The day of the expedition to Hell had arrived.
The eyes of the world were focused on Rody City. After strict selection and brutal elimination, 96,000 people became qualified expeditionary warriors.
Those soldiers who failed to pass the final selection became part of the logistics army for the expedition, responsible for transporting food, supplies, and war equipment. As for those eliminated earlier, they had already become part of the army responsible for road construction, fortification building, and propaganda. Over three hundred war correspondents, rigorously trained and recommended by the public, became embedded journalists with the expedition to Hell, reporting the realities of war to the people at home.
The swearing-in ceremony was held outside Rody City.
Not just the expeditionary army, but also nearly a hundred thousand logistics troops participated in the oath-taking. They too were warriors, though they did not engage in direct combat.
Knights and generals, clad in their most shining armor, mounted on majestic horses, faced the ceremony with solemnity. Soldiers from various countries, in rows as neat as forests, wore armors unique to their nations but uniformly adorned the 'Warrior Badge' of the Hell expedition on their chests.
Family representatives of the soldiers stood on the outskirts, wearing big red flowers on their chests, watching their sons with tearful eyes.
Over a thousand children and young girls held flowers, ready to present them to the warriors. Representatives from various countries had also prepared wine and wreaths to offer to the soldiers. The flag bearers in the ranks stood tall and straight as spears. And on the outside, the people who came to see them off had already formed a sea of humanity. Countless people from all over the world came to bid farewell, waving flags of all sizes with unbridled enthusiasm, cheering for the warriors.
The kings and heads of various nations had arrived, dressed in their most formal regalia, standing on the main stage.
Countless magical reporters, both excited and tense, vied for the best positions.
This historical moment was to be witnessed and recorded by them... Those watching in front of magical screens in the rear were equally excited and nervous.
The war drums began to beat, 'dong dong dong dong dong dong dong,' stirring everyone's blood to a boil. Beating the drum for the expeditionary army was Marshal Feng Desman of the human race, the old commander staying behind to oversee the rear. Although he couldn't join the expedition to Hell due to his duties, his heart was with everyone. The stirring and uplifting drumbeats represented his sentiments.
The loud military horns followed, to everyone's surprise, all blown by kings.
King Norn, William II, Helsinki... Dozens of kings, holding golden military horns, looked up to the sky and blew the horns for the expedition together.
"Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom!" The salvo of magical crystal cannons shook the earth. The group of mages fired magical fireworks together, shooting into the sky and exploding into a myriad of colors, illuminating the entire night sky.
Unbeknownst to when, people's eyes were already brimming with tears.
Excitement, pride, reluctance, and various other emotions mixed together, making people's hearts surge like tides, unable to calm down.
"Ah... Brave warriors of the expedition, as you embark on this journey, don't forget the loved ones in your hometown, don't forget the expectations of your mothers, always remember the way home, at the end of the earth, we will always be waiting... The stars in the sky, they are the eyes of mothers! Ah... Brave warriors of the expedition, as you embark on this journey, don't forget the companions by your side, don't forget the brothers around you, always remember the way home, at the end of the earth, we will always be waiting... The raindrops from the sky, they are the tears of loved ones... Come back, we will always be waiting, our heroes..."
A mournful and plaintive song was sung by the little diva, moving millions to tears.
The girls of the 'Dear Pink Love Group' sang in chorus.
The song, filled with sobbing, grief, and sorrow, perfectly expressed the sentiments of all mothers and wives in the world. As the song played, tears streamed down their faces.
The soldiers of the expeditionary army clenched their fists, the iron-willed men stood silent and firm as mountains, straight as pines. Their eyes reddened, and their morale, paradoxically, soared amidst the sad song, almost exploding. Even the most battle-hardened generals and elite squads had tears in their eyes. Their hearts, though as hard as steel for the expedition, were still entwined with the love for their families back home.
Who knew who could return victorious, to stand before their parents, their wives and children...
But to be part of this army, to be a member of the expedition to Hell, was already the greatest victory and honor in life!
Rody appeared. As the commander of the expedition, he was to personally inspect and command the entire army. Kris, Red-haired Sal, Silver-haired Tommy, Ice Demon Jiao, and others accompanied him. As soon as they appeared, they were engulfed in a wave of applause. People cheered his name, waving flags excitedly, turning the parade ground into a boiling ocean.
People in the rear couldn't help but place their hands over their hearts.
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As long as he was there, as long as the miraculous kid was there, there was no need to worry. He was the guardian of human victory. As long as the soldiers followed him, even if they marched through Hell, they would return safely.
Rody did not give a speech. In fact, people did not need any assurances from him; his very presence was the biggest confidence booster.
The kings came forward to greet the miraculous kid, Rody. Each extended a hand for Rody to lightly brush as he passed, imparting their blessings.
People tried hard to wipe away their incessant tears, wanting to see clearly the miraculous kid who would lead them to another victory. He was the pride of their hearts, the greatest gift bestowed upon humanity by heaven. Under the watchful eyes of the world, he would lead their sons on the first-ever expedition to Hell, sweeping away the hellish scourges that had plagued mankind for centuries, and bringing true peace to the world...
Rody stood at the forefront of the army, on the highest command platform, bowed deeply, placing his hand over his heart, saluting the people.
Everyone understood what Rody wanted to say: he wanted to offer real peace, safety for future generations, and the ultimate victory to everyone!
