LOCATION: BEHIND THE REAR OF IMPERIALS.

It took us four grueling hours to get everyone across the Plain of Imoras. By the time we finally made it, the ten of us in the MPA suits, including me, were so exhausted that we had to put the whole operation on hold just to catch our breath. Seriously, this armor was ridiculously heavy.

During those four hours, the situation for the main army of the 9th Corps was only getting worse. The right wing had completely collapsed, forcing them to join up with the main force to hold the line. But the Imperials' right wing also regrouped with their main army, and they started pushing hard. With about 13,000 soldiers facing 16,500, it was starting to look grim. Honestly, I was surprised the 9th Corps hadn’t fallen apart yet. They were holding their own, which was probably why they called General Cedric the “Silver Tip”.

Still, with the Imperials focused so heavily on the frontlines, this was the perfect time for us to strike. A night raid seemed risky given how tight their security would likely be, and waiting too long could ruin our chances. We had to act, now.

"Don't activate the MPA unless we're in the fight," I ordered the ten MPA soldiers, my voice firm. "Save the mana until we’re face-to-face with the enemy commander. If you activate early, you're as good as dead."

The ten soldiers, including Captain Deryk, nodded nervously, their faces a mix of worry and determination. I gave them a reassuring nod before turning to the rest of the officers.

"We're splitting into two groups. I'll lead the first group, 200 soldiers, including the MPA unit. Our target is the enemy commander. The rest of you, 800 strong, will be under Captain Liam's command. Your job is to support us and stop any Imperials from closing in. Follow your orders, and we’ll make this work."

"Yes, Lady Aria!" the officers shouted in unison, saluting sharply.

“Good, move out!”

The soldiers roared in response, their excitement palpable as we surged toward the Imperials. The rear guard of 500 soldiers looked shocked at our sudden charge but quickly scrambled to defend against the 800 soldiers now facing them.

Meanwhile, my unit barreled past the commotion, heading straight for the main Imperial camp. According to our intel, Remnell was stationed there, as the soldiers feared the whole division might collapse without him. His location, while secure, made our mission all the more easier.

“Whoever reaches the Imperial commander first will get a month’s salary from me!” I shouted, the promise earning a cheer from my troops as we pressed on with renewed vigor.

[(0)]

LOCATION: COMMAND TENT OF SECOND DIVISION.

“We are currently pushing the 9th Corp to their defeat!” An officer shouted, his voice full of excitement, “While the right wing isn’t making any progress, the main army is pushing the 9th Corp back. It wouldn’t be long before their right wing would also retreat.”

“Hahaha!” Another officer chimed in as he bellowed out a laugh. “Without their tricks, they are nothing more than junks!”

The other officers agreed as they cheered their ongoing victory. Major General Remnll smiled slightly at the sight, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes. He was still grieving the loss of Brigadier General Varian, but he didn’t show it in his face.

Currently, the Imperials’ main army had the upper hand, outnumbering the 9th Corp. It was only a matter of time before the main army was defeated, and once that happened, they would turn their attention to the right wing to finish off the rest of the 9th Corp.

No one expected the 9th Corp, lacking powerful mages or advanced enchanted equipment, to turn the tide of the battle. According to intel from the capital, all the best mages and equipment had been sent to the Eastern Line. With their resources depleted, it seemed clear that the 9th Corp had little chance of changing their dire situation.

Just then, an officer burst into the tent, his face pale with panic. “Lord Remnell, the enemy is attacking from our rear! You need to evacuate to the main army immediately!”

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“What?!” Remnell exclaimed, his eyes widening in shock. But before the officer could say more, a sickening thud echoed through the tent. The officer’s head rolled to the ground, severed cleanly from his body.

The other officers looked up in horror to see eleven soldiers standing in the entrance. Their armor was unlike anything they’d seen before. Heavy, but unmistakably MPA. The realization hit them: these were the enemies who had managed to breach their defenses.

“Ha… I thought that enemies shouldn’t have these kinds of things,” Remnell muttered under his breath, drawing his sword. The other officers quickly followed suit, preparing for the fight of their lives.

