Chapter 951: The Prohibition (6)

An outer fortress of the Central Front. Alpharayne Forward Base, Paradox Blue.

Unlike the ominous rumors of a deadly battlefield where people were dying, lush green grasslands undulated around the fortress’s perimeter.

Dense vegetation. A warm breeze wafted by.

Outside the wide-open fortress gates, children played, and occasionally, civilians on picnics could be seen.

A key stronghold among Ars Nova’s colonies, where the light of prosperity had not yet faded.

A colossal platinum pyramid floated in the sky above the stronghold city, which had established its living sphere around the fortress.

Whoosh!!

An aerial fortress, hundreds of meters in length.

Its grand appearance, large enough to comfortably accommodate thousands of people, was no different from a small city.

This was the Central Command First Headquarters of the private military company Deadrise, the Ultima Alert.

Despite its gleaming platinum exterior, the meeting room located in the deepest part of the headquarters was remarkably serene.

“The summit between the supreme ability users, held in the satellite city Etanoc, has just concluded.”

Deimus said, placing the tablet he was holding onto the table adapter in the meeting room.

The serene scene of the meeting room, divided by light and shadow.

He quietly surveyed the rigid, linear meeting room, devoid of curves.

“Under the mediation of the Onyx Clan, the summit has entered its concluding phase. The participants are presumed to have returned to their respective strongholds.”

Deimus’s voice resonated softly in the middle of the meeting room, as if he were speaking to himself.

“The Sixth Apostle of the Cult, Anathema, has been annihilated. His body appears to have been recovered by Adamant Thunder…”

Deimus subtly glanced at a corner of the meeting room shrouded in darkness, then nodded softly.

“We have secured testimony that Major General Peshia Grisbern is accompanying him.”

“……”

The silence in the meeting room grew heavier with Deimus’s report.

Peshia Grisbern, the Ghost Demoness, who had returned to Vulcan ahead of schedule for the construction of the Spirit Satellite.

This was because the survival of Peshia, who was widely believed to have been defeated and killed in a one-on-one battle with Adamant Thunder, had now finally been confirmed.

“Major General Grisbern is accompanying the wizard who was supposedly her killer…”

A bald, middle-aged man standing in the illuminated area of the meeting room crossed his arms.

His heavy metallic armor hissed with steam, assisting his movements. It was a strange sight, as if he couldn’t contain his overflowing power and was forcibly discharging his monstrous strength.

“This is no ordinary matter. Lieutenant General Deimus, could you elaborate on the full story?”

“Lieutenant General Roberaid. The facts we have right now are based on testimony heard through a transaction with a summit participant; the specific circumstances are…”

“Regardless, the fact that Major General Grisbern is moving with Adamant Thunder is certain, isn’t it?”

Roberaid looked around at the others in the meeting room with a firm gaze.

“I think we need to suspect whether she colluded with that wizard from the start.”

“……”

Peshia Grisbern was a fierce general who had achieved countless merits on the battlefield as the vanguard of Deadrise’s assault forces.

She was also a superhuman from Vulcan, considered the most esteemed of the esteemed bloodlines within the legion.

The reason Peshia remained at the rank of Major General, despite her background and achievements making a promotion to Lieutenant General or higher seem natural, was that her innate temperament was unsuited for the role of a commander leading a legion.

In fact, the very authority she was granted—to move relatively freely within the legion after being promoted to Major General—proved how exceptionally she was treated within Deadrise.

And it was also clear that there were those who looked unfavorably upon Peshia, given her rough-spoken and almost arrogant nature.

Roberaid was one of the high-ranking generals who represented such opinions within the legion.

“Given Major General Grisbern’s personality, she wouldn’t bow her head to an opponent who had defeated her, even if it meant death. Isn’t it because she sided with Adamant Thunder from the start that she’s alive?”

“……You know the depth of her loyalty to the legion, don’t you?”

Deimus said, glancing at the shadowy side of the meeting room.

“Please refrain from premature speculation. It is more rational to assume there are underlying circumstances.”

“Hmm… Lieutenant General Deimus, you overestimate Major General Grisbern too much.”

