Chapter 862: City Breached

Chapter 862: City Breached

Lion City.

The towering city wall was breached with a massive gap, one side a scorched wasteland of broken bricks and debris, the other a building reduced to mere ruins.

This was the largest settlement in all of Lion Province, even slightly larger than West Sailport. Many affluent streets were lined with spacious, grand mansions, while the dwellings of common citizens had been rebuilt with stone and cement walls.

Though Wu Tuo held steel and concrete in contempt, his own reverence for the Veylanders led the entirety of Lion Province to regard them as surrogate fathers, aping their every custom from top to bottom.

They learned to build walls with cement, plaster them over, pave roads with concrete, and even embed steel bars within the walls—all techniques the local nobles and wealthy had picked up from the Veylanders.

And now, these reinforced concrete structures had become the few remaining shelters for the Bharati National Army.

This, too, counted as one of the rare good deeds Wu Tuo had done for his "subjects"...

The clouds hung low and dark in the sky, while the ground was stiflingly oppressive, as if a torrential downpour was imminent.

On the front lines of the southern district, a squat building housed the temporary command post of the Bharati National Army.

With the help of Isher, who had personally witnessed the firepower of the "Horn," the Bharati officers completed their defensive deployment along the front.

He need not have stayed here, for not long ago his former superior, Anwar, had sent a telegram to the front, intending to pull him back to Golden Port.

Anwar had not forgotten him after all.

Though Anwar himself was under suspicion from his own superior, Abusak, the infighting among the high command did not extend to affecting a mere chiliarch like Isher.

Yet Isher did not leave immediately.

At the very least, before he departed, he had to share what he had seen on the front with the other officers.

"...The Legion's airships are not invincible. Their cannons are dual-purpose for anti-air and ground attack, mostly small-caliber. Whether firing cluster munitions, high-explosive shells, or other warheads, they are primarily aimed at simple field fortifications and dense soft targets on the plains."

"Our allies are helping us intercept the most threatening 902mm heavy artillery and supplies sent to the front. The enemy's fire superiority will diminish as our resistance continues, and eventually they will have no choice but to commit their elite troops to a decisive battle—and if we can hold out until then, that will be the turning point of this war."

"I hate to say it, but numbers are our only real advantage."

Isher sketched some diagrams on the blackboard, roughly depicting the explosion scenarios, the lethal fan-shaped zones of various warheads, and possible ways to survive.

These lessons had been bought with the lives of his men.

And while he was lecturing these officers, his subordinates had dispersed to the grassroots units, teaching the local garrison how to stay alive.

Survival was paramount.

Even more important than killing the enemy.

If the Veylanders exhausted every means and still could not wipe them out, then it would be their turn.

Though his drawings were crude, the Bharati officers listened intently.

What they lacked most was this kind of experience, and what Isher brought back from the front was exactly what they needed.

Among his audience were not just myriad commanders, but even Yudhono, the overall commander of the Lion Province theater.

Since the fall of Reedburg County, he had abandoned the conspicuous governor's mansion.

Events proved his decision wise.

Not long after he left, Legion aircraft bombed the mansion.

Had he delayed, he might well have joined his former superior, Yanush, in the afterlife.

The meeting concluded.

The officers filed out of the operations room, heading to their respective sectors to prepare for the decisive battle against the Veylanders.

Isher was about to leave when Yudhono asked him to stay behind.

"...Thank you. What you brought back is very important to us. But to be honest, even with that knowledge, we may not be able to hold this city."

Isher replied earnestly.

"Doing nothing certainly won't hold it. At least we have to try something."

"You're right," Yudhono sighed, his eyes drifting to the ceiling, then back to the floor. "I can feel it—you truly love this land and want to do something for it."

Looking at the man's demeanor, Isher suddenly felt uncertain about what he meant.

He had heard of Yudhono's background—once a servant to some great noble in Lion Province, he had answered the call of the Heavenly King's Army to rise up, climbing steadily to become Yanush's confidant.

Grand Commander Abusak did not trust him and had never recalled him to the Heavenly Capital.

Though he had been promoted to theater commander of Lion Province, anyone with eyes could see it was a hot seat.

If he fled, he would be branded a traitor to Bharata, his career forever stalled.

If he stayed, death was almost certain.

