On the way back to Job One, there was some silence. It was only when the small floating fortress appeared in everyone's sight that everyone's faces showed a hint of relief.

The bodies of the war dead have been brought back by the soldiers, and it is natural that someone will prepare for their funerals in the army, and the death notice and body will be sent to the family afterwards.

"Dust to dust, dust to dust. Since you have embarked on this path, you must always have this awareness. Actually, they are lucky, at least we still have the strength to bring the fighters back. But if it is replaced by a fierce battle, it is not even time to bury the body, at most you can only take away the nameplate of the deceased. ”

Sergeant Major Curacao comforted everyone with an open-minded attitude. He had been carefully carrying a box containing the body behind him, deliberately showing his cheerfulness, but it was difficult to hide the heavy depression and grief that flashed in his eyes.

Lu Xi had seen countless dead people ten years ago, but now he still felt that there was a complicated emotion churning in his heart, which was an emotion that even he couldn't explain.

Back at Job, the soldiers returned to their respective positions, while Curacao and several soldiers escorted the bodies of their comrades to the headquarters without stopping. As for the five-member group of magicians and subordinates, the only thing they want to do now is to find a place to eat and then get a good night's sleep.

However, as soon as he jumped off the bat, someone came with an order.

Major Lorens wants to meet Lu Xi, now.

Facing several companions looking at him with insincere sympathetic eyes, Lu Xi suddenly felt a burst of anger, but finally he could only sigh resigned to his fate and followed the comer.

The second time I entered the Major's office, it was still a simple furnishing, the only difference was that the map of the Job Mountains on the wall was at some point covered with dense military symbols, and even several times there were crosses representing the battle.

So, Lu Xi couldn't help but take a look at this map.

"How? Is there a sense of urgency? The major asked, squinting his eyes and smiling.

"From this point of view, it seems that we are not the only federal army on Mount Job to encounter the enemy."

"You're right, since you're gone. The wingers of Mount Namoa, unaware of the medicine of Namoa, suddenly launched a counterattack against the Federation's outposts and military stations on this line. In the past week, there have been more than twenty encounters with more than 100 men under my jurisdiction alone. ”

"Well, that's pretty hilarious. But what does this have to do with me? ”

"After all, you're meeting a Crypt Lord. Naturally, I had to talk to the person concerned. ”

Lu Xi squinted at each other, gritted his teeth and pouted: "Communication? That's great. I'd like to ask: why would a mine lead to a Crypt Lord's cave? If it weren't for our luck, you'd be waiting for the news that your team is wiped out. ”

"It's really my responsibility to send a team out without understanding the problem." Lorence immediately expressed the necessary apology, "However, as a soldier, death in battle is also a fate that is ready at any time. Shouldn't you have had this realization a long time ago? ”

"I'm sorry about that. We are not soldiers, and the romance and honor of the soldier's horse leather shroud cannot be understood. To put it bluntly, the reason why I came here, and obeyed your orders. It's just for the passing of the mage qualification exam. ”

"That's why I say, you magicians ......," Major Lorens pursed his lips disapprovingly, revealing a hint of disdain, "and you can only play tricks in the university's research institute and the capital's office, and you can't really count on you to defend the country." ”…,

"If you have any prejudice against the profession of magician, you can write a column in the newspaper. It's embarrassing for me, a magic apprentice, because the honor and majesty of a federal officer are just such a cheap thing. ”

“…… Forget it, I'm not here to quarrel with you. The Major acknowledged the concession before adding, "Just wanted to confirm the details of your battle with the Crypt Lord." Can we get to the point now? ”

"I try to be as knowledgeable as I can, and I can say everything, sir." Lu Xi said expressionlessly.

"Good." Major Lorlens didn't care about the other man's blunt attitude, he took a rolled-up map from the cabinet and spread it on the table.

"This is the tunnel and geological map of the Mithril mine. You can tell me: When did you first meet that Crypt Lord? ”

Lu Xi looked at this detailed and clear tunnel map carefully, pondered for a few minutes, picked up the red pen, and carefully marked a symbol on a relatively wide cave.

