Recruitment

After a period of intense combat training, Ange felt confident in their skills. While not yet second nature, combat had become instinctive. However, Ange still had no idea how to become a Level 1 Warrior.

Within the 36th Regiment, Ange had sought advice from every Level 1 Warrior, including other Senior Squires like themself.

Each person's answer seemed both different and similar. Some were philosophical, others direct, and some even ambiguous.

Ange gradually realized that breaking through to become a Level 1 Warrior required not just skill, but also a mental adjustment. They knew that the more anxious they became, the harder the breakthrough would be. It was better to let things happen naturally, accumulating experience through actual combat and training, waiting for the moment when it would all come together.

Thus, Ange decided to temporarily set aside their obsession with promotion and fully immerse themself in daily training and missions, hoping to stumble upon a breakthrough opportunity.

Days turned into weeks. During rotations, Ange participated in battles against Foul Spirits almost daily, sometimes during the day, sometimes at night.

The prolonged, high-frequency combat began to wear on them, devoid of the initial excitement and anticipation. Especially after letting go of the obsession with becoming a Level 1 Warrior, their aversion to fighting intensified.

Ange also noticed a subtle tacit understanding between the two sides during combat: the Foul Spirits wouldn't attack with full force, and the humans wouldn't counterattack with full force either.

This situation perplexed Ange. They tried to subtly probe for the reason behind it, seizing an opportunity to ask their comrade Jada.

Jada explained that the current situation was a stalemate, and this tacit understanding was actually the best outcome. Intense fighting would only lead to greater casualties and attrition. Maintaining this steady pace of combat allowed both sides to persevere in a relatively stable state.

Although Jada's answer helped Ange understand the benefits of the current situation, their sense of weariness remained.

Ange couldn't pinpoint the reason for their aversion to combat. The intensity wasn't high, but the frequency was. Casualties on both sides were relatively low. The only small comfort was that the Infantry Regiment's food was much better than when they were in the Logistics Regiment. The Infantry Regiment typically ate white bread and meat, a far richer diet than the coarse grains and simple rations of the Logistics Regiment.

Despite this, Ange couldn't shake off the feeling of exhaustion. They recalled their initial anticipation for combat, only to find themself gradually losing passion in the endless slaughter.

Ange tried to find the root of this weariness, but the monotony and repetition of combat only deepened their confusion. They knew that overly frequent battles not only drained physical strength but, more importantly, wore down their mind.

Amidst these emotions, Ange could only rely on the brief satisfaction provided by the meals. During every lull in combat, they would try to eat as much white bread and meat as possible, hoping to find some solace in the plentiful food.

At the same time, they hadn't given up on the desire to break through and become a Level 1 Warrior, merely burying that desire deep in their heart, waiting for the day it could truly be realized.

Ange knew they had to adjust their mindset to find a new balance in combat.

They decided to stop dwelling on their weariness of fighting and instead focus on improving their combat skills and adapting to the current situation.

Soon, Ange's 36th Regiment was withdrawn from the front lines for rotation. With five Infantry Regiments now rotating, Ange estimated they would have some time to rest.

The Allied Forces' commanders had also adapted to the current rhythm. With the immense pressure gone, they were content with this stable situation. Foul Spirits in other areas were largely held back by the Duchy's counterattacks, and the front lines were steadily advancing; their section was progressing the fastest.

However, Meredith reminded the many commanders not to let their guard down due to the current situation. He pointed out that while the temporary stalemate benefited both sides, they couldn't afford to ignore the potential dangers. Meredith emphasized the need to remain vigilant and secretly seek other opportunities, rather than being locked in a perpetual standoff with the Foul Spirits here.

During their rest period behind the lines, Ange made a special trip back to the Logistics Regiment to visit Rika. Their former squad now consisted of only the two of them; the other members had perished in the last battle. Rika's left arm had been severely injured in that fight, and Ange had been worried about their recovery.

