Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

Houdel was extremely embarrassed, looking around, he saw the water jug.

However, someone acted faster than him. Before Houdel even bent down, Blood Wolf's sparring partner had already dashed to the water jug and handed it to Blood Wolf.

Blood Wolf took the water jug naturally and drank from it.

In his panic, Houdel began to rack his brains, searching for flattering words to praise one's swordsmanship.

Yet it was Blood Wolf's sparring partner who spoke first, with a voice that made Houdel's skin crawl.

"Squad Leader!" Blood Wolf's sparring partner praised without reservation: "Your swordsmanship is outrageously strong now! Authentic skills honed from real combat are different from mere showmanship! It seems like there are no moves, yet every action is without excess and the timing is incomparably precise. I've already performed beyond my level, but I still couldn't win even a small point. Truly, it's too strong."

"It's not as you say." Blood Wolf seemed pleased, smiling awkwardly: "I haven't practiced for too long, I've gotten a bit worse."

Beside them, Houdel had already started cursing inwardly.

From the first glance he caught of Blood Wolf's sparring partner, he knew that this guy was one of the "boot-wearers". His manner, demeanor, and the faint "smell" that every "boot-wearer" carried gave him away.

Yet Monkey never would have guessed that a "boot-wearer" could be so flattering, so capable of sycophancy, so shameless.

"I think Master now isn't your match either." Blood Wolf's sparring partner said sincerely.

"Aike? Right." Blood Wolf recalled something and tilted his chin toward the bewildered Houdel nearby: "The one who captured Axel alive is right here."

"Ah?!" Blood Wolf's sparring partner was astounded: "Ah?!"

Houdel had been treated as air by the other side, but finally regained some pride. He felt the other's gaze sweep from the top of his head to his toes, and from his shoulders to his fingertips.

Houdel didn't say a word, just tried to stand taller.

Blood Wolf's sparring partner knitted his brows, carefully studying the soldier in front of him, then smiled broadly and extended a hand openly to Houdel: "I'm Kadar Grey."

Houdel looked at Blood Wolf questioningly, and seeing Blood Wolf nod slightly, he wiped the sweat from his palms hard and shook hands with "Kadar Grey."

"Axel is the best swordsman from the Military Academy, possibly the best since the school was founded." Kadar smiled and said: "By capturing Axel alive, you did something none of us could do."

The "boot-wearer" was so polite, it made Houdel feel embarrassed.

"It wasn't just me at the time." Houdel said, blushing: "And I used a fishing net to ambush, not very honorable."

Upon hearing "fishing net," Kadar was momentarily stunned, then erupted in raucous laughter. Laughing so hard he bent forward and backward, gasping for breath.

"In life-and-death struggles, there's no honor in it." Kadar wiped the tears of laughter away, shook hands again with the soldier in front of him, and said sternly: "Only those standing and those lying down... that's what I learned not long ago."

Houdel scratched the back of his head.

Winters couldn't help but laugh too, but it tugged at his injured side, causing pain again. He leaned against the tree trunk, slowly sitting down.

Kadar noticed something amiss, hurriedly moved forward to support the squad leader, asked with concern and surprise: "You're injured?"

"Careless." Winters explained offhandedly: "Haven't seen for so long, forgot there's such a thing as anti-magic tactics."

"Anti-magic tactics?" Kadar's expression instantly became tense: "Discover, Lock, Destroy, which step?"

"Destroy."

"Destroy?!" Kadar's pupils involuntarily expanded.

"Destroy." Winters chuckled: "But Sanel underestimated me, used too little gunpowder."

Beside him, Houdel confusedly saw the "boot-wearer," who was previously energetic, suddenly had reddened eyes.

"Don't be so sentimental. From your expression, I thought you were attending a memorial." Winters teased: "But I heard, there has already been one memorial for me?"

"Yes." Kadar wiped his eyes, smiled saying: "Axel cried terribly!"

"Really? He didn't mention it to me."

"Terribly! He wailed! We even used your old uniform to fix up a cenotaph for you, and on the 'burial' day, Christian from the magic department even came."

Winters' mind flickered: "How is Teacher Christian doing?"

"Not well." Kadar answered solemnly: "His symptoms of madness are getting worse."

Winters thought of Christian, then of the Military Academy, next of Guidao City... his thoughts drifted away.

Coming back to himself, Winters sighed: "I've finished writing the report on River Valley Village battle, it'll be sent out tomorrow. Not only to Iron Peak County, but all other counties in Newly Reclaimed Land as well as beyond. The list of fallen and captured officers will be attached as an appendix."

Winters looked at Kadar: "I've ordered a news blackout, so other prisoners know nothing about your situation. It's your choice now."

"Squad Leader." Kadar lowered his head: "Since The Federated Provinces dared to release me back to Paratu, they're certain I wouldn't dare join the 'rebels'—just like those students leaning towards Alpad, still under house arrest in Guidao City."