Seeing Isher's silence, Yudhono guessed the shrewd young man did not trust him. He shifted the topic to their former superior.

"I remember a long time ago—well, not that long—I once asked Yanush a question: what if the Veylanders' interest demanded that we all die?"

Isher asked.

"What did he say?"

Yudhono continued.

"...He said a lot of things—first about liberating the slaves of Bharata Province, then that the survivors of West Sailport would be enough to sate the Veylanders' wrath. I don't care to recall every word, but to sum it up: history is written by the victors. He believed utterly in the law of the jungle. As long as he won, no one would remember what he had done."

Isher frowned, then relaxed a moment later.

"So he deceived you. Do you regret it?"

Yudhono shook his head.

"Nothing to regret. I simply made what I thought was the right choice. If I had to do it again, I'd probably still follow him in rebellion. For all his ten thousand follies, he was ten thousand times better than someone like Wu Tuo."

Looking at this man, even more pessimistic than himself, Isher spoke in a soothing tone.

"We'll get better slowly, just like Stonewall City once did. From Wu Tuo to Yanush was already a great leap forward. Now we have Abusak—I'm not trying to pledge loyalty; that hypocrite doesn't deserve my loyalty either—but haven't you noticed? A few months ago, you wouldn't have dared say Yanush went too far. Now at least I can talk with you about Abusak being a performance artist."

Many Bharati officers cursed Abusak, especially after he confiscated their sidearms.

The same went for the rank-and-file soldiers.

They lacked uniforms, ammunition, even underwear, while the landlords who traded with warlords grew fat, some taking three or four wives.

If Yanush were still alive, at least they wouldn't lack clothes or worry about finding a wife. That man, though he feasted himself, never begrudged them a share of the broth.

But Isher felt this was already good enough.

At least he couldn't imagine Yanush running public education, building factories, or reforming taxes.

That fellow might have tried, but the result would likely have been worse than doing nothing.

Reform driven by the most extreme conservatives inevitably becomes performance art for its own sake, leaving everyone bewildered.

If Yanush ever wanted equality, to put a book in every hand, his solution would never be to first give land to the tiller and make literacy worthwhile. Instead, he would tear the few textbooks in half and distribute them, or simply behead both the illiterate and the over-educated.

If he ever turned to industry or agriculture, it would be even worse—all machines would be melted into slag, and every sow and boar slaughtered indiscriminately.

Isher was just grateful that Anwar had shot him.

Yudhono looked at him and smiled.

"Yanush is not dead."

Isher was taken aback, then smiled.

"How could that be! Don't joke like that—everyone saw him die, could he come back to life?"

The man was killed by Anwo.

It was Abusek who gave the order, and he who instigated and hinted at it.

"No, you didn't understand what I meant," Yudono shook his head. "The Bolo people are Yanush, and Yanush is the Bolo people... He stood up that day and rallied a multitude. That one thing was no Velant conspiracy; he was the choice of popular acclaim."

"No one chose him—you might not know—some people pushed him up." Isher spoke very obliquely, since going further would involve some inside stories of the Federation.

Yudono, however, seemed not to hear, and continued on his own.

"You're wrong. No one pushed him, or it makes no difference whether someone pushed him; he would still be himself, because he is a god on earth and the god in the hearts of the Bolo people."

"Is that so? Then this god is truly foolish, having played himself to death." Isher smiled, teasing noncommittally.

"Who says a god must be clever?" Yudono grinned. "Gods have never been flawless—whether the Wolf God, the Dog God, or the Sun-Bearing Divine Ox from Utopia... Was it clever to reduce the Moon Tribe to slaves with a single lie? They gained some benefits, and most people shouted 'Kill them well.' But the Moon Tribe fired the first shot to overthrow the Empire, and in the end, it was the most loyal Wolf that bit the Empire to death."

At this point, Yudono gave Isher a meaningful look.

"Rather than doing the right thing, being recognized as right no matter what you do—that is a god."

"I once paid a heavy price for selectively forgetting some things... so much so that I was left in this city to die. You managed to walk out of West Sail Port alive, so you must not be a fool, but don't get too cocky."

"This is only the beginning. The slaughter in West Sail Port is not over; half your foot is already in the red earth. If you want to survive, keep your eyes wide open."

"This is the advice of a dying man to you... for the sake of your racking your brains to do something for a dead man like me."

