Vol 4 Chapter 27.4 (2/2)

Ferguson smiled. “The inst.i.tution’s teachers most likely won’t join this upcoming Autumnal Defensive War in order to not adversely influence the collaboration of the troops. You all must listen to the orders of the Army Commander. Following that, Heavy Cavalry division fifth-year student Oliveira will lead.

“In fact, the students partic.i.p.ating in the war are merely joining to gain a good understanding of a battlefield and to attain some experience. It is unlikely that there would be any dangerous missions for all of you to execute, so just take care of yourself. You may go; I’m convinced you can learn many things from this war. I only want to remind you: if you run into any danger, put your safety first. I don’t want any accidents to happen to you. After all, you are only a student and not a genuine soldier.”

“Teacher, how long will this war last?” Ye Yin Zhu asked. In his mind, as far as the war was concerned, he didn’t have a large understanding of it. He just knew their enemy were the beastmen. Subconsciously, because of what Zi once told him, his view of beastmen was not bad.

Ferguson answered, “Generally speaking, beastmen continually raid for food for two months. When the winter approaches, they retreat. Every year, this war restarts. Our Milan Empire’s army is the strongest in the continent. One of the reasons for this prestige is because we continuously hone the soldiers with the war against the beastmen. Those other southern countries are unable to compare with this. Yin Zhu, I recall that you are an Arcadian, right?”

Ye Yin Zhu nodded.

Ferguson hesitated before saying, “Arcadia is the weakest kingdom on the continent. As my student, if you are willing, I can make you an official member of the Milan Empire, as well as your family.”

Ye Yin Zhu looked at him with surprise. “Become a member of Milan? This… I cannot take responsibility for deciding. Wait for me to ask my grandfather; only then can I give you a reply.”

Ferguson smiled slightly. He wasn’t worried. In his mind, Arcadia couldn’t compare with even a city in Milan. He believed that the powerful Milan Empire could surely recruit Ye Yin Zhu’s rare talent. “You can go. Be prepared and return safely.”

Milan Empire’s conscription order was officially declared the next day. A hundred students from the Milan Inst.i.tution for Magic and Martial Arts, organized as a single group, formed a mixed small squadron that would become a part of the Imperial Dragon Cavalry regiment of a thousand men. This regiment would then hurry to Milan Empire’s frontier stronghold, some distance away from Mjolnir Stronghold—Sacred Heart City. They would be hurriedly led by a prominent figure of the Milan Empire.

This person was one of the two generalissimos of the Milan Empire, Milan’s Violet Star Dragon Cavalry Commander, Violet Clan Head Maldini.

To the Milan Empire, the purpose of the Autumnal Defensive War was primarily to guard their territory and not to counter against the beastmen’s looting. Thus, defense was the main priority. As one of two generalissimos of the empire, Maldini was an expert in defense, making it most fitting for him to take charge.

At first light, Ye Yin Zhu and the other students all chose to meet up together before heading to the central training field to wait. When the Dragon Cavalry regiment rode into view, they set off.

All of the mages looked similar; they all wore magic robes and had very gentle appearances. Most of them had to have a good family background in order to be able to study at Milan. Backing a powerful mage was a great amount of wealth and resources. Therefore, almost every partic.i.p.ating mage in this Autumnal Defensive War had their own s.p.a.ce ring. Although  it was not apparent on the surface, but mages could be carrying a lot of articles on their person. The warriors weren’t as lucky. Many of them were burdened with a variety of things. They also weren’t as calm as mages; their faces expressing excitement as they looked forward to stepping onto a battlefield. Madmen like Nesta were not few in number within the Martial Arts Department.

Warriors genuinely wanted to join the battlefield whilst mages were the biggest targets during a war. This was the main reason why their att.i.tudes were so different.

“Yin Zhu, this time we will fight side by side.” Ma Liang stood beside Ye Yin Zhu, smiling as he spoke.

Ye Yin Zhu said, “Ma Liang, you are partic.i.p.ating in the war?”

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