But regardless of what was being said, from his own personal, emotional perspective, he was unwilling to accept this fact. He would rather the enemyâs four army legions survive if it meant that he wouldnât lose a single Falcon Dragon Cavalry!
Maldiniâs complexion inexplicably became unsettled. The atmosphere within the Commanderâs tent seemed to freeze. Those high-ranking military officers close to him were aware that their esteemed generalissimo might explode violently.
Xiang Luan also felt that the mood was amiss, so she forced a smile, saying, âGeneralissimo Maldini, even though our losses this time werenât small, the beastmenâs losses were even greater. Exchanging a thousand for forty thousand elites of the enemy, this is a decisive win! When we return, I will definitely request my Imperial Father to recognize the deceased soldiers for their merits and bequeath substantial compensations to their families.â
Maldini slowly stood up. The Violet Star Dragon Cavalry Commanderâs aura that radiated off his body appeared to be the essence of iciness. He turned to face Fisich.e.l.la and Xiang Luan. Bowing, he said, âYour Highness speaks such truth. We have achieved a decisive victory this time. It can be said that this is the largest victory we have had in a confrontation with the Mjolnir beastmen. Most importantly, we crushed the enemyâs plot to raid Puglia Plains. As the true commander of this battle, Ye Yin Zhu can claim tremendous merit for himself. Even though he is a student of Milan Inst.i.tution and merely a student-mage within the army, I will definitely report such great service to the Military Department; his Majesty will then bestow down his reward by decree.â
Hearing Maldiniâs words, Xiang Luan and Fisich.e.l.la both simultaneously relaxed. This person was Generalissimo Ironblood. Honestly speaking, they were both somewhat afraid within their hearts. If Maldini investigated Ye Yin Zhuâs sin of sending a thousand tamed dragons to their deaths, the Falcon Dragon Cavalry included, then it would be troubling.
Non-military commands were, to some extent, not accepted. As Ironblood Maldini managed the armed forces, if he were to get rid of Ye Yin Zhu in a violent rage, then Xiang Luan and Fisich.e.l.la would be unable to reason with him. After all, the Violet Clan held an influential position within the Milan Empire. Emperor Silvio also held his ideas in esteem. He would absolutely not punish Maldini, a man who possessed brilliantly outstanding military service, because of a single mage.
Ye Yin Zhu sensed the somewhat disharmonious atmosphere within the Commanderâs tent, but he simply couldnât make head or tails of it. He never wouldâve believed that Maldini would be unfavorable toward him. Hearing this venerable generalissimo speak about establis.h.i.+ng his great service, he couldnât help but bashfully say, âOld horse, oh, excuse me, Generalissimo Maldini, I actually didnât do anything. If it wasnât for everyoneâs a.s.sistance, it wouldâve been impossible for me to create such a good result with only my power.â
At the side, the eldest grandson of the Violet Clan, Silver Star Dragon Cavalry Commander Austin, sneered, âFortunately, you didnât do anything. Otherwise, how could you compensate for the loss of the Dragon Cavalry Legion?â
up!â Maldini explosively shouted. He scared Austin so much that his whole body trembled. This grandfather of his had released a tremendously oppressive power that made him feel as if he was suffocating.
A cold light flashed through Maldiniâs eyes. He said to Ye Yin Zhu, âYouâve done well. You deserve to be an important person to Miss Anya. With such a large disparity between us and the enemy, you miraculously defeated the opposition. Regardless of whether it is your own resourcefulness and bravery or your unusual magic, you can be considered a rising star of the young generation. However, you still sacrificed the critically important Falcon Dragon Cavalry of the Empire. This error is also not very small. Even if your service is greater, I will also report these facts to my superiors and allow his Majesty to make a decision.â
Xiang Luan and Fisich.e.l.la knew that they hadnât been wrong about this generalissimo. If it hadnât been Ye Yin Zhu this time, then perhaps the conclusion wouldâve been extremely miserable. It was precisely because of Anya that the rage in Maldiniâs heart was forcefully suppressed.
âI wasnât thinking of rewards. I just didnât want to see the beastmen harm my friends and cla.s.smates. Generalissimo Maldini, I donât think that what Iâve done was wrong. Elder Brother Oliveira had said that in order to obtain victory on the battlefield, even if you must be completely unscrupulous, then do so by all means!â
âYin ZhuâŚâ Ye Yin Zhuâs accidental speech frightened Oliveira, who was sitting to the side, extremely. He was well aware of his grandfatherâs temperament. Now that he had suddenly become the originator of the planâŚhe didnât dare to bear his grandfatherâs fury.
Sure enough, Maldiniâs gaze immediately s.h.i.+fted to Oliveira. He somewhat tauntingly said, âOh, saying it like this, Oliveiraâs contributions also arenât small, no? Not bad not bad, a military officer of our Violet Clan finally understands the art of war. You have all done great service, great service!â As he said this, his voice suddenly changed into a bellow. âSoldier Austin, Soldier Okafur, step forward!â
Austin exchanged glances with his younger brother, and they stepped forward together, chests pushed forward.
Maldini walked until he stopped in front of Okafur. âAt that time, what was the order I had given you?â
Although Okafur panicked mentally, he still stated, âYou ordered me to guide a thousand Dragon Cavalry Knights to protect the students of the Milan Inst.i.tution for Magic and Martial Arts and to defend Konya City.â
Maldiniâs voice dropped even lower. âThen did you? Why did you sneak away with the Dragon Cavalry? When I had discovered your actions, you were already on the battlefield here at Sacred Heart City. In addition⌠Austin, as the eldest brother, not only did you not deter Okafurâs actions, you even went as far as to secretly return him into the Dragon Cavalry ranks. Precisely because of your wrongs, you caused Konya City to be empty.â
âGrandfather, weâŚâ Austin just began explaining himself when Maldini cut him off.
