Chapter 258: A Standard

Due to Rhayne’s unique legacy and rapid improvement after becoming an Imperial Officer to join the great war, the High General personally granted her bountiful rewards.

The most generous reward was naturally the rank promotion.

When she applied to join the Imperial Army, she skipped many ranks.

After her qualifications, achievements, and the results of her training were considered, she instantly became a Sergeant Imperial Officer.

A one-star Imperial Officer.

Now that she had reached B-rank and her merits from the great war were being monitored, she was promoted to Captain rank—a three-star Imperial Officer rank.

She was naturally happy, albeit a bit saddened for some reason after not spotting an individual she wanted to witness her promotion.

Max.

Max had already become a thorn in her heart.

She wanted to beat him at all costs.

Though, at the same time, she was a bit confused about what she truly felt for Max.

But today, Rhayne earned the qualification to be present in the Central Command Hall.

The Central Command Hall was where the Demon Hunters Guild and the Imperial Army discussed their cooperation in the great war.

As she stood behind the High General, she fixated her gaze on Max, who only cast a glance at her while appearing to be indifferent.

But Rhayne could discern it clearly.

Max was honestly surprised by her presence, which satisfied her greatly.

Aside from the High General, there were three other Imperial Officers who ranked far higher than her.

The High General only thought of letting her join mainly to inspire her to contribute more and hoped that she could contribute to the meeting, at least.

As the meeting commenced, Seraphina was the first to speak.

"The Authority of Salvation has revealed that the demon’s territory has reached perfect demonic mana saturation.

In other words, the Abyssal Conquest Flag can already be removed.

There’s a high possibility that the demons will take this chance to expand their territory tonight."

Max nodded.

Seraphina had informed him in advance, but Max wished that she would be the one to inform the others.

Seraphina, after all, was a Saintess.

She was the only one who could communicate with the Authority of Salvation in the entire province at the moment.

Everyone turned toward Max.

They seemed to prefer hearing his opinion on the matter first before any other tacticians could speak.

It had already become a habit.

Max’s experience and knowledge when it came to war against demons surpassed many others.

Max said, "We should expect that the Demon Lords will be proactive again.

But we can’t fight in their territory yet.

There’s a high chance that not only will they move the flag, but the obelisks will also be expanding into the other provinces.

Although the other provinces were already informed, the responsibility to stop the demons’ attempt to expand their territory remains our top priority."

Everyone agreed.

The High General asked, "So, what do you suggest?"

Max glanced at him.

"You will be participating this time around.

You will lead your main force to stop the Demon Lord’s attempt to protect the demon who will carry the flag."

The High General nodded.

Max felt assured.

After all, the High General was a Supreme Sword Emperor.

Although he felt disgusted by relying on a class that had killed him in his past life, he did not have a choice but to rely on him.

It was just a pity that he was only ten levels away from reaching A-rank.

It was why he needed his cooperation.

Max continued to lay out his plan, while the tacticians would often disagree with him and offer better suggestions.

Max was open-minded.

He allowed them to offer their suggestions.

The meeting proceeded smoothly, stunning Rhayne.

She gazed at Max, and she felt like the latter was someone she could not understand at all.

Her previous interaction with Max was still vivid in her mind.

It felt like yesterday.

At that moment, Max was leading her and her party to fight against an E-rank boss demon.

Although it was just E-rank, it had already mutated and was comparable to C-rank.

Now, just as she was cooperating with Max again, the current situation was vastly different from before.

Max was leading his own Guild while also seemingly having the Imperial Army cooperate with him.

The difference in their status... it was so vast that Rhayne felt saddened.

It could not be helped.

The desire to surpass Max always remained in her heart.

When the meeting concluded, Rhayne reluctantly followed the High General out of the Central Command Hall to proceed to their temporary camp, planning to have their own discussion about the war later.

Max stared at Rhayne’s back, deep in thought.

Seraphina noticed where he was staring and asked, "Do you know her?"

Max shook his head.

Seraphina glanced at Rhayne and said, "I can’t forget her. She has a unique Ranger’s path, perhaps the same as you.

When she was at the peak of C-rank, her arrow was like a shooting star, potent and lethal enough to pierce through the tough armor of a Greater Demon.

Now that she’s ascended and appears to have been promoted, her strength could compare to Lancelot."

Lancelot turned toward Seraphina with a dumbstruck expression.

He felt like he had just heard an absurd opinion.

He immediately defended himself.

"Since when can a Ranger win against a Warrior?"

Seraphina shrugged.

"I’m talking about killing demons."

Lancelot rolled his eyes.

"You didn’t mean it that way."

Seraphina did not bother explaining and turned away.

"I will be resting in my quarters."

Max nodded in approval and watched Seraphina being followed by the Holy Knight.

Lancelot walked toward him and said, "Why do I feel like I’m constantly being compared?"

Max smiled.

"It’s because you’re strong.

Isn’t that nice? You are becoming a standard at B-rank."

Lancelot rolled his eyes.

It should be you who is the standard.

He could not say it out loud.

It was hard for him to admit that Max, in the span of months, had surpassed him.

Hell, he had even struggled a bit against Fiora before defeating her.

He could not imagine fighting against a legion of Radiant Knights at all.