Chapitre 138: Chapter 138: Late-Night Heart-to-Heart

At the same time, Rhett decided there was no need to hide his strength from his subordinates any longer. With a single thought, boom!—a powerful, invisible wave of force radiated outward. It wasn't an element-based attack but rather the full release of his mental power.

Everyone present, including Sheelin, Tadel, and Kurs, felt this force, as if an invisible wall of air was pushing them back. Although the pressure wasn't overwhelming, their faces quickly shifted from calm to utter disbelief. They all felt a strong mental pressure emanating from Rhett, accompanied by the tangible impact of the invisible wave.

In their minds, a terrifying realization dawned—Rhett, their lord, had become a Grand Mage!

"This… This is the materialization of mental power!" Sheelin muttered to herself, her eyes wide with joy as she jumped up and down with excitement, her orange hair bouncing with her movements. "Lord Rhett, you… you've become a Grand Mage?"

Tadel and Kurs exchanged glances, their mouths agape. This was news they couldn't digest quickly.

At that moment, all eyes were on Rhett. His robes fluttered in the absence of wind, giving him an aura of supreme confidence. He smiled faintly and said with great vigor, "As you can see, I am now a Grand Mage. Even on the battlefield, my power will have a significant impact! Danger and opportunity go hand in hand. Although the frontline battles are fierce and the orcs are ferocious, this also means great opportunities await us! This time, at the Canyon Frontline, my goal is simple: slay orcs and earn my promotion! All of you—my family, friends, and followers—will be participants, witnesses, and beneficiaries of this journey! I believe that our efforts will propel the Hawk higher, soaring through broader skies, and spreading glory to farther corners!"

The atmosphere was momentarily silent, but Rhett's rousing speech ignited a flame in everyone's hearts. The excitement spread quickly.

Sheelin drew her sword and raised it high, her expression resolute as she declared, "I will follow Lord Rhett to the death!"

Tadel and Kurs, their eyes shining with determination, took deep breaths and echoed, "Slay the orcs, follow Lord Rhett to the death!"

Makov, rubbing his chin, muttered to himself, "Rhett really knows how to inspire people."

"Good!" Rhett smiled, nodding with satisfaction. "Thank you all for standing by my side. I've always been generous to those who fight for the Hawk. Those who strive for it shall share in its glory."

After surveying everyone's faces, Rhett paused before continuing, "Now that everything is clear, we will officially begin our pre-battle training! The first thing to learn before stepping onto the battlefield is to follow orders without question and always be ready for combat! Listen to my command: There is a group of boarmen patrolling to the south. Everyone, form a line and prepare to charge fifty kilometers south! Move out now!"

As soon as Rhett's last word fell, the group, demonstrating excellent discipline, immediately formed a line and prepared to set off.

"Stop!" Rhett commanded loudly.

The group halted instantly.

Shaking his head, Rhett said, "The ground in many areas of the Canyon Frontline is wet, so here's a basic rule: Mages should always stay at the back of the formation and use earth elements to erase any footprints left behind."

"Again."

"Now, there is a group of boarmen patrolling to the south. Form a line and charge fifty kilometers south! Move out now!"

Makov and Ryle instinctively moved to the back of the formation, and the group once again formed a line and began running.

After covering some distance, Rhett joined the rear of the group, following them southward. They crossed the Fire Vein Mine and continued for another thirty kilometers before finally reaching their destination.

They found themselves in a barren wilderness, but right in front of them was a hundred-meter-long, ten-meter-wide river channel. Staring at the murky water, they were puzzled. How could there be a river here? It was supposed to be flat plains!

It didn't take long for them to connect the dots. Given Rhett's display of Grand Mage-level power and the fact that he had brought them here specifically, this river channel had to be man-made.

Rhett surveyed the surroundings with a vigilant expression, as if he were on a real battlefield, before turning to the group and saying, "Boarmen aren't just pigs—they have cunning minds too. They could very well be lurking underwater, waiting to ambush us. So… everyone, prepare to enter the water! We're starting underwater combat training. Knights will pair up for sparring, while mages will practice their spells underwater!"

"Yes, sir!" Everyone shouted in unison. Despite the murky water, they followed the order without hesitation.

Splash... Splash...

One by one, they jumped into the water, sending up sprays of water. Rhett stood on the bank, a touch of nostalgia in his eyes. It hadn't been easy. Over the past few days, he had taken the time to dig this long trench, taking advantage of his earth-based Grand Mage abilities. And thanks to the summer rain two days ago, the trench had filled with water, giving him the opportunity to conduct this training. Otherwise, they would have had to wait for Ryle's return and use his water magic to fill the trench.

The Bloodstained River was a frequent site of skirmishes at the Canyon Frontline. The river meandered through most of the canyon, with varying depths and widths, making it a prime location for ambushes and flanking maneuvers by both orcs and humans. With patrols from both sides frequently crossing the riverbanks, the area was rife with conflict. Thus, proficiency in underwater combat was an essential skill for anyone heading to the Canyon Frontline.

Watching the figures moving in the water, Rhett jumped in as well, preparing to guide their training.

Blub... Blub...

Bubbles occasionally surfaced as Rhett used water elements to speed up his swimming, moving beside Ryle.

To ensure his voice was heard clearly, Rhett moved closer and said, "Remember, if you detect any change in the water's quality, taste, or color, immediately use water elements to remove impurities and keep the water around the team safe. Otherwise, if you're poisoned underwater by orcs, you'll likely end up buried at the bottom."

Ryle squinted and nodded in understanding.

...

A week passed, during which Rhett led the selected group through rigorous training. To simulate battlefield conditions, everyone, including Rhett, ate and slept in the wild. They rarely returned to the castle, let alone enjoyed its comforts.

