Chapter 1042: Section 602: Trip to Central South (Part 2)_2
"It’s truly wonderful that you’re able to fight alongside us, sir." If just moments ago this middle-aged man thought of Malin as a young man rushing toward his own death, now his impression was that of a legendary warrior from a distant land coming to their aid with his blade drawn.
More and more groups began to appear on the streets, and Malin even saw some women setting up makeshift field hospitals for the wounded in small squares along the roadside.
"Strange, isn’t it?" The Sage’s disciple noticed Malin looking around.
"Yes, it feels... this isn’t like a city; it feels more akin to a military camp." Malin remarked, as the city evoked nothing but this specific sentiment in him.
"The first batch of citizens who came to this city, their forefathers, were originally Thainan Pioneer Troops. They drove out Chaos forces here, gathered the native people struggling to survive in the wilderness, and rebuilt this city. Naturally, their children became soldiers too. But over time, that connection weakened. The legacy of the Pioneer Troops faded as they were reclassified as common citizens. Yet fundamentally, they’re still warriors—always vigilant, always ready to rearm." The Sage’s disciple glanced at Malin and added, "I heard from the envoy in the ship fleet that you’ve had experience establishing military legions in the Western Human World. Your first battle even annihilated a force of tens of thousands of Black Orcs."
"It seems that envoy spoke quite candidly about me." Malin grinned.
"He greatly admires the firearms your workshop manufactures. I’ve seen one myself—a truly remarkable breech-loading rifle. Malin, I’m genuinely curious about your background. But rest assured, my curiosity about you doesn’t surpass my focus on the current Chaos incursion. Moreover, you’re a Legendary figure. Not even my mentor would dare push a Legendary into action—it would defy protocol and court certain death."
"Is that why Sages can only be served by the disabled?" Malin asked.
The young disciple nodded solemnly: "Yes, because power can intoxicate. We Sages must never become enslaved to power."
"Do you think so little of yourselves?" Malin frowned, wanting to understand the mindset of these Sages. "What do you do when danger occurs and you have no strength? If an entire group of Sages were wiped out, then what?"
"Another Sage’s disciples would inherit this branch’s traditions. Rest assured, Malin. Precisely because we Sages are fragile, Chaos cannot control us nor feast upon us." The disciple’s answer left Malin confounded. Why did he think Sages possessing power would be dangerous?