activa-t Chapter 99 Brothers, Are You Suffering?
Chapter 99 Brothers, Are You Suffering?
Chapter 99 Brothers, Are You Suffering?
Benlang West Suburbs Training Ground.
Footprints of varying depths were imprinted on the compacted loess ground, and a gentle breeze carried a few specks of dust across the bustling crowd.
A large group of retired veterans received the summons from Benlang Fort and rushed over from all over.
They gathered in twos and threes, their faces full of doubt, whispering amongst themselves, disrupting the tranquility of the training ground.
Kevin nudged Martin with his elbow, his brow furrowed, and asked in a low voice, "What's going on? Why did they call all of us veterans back for no reason? Is this training ground going to be renovated and they're giving us some work to do?"
Martin shook his head.
"Do you remember ten years ago, when we first joined the army, there was also a time when we recalled all the retired veterans to the army?"
Kevin was taken aback.
His eyes widened slightly.
"You mean, just like ten years ago, the Wolf is going to support the Elves again to deal with those short, spineless dwarves?"
Ten years ago.
A significant war broke out between the dwarves and elves. The Star Empire, as an ally of the elves, ordered Wolves and Frostfowl to march south to provide support.
Due to the large scale of the troop deployment, many reservists were drawn to assist the troops in defense operations, and then a group of retired veterans were recalled to stay and help manage the territory.
Martin shrugged, kicked a pebble, and stopped precisely in the leg of the target in the distance.
Who knows?
"If only we could send troops, we could stay in the army for a few more years. It would be better than running around looking for work now."
Hearing this, Kevin patted the other man on the shoulder and asked, "What's wrong? It's been over a month since you retired, and you still haven't found a job?"
"Back then, when I asked you to come with me to work as a stable boy at the Oak Tavern, you complained about the low pay and were very picky."
"One silver coin a month, and meals are provided just like in the army. So many people would kill for this job, and you, on the contrary, look down on it."
Martin gave a helpless, bitter smile.
"I don't want to accept my fate. My cousin is a smuggler in the South, and he recently wrote to me asking me to come and help him."
"He said that as long as you follow him, you can save up a sum of money in no time, buy some life food, and maybe even force yourself to advance to the extraordinary level by accumulating enough."
Upon hearing this, Kevin gave a self-deprecating smile.
"Ten years, my old buddy. He's retired and still dreaming of reaching the extraordinary. Even if it's just a dream, he should be tired of it by now."
"We're all over thirty now. What we should be doing now is taking care of our wives and children and making our lives more stable. Let's stop thinking about those unrealistic things."
Martin let out a long sigh, lowered his head and poked the yellow earth under his feet with his toes, feeling a heavy weight in his heart.
yes...
ten years...
He has poured so much sweat into this training ground, and because he trained so hard, he has broken his thighbone five times and twisted his arm three times while practicing military formations.
The number of times his tiger's mouth was cracked by the impact is countless. Old wounds piled on top of new wounds, eventually becoming indelible calluses.
To build up his courage and endurance, he would even make several cuts on his chest or thigh after each injury.
Or have your teammates shoot a few arrows into your limbs to get used to the pain before finally drinking the healing potion.
I've endured so much.
We've been waiting for this long.
All this is so that I can advance to the extraordinary level in the future, join a high-level legion, be selected by the Wolf Knights, earn unparalleled glory, and let my family live a good life.
pity...
In early spring, Earl of Benwolf personally held a retirement ceremony here, patting him on the shoulder and thanking him for his ten years of dedication to Benwolf.
Then...
it's all over...
groom?
Oh...
He didn't look down on the salary of the stable boy job at the Oak Tavern; he just couldn't swallow his pride.
He still considers himself a soldier of the Wolf Warriors, even if he is just an ordinary reserve, and he has his own pride.
He simply couldn't bring himself to lay down his weapon and do manual labor like carrying loads or shoveling horse manure.
But reality is cruel. More than a month after retiring, he is still looking for work everywhere, but he can't find a job that's good enough for him or that's not good enough for him.
His pockets were dwindling with coins, and his wife and children were still waiting for him to support them. His pride was utterly insignificant in the face of the daily grind.
He cried all night after receiving his cousin's letter, and finally let go of his insistence and chose to do the dirty work of smuggling.
Thinking of this.
Martin felt a lump in his throat, and his eyes reddened.
I'm not reconciled...
When Kevin saw Martin's appearance, he felt a lump in his throat and a pang of sadness.
Isn't he the same?
They say they're content with the status quo, but when they lie in bed at night, they still toss and turn for a long time before they can fall asleep.
If they could stay in the military forever, and if they could be promoted to extraordinary ranks, who would want to do that kind of lowly work?
On the training field, there are quite a few veterans who share the same thoughts.
Each person's face carried a hint of melancholy and resentment, their brows furrowed with an unyielding sorrow.
Every reserve has dreamed of advancing to the extraordinary level.
Ultimately, however, they were all kept out of the extraordinary threshold due to insufficient talent and had no choice but to retire.
But...
When they have accepted reality, let go of their obsessions, and intend to find a stable job and spend their lives with their families...
Wolf Fortress suddenly summoned.
This brought them back to the familiar training ground, causing the embers of their passion, which had long been extinguished, to begin to reignite.
perturbed.
look forward to.
doubt.
A mix of emotions weighed heavily on everyone's hearts, making it hard to breathe.
Just then.
The iron gate of the training ground creaked open, and two figures walked in from outside. Sunlight fell on them, outlining their tall and straight figures.
Upon seeing the newcomer's face, Kevin and Martin were both taken aback. Wasn't that Anthony on the left?
The three of them, along with Anthony, were on the same team. Over the years, they trained together, stood guard at the city gate together, and were so close they could share a pair of pants.
Later, Anthony followed Richard to Chiffon Moors, a harsh and desolate land in the far north of the North, to cultivate the land.
The two of them were worried for Anthony, thinking that he probably wouldn't last long and would have to come back in disgrace.
But now...
He actually showed up here?
Kevin nudged Martin with his elbow again and said in a low voice, "Why is he back? Could it be that young master Richard's pioneering work failed and he couldn't hold on any longer?"
Martin shook his head without saying anything, but stretched out his arm, shook it vigorously at Anthony, and shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Anthony! Over here!"
Anthony and Im were peering into the crowd, seemingly looking for someone.
Hearing that familiar call, their attention was instantly drawn over, and upon seeing Kevin and Martin, a bright smile immediately appeared on their faces.
He jogged towards them, and Im followed behind him, walking slowly.
"Kevin! Martin!"
"Hahaha!"
Anthony ran up to the two men, opened his arms without saying a word, and hugged them tightly.
The three patted each other on the back, their faces beaming with genuine smiles, their eyes and brows radiating the joy of a long-awaited reunion.