Isher frowned.

"Are you warning me to watch out for Commander Abusek?"

Yudono did not speak, only said meaningfully,

"Everyone."

"If you truly harbor ideals, not just talk like Yanush, you must be wary of everyone."

That hesitant voice was like a candle flame flickering in the darkness, making Isher's vision blur for a moment.

He suddenly realized his back was soaked with cold sweat, but he did not know where the sweat came from.

Just then, a piercing alarm interrupted their conversation.

Isher and Yudono's faces changed simultaneously, and they rushed out the door, looking up at the sky.

There, a huge airship had already flown over the city of Lion City!

To be precise, it was a fortress forged of steel.

Its heart once soared through the boundless star river; later generations used old weapons to forge a new shell for it.

Its towering silhouette seemed to shroud the entire southern district; dense gun barrels were more numerous than guns on the ground.

The fear once dominated by the "Horn" once again enveloped Isher.

But this time it did not open fire; it just flew over and dropped pitch-black barrels...

Those black barrels numbered at least a thousand, a terrifying quantity that left no time to count.

They fell freely through the air, exploding just before hitting the ground; flames like solid matter, like bowls overturned onto the earth, engulfed building after building.

The fire spread instantly!

Most of the southern district turned into a sea of flames!

Even though the survivors of Lion City had replaced some buildings with concrete, it did not change the reality that most houses were made of wood.

Screams rose and fell in the distance; Isher vaguely heard children crying, men and women wailing, and the sounds of chickens, dogs, cattle, and sheep.

Those who had once harbored illusions about the Velant people now scrambled to flee the city.

The things at West Sail Port were true.

So the Legion really didn't care about their lives!

Some cursed the soldiers for dragging them down, some cried out for lost children, and some pushed aside those in the way.

"Help!"

"Someone help me! My child is trapped!"

"Ami!! Where are you?!"

"Damn it, the box I left at the door! No! I have to go back for it!"

"What time is it to care about your box? Run for your life!"

"Dad!!!"

The people on the street shouted and clamored; the crackling of flames was like the silent wailing of ghosts.

On the bridge of the Horn airship, the officer who ordered the bombing sighed and muttered that it was a waste.

And Ryan the Chiliarch, sitting in the command vehicle, cracked a cruel grin.

"Attack." Looking at the officer standing beside him, he gave the order in a cold voice.

And with his order, the centurions at the front blew short whistles; the clone infantry carrying Ripper rifles, spurred by the whistles, roared a charge toward the Bolo State Army's positions.

"Kill!!!"

Facing the surging clone troops, the Bolo soldiers guarding the city gate collapsed at the first touch.

The entire southern district became a purgatory, and that earthly purgatory was spreading to other districts.

"...Damn it."

Staring straight at the airship, Isher's eyes were bloodshot, his fists clenched, as if he wanted to grind his teeth to pieces.

His mind went blank, burning with chaotic flames, and for a moment he even felt confused whether saving those Velant people back then was the right choice.

And just then, Yudono, standing beside him, suddenly pushed him, making him stagger and almost fall.

Coming to his senses, Isher turned sharply and saw the Lion tribesman shouting at him.

"What are you standing there like a fool? Run!"

...

One thousand four hundred napalm bombs.

This was the maximum bomb load of the Horn airship, and also the strongest killing move of the Legion's airships.

When a fortress could not be taken after a long siege, they would use this move to force the remaining people to submit.

That unstoppable airship and the inextinguishable flames were enough to destroy both the flesh and spirit of a group of people.

This thing was even more useful than nuclear weapons.

And it never failed.

No living person could be seen in the entire southern district, and the residual flames were still burning toward other districts.

Stationed in the southern district were the Bolo State's 4th and 5th Myriads; both units had been withdrawn from Ridepur County, already understrength, and after this battle they were completely annihilated!

The clone infantry, holding Ripper rifles, stepped over the charred corpses and marched briskly toward the positions of the 6th and 7th Myriads.

As for the soldiers of the Bolo Kingdom, after witnessing the sky-scorching flames, the morale of the remaining four ten-thousand-man corps was on the verge of collapse.

Fear of fire is an animal instinct.

They were, after all, only mortals.

The casualties were not borne solely by the soldiers; the city’s inhabitants suffered equally.

No one knew exactly how many had died in that great fire, and no one ever would.

