## Chapter 114: Morale
"What speed?"
Although Druv's words were unclear, I didn't think the tens of thousands of Monsters were simply coming to the Village vicinity for a meeting before leaving.
"Their movement Speed isn't very fast, after all, there are tens of thousands of them, and they have no discipline to speak of," Druv mused for a moment.
"I think, if they maintain this Speed, they should arrive tonight. Perhaps the vanguard will be a little faster."
"Is that so? Is everyone else ready?" Suddenly thinking about facing tens of thousands of Monsters, my heart felt a little empty and panicked, but more than that, I felt excited.
"Yes, I've issued the Announcement. All Warriors can gather within 5 minutes."
"Heh heh, what is there to fear then? In terms of pure Strength, we have the Advantage, and right now we are the defending side." Seeing Druv looking a bit constrained, I said with a smile.
"That's right, we can't panic ourselves. The goal of this Battle is simply to minimize Casualties." Reminded by me, Druv immediately sobered up and clapped his hands forcefully, breaking the heavy Atmosphere in the Tent.
"Haha, well said. It's just that I've never faced tens of thousands of Monsters before, so it's a bit hard to adapt for a moment. But thinking about it, don't we also have thousands of Warriors on our side?" Lars echoed.
"Since that's the case, let's go have a few drinks. Haha..." Doug laughed heartily.
"Go to hell..." Doug's laughter was still brewing in his throat when he was instantly struck down by everyone.
"Right, Wu, go out and boost the Morale of the Warriors," Druv suddenly turned his Head and said to me.
"Boost Morale?"
"Yes, everyone hasn't experienced a Great War like this before, so they're bound to be more or less nervous and uneasy. At this time, aren't you, the Hero of Vita Village, the one who should step up and pump everyone up?" Druv said as if it were a matter of course.
"Haha, Wu, you've become an inflating tool." That rogue Doug laughed without any Expert image, and was instantly knocked down again by everyone.
Doug, thank you very much for not making me think of the word 'inflatable doll'. I was pushed out of the Tent by everyone, feeling like I wanted to cry but had no tears.
A heavy Presence permeated the sky above Vita Village. Adventurers gathered in twos and threes, but unlike before, they weren't talking loudly. Some took out their Weapons, constantly wiping them with rags, while others stared blankly into the distance. Perhaps at the Monsters in the Northwest, or perhaps at the Rogue Encampment to the east. Their Eyes revealed various kinds of Feelings/Emotions. If there were a photographer here, this scene would definitely be excellent material.
What should the name of the material be?
War? Longing? Prayer? Or perhaps Hesitation?
My arrival didn't attract the attention of these immersed Adventurers. While breathing a sigh of relief, I also felt a faint worry in my heart. The current Morale doesn't seem very good. What should I do? Should I stand on the Platform like a Red Guard, raise my Fist, and Shout loudly to encourage everyone? Just thinking about it is embarrassing enough. This kind of top-tier leadership Skill is something I can't master at my current Level.
Just as I was worrying, my Vision unintentionally caught sight of a unique scene.
Such a young Adventurer.
My current Age is already quite young among Adventurers, which is one of the reasons I always wear a Hood. Lin Ya is even more of a treasure. And the female Archer in front of me, judging by her Appearance, seemed even younger than Lin Ya, perhaps only 16 or 17 years old. Her long black Hair was tied into a long Ponytail, then coiled around her neck. Her delicate face gave off a feeling of lingering Childishness. She leaned against a Tree, gently wiping the Wooden Bow in her hand, her Eyes shining with a more determined Glow than those High-Level Adventurers.
Both her Age and the Gaze that didn't match it made me very curious. Thinking this, I couldn't help but walk forward.
Very alert. Although I didn't deliberately lighten my Footsteps, she could still hear approaching Footsteps from ten meters away even while focused. Just this point raised my evaluation of her by several points.
"Lord!"
Before I could speak, the girl stood up straight with a "swish". Her bright Eyes, meticulous Demeanor, and neat Movement showed at a glance that she was a serious and rigorous girl. The first impression she gave was that she was careful and reliable Type.
"No need to be so formal."
I motioned for her to sit down, but secretly gave a Bitter Smile. One after another, they were all like this. Why did I feel like I was getting more and more like an Old Man when wearing a Cloak?
"Mm..."
To help her Relax, I first sat down next to a wooden cart under the Tree, leaning comfortably against the wooden wheel.
After settling down, I suddenly found that I didn't know what to say.
"Have we met somewhere before?" To ease the atmosphere that had finally relaxed, I casually said. As soon as the words left my mouth, I wanted to slap myself. Wasn't this one of the top ten classic cheesy pick-up lines?
"Yes, I didn't expect Lord to still remember me. In the Training Camp at Rogue Encampment, I had the honor of listening to Lord's Course."
This beautiful girl with lingering Childishness wore a very ordinary, form-fitting Leather Armor, which fit her very well and naturally. She sat cross-legged neatly in the same spot as before, her Demeanor and Movement were all meticulously serious. Someone like her, if placed in the Original World, would definitely be a formidable character serving as a teacher's assistant or a student President. Looking at her Age, it was hard to imagine that her personality was so dignified and composed.
However, when she spoke, a slight blush of excitement appeared on her face, which made me feel a little proud – being admired by a girl with this kind of personality was something I had never even thought of.
"May I be Presumptuous and ask about your Class and Age?" Feeling the lingering Childishness about her, I couldn't help but ask.
"Yes, Lord. My Class is Rogue Archer, Ai'lula, 16 years old. I just completed my Job Advancement a few days ago and became a Mercenary." She answered firmly and clearly.
"Just completed Job Advancement, meaning a Level 1 Mercenary?" I frowned. Of course, this wasn't looking down on her.
