After watching through Hank's eyes for a while, Arthur stopped the connection, the hawk's vision fading from his mind.
"They should be able to deal with the mission I've given them," he muttered to himself, reclining in the wooden chair.
His fingers tapped against the armrest. "But that's not the real test. The real test is what they'll do when they fight... a demon."
Arthur had carefully calculated this trial.
Village warriors facing some elite beasts was challenging but achievable. Village warriors facing a demon, however, was completely unexpected and would reveal their true character.
Who would break under pressure? Who would abandon their comrades?
He wanted to root out any who would betray their team when danger truly hit. Those who stood firm, who protected their teammates even at personal risk—those were the warriors he needed.
Loyalty couldn't be taught in training sessions; it emerged in moments of crisis.
