The sunset was blood-red.
The daytime battle ended quickly.
Not many people died. In Aaron's view, it seemed more like a test.
This made him realize that the Davis family did not plan to crush the Soth family in a major battle, perhaps because the cost would be too great.
What they wanted more was probably just to tie up the Soth family's main forces.
The messy tents scattered everywhere, open bonfires dotted around, and many militiamen were roasting food, bragging, and chatting.
Some were even drinking and summoning prostitutes.
Such military discipline left Aaron speechless.
Although he knew that in medieval wars, some fearless merchants and prostitutes followed the army, this level still made him very dissatisfied.
He returned to his squad's camp and summoned his men, including Eight Fingers. 'I don't care about others, but in my squad, no drinking and no women... But as compensation, there will be enough meat and bread! Understand?'
'Understood!'
Eight Fingers answered loudly, then his expression dimmed.
'Casualties report?'
Seeing his expression, Aaron immediately guessed.
'Yes, Adam is dead. The poor guy had his head smashed by a flying rock. A few unlucky fellows fell on the battlefield and were trampled to death by their comrades... Additionally, Sanchez and Baker were lightly wounded...' Eight Fingers responded softly.
'This is war!'
Aaron took a deep breath, 'Tonight, we will take turns on guard duty!'
He returned to his tent and took off his leather armor, feeling his muscles aching and some abrasions and bruises.
Although the battle wasn't long, wielding a heavy sword still took a toll on him.
Besides the physical strain, there was also a sense of mental fatigue and disgust.
He forced himself to eat some water and bread and then fell asleep.
...
Dreamworld.
Aaron had completely given up moving. Now, he used the mysterious energy gained from dreaming every day to strengthen himself.
Although this strengthening wouldn't carry over to the other world, he thought it might require a certain threshold, just like before.
And now, on the battlefield, he couldn't pass up any chance to become stronger!
Therefore, delaying the exploration of the dream world was totally acceptable!
Whoosh, whoosh!
Huge shadows occasionally glided under the endless red sea.
Most had mutated beyond recognition, exuding overwhelming and powerful auras.
Fortunately, they hadn't noticed Aaron.
'For this world, I am still an observer, even if I can move now...' Aaron poured the day's energy into himself with his mind, feeling a slight coolness spreading in his consciousness, then nothing more.
'Even the self-enhancement in dreams won't show results immediately... I wonder when I will become extraordinary?'
He sighed and thought about other matters. 'The Davis family's actions today are also suspicious. Despite stalemating, even slightly gaining the upper hand, they directly retreated with a defensive stance. It seems they really intend to tie up Soth's main forces!'
Aaron sensed a conspiracy, 'It seems... I must talk to my father and the others.'
Although he had no feelings for Colin and the others, if the Soth family fell, his fate wouldn't be good either.
...
The next few days of war went as Aaron expected.
The Davis family kept fighting, but with noticeably lower intensity, giving the Soth family a sense that they could completely defeat them with just a bit more effort.
As a result, the entire army was held up in Black Crow Dunes, constantly urging for supplies and reinforcements from the rear.
Aaron sighed and walked into the tent.
'Father, I decapitated three more heads today.'
As soon as he walked in, he heard Colin's proud voice.
'Well done, my son. It seems unifying the Green Forest will happen in my generation.' Theodore laughed heartily.
'Father.'
Aaron sighed inwardly, stepped forward, and saluted.
'My dear brother, how much loot have you acquired?' Colin asked curiously.
Lately, Aaron had been learning tactics and commanding skills from Alfred, with little pursuit of loot or heads.
Ignoring Colin, he directly spoke to Theodore, 'I believe the Davis family is deliberately showing weakness to scheme against us. We need to take measures against this!'
'Pfft!'
Colin laughed, his expression full of undisguised contempt. 'A conspiracy? On the battlefield, only strength matters. Conspiracies are for women and cowards!'
'Colin!'
Theodore stopped Colin but looked indifferent, clearly unconcerned. 'Colin is somewhat right. War is about hard power. We know roughly about the Davis territory. Mobilizing 2,000 troops is almost their limit... They don't have the strength for other conspiracies! Moreover, you have no evidence.'
'What we need to do now is defeat them in one go, destroy their main force, and not give them a chance to retreat to the castle!'
Theodore had always wanted to crush the Davis family and rule the entire Green Forest.
But if the Davis family retreated into their castle, this goal would be hard to achieve.
Now, although their family's forces were smaller, the Soth family's soldiers were of higher quality, giving them some advantage in battle.
Theodore noticed this and wouldn't miss such an opportunity!
Seeing this, Aaron could only sigh.
Sometimes, smart people are more likely to fall into traps because con men put their thoughts right in front of them, and the smart ones fill in the gaps themselves!
'Then... at least let me patrol around. I might find some evidence.'
Aaron took a deep breath and spoke.
'Oh, dear brother, are you trying to desert?' Colin's eyes lit up and he immediately spoke.
Leaving the battlefield now would inevitably brand him a coward, essentially a death sentence in the chivalry-worshiping medieval times!
Aaron glanced around and indeed saw disdain in the eyes of the knights.
But he didn't care. Even if there was no conspiracy, surviving was the most important thing!
...
Theodore was silent for a while before finally speaking, 'Go, take your team!'
Although disappointed in his son, he didn't refuse.
'Thank you!'
Aaron straightened his back, saluted, and walked out of the tent.