Chapter 1196: Military Parade (10)

RRRUMBLE!!!

Tank units raced across the wide plain with a thunderous roar.

Around the 2nd Command, countless troops moved and deployed repeatedly, forming paths and lining up.

As if to secure a slightly better position for the military parade, and to show off their strength to the guests visiting the Command.

Lennok walked through the endlessly long lines of the legion with Euphoria.

CLANK, CLANK!!

THOOOM!!!

With every step Lennok took, soldiers saluted all around, and tanks raised their turrets.

Even the officers and commanders leading the soldiers showed tense expressions and paid their respects to Lennok.

The atmosphere was completely different from when he first arrived at the Command. It seemed they had already fully accepted Lennok as the new Legion Commander.

[It seems word got out on the legion’s information and communication network that Master attended the operational meeting with the other Legion Commanders.]

Before Lennok could voice his question, Davi spoke from within his pocket.

[Not only is it confirmed that you’re the designated candidate, but there are also rumors that you’ll receive a higher position than the other Legion Commanders?]

‘So that’s why there was no mention of me killing the 8th Legion’s commander.’

Lennok stroked Davi’s head, hidden in his pocket, and asked with his Will-thought.

‘A legion network should definitely be an independent communication network, so when did you get access?’

Mega-legions like Deadrise mostly use their own self-contained networks and communication systems.

Naturally, these networks are highly closed off, making access difficult without special authorization or a physical connection.

Lennok had also considered hacking the network through Davi, but he believed at least minimal physical contact with a line would be necessary.

But Davi had already accessed the legion’s internal information and communication network before Lennok even asked.

[Since coming to the Command, there have been so many opportunities, it wasn’t hard to tap into a line. Master was also appointed as an Operation System authority, you know.]

‘Are you saying it wasn’t difficult to hack because I have authority over the 5th Legion’s Operation System?’

[Hehehe, just wait a little longer. I’m spreading rumors throughout the legion network that Master will become the Marshal’s closest confidant, so soon these “organic beings” will treat Master with even more deference.]

‘……’

Somehow, he understood why Davi had taken the initiative to access the legion network without being told to.

As Lennok tugged Davi’s tail in his pocket, the officer guiding them turned around.

“The second patient Lady Aosel was asked to treat by the Command is in the Command Headquarters’ annex.”

“I see.”

Euphoria nodded with an expressionless face.

“Evan Martinez. I will begin the second treatment immediately. Follow me.”

“No.”

Lennok, standing beside her, cut off Euphoria.

“I’ll sit this one out. You finish your deal with the Legion Command.”

“That’s different from the agreement we made before attending the military parade.”

Euphoria looked back at Lennok, surprised.

“The original agreement was that you wanted to observe the Life Spellcraft treatment process, wasn’t it?”

“Don’t worry, this was a decision I made for myself, not for you.”

Lennok replied and turned his gaze away.

“I have something else to investigate. There’s no need to accompany the treatment process anymore.”

He had learned that there was some kind of deal between the legion and Croken by looking into Robert Loveride’s Miniature Universe.

If so, even if not Loveride himself, other Legion Commanders might know about Croken.

Conversely, observing the Life Spellcraft treatment process twice in a row wasn’t expected to yield any more significant progress.

Having understood the operating principles of Life Spellcraft by observing Loveride’s treatment, he could reproduce it through future research.

Here, it would be better to investigate information that could only be obtained while the military parade was underway.

Understanding Lennok’s answer, Euphoria finally nodded.

“Understood. Then I will go ahead and conclude the deal with the Command.”

“Thank you for your consideration. This way, please…”

As soon as the two reached an agreement, the officer, his face brightened, guided Euphoria away.

Enel, who had accompanied them until now, had left to report the 5th Legion’s return to the Command.

Lennok, naturally left alone, turned his steps.

Euphoria would need time to finalize her deal with the Command and receive the promised item.

In the meantime, exploring the 5th Legion’s staff headquarters or meeting other factions attending the military parade wouldn’t be bad.

Understanding Deadrise’s internal situation and strength before meeting Ethan would be a great help for future endeavors.

As Lennok thought this and was about to leave the annex and retrace his steps, a familiar voice came from behind him.

“Martinez. So you were here.”

“……”

Deadrise’s 4th Legion Commander, Mirva Neosoto, stood at the end of the corridor, staring intently at Lennok.

“I just saw Euphoria Aosel enter the annex. Did you accompany her all the way here?”

“What were you doing here?”

“I was finalizing the details for the military parade.”

