Ray was still squatting by the wall of the training ground, still drooling. Nonetheless, he had no interest in watching Iloti’s breast jiggle anymore, because he was just too tired. In half a month, he had traveled in and out of the Eastern Fortress seven times and fought numerous battles big and small. Even someone as tough as him began to feel exhausted. Luckily, since the majority of the beastman army had crossed the Eastern Fortress into the Panini Plains, the elite scout units of the human kind could take over most of his tasks.
A day later, the Star Mark, as a special combat squad, would officially step onto the battlefield, participating in operations and assaults in the Southern Plains. Upon hearing this news, Ray was somewhat taken aback. Since the beastmen had shifted tactics from sudden assaults to steady warfare, the war had ravaged the entire Eastern Plains. In just 9 short days, humans had successively lost Small Stone City and Blue Lake, two key outpost stations. According to intelligence, wolf cavalry was moving south, and Nightmare cavalry corps was moving north. The beastmen seemed to intend to control the entire east of the plains. Ray, looking at the well-coordinated but immature figures on the training ground, seemed lost in thought, and before he knew it, he had fallen asleep.
Ray didn't know how long he had slept when he was woken by someone poking him with a stick - more accurately, by Selena poking him with a stick.
Ray, drowsy, wiped the drool from his face, causing Selena to take a repulsed step back.
"Eh, Princess Selena, I'll make tea now." he remembered his duty to serve tea and water to the Star Mark.
"Fine!" Selena waved her hand dismissively at the sight of the drool all over the ground.
"It's been a while since I saw you, stinky, little menial. I thought you ran away in fear. Seems like you're braver than I thought."
"Hehe, how could I? I've just been busy with other things recently."
"That's true. A lot of people have crammed into Sunset Fortress, and you menials must be worn out."
"Er, Miss Selena, what's your command?" Ray was still a bit lost.
"Although everyone finds you quite annoying, we’ve been together for over a month and we still don’t know your name or where you’re from."
"I'm Ray, from the Church." Ray stood up and bowed respectfully.
"The Church?" Upon noticing the Church's emblem on Ray's chest, Selena muttered, "No wonder, you're that old lecher's henchman." Then, she asked, "Ray, what's your surname? It's rare to have a single word name."
"I don’t have a surname, Miss Selena!" Ray replied indifferently.
"Okay, Ray! I’m actually feeling a bit nervous and just want to talk to someone. Everyone is under pressure, so I ended up chatting with you.”
"Erm, it's an honor," Ray didn't know what to say and just shrugged.
Selena looked at him sideways and remarked, "Although everyone says you are that old man Londe Schted's toy boy, I’ve always believed you're not that simple. You might be his illegitimate child. But looking at you now, it seems you're not. Who would let his own son be a menial? At least soldiers could make contributions and rise through the ranks. What can a menial do?”
"Er, it's not bad being a menial." Ray touched his head, not knowing how to continue the conversation.
"So I find you really weird! A young guy content with being a menial? Your eyes aren’t those of a menial. You drool at the sight of Iloti and Anya, but there’s no desire or fantasy in your eyes, just like that old lecher Chris. An inexperienced menial wouldn't be this pure!"
"Erm, you flatter me…"
"Humph! I’m a master of reading minds. I can sniff out what you boys at your age are thinking with my nose!” Selena shot Ray a defiant look, which caught Ray off-guard. He didn't know where to put his hands or whether to raise his head defiantly or lower it in glance at the ground.
"Forget it, looking at your timid expression, maybe I got it wrong. But no worries, Ray. We are officially going to battle tomorrow!” Selena shrugged disappointingly. Ray exhaled a sigh of relief. Surprisingly, Selena squatted at the corner of the wall like Ray, though keeping a distance from him.
"I know. Lord Londe Schted will even give you a send-off!""Bullshit! Everyone in the fortress, the entire continent knows that a group of noble dandies are about to hit the battlefield! Many people are eagerly waiting to make a laughing stock out of us!"
"Uh, really? I thought everybody was truly hoping for your success..."
"Hmph! You’re more articulate than I thought. I'll take your words as sincere for now! It's heartening to know that someone genuinely wishes us well, even if it's just a lowly servant! Ah! I was looking forward to hitting the battlefield when I first arrived, to prove my strength to the whole continent. But now, the closer that day comes, the more anxious I get, especially given the current state of affairs on the battlefield. Look at Even and Berian's group; they don't even tell dirty jokes anymore. Anja, who was originally quite reserved, has become even more dull."
"Everyone is worried, I guess," said Selena, burying half of her head in her arm sorrowfully.
"Well, it may not be my place to say, but I believe that you, Lady Selena, and everyone else will be fine and achieve total victory." Ray looked at the silent people on the training ground, his tone remaining calm with no hint of excitement, which left Selena blinking in confusion.
"Alright! I’ll take your good words! It was nice talking to you, Ray! Stay here and wait for our triumphant return! Ha-ha!" After saying that, Selena flicked her long hair gracefully and headed towards the dining hall.
Ray watched her departing figure and pulled out a letter from his pocket. It was from Jessica at the Holy Church, which didn't need to be sent out. Clomis had taken it out and passed it to him when he returned to the Church yesterday. He just woke up and had some time to read it.
Jessica's handwriting was neat, but the content was banal.
"Ray, I heard the frontline situation isn't good, with the orcs attacking fiercely. But I’m not too worried as Sunfall Fortress is still safe. I heard the food on the frontline is great, even the servants eat better than us in the church, so I’m not too concerned about that. However, I’m worried about you being bullied there. The Church is very kind, and my sister looks after you. But outside the church, people are wicked, especially in the army where the strong often bully the weak. You’re so frail that it worries me.
Even though I told you to do a good job outside, I now feel it’s more important to live well. Therefore, you should do a good job, complete the mission as soon as possible, and come back to the church……"
Ray slipped the letter back into his pocket. It was noon and time for him to get to work. Although tomorrow was the first day of the Star Seal's battle, no one dared to underestimate such a unique team. They carry the heavy responsibility of bringing hope and confidence to humanity. Everything was already scripted. The Star Seal was turned into a wolf, with the southbound orc wolf riders serving as sheep. Elliot was the alpha male, and he was a shepherd; it was his duty to herd the tired sheep into the limelight on stage, in front of the wolf, to enact a grand play.
