Chapter 1192: Military Parade (6)

“His head exploded trying to get the 8th Legion to second the 5th Legion’s forces?”

Atiya burst out laughing, spitting as she cackled.

“No, seriously. That’s a really pathetic way to die! I don’t think he’d even get a posthumous promotion for a reason like that.”

“……”

“Well, I certainly couldn’t stand to see that gloomy Matisse become a Major General, even in death. Maybe it’s for the best, huh?”

“Thank you for your consideration, Lieutenant General Atiya.”

Enel replied in a subdued voice.

“However, a superior officer was killed even before the military parade began, so the command staff will not let this incident pass. It’s possible we might all be apprehended and unable to attend the parade.”

“Killed a superior? You should get your facts straight. You didn’t kill that lanky bastard; this guy did.”

Atiya picked her nose with one hand and pointed at Lennok.

“A Legion Commander killed a Deputy Commander as a warning to others. What’s the big deal? Don’t worry about it.”

“For someone saying that, your timing for intervention was remarkably coincidental, don’t you think?”

Lennok retorted, staring intently at the tall woman walking ahead of them.

“You made a convenient excuse, but the truth is you wanted to cover up the situation and get away before it escalated. You’re smarter than you look.”

“……Damn it, that’s not a compliment, you bastard.”

Lieutenant General Atiya, commander of Deadrise’s 6th Legion.

She was the one who had intervened the moment Lennok killed Brigadier General Matisse of the 8th Legion, forcibly taking them away from the scene.

Ostensibly, she claimed to be escorting Lennok to the military parade, but in reality, she had intervened to quickly extricate them from the situation.

Since the 6th Legion Commander herself stepped in and diffused the situation, there wouldn’t be many people to object to this incident, except for the 8th Legion Commander whose deputy had died.

“Well, I found that Matisse guy annoying anyway, so don’t worry about it. Besides, the 8th Legion has been getting a bit too bold lately.”

Atiya casually wiped her nose.

“But I do sympathize with the sentiment Matisse spat out before he died.”

She, who had been walking ahead on the well-paved road, glanced back at Lennok.

Atiya’s usually cheerful expression turned serious for a moment.

“Evan Martinez. Why are you here?”

“……”

“I know what you did to Robert Loveride on the Eastern Front. Everyone in the Legion knows that the 3rd Legion’s assault force was annihilated by your hand.”

“Indeed.”

“Even if Deadrise doesn’t distinguish between allies and enemies, Robert Loveride is a different story. Do you know how much that fool was respected as a soldier within the Legion?”

Atiya spat and spoke indifferently.

“Many, not just other Legion Commanders, but even those within the Legion, don’t think highly of you. And right after you arrived at the military parade, you burned a Brigadier General to death.”

“I don’t care what other Legion Commanders think of me.”

Lennok replied calmly.

“I didn’t come here for such a position or honor. What I desire is closer to the essence.”

“The essence, you mean meeting our Marshal directly?”

Atiya snorted.

“You certainly have a more straightforward personality than rumored. Are you saying you’re willing to burn everything around you, circumstances and environment alike, for what you want?”

“……”

“While that attitude suits soldiers like us to some extent, it’s not the mindset of someone who wants to live long.”

Atiya crossed her arms, her eyes fixed on Lennok.

“I have no desire to be on the same battlefield as someone who thinks they can die at any time. So let’s keep our distance, even if you become a Legion Commander.”

“Do Deadrise’s generals share some quirk that prevents them from understanding when spoken to once?”

“What I said applies to you too, Long-lived Being.”

Atiya dismissed Lennok’s sneer and turned her gaze to Euphoria, who had been walking quietly.

“A Long-lived Being from Kundara, appointed as the 3rd Legion Commander in place of Robert Loveride. You’ll have to pay much more attention to controlling the internal affairs of the Legion.”

“……”

“Considering most of the 3rd Legion were fiercely loyal to Lieutenant General Robert Loveride, they won’t easily hand over command to an outsider.”

“On that matter, I must give the same answer as Cheonbeon.”

Euphoria faced Atiya with an expressionless face.

“My role is the commander of Kundara’s Eastern Front. I have no interest in commanding or controlling the forces of Short-lived Beings.”

“Then why did you accept the position of Legion Commander?”

“It was a trade to simplify complex procedures. It’s not a method I personally prefer, but…”

Euphoria closed her eyes.

“I’ve long known that Short-lived Beings care deeply about justification and procedure, so I intend to respect that culture.”

“Ah, I see…”

Atiya stared intently at Euphoria with a peculiar expression.

“Well, it’s not unusual for someone eccentric to become a new Legion Commander. Welcome.”

“That’s an insult I cannot overlook.”

