Northward Campaign, Southward Conquest

Looking at his disciple, who seemed almost maddened before him, Orco finally rose after a long silence. He then pulled a document from his pocket and tossed it in front of Roxy before saying calmly, "This final psychological assessment report concerning your confinement period wasn't actually written by the previous mental evaluator from the Valdren Family. I wrote it. "The content reads: 'Roxy Sankaster is mentally stable and capable of independently commanding troops.'"

Hearing this, Roxy's golden eyebrows lifted slightly.

But before she could ask what her teacher meant by bringing this up, Orco interrupted her directly:

"But this assessment report is fake."

A grave expression that had long been absent from Orco's face returned. He stared at Roxy with an unprecedentedly complicated look before saying solemnly, "You've now learned to use any means necessary, and have even surpassed me in that regard."

"But unfortunately, in my view, you still haven't learned how to clean up after employing such ruthless strategies." "This time, against those arrogant Frostland Barbarians, in this near-mad state, your victory is already assured so long as nothing unexpected happens." "But..."

Orco paused briefly. Then, facing Roxy's flickering gaze, he coldly voiced his final judgment:

"If you encounter John Maslow again, I believe you will likewise lose to him—and without the slightest suspense!" "Because he is not only more ruthless than you, he also knows how to use incentives and faith to guide a defeated remnant army into regaining its will to fight, turning the troops under his command into a death-defying army of fanatics!"

"Against such a monster, you've only mastered the 'Self-Sacrifice' battle method and haven't evolved to a higher level. Though you may not show any weakness in the early clashes, as the battle progresses, you'll only be restrained by his strategies and sink