Chapter 1190: Military Parade (4)

Deadrise, a colossal legion alliance vying for a corner of the Central Front.

And among them, the Fifth Legion Commander of the alliance, who receives independent operational authority and command of their subordinate units.

A supreme commander position, granted only to generals of Lieutenant General rank or higher within the legion.

Lennok remembered when he was offered the position of Legion Commander, a rank that even Peshia Grisbern ultimately couldn’t attain.

The Deadrise 3rd Legion he encountered while heading to the First Gate to acquire a fragment of the Veil.

The offer he made immediately after fighting Robert Loveride, the 3rd Legion Commander who was leading the assault forces.

How much time had passed since he brushed aside the man’s words, who had declared the Fifth Legion Commander position was Lennok’s?

The words Loveride had left behind then hadn’t vanished in the lava; they had returned to Lennok, right here.

WHOOOOOM!!!!

Tanks and armored vehicles advanced amidst the fiery barrage raining down from the sky.

Between them, fully armed soldiers could be seen sweeping away the remaining ghouls.

“Secure the supply depot. Seize the radar room!!”

“Sector A-3 clear. Moving to the military airfield!”

Rat-a-tat-tat!!!

The legion moved relentlessly through the bombed military base, exchanging information and securing their positions.

Heavy tanks, having cleared the ghouls, moved forward, crushing and tearing down the base’s walls and ceilings.

Repeating bombardments and advances, clearing obstructed views, armored units swiftly encircled Lennok.

But Lennok knew they weren’t intervening to kill him; rather, they were there to protect him.

An officer knelt before Lennok, bowing his head deeply.

Behind him, dozens of soldiers and mages dismounted from tanks, saluting towards him.

The Deadrise 5th Legion had obliterated the entire military base where the command post was located with overwhelming firepower.

That they had come to personally greet Lennok, intending to serve him as their new Legion Commander—

“You seem to be gravely mistaken.”

From the heart of the burning blast zone, Lennok looked down at the officer kneeling before him.

The young man, with a cold demeanor, introduced himself as Riyad Enel, a Brigadier General of the Deadrise 5th Legion Command.

Given his rank as Brigadier General and the fact he led the legion to greet Lennok, he must be the de facto commander of the 5th Legion.

“I never accepted the Legion Commander position. I haven’t even begun discussions with Deadrise on that matter yet.”

“……”

“Yet you believe I’ve accepted it and are arbitrarily trying to elevate me as your superior.”

Lennok’s gaze, fixed on Enel, grew chillingly cold.

“Did you think I would gladly accept loyalty or courtesy that I didn’t ask for?”

“I understand what you mean, Commander.”

Enel, kneeling before Lennok, bowed his head deeply.

“However, may I explain after escorting both of you to a more suitable location?”

“You want to move locations?”

“The General Staff presumes that the attack on the command post’s military base was the work of Sa-hon Yoran.”

Enel spoke in a subdued voice.

“A madman who was once a Conjunction Spell Master of the Alliance but fell into forbidden magic, becoming a master of necromancy, and is currently responsible for immense casualties across the Eastern Continent.”

“……”

“The name of a necromancer ranked 10th on the Power Ranking.”

Euphoria, who had descended to Lennok’s side unnoticed, said with an expressionless face.

“I recall him as a Short-lived Being who recently rose in rank as the top-tier rankings underwent a major shift.”

“As you say, Lady Aosel.”

Enel immediately replied.

“He is notorious for using the most heinous methods, killing humans to perform necromancy, so I am concerned about any potential harm to you both.”

“Isn’t it a type of spellcraft that forcibly invades and corrupts the surrounding environment?”

Euphoria replied casually to Enel, then subtly changed the subject.

“I have no great interest, but I vaguely recall seeing information about it. It would be best to move, as the Short-lived Being suggests.”

“As the noble Long-lived Being shows interest in human affairs, our legion will do its utmost.”

“……”

Lennok looked at Euphoria without a word, and she feigned ignorance, averting her gaze.

Sa-hon Yoran. Was a high-ranking necromancer newly ranked 10th on the Power Ranking the perpetrator who attacked the legion?

But if so, what was the information Lennok had obtained at the military base about a legion commander’s betrayal?

At the very least, it was clear that there was an accomplice within the legion who was colluding with the necromancer behind the attack.

Lennok didn’t bother to mention that fact, simply averting his gaze.

As Enel raised his hand, the armored forces of the 5th Legion, which had surrounded them, began to move.

Rumble!!!!

Armored vehicles moved, crushing and smashing the melting walls and floors of the military base.

The long barrel of the self-propelled artillery rotated, projecting shelling beyond the barrier of fire raining down.

Dozens of tons of heavy war machines, including multiple rocket launchers and howitzers, shattered their surroundings and cleared a path.

Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump!!!!

From the center of the sunken blast zone, artillery and armored equipment, several times larger than what was visible, appeared and surged forward.

Before Lennok’s eyes, an unreal scene unfolded: an entire mountain, where the military base was located, crumbled to clear a path.

A nimble airship descended vertically from the sky, simultaneously extending a ramp before Lennok.

Upon entering the airship’s internal control room, a map of the Eastern Continent unfurled, displaying the real-time movements of various legion emblems.

Translucent screens surrounding them broadcasted footage, allowing for omnidirectional observation of the ground below.

A wave of steel moved across the entire mountain range. The entire 5th Legion armored unit changed direction in unison, following the airship.

CRAAAASH!!!!

With each movement, the entire mountainside violently shook, vibrating as if about to collapse.

The legion moved around Lennok, projecting a heavy, unreserved presence of overwhelming power.

Euphoria, standing beside him, seemed strangely satisfied by the sight.

“I didn’t realize that Short-lived Beings possessed such advanced technology for mobility.”

“As Lady Aosel is affiliated with the 3rd Legion, please understand that this is the extent of the courtesy we can offer.”

Enel, who had been leading his subordinate officers, bowed politely.

“The 5th Legion will do its utmost to serve you both until we reach 2nd Command.”

“I have a question about this ‘2nd Command’ of the legion you speak of.”

Lennok, who had been watching the legion’s formation spread across the monitor, turned his gaze.

“The coordinates for 2nd Command I received from the 4th Legion Commander were for this location. Why was a ghoul-infested military base here?”

“This area is within the jurisdiction of Deadrise Legion’s 2nd Command, but it is not where the Command Headquarters is directly stationed.”

Enel calmly replied.

“The Command Headquarters, where the military parade will be held, is located far from here. The 5th Legion will guide you both.”

“So, Mirva Neosoto gave me the wrong coordinates?”

“As the jurisdiction of 2nd Command is excessively vast, it is extremely difficult to find your way and pass inspection without a guide.”

Enel gave simple hand signals to his subordinate soldiers, then turned his gaze.

“In my humble opinion, I believe Lieutenant General Neosoto might have dispatched a guide to that military base in advance to escort the Commander…”

“Meaning the military base was attacked by a necromancer, and things got complicated.”

“This is a time when all legions under Deadrise converge in one place. Those hostile to the legion would naturally want to curb the command’s decisions and divert its attention.”

“Are you saying the military parade is a critical issue for other factions as well?”

“Because this military parade itself is, in essence, the culmination of the power struggles within the legion.”

Enel, placing a hand on his chest and saluting, spoke in a respectful tone.

“Commander. Our 5th Legion lost its former Legion Commander years ago in a conflict with the Ability Awakening Warband and has long operated without a supreme commander.”

“……”

“Because of that, despite possessing the most outstanding firepower projection capabilities among all legions, we were forced to follow the operations of other legions for a long time.”

Enel’s face, impassive as if not a single needle could penetrate it, suddenly turned cold.

“This was because the Marshal himself had to grant approval for a Legion Commander to be officially appointed. Thus, the 5th Legion had no choice but to stand by as its strength waned without a new commander.”

“So, things changed with the Marshal’s return.”

“Commander, you were the only nominee the legion command had decided upon as the new Legion Commander, even before the military parade began.”

Enel gazed at Lennok with intense eyes.

“I have heard of your renown from afar, Commander. The greatest fire mage and Apostle-Slayer. Your feat of defeating the Conjunction Spell Master is virtually unrivaled among current legion commanders. I have yearned to serve you, believing you are the most fitting individual for the 5th Legion, specialized in firepower projection.”

Even as he stared directly at Lennok’s impassive face, Enel maintained his composure.

“You may not realize it yet, but the privileges granted to a Legion Commander are unimaginably vast. Not only will an individual virtually own the entire legion, but they will also enjoy numerous benefits, conveniences, immense wealth, and honor across the entire continent simultaneously.”

“……”

“And we are ready to dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to the privileges and honor that will be bestowed upon you, Commander.”

Enel knelt before Lennok again, extending one hand in a gesture of deference.

“From this moment, the 5th Legion pledges its loyalty to you as our new Legion Commander. Please, issue your command.”

At that moment, transparent holographic windows, glowing with blue light, began to appear one after another before Lennok’s eyes.

[Legion Command and Control System Final Authority Update Complete.]