“Saying that without changing your expression at all really gives the impression you have no interest in humans.”

Atiya shrugged, then stopped and stepped aside.

“Alright, we’re here. My role ends here.”

“……”

Upon an endlessly stretching plain, a colossal stadium-like structure rose.

Massive and vast, taking the shape of a huge circle, reaching dozens of meters in height.

Thousands of lights studded the walls of the command headquarters, gleaming brilliantly and illuminating the cloud-laden sky.

“Deadrise Legion 2nd Operations Command Headquarters.”

Atiya said, crossing her arms, as Lennok remained silent.

“It’s currently the most critical facility for the legions covering the Eastern Front, and the command center that alone controls 40% of the operations taking place on the Central Front.”

“……”

“All guests invited by the command staff are gathered here, so you’ll find familiar faces inside the headquarters.”

“Are you not going in?”

“I still have things to do before the military parade begins.”

Atiya tilted her head with a mischievous smile.

“Surely, you’re not children. I don’t have to escort you around inside the command headquarters, do I?”

“……”

“I have focused on cultivation for over 200 years in Kundara alone.”

Unlike Lennok, who openly ignored her, Euphoria spoke calmly.

“I can find my way alone.”

“……Oh, right.”

“Watching this from the side, it’s quite a comedy.”

Just as Atiya, speechless, replied with a disgruntled expression, a low chuckle came from nearby.

“Human provocations like ours won’t work on a Long-lived Being who has lived for centuries. You lost, Atiya.”

A middle-aged woman with a scarred face stood in front of the command headquarters, a cigar in her mouth.

All the soldiers passing by the headquarters snapped to attention and saluted the woman with her hands in her combat uniform pockets.

Deadrise 4th Legion Commander, Mirva Neosoto.

The commander they had encountered at the First Gate had arrived at the military parade and was waiting for them.

“No, Lieutenant General Mirva. This woman is seriously strange, I tell you.”

Atiya grumbled, turning her gaze to Mirva.

The moment the two Deadrise Legion Commanders gathered in one place, the crowd in front of the command headquarters quickly retreated.

However, the two of them, ignoring the surrounding reactions and salutes, began to converse.

“We’re speaking a common language, but we can’t communicate at all. Is she really suitable as a new Legion Commander?”

“Euphoria Aosel is the only commander from Kundara’s Elder Council to be stationed on the Eastern Continent.”

Mirva replied, leisurely puffing on her cigar.

“That’s because her Life Spellcraft has reached a transcendent scale, literally capable of forming a legion. Either way, she’s not someone to be ignored.”

“Damn it, I don’t believe in those power rankings.”

Atiya said, frowning.

“It reeks too much of blatant attempts to provoke. Isn’t blindly trusting such information a rookie mistake?”

“Short-lived Being. I recommend you retract that statement immediately.”

“See? She suddenly goes off on a tangent!”

“Hee hee hee…”

Mirva couldn’t help but laugh, seeing Atiya raise her hands with an aggrieved expression.

“Atiya. That’s enough, go do your work. I’ll guide them from here.”

“Oh, that would be good. Are you sure?”

“My 4th Legion has already retreated to its rear base to rest.”

Mirva, who gave a light salute with the hand holding the cigar, said leisurely.

“The military parade is about to begin, so it’s fine to pass the time by walking together.”

“Oh, suit yourself. Then I’ll leave it to you!”

Saying that, Atiya checked the electronic clock on the facade of the command headquarters and channeled her mana.

Her body, which had been bent at the knees, seemed to blur, then exploded upwards and vanished.

Paaang!!!

Atiya vanished instantly, blasting mana like a propellant, just as she did when Lennok first encountered her.

As he had felt during their previous meeting, her raw, unrefined mana discharge ability was unrealistically strong.

Even considering she was a Fist Saint, there was almost no superhuman Lennok had met who could compare.

Was it a characteristic of Atiya’s martial arts, or part of her innate talent?

While Lennok pondered for a moment, Mirva casually waved her hand.

“I apologize for Lieutenant General Atiya’s rudeness. She may seem crude, but she’s not a bad person.”

“……”

“Her 6th Legion recently carried out an extremely dangerous operation on the Southern Front and needs maintenance. She’s an excellent and brave commander, highly respected by the command staff.”

“I didn’t realize Deadrise was such a kind organization, caring about the circumstances of other legions.”

Lennok turned his gaze, sneering.

“I heard it was a place where surveillance and power struggles were common even within the same legion.”

“Everything changes depending on the person, Cheonbeon.”

Mirva puffed on her cigar, looking back at Lennok and smiling.

“Just as you, after defeating Robert Loveride at the First Gate, are here at the military parade as a newly appointed Legion Commander.”

“……”

“I hadn’t even considered you’d attend until I checked your information in the Power Ranking.”

Mirva’s eyes, fixed on Lennok, gleamed strangely.

“Can I interpret that as you being interested in the Legion’s affairs as well?”

“If I had no business at the military parade, I wouldn’t have come this far in the first place.”

Lennok said, nodding his head.

“Enough. Will you guide me to the command headquarters? I’d like to know where I’ll be staying during the military parade.”

“Of course. But you won’t need to find lodging or unpack immediately.”

Mirva turned around without hesitation and said.

“The military parade is about to begin. Shall we talk as we go in?”

The moment they entered the command headquarters, a magnificent lobby hall unfolded.

Innumerable legion flags fluttered above the plush carpeted hall.

The walls were adorned with the stripped hides of various rare beasts and monsters, adding to the oppressive atmosphere.

Officers in combat uniforms and their attendants busily strode through the lobby, freezing and saluting upon seeing Mirva.

Mirva nodded at the soldiers who saluted her and guided Lennok and Euphoria to an elevator deeper inside the headquarters.

“In terms of arrival order for the military parade, you two are almost the last. Most factions have already arrived, except for those unavoidably delayed by schedule.”

“Most factions, meaning?”

“From here, you’ll start to see them.”

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!!!

The moment they ascended in the elevator, the surrounding scenery was reflected through transparent glass walls.

A massive stage located in the center of the command headquarters’ top floor, which spread out like a vast stadium.

Dozens to hundreds of people were walking from all directions toward the stage.

A diverse array of people, including politicians, businessmen, and famous entertainers, gathered.

“Politicians and delegations dispatched from various city-states across the continent. Factions from both the center and the periphery are also present.”

Mirva gestured with her eyes.

“The Druid Dawn Society. Kabahim’s Ten Royal Knights of Rectitude. Endorose’s Gunslingers. The Great Forest’s Wife Tribe… you must have heard of them if you’ve been active in the central regions, right?”

Kugugugugu!!!!!

The surging crowd was filled with individuals radiating unusual presences.

Druids clad in leaves. Knights in silver armor. Gunners spinning revolvers. Primitive Tribesmen covered in tattoos and masked faces.

Beyond them, superhumans of all kinds, cloaked in diverse presences and Will-thoughts, moved toward the stage on the top floor of the command headquarters.

Mirva, standing beside Lennok, gestured here and there with the hand holding her cigar.

“The Order Alliance’s Conjunction Spell Master. The Cult’s Cardinal. Even arrogant bastards like The Agency and Paragon have sent people. The Front hasn’t arrived yet, though.”

“……”

The Fairy Conjunction Master of the Order Alliance, yawning in loose ceremonial robes. The Cult’s elderly Cardinal, holding a staff and praying with closed eyes.

Two factions stood out among those walking toward the stage. Behind them were members of the Order Alliance and the Cult, respectively.

Super-large factions dominating the Central Front. City-states exerting immense influence across their respective continents.

All kinds of powerful factions, enjoying a golden age across the continent, were gathered at the Legion’s military parade.

Their mere presence was enough to immediately understand Deadrise’s current standing on the continent.

What was peculiar was that even factions hostile to the Legion were participating in this military parade.

Was the Legion perhaps seeking to display and boast something to the entire continent through this parade?

As Lennok thought that and turned his gaze, he spotted a familiar face in the crowd and his expression subtly hardened.

“……That is.”

A tall woman with dark skin.

She wore a shabby robe and puffed on a long pipe, but the magical power emanating from her body was truly immense.

Boundless magical power, an endless depth, a unique characteristic that symbolized her as a sorceress, then and now.

Watcher of the Eyes of Blue, Sorceress Grisha.

“Ah, of course, the Eyes of Blue are here too.”

Mirva smiled, looking back at Lennok.

“The main figure of the Battle for Paradox Green personally attended the military parade. I could introduce you if you’d like. Don’t you want to meet someone from your old organization after so long?”

“……”

“Just kidding. You look so terrifying, I can’t even speak. Was the rumor true that you left the Eyes of Blue on bad terms?”

Mirva calmly turned her head and said leisurely as she walked.

“For all that, the Lighthouse Keeper seems to harbor a lot of lingering feelings for you. The efforts we went to on the Central Front to secure your movements while avoiding the Lighthouse…”

“Stop.”

Lennok cut Mirva off with a cold voice.

Staring silently at Grisha and the Watchers at her side with a chilling gaze, Lennok asked.

“So, when does the military parade begin? The other generals and Legion Commanders don’t seem to have arrived yet.”

A colossal plain hundreds of meters in radius spread out on the command headquarters’ rooftop, with a splendid stage in its center.

Yet, among the various continental factions walking toward the stage from all directions, the Legion’s own commanders were nowhere to be seen.

Aside from Mirva, who stood with Lennok, even the Legion Commanders Lennok knew were absent.

If all the invited guests on the command headquarters’ top floor had arrived, shouldn’t the military parade begin soon?

“They haven’t not arrived yet.”

But Mirva, hearing Lennok’s words, smoked her cigar and laughed.

“Just like your 5th Legion did, they’ve simply gone to escort their superior, who has just arrived near the command headquarters.”

“……Gone to escort their superior?”

A superior mentioned by a Legion Commander, who directly leads and commands an entire legion.

As Lennok understood those words and hardened his expression, Mirva replied with a wry smile.

“They prepared so much, but he refused everything, saying it was unnecessary, and has already arrived. He’s truly an inscrutable person, now as ever.”

“……”

“But that’s why he’s worth pledging loyalty to, and why we believe he will uphold the great cause in our stead.”

A figure whom Mirva Neosoto, the 4th Legion Commander, addressed with honorifics.

The very individual to whom subordinate Legion Commanders offered unwavering loyalty, even moving to escort him themselves.

A person who reached the command headquarters earlier than even the Legion officials preparing the military parade had expected—

Mirva quietly raised her gaze.

“Here he comes.”

Swoooooosh…!!!

At that moment, something streaked across the sky at incredible speed from beyond the white, swirling clouds.

Dozens of supersonic fighter jets tore through the clouds with shockwaves, splitting open the sky.

Kwagwagwagwa!!!!

A deafening roar erupted as the atmosphere was ripped apart, as they relentlessly sped across the command headquarters’ sky, yet no one covered their ears or frowned.

Instead, as if by promise, they simply raised their gazes to the sky and looked at the approaching colossal shadow with expressions of admiration.

Kuoooo!!!

A black pyramid, several times larger than the command headquarters, hovered in the sky opened by the fighter jets.

Its appearance was bizarre, so deeply stained with pitch-black light that it seemed to melt into shadow, its surface rippling.

“Deadrise Legion 3rd Command. Primo Alert.”

Mirva murmured beside Lennok.

“It’s an aerial fortress that serves as a forward base stationed in the deepest part of the Central Front, replacing the 1st Command Ultima Alert, and acts as the Legion’s eyes and ears as a reconnaissance device.”

“……”

“And it’s a strategic weapon that can only change its operational area by the Marshal’s command.”

Thump!!

No more words were needed.

Mirva naturally turned away from Lennok and made her way through the crowd toward the stage.

Atiya, the 6th Legion Commander, who had descended from the sky as if falling, began to walk alongside Mirva from the opposite direction.

Before long, powerful Transcendent beings began to appear one by one from all sides of the command headquarters and stood before the stage.

The moment the Legion Commanders, arranged left and right according to their legion numbers, stood in formation beneath the black pyramid floating in the sky.

The door at the rear of the black pyramid opened, and a pitch-black passage unfolded beneath it, extending toward the ground.

Click!!

The ramp, imbued with deep darkness, descended from the pyramid, aligning directly with the command headquarters’ top floor.

The black passage connected the pyramid, hovering dozens of meters above, to the top floor of the command headquarters.

Everyone held their breath, watching the surging darkness within the opened pyramid.

From within the darkness, someone appeared.

Step.

The sound of footsteps was faint, yet clearly audible to everyone.

Natural footsteps, neither excessively forceful nor lacking vigor.

The moment he descended the passage was unseen.

The moment something appeared from the darkness, ‘he’ was already on the ground.

“That is…”

A man, standing on the magnificent stage, looked down at the ground with an expressionless face.

Black hair with a slight curl. Tall and slender physique. A pale, sharp face.

A rather worn black military uniform and insignia on his shoulder, unlike anyone else’s in the Legion, an alien rank.

But the moment Lennok saw the man’s face, he couldn’t help but quietly hold his breath.

“……”

The impression was subtly different, yet uncannily similar to the image in his memory.

His physique seemed different, yet even the way his coat fluttered in the wind reminded him of that person.

He thought they weren’t the same, yet at some point, he felt they were.

The same. Or not the same.

As he pondered, everyone realized one fact and simultaneously shared the same sentiment.

That this man was the one and only son of Kaiser Bajour.

That he was the person everyone present had been eagerly awaiting to meet.

The master who commanded the unwavering loyalty of the entire continent’s legions.

The sole supreme commander, standing above all the renowned Legion Commanders and generals.

The cause and result of the military parade, and the very purpose of everyone gathered here.

The one holding all the secrets Lennok had unearthed and wondered about for so long—

The Marshal of the Legion.

Ethan Bajour had returned.