Chapter 546: Prelude to a Great Battle (2/2)
Upon hearing this, many disciples gasped.
”Issued by five War Gods!? What the heck! I'm so curious.”
”A mission issued by a War God is already bound to get tons of attention, not to mention five. Alright, let's hear it.”
”Did something bad happened?”
”Tch, what a bad timing.”
”This is ruining my practice.”
The elder cleared his throat once more, causing the disciples to tone the talking down.
”The Emergency Mission are as follows: Asphodel is facing a serious threat of being taken over. An army of devils reaching nearly millions in number were about to descend and lay waste on that place. We cannot allow their plans to succeed.”
”Therefore, the War Gods have spoken. Those who are brave enough, arm yourself properly and go to Asphodel. Fight for our cause! Don't let the devils occupy Asphodel. This is a great chance for you to prove yourself and to earn Merit Points. The transmission gate is already prepared to transport you over to the outskirts. However, none of you are allowed to cross the Fog of Ruin unless you receive direct orders from the War Gods themselves. Anyone who does will be penalized or worst killed.”
”That's is for the announcement.” Benjamin concluded. ”This message will repeat itself two more times, feel free to go or stay. Your choice.”
The disciples were stunned at first. They heard the announcement repeating itself and that when some people moved.
”Hey, are you going?”
”Yep!”
”But the situation sounds ominous, are you sure?”
”Are you kidding me? Of course I'll go. Heck! I've been waiting for something like this.”
”What!? Why?”
”To earn merit points why else?” That student replied as if he just said something so obvious. ”Look here, newbie. You're scared. I get it, I truly do. I was like you before. But thing is, being scared won't get you anywhere here. Fear won't make you stronger nor allow you to ear merit points to buy your cultivation needs. Killing devils on the other hand, does.”
”From the moment we got accepted here and we wore this uniform. Slaying devils had become our duty and responsibility. There's no need to be afraid…” That student patted the shoulders of the scared disciple and smiled. ”You're not alone in this fight.”
***
”Is that enough?” Benjamin asked after making the announcement. He looked behind him and saw a crimson-haired beauty nodding at him. ”Don't you think that this method of announcement is a little too unconvincing?”
”What? You plan on begging all the Inner Disciples to rush over and sacrifice themselves? Forget about moving them, I think it would even be counter-productive.”
”But, if what you told me before was true then wouldn't we need all the help that we could?”
”Forcing those who are unwilling or scared will just end being killed worse, converted. Their army is large enough as it is, we don't want to just willingly offer the lives of the disciples to them.” Anastasia explained.
”Yes, what you said is true. We need all the help that we could, but if they'll ended up dying or converted due to us forcing them, then that wouldn't be considered as help. They will a burden and a casualty at the same time.”
Anastasia looked over the window and saw numerous people with determined expression marching towards the transmission gate. A smile blossomed on her face, causing her beauty to intensify even more.
”Give them a choice, don't force them.” She said, ”Behind the back of your enemy lies the path towards strength and there is fortune beyond the clouds of calamity. Those who doesn't have the will and determination to seek self-improvement will remain stuck at a bottleneck, only those who are brave enough to face dangers and go past their limits are the only ones worth nurturing.”
”We can point them towards the way, but it's up to them if they want to go that way.”
”In the end, what the sect wants are brave and battle hardened warriors who could relentlessly hunt the devils down and contribute to the greater good. How can they become experts without experience? Let them temper themselves and grasp the opportunity by their own hands. That…is the way forward.”
Benjamin was shocked and speechless. Out of all people, Anastasia was the last person he's expecting to say these words.
”I am awed by the wisdom behind your words, Madam.”
”Ah! Those words aren't mine.” Anastasia laughed, causing Benjamin's lips to twitch. ”They're from a very interesting man. Hopefully, the father of my future child.”
Benjamin hurriedly turned around in order to hide his embarrassed face.