"Cave Seventeen?" The major placed the pen on the symbol and gently stroked to the entrance to the pit. "The straight-line distance from the mouth of the pit is only more than 100 meters. I really didn't expect a crypt lord to settle down so close to the federal border......"

Luo Lunsi raised his head and looked at Lu Xi, his expression a little complicated. He groaned slightly, and then slowly spoke: "Anyway, this mission is hard for you. According to the Federation's military merit system, he repelled A-class monsters, successfully solved the haunting incident, and brought back important information. Add up several credits, and you and two of your teammates will each receive a Silver Meteorite Medal and a prize of 500 Karans. A rookie who has only been in the army for less than a month has been awarded a medal, which is very rare in the history of the Federation, congratulations. ”

Lu Xi didn't show a happy look.

"What about the soldiers who were with us? What do they get? ”

"They are just your auxiliaries, and the merits and rewards they receive are naturally different. Of course, the families of the war dead will naturally receive a reasonable pension and special care from the federal government, but this has nothing to do with you. ”

"Then, your bounties and medals will be given to you at the end of your military training, when you assemble at the headquarters. Now, you can step back. ”

Lu Xi took a deep look at the major who returned to his desk, made a military salute, and turned to leave.

Before he left the office, he suddenly heard Major Lorence in a deliberately low voice again: "The Sergeant Major Curacao who is operating with you...... One of the soldiers killed in battle was none other than his brother! ”

Lu Xi paused, didn't say anything, and then strode out of the major's office with a step that was almost flustered.

Lu Xi met up with his four companions in the restaurant.

They sat at a long table, each with a plate in front of them, filled with potato soup, grilled sausages, meatloaf, bread, and other foods; But no one spoke, just sat dumbfounded, like four lifeless dolls.

Lu Xi sat down at the dining table, which finally brought everyone back to their senses a little.

"How? What's the matter with that guy looking for you? Carol asked, squeezing a smile out of her face.

He asked the crypt lord for details; Other than that...... He also gave us a meritorious service, a silver Meteorite medal for each person, and a bonus of five hundred silver coins. With such an experience, I thought: Don't worry about failing the exam, right? Hehe......" Lu Xi squeezed out a little smile, but that smile looked more ugly than crying.

Another silent depression hovered over everyone's heads. …,

“…… It's unacceptable. Sehireu shook her head suddenly, her voice tinged with suppressed anger, "There were so many people killed in front of us, but we couldn't do anything, and in the end we let the Crypt Lord escape." As a result, they said that they would give us medals, how can people accept this? “

"It sounds like a child who loses a fight and runs home, and an adult gives a piece of candy for comfort! What do the people above think of us?! Carol's voice slowly rose up.

Elovier looked at Primla, who was expressionless, but did not speak.

Lu Xi looked at these teammates whose self-esteem was hurt and began to suffer from the second illness, scratched his head helplessly, and said, "I understand your feelings. To put it bluntly, isn't it because it was obviously a failure, but now it has become a credit. I just feel that my honor and pride as a magician have been hurt. ”

"Isn't that a big deal? Or is the honor and pride of a magician nothing to you? Sehireu asked loudly, with a hint of questioning in his tone.

Lu Xi sneered: "As you all know, I didn't improve step by step from the most basic education like you. I don't really understand the values of the magician group, to be honest. However, no matter how you say it, the dead are great, even for the dignity and value of those soldiers who died in battle, and we really have to receive this merit. ”

"You're just a strong word! What does this have to do with those soldiers who died in battle? ”

"Of course! If we don't accept the award, it means that what we do has no credit and naturally no meaning. In this way, what is the difference between those who die for this mission and those who die in vain? Soldiers are not afraid of death, but what soldiers are most afraid of is to die without dignity and meaninglessness! If you want to feel that you don't deserve this skill, then hone yourself, and the next time you meet that big spider, turn it into a spider for me! Don't be depressed here like a child with a second disease! Do you understand?! ”

Perhaps it was the first time I had heard Lu Xi use such a stern and angry tone. Sai Xiliu couldn't help but be stunned, she seemed to want to refute something, but in front of the fierce gods and powerful coercion that the young man suddenly showed Xiàn, the former student president of the Central Academy of Magic finally lowered his head and muttered in a low voice: "I understand, why are you so fierce......"

