Warcraft: When NPCs Have Player Panels

William held Taylor tightly around the waist, his palms able to feel the warmth of her skin beneath her skirt.

"So what if you serve the Holy Light?" William rested his chin on the top of her head, his voice low and stubborn. "The Holy Light lets you protect others, but who will protect you?"

Taylor stiffened, then gently patted the back of his hand, her tone tinged with helplessness and tenderness: "I am a key candidate for bishop in the Holy Light Church, and serving the Holy Light is my mission."

She turned into William's arms, her brown eyes gazing at him quietly, her fingertips gently smoothing the wrinkles on his clothes: "I know you want me to transfer to the prosecutor's system, like Lord Whitemane. But I'm clumsy, I can't handle those power struggles, and I don't want to become a bureaucrat who only knows how to socialize."

William pursed his lips and didn't try to persuade her further. He knew Taylor's personality; she appeared gentle and weak on the surface, but was extremely determined inside.

Once a decision is made, no one can change it.

"I also applied to go to the outpost with you," Taylor said, her voice lower. "But the church rejected it."

William said nothing, but simply held her tightly in his arms.

After a long while, Taylor broke free from his embrace. He took out a silver pendant from under his neck and made him lower his head to put it around his neck.

"I infused it with holy light, which can help you heal yourself when you are injured, and also help you dispel some of the curses of the dead."

The badge carried Taylor's scent, and William remained silent, simply holding her close.

That night, the two sat quietly, without saying anything more ambiguous, yet they shared an unspoken understanding.

Taylor, like an older sister, reminded him to be careful and helped him pack, while William listened quietly, remembering every word she said.

As dawn broke, William got up and left home.

The sixth day was the day he selected his soldiers. Durand gave him fifty slots to choose from. This was both a sign of trust and a test.

If we can't handle it, then dying on the front lines is nothing to complain about.

William, holding the transfer order, found the armory commander at the rear of the legion's headquarters.

"Lieutenant Lamont, I need to select some men; this is the transfer order."

"Please go ahead."

William went straight to Hawke, who excitedly led him to the person he had arranged to meet beforehand.

"Carter, Miller, Bate, Karen." Hawke led William directly to the four corporals.

These veterans were all brave in battle, but because they had no powerful connections, their military ranks had been difficult to advance.

"You all know who this is, William, the most famous and youngest sergeant major in our Second Army!"

"commander!"

The group shouted in unison and saluted William.

"Did Corporal Hawke tell you? I'm going to be stationed at the outpost and I need reliable core personnel. Are you willing to come with me?" William got straight to the point.

The veterans exchanged glances and immediately nodded.

They had long heard of William's reputation, knowing he was exceptionally lucky and a confidant of the Grand Commander. Following someone like that was far better than spending their entire lives in obscurity.

"You have two days to settle your family matters. Tomorrow night, Hawke, you take them to the sergeant's club for a get-together."

"Yes, sir!"

At the entrance of the cathedral, Taylor, accompanied by several young clergy, was already waiting for his arrival.

"Brother Elias, Junior Prosecutor Samuel, and Junior Priest Matthew," Taylor and William introduced them.

"They are all faithful believers in the Holy Light, with lofty ideals, and willing to go to the front lines to help our soldiers."

Finally, William went to the arcane academy next to the monastery and went directly to the arcane mage Duan.

"Sir, I..." William had barely saluted when Duan interrupted him.

"Alright, young man. Time is precious, let's get straight to the point." The bald, Mediterranean-skinned middle-aged man waved his hand. "The Commander-in-Chief told me this a few days ago. Now, go out from here, turn right, go straight to the third intersection, turn right again, and go straight to the end."

"If you get lost, just ask a few people along the way; they will guide you to the theory hall."

"Yes, sir..."

After saying this, Duane suddenly disappeared. William had no choice but to follow his instructions, navigating through gallery after gallery filled with books in this folded-out library space. Finally, they arrived at a large hall that resembled a lecture hall.

In the hall, a few magic apprentices and mages sat in twos and threes, idly playing with spells to pass the time.

William walked forward to the podium. There was a magical device on it, faintly emitting arcane light.

He turned his head and looked down, only to find that the people below the stage were already looking at him.

He brought his mouth close, and the device amplified and broadcast his words.

"I am Sergeant William. I have been ordered to garrison the forward outpost. I need some mage comrades to join my team. This is the order from the Grand Commander and the Military Affairs Department."

At the bottom of the steps, six or seven people looked at each other in bewilderment, and finally someone stood up and spoke.

"Well, Lord William, we have been waiting for you for many days. You have finally arrived."

After a full day, the selection of fifty soldiers was finally finalized.

They all came from humble backgrounds, each possessed some skills, and for various reasons were willing to go out and prove themselves.

William gathered them together and, without much pleasantry, simply said, "Meet at the sergeant's club tomorrow night."

...

The seventh day marked the official opening of the Sergeant's Club.

Carl and Evan got busy early in the morning.

Evan and his hired waiter hung a sign at the entrance that read "Second Legion Officers' Club" in large characters. This was done with Durand's permission, using the name of the Second Legion.

In exchange, officers of the Second Army Corps at the rank of colonel and above are exempt from fees when they come to consume.

Carl led five or six waitresses to clean the hall spotless and arrange the purchased food and drinks neatly.

Elliot, meanwhile, sat behind the bar, using magic to adjust the taste of the ale, while a diligent magic apprentice studied beside him. It was only for the opening day that Elliot was stationed behind the bar. As a certified mage, Elliot still had his own pride.

On the surface, he's the club's manager, so he can't stay in the lobby all the time. When he has nothing to do, he'll be practicing his magic on the third floor.

Before long, William's former bosses began to arrive.

Most of them were junior non-commissioned officers, the backbone of the army. One person told another, and almost dozens of people came.