But it was certainly no small number.

Just as three thousand-man detachments of Velantians advanced toward Lion City, a research vessel from the Academy came to rest on a low, nondescript hill in the distance.

In a certain sense, the Academy and the Velantians shared some historical ties.

After all, the Academy’s predecessor was the Technical Department of the Post-War Reconstruction Committee, and the latter was the “proud creation” of that department, completed at the behest of the Defense Department.

That was precisely why, when the Velantians cursed the Academy’s researchers as a bunch of swamp slugs, those “slugs” would always laugh and retort, “I’m your daddy.”

There was no fault in that statement.

Even if it was all ancient history from two centuries ago…

Seated aboard the research vessel was Yang Kai of the Research Directorate, while the holographic image standing beside him was Li Ke of the Special Projects Group under the Foreign Affairs Directorate.

Both were B-level researchers—a rank already considered high within the Academy. Above them were only the A-level directors of the four major directorates and the various committee members, as well as the S-level Chief Technology Officer.

As for Doctor Conclusion, that gentleman held no rank.

“Tsk, those big-noses are ruthless… This bombing must have killed at least ten thousand people.”

Watching the image on the holographic screen, Yang Kai couldn’t help but click his tongue.

Li Ke nodded and uttered a heartfelt remark.

“If those meddlers from the Defense Department were still alive, I wonder if they’d regret that foolish choice back then.”

Yang Kai chuckled.

“Isn’t there still one alive?”

Li Ke: “Who?”

Yang Kai took a sip of coffee and said unhurriedly.

“I recall his name is Julius—the head of those Velantians.”

Hearing that name, a look of realization dawned on Li Ke’s face.

“Ah… you mean that fellow. He might indeed still be alive, but it’s only a possibility, after all.”

There were many ways to extend life, but two centuries was still too long.

Moreover, the Legion’s medical conditions were far inferior to the Academy’s, and even worse than those on the East Coast.

“…At least no one can prove he’s dead. Who knows?” Yang Kai shrugged.

They had once advised the Defense Department not to treat technology as a panacea for all troubles, but those muscle-brained fools clearly hadn’t listened, forcing everyone to swallow that bitter pill.

In the end, most of them died at the hands of the Velantians, dragging many others down with them.

They say that fellow named Lowell was the same—forcing his researchers to create some kind of red soil. It did save many lives, but it was hard to call it salvation when people were reduced to living and breeding like animals.

These arrogant individuals, without exception, paid the price for their own stupidity and hubris.

Whether it was the Defense Department or the Post-War Reconstruction Committee.

Whether it was the Human Union or Lowell…

History rarely repeats itself simply, yet it always echoes in strange ways.

Not long after Yang Kai and Li Ke finished their exchange, Jiang Xuezhou, clad in a thick protective suit, returned to the research vessel.

The outfit, almost identical to a spacesuit, made her look like a bloated snowman.

“Mentor, I’ve collected all the data you requested!”

“Good, well done. Just save it into the server,” Yang Kai praised, dragging the holographic screen aside and speaking casually.

Allowing the Legion to continue its eastward expansion was not only against the interests of the Corporation and the Alliance but also against the Academy’s.

Under the agreement with the Alliance, they planned to participate in this war in the form of “technology for equity,” much like their involvement in the space elevator project.

The Southern Legion had prepared five airships for this invasion, and the Academy had likewise prepared a special “gift” for them.

However, to ensure that gift truly reached its recipients, they still needed to collect some necessary data.

This data was primarily related to gravitons and was easiest to gather when the output power of the anti-gravity system fluctuated significantly.

For instance, during bombing runs or when loading and unloading supplies.

Glancing at the raging flames on the holographic screen, Jiang Xuezhou’s eyes flickered with a hint of emotion.

There must be so many people in there…

Noticing the expression on his student’s face, Yang Kai raised an eyebrow slightly.

As if recalling something, especially rumors about the “Research Society,” he spoke with interest.

“Are you wondering why we don’t do something to stop them?”

“…Is it not possible?” Jiang Xuezhou asked reflexively, but quickly realized her rudeness and lowered her head apologetically.

Yang Kai, however, didn’t mind and merely smiled lightly.

“Not to mention whether it’s feasible—even if we had the power, we would never waste the effort.”

