"Declare your identity!"

Two soldiers wielding long spears blocked Rosen's path in front of the command tent.

Jesse saluted in military fashion: "Silver Moon Third Cavalry Regiment, Cavalry Lieutenant Jesse."

Rosen followed suit, "Vanguard Scout Team, accompanying battle mage Rosen."

The two soldiers seemed to recognize Jesse. After glancing at him, their gazes fell completely on Rosen.

One of the soldiers' faces were filled with disbelief: "Kid, you said you're an accompanying battle mage? Are you sure you didn't get it wrong? Or walked to the wrong place?"

Rosen was already used to this reaction.

Although he had grown much taller in the past few months, he still hadn't exceeded 1.6 meters. His body was on the lean side.

Compared to these tall and sturdy adult soldiers, he was a whole size smaller. Adding to his childlike features, it was indeed difficult for these hardened warriors to believe him.

After all, in most cases, children and battlefields were mutually exclusive.

Raising his hand gently in front of him, a sesame seed sized speck of light appeared at his fingertips: "I'm sure I didn't go to the wrong place. Lieutenant Jesse can vouch for me!"

Jesse immediately nodded: "Soldiers, don't worry. He's the person the Marshal wants to see."

The two soldiers still had looks of incredulity, but they withdrew their spears and moved to the side.

Jesse walked into the tent first, with Rosen following closely behind.

The tent was enormous and circular. In the middle was a brazier for warming. Above the brazier was an opening in the canopy to allow for ventilation and light.

Around the brazier were many simple square tables, covered with all kinds of documents. Officers, clerks, accompanying mages and more stood around the tables, discussing military intelligence in hushed voices.

At the head of the tent was the only chair, and sitting on it was an exceptionally burly man with an imposing demeanor.

The man wore ornate mithril plate armor similar in style to Shambala's, over which he wore a luxurious sky blue robe. Across his chest he wore an honor sash embroidered with dark silver designs. On his back he wore a matching silver-white bear fur cloak.

In short, unless one was blind, they would immediately notice this figure upon first glance.

Jesse whispered, "That's Marshal Von Valpos. Quick, salute him."

As he spoke, he took a step forward and knelt down on one knee: "Marshal, Cavalry Lieutenant Jesse of the Silver Moon Third Cavalry Regiment pays you respects."

Rosen had also learned some military etiquette from Shambala. Although he was an accompanying mage now, without an official mage title, his status was equal to a regular officer.

Facing a noble Marshal, he had to kneel down on one knee to salute.

Otherwise, an easygoing commander might let it slide, but a nitpicky one would have him whipped a few times.

There was no need to gamble on Von Valpos' personality now. Rosen stepped forward and also knelt down on one knee: "Accompanying battle mage Rosen pays you respects."

Von Valpos nodded: "Rise, both of you."

After they got up, he clapped his hands loudly and raised his voice, "Come, come, all of you come and listen to this lad's frontline report."

At his shout, everyone in the tent stopped their work and gathered around Von Valpos, standing on either side of him, focusing their gazes on Rosen.

The people in the tent were all high-ranking officers and major figures of Silvermoon City, with nine out of ten being nobles.

If one threw a rock at random, they would surely hit a baron's son, a knight, an official mage, or some other existence that would make a commoner's knees weak just by hearing their name.

Having so many prominent figures gaze upon someone at once, an ordinary person truly could not withstand it. Even Cavalry Lieutenant Jesse, just grazing the edge of their attention, unconsciously lowered his head and quickly retreated to the side to pretend to be invisible.

Unfortunately for him, the one under scrutiny was Rosen, who had long passed the age of fearing empty reputations. The only things that could stir his heart now were genuine threats to his existence.

For instance, currently he was acting properly without any mistakes, and was an accompanying mage personally appointed by the Countess, so he stood on unshakable ground.

Stolen novel; please report.

Even if the other party was the Marshal and looked upon him with disfavor, at most they could verbally oppress him, but could not truly do anything to him.

Von Valpos' voice carried over, his tone still reasonably mild:

"Child, tell us, what did you see at Moonlight Town?"

Rosen first saluted the crowd, then began his report:

"Esteemed Marshal, honored sirs, we encountered a meticulously planned ambush at Moonlight Town. The ones who ambushed us were a group of townsfolk who had turned into beasts due to dwarf potions, along with one bear king beast."

At these words, the crowd immediately broke into hushed discussions, astonishment on every face.

Von Valpos clapped his hands: "Silence!"

When it was quiet again, he asked, "How many bestialized townsfolk were there?"

"The situation was extremely urgent at the time, so the estimate may not be very accurate. Based on my observation, the number of bestialized townsfolk already revealed exceeded 1,100, but I do not rule out more hidden inside buildings."

At this, another commotion erupted from the crowd.

A mage-garbed middle-aged man stepped forward, first saluting Von Valpos, then turning to look at Rosen.

"Since the situation was urgent, how could you visually estimate such a massive number of 1,100? Isn't it more likely you were frightened out of your wits as a child, and just threw out a number to make up the count?"

At his words, everyone else also seemed to agree, with even Von Valpos nodding.

