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墨書 Inktalez
Under the precise command of Sergeant William, the process of assigning tasks flowed smoothly without any hindrance. Veteran Fischer, Abang, and several soldiers were assigned to patrol the southwestern section of the city wall, a relatively quiet area where incidents rarely occurred. Before leaving the group, Abang stuck his tongue out at Azul with a nonchalant expression, then adjusted his armor and leisurely stepped onto the designated patrol route.
William led the remaining soldiers, including Azul, toward the northeastern section of the wall. This area required constant vigilance as it was close to the borders of historically hostile nations. Azul followed closely behind, still haunted by fears from previous events, but as he stepped onto the wall, his vision opened up.
The towering Noxian Walls were not only a defensive barrier for the empire but also an excellent vantage point. From here, one could see the distant mountains and vast fields stretching out before them. On such a bright day, the sunlight shone particularly brightly, casting a golden glow upon the earth that resembled gold sprinkled on the ground—beautiful and magnificent. This sight slightly soothed Azul's spirit, allowing him to temporarily forget the tense atmosphere in the Armory. His gaze followed the expansive view, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and awe for this great land.
Upon reaching their designated spot on the northeastern wall, Sergeant William decisively commanded the team, quickly and accurately assigning tasks. He dispatched other soldiers to various positions along the wall for patrol or guard duty, ensuring everyone had clear responsibilities and locations. As soldiers moved swiftly into action, the entire team quickly dispersed, leaving only William and Azul standing isolated on the wall.
The air around them seemed to thicken, and a biting chill accompanied the wind atop the wall. Azul stood there, feeling waves of cold seep through his heavy armor despite its weight. He dared not meet William's gaze; unease churned within him like turbulent waves. The earlier scene in the Armory replayed in his mind—the image of William wielding a sword over and over—making it impossible for him to find calm.
William appeared completely oblivious to Azul's discomfort or perhaps was deliberately ignoring it. He gazed into the distance before slowly turning to face Azul, his eyes shimmering with an elusive light.
"Azul," William's voice suddenly broke the silence, "learning to confront fear on the battlefield is more important than any combat skill." His tone was unexpectedly calm, starkly contrasting with his earlier intensity in the Armory.
These words tightened Azul's chest; instinctively, his hand moved toward the small knife at his waist, tension coursing through him. He had no idea what would happen next and could only strive to remain alert, seeking comfort or a sign from William's words.
William's voice echoed slightly from within his heavy steel helmet as it reached Azul's ears, carrying a unique weight. He continued, "Azul, you may not fully understand yet, but if war truly breaks out, I believe you will soon grasp it..." As he spoke, William took a slow step forward and rested his hands firmly against the parapet of the wall. His gaze seemed to penetrate through the distant landscape as if looking toward a place only he could see.
After a moment, William's voice once again shattered the silence, this time tinged with a hint of apology: "I'm sorry, rookie... I may have gone too far just now; it wasn't intentional. Sometimes when one hasn't tasted blood for too long, it becomes hard to suppress that yearning—truly sorry." His tone carried a light self-deprecation as if trying to ease the tension between them.
Azul stood there listening to William’s words and felt an unfamiliar sense of reassurance wash over him. His hand slowly withdrew from his knife at his waist; for a moment, his fear of this sergeant lessened slightly in favor of an uneasy anticipation for potential future battles.
William continued speaking; his voice echoed along the wall with an indescribable heaviness. "Once war begins, you will feel blood splattering on the battlefield, hear the groans of the dying, and experience that adrenaline-fueled exhilaration... Those things will change you forever, etching terror and ecstasy deep into your soul until your last breath."
His voice seemed to blend with the surrounding wind, bringing an inexplicable chill. William stood in the sunlight, his robust figure shining with a metallic gleam from the armor, but his face was hidden in the shadows of the helmet, appearing particularly mysterious and somber. This contrast made him look like a war god, embodying both light and darkness, symbolizing the dual nature of war.
Listening to William, Azul couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. The fear of war intertwined with curiosity about the unknown, leaving him both confused and hopeful about his future path. He gazed at William, that figure shrouded in darkness even in the light, seemingly foreshadowing that the endless flames of battle within this Veteran had never been extinguished.
William turned around, a bittersweet smile gracing his face. His voice carried a hint of comfort as he gently spoke to Azul, "Cherish the peace we have now, young one. Before war breaks out, take time to appreciate the beauty of this world and learn as much as you can. I have a feeling—war will soon be upon us. Those new Summoners will surely stir up a storm, so we must always be ready to face challenges."
As he spoke, William extended his sturdy hand and gave Azul's shoulder a firm pat, as if this gesture could directly impart courage and strength to the young soldier. Then he turned away, his gaze fixed on the distance as he walked steadily toward the far end of the city wall.
Azul stood there, watching William's retreating figure, feeling a surge of complex emotions within him. He felt a sense of comfort yet was filled with uncertainty. But William's words were like a guiding light, reminding him that in the days to come, no matter what he faced, he must move forward with strength and bravery.
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