Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

Chapter 48: Hunting Goddess_2



In this way, it not only increases the defensive depth, avoiding a situation where a breach at one point of the wall causes the entire line to collapse; but also deters certain residents within the city with ulterior motives.

However, in Winters' view, the builders' efforts merely turned "very bad" into "bad."

The builders barely considered the possibility of the attackers carrying cannons, with all designs aimed at countering the light infantry assault.

From the practical performance perspective, the city defenses of Artemis can't even manage the light infantry raids.

Gazing at the flickering gunfire along the city wall, the most notorious spellcaster of the Alliance gently tapped the sword hilt, occasionally glancing at the Nulan Clock in his hand.

Beneath him, Longwind seemed affected by its master's mood, restlessly looking around, eager to bite something.

Nonetheless, neither humans nor horses dared to approach the Blood Wolf's bad-tempered and aggressive stallion, so they all kept a safe distance.

Only Houdel, unaware of Longwind's dangers, lightly tapped his gray-haired mare, moving forward.

"Sir," Houdel asked cautiously, "are you considering... going to the front lines again?"

Winters glanced at Houdel, causing the latter to shiver involuntarily.

Longwind snorted, scaring the poor gray mare into persistently retreating to the side.

Houdel wished he could find a crack in the ground to hide, but since protecting the Blood Wolf was his responsibility, he had no choice but to persevere and continue stalling.

"Sir, before departure, the Mason Commissioner told us." Keen to avoid direct persuasion, Houdel resorted to roundabout tactics by invoking moral pressure, saying pitifully, "He can't control you, but he certainly knows how to deal with us."

Longwind exhaled sharply, though belligerent, it refrained from bullying a little mare.

Winters chuckled in exasperation, putting away the Nulan Clock and probing Houdel, "Then tell me, why shouldn't I personally go to the battle?"

Without hesitation, Houdel intended to reply, "Certainly because we're afraid something might happen to you!"

But before he spoke, he realized it was inappropriate—how could the invincible Blood Wolf encounter setbacks?

Since the Blood Wolf is undefeated, the reason to prevent the Montaigne Commissioner from going to battle becomes invalid;

If the Montaigne Commissioner might fall in battle like any ordinary soldier, then he isn't the Iron Peak County Soldiers' believed invincible Blood Wolf.

Houdel was momentarily perplexed, choosing to discard all reasoning.

Lowering his head, he softly said, "You don't know, just during the battle in River Valley Village, I felt like the sky was collapsing."

"Which battle?" Winters initially did not realize, but the ache in his ribs reminded him, "Oh, that battle… it wasn't that bad."

"Wasn't that bad? It was! Definitely was!" Houdel urgently retorted, "You don't know how scared I was! The only thought in my head back then was, 'It's all over, everything's over.' The other brothers felt the same, what's that phrase—oh, right! Utter despair!"

Winters chuckled speechlessly, patiently explaining to the cadet, "The army has a comprehensive system and won't fall apart because of losing a commander. Even if I indeed perish, command can pass down the hierarchy, Mason Commissioner, Cherini Commissioner can both succeed me in commanding the battle."

"Sir! Don't use that word!" Houdel clapped his hands over his ears, his expression twisting painfully, as if striving to erase the word "perish" from his memory.

"It's different." Houdel shook his head vigorously, "It's different."

Winters watched Houdel—he hadn't had such a conversation with subordinates for a long time.

Without needing someone else to remind him, Winters could sense that his status in the army was becoming intricate.

He's unlike Andre, the soldiers fear Andre, yet seek to please Andre;

He's also unlike Mason, the soldiers don't fear Mason at all, but they cherish Mason.

Deep down, Winters harbored a subtle envy of his companions, for the gaze he felt was unlike that received by Mason, Andre, and everyone else.

He doubted not that his soldiers would execute his orders without hesitation, charging forward fearlessly;

Yet he also realized clearly that they could never interact with him as closely as they do with Andre or Mason.

The gazes directed towards him carried not only respect but also expectations.

People hoped: the "Blood Wolf" they saw was precisely the one in their hearts.

He couldn't be lively or cheerful, he must be solemn and dignified, ideally with a bit more beard and balding on top, as if born with majesty.

Thus, engaging in such equal-personality talks with his subordinates, Winters had not done for a long time.

Winters did not wish to ruin the rare opportunity for dialogue. He teasingly asked Houdel, "Are you implying the Mason Commissioner and Cherini Commissioner's capabilities are lacking?"

"I... when did I say that?" Houdel panicked.

"You'd better make it clear." Winters flexed his stiff back, smiled and said, "Exactly what's different?"

Houdel fell silent, lowering his head in thought for a long while before softly answering, "In that battle in River Valley Village, before the combat, Captain Tamas told us, 'If you don't know why you're fighting, just tell yourself you're fighting for the Blood Wolf.' He didn't say for Mason Commissioner, nor for Cherini Commissioner, he said 'for the Blood Wolf.'


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