"Didn't Lady Akara say that Novices don't need to participate in this Battle?" This Battle was different from before. To reduce unnecessary Losses, these Rookies who had just completed Job Advancement and had no Combat experience were not allowed to participate.
"Please forgive me." Ultimately, due to her youth, a panicked look appeared on her face, but her Gaze remained just as firm.
"However, I have a reason why I must participate in the Battle. Vita Village is my Hometown. My Father, Mother, all my Relatives and Friends are here. As a Warrior, I truly cannot stand by and do nothing. I Plead with Lord to make an exception. Even if I die, I must fight."
I silently watched this strong girl and sighed. Even if I were to escort her back now, she would still sneak back, which would be even more dangerous.
"With your current Strength, you will die," I said to her in as cold a Tone as possible.
"This is my Glory." Ai'lula gripped the Wooden Bow in her hand tightly, looking at me with determination, her Eyes revealing a calm resolve.
Being young is truly great! Ah, wait, why did this sentence come out of my mouth when I'm not even 24 years old?!
"That's truly remarkable. Alright, I acknowledge your determination. However, you must promise me to protect yourself well. Otherwise, even if the Village is saved, your Relatives won't be happy."
"Yes. Yes!!"
Ai'lula finally showed the smile she should have. Heh heh, that's more like it. It's not suitable for someone so young to always have a stern face. However, her way of saying "I" and "myself" was quite cute. Is it a local custom?
"Besides that, is there anything else I can help with? Feel free to ask, brave Miss Warrior." To show respect, I removed my Hat and said to her with a smile. In the Diablo World, if someone of higher Status removes their Hat, it means they are showing respect to the other party.
"Where... where?" A shy blush faintly appeared on Ai'lula's fair little face.
"No, that's praise you've earned. Hmm... Is there something on my face?" I noticed Ai'lula kept looking at me intentionally or unintentionally, so I couldn't help but touch my face.
"No... nothing like that. It's just... I didn't expect Lord to be... so young." Ai'lula slightly turned her Head away and said shyly.
"..."
As expected, my Image in the minds of other Adventurers has seriously aged. Ai'lula's rare shy Expression dealt me a fatal blow.
"Um, Lord, if you don't mind, could you continue to explain your Experience to me?"
After a moment of silence, Ai'lula mustered her courage and made a request to me, who was silent, but in reality, was struck and had turned seriously pale.
At this time, do I still need to teach a Course? Alright.
In no time, I naturally transformed from the inflating tool Doug described into a teacher spreading spiritual sustenance. I had completely forgotten Druv's instructions. Well, anyway, I just lack that kind of talent, so even if I hadn't forgotten, I wouldn't have achieved much, right?
As Time passed, one, two, three... I felt people constantly gathering around, but I had already gotten into the zone and didn't stop. After putting my Hat back on with slight discomfort, I instead increased my Volume significantly.
When my Trial came to an end, I didn't know when, but the surrounding area was already filled with audience members sitting around. They sat together with great interest, looking at me with expectant Eyes, hoping I would continue speaking. Most of these Trial experiences were things they had never experienced.
Seeing this, my heart stirred. I raised my Head and deliberately said to Ai'lula in a serious Tone.
"This Battle is more dangerous for you than my previous experiences. Are you, a Level 1 Mercenary, still going to Reluctantly push yourself?"
"Yes, Lord. Even if I shed my last drop of Health, as long as I can still grip this Bow, I will fight to the end," Ai'lula replied in a resounding Voice that was no less than mine.
"Everyone, what about you? Tell me, what is your determination?" I raised my hand forcefully. My Eyes under the Cloak firmly swept across the faces of the surrounding Adventurers.
"Roar... Fight to the end, fight to the end..."
Seeing the firm Conviction emanating from Ai'lula's childish face, these experienced Adventurers couldn't help but feel ashamed. Could it be that they were actually inferior to a Novice? Under my stimulus, their unyielding spirit also burst forth.
"Very good, Warriors, carefully polish your Weapons, and use the Heads of the Enemies to prove your courage!"
"Roar... Kill! Kill! Kill...!!"
In an instant, the entire Vita Village resounded with soaring Presence. Even the Villagers hiding in their Houses in terror grabbed weapons like Hoes and Cleavers and ran out, shouting uncontrollably.
Very good, Quest completed, obtained several Gold Coins, Experience, and Reputation. Time to slip away.
Taking advantage of the high spirits, I secretly slipped away. Come to think of it, why am I the only one who can't get excited? Could it be that I've really passed this Age? No way!!!!
"Lord!"
Suddenly, a childish Voice came from behind me.
Looking back, it was Ai'lula. Perhaps it was because she was influenced by the atmosphere just now, or perhaps she was busy catching up, but her pretty face was rosy, like a big apple.
"Just now, thank you very much."
She bowed to me. Huh? She chased after me just for this small matter? What a single-minded girl.
"It's nothing, I should thank you too!" Thanks to her, everyone's Morale was boosted again.
"Huh? Thank me...?" She looked at me with confusion.
"It's nothing. Oh, right." I saw the Wooden Bow she was gripping tightly in her hand, and my heart stirred. I took out a Normal Short Bow.
"This is a Reward from your Superior. Although it's not a great item, just make do with it." I was afraid this serious girl wouldn't Accept it, so I deliberately used the name of the Superior and spoke in a Tone that allowed no refusal.
"Reward?" One strange question after another made it a bit hard for Ai'lula to understand.
"Remember what I said. For the sake of your Relatives, you must protect yourself well. This is a new Quest assigned to you by your Superior, and it's also a Quest for everyone..."
My Voice gradually faded away. Ai'lula stared blankly at the Short Bow in her hand. The Strength belonging to Equipment that came from her palm was more than a hundred times stronger than her Wooden Bow, which had no Damage.