Sudden Situation
Back at the Turtle Hiding Fortress.
Whiistleee~~!
Heian Ciemnosc returned to the Turtle Hiding Region on Evans's back. When he landed before the mansion, Evans was careful and skillful to avoid any inconvenience. Heian Ciemnosc dropped from his back and walked into the mansion, with Xue Yoler waiting for him. Her bedroom was still one of the guest rooms, but she could venture deeper into the mansion when following him. Etherea waited for them inside with her digital clipboard ready. She didn't look the part, but she was a little tired from the last conquests.
Walking towards her, Heian Ciemnosc nodded at her, and the three walked further inside with the young women nodding at each other. Etherea then raised her chin and professionally elaborated, “Sir. Let’s start with the simple things first. The losses during this war were quite a few, but not that many regarding our extended battles. We’ve lost 130 million soldier units, of which about 30 million lost their lives during the 1* Regions’ invasion. The others were lost during the naval battles and the 2 2* Regions’ conquests.”
“We have 2 semi-crippled Fleets whose repairing has started a couple of hours ago. Many Battleships and Carriers were severely damaged, but the loss of Cruisers was minimal. We can respond to any enemy incursion during the following months without a problem.” Etherea finished before preparing a few pieces of different information. Thus, the ‘complicated’ stuff began.
“Mn, oh. You’ve done well so far,” Heian Ciemnosc said after Etherea finished and waited for further instructions. She had an idea of what to do already, but she patiently waited for her boss. Heian Ciemnosc patted her back as he said. Etherea blushed, realizing this was a compliment.
“Thank you, sir. I do my best to please your expectations,” Etherea stopped and bowed. She was on Heian Ciemnosc’s right, and as their briefing happened, Xue Yoler looked from the side. She was half-interested and half-engrossed in finding a way to fit in better within Heian Ciemnosc’s circle. She wanted to tell herself that she did it to discover new and better ways for when she returned to her family, believing her Dynasty’s best generals already had this much experience.
But she couldn’t bring those ideas and words to her head, not honestly. Either way, whether she could help her family improve their ways when she returned, or improve herself under a much younger cultivator, any was good.
“Take a breather with the others. Let the new Captains get a hold of the feeling of commanding. You’ll just lend them your troops, not give them. Don’t worry,” Heian Ciemnosc said as he saw Etherea’s expressions slightly changing. He smiled a little and explained before receiving her response, “Phew, I’m glad, sir. I’ll relay your words. Is there anything else?”
“Mn,” Heian Ciemnosc calmly nodded as they resumed walking. Spend the next years training the new ‘troops’. You already know all the methods you must rely on for their proper learning, so choose their upbringing yourself.”
“I understand!” Etherea lightly punched her left chest with her right fist and bowed slightly while still walking forward. As soon as her gesture ended, her eyes shot upwards, looking at Heian Ciemnosc with worship and strictness. This heavy responsibility now fell on her.
“Something else, my liege?” Etherea asked after seeing his light smile not leave her face. She tilted her head to the left, curious. Heian Ciemnosc nodded before elaborating, forming a cheeky grin from the left corner of his mouth, “Oh. Next time, you do the briefing.”
“…?” Etherea tilted her head to the right, slightly confused at the Chief’s words. Just then, Heian Ciemnosc smiled from ear to ear before relaxing his countenance, “You’ll brief me at the start of the statistics. Then, you’ll brief me of the next choices my forces will take. Mn, prepare well, because you won’t receive breaks once it begins.”
“…!” Etherea’s eyes went wide. Meanwhile, Xue Yoler looked at Etherea like she had found a new world, and gold. Etherea silently stuttered before gulping down dryly and voicing her befuddled state to her liege, “Me? Do everything? Does that mean… I will command everyone… all at once? Sir, do you trust me… this much?”
“Mhm, now go and prepare for your proximate roles. You have 10 years to amaze me,” Heian Ciemnosc patted Etherea’s back and pushed her slightly away. She stopped and looked at Heian Ciemnosc’s back as he continued walking forward. Xue Yoler looked back a couple of times before no longer doing so, and walked beside him.
‘Chief, I’d rather follow you always. Your hopes in me won’t be wasted. But you have so many things to do, and I cannot help, only you wish to help yourself. Sigh… In the end, the stories weren’t wrong. Why must all good leaders have socializing and unique problems? No matter, when we reunite, our forces can…’ Etherea’s eyes shone as she turned around and walked away.
