In the rest room, Rody lay lazily on the bed, deeply asleep.

Chris entered, sat down, and with a flick of his hand, pushed aside the magic book covering Rody's face, only to find Rody glaring at him irritably.

"Hey, why aren't you attending the banquet? Do you know how many girls are dreaming about your pretty face? Do you realize how many hearts you're breaking by doing this?" Chris said with a grin on his face, not at all angry. In the Evil Forest, he was Rody's best partner, but once back at the rear, he turned into a mischievous imp who loved to annoy Rody.

"Leave me alone!" Rody was in a good mood, but it was ruined upon his return.

In the Evil Forest, he was the leader, and everyone listened to him. But upon returning to the original Iron Blood Cavalry Camp, everyone suddenly remembered that their leader was just a 16 or 17-year-old virgin. So, they enthusiastically found a voluptuous beauty to sneak into Rody's bed, waiting for him naked.

Rody, after a refreshing bath, returned in great spirits.

But upon uncovering the blanket and finding a beautiful snake (metaphorically speaking), he finally managed to subdue her, then chased after his eavesdropping subordinates with a big knife.

Such a strategy, without asking, was definitely Chris's doing; others like Stanley wouldn't dare. Rody wanted to settle the score with Chris, but the guy had already snuck off for a date with his lover, Betsy. Seeing Chris now, Rody really wanted to grab him, tie him up, and give him a good beating, but somehow, seeing his grinning face, Rody just couldn't bring himself to throw a punch.

"Staying a virgin isn't bad, you'll have a wonderful memory later when you and Jill have your 'coming of age ceremony' together," Chris laughed heartily.

"When are you marrying Betsy?" Rody asked, causing Chris, who was drinking water, to spray it all over the floor.

"No way, boss," Chris mimicked Stanley and the others: "What era are we in now, huh? Still talking about such an outdated thing as marriage? Does being lovers mean we have to marry? Haven't you heard that marriage is like a tomb? A dashing and handsome man like me would never dig my own grave. I want to wander through the sea of flowers, tasting the beauty of the world!"

"There's no Betsy, right?" Rody suddenly smirked: "I've asked General Quentin and Instructor Wood, and they've never heard of her!"

"Haha, anyone else would've fallen for that," Chris was startled, but then clapped his hands: "You didn't ask General Quentin. You didn't even go to the celebration, how could you see them? And General Quentin took Kaeli home. You're just testing me. Rody, I won't fall for it, understand? I'm as clever as you, maybe a little less in tactics, but in life, I'm just as smart."

"So you're not admitting it, which means Betsy doesn't exist?" Rody observed Chris's expression, trying to find a trace of deceit.

"I didn't deny it either!" Chris looked very generous, even a bit cunning.

"Fine, since we're good friends, take me to meet Miss Betsy!" Rody sat up straight and looked at Chris: "I want to see what kind of beauty she is, to compare with my Jill and the lady boss."

"You're using reverse psychology on me, but I won't fall for it," Chris laughed heartily.

"Indeed, my Jill is a bit better," Rody lay back down, covering his face with the magic book.

"Rody, although your reverse psychology is quite clumsy, as your friend, it's necessary to let you know what a real beauty is! A green, inexperienced virgin like Jill simply can't compare to Betsy!" Chris seemed to have already gathered information about Jill from disloyal fellows like fatty Tommy and skinny Terry, especially Red Hat, who was prone to leaking information.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

"Let's go!" Rody immediately rolled out of bed upon hearing this and said, "Take me to see for myself!"

"So soon?" Chris couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

"You can't arrange it now?" Rody looked at Chris with a mocking smile. Seeing Chris's skepticism, Chris was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered, nodding and smiling, "Of course, it's possible. What's my relationship with her? First love, the closest of couples in the world, understand? I can climb into her bed anytime, embrace her, kiss her…"

"Really?" Rody expressed strong doubt.

"Let's go. If I don't show you, you won't understand the extent of my charm. Do you really doubt that someone with ancient elf blood like me could be unloved?" Chris slapped Rody's shoulder, full of bravado, "I'll introduce you to Betsy, and maybe even her female guard, Morin. Perhaps you'll even have the chance to have your 'coming of age ceremony' ahead of time."

Rody snorted coldly and led the way out of the large tent.

Far away, there were soldiers engaged in a merry bonfire, and the people sang and danced, with cheers erupting from time to time.

The entire capital of Norne was immersed in joy. Such festivities had been going on for two days and a night, but the people's enthusiasm had not waned, singing and dancing all night long. The energetic youth were not willing to sleep early, with young men seizing the opportunity to court girls. Under the round moon in the sky, countless romantic couples chased each other, held hands for strolls, embraced, and kissed...