The MPA soldiers wasted no time. They charged into the tent with terrifying speed, and the clash of swords rang out as they engaged the Imperial officers. Meanwhile, outside, the sounds of battle grew louder, the chaos intensifying as the forces struggled against their overwhelming foes.

[(0)]

I never expected the MPA to work so well. Even with only 20% of mana being used, it felt far more powerful than when I relied solely on my own mana. It was strange, but it showed just how technology could push the limits of human capability.

When I, along with the ten other soldiers, activated our MPAs and reached the main camp of the Imperials, the difference was remarkable. The MPA made us faster than a horse at full speed and incredibly strong. Captain Deryk’s sword, now empowered by the MPA, shattered enemy swords with ease, cutting through them left and right.

As for me, I was using my Windwhisper, sending arcs of wind everywhere I could while carefully managing my mana. Even without getting close, the Imperials feel like training dummies before my Windwhisper. I grinned as I continued to use it to cut through the ranks of Imperials.

The Imperials, realizing they were outmatched, began to retreat in fear. Meanwhile, the rest of the 200 soldiers focused on holding our position and securing the camp.

We quickly reached what looked like the command camp. One of the enemy officers had already spotted us and was retreating toward the tent. Without hesitation, I cut him down as he turned his back to me. After all, he was an enemy.

Inside the tent, about twenty officers were gathered, and in the center stood one who looked exactly like the description General Cedric had given me. Without wasting a second, I charged at him.

Two officers stepped in to protect him, but they were no match for me. My blade cut through them with ease. Behind me, I could hear the clash of irons and the sounds of battle as the other ten soldiers engaged the remaining officers. The fight had begun.

“I suppose you're the one who killed Varian?” The officer, or rather, Major General Remnell, spoke calmly as his sword met mine. My eyes widened in shock as my blade failed to cut through his defense.

"Yep," I replied shortly, taking a few quick steps back, my mind racing. This wasn’t going to be as easy as I had thought.

"Then I suppose I’ll get my revenge earlier than planned," Remnell said, his voice calm but deadly.

"I have no idea who you want revenge on, but feel free to try."

Without another word, our swords clashed again. I leaped forward, sending arcs of wind toward him, but Remnell dodged every one of them with frustrating ease. He lunged at my exposed left side, and I barely managed to block the strike. As I did, he lashed out with a kick aimed at my stomach.

Reacting instinctively, I caught his foot with my free hand and crushed it. A sickening crunch echoed through the tent as Remnell staggered back, his injured foot barely supporting him. If he felt any pain, he didn’t show it, remaining calm and composed despite the obvious damage.

But it didn’t matter. The fight was already shifting in my favor.

All around me, the battle was winding down. The Imperial officers, without artifacts or enchanted weapons, were no match for my MPA soldiers. One by one, they fell until the last officer dropped dead at the feet of my ten soldiers, who gathered behind me, their swords all trained on Remnell.

"Stand down," I ordered. "This is my fight."

The soldiers hesitated, but I turned to Deryk. "Light the flare."

"But—" Deryk started to protest, then quickly cut himself off. "Understood."

The ten soldiers left the tent without another word to set off the flare. I kept my eyes locked on Remnell, but he made no move to escape or fight back.

"I suppose that flare is to signal my death?" Remnell asked, his breath growing heavier with each word.

I didn’t respond. Instead, I charged forward again, stabbing toward him with my sword. Remnell blocked the attack, but I could feel his strength fading with each clash. His grip on his weapon was weaker now, his movements slower.

Sensing an opening, I pressed harder. He deflected another strike, but his defenses were crumbling. Finally, my sword slipped past his guard, slashing deep into his side. Remnell gasped and staggered back, barely holding himself upright.

"You should’ve surrendered," I said, my voice cold.

Remnell looked at me, defiant even as blood poured from his wound. "A warrior doesn’t surrender," he muttered before collapsing to the ground.

The flare lit up the sky outside, signaling the death of Remnell. I took a deep breath, sheathing my sword, and turned to leave the tent, my mind already moving on to what came next.