“You,” Heian Ciemnosc continued walking with Xue Yoler. He spoke to her out of nowhere, startling her away from her thoughts. Xue Yoler looked up and to her right, but Heian Ciemnosc faced the front. She felt a little left out and couldn’t help feeling dissatisfied and cold. Heian Ciemnosc continued, “We’ll go into a meeting with the army’s important few. You’ve also done well so far, for the tasks I gave you. Now, are you willing to do more… Or do you just want to have a better status? This is not your Dynasty, is my turf.”
“…” Xue Yoler’s thoughts and mind stopped, but her feet didn’t. They continued walking as Xue Yoler’s eyebrows were knitted, and her chest sometimes quickly heaved up and down before rapidly receding. At last, she looked at Heian Ciemnosc, lifted her pretty face up, and determinedly replied. “I want to do more. I… wish to serve, m- my liege.”
“Oh, oh my,” Heian Ciemnosc softly exclaimed with a snarky, thin smile, shaking his head a little. Xue Yoler’s eyebrows delicately knitted as Heian Ciemnosc voiced, “Are you sure you want to call me that? You don’t have to. Otherwise, you’d be betraying your Dynasty in-name now.”
“…” Her eyebrows furrowed further. After 3 seconds, she stubbornly expressed, “It is in my wishes, and it doesn’t harm the Flora-Sweet White Heavens Dynasty. If they’re still here, it’s because they don’t dare others see their Dynasty as a punching bag, even if for a fraction of a second. If they fight, they must want to train their new Generals. But that’s a big mistake!”
“Hmm… ‘they’?” Heian Ciemnosc grinned after putting on a pensive face. Xue Yoler’s eyes slightly fell, and her expression froze, but she didn’t back her words away. Heian Ciemnosc finally looked at her and that pretty, dumbfounded face with widened eyes, like a stupid child understanding something new, and shiny. “You’re right, though. They’ve made a big mistake, treating my forces and me as a training ground. But who is it gonna be when collecting the price they must pay? You?”
“Ah…” Xue Yoler’s barely closed lips opened abruptly, making a light popping sound as feeble as a whisper. Then, suddenly, her eyes hardened as she viciously stated, “If it comes to that, that’ll mean they’re trying to harm me and my people’s safety. I can’t allow such people to continue doing so for their benefit. Absolutely impossible!”
“Hmm~…” Heian Ciemnosc looked down at Xue Yoler, who kept her stare on his darkest eyes, even pressing her closed lips up in defiance. As for whether Xue Yoler and her people were threatened, they both knew such an arrangement wasn’t made. But whether Xue Yoler saw it that way, or spoke in the way Heian Ciemnosc just wanted to hear her become, only she knew. Or so she thought, but it wouldn’t be fun if Heian Ciemnosc revealed it all at once, right?
Clack, clack. The gates before them opened after a mechanism sounded. They opened, wrapping Heian Ciemnosc and Xue Yoler’s figures in contrast to the opened room. They stopped looking at each other and looked at the room. It had a bricked appearance, with a dull gray color, and obscure steel furniture inside, made from metal with electric, bright lights everywhere.
Step, step, step, step.
Heian Ciemnosc walked inside, followed 2 steps behind by Xue Yoler. The room had several meeting tables and chairs around them, but only one at the far right from the entrance was the biggest and a step, 1 meter tall, higher than any other place.
Around that table, Anastasia sat with another 70 people, of which a tenth were directly engaged in a conversation with her. Molto stood beside her with her left hand on her hip, also invested in their conversation, but her thin and tiny wisp of Spirit Sense could have never escaped Heian Ciemnosc’s detection. Anastasia wasn’t just talking. She nodded and actively exchanged more and more words with her group.
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Finally, the room became quiet as Heian Ciemnosc was noticed, as even the others around the main meeting table were engrossed in Anastasia’s group. They all gradually looked at Heian Ciemnosc and Xue Yoler, becoming apprehensive when they saw their Chief finally arrive.
Thud. Heian Ciemnosc walked past them and sat on a sole chair that wasn’t lavish but looked like a throne, bigger, more obscure, and with a different cushion on its seat compared to the others. Xue Yoler walked behind him and after slightly moving her head around, she folded her legs and lowered her body on his right. Despite her antics, nobody looked at her funnily, nor offensively in any possible way.
“How are your troops?” Heian Ciemnosc looked at the others as Anastasia bowed her head, and Molto hung her head towards him. A young man at the Life-Long realm 1st stage faced Heian Ciemnosc sideways and sternly spoke, “It’s been a tough war so far for them, but they’re resting for now, Chief.”