Roberaid smiled slowly.

“Do you truly believe she holds such noble ideals as we do?”

“Roberaid. Stop saying things you don’t mean.”

A middle-aged woman sitting cross-legged next to Deimus, smoking a cigarette, chuckled.

The numerous scars etched on the woman’s loosely worn military uniform made her appearance even more formidable.

This was Mirva Neosoto, the Lieutenant General leading the 4th Legion.

She was an ability user recruited into the legion from a background as a retired soldier, one of the very few talents within Deadrise granted independent operational authority.

As soon as Yorta’s Memorial Tower collapsed, she led her legion to encamp before the Military Spirit City, shrewd and quick-witted enough to seize opportunities. Her consistent cooperation in various operations and her busy schedule meant her presence at this particular meeting was no coincidence.

It was proof that this summit held significant meaning within Deadrise.

“I understand your desire to balance the factions in the command, but if you cross the line, the Commanders will dislike you.”

Mirva puffed out thick smoke from the cigar in her mouth.

“Don’t you know that Major General Grisbern is a sore spot for the higher-ups? They’re people who live on memories; we should be understanding.”

“I’m not afraid of falling out of favor with the higher-ups. What I fear is the legion’s banner being directed towards a misguided cause.”

Despite Mirva’s dissuasion, Roberaid was resolute.

“Our legion possesses the immediate power to advance on the center. If we are held back by the fate of a single Major General, countless strategic plans would be disrupted.”

“Lieutenant General, you should speak plainly, even if it’s unpleasant. This situation isn’t purely because of our capabilities.”

Mirva laughed boisterously, puffing on her cigarette.

“It’s because the Cult and the Alliance are tearing each other apart right now. I heard a rumor that the Substitute Spellcraft user was captured alive after a battle with the Seventh Apostle, and his spellcraft was extracted—”

“No matter how much you try to change the subject, my will is firm. Diverting the legion’s forces towards Vulcan at this time is impossible!”

Fwoosh!!

As Roberaid raised a hand, his metallic armor tightened around his arm, hissing with steam. It was an aggressive movement, as if he was ready to use force to push his will through.

Roberaid looked firmly at Deimus and nodded.

“The same goes for the Annihilation Campaign that Lieutenant General Deimus is contriving.”

“……I didn’t expect Lieutenant General Roberaid to know about that already.”

Deimus covered his face with a weary expression.

“The Annihilation Campaign. Who told you about it?”

“My comrades, with whom I’ve shared life and death, exist throughout the legion.”

Roberaid said with a resolute face.

“All the warriors who pledge loyalty to this legion are as good as my friends.”

“That doesn’t seem like a constructive answer when discussing the crime of information leakage.”

Deimus said this, yet he could guess how Roberaid had learned about the Annihilation Campaign.

Lieutenant General Robert Roberaid was not only exceptionally powerful in combat but also a capable leader whose command abilities were on par with other legion commanders.

However, his greatest weapon and ability was not his combat prowess or leadership, but his charisma, which inspired his subordinate soldiers.

He was ambitious, proactive in all operations, and pushed his subordinates relentlessly into dangerous situations, but the same standards applied to the Lieutenant General himself.

Many within the legion followed a commander who personally undertook any difficult task if necessary.

It was clear that the information had leaked through someone loyal to Roberaid from somewhere in the command or staff.

“Regardless of how much the higher-ups cherish Major General Grisbern, her life should not take precedence over the legion.”

Roberaid said, looking around the quiet meeting room.

“All of the legion’s resources must be used for the goal declared by the Marshal. Even if the Commanders object—”

“Is that so?”

Creak!!

At that moment, the darkness in the meeting room receded, and a slender young man walked in.

Pure white hair, and a pure white coat that matched his hair.

A greatsword, much longer than the skinny young man’s height, swayed at his hip.

The moment he stepped into the dark room, it felt as if the air itself sharpened with a chilling glint.

With just a casual glance around, a cold will-thought surged, as if severing all presences in the room.

Recognizing the young man’s identity, the other executives all saluted and bowed their heads.

