Alex pondered Petricia's decision. He understood that life has different values on the battlefield.
Saying every life is equal sounds good, but when they are fighting with their lives on the line, the loss of a commander's life could mean the entire defeat of the squad, turning the loss even bigger.
Even if the commander is strong, there is no guarantee his life will be safe.
For a commander to lead on the frontline is a double-edged sword since the moment he falls, the rest of the army will also lose their morale or go into a frenzy, but even going into a frenzy doesn't mean something good, since at that time, they will become chaotic.
"Did you feel angry I didn't intervene to help you?"
Patricia's eyes widened, surprised by Alex's question, as did the other high goblins, Zargath and Vexgore.
"No, King! That is our mission; we already knew the risks. How could we even think of blaming you?
Our whole existence is only to serve you. If anything, this is my fault as the commander," she said, looking at Alex with eyes filled with fanaticism.
"Alright, you all can return for now. Take a rest, and even though the result is not satisfactory, it's still good work. I am looking forward to your next performance, Patricia, Zargath, Vexgore."
"Yes, KING!" They answered in unison.
Alex then put them and the rest of the goblin squad back into the Awe Cube. He didn't spend time counting how many Fiendworms they caught since they needed to quickly catch up with the others.
Seeing Patricia's expression reminded Emily of something else. She still felt sad about the goblin's death, but weighing their own needs, Emily decided to skip the thought and change the topic.
"Brother, do you know the goblins now worship you as their God?"
Her question made Alex raise his eyebrow.
After setting everything up, he never interfered with the goblins, letting the high goblins and Emily maintain it.
So, he didn't know that, but he didn't really care about it. If anything, that means the goblins' loyalty is guaranteed.
"I don't know, but that is not important. Just let them do what they want, Emil. Let's go to Olivia and the others."
Emily tilted her head, looking at him with a confused look. "Last time, you joked around in the dungeon, but now you are so serious. Are you really my brother?"
Alex frowned. It's not that he doesn't want to joke, but he just doesn't feel the mood for it.
Deep in his heart, he treats the goblins as his people, the same as everyone in Bai Yue Sect. Every single one of their deaths makes him feel like he lost something.
It's hard for him to put it into words, but what is for sure is that it's uncomfortable and not something he wants to feel again.
"Nothing, I'm just in a bad mood now, Elly. Let's go." He suggested.
They then started moving toward the area they agreed to meet. Since Olivia's group's purpose is for recon, they moved further than Alex's area of detection.
On their way through the maze, Alex remembered something he wanted to ask her about but hadn't had the chance to since she was always going together with the others.
"Now that there are no others, what do you think about Mom now, Emily?"
Emily raised her eyebrow, then swiftly replied, "Of course, I'm worried about her, Alex. If only you could give the same rune you put into me to her, that would be better."
"If I could, I would have already done it, even without her going to the frontline. But that is not what I mean, Emily.
How she hid her ability from us. I understand her reasoning, but I have lived together with her all this time, and I don't even realize it," Alex said with a sigh.
He regretted it. He could use Vesa's ability to see his mother's status and ability, but he never did that. The thought never even passed through his mind.
Even without looking at Alex's expression, Emily knew why he said this.
"Don't blame yourself, Alex. With a past like yours, I understand why you don't do that.
It's just already in your habit to not analyze people around you, despite your abilities."
"Still…" Alex mumbled to himself, knowing he needed to change this habit now.
In the past, he hated knowing how people around him often lied and had other agendas, but now the situation is different.
He needed to get used to analyzing everything, even important people around him, so he wouldn't get surprised again.
If something happened to Luca, he knew he wouldn't forgive himself.
But a hand on his shoulder stopped his thoughts.
Emily said, "What are you thinking about, brother? I heard from Aunt Olivia what she said to you.
It seems it's still not enough.
Don't think everything is your responsibility, Alex. Thinking, 'If you do this and that, things won't become worse,' is naive.
The same can be said for me, Olivia, Quartz, and even Mom herself. Many things would be different if we changed how we think.
Aren't you the one who told me this many times over?"
"That is different, Emily. At that time, you had already done everything you could to the point of fainting.
But what about me? It's only like moving my finger, but I didn't do it."
"How could it be different? If I spent my time practicing my ability and not going all timid, things would be better.
Heck, I could use my ability to bring all of us to escape.
Let's not talk about my power; if I go as far as threatening Dad, I am sure he will relent and go with us rather than stay in the city.
That is just self-blame, and it's pointless, the exact same thing you say many times over," Emily paused for a moment, then let out a chuckle, "You are really my dumb brother."