"Carol, do you understand?"

"Understand, boss, I do exactly what you tell me to do." Carol hastened to answer.

"Okay, let's eat now. Even if the sky falls, the meal must be eaten. Lu Xi squinted his eyes and said.

At this time, everyone only felt that the invisible coercion suddenly disappeared completely, and they couldn't help but sigh a sigh of relief.

“…… Actually, we also want to have a good meal. It's just that when I think of the death of those soldiers who were killed, I really have no appetite. Elovier said with a wry smile.

Lu Xi was slightly stunned, he looked at the half-baked meat plate in front of him, and there seemed to be some bloodshot pieces of meat, and suddenly he thought of the bloody killing field, and suddenly felt an obvious nausea.

"Carol, you really shouldn't have reminded me." Lu Xi looked at the food in front of him and smiled bitterly. I was hungry, but I couldn't move.

Primra looked at everyone in the tangle, suddenly picked up the knife and fork, and ate it in a big gulp.

"Lim?"

“…… You have to eat it, or your body won't be able to stand it. ”

"But ......"

“…… Lu Xi should also eat it. ”

You think I don't want to eat it?

"Well, Miss Primra is right. My mom also said: even if you don't want to eat, you have to eat, otherwise you can't survive. It's still cooked now, and it's much better than when it was underground! Drow Girl also said. She picked up her knife and fork, cut a piece of bloody beef, gritted her teeth, closed her eyes and put it in her mouth fiercely. …,

The two servants both started to move, and the magicians looked at each other and had to join in.

The taste of the food in the army is actually very ordinary, but it is not to the point that it can't be swallowed, but I don't know why, Lu Xi can always remember the tragic scene during the meal. So, in order not to get a stomach ulcer because of a meal, Lu Xi had to start looking for a topic to chat about to divert his attention.

"Vile, you just said: you lived underground. In other words, you are also an immigrant, right? ”

"Yes, I immigrated to the Union at the age of one hundred and seven, when I was a small child. Now that we count, almost two hundred years have passed. ”

Well, although it is explained that knowing the life span and time concept of elves is completely incomprehensible to humans, it always feels a little weird to hear such a young girl talking about her age in hundreds.

"What is the underworld like?"

Elovier froze, she was silent for a moment, as if her mind had been caught up in endless memories.

"I don't see sunlight all year round, and I can only rely on glowing moss and fire to barely get light. The air can only feel damp forever, and when you look up, there is no endless blue sky and white clouds, only dark oppression and coldness...... The land is barren and water is scarce. Even a little bit of food and water needed to survive needs to fight for your life! ”

The girl's words made everyone fall into a brief silence. They have grown up under the sun and blue sky since childhood, and although there are many injustices and oppression in the real society, it is difficult to imagine the unique and cruel way of life in the underground world.

"Originally, the major tribes of the Drow Elves had been fighting endlessly for survival space, and now there is the Demon King Mullens and his group of bug grandchildren! Life is even harder. That's why Mom decided to leave the underworld with her sisters. I heard that the country in the sky is willing to accept immigrants of any nationality, so we came here and joined the Federation. Although my mother has passed away, her sisters have grown up and are able to take care of themselves. In fact, our lives have gotten better and better. Later, I met the young master, and he gave a very high salary, hehe, in fact, I should also be satisfied......"

Carol scratched her head and grinned.

"However, I will never forget those Crypt Lords, those demons who should fall into the abyss and never be able to transcend!" Suddenly, the girl's words changed sharply, and she said through gritted teeth, and the explicit hatred and curse in her tone made several people shudder.

"I won't forget it: Dad was killed by them! Mom was also seriously injured by them, otherwise she wouldn't have died so early! I won't forget: Mullens and his group of Crypt Lords are the great enemies of our Drow Elves! This hatred will never go away unless one party is completely destroyed! ”

"The sword that was taken away by the Crypt Lord is a relic left to me by my mother. The next time I encounter it, I will not only take the sword back, but also its life! ”