The young man openly ignored the salutes of the surrounding executives and stood before Roberaid.

“If you’re so confident, why don’t you say that again in front of me.”

“……”

Roberaid swallowed, meeting the young man’s piercing gaze that flickered through his long white hair.

“……Commander Song-ha.”

“What was the goal Ethan declared when he founded the legion? Tell me.”

Song-ha asked in a flat voice.

“I’m not very smart, so I don’t quite understand. I really want to hear the explanation here.”

“……”

As is common with such questions, he wasn’t asking because he was truly curious.

Nor was he genuinely asking Roberaid because he literally didn’t understand.

“Commander. I, too, am lacking and not in a position to teach anyone. But…”

Roberaid knew this, and gritted his teeth, enduring the will-thought pressing down on his shoulders.

“At the very least, I believe it would not involve violating the legion’s operational objectives and priorities, or undermining military order.”

“……”

Deimus sighed, and Mirva shook her head as if in resignation.

The attendants behind the generals held their breath, their faces pale as they lowered their heads.

“Undermining military order, huh? Interesting.”

Song-ha asked with an expressionless face.

“So, are your words right now not insubordination, but loyal advice for the legion?”

“Our legion is currently operating under the most rational strategic plan on the Central Front.”

Roberaid reiterated in an atmosphere so rigid it felt chilling.

“In this situation, dividing our forces to save Major General Grisbern would inevitably lead to the weakening of the main force and the reduction of the front lines. Would this not ultimately distance us from the complete subjugation of the Central Front?”

“……”

“To ensure the sacrifices of the generals who dedicated themselves to the legion are not in vain, I urge you to reconsider your judgment.”

He was an upright soldier. A fine commander, and a superior who cared for his subordinates.

But Song-ha chuckled, knowing that fact.

“We got here by trampling and subjugating other warlords. It was the result of an irrational decision to incorporate enemies and traitors into the legion. Aren’t you yourself a beneficiary of the legion’s irrationality?”

“……”

At that moment, the expressions of Deimus and Mirva, who had been listening to Song-ha’s reply, changed simultaneously.

A calm and logical response, something entirely unexpected from Song-ha until now.

As soon as they perceived that incongruity, they realized why Song-ha had appeared here now.

“I understand your pride in the legion, but we haven’t changed at all, then or now.”

Leaving the silent Roberaid, Song-ha slowly turned around.

“We will seize the center and return to Vulcan. We plan to gather up all the failures and mistakes we’ve made there.”

“……”

“With Peshia’s survival confirmed, the Annihilation Campaign proposed by Lieutenant General Deimus will proceed as planned. This is a confirmed matter.”

“Commander. But…!”

“Don’t worry. We won’t be borrowing the strength of the Third Legion led by Lieutenant General Roberaid. There will be absolutely no weakening of the main force or reduction of the front lines that you’re worried about.”

Song-ha smiled faintly.

“I’ll go to the Annihilation Campaign myself.”

“……!!!”

The reason Deadrise’s Commanders were made up of Lieutenant Generals was not arbitrary.

It was because the number of Commanders was small, and each individual held such unique positions and abilities that they were unsuited for typical organizational activities.

But conversely, this also meant that the power of a single Commander was equivalent to that of an entire legion.

One of the only three supreme forces within Deadrise, the massive legion alliance currently dominating the center.

The Commander, undoubtedly the most outstanding among the generals in terms of innate talent, had decided to move personally.

“Commander Song-ha…!”

“Once I finish the operation I’m currently undertaking, my last clone will return to Ultima Alert.”

Song-ha slowly patted his cheek and smiled.

“Once all forces are recovered and the operation is organized, we’ll depart to rescue Peshia.”

Song-ha was an 8-level physical ability user and a born talent for clone abilities. He was a superhuman who split his physical abilities and mind into three to execute special operations for Deadrise.

This meant that Song-ha had already recovered one of his clones and intended to recover his final clone as well.

Only then did Roberaid’s expression harden, realizing that Song-ha had recovered more than half of his original intellect.

“Commander.”

Mirva, who had been chain-smoking with a strange expression, called out to Song-ha.

