Half an hour later, less than 600 players, fully prepared and led by several classic veterans such as [ Practice More If You're Bad ], [ Howling Pothos ], [ Soaring Clouds 3773 ], [ Elderly and Children Fly First ], and [ Retreat Drum Player ], poured out of the camp.
Alfonso was maintaining his knight's sword in his tent when he heard a chaotic commotion outside, filled with shouts of battle. A flood of unpleasant memories immediately washed over him.
Good heavens, another raid on the camp?
Alfonso's heart skipped a beat. With his sword in hand, he opened the tent flap and, under the protection of the Knight Saili, began to inspect the camp.
The result was hundreds of identical, bewildered faces.
The soldiers from the Empire all looked toward Alfonso. Some were conscripts personally recruited by Alfonso, some were the remnants of the centurions who had been beheaded, and some were the recipients of a second blood transfusion from their fathers.
In short, regardless of when they joined the team, they all wore the same expression at this moment.
Alfonso himself was also confused, because he already knew it wasn't a raid on the camp, but he still didn't understand what had happened.
However, after this period of tempering, he also knew that as a commander, he could not show weakness as long as he was alive, so he put on a calm expression that said, "It was all within my expectations."
Fortunately, this situation did not last long, and the narrator explaining the details soon appeared near Alfonso.
[ The Great Wei Boxing Champion ] pushed through the crowd to Alfonso, tapped his breastplate in an Imperial salute, and then loudly proclaimed:
"Reporting to Your Excellency, six hundred cavalrymen have launched a surprise attack on the enemy in accordance with your orders. What should be done next? Please advise!"
My military orders?
Oh, so it was "my military order"!
Alfonso paused for a moment, then realized that this was the demon servant explaining the situation to prevent things from getting out of control.
Having figured out the logic, he instantly got into character, calmly nodded, and began issuing commands:
" Saili, have the remaining centurions maintain discipline in the camp. Come find me in the tent in fifteen minutes."
"Yes!"
Somewhat bewildered, Saili immediately obeyed the order.
Alfonso glanced at [ the Great Wei Boxing Champion ] and said calmly:
"Come with me, I have some questions for you."
"Yes, sir."
[ The Great Wei Boxing Champion ] immediately followed.
Alfonso upon entering the tent, his expression slightly somber.
"What's going on? Can you give me an explanation?"
Although [ Great Wei Boxing Champion ] was in a low position and his back was not very straight, he raised his head and stared at Alfonso without saying a word.
The silent stare lasted for almost a minute, until Alfonso shifted his back somewhat awkwardly, subtly withdrawing his sullen expression.
"Just say what's on your mind..."
His tone softened slightly without him even realizing it, but [ the Great Wei Boxing Champion ] didn't answer but instead asked a question:
"Your Excellency, may I ask you a question?"
"Can."
Alfonso didn't find this offensive; he was the kind of person who was bad at something but not completely bad, open-minded but not particularly open-minded.
As for his subordinates wanting to ask questions, this was within his acceptable range, and even if he wanted to ask the questions first, he didn't get angry.
"Does Your Excellency wish to be remembered in history?"
"Certainly."
"For this, do you care about the means?"
Of course not.
Alfonso answered both questions immediately, and even asked one in return:
"As a servant of the demon, don't you know that I've already resorted to any means necessary?"
Ah, so this is what you call using any means necessary?
[ The Great Wei Boxing Champion ] was slightly shocked. Alfonso's words were like something a very well-behaved classmate would say to him when he was a child:
"I was sleeping in class, doesn't that count as ignoring school rules and regulations?"
Considering what the Soul Returner did, and then looking at Alfonso's self-proclaimed "outrageous behavior," [ Great Wei Boxing Champion ] could only silently complain that the other party was too ignorant.
However, he nodded outwardly and continued speaking in agreement with the other person:
"Then I hope you can understand our actions today."
[ The Great Wei Boxing Champion ] began, half-jokingly, according to the previous setup:
"Because Prince Nuowa paid the vast majority of the price, there were times when we did indeed overstep your bounds and act on our own."
"But rest assured, everything we do is for your place in history and for Prince Nuowa to restore the empire."
"For example, today, our compatriots from afar sent us an urgent military report. We quickly formulated a plan and then launched the operation, without even having a chance to tell you."
Alfonso paused for a moment upon hearing this, then looked at [ the Great Wei Boxing Champion ] again:
"So you stayed behind specifically to keep tabs on me?"
"Exactly."
[ The Great Wei Boxing Champion ] nodded:
"What do you think of this model? Of course, we're not going to skip your operations in the future, but... in urgent situations, please understand that we're taking action on our own initiative. And we promise that someone will stay behind each time to keep you informed of the situation, and if nothing unexpected happens, it will be me again next time."
Alfonso has a general understanding of the current situation.
Ultimately, he had no reason to be angry.
Although I sacrificed half my life, in the end, I made a wish for a "good ride" – I've already given you a cheap ride, so what if the driver takes a longer route? It's good enough if he gets you to your destination!
Moreover, since relinquishing power, his status and military rank seem to have indeed been steadily rising...
This feeling isn't so bad.
But this kind of behavior... I still feel like I've been underestimated...
Just as Alfonso was struggling with his decision, [ The Great Wei Boxing Champion ] continued:
"And also... [ Practice More If You're Bad ] the centurion asked me to pass on a message to you."
Alfonso, signaling the other person to speak quickly.
He said, "Sir, after the last battle, I accidentally saw you vomiting profusely. For your health, we will take care of everything."
Alfonso never expected that there were witnesses to his previous embarrassing situation.
The last battle in which he personally led troops to capture Sandcastle Number Thirteen was actually his first time going to the real front line.
There's nothing to say about the skeleton soldiers being smashed to pieces, but seeing his kin torn apart and missing limbs on the battlefield, he still unconsciously tightened his grip on the reins.
After his triumphant return that day, although he appeared calm and composed on the surface, those bloody scenes kept replaying in his mind.
Around midnight, unable to sleep and feeling nauseous, he quietly went to a secluded spot in the camp and vomited thoroughly.
I never expected that [ Practice More If You're Bad ] would actually witness this scene!
Alfonso was somewhat embarrassed, but he had to admit that he might not be suited to be on the battlefield.