Mirva pointed to the documents in her hand and smiled.

“There were matters I couldn’t discuss with the Marshal during the meeting. I’m just leaving after settling them.”

“……”

Was it the specific schedule for the military parade that Ethan couldn’t explain when he abruptly ended the operational meeting and stood up?

Noticing Lennok’s gaze on the documents she held, Mirva shook her head.

“No need to rush; we were going to brief the Legion Commanders separately anyway. There’s an operation that requires high-level approval before discussion, so I was just getting preliminary understanding.”

Traversing the wide corridor, Mirva approached Lennok, folded her documents, and gestured.

“Well, it’s good we met here. You come with me too.”

“Where are we going?”

“Once the Marshal’s condition stabilizes, the military parade will officially begin.”

Mirva looked at Lennok.

“Perhaps then, the official appointment ceremony for the new Legion Commanders will be held simultaneously.”

“……”

“Currently, the Legion Commander candidates are gathered at the drill ground behind the Command Headquarters for their final test. It would be good for you to make an appearance there too.”

“I have no intention of being tested by others to receive the position of Legion Commander.”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

Mirva tilted her head, as if she couldn’t comprehend.

“You are the Command’s designated candidate for the 5th Legion. You haven’t gone through the appointment ceremony yet, but in essence, you’ve already received the Legion Commander position. You’re not in a position to be tested.”

“……Then why are you asking me to go there with you?”

“I meant we’re going to evaluate, not to be evaluated.”

Mirva chuckled and turned to walk away.

“I’d like to borrow your discerning eye to evaluate the new Legion Commander candidates. Will you come?”

Deadrise’s 2nd Operational Command Headquarters, Beta Factorium.

Behind the encampment that occupied the central plains of the Eastern Continent, a vast drill ground, thousands of meters wide, stretched out.

Solid stone slabs paved the ground, and dozens of massive stone pillars stood regularly throughout the drill ground.

Deep within the drill ground, perched atop stone steps, stood an antique training hall, like a palace.

On ornate chairs lined up on an open second-floor balcony, Lennok sat with Mirva, looking down at the drill ground.

BOOM!!!

Every time two superhumans clashed weapons in the middle of the drill ground, a thunderous roar, like an exploding bomb, echoed.

Superhumans in military uniforms with rank insignia on their shoulders, raising their mana and clashing with full power.

Every time the two superhumans clashed, soldiers from various legions in the stands cheered enthusiastically.

“Waaaah!!!”

“Go 9th Legion!!”

“Don’t lose to those ignorant 6th Legion bastards!!”

Thousands of soldiers seemed to be watching all around the wide drill ground.

Contrary to Mirva’s casual remark, it was a very large-scale and formally prepared event.

“Deadrise’s Legion Commanders are basically appointed by selecting suitable candidates from within and outside the legion and receiving the Marshal’s approval.”

Feeling Lennok’s gaze, Mirva opened her mouth.

“The Command receives recommendations based on skill and achievement, and sometimes there’s more than one candidate for each legion.”

“So there can be more than one Legion Commander candidate for a single legion?”

“This is possible because each legion specializes in different roles within Deadrise.”

Mirva looked back at Lennok.

“For example, the 5th Legion, which you will lead, specializes in long-range bombardment and firepower projection within Deadrise. Conversely, the 3rd Legion, led by Euphoria Aosel, specializes in aerial assaults on the Central Front.”

“……”

“The number of Legion Commander candidates is not fixed because we prioritize appointing commanders who match each legion’s specialty, rather than simply selecting outstanding superhumans as candidates.”

“You consider the characteristics and abilities of the superhuman who will become Legion Commander as a very important evaluation criterion.”

“The legion thoroughly prioritizes individual skill and achievements, after all. In fact, it’s almost unheard of for someone like you to come in as the designated candidate from the start.”

The 6th Legion Commander, Atiya, who was sitting next to him with her chin propped, said with a yawn.

She seemed to have no interest in the sparring superhumans clashing fiercely below on the drill ground.

“Though I suppose that’s because your reputation in the central command is unusually strange… Oh, right, you guys. Bring me the bastard who called the 6th Legion ignorant earlier.”

“……”

Had she, like a ghost, caught the backbiting about the 6th Legion from the cheers in the stands earlier?

Lennok turned his gaze away from the new recruit, who was being dragged out by other soldiers, his face pale.

Soldiers from various legions filled the stands set up around the drill ground.

Even invited envoys, hearing the news of this event, were taking their seats one by one.

It was such a large-scale event that even Atiya, who had been absent since Ethan’s return, was in attendance.