"I bless you, my dear children!" King Norn, representing all kings, read the farewell address with a trembling voice: "On this most glorious and proud day for humanity, I wish I could embrace and kiss each of you. You are all my sons, our sons. We take pride in you, we are proud of you! Brave children of the expedition, the burning Hell cannot frighten the human soul. You can loudly tell the evil devils that humanity will no longer be invaded or persecuted. The blood of humanity is enough to extinguish the fiercest fires of Hell. Children, follow closely in Rody's footsteps. The miraculous kid will lead you to flatten Hell; he will lead you back to the earth... We will always wait, we will always bless you, my dear children, honor, and victory are with us!"
"Long live humanity!" All the soldiers, raising their right fists, roared in unison, chanting it three times.
"Long live..." All the watching people, with tears in their eyes, cried out.
"As a soldier of the expeditionary army, I stand here, leading ninety-six thousand brothers-in-arms and eighty-five thousand logistic support brothers, to swear to the world." The late General Quentin's son Kerry, standing below Rody's command platform, clenched his fist, leading the entire army in swearing allegiance to Rody and the people.
"Our lives belong to our parents, to our families, and to the Human Justice Alliance. We will strictly adhere to the law, obey commands, face strong enemies without fear, fight bravely, with human honor and victory above all!" With each statement Kerry made, the tens of thousands of troops echoed, their voices thunderous, even the battle-hardened war correspondents, shaking as they filmed.
"The honor and victory of humanity above all else!" Not only the swearing soldiers but also the watching parents and people in the rear could not help but cry out.
After the oath was taken, Rody bestowed a sword upon Kerry.
Kerry took the sword, turned towards the expeditionary army, and raised it high, roaring like thunder: "Victory! Expeditionary army, victory!"
"Victory... Victory, victory, victory, victory, victory!" Even the kings couldn't help but shed tears of old age, rushing out and responding loudly. The human army shouted over and over, countless weapons raised high, standing like a forest. The salvo of ceremonial cannons roared and exploded, the whole earth trembling under the might of humanity's will to fight; the entire sky lit up with magical fireworks, bright as day.
Rody's mother arrived, accompanied by the Holy Maiden.
She was initially reluctant to bid farewell to Rody, fearing she would break down in tears and hug him, affecting his morale.
But in the end, she came.
She came to bid farewell to her beloved son, casting aside everything. At that moment, she was no longer the wise Holy Maiden of the previous generation but a mother, just like all the mothers in the world. She walked towards Rody, her face streaming with tears; she reached out her trembling hands, wanting to embrace her son.
Expedition to Hell, that was a very difficult task.
Even though she knew her beloved son's abilities, the strongest in Hell were not the six kings, but the four emperors and the faithful followers of the dark demon god. Even if Rody possessed the strength of a ninth-tier saint, as a mother, she still worried for him. No matter how strong and outstanding this son was, he was still the apple of her eye, her little treasure she couldn't stop worrying about.
"Mom, please don't cry for me! Please give us a bright smile, we need your smile to light up our sky..." Rody slowly knelt down, his voice tinged with pain, making the hearts of people all over the world tremble.
"Mom, please don't cry for me!" All the soldiers of the army knelt down and called out mournfully.
"My son... My treasure, my beloved!" As Rody's mother struggled to wipe away her tears and squeeze out a smile, all the mothers in the world also wiped away their tears, forced a smile, and opened their arms, just like Rody's mother embracing her son, reaching out to their sons in the distance.
The smiles had not faded, but tears could no longer be held back.
At that moment, the hearts of all mothers in the world felt immense consolation, as if they had truly embraced and kissed their sons.
"Brothers of the expeditionary army, depart, flatten Hell!" Rody broke free from his mother's embrace, stood up proudly, raised the Starry Sky Halberd high, pointing in the direction of Hell, and roared with a voice that shook heaven and earth.
"Flatten Hell!" The expeditionary army roared thunderously.
Cavalrymen, led by generals, thundered forward, racing like a stream of iron towards the distant darkness!
In the sky, the air cavalry split into two long wings, first circling over people's heads, then forming a giant circle, converging above the heads of the iron cavalry below, speeding off just as quickly!
The heavy-armored infantry all climbed onto the backs of war beasts like Kodo beasts and giant camels, while the mage legion drove magic flying discs carrying light-armored archers. Higher up, magic airships slowly loaded with vast amounts of supplies moved towards the pitch-black night sky.
War magic reporters also mounted swift lizards, tracking and filming the entire journey.
Countless people rushed forward, handing cups of wine to any soldier... National delegations adorned passing soldiers with flower wreaths and showered flower petals over their heads. The rear troops and the final command units were greeted by children surging forward, presenting bunches of fresh flowers. Some people brought out large drums and beat them fervently, boosting the morale of the expeditionary army.
"Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom!" The ceremonial cannons shook the earth one after another, and the war drums roared in response.
A group of brides-to-be, with tears in their eyes, waited at the forefront, passionately kissing their loved ones goodbye.
There were also white-haired mothers, with trembling hands, caressing their sons' faces.
The only reply the soldiers of the expeditionary army had for their mothers was: "Mom, please don't cry for me!"
This phrase, heart-shaking to hear, not only became a famous saying among humanity, but even thousands of years later, all soldiers going to battle, saying farewell to their loved ones, would utter Rody's famous line to express their determination. And thousands of years later, all mothers, like Rody's mother, would try hard to wipe away their tears, first showing a comforting smile to ease their sons' hearts, then embracing them to show their support!
"Mom, please don't cry for me..." When the soldiers shouted this phrase, there was no one in the world who did not shed tears like rain.
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