Trust My Marksmanship

A healthy, full-grown male wolf that's been angered for days can be truly vicious; even battle-hardened soldiers wielding blades would struggle to get the upper hand against it.

Lily Evans looked at the three thousand soldiers and said slowly, "I know each of you is wondering why General Alexander Hayes has chosen you to wield this new weapon."

As Lily spoke, she picked up a pistol and raised it high for all to see.

All eyes turned to the pistol. The soldiers stared at the small, black iron gadget, wondering if this was truly the weapon General Hayes wanted them to master.

This thing didn't seem to have any sharp edges, nor was it very long—just a bit longer than a hand.

If used as a blade, it clearly wouldn't do.

As a club? It's far too short—nothing like a spear or broadsword.

Looking at the puzzled faces of the three thousand soldiers, it was clear they didn't trust this so-called pistol at all.

Lily Evans smiled slightly and changed the subject, pointing to the caged wolf. "Gentlemen, you're all seasoned warriors, battle-tested and highly skilled. If you had to face this wolf one-on-one, how confident are you that you could kill it?"

Just as Lily finished speaking, a soldier raised his hand and said, "If you give me a broadsword, I could kill that wolf! But... but it's so big and agile, I'd probably get hurt in the process."

Another soldier raised his hand as well. "I could kill it too! Just give me a dagger at the very least."

The soldiers began discussing the wolf-killing scenario. In the end, they agreed that with broadswords or spears, they could take down a full-grown wolf. But to do it without a scratch would require truly exceptional martial skill—like Alexander Hayes or Sean Shaw, perhaps.

Ordinary elite soldiers, though, would almost certainly end up wounded.

Their opinions on killing the wolf were unanimous. Lily Evans listened, nodded, then smiled at the crowd. "Gentlemen, what if I—a weak woman with no martial arts training—told you I could kill that wolf without a scratch using this pistol? Would you believe me?"

As soon as Lily finished speaking, the three thousand soldiers erupted. One bold veteran laughed, "Madam General, you must be joking! You look so delicate, and you're even expecting a child. Our general would never let you fight a wolf!"

Lily Evans raised an eyebrow and smiled at the veteran. "So you don't believe me, then?"

The veteran quickly waved his hands. "No, no, Madam! Look, even us strong, trained men struggle with that wolf. For a delicate lady with no martial arts, claiming you could kill it... well, we honestly can't quite believe it."

His words immediately drew agreement from the other soldiers.

Killing a wolf is no easy feat. Madam General, please don't joke about it—if you got hurt, that would be terrible.

Lily Evans listened to the lively chatter below, then turned and smiled at Alexander Hayes. In a low voice, she said, "Let them release the wolf."

Alexander Hayes frowned deeply. "My dear, there's really no need... If you were hurt in any way..."

Lily Evans smiled gently. "There are so many soldiers here who've never witnessed the power of firearms. If I don't dispel their doubts and earn their trust, how will they learn properly? You have to believe in my marksmanship. Besides, with you by my side, even if I miss, that wolf won't be able to hurt me."