“Ready to set off again after a rest, nice,” Heian Ciemnosc lightly commented before hearing out another dozen of reports from different people. Not everyone talked as there was a notorious prestige within them which only a few had. When they were over, Heian Ciemnosc looked at his daughter and nudged his chin towards her.
Anastasia nodded and walked forth, stopping a couple of meters before Xue Yoler before standing with her body sideways facing Heian Ciemnosc. She shouted while looking at some of the people she was just lively debating a little while ago, “Stand in attention before your Chief! You’re but nameless before him. In formation!”
Step, step, step, step, step, step, step, step, step, step, step…
The 70 people or so rushed to their feet and to stick their chests out after punching their left chests with their right fist. Their heads clicked in, and even those whom Anastasia spoke became aware as they nervously gulped down after saluting Heian Ciemnosc.
“Mn. Better.” Heian Ciemnosc lightly commented, offering no more immediate words to them. He glanced at Anastasia and Molto before addressing them, “What makes you want to command these? And how many are worthy of both your military units?”
These people were the highest officials under Officers in the armies sent to the Cas Region’s west. After fighting with Anastasia, they were recognized by them to the point she and Molto requested a change in the military composition and even a promotion. They wanted to train all these people themselves.
They were a mix of Crimsonbreaking Faction Soldiers and inhabitants from the Turtle Hiding Region. The other Regions were barely conquered, and years would have to pass before they are eligible for joining their military.
“Chief,” Anastasia sternly spoke with strictness in her eyes and words. “These might all be monkeys. Their minds and wills are good enough for rats, but their bodies and their training methods are those even recruits can get used to. I want to form the special forces that’ll own their private navy, armored vehicles, and spaceships. I promise you we’ll have our army fully prepared in 15 years, but operable within a decade.”
“Go on,” Heian Ciemnosc calmly said. Anastasia faced him and placed her hands behind her back. Molto stood beside her left with a seemingly lackadaisical stance, but the 70 behind them felt fearful from just looking at her back. Images of bloody fogs left behind wherever her hands passed were still so fresh in their minds.
“Yes,” Anastasia thanked him, bowed her head, and continued. “I want to keep the current spaceships my troops and Molto’s already own. If possible. But from then on, with the auxiliary units of both armies, I wish to establish our private war instruments. But I cannot concentrate in ammunition or creating arsenal. Only Craftsmaking products. Additionally, I’d like to choose 10 from my troops and promote them directly below my orders, second-in-command to only me.”
“Don’t be silly. Since you’re part of my forces, you will receive support from me. The ammunition and arsenal will be delivered to you, but it is limited. Don’t waste them. We’ll see about your troops’ promotion.” Heian Ciemnosc interrupted her and said, waving his right hand a little. Anastasia nodded and said nothing more. Molto stepped forth and bowed deep waist before quietly voicing, “Not many of these people are apt for my training, nor worthy of being my master’s apprentice’s assassins. However, those that are will do. I don’t need much expansion, and we can share space with miss’s troops if we could have more Bloodless Nightwatchers…”
“Mhm, you’ll have them, Molto. Is there anything else you’d like to say?” Heian Ciemnosc readily agreed to their requests. Anastasia and Molto shook their heads after exchanging a glance. Heian Ciemnosc nodded at them and said as he casually gestured to Xue Yoler kneeling with her legs folded and her bum on her shins, “Bring her with you. Although she won’t be part of your clique, you must train her with the other troops and navy. Understood?”
“Ehh? Ah. Yeah, sure… Yes, Chief. Understood!” Anastasia looked at Xue Yoler, slightly perplexed, with thoughts in her mind that the latter couldn’t comprehend. Then, Anastasia corrected herself, standing in attention towards Heian Ciemnosc. Heian Ciemnosc shook his head expressionlessly in a good mood before facing the 70 behind them.
“If you can show me the results in 10 years, you’ll see whether I accept your last request. Now, are these people agreeing to join you? They will be annexed and become second-in-command of your direct subordinates,” Heian Ciemnosc said as he explained the situation the other army would experience if they went on with this.
“…” - “…” Anastasia and Molto twisted their necks and looked at the 70 people. Their faces were neutral, and their eyes without glow. However, the 70 behind them either showed momentary fear or inner debating after hearing Heian Ciemnosc’s words. It was the Chief who would decide how things worked, and the military’s regulations were too strict to allow them to have a second possible supreme commander sprout from this differently associated force from the 3 main forces.