Slowly raising her head, Jiang Xuezhou looked at her mentor with confusion.

“Why?”

Yang Kai said calmly.

“The Academy wasn’t built in a day. If you’re interested, read more of those reports stored in the deepest part of the library—they’re not secrets that can’t be discussed. We haven’t refrained from helping wastelanders; in fact, we’ve meddled more than anyone else. But have you seen anyone thank us?”

Jiang Xuezhou was momentarily speechless.

It did seem to be true.

Because of the Academy’s style of conduct, they weren’t very popular on the wasteland.

Though she had never sought the spotlight or to become a hero in people’s eyes.

Picking up the coffee cup from the tray and taking a gentle sip, Yang Kai continued unhurriedly.

“They admire the Ideal City, they fear the Legion, but they look down on us, blaming us for hoarding technology. And they never stop to think—just a tiny Vault 117 could cut through two provinces. If we hadn’t contained those technologies, what would happen to them? Would they live their lives riding exoskeletons and mechanical prosthetics? They’d be chased down by deathclaws wearing exoskeletons, just like they were slaughtered like pigs by mutants in Haiya Province.”

“I’d even bet that even if the Alliance staked its life to help them, afterward some would still blame the Alliance for not saving more, for leaving those in the city to die, while the real troublemakers and the problem itself might well be forgiven.”

How could that be?

Jiang Xuezhou wanted to ask, but the words stuck in her throat.

After a long pause, she rephrased.

“…But I think the people you mentioned probably wouldn’t care either.”

For instance, Ye Shi.

In her memory, that optimistic man always wore a sunlit smile on his face, never fearing or retreating no matter the situation.

It was that optimism and courage she admired most, along with his kindness.

If it were that guy, he probably wouldn't even give such a thing a second thought.

"Perhaps, but it's not really about caring or not caring—it's about whether we can wait for the dawn after the long night before the light within them goes out."

Yang Kai smiled meaningfully, looking at her as he spoke with implication.

"That body you gave your little boyfriend—do you really think he likes it?"

Jiang Xuezhou's face flushed, and she hurriedly tried to explain that he wasn't her boyfriend, but soon realized another, more serious issue.

Her mentor already knew she had paid out of her own pocket to replace his body!

But then again, it wasn't something she could hide anyway...

Seeing that her mentor didn't seem angry, she said softly.

"But I feel like he kind of likes it—at least he doesn't hate it, right? I gave him the most expensive one... the best I could buy with my clearance."

"Did you ask him?"

Setting the coffee cup on the tray, Yang Kai looked at the stunned Jiang Xuezhou and said slowly.

"I don't actually oppose some of the things you're doing, but as your mentor, I have to remind you: don't get too deep into certain matters."

"Respect others' fates, let go of the urge to help, and only do what we can and what we think is worth doing—that's the lesson history has taught us."

"We're ultimately heading to a new world, unless you can convince him to come with you."

Jiang Xuezhou bit her lip and finally lowered her head.

"Yes..."

Yang Kai nodded approvingly.

"Good, as long as you understand. Go on with your own work; I'll call you if I need you."

Elsewhere, south of Lion City, in the hilly terrain a dozen kilometers away.

Staring at the blazing fire, Ye Shi, gripping his binoculars, couldn't help but clench his fist.

"Damn it..."

Feng Kuang placed a hand on his shoulder and patted it gently.

"Our mission is reconnaissance... There are only two of us. Don't think about doing anything."

Fang Chang and the others were searching for the two downed "Thunder" units. The wreckage must not fall into the Legion's hands; they had to blow it up completely before the Legion found it.

Also, the Skull Brigade was having some trouble. After finishing their main task, they might have to go help out.

The reinforcements the Alliance had sent to the front had only just landed at Golden Garon Port.

As for that already-burning flame, standing here, there was indeed nothing they could do.

They weren't gods, after all.

Ye Shi said nothing, just stood there in silence.

Like most players, he had always treated this game with a player's mindset, but thinking that those people were really dead once they died, his heart felt as if a stone were lodged in it.

Rolling black smoke merged heaven and earth into one; the oppressive dark clouds seemed choked by the smoke, and with a thunderous sneeze—"Boom!"—they finally unleashed a torrential downpour.

The rain washed over the muddy, charred streets, cleansing the walls of dried black blood and grime.

After hours of brutal fighