn't torturing. The real one is so horrible that nobody can resist it. Well, paladins excepted.'' He answered calmly.

Some of them left the stage. Then each of the six remaining children - five of Nirl's and the girl who had been added - hit him.

A murderer and rapist would be show no mercy even from children. Besides, most of them had been confronted with the death of loved ones and had trained, fighting either beasts or demonic creatures.

''Good, you may complete the first test now''

One child left.

All four children draw their weapons.

The girl also drew her weapon: a sword with one side purple and the other black, with red connecting the two. On this one were inscriptions marked with a golden color. Clearly, this weapon was a demonic weapon - and a high-quality one at that.

Seeing this, the prisoner pleaded for his life. His face distorted into something more pitiful than a beaten dog's head, both his cries and screams didn't sound any more humans but the like of some vile grunts of pigs once the blade came close to his neck. Perhaps he would have had a different life if some events didn't happen.

But whatever his story, no one would ever know. His death was not a matter of justice but of security.

All at once, each of them stabbed him in the neck, giving way to a fountain of blood and some sort of frightened screams that failed to form, making the low tone all the more frightening.

''That's what being a hero is all about. Killing threats for people we consider more important and carrying the weight of their deaths, their hatreds with us.''

Most of the children shuddered as they watched the man bleed to death. Meanwhile, the third prisoner's face turned pale. His head held low, he saw blood spurting out beside him, and heard clearly the agonized cries of the first prisoner.

''Have we passed the test?'' ''When does the next test begin?'' Rodolphe and the girl who had joined them asked simultaneously. It was clear that Rodolphe had been more affected by this test than she had been.

''We didn't bring three for nothing," Louis replied, addressing Rodolphe, "But before that... those who want to leave are free to do so.''

All but one of the children who had given up left. One child who had stabbed him couldn't stand it any longer and left as well.

This left only Rodolphe, the girl who had joined them and who seemed to be the same age as Rodolphe, a 15-year-old boy, and a 13-year-old girl.

''Shall we go on to the second test?''

Knowledge: 40% of new Paladins die in their first battle. Over their first year, only 3 out of 10 would survive. Then, 5 years later, only 7 or 8 out of 100 would be alive. At this point, all of them would have their own path with an extremely strong battle power. The death rate would then become low.

Twin knowledge: Although the Paladins' citizen level is high, being even to a marquis, that didn't mean they have a similar influence. They won't be easily killable or charged, but that's all. Being on a separated battlefield and fighting Demons, the Empire (and humans in general) is just protecting their potential strength.