âShut your mouth. You should address me as Generalissimo. Pa.s.s on my commands: The brothers Austin and Okafur went absent without leave, causing my army to suffer damage. Effective immediately, these two men will be stripped of their Dragon Cavalry Commander t.i.tles and taken into custody to await trial at the Imperial Capital. Take them away.â
No one dared to plea for leniency in the face of Maldiniâs fury. Out of everyone present, only Ye Yin Zhu wasnât afraid of Maldini. He also wasnât going to plea for their leniency, however, because he also believed that Maldiniâs actions were justified. Austinâs younger brother truly did abscond of his duties.
Four strongly-built soldiers promptly entered the tent and restrained Austin and Okafur before leaving the Commanderâs tent. Even though the two brothersâ strengths were at their peak, they absolutely didnât dare to resist.
In fact, even though Maldini was in a furious rage, he was still selfish. If any other military officer had neglected his duty, he wouldâve executed him long ago. What use would there be in detaining and returning them to the Imperial Capital to stand trial?
âYour Highness the Prince, your Highness the Princess, Sacred Heart City is this Empireâs frontier region and not a place your persons should stay for a long time. In a little while, I will dispatch people to escort you and the Milan students to return to the Imperial Capital at once. This will also conveniently deliver those two vile sp.a.w.ns to detainment. Oliveira, take these two Highnesses and Ye Yin Zhu to rest.â
Oliveira secretly released a breath of relief. He didnât dare to look at his grandfather again and hurriedly agreed.
Upon departing the Commanderâs tent, Fisich.e.l.la also breathed a sigh of relief. âGeneralissimo Maldini seems livid.â
Oliveira bitterly smiled and said, âWhenever grandfather gets angry, the consequences are very grave. Elder Brother, Second Brother, they have bad luck this time.â
Fisich.e.l.la patted his shoulder and said, âDonât worry, Senior. Imperial Father probably wouldnât truly punish the Violet Clan. After all, the two Dragon Cavalry commanders had done this in order to be able to strike at the enemy. If it had been me, Iâm afraid my choice wouldâve been the same.â
Oliveira nodded and then turned to speak to Ye Yin Zhu. âYin Zhu, you nearly killed me just now! I really donât know whether your military strategy and tactics are right or wrong.â
Ye Yin Zhu was somewhat at a loss. âI harmed you, what?â
Looking at Ye Yin Zhuâs hardly affected and pure appearance, Oliveira really couldnât say anything to him. He sighed helplessly and said, âForget about it; itâs already over. Anyway, you really made me gain a whole new level of respect for you. How could I have expected that you would go as far as to use such an extraordinary method to force the enemy to retreat? Everyoneâs perspective toward Divine Music mages really are erroneous. Who said all of you are trash? From what I see, Divine Music mages might be the most powerful mages.â
Xiang Luan and Fisich.e.l.la deeply believed this was correct and nodded in agreement. In their eyes, Ye Yin Zhu was merely a Yellow Rank mage, but from the perspective of this warâs victory, who could say that Divine Music mages were useless?
And just like at the inst.i.tution, Ye Yin Zhu and Sura still shared a room. Entering the door, he was welcomed by an anxiously waiting Sura. âHow did things go, Yin Zhu? Maldini didnât make things difficult for you, right?â
Ye Yin Zhu stared at him blankly, before saying, âNo! Why would he make things difficult for me?â
Sura sighed in relief and explained, âThatâs good. Those Falcon dragons are extremely important to the Milan Empire. This time, they were all lost. I was afraid that Maldini would be unaccepting of this sacrifice and take it out on you. Go and rest first, alright? Has your body fully recovered yet?â
Ye Yin Zhu walked over to his bed and sat down. He smiled and said, âFortunately, yes. My spiritual force is recovering quickly. Still, it was a little dangerous this time; those numerous and disorderly mindsets had nearly caused me to be unable to reabsorb my Spiritual Imprint. Once I fully recover, however, I think my spiritual force will progress significantly.â
âSpiritual force progressing? Is this also because of the battle?â Sura asked, slightly amazed.
Ye Yin Zhu shook his head and explained, âI also donât know. I sense that my spiritual force itself is like a pool. Perhaps borrowing everyoneâs spiritual force caused this pool to expand; although my spiritual force is more or less restored to normal levels by now, it still doesnât seem to be enough to completely fill the enlarged pool. Because itâs like this, I feel that I have improved.â
Sura smiled and exclaimed, âYou! Next time, donât take risks. Mages have the greatest need to be cautious. Every kind of magical element is actually very dangerous. When used improperly, it can create a hard to control crisis. Come, wash your face.â As he said this, he placed a warm towel in Ye Yin Zhuâs hand.
Ye Yin Zhu stared at him blankly for a moment. The towel was very soft, and had a fresh and clean fragrance wafting from it. As he wiped his face, he said, âSura, since we left Konya City, itâs like youâve become a different person.â
Sura smilingly looked at him as he queried, âHave I? How come I donât feel it?â
Ye Yin Zhu smiled and exclaimed, âYou were never this attentive to me before!â
Suraâs eyes displayed a trace of a strange light. He subconsciously glanced at the silver ring on his finger. âDidnât you already pay me a lifetimeâs worth of wages? Having already received it, I will naturally be better toward you.â