He went up and threw a punch, and the civilian instantly fell to the ground, coughing violently.
[ The Ginseng Rooster ] squatted in front of the common people like a petty thug:
"See? I told you you had a chronic cough, didn't I? Still won't admit it?"
" Rod, eliminated!"
The Dark Archmage watched this scene unfold, his mouth agape in disbelief.
Compared to [ the Ginseng Rooster ], his own moral bottom line seems to be his ceiling.
The priest named Andy put down his charcoal pencil, his expression turning somewhat gloomy, and his tone becoming a little angry:
"Captain, what you're doing... isn't that wrong?"
Looking at the priest, who burned silently like charcoal, [ Ginseng Rooster ] revealed a serious expression for the first time:
"Reverend Andy, whether I'm doing the right thing depends on what kind of militia we actually need."
He looked at the first round of screening that had been passed so easily and said disdainfully:
"If what we need is cannon fodder, then I apologize to you, Father Andy."
"But if what we need is a truly capable militia, then we should eliminate any negative factors that might affect the fighting."
"It was wrong of me to hit him, but it made him face reality!"
"It's better to be beaten by me today than to be stabbed by heretics and rebels tomorrow."
"When I die on the city wall, the survivor will thank me."
Looking at the righteous-minded [ Ginseng Rooster ], Andy found it hard to believe that this was an illiterate commoner. Instead, he seemed like a natural leader, no, a demagogue!
However, putting aside the subtle sense of unease, he did somewhat agree with the other person's idea.
With the Battle of Black Pine City imminent, no matter concerning the city's defenses can be taken lightly; it's just that his methods are somewhat unacceptable.
The equally stunned [ Dark Archmage ] has already sent a message in the new player group chat – [ Black Pine City Militia ]:
"You're about to be exposed! Don't forget you're illiterate!"
[ Ginseng Rooster ]: "It's nothing, as long as the mood is right, watch me handle the locals!"
After sending the message, [ Ginseng Rooster ] came up to Andy, looked him in the eyes, and said seriously:
"I know my methods were excessive, but it was all for Black Pine City."
"Reverend Andy, I assure you, after this battle, I will resign from my position as militia captain and become a carefree civilian again."
Andy, upon hearing this man's boastful words, was momentarily speechless...
"No, there's no need for that... I just think your approach has some issues, but I still agree with your principles."
But [ the Ginseng Rooster ] wouldn't let it go:
"No, I promise you I will."
What he said wasn't a lie.
After the battle of Black Pine City, it was never said which side won.
Since the Soul Returner are guaranteed to win, then Archbishop Luorui'er will have to suffer the injustice.
Once this city falls, I'll be embarking on my next mission; I won't have time to be some kind of militia captain here.
Do you really think this job is so lucrative?
Seeing the unwavering attitude of the commoner before him, Andy couldn't help but feel moved.
The world is going to the dogs and people's hearts are no longer what they used to be. It's a blessing for the Tree Worship Church to still have such simple and honest people like this!
He nodded and said:
"I understand you now. Please feel free to do your best. Whether you resign in the end or not, I will still respect you as a colleague."
Having successfully deceived Andy, [ the Ginseng Rooster ] began to treat him like a rubber stamp, using him as a tool to rigorously screen the commoners who had luckily passed the first round of selection.
"You seem to be walking with some difficulty. Do you have an old injury on your leg?"
"No old injuries? Roll up your trousers and let me see..."
"Take this kick, heh ha!"
"You were indeed mistaken. It's a new injury, not an old one. Eliminated."
"..."
"Let me see. Hmm, you're fine in every other way, except you're too short. They don't recruit Boy Scouts here."
"What, you're an adult? Then I definitely can't keep you! Anyone who didn't know better would think you were a potato mine!"
"Anyone who affects the military's appearance is out!"
"..."
"You think you can pass the first test with those skinny arms and legs? You don't look very strong..."
You say you're strong? Then try hitting me!
"That damned lowly wretch dared to hit me?! Eliminated!"
"..."
" John? You said your name is John?"
"I hate anyone named John the most; every single one of them is a pigeon!"
"Eliminate! Eliminate! Eliminate!"
"..."
Watching ordinary people who were originally fine suddenly develop problems under the scrutiny of the " Ginseng Rooster," the simple and easygoing priest Andy couldn't help but twitch his eyelids slightly.
Watching yet another civilian be eliminated, he couldn't help but wave at [ Ginseng Rooster ].
The Soul Returner, completely absorbed in his art, approached and stared at him with a questioning look.
"Friend, this is just my well-intentioned reminder..."
Andy pointed to the three priests in charge of the first level:
"Show some respect to your colleagues, right? You can't just ignore them all..."
[ The Ginseng Rooster ] pretended not to understand and scratched his head, feeling that the middle-aged priest in front of him resembled a kind, complacent old man with no hope of promotion in some workplace...
He thought for a moment and said:
"But they all do have some problems... I think I did the right thing, and you said I didn't want any of them..."
As he spoke, he turned his head to look at the next "commoner" who was about to be harassed, and a barely perceptible smile appeared on his face:
"I think this one is pretty good, but we still need to investigate it further."
Andy nodded.
"Alright, then you can examine it carefully, just don't go too far..."
[ The Ginseng Rooster ] nodded, indicating that the investigation should continue.
The commoner strode forward. He was of a fairly well-proportioned build, and the Symbiotic Tree and his right arm were growing together, making his right arm appear much thicker than his left arm.
[ Ginseng Rooster ] scrutinized him closely, taking in his simple and honest face, and naturally not overlooking the semi-transparent floating ID above his head.
"May I have your name?"
"Sir, my name is [ Second-Class Biscuit ]!"
Tell me, what is your purpose in joining the militia?
"Reporting, squad leader, our purpose is to obey your orders!"
"Damn it, I've never heard such a satisfying answer! You're a fucking genius [ Second-Class Biscuit ]!"
[ The Ginseng Rooster ] shouted for a while, then turned to look at Father Andy:
"See? I told you this one was pretty good, didn't I?"
Andy's expression was somewhat stiff. He pointed at the guy whose name he still didn't know, hesitated several times before finally biting his thumb to indicate that he had nothing to say.
[ Ginseng Rooster ] seemed to want to prove something, and said to [ Second-Class Biscuit ]:
"Punch me."
"Yes, sir!"
"Bang!"
The thick arm, from which the Symbiotic Tree grew, swung like a hammer, knocking the [ Ginseng Rooster ] to the ground with a muffled thud.
Andy stared in disbelief at the scene before politely handing over the contract to be signed.