While Achilles went a little farther ahead to check on their companions, Senior Grey took control with a slight shiver. He hid the trembling in his knees, wore a faintly crazed smile, and looked at his subordinates with a burning gaze.
The teenagers had skipped training today. Early that morning, they had been warned about the approaching danger, something no one could afford to ignore.
They were a little nervous and restless, but none of them panicked. Instead, they calmly picked up the weapons they had and took turns standing watch, keeping a vigilant eye on their surroundings.
Grey hadn't talked himself hoarse over the past few days for nothing.
Besides constantly drilling his own values into them, he had also taught them the most important principles of military discipline. He set up a watch schedule, clearly explained what to do in emergencies, and appointed someone he trusted to take command while he was away.
Their response to the threat brought a satisfied smile to his face, with just a hint of pride mixed in.
The moment they noticed him, every conversation stopped. They all stared at him as if he were some kind of messiah. These teenagers were simple people. Since he had saved them once before, they instinctively looked to him for hope now that danger had found them again.
Sheryl and Lily were the first to step forward and greet him.
"Hi, Grey," the rabbit girl said with a hint of shyness.
"Greetings, Your Excellency. Your domain remains in perfect order, but this humble servant has brought unfortunate news and disturbed Your precious sleep. Therefore, I beg to be punished," Lily sang sarcastically, as if she had spent the entire night rehearsing that very line.
Grey had no intention of arguing with her right now. Under normal circumstances, he would have played along or thrown a sarcastic remark back at her, but at this moment every one of his thoughts was focused on the cultists.
So he flicked the little succubus on the forehead and got straight to the point.
"I'm glad you're all safe. How did the ritual go? Did everything succeed?"
Lily had already opened her little mouth to answer, but Sheryl spoke first.
"Yes. I've reached Level Two now, and I can fight on equal footing with human Legionaries (2). I've become much stronger, and I also gained a new racial ability. I still haven't tried using it yet, so I don't know what it does. But I know I'll be able to help both of you. I won't be a burden anymore," she rattled off with a radiant smile, shaking Grey's hands and completely forgetting about everyone around them.
Ever since they had met in the slave camp, Sheryl had always relied on Grey's and Lily's support. She was happy, and grateful to fate for giving her friends who were willing to look after her.
Even so, she couldn't stop worrying.
Lily and Grey were both strong-willed people with great ambitions. Although they had never spoken about it openly, Sheryl had always felt that sooner or later they would leave her behind. The battle against the panther had only made the enormous gap between them even more obvious.
Now that she had finally leveled up and realized she could actually be of use to them, Sheryl eagerly offered her help.
"I know, Sheryl. We're all counting on your strength."
Grey didn't hypocritically refuse her offer. On the contrary, he gladly accepted it, hoping to make use of every bit of strength available.
Even if he had wanted to cling to chauvinistic views, he couldn't. The injury to his magic core had cut off his path to further growth. With such a grim future ahead of him, the only way he could survive in this life was by relying on the protection of others. It didn't matter whether those protecting him were men or women. In the end, every one of them would become stronger than he ever could.
After exchanging a few more words with the two girls, he ordered his subordinates to form up.
Without a single complaint, they immediately obeyed.
Grey swept his gaze across their faces.
The teenagers stood in neat formation, but he could see the familiar confusion and fear in their eyes.
He felt the same way himself.
The cultists were no easy prey. They were exceptionally cruel and treacherous.
No one knew what they were truly after, but everyone understood that the ritual required at least a hundred teenagers with pure souls. Even on the chaotic continent of Pratos, where violence thrived everywhere, that was no small number.
No matter the era or society, children were the foundation of the future. Carrying on the bloodline was considered a sacred duty by every intelligent race, so such horrifying acts were neither accepted nor tolerated.
To accomplish their goal, the cultists had faced no shortage of difficulties. They had been forced to spend countless resources and mobilize a massive workforce.
Even so, they remained determined and killed without hesitation anyone who tried to escape.
Of course the survivors were afraid. Some of them still had nightmares about that cursed day. So how could they not fear the thought of their refuge being discovered?
Grey let out a loud breath, filled his lungs with air, and shouted at them.
"Are you afraid?!"
"No," a chorus of voices answered, though they sounded far from convincing.
"Damn it! You dare lie to my face?!" Grey roared even louder, as if he were about to throw himself at them.
"I healed you, gave you food, put a roof over your heads, and even promised you a better future. And how have you repaid me? You dare lie straight to my face? Do you think I won't take your lives right here and now?!"
He drew his gladius from its sheath and fixed them with a grim stare.
"I'll ask you one last time. Are you afraid?!"
The teenagers exchanged confused glances.
They couldn't understand what their leader wanted to hear. Were they supposed to admit they were afraid to fight? But only recently, he had promised to execute anyone who retreated.