“We accept, Chief,” the first young man to have spoken bowed below waist deep and said with a determined expression. His body emanated commitment as the young women faced Heian Ciemnosc again. Heian Ciemnosc’s darkest eyes went to the rest of the prestigious figures of the 70 as they echoed with words of agreement. He didn’t bother checking with everyone and stood up after the prestigious ones all consented.
“Very well, choose your name and utility. You’ll be put to the test in the next part of the war. Your work in this second part was commendable, but if you want to become my special forces, you need more than that, and more than combat capabilities. Dismissed,” Heian Ciemnosc said, stepping down the higher step before turning his head backwards to Xue Yoler, who didn’t know if to follow him.
“You come with me. Anastasia and Molto will pick you up after they organize themselves. It might take a year or two, come with me.” Heian Ciemnosc said, but Xue Yoler’s eyes glowed faintly. With his personality, this meant Heian Ciemnosc wasn’t regretting giving her the chance to be tested. Furthermore, after such a war, there must be many carcasses being moved to the Turtle Hiding Region. What could they do in the meantime besides visit the other Regions?
Xue Yoler didn’t even bother denying it, as she wanted to see the subsequent changes in these 1* and 2* Regions. Besides, Heian Ciemnosc had previously brought her to workshops and warehouses, where they had too many core materials for rebuilding. It was clear these were going to be moved to the other Regions. She wanted to experience it before the black monster re-entered secluded cultivation.
Thus, while Heian Ciemnosc and Xue Yoler exited the room, the 70 people bowed towards them as Anastasia and Molto nodded instead. Then, the latter started elaborating the changes and following procedures for the next few months. From then on, this acclaimed resilient, tenacious army belonged to Anastasia and Molto.
. . .
Time passed by, swiftly yet gradually.
The Turtle Hiding Region needed no more work, but it would still need a fair share of auxiliary units who could only work in their own or military stores to improve their Craftsmaking and gain more cultivation resources. Even as an auxiliary unit, they longed to cultivate to higher steps. With alchemy products and many riches, their potential could be broken through and advance further in their cultivation path.
The Turtle Hiding Region needed no more fully concentrated attention, but the recently conquered Regions did. However, the Turtle Hiding Region was still growing, and the Chief’s orders strengthened and shortened the time before the Turtle Hiding Region could reach a stalemate at the peak of its progress. This would undoubtedly enormously enricher the nearby Regions. Once that propagated to the entire Stormy Calm Sea, it was only a matter of time before the Regions in the mainland were affected…
The civilians from the conquered Regions were selected to permanently change their homes to the Turtle Hiding Region. The Medium Cities and Large City still required a lot to fill up. As for the Turtle Hiding Fortress, the command post would gradually increase its population across time. There was no hurry. It was the toughest defensive structure, not even a city, let alone a City.
Next, the cultivator prisoners from the Regions were moved to the Turtle Hiding Fortress, where they were given the fortunate opportunity to train under the new recruits and others between their slavery as extra auxiliary units and suffering public humiliation.
The Turtle Hiding Region’s inhabitants were used to it by now. They employed their tactics and mind-changing bullying to mold the ‘new soldier units’ before they arrived at the Turtle Hiding Fortress. There, they were given the news that they would preserve their lives, but they’ll have to train without any resources, simply undergoing the hellish training the Chief’s forces all went through.
Meanwhile, of the 13 billion auxiliary units, 3 billion were dispatched to each of the 6 newly conquered Regions to start building. The Turtle Shell Region and Weeping Viper Region were quite easygoing to work with for 3 billion soldier units, let alone the 1* Regions in the west.
However, as intended and expected, the total population of the Crimsonbreaking Faction territory vehemently increased with the islands Regions, Fanto Region, and the northeastern Regions. The Turtle Shell Region was one of the richest 2* Regions in the entire Lsefattern Kingdom, let alone the Stormy Calm Sea, which only the Asabas Region was below.
“… Hm?” However, as years passed and the reconstruction rapidly advanced, with the islands Regions’ reconstruction nearly finished with their Small City. The blockade extending from the Bel Region to the Turtle Shell Region suffered a strange incident under Heian Ciemnosc’s cultivation session in his mansion.
Heian Ciemnosc didn’t react to it and just ordered the Fleets near the Stormy calm Sea’s center. He shook his head and returned to cultivation with about a billion enemy soldier units’ corpses constantly refined by his body.
…