Recruitment

After recent combat training, Ang had become thoroughly familiar with the fighting skills he had mastered. Though he could not yet use them as effortlessly as breathing, they had become instinctive to his body. However, he still had no idea how to become a Level 1 Warrior.

In the 36th Regiment, Ang had sought advice from every Level 1 Warrior, including Senior Squires like himself.

Everyone's answers seemed different, yet somehow similar. Some were full of philosophy, while others were simple and straightforward, and some were even rather vague.

Ang gradually realized that breaking through to become a Level 1 Warrior required not only skill, but also a shift in mindset. He knew that the more anxious he was, the harder a breakthrough would become. It was better to let nature take its course, accumulate experience through real combat and training, and wait for the moment when everything fell into place.

So Ang decided to temporarily let go of his obsession with promotion and devote himself fully to daily training and missions, hoping that an opportunity for a breakthrough would arrive when he least expected it.

Days passed one after another. During rotations, Ang fought Demons almost every day, sometimes during the day and sometimes at night.

The long period of frequent combat began to weary him. The excitement and anticipation he had felt at the beginning were gone. Especially after letting go of his obsession with becoming a Level 1 Warrior, his aversion to battle grew even stronger.

Ang also noticed that the two sides seemed to have reached a subtle understanding during their battles: the Demons did not attack with full force, and the humans did not retaliate with full force either.

This confused Ang. He tried to probe for the reason behind it, eventually finding an opportunity to ask his comrade Jada.

Jada told him that the current situation was deadlocked, and this tacit understanding was actually the best possible outcome. Fierce fighting would only bring greater casualties and exhaustion. Maintaining this unhurried pace of battle allowed both sides to endure in relative stability.

Although Jada's answer helped Ang understand the benefits of the current situation, it could not dispel the weariness in his heart.

Ang did not know why he had grown tired of battle. The intensity was not particularly high, but the frequency was, while casualties on both sides remained relatively low. The one thing that gave him a little comfort was that the Infantry Regiment's meals were far better than those in the Logistics Regiment. The Infantry Regiment usually ate white bread and meat, far more substantial fare than the coarse grain and simple rations of the Logistics Regiment.

Even so, Ang could not escape the exhaustion in his heart. He recalled how much he had once looked forward to battle, only to find that the endless killing had gradually drained away his passion.

Ang tried to find the root of this weariness, but the monotony and repetition of battle only left him more confused. He knew that excessively frequent combat did not merely drain physical strength; more importantly, it wore down the mind.

In this mood, Ang could only place his hopes in the brief satisfaction brought by food. During every break between battles, he ate as much white bread and meat as he could, hoping to find a little solace in filling meals.

At the same time, he had not abandoned his desire to break through and become a Level 1 Warrior. He had merely buried that desire deep in his heart, waiting for the day it could truly be fulfilled.

Ang knew that he had to adjust his mindset in order to find a new balance in battle.

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

Before long, Ang's 36th Regiment withdrew from the front line for rotation. There were now five Infantry Regiments taking turns, and Ang estimated that he would be able to rest properly for a while.

The commanders of the Allied Forces had also adapted to the current rhythm. With the enormous pressure from before gone, they were instead happy to see this stable situation. Demons in the other regions had largely been held back by the duchy's counterattacks, and the front line was steadily advancing. Their sector was actually progressing the fastest.

However, Meredith reminded the many commanders not to lower their guard because of the current situation. He pointed out that although the temporary stalemate benefited both sides, they could not ignore the potential danger because of it. Meredith stressed that they had to remain vigilant at all times and secretly seek other opportunities. They could not truly remain locked in confrontation with the Demons here forever.

During the period of rest in the rear, Ang made a special trip back to the Logistics Regiment to visit Lika. Only the two of them remained from their former squad; the other members had died in the previous battle. Lika's left arm had been seriously injured in that battle, and Ang had been worried about Lika's recovery.

