Chapter 295: a new road
Chapter 295: a new road
Clark was left feeling completely astonished after going through everything that he just received through his implant. It seems that he may have still underestimated the influence of his Master a bit.
This was just too exaggeratedly outrageous.
He expected to receive a lot after all the efforts that he put in and the surprising results that he got, but still, this was mind-blowing.
Putting aside the shocking amount of the base money reward and the loads of material resources that he got, his increase in authority and the tons of Arcanite metal allocated to him was the most shocking.
These 2 were something that could not be bought with money at all, thats how valuable they were. Unless you had the required influence and connections, you can just forget about getting any of these 2.
An increase in authority was not just something that could be done or achieved easily, it was stuff that was exclusive to the big shots of Spartan society.
For a double increase like the one that he just achieved, not only did he need the signature of the Commander of the Spartan army for it, he also needed the signature of the President.
Now, those requirements alone were enough to make it an achievement of legends. Which normal soldier has the requirements to attract the attention of the President? None.
Only an abnormal soldier like Clark could achieve such an impossible feat.
Then for the Arcanite metal, no other adjective is needed to modify it to prove its importance than the fact that it was an exotic metal of high-grade country standards.
With a mind-blowing allocation of 10,000kg of the metal, he didnt know what he could do with the leftover after using it to craft all the weapons of his dreams.
When he just completed his mission back in the Mediterranean Sea with Captain Oxford, after he got back to the republic, he did not hide his love for the metal but then everyone ignored him.
Now, he didnt even need to ask, it was given to him without any bargain. This alone validated his pursuit of more strength.
It was pretty ironic and even slightly sad, but thats the reality of soldiers. Youre not strong, they cheat you. You are not a billionaires son, they cheat you. You dont have influence, they cheat you.
Now he really believed the quote that said, pursue excellence, and success will pursue you. He just had to work hard on improving, and all his needs will be met without him even opening his mouth.
Now, all he had to do was go to the Spartan army to get his reward. He couldnt send someone there as his signature was needed before he could claim the goods.
He was not rushing though; he would take them next week during the same time that he would go to the Spartan army to honor his dead squadmates of over 3 years.
He suddenly sprang up from his bed, energy now pumping tangibly through him in waves.
After receiving such an uplifting message, all signs of sleep already left his eyes. Now he wanted to pursue more excellence, he wanted to pursue more strength to get more privileges like this.
Who gave him the right to sleep when he had not gone through any training for today? He felt like slapping himself on the face, hes been going complacent.
Another notable fact that brought him much-needed relief was that as a Captain of the Spartan republic, a lot of exclusive benefits that lower-ranked soldiers could not enjoy were now open to him.
In the Spartan constitution, it was written that when soldiers successfully get to the captain military rank, theyre more or less now grown-ups who could take care of themselves.
The tangible benefits that follow it are most times not something that could be quantified with money, it already transcended money.
Not only will they experience an upsurge in monthly allowance from the Spartan army or their military division, but they will also have access to more restricted resources due to their increased authority.
These 2 were the less spicy ones though, the juiciest of them all was that they were now allowed to leave the republic outside for adventures without suffering repercussions.
Due to the experience that the Spartan republic had in the form of President Leonidas, the constitution had a privilege that reduced the restrictions of soldiers of the 3rd rank and above by a significant margin.
From the history lessons that every soldier knew from their learning years, it was already drilled into their heads that their President would not have become the legendary soldier he was today if he was confined to one region.
It was already proven and tested that confining a soldier to one region stagnates their growth, high-grade soldiers are made for the vast world rather than a single country.
President Leonidas in his heydays traveled around the whole world, competing in a tournament organized by the big 5 organizations was just one of the many occasions where he made his name known to the world.
Through this unrelenting grinding, the never-ending traveling, the non-stop sparing, and the never-yielding spirit, these were what forged and crafted the legendary slaughterer.
It was a well-known fact that without the power of Leonidas, the Spartan republics chances of being a middle-grade country were low after the great battle of supremacy due to their lesser technological background.
The President tipped this delicate balance, which was the last fitting puzzle that the big 5 needed to approve their status as a middle-grade country.
All these achievements boiled down back to the ultimate truth of all soldiers, freedom of movement and expression.