[Alpha Operation Link Open. Pass Activated.]

Flash-flash-flash-flash!!!!

Dozens of holographic windows overlapped and opened, displaying an immeasurable amount of vast information.

The main forces of the 5th Legion deployed all around, centered on Lennok’s current location.

The 5th Legion’s organization and personnel deployed in operations. The status of weapon systems and specifications of owned equipment.

Blueprints of war machines and command structure. Information on troop deployment and available resources.

Was this information displaying each of the legion’s forces moving in real-time for the military parade?

The entire 5th Legion seemed to have already recognized Lennok as Legion Commander and transferred their authority.

But Lennok was recalling the conversation he had with Enel about the legion’s internal affairs.

‘Is the internal rivalry within the same legion truly this fierce? This is quite significant information.’

Even if the former 5th Legion Commander died in a clash with the Ability Awakening Warband, the fact that the headless 5th Legion had been dragged along by other legions for a long time was quite surprising.

It was understandable that the position of the Fifth Legion Commander had been vacant, as appointing a legion commander required the Marshal’s approval.

However, the fact that legions existing under the Deadrise name constantly kept each other in check and tried to exploit one another was even more intriguing.

That was probably because the legion had grown in size by absorbing both allies and enemies indiscriminately, incorporating them under its banner.

That method had transformed Vulcan’s private military company into a colossal legion alliance spanning the entire continent, but precisely because of that, internal division was inevitable.

Lennok stared silently down at Enel, who was kneeling and bowing his head before him.

A Brigadier General and Deputy Commander of the 5th Legion’s General Staff. He must be the one who had actually been commanding the headless legion until now.

If he had managed to maintain their strength even while being dragged around by other legions, his capabilities as a commander must be considerable.

Yet, Enel himself showed no hesitation or reluctance in transferring command of the 5th Legion to Lennok.

Was it because they had lost initiative to other legions for so long, or did he simply recognize Cheonbeon as a truly suitable candidate for Legion Commander?

However—

“I regret to say that such explanations will not change my mind.”

“……”

“If a new Legion Commander can only be decided once the military parade begins, then nothing should be decided here right now in the first place.”

Ultimately, it wasn’t a matter to be decided just by listening to the 5th Legion’s account, no matter which side it was.

The existence of Marshal Ethan Bajour, returning simultaneously with the Deadrise Legion’s military parade.

And the complex internal circumstances of the legion that made the current situation possible just by the Marshal’s return.

At the very least, wasn’t it something that could only be decided after Lennok had seen and confirmed everything with his own eyes?

There were too many affairs intertwined with this military parade right now, so he had no intention of rushing.

“Whether it’s the position of Legion Commander or the purpose of the military parade, giving an immediate answer holds no meaning.”

Lennok, having come to a conclusion, gestured to Enel with an expressionless face.

“I will meet the Marshal directly and make my judgment then. Where is the 2nd Command Headquarters?”

“The Command Headquarters is currently located in the Forbidden Zone in the central Eastern Continent.”

“Forbidden Zone?”

“It is a place where city-state factions, including Vulcan, Machina, and the Autonomous Region, have collectively agreed to prohibit entry.”

Enel replied, pointing to the empty area in the center of the Eastern Continent map on the screen.

“It’s a vast plain surrounded by mountain ranges, and the prevailing theory is that it was the site of failed chemical experiments by Ars Nova.”

“Why is the legion’s Command Headquarters located in such a place?”

“In addition to the 2nd Command’s special role within the legion, there aren’t many places on the Eastern Continent where more than five legions can gather.”

Enel said.

“Most plains are within the territories of city-states, and other areas have terrain too rugged for legions to be stationed. That’s why even the 5th Legion only moved certain armored units with strong mobility to escort the Commander.”

“……”

“We have already completed negotiations with each city-state to hold the military parade in the Forbidden Zone. Envoys from each city-state have already arrived on site.”

Enel said, looking at the 5th Legion’s markers rapidly closing the distance on the map.

“We will probably be the last ones.”

Beep!!

At that moment, a short warning beep flashed on the monitor in the control room of the airship Lennok was on.

The monitor, which had been displaying the ground and troop formations, forcibly switched screens, and a legion-like emblem appeared.

Beyond the crackling, flickering regular signal, a mechanical voice began to speak.

[Deadrise Legion 2nd Operations Command Line Connected.]

[5th Legion, immediately prepare your formation and undergo inspection.]

“5th Legion Command and Control responding. Our armored units are currently moving while escorting the new Legion Commander.”

Enel, clutching the communicator, immediately responded.