With the Legion Commanders gathered in one place now, he might be able to find out something about Croken.

The problem was how Lennok should bring up Loveride’s matter to acquire information.

Currently, the Legion Commanders treated Lennok casually, but they hadn’t completely dropped their guard.

If Lennok were to mention Loveride at this point and try to dig into his connection with Croken, it would be difficult to get a good answer.

The best approach was to subtly guide the conversation towards what Lennok wanted, by responding appropriately to the Legion Commanders’ remarks.

It was highly likely that the military parade would officially begin once Ethan Bajour had fully rested.

If possible, he wanted to gather as much information as he could before then.

While Lennok was deep in thought, Mirva, who had finished organizing and putting away the remaining documents, turned her gaze.

“So, what do you think?”

“What are you suddenly asking?”

“The two people fighting in the drill ground right now are both candidates for the 10th Legion Commander.”

Mirva nodded towards the drill ground.

“The 10th Legion is responsible for defending the jurisdiction of the 1st Command, making it the most disciplined and well-structured organization. It has endured for a long time even in the absence of a Legion Commander, due to its proximity to the 1st Command. But now it’s time to appoint a new head.”

“……”

“The man on the left is the ace of the 10th Legion’s elite special forces unit, [White Veil], a soldier who has been loyal to the legion for a long time. The beast-kin on the right is an outsider recommended from outside the legion, a famous war mercenary who was active on the Central Front.”

Mirva pointed alternately at the man standing in the drill ground and the wolf-headed beast-kin.

“Both of them are candidates with no shortcomings in terms of skill or qualifications. It’s evaluated that either one has a strong possibility of becoming much stronger than now if they formally become Legion Commander and inherit the Operation System.”

“That’s the first I’ve heard of it. Did the Operation System have such a function?”

Lennok had also received the Operation System from Enel, but he had never seen any function that could assist his own abilities or military strength.

If such an ability existed, Enel, who was directly trying to hand over command of the 5th Legion, wouldn’t have failed to mention it.

“The Operation System itself is a kind of mental network, passed down through the consciousness of superhumans who have accumulated hierarchy. Naturally, the knowledge and experience of the commander who used that system, meaning the previous Legion Commander, are preserved within it.”

Mirva said nonchalantly.

“Successive Legion Commanders have historically been powerful Transcendent-level individuals, equivalent to Level 8, so an average superhuman can absorb that knowledge and become abnormally strong just by inheriting the system.”

“That means…”

“If you inherited the system and still didn’t perceive such benefits or functions, it’s probably because you yourself are already a far more powerful superhuman than the previous 5th Legion Commander.”

Was it that Lennok had no deficiencies requiring him to inherit the 5th Legion Commander’s knowledge or experience within the system, thus he couldn’t know about such functions unless he actively sought them out?

While Lennok was momentarily speechless at this entirely unexpected reason, Mirva chuckled and looked back at him.

“But I’ve never seen a newcomer who inherited the Operation System and didn’t even perceive its benefits. Just how high is your inherent rank?”

“……”

“I’ve heard the rumors of you getting stronger after being defeated by Adamant Thunder ad nauseam, but at this point, it seems hardly necessary to verify it.”

Mirva rummaged in her pocket, pulled out a cigar, and asked.

“Martinez. In your opinion, which one is more suitable to be the new Legion Commander?”

“Why are you curious about my opinion?”

“Because you are one of the War-Mages with the most practical combat experience on the Central Front right now.”

Mirva twirled the cigar in her hand, then offered it to Lennok and spoke.

“Excluding Adamant Thunder of Vulcan, there are few superhumans on the Eastern Continent who have achieved more feats than you. Don’t you think it’s natural to consult a veteran’s insight when appointing a new Legion Commander?”

“Hmph, nonsense.”

The 8th Legion Commander, Townsend, sitting next to Mirva, scoffed.

“Being on the ground is completely different from evaluating people from above. Lieutenant General Neosoto. Your words are entirely wrong.”

“Is that so?”

“This man is someone who can only kill and burn those in front of him. Just as he killed my deputy.”

Stroking his long-grown mustache, he turned his gaze and looked at Lennok with narrowed eyes.

“Honestly, I don’t understand the Command’s decision. How can a ruffian who knows nothing but fighting and killing be placed in a commander’s position? To expect discernment in evaluating people from such a person is—”

“Mirva Neosoto. It seems you’ve misunderstood my answer…”

Lennok, cutting off Townsend, leaned back and spoke.

