Chapter 75: Sergeant Roland
Max entered and was mesmerized by the bustling district.
Merchant stalls, festivals’ design, craft workshops, public notice boards, covered trade square, music, and many more caught his attention.
This is a Town...
A town was usually the next destination for the players after they reached D-Rank. Most of them usually had their second-class advancement in the town rather than in the village.
The reason was simple—opportunities and resources.
At early stage of Apocalypse Online, it was normal for B-rank NPCs to be the main instructor of the players.
However, once their purpose was met—having the village-level quest completed, or their duration to stay in the village was up—they would usually return to the capital, leaving C-rank to lead.
There were C-rank NPCs in the Town as well, so players wouldn’t hesitate to choose living in the Town rather than in the village.
Max swept his gaze around and discovered all of them were NPCs, from ordinary citizen to the vibrant C-Rank NPCs.
His presence also caught their attention. Not only his horses were conspicuous because of the numerous magical runes on their body that only Archmage could be the enchanter, his dress inevitably caught their attention.
Some who gave him one single glance immediately bowed towards him, seemingly treating him a noble.
Max simply smiled in response, and had the soldier led the way for him.
Max found it hard to deny that he felt an immense satisfactions, having the NPCs bowing at him.
Not only he had the favorable aura from the NPCs after gaining the First Awakener and Greyfen Village Protector, his dress and mana alone instantly convinced them he was a noble.
Or a citizen with a higher rank than them.
Which were not really true.
The soldier himself who led the way didn’t bother explaining.
He found it satisfying seeing others bowing at his direction.
He also saw Max as an individual who’d become a distinguished figure in the Empire. He believed it was worth to show a favorable impression for him henceforth.
Once they passed through the Market District, where they were celebrating the festivals, they arrived in the training grounds.
It was currently evening and only a handful of NPCs could be seen training hard.
After the training grounds were infrastructures that Max was familiar of.
The soldiers thought he wasn’t aware of the infrastructures purpose, knowing he came from the village.
He said, "This district is specifically for those adventurers. The Willowmere Town has half permanent citizens and half adventurers residing, so a district was built for them.
So there are Adventurer Registry Office and Contract Board. As for their lodging, they can rest in the Market District.
We’ll be entering in the center of the Willowmere Town now, where the Garrison Hall is located."
Max nodded in response.
...
The Garrison Hall served as the center of Imperial authority within Willowmere. While the town has its own administrative offices and Adventurer Registry, all matters concerning defense, monster suppression, and law enforcement ultimately pass through the Garrison Hall.
Willowmere Garrison Hall was commanded by Sergeant Roland Ashford.
Max arrived in front of the two-story stone Garrison Hall. The solider asked permission to dismount and informed the soldier standing at the entrance.
He was not just a simple guard, he was also responsible for guiding the adventurers who visited the Garrison Hall for important reasons.
After hearing the intention of the soldier who guided Max, the guard glanced at Max and walked towards him.
The guard bowed deeply and greeted him.
Max could only smile. He felt proud for some reason and was trying his best to hide it.
The other soldier bid farewell to him.
"I have to take a leave now. He’ll guide you to the Commander’s office."
Max nodded at him and turned his focus to the other soldier.
He dismounted and followed him inside the Garrison Hall.
They soon arrived into the Command Chamber, where officers worked on their respective tasks.
When they noticed Max, they were taken aback and greeted him without knowing his real identity.
Max didn’t bother explaining and simply nodded in response.
The soldier led him to the room where Sergeant Roland resided.
Sergeant Roland was indulged in his work when he was surprised by a visitor.
When he saw the visitor’s appearance, he was startled.
He immediately stood up and bowed deeply.
Half-way through his gesture, Max said, "Don’t mistake me for someone else. There’s no need for such greeting for me."
Sergeant Roland straightened his back immediately.
He appeared lean and athletic, appearingly taller than Max.
While he was observing Max, the latter was also observing him.
A Battle Strategist, huh?
Max wasn’t surprised. For a Commander to gain their position, they usually had the classes in the Support-Class, beginning at the Tactician class.
They were usually the most feared and targeted by demon’s assassin due to their terrifying ability to decide the outcome of the war—from small to larger scale.
Lieutenant Garrick was a similar case.
Max was lost in thought until Sergeant Roland asked, "May I ask why have you come to see me?"
Max nodded. He had forgotten he was in a hurry. He became completely relaxed after entering the town.
He briefed Sergeant Roland of his situation.
Sergeant Roland’s face turned paled.
He was silent for a while after Max was finished narrating what he had experienced. He left the part where he became a summoner and only told him he was blessed by God with his light affinity.
Sergeant Roland said, "In two days. We have already prepared to welcome Archmage Arlen to stay the town before continuing his return to the capital.
I have never expected for him to meet an unfortunate encounter. His death won’t be in vain.
I will go to the Relay Hall. You can follow me, Max.
Thank you for surviving and relaying this important information, by the way."
Max beamed a smile and nodded.
Sergeant Roland proceeded to the Relay Hall while Max followed him behind...
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