When Ang arrived at the Logistics Regiment, Lika was delighted to see him. Ang carefully examined Lika's left arm and found that it had visibly thickened. The problem of abnormal growth had clearly not been resolved. Lika calmly told Ang that the arm could no longer exert much strength and could only meet everyday needs. Lika could no longer take part in battle. Ang felt a pang of regret upon hearing this.

The two talked for a long time, reminiscing about their past battles and the hard times they had endured together. Although Lika could no longer return to the battlefield, Lika's spirits had not fallen because of it. Lika encouraged Ang to keep working hard and not be defeated by temporary difficulties. Lika also shared some experience and advice gathered in the rear, hoping it would help Ang.

Ang gratefully accepted Lika's encouragement and advice, becoming even more determined to become a Level 1 Warrior. He knew that the hopes and sacrifices of his comrades had to be carried on by him. Before returning to the front line, Ang sincerely thanked Lika and promised that, no matter what, he would do his best to avenge Lika and the other fallen comrades.

The daily training continued without fail. Outside of training, Ang often chatted with the other soldiers and asked about their experiences. Many of them came from different regions, and every one of their lives was extraordinarily fascinating.

Some soldiers came from distant mountain regions, where they had developed exceptional physical strength and endurance amid dangerous terrain since childhood. Some came from prosperous cities and had once been highly skilled craftsmen or merchants. Others had once been adventurers who traveled far and wide, witnessing countless strange sights and events.

These stories inspired Ang deeply. He discovered that everyone had unique ways of fighting and wisdom for living. These experiences not only broadened his horizons, but also taught him many new combat techniques and strategies.

Through his conversations with his comrades, Ang no longer felt alone. He came to understand the value of camaraderie. Every night, he sat around the campfire with his comrades, listening to stories full of adventure and challenge, his heart filled with strength and hope.

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

In this atmosphere, Ang's mindset gradually changed. He no longer focused only on his personal breakthrough, but paid more attention to teamwork and the support of his comrades.

During this period, Ang gained a deeper understanding of the Infantry Regiment's military merits. He learned that advancement in noble rank was closely tied to military merit. Military merit was not only a symbol of personal honor, but also the key to obtaining higher status and resources. However, Ang knew that he was unlikely to receive any share of such merits.

When he had first joined the Infantry Regiment, Ang had clearly told the regiment commander that he intended to retire after some time. Therefore, although he had put great effort into training and battle and achieved some results, military merit was so precious that it clearly would not be given priority to someone about to retire. Ang understood this perfectly and did not harbor excessive hopes.

Ang frequently sought out comrades who had once been craftsmen or adventurers to learn various skills. He knew that after retiring, he would no longer fight as frequently as he did now, and he would need a trade to make a living. He found a comrade who had once been a blacksmith and learned forging from him. He found another who had once been a butcher and learned how to skin animals and process hides. He also found a comrade who had once been an adventurer and learned adventuring skills and geographical knowledge of the duchy.

The blacksmith taught Ang how to choose suitable metals, how to hammer and quench them, and how to make various tools and weapons. As Ang hammered iron, he felt a unique sense of satisfaction. The peace and accomplishment that battle could not give him filled him with anticipation for his future life.

The butcher taught Ang how to handle prey quickly and cleanly. From skinning to cutting meat into portions, every step required precision and skill. Ang understood that these skills were useful not only in daily life, but could also play an important role during certain adventures or survival situations.

The adventurer brought Ang into a completely new world. Together, they studied maps of the duchy and learned about the customs of different places and potentially dangerous regions. The adventurer also shared many practical survival skills, such as how to find water, build temporary shelters, and deal with unexpected situations in the wilderness.

Through this learning, Ang not only mastered many practical skills, but also broadened his horizons. He understood that whether one was a soldier or a civilian, knowledge and skills were the foundation for standing firm in the world. These newly learned abilities filled him with confidence in life after retirement. He knew that no matter what path lay ahead, he would be able to find his place and live a full and meaningful life.