Chapter 403: Morale improvement (2)

I hadn’t seen the guild members’ faces in a long time, but they didn’t look bad.

Since Jung Hayan and Han Sora were in the fog forest, I didn’t know how they were.

When I recalled what I saw in their most recent communication with us, they seemed to be adjusting surprisingly well.

Han Sora seemed to be under the stress of having to stick with Jung Hayan, but I thought it couldn’t be helped since she had no choice.

‘I feel sorry for her, but…’

Her efficiency went up when she’s with Jung Hayan. Not to mention their combination was amazing.

Although she felt very uncomfortable, they had good chemistry, so it was impossible to separate them from the director’s perspective.

I was hoping that she would be put far away from Jung Hayan after the war was over, but honestly, it wasn’t easy to do that.

Yoo Ahyoung and Kim Chang-ryul, who came with Han Sora, also seemed to have adapted very well.

Yoo Ahyoung, who had a legendary talent in her stamina stats, specialized in long-term battles, and Kim Chang-ryul always fulfilled his role even if he wasn’t always in the spotlight.

I wasn’t on the battlefield together with them, but their appearance in the magic hologram was quite impressive.

Kim Ye-ri and Cho Hyejin, who only looked at Kim Hyunsung, didn’t need any other morale boost, which was the same for Sun Heeyoung as well.

It wouldn’t be strange if those three became masters of other small and medium clans.

‘It’s a bit uncertain, but the same goes for Ahn Ki-mo.’

If I dared to rank them…

Kim Yeri, Cho Hyejin, Sun Hee-young.

Those three were the Blue’s tier 1 in name and reality.

Ahn Ki-mo, originally from the Red Mercenary, and the woman of Park Deokgu, Hwang Jeong-yeon, a mage scholar, were tier 1.5 to 2.

I could say that three of his chicks, including Sora, were on tier 2 to 3.

Of course, that wasn’t limited to Blue.

That was when the entire continent was classified into about seven levels.

I didn’t include those who were part of the Eight seats of the Continent or the Five General Tigers of the Republic.

It didn’t make much sense to classify their strength level under the same numbers for those outside the norm.

‘Park Deokgu is…’

To be precise, about 1.5.

If I was feeling kind, he’s tier 1, and if I wasn’t, he’s tier 2.

Unlike those with transcendental talents such as Sun Hee-young, Cho Hyejin, and Kim Ye-ri, he was made through pure effort.

His lack of attack power was flawed, but it was safe to say that he was outside of usual standards as a simple meat shield.

Of course, if I were asked if he showed a worthy performance in the war, I would have no choice but to shake my head.

Even if he had almost no attack power, people with relatively low rank wouldn’t be able to prevent Park Deokgu’s attack.

Unlike Cho Hyejin and Kim Ye-ri, who at least pretended to be hurt when hit by a sword, that pig wouldn’t even blink an eye when attacked.

If he only wanted to, he could be a tyrant on the battlefield.

Nevertheless, it was a sight to see him taking a step back.

Of course, I understood.

Considering his nature, there was no way he could endure that kind of environment.

At first, it was a little annoying and frustrating, but.

‘I have to accept it. What can I do?’

No matter what I said, if he didn’t make up his mind, he’d only be forced.

I could nod to it in the previous battle, but the next match had a high probability of having an accident.

Rather.

‘You should just stay at home.’

Someday, the day might come when I would have to push his back, but today wasn’t that day.

Excluding Park Deokgu alone would not cause the front line to collapse, and even if the enemy attacked the command, he would be able to serve as a shield, so it’s a reasonable choice.

“So…”

“That’s right, Deokgu. You don’t have to go out in this battle. I will form a separate squad, and you will go to the rear unit where we can prepare for the enemy’s surprise attack. The same goes for Ahyoung and Chang-ryul.”

“Can we do that?”

Not really.

‘What’s the advantage of having authority?’

With my current position, I could make the impossible possible.

Of course, I knew it’s wrong considering the situation, but I wasn’t the type that cared about that in the first place, and it wasn’t difficult to set aside a few of our guild members.

Yoo Ahyoung and Kim Chang-ryul could die, so they had to be excluded.

Kim Ye-ri and Cho Hyejin also nodded as if it seemed to be a rational choice.

There was no need to mention Ahn Ki-mo, the newbies head who was secretly worried about them.

He smiled at me after what I said.

“That’s good. I was getting a little worried about them. It should be alright to leave them to Deokgu… Yes. It seems to have worked out well in many ways. Perhaps the battles that will take place later will be a little different from what we’ve been through.”

“Yes. That’s right. And this is Hyunsung’s judgment?”

“No. It’s the command’s judgment. I assumed that there could be a situation where the rear command and control room would be exposed to danger, and this will serve as a useful countermeasure.”

“Hmm. I see.”

“Yes. So, that’s how it is. Oh! Ye-ri or Hyejin will probably move with Hyunsung first. You may fall apart afterward, but…”

“Really?”

“Yes. Hee-young as usual…”

“I just have to stay with Elena-nim?”

“Yes. You will probably be safe.”

The safety of the high priest was the responsibility of the entire army.