Then what exactly did he want?
"I... I'm afraid," the little boy named Josh said as he hesitantly raised his hand. "But I'll still fight. Even if I die at the cultists' hands, I'm not going to run anymore! I don't want to hide and starve again. I'd rather die fighting."
Grey smiled and walked over to the boy who had dared to speak. There was something slightly unhinged in his eyes, while the sword in his hand swayed dangerously.
"Do you have anything else to add?"
"N-no, Sir," Josh replied quietly, feeling his legs go weak.
He had no idea what his commander's intentions were. Maybe he was about to cut off his head for being a coward. Or perhaps he was going to publicly scold him. Make an example out of him.
He could think of countless possibilities, and none of them ended well for him. Even so, Josh stood his ground. He had said everything on his mind without caring about the consequences.
He squeezed his eyes shut in fear, but he had no intention of taking back his words. He had promised himself he would never retreat again, and he meant to keep that promise.
Suddenly, Josh felt a hand land on his shoulder, giving it an approving pat.
"That's right. You're afraid," Grey said quietly, yet everyone heard him. "I know every one of you is afraid. And who wouldn't be? Not long ago, you watched the cultists slaughter your companions one after another like chickens.
Fear is the body's natural response to approaching danger. Do you know what it does?
Fear floods your blood with adrenaline. It instantly awakens every cell in your body, forcing it to work at full capacity and pushing your potential to its limit. Fear helps us survive the most dangerous situations, and there's nothing shameful about that.
What's shameful is not knowing how to use your own fear.
My hands are shaking too. I'm afraid of dying too. But do you know what makes me different from you?
I know how to use my fear. I'll turn it into rage. I'll control it instead of letting it control me.
When the moment comes, my body won't freeze and wait for death. It'll throw itself into battle with everything it has! Because I'm afraid of being killed, I'll kill my enemy first. I'll eliminate the threat because I know only one of us will survive, either him or me. I'll turn my fear into strength!
Now I want to hear your honest answer... ARE YOU AFRAID?!"
"YES!" the teenagers shouted, sounding far more spirited now. At last, they understood what their leader was trying to tell them.
"Then remember this feeling. When the time comes to charge into battle, remember this conversation. Remember what will happen to you if you don't dare strike back. Remember those ninety-something teenagers just like you who were left behind in the desert forever. Remember their fate.
The cultists wanted to sacrifice every last one of you. They slaughtered you one by one and drove you into a corner.
Are you angry? Do you crave revenge?
Then remember that feeling! Unleash your rage and your fear on them!
Remind them that they aren't immortal. They bleed just like we do when they're cut. They cry when they're in pain. They die when you cut off their heads.
Do you understand what you have to do?"
A furious chorus answered him.
"KILL! KILL! KILL!"
Grey spread his arms wide as if he were bathing in their fury. He could feel every fragment of his soul trembling in rhythm with the teenagers.
Neither Senior nor Junior noticed that, at that very moment, the pupil in their eye pulsed as though it could no longer wait to break free.
"Good... good.
I like that attitude much better.
But that doesn't mean we're going to charge in like a herd of animals. We're rational people. We control ourselves. Tell me, what should we do? Do you still remember everything I taught you?"
Another boy stepped forward and answered boldly, as if he couldn't wait to throw himself into battle.
"Set up an ambush!"
"Finish the enemy off when they're down!" another shouted.
"Mob one enemy together."
"Fight dirty. Show no mercy and no sympathy."
They talked over one another, shouting out one line after another, each suggestion dirtier and more dishonorable than the last.
Achilles watched his companions with a puzzled look.
Everything they were saying went against the principles he had lived by since childhood.
As a noble warrior who had once dreamed of carving his name into history and earning a place in Elysium, he was supposed to fight honorably and openly. Challenge the strong and protect the weak. Stand against injustice and honor the gods for their mercy.
Those were the ideals he believed in.
At thirteen years old, Achilles had already reached the rank of Centurion (3) and was the strongest person present. He had grown up among Roman warriors, where honor was valued no less than strength, and dying in a fair duel was considered a glorious end.
That was why he had always doubted whether Grey deserved to be their leader. The two of them were complete opposites. Grey was shameless, cunning, and even ruthless. He placed his own goals above everything else. He never hesitated to fight dirty, yet somehow he could still make it sound convincing.
Achilles didn't know what to think.
He still didn't trust Grey and continued to question his true intentions, yet he couldn't deny the results. Grey had raised everyone's fighting spirit with nothing but a few words.
Meanwhile, Senior Grey paid him no attention at all. He ordered weapons to be distributed to everyone and told them to prepare.
"I'm glad you've remembered everything," Grey said with a satisfied nod. "Now let me explain our battle plan. Here's what we're going to do..."
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