Chapter 171: Rude Awakening, End of Shift

--

Cedric's words were not a threat but a promise. He's under a legal obligation to execute people who abandon their posts for personal gain, especially on a battlefield like this.

In fact, it would've been fine if he actually killed the guy because what he said was definitely treason. The army would not blame him for his actions because if they were in the same position as him, this guy would not be spared.

Seeing the coward back down in fear, nearly pissing himself in the process, Cedric retracted his weapon. He then looked at the leader of Squad #3 and said:

"This matter will be escalated upon our return to the camp. As their Leader, you should be more proactive in your role. Expect a Disciplinary Action enforced upon you..." Cedric then looked at the frightened guy, "...and him, especially him, upon our return. Of course, that's under the assumption that all of you return in one piece."

"The state of your team doesn't give a positive impression of that outcome."

After saying that, Cedric turned around to continue with their patrol flanked by his team, leaving the dumbfounded and intimidated Squad #3 behind.

They could only look as Squad #1, who's quite possibly the most stable and strongest team there is in this batch, walked away to perform their duty, wishing that they were on this team instead of this.

Seeing how well-off Cedric's squad made Isabella jealous. Why can't her team be more like them? If she had those members instead of these people, she would probably have an easier time in this dangerous place.

If he had those behaved and obedient people on her team instead of these cowards, she probably wouldn't be as stressed as she is right now.

'Jealousy isn't a good look on you, Lady Frostwind.'

Isabella's eyes widened in disbelief after hearing Cedric's voice inside her head.

'Did you honestly think that if we were to switch teams right here and now, all your problems would be solved? Do you really think it's that easy? If you do, then wow...you're as pompous and as entitled as I initially think you were.'

'The state of your team reflects your capabilities as a leader since that's what you are here. Did you think that your aloofness and disgust towards men helped your team to be competent at their responsibilities?'

Isabella was alarmed. How in the world did Cedric know about that? She's not surprised that he knew she was aloof and distant because that's public knowledge, but how did he know about her disgust toward men?

'Distancing yourself from your team is practically saying that you're leaving them up to fate and had no desire to lead at all, which is contradictory to your sworn duty since you accepted the position, did you not? As far as I'm aware, the Knight Captains wouldn't force anybody in this position, you had a choice and you made it.'

'Your final rating in this mission will be decided based on your team's performance. Granted the state of your squad, do you think that you're doing fine?'

Isabella looked down involuntarily when the facts were laid out in front of her. She had no words to refute.

She'll think more about that later, for now, she had a task to finish and survival to do. They're already late on their schedule so they must move now.

**

More toxic swamps, flesh-eating trees, unstable and corrupted landmass, hordes of migrating demons, and a couple of hours later...

The Cadets' shift was approaching its end.

Squad #1 performed as they always have, with machine-like precision and perfect teamwork.

They faced horrors after horrors but they remained steadfast in their task. Their communication is smooth and their collective will remains unbreakable.

As expected, they fought more demons on their way, but they eliminated them all. They didn't not pick fights because that's not their duty but they also didn't back down from it.

By now, every single one of Squad #1's members wasn't afraid of the True Demons anymore. Sure, they get intimidated from time to time but it's not crippling them anymore.

They became brave enough to look at a True Demon's eye and kill it without flinching. All of this was possible because Cedric conditioned them to it.

He kept them at a stable pace, watching over them and keeping their minds alert and sharp by consistently talking to them either out loud or through sound transmission.

Because of that, the team fell into a rhythm that only seasoned squads/teams could get to. None of his team members knew this, not even Cedric himself, but they didn't have to since their focus should be on their task.

Right now, Squad #1 made it back to the transmission area - the place where they were dropped off earlier. Their shift was over and they were just waiting to be transmitted out of the field.

They stood in formation when light descended on them. When they blinked, they found themselves standing at the Transmission Room reserved for Knight Captain Silverwing's platoon.

"We've returned team. Let's pulse just for good measure, yeah?" Cedrid ordered, which the team obeyed immediately.

"Good work, Squad #1." Captain Silverwing shimmered into existence, wearing a wide smile on his face.

Cedric hollered at his squad to give salutations to the Knight Captain and thank him for his praise.

"At ease." The fox-eyed man smiled in return. "I can see that you're all tired. Give me your compiled reports to look over, you're dismissed after that. Tomorrow's your day off so have a good rest."

"Thank you, Sir." Squad #1 replied in unison, grateful at the prospect of being able to rest.