It was a choice though, so Clark could still decide to serve diligently here in the Spartan army, just like Captain Oxford.
Even if they were free, not every soldier would leave because not everybody was Leonidas. The chances of succeeding outside the republic were lesser than when in the republic, this was the belief of many soldiers.
Clark had not made his decision yet, he still wanted to think more about it. This was a decision that could impact his road as a soldier by a lot, he didnt want to make an impulsive decision.
Despite this, he was more inclined to forge his path and make his name known outside the Spartan republic. His Master already encouraged him on this path, so it was only normal that he had more bias for it now.
Due to a series of well-thought rules that were laid down by the republic, 3rd rank and above soldiers leaving did not mean that they were no longer Spartan soldiers.
When they decide to leave, theyll no longer remain as conventional soldiers, theyll be more like soldier ambassadors of the Spartan republic.
Clark didnt know if it was a rumor as he couldnt confirm before due to his low authority, but he once heard that the Spartan republic had more than 3 Commanders.
According to the rumor, not only the President, Commander Arthur, and Commander Rashford were the 5th rank high-grade soldiers. There was the 4th Commander, he was just more mysterious and elusive than the others.
He is the most active pioneer of the soldiers who took on the ambassador path. He hardly comes back to visit the republic, only traveling and looking for ways to improve himself.
It was said that only when the existence of the republic is threatened would this mysterious soldier, who was the second Commander directly behind the President show up.
Clark made a mental note to confirm if his current authority could let him get information about this Commander, he wanted to study his path if he was real before making his decision.
Apart from the joy brought by this sudden message from the Spartan army, he still remembered his situation after Captain Briggs left.
Though he tried to ignore it, he knew that the captains remark about Sonia was still bugging him. Where was she currently? Was she even still alive?
Sometimes, he felt that he was foolish. How can he decide to wait on a girl whose fate and current status were unknown when a bunch of other beautiful girls was enthusiastically waiting in a cue before him?
He didnt know why, but knowing that Leo was already married and about to become a father gave him pressure that he did not know was there before.
He was not blind. To date, he could still see Roses affection for him. Even if he decided to ignore the bunch of local Vatican celebrities that lusted after him, he knew that Emily was also a girl that genuinely had affection for him.
He felt like hitting his head at a rock at times. Why did he have to be so exceptional and attract so many beautiful girls, in the end, he couldnt get anyone of them?
He knew that they were ready to take it further with him even if he didnt promise to marry them, but it just didnt resonate with his spirit. Hell! He was still a virgin!
He knew lots of soldiers who would have taken advantage of his current popularity with ladies to satisfy their lust, even his student, Albert was a perfect example of that.
He was just 18 but he talks about girls like a veteran, he could only blush in shame when the mischievous boy starts babbling on.
Putting that aside, he was really worried about Sonia. After so long, though the chance of it happening was large, he just didnt want to entertain the thought of hearing that she was dead.
He didnt know what happened in that month that made him so spellbound to the lady, but he knew his heart was already charmed completely by her.
If he heard of her death, he didnt know what he would do then. He was afraid, she just meant too much to him despite their brief time meeting.
He could still see her black flowing hair when she unleashed her battle art and they both started fighting their way through Mocan soldiers. He could still see the sweat lining her face when they hid in trenches to avoid the Mocans pursuit.
He could still see her exhausted face when she laid tiredly in his arms, he could still see the determination to survive in her eyes, he could see the love and care radiating from her eyes.
He still saw the unwillingness and fear in her eyes when he decided to save her first, then he was also afraid.
Ahh! He punched his chair. Life, youre cruel!
He didnt want to get angry or frustrated, but he knew that his mental state was already affected.
He decided that he would bite the bullet; after he fulfilled his war plan against the terrorists, he was locating Sonias father no matter what happened. He just couldnt take it anymore.
He no longer felt any motivation to sleep so he just channeled all his rage and frustration at his training facilities.
Going to his training room, he exhausted all his energy reserves for the next 3 hours before falling asleep. He worked himself so much that he fell asleep in the training room.
This was his way of fighting depression. He was Captain Clark but he was no superman, bursts of depression like this were normal to any human.