One evening, Rhett arranged for the group to conduct a simulated ambush in Thorn Forest. Sunlight filtered through the dense foliage, casting dappled shadows on the ground. While hiding in the trees, Rhett sensed someone approaching through his mental power. He quietly turned to Tuck and said, "I need to step away for a moment. Don't make a move until I return!"

Rhett then headed east alone.

At the edge of Thorn Forest, Sweta stood with a cold and imposing middle-aged man. The man's posture was tall and straight, his aura remarkable, though one eye seemed to be blind, covered by a black eyepatch, giving him the appearance of a one-eyed warrior.

"Lord Rhett learned of the possible outbreak of war at the Canyon Frontline and began preparing for it. He's been leading training sessions every day. This morning, he specifically told me he'd be conducting special training in Thorn Forest today, so he must be inside," Sweta explained as he carefully observed the man who claimed to be Rhett's comrade.

"Hmm… That does fit his cautious nature," the man, Vidas, remarked with a rare smile. His voice was deep as he added, "In that case, I won't disturb him. I'll wait here."

"Sir, why don't you come to the castle and rest for a while? I'm afraid Lord Rhett will scold me for poor hospitality if you wait out here," Sweta offered.

"No need," Vidas shook his head. "I'm not comfortable in the castle. This outdoor environment suits me just fine."

Sweta was about to insist when Vidas casually glanced to the side, his eyes lighting up as he called out, "Rhett!"

A black-robed figure emerged from the forest, quickening his pace upon hearing the call. Who else could it be but Rhett?

Feigning surprise, Rhett widened his eyes and rushed forward. "My goodness, Vidas! I never expected to run into you here."

But his expression soon darkened as he glanced at Vidas' left eye. "What… What happened to your eye?"

"Don't ask," Vidas sighed, forcing a bitter smile. "I was in a skirmish with a squad of orcs led by Bloodmoon Werewolves. You know how fast those creatures are. One of them took out my eye, though I managed to dodge just in time to save my head. Otherwise, you'd never see me again… After that, I realized I was no longer fit for the battlefield and applied for retirement."

Hearing the details, Rhett's eyes flashed with cold anger. "Bloodmoon Werewolves again! Damn them…"

"Yeah," Vidas sighed again, but his tone became more relaxed as he looked up at the sky. "I didn't achieve the glory of promotion and return, but compared to the many brothers who died, I'm still lucky. Maybe retiring from the battlefield isn't such a bad thing after all."

"Is that so? Vidas, I'm glad you see it that way!" Rhett clapped him on the shoulder, pulling him into a half-embrace. "Come on, let's head to my castle. We haven't seen each other in two years—we need to catch up properly."

This time, Vidas didn't refuse, and the two headed toward Deep Rock Fortress together.

"Heh heh," Sweta chuckled as he watched their retreating figures, following closely behind. As for the group in Thorn Forest, Rhett hadn't forgotten them. His plan for the day was endurance training. On the battlefield, it wasn't uncommon to lie in wait for days on end, waiting to ambush the enemy.

...

The sun dipped below the horizon, and night enveloped Hawk Town and Deep Rock Fortress. The sky was clear, with stars twinkling above, and a waxing moon rising in the west. Shadows cast by the garden walls and hedges created dark patches on the ground.

Inside the fifth-floor hall of Deep Rock Fortress, however, it was brightly lit. Crystal lamps illuminated every corner of the room, and a candle flickered on the dining table, adding a touch of warmth to the atmosphere.

On the crimson carpet, at a rectangular dining table, Rhett and Vidas sat side by side. The table was laden with drinks of various colors, specially prepared by the castle's brewer. Though Rhett rarely drank, the brewer typically made beer for the castle's servants or the knights of the outpost. Today, however, Rhett had everything prepared—hard liquor, wine, beer, and even fruit wine.

The two men drank from matching goblets, Vidas with one arm draped over Rhett's shoulder. Despite the strong constitution of knights, which made it difficult to get drunk, today was different. Perhaps it was the weight of all he had been through, or the joy of reuniting with a comrade, but with the help of alcohol, Vidas finally let his emotions out. He hiccuped, saying, "Hic, I failed my captain, Sam. He risked his life to save us, but… If he hadn't stayed behind to cover our retreat, he could have easily escaped. Rhett…" During the day, Vidas had kept his emotions in check, but now, with one arm resting on Rhett's arm and the other propping his head up on the table, the floodgates opened.

In contrast to the shadows on the table, Vidas' eyes were bloodshot, tears streaming down his face. His gaze was vacant yet filled with unresolved pain, lost in memories of that final battle.

"Sigh," Rhett's deep eyes reflected the flickering candlelight as he gently patted Vidas on the back. As a man who had shared the same battlefield experiences, Rhett knew this was not the time for words. Being a good listener, letting Vidas vent his sorrows, was enough.

After hearing Vidas pour out his heart, Vidas suddenly lifted his head, his bloodshot eyes locking onto Rhett. "My brother, you know what? I could still fight. Losing an eye didn't destroy my career as a soldier… But every time I stepped back onto the battlefield, the blood-stained image of my captain haunted me, along with the memory of all the comrades we lost. I started trembling uncontrollably. That's when I realized… the battlefield… is no longer a place for me!"

With that, Vidas gulped down his drink.

Rhett sighed and nodded.

The two men continued their heart-to-heart, talking endlessly until the early hours of the morning. Perhaps after finally letting everything out, and with a friend by his side, Vidas seemed a little better, though his overall demeanor remained somber as he leaned back in his chair.

Rhett refilled their glasses and said, "If I do return to the battlefield, I'll make sure to help you—help us—slay more Bloodmoon Werewolves! Don't forget how I earned my promotion back then."