“I asked why you’re curious about my opinion when it seems like who will become Legion Commander is already decided.”

“……”

“Hoh.”

At that moment, Townsend fell silent, and Deimus turned his gaze away.

Atiya, who had been sitting with her chin propped up with a bored expression, looked at Lennok and smiled.

“Cheonbeon. Why do you think that? I’d like to hear your reason.”

“Both of them are only fighting fiercely on the surface; they’ve subtly and intentionally twisted their offense and defense to suppress their power since earlier.”

Lennok said indifferently.

“That could mean both of them are skilled enough to pull off such tricks during a fight, but conversely, it means the fight itself holds no meaning for them.”

“……”

“Instead of putting in their full strength in an important position where they’re being evaluated by other Legion Commanders, they’re conserving their power…”

Lennok tilted his head over the suddenly silent platform.

“Is it because they’re not aiming to be evaluated by the Legion Commanders, but rather the opposite?”

BOOMING CRASH!!!

At that moment, the long-running battle between the two superhumans on the drill ground reached its conclusion.

The wolf-headed beast-kin was pushed far back across the drill ground, and the moment he knelt on one knee, enthusiastic cheers erupted from the stands.

The man standing before him, the soldier known as the ace of the special forces, slowly turned towards them.

“Deadrise 10th Legion Commander candidate, Sloar Bane.”

The man, clasping his hands respectfully, looked up at the Legion Commanders seated on the platform.

“According to legion custom, I respectfully request a trial from the great Legion Commanders.”

WAAAAAH!!!!

As soon as the man named Sloar finished speaking, soldiers cheered from all directions.

An intense reaction, as if they had been anticipating this moment as much as the competition between the Legion Commander candidates.

As Lennok looked down at the scene with an expressionless face, Mirva spoke.

“You’re right, Martinez. The final test that Legion Commander candidates undergo before the appointment ceremony isn’t a mutual competition.”

“……”

“It’s a place where current Legion Commanders directly evaluate and test whether candidates are qualified to become part of the system Deadrise has built.”

“I see.”

“I brought you here because I wanted to borrow your discernment in the competition between Legion Commanders and candidates—”

Mirva’s voice, explaining to Lennok in a languid tone, suddenly cut off.

Amidst the fierce cheers filling the drill ground, Sloar slowly walked forward.

Sloar’s gaze, sweeping over the Legion Commanders seated on the platform, met the 8th Legion Commander’s for a fleeting moment.

Without hesitation, he walked and stopped before Lennok, slowly kneeling.

“Sir Evan Martinez. I respectfully challenge Deadrise’s new 5th Legion Commander.”

“……”

“May I be so bold as to ascertain just how formidable a Transcendent the legion’s new designated candidate is?”

WAAAAAH!!!!

Amidst the even fiercer roar, Sloar, who had been bowing his head, looked up at Lennok with challenging eyes.

“……Huh? This isn’t right.”

“No. I cannot permit it.”

Was Sloar’s direct request for Lennok’s evaluation itself unexpected?

Atiya tilted her head in bewilderment, and Mirva spoke with an expressionless face.

“Martinez is not a Legion Commander formally participating in this evaluation. If you wish to be tested, choose someone else.”

“Lieutenant General Neosoto.”

The 8th Legion Commander, Townsend, immediately turned his gaze.

“Are you planning to violate the legion’s military code right now?”

“Evan Martinez has not yet formally ascended to the position of Legion Commander, so he has no reason to obey the legion’s rules.”

Mirva looked back at Townsend with a cold expression.

“I brought Martinez here not to make him fight, but because I wanted his discernment. Lieutenant General Townsend, I know you played a trick, but—”

“You should know that such words aren’t a sufficient justification.”

Townsend scoffed.

“This is a crucial ceremony for establishing the legion’s system. Moreover, it’s virtually the only opportunity for the Marshal to have a private audience with a Legion Commander candidate. What right do you have to take away that choice?”

“I see.”

A private audience with the Marshal, then.

At that moment, Lennok easily understood why the Legion Commander candidates had singled him out.

Even that there was no longer any need to listen to various explanations.

Mirva looked at Lennok, who was rising from his seat with a rare look of surprise.

“……Martinez?”

“On that matter, it seems their objective aligns with mine. If they dare to challenge, I’ll have to accept.”

WAAAAAH!!!!

Cheers grew fiercer all around, shaking the very ground. A drill ground watched by thousands of soldiers.

Lennok chuckled and raised his mana.

“It seems they’re curious about my skill. I suppose I should give them a demonstration.”