Song-ha finally recognized Mirva and waved his hand with a welcoming expression.

“Ah, Lieutenant General Mirva. Thank you for Yorta. How’s the 4th Legion doing?”

“It’s not doing well enough for you to ask about it like you’re checking on a neighbor’s dog, but…”

Mirva nodded with a somber smile.

“There are matters regarding the Annihilation Campaign that I’d like to confirm beforehand.”

“Is Lieutenant General Mirva also against this operation?”

“No. I’m in favor. If Lieutenant General Roberaid hadn’t been here, I might have voiced opposition for the sake of opposition, but…”

Mirva calmly said, completely ignoring Roberaid’s reaction.

“Objectively speaking, Major General Grisbern’s combat power is an absolute plus factor. Considering the upcoming war, don’t we need at least one more formidable general like her?”

“Typical of a veteran. So?”

“However, I understand that when the Marshal is absent, certain procedures are required for a Commander to plan a large-scale operation.”

Mirva asked.

“The consent of all members of the Command and Staff, and the majority consent of the three Commanders. Given the current situation of the legion, neither would be possible, would they? Do you intend to disregard them and push through?”

“No. I told you, didn’t I?”

Song-ha shook his head.

“We abide by the rules Ethan himself declared. That’s why the legion was created.”

“Then…?”

For a Commander of a legion running the Central Front, he was unbelievably unauthoritative, even seeming pure.

Even to Mirva Neosoto, who had been a soldier for decades, Song-ha’s attitude was still something she couldn’t get used to.

Yet, this swordsman before her reigned at the pinnacle of Deadrise as one of the three Commanders.

This was because he possessed talents and aptitudes far beyond what any other general in the legion could match.

Given Song-ha’s own talent, background, and achievements, his position wouldn’t be shaken by disregarding military law.

However, even Mirva, who had considered the possibility of him disregarding military law, couldn’t help but be puzzled by Song-ha’s answer.

“I got the consent of another Commander. Two have agreed, so we’ll disregard all the troublesome procedures. We’ll proceed as is.”

“Another, Commander… you mean?”

Of the three Commanders currently in Deadrise, Song-ha was the only one active in the field.

Another Commander hadn’t appeared in public for years due to a long-standing illness, and the third was wandering the continent without even having undergone a promotion ceremony.

How had Song-ha managed to satisfy rules that even Marshal Ethan Bajour himself had declared but never upheld?

Thump!

Mirva’s thoughts vanished the moment she saw someone emerge from the darkness of the meeting room.

Song-ha finally turned his gaze and smiled.

“You’re late, Gileon.”

“……!!!”

Ash-gray hair. Handsome features, even obscured by shadow.

A figure sitting in a chair with a gaunt expression, dozens of thin tubes inserted into his body.

A faint presence that even the generals hadn’t perceived, wondering when he had arrived.

But the man, shrouded in shadow, did not answer Song-ha.

With an expressionless face, he lifted his gaze and narrowed his eyes, as if looking at a distant place.

In the quiet stillness, the man murmured.

“I hear a sound.”

“……What did you say?”

Leaving Song-ha’s bewildered question behind, Gileon weakly closed his eyes.

“I hear the sound of… familiar wings.”

CRASH!!

Olivera’s personal laboratory.

An old library where countless ancient books and documents were piled high, forming mountains.

But the bookshelves, which should have been tightly packed along both sides of the corridor, were toppled like dominoes, and beyond the violently swaying veil, an enraged, dazzling rainbow-colored gaze flickered.

Before that veil, Lennok, his Iron-Plated Wings fully spread, slowly flapped his wings.

Beneath the rotating, hard metallic wings, a pale-faced Peshia lay collapsed, muttering curses.

“Fuck this…”

[Whatever you were babbling about, dare to tell me again.]

Olivera’s chilling telepathy poured down from above Lennok’s head, where his Iron-Plated Wings were fully spread.

[What did you say about Anathema’s causality?]

“Well, I’m sorry to say this.”

Lennok chuckled, slowly flapping his Iron-Plated Wings.

“The price has gone up a bit in the last few days.”