"Lieutenant Rody, Lieutenant Chris, please be careful. Also, have fun!" The guard at the gate saluted them sharply.

"Thank you, Corporal." Rody, knowing how rare it was for guards to remain highly vigilant during such a festival, returned the military salute and patted his shoulder, "We won't be out for long, but if General Quentin or His Excellency the Grand Marshal's guards ask, you can tell them we're going into the city to meet a friend."

"Yes," the guard replied, visibly excited. Although Rody's rank wasn't high, he was well-known in the Norne Empire and even the entire continent, and the guard was more thrilled to see him than a general.

"Please wait, Lieutenant Rody." Just after walking less than a hundred meters, someone chased after them; it was a personal guard of His Excellency the Grand Marshal.

"Is this a letter from the Grand Marshal for me?" Rody skimmed through it and handed it to Chris.

"Soldier, please relay to His Excellency the Grand Marshal that we will gather the elite squad tomorrow morning and set off immediately for the first matter. As for the second and third matters, we will act according to the situation, please tell the Grand Marshal to be assured." Chris burned the letter directly, even using magic to scatter the ashes. The guard watched the letter completely disappear before saluting and leaving.

The two walked silently for a while, each emerging from their thoughts. They exchanged a glance and then each gave a slight nod.

They had already formed an unspoken understanding, facing everything together, utilizing each other's strengths combined with their own, striving for the best results. Although they hadn't known each other before, their synergy seemed innate, as if they were born to be partners, and their way of doing things wonderfully merged into one.

"The war has ended, and the proposal for the death training has resurfaced, and even more, there's a new 'International Elite Magic Martial Arts Competition'. It seems some people are starting to stir again. But this is good, we haven't settled our accounts with them, and they've come out on their own," Chris said with a slight smile.

"I feel it's not as simple as just a magic martial arts competition. There seems to be an invisible hand moving closer to us," Rody sensed.

"In the Evil Forest, you led us to defeat the orcs decisively. Aren't we capable of causing a huge stir in the capital of Kamaran? Rody, you know, whatever you do, we will support you," Chris said reassuringly.

"Exactly because everyone is following me, I need to be extra careful and cautious," Rody knew the lives of over a hundred men were in his hands.

"What others will do later, I don't know, but Rody, you should know, I am your best partner," Chris looked up at the moon, silent for a long time. When Rody lowered his head in thought, Chris suddenly looked back and smiled, "Everyone needs friends. I used to be very lonely without any. Now that I have you to argue and get angry with every day, I find life quite enjoyable."

"Chris, I still have some doubts about you," Rody said without looking at him, shaking his head slightly, "Please forgive me, but I really want to know who you are."

"I can't explain it clearly to you, because it's difficult to clarify, and I have my own difficulties. Just like you wouldn't tell me how you broke the magic martial arts taboo, what kind of extraordinary experiences you've had these years, how you've lived, what you've done before, etc. You wouldn't tell me because that's your secret. Everyone has secrets, and I'm no exception," Chris said with a smile, "But I am your friend, your comrade-in-arms, and I will not harm you. Of that, you can be absolutely sure."

"Let's go back," Rody stopped and said, "Whether Betsy exists or not, it actually doesn't matter."

"Of course she exists." Chris, looking at the moonlight in the sky, spoke in a voice as light as a gentle breeze wafting through the air, "She's like the lady boss in your heart, not by your side, but still someone you miss."

"Hey, how about we go for a drink? My treat!" Rody suddenly said something that surprised Chris.

"You don't seem like someone who drinks..." Chris was puzzled.

"No, I just drink less, not that I don't drink. What man doesn't drink alcohol?" Rody smiled slightly, "I drink depending on the company and the mood. If I have friends with me, I might occasionally have a drink. How about it, Chris? Fancy a drink? Just not 'Snow Mountain Goddess' Delight' that costs a hundred gold coins per glass. I can afford to treat you to something else as Felic's little rich man."

"I know a martini called 'First Love Girl's Tears', it's sweet and sour and quite interesting," Chris said cheerfully, "The rich man is treating me to a drink!"

"It's nothing. Don’t just talk about treating; I can mix it for you," Rody said, surprising Chris even more.

"You can mix drinks?" Chris asked excitedly.

"Nonsense, I used to work at the lady boss’s place. She is a master of drinking and mixing drinks. What drink can't I mix?" Rody laughed heartily.

"Since you can, then let's not go to the bar. Let's go back and drink together," Chris suggested, pulling Rody back to the dormitory.

"Just the two of us?" Rody wondered. Isn't it more exciting to drink with women sitting on your lap? Drinking quietly between two men can only get more depressing, and they might even end up fighting...

"Cough cough, of course, it's to celebrate our great friendship!"