“We are currently forming a protective formation for the Commander, so we request measures to allow us to pass inspection.”

[Negative.]

The voice replied mechanically.

[Confirming the Alpha Operation System authority holder for the 5th Legion. The authority holder must personally command the units, form a battle array, and enter the command post.]

“The Commander has not formally taken over the legion’s system and lacks command experience. We will transfer system authority and later provide the manual—”

[The main forces of the 2nd, 9th, and 11th Legions are currently entering the Command Headquarters’ stationing area simultaneously.]

Cutting off Enel, the voice stated resolutely.

[Each legion commander is currently personally leading their units. Note that the 5th Legion cannot be treated as an exception.]

“Our legion has diligently guarded the 2nd Command’s jurisdiction while conducting various operations in preparation for the military parade.”

Enel’s expression, as he held the communicator, turned cold.

“We should receive more consideration in terms of maintenance and rest than other legions stationed in the rear—”

Click!!

Before Enel could finish, Lennok was already manipulating the hologram that appeared before his eyes.

“So, this is how it’s done.”

“Commander?”

A faint hint of bewilderment appeared on Enel’s usually stoic face for the first time.

“The Alpha Operation System is an extremely complex communication program designed to systematically control the legion’s organization. All of the legion’s armored equipment is linked to the system, and even a slight error could cause a major accident. Please, leave it to me here…”

“No, it’s done.”

“…What?”

Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump!!!!

At that moment, the armored units that had been scattered and advancing below the airship changed their movements almost simultaneously.

Hundreds of tanks and armored vehicles adjusted their directions individually, swiftly forming a battle array.

They rearranged their unit formation on the hilltop in an instant, barely slowing their moving speed.

RUUUUMBLE!!!!

While traversing the mountain range, the entire legion instantly aligned their ranks and closed their gaps.

Tanks and armored vehicles stood at the front, while self-propelled artillery and multiple rocket launchers lowered their barrels in the rear.

Situation officers observing on the control room monitor stammered with bewildered expressions.

“5th, 5th Legion armored units, formation and front realignment complete. Entering 2nd Operations Command Headquarters.”

“Hundreds of armored vehicles, all with different speeds and outputs, handled with such skill…”

“Operation System communication efficiency 81%? Not even a machine could do this…?”

Enel was speechless and averted his gaze, but Lennok was absorbed in manipulating the holographic screen.

“The legion’s equipment specifications and organization are overly detailed, but the system itself isn’t complex.”

“……”

“By calculating the movement speed and directional control of each military vehicle and moving them with precise timing, changing the battle array isn’t difficult.”

Lennok, having instantly completed the formation, closed the hologram and looked up.

“I wouldn’t call this ‘commanding,’ but it should help in entering the Command Headquarters quickly.”

“No, sir. I have never seen such speed, except for the 4th and 7th Legions…”

“Pass inspection. Enter the Command Headquarters’ jurisdiction.”

The 5th Legion armored units, having formed their array, passed through inspection and advanced without stopping.

As they crossed the hill, a deafening roar, pressing down on their chests, echoed from afar.

Boom, boom, boom…!!!

An incredibly dull and heavy drumbeat. Or a deafening roar, like massive chunks of metal falling and exploding.

Amidst the regularly echoing roars, a majestic trumpet blast, piercing to the core, joined in.

BLAAARE!!!!

Following the dry wind sweeping across the plain, countless legion banners fluttered from all directions.

Immediately after cresting the hill, a vast plain stretched out as far as the horizon.

The moment he saw that landscape, Lennok paused, silently averting his gaze.

The military base Lennok knew as the command post’s coordinates. Dozens of similar facilities lined the plain.

Countless factories and transport vehicles were densely packed between dozens of military bases and facilities.

Innumerable soldiers, having finished deployment, repeatedly carried out maintenance and training across the plain.

“What an incredible scale…”

Lennok, gazing at the sight, murmured quietly.

He instantly understood what Enel’s earlier mention of the 2nd Command’s special ‘role’ referred to, the moment he saw it.

“Is the entire jurisdiction of 2nd Command being used as the legion’s military factory?”

“Deadrise Legion 2nd Command, Beta Factorium.”

Enel, standing as if to assist Lennok, replied.

“It is a massive production facility that alone produces 30% of the legion’s ground forces, and also the operational zone for the 5th Legion.”

“…Operational zone?”

“I mentioned that an operational zone assigned to a legion commander is, in fact, personal property.”

Enel said in a calm voice.

“The entire Forbidden Zone and its production facilities located here are, therefore, your personal property, Commander.”