When Ange arrived at the Logistics Regiment, Rika was overjoyed to see them. Ange carefully examined Rika's left arm and noticed it had clearly thickened, indicating the issue of overgrowth had not been resolved. Rika calmly told Ange that their left arm could no longer exert much force and was only sufficient for daily life, rendering them unable to participate in combat anymore. Ange felt a pang of regret upon hearing this.

The two of them talked for a long time, reminiscing about past battles and the difficult times they had shared. Although Rika could no longer fight on the battlefield, their spirit remained unbroken. They encouraged Ange to keep striving and not be defeated by temporary setbacks. Rika also shared some of the experience and advice they had accumulated behind the lines, hoping it would be of some help to Ange.

Ange gratefully accepted Rika's encouragement and advice, their resolve to become a Level 1 Warrior strengthened. They knew they had to carry on for the sake of their comrades' expectations and sacrifices. Before returning to the front lines, Ange expressed their sincere gratitude to Rika and promised to do their best to avenge them and their fallen comrades, no matter what.

The daily, unvarying training continued as usual. In between training sessions, Ange often chatted with other soldiers, inquiring about their experiences. Many soldiers came from different regions, and each of their lives was incredibly rich.

Some soldiers hailed from distant mountain regions, having developed extraordinary physical fitness and endurance from a young age in treacherous terrain. Others came from bustling cities, having once been highly skilled artisans or merchants. Still others had been adventurers who traveled far and wide, witnessing countless strange tales and events.

These stories deeply inspired Ange. They discovered that everyone possessed unique ways of fighting and life wisdom. This experience not only broadened their horizons but also taught them many new combat techniques and strategies.

Through conversations with their comrades, Ange felt less alone and came to appreciate the preciousness of camaraderie. Every night, they would gather around a campfire with their comrades, listening to stories filled with adventure and challenge, their hearts filled with strength and hope.

They knew it was these colorful experiences and steadfast beliefs that allowed every soldier to advance fearlessly on the battlefield.

In this atmosphere, Ange's mindset gradually began to shift. They no longer focused solely on personal breakthroughs but paid more attention to teamwork and the support of their comrades.

During this time, Ange learned more about the merits awarded in the Infantry Regiment. They knew that the promotion of noble titles was closely tied to military merits. Merits were not only a symbol of personal honor but also the key to obtaining higher status and resources. However, Ange knew in their heart that it was unlikely they would be allocated any merits.

When Ange first joined the Infantry Regiment, they had clearly told the Regiment Commander of their intention to retire after some time. Therefore, despite putting in a great deal of effort in training and combat and achieving some results, merits were too precious to be prioritized for someone who was about to retire. Ange was well aware of this and didn't harbor excessive hopes.

Ange frequently sought out comrades who were former artisans and adventurers to learn various skills. They knew that after retiring, they wouldn't be participating in combat as frequently and would need to learn a trade to make a living. They found a comrade who was a former blacksmith and learned the art of forging. They found another who was a former butcher and learned how to skin and process hides. They also found a former adventurer and learned adventuring techniques and the geography of the Duchy.

Their blacksmith comrade taught Ange how to select suitable metals, how to hammer and temper them, and the methods for crafting various tools and weapons. As Ange hammered the iron, they felt a unique sense of satisfaction. This peace and sense of accomplishment, unobtainable through combat, filled them with anticipation for their future life.

The butcher comrade taught Ange how to quickly and cleanly process game, from skinning to butchering, each step requiring precision and skill. Ange understood that these skills would not only be useful in everyday life but could also play an important role in certain adventures or survival situations.

The adventurer comrade introduced Ange to a whole new world. Together, they studied maps of the Duchy, learning about the local customs and potential danger zones. The adventurer also shared many practical survival tips, such as how to find water sources, build temporary shelters, and how to handle emergencies in the wild.

Through these studies, Ange not only acquired various practical skills but also broadened their horizons. They understood that knowledge and skills were fundamental to establishing oneself, whether as a soldier or a civilian. These newly learned abilities filled them with confidence for life after retirement. They knew that no matter what path lay ahead, they would be able to find their place and live a fulfilling and meaningful life.