"Who still has the leisure to count during desperate times?"

"The number 1,100 seems a bit large and unreliable."

"Yes, yes, especially with the targets running around everywhere."

Rosen looked at the 11-star platinum medal on the middle-aged man's chest, indicating he was a very powerful mid-order official mage.

So he first gave the man a bow befitting a low-order apprentice, then raised his voice slightly to begin explaining.

"Esteemed Marshal, Sir Mage, I understand this seems unbelievable, but I possess decent mnemonic capabilities."

"No matter what I see, as long as I look at it once, it will be engraved in my mind and I will not forget it for a long time. So I can assure you, there is no issue with the number 1,100."

Another stir went through the crowd, but no one voiced skepticism. Not that there were none, just that everyone felt incredulous and had yet to react.

When the commotion subsided a little, Von Valpos said, "Prove it to me."

Rosen replied, "Esteemed Marshal, I require paper and pen."

Von Valpos waved his hand, and a clerk immediately brought the items over.

With no table in front, Rosen used a mage hand to flatten the paper in midair, then picked up the quill and began depicting the Moonlight Town scene.

He drew extremely quickly, the feather quill dancing nimbly, even more agile than a real feather.

In a minute, an extremely clear, richly detailed drawing as if it were a photograph was completed.

He handed the drawing to a clerk nearby: "Esteemed Marshal, this was the situation I saw at the time. If you find it unsatisfactory, I can draw a few more to guarantee accurately reproducing every detail from back then."

The drawing was swiftly passed to Von Valpos.

Von Valpos looked at it briefly, a trace of oddness flashing through his eyes. He couldn't help but glance up at Rosen, seemingly unable to believe the drawing was made by hand.

He stood up and spread the drawing flat on the large square table before him, beckoning the previous mid-order mage over.

"Horus, estimate the number here."

Mid-order Mage Horus walked over, examined the drawing closely, also slightly astonished, but soon regained his composure and began concentrating on counting the bestialized townsfolk in the picture.

After a few minutes, he turned and softly said, "Marshal, if it is truly as depicted here, then the approximate number is around 1,100. But how can we be sure this is real, and not imagined after the fact?"

The last sentence he emphasized deliberately for Rosen to hear.

Rosen gave a faint smile. Looking up at the adults standing before him, he then picked up the quill again and continued drawing even faster than before, completing it in less than half a minute.

Using a mage hand, he placed the drawing directly on the square table beside him.

He announced in a clear voice, "Honored sirs, while my artistic skill may be mediocre, my style is extremely realistic without any fictional elements."

"If the honored sirs do not believe me, please take a look at this group portrait I have drawn. See if there are any fabricated parts on my end?"

The crowd was shocked. They surged forward to examine the drawing, even the unflappable Von Valpos could not remain calm. He walked over to scrutinize his own image.

"Oh my, the collar is drawn crooked... No wait, it's me who wore it crooked."

"Ah, am I truly this handsome?"

"Esteemed Marshal, your image is indeed majestic and valorous."

All kinds of exclamations rang out, every one of them proving the flawless accuracy of the drawing.

At this point, everyone believed in Rosen's skills. The looks they gave him instantly lost much of their contempt.

Von Valpos returned to his seat: "Then how was the combat power of the bestialized townsfolk? And what were their combat methods?"

Rosen immediately started drawing again, explaining the battle situation as he did so.

When he finished, the drawings were also completed and handed over by the clerks for Von Valpos.

With such vivid illustrations accompanying the explanation, everyone present now had an extremely clear and intuitive understanding of the bestialized townsfolks' combat power.

The expressions on each face seemed rather heavy.

Their army had 4,000 official warriors.

Since they were not far from Silvermoon City, there were few logistical and medical personnel, so even counting them all, there were less than 7,000 troops.

Yet the bestialized townsfolk had combat power exceeding that of ordinary warriors by a fair amount. They also did not fear death and were extremely valiant. Their numbers exceeded 1,100.

This meant the entire town's residents had been bestialized, and that was not counting the possibility of bestialized rural folk from the outskirts.

Then the numbers would be even greater.

Additionally, the ice dwarf legion with over 1,800 warriors hidden deep within the labyrinthine forest meant the military strength of both sides was about even now.

This battle would not be easy to fight!

Mid-order Mage Horus turned to Von Valpos: "Marshal, inform the Countess of the situation and request reinforcements!"

Von Valpos rested his forehead on one hand, falling into contemplation.

After a long while, he spoke: "Silvermoon City cannot be left without garrison troops. Even if we request reinforcements, not many can be spared, and it may even incite panic."

"However, the Countess must be informed of the frontline situation to have clear oversight."

He turned to an officer, "Go now, send word immediately, along with these drawings, all to the Countess. Then tell her I will exert my full efforts to annihilate the invading aliens!"

"Yes, Marshal."

Von Valpos turned to look at Rosen again, his tone softening.

"Child, you are a rare talent. Having you scout the frontlines would be an immense waste. Why not stay by my side instead?"

To directly extend an invitation to poach him, and with this one offer, the crowd in the tent all fell silent despite their varying expressions.

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