Sun Hee-young probably wouldn’t be in danger.

As I looked around, I noticed Park Deokgu’s gloomy face.

He seemed to think that he was the reason for the rear formation.

His eyes were filled with shame.

But he didn’t specifically refute my words.

“Hmm… W-well. Is there anything else to do?”

“Not really. The progression of the war won’t change because you are out.”

“T-then… If it is the command’s decision, it cannot be helped…”

‘It feels like he doesn’t really want to be left out.’

He bit his lips tightly and nodded without adding any other word.

If it were because he was scared or something, I would have been a little annoyed, but I was forced to nod because it was so like him.

“Er…”

“It’s no big deal, Deokgu. You just have to make sure to do what you were tasked to do.”

“Don’t worry about that. And… I-I’m sorry…”

“There’s no need to be sorry. I’m more relieved to have you by my side.”

“If you mean that, then leave it to me. I’m not going to let anyone touch the tip of your hair. Hmm. I will definitely do it.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

He looked cute when he nodded his head.

He seemed to be relieved too.

He thought I would blame him.

But the result was the opposite.

As if I was cheering him up, I saw a faint smile on his lips as I patted his shoulder.

Since then, it was the continuation of what I had previously talked about with Kim Hyunsung.

I couldn’t even talk to the guild members, so when I found the right material and threw a topic, I had to watch them talk all over the place.

Sun Hee-young quietly took place next to me, and Park Deokgu joked around as if he had been a little energized.

The little kid pretended not to be interested, but it felt as if she was trying to listen more than anyone else to the story that was being told.

I thought we looked like a family.

“When the war ends… how about going for a picnic?”

“I’d like that. But where?”

“I don’t know. I heard the Mirror Lake in Nabot’s estate is famous. It wouldn’t be bad to go boating. What do you think, Vice Guild Master?”

“It’s not a bad idea, Jeong-yeon.”

“I have been in the State for a long time, but I’ve never gone there. It must be stunning, right? It should be quite romantic as well.”

All of the topics had a common ground.

Many kinds of stories came and went, but the premises were the same.

‘When the war is over.’

We talked about what we were going to do after the war was over.

The war hadn’t been going on for that long, but everyone there probably felt like it’s been going on for years.

It wasn’t limited to the Blue Guild members either. I thought the entire army felt that way.

The regular soldiers marched while talking to each other, the noisy little dwarves, and even the elves.

I thought everyone was having similar conversations.

It wasn’t surprising to find myself continually thinking about it.

Catching myself smiling, I realized I was missing that kind of talk.

I also realized that it had been a long time since I talked about anything other than serious conversations.

‘I’m glad I came to meet them.’

It’s not that there were some achievements.

Successfully encouraging guild members could be called an achievement, but it wasn’t the type that was visible.

I thought it would be a waste of time, but I felt as if it was right to listen to Kim Hyunsung.

My tired head felt a little clearer.

I managed to refresh my mind, which was full of complex thoughts.

I thought that the guild members were also feeling similar emotions as I was.

I participated in the conversations until the sun began to set slowly.

There was some calming tension in the whole unit.

‘It looks like we’re almost there.’

We must be reaching our destination.

The command and control room gave each unit’s field commanders the signal that the battle would soon begin.

I heard the sound of soldiers bustling everywhere as they maintained the lines or checked the supplies and equipment.

Those who were praying could be easily noticed.

Blue Guild members were also in a similar position.

“Then, I’ll be going. Everyone, don’t get hurt.”

“Yes, Heeyoung-ssi.”

“Then, I’ll be going too, Vice Guild Master.”

“Good luck.”

Sun Hee-young and Hwang Jeong-yeon, who were included in the rear support group, Cho Hyejin, Kim Ye-ri, and Ahn Ki-mo, who were located in the front, began to move forward.

They also hugged each other tightly or shook hands, and surprisingly, I managed to confirm that the relationship between Sun Hee-young and Cho Hyejin was close.

I began to move as well.

The more solemn the silence of the troops, the louder the sounds from afar began to be heard.

I was too familiar with the magical explosions, the shouts produced by humans, and the terrain itself.

It’s a little different, but it’s definitely a place I had seen before.

We were approaching Castle Rock.

“Prepare for battle!”

“Prepare for battle! Each unit, prepare for battle!!”

The command didn’t take the time to give a speech.

I had to know what the current situation was like, but seeing Lee Jihye’s judgment, who ordered to prepare for battle, I could already deduce that it was dire.

As I walked to the other side of the soldiers, I felt a little tension and uplifting feeling on everyone’s faces.

All I did was pat their shoulders.

“Prepare for battle! Raise the flag! Each unit, prepare to advance to the enemy unit immediately!!”

I hadn’t been concerned thus far, but I could feel the heavy pressure they were carrying.

They adjusted their helmets, raised the flag, and pointed their spears forward.

of buffs were poured out as I felt the wizards raise their magic power.

The unit was ready to advance.

By now, it’s obvious what orders were issued from the command and control room.

Without my knowledge, I gave an order.

“All forces advance.”

A loud shout began to be heard.

“All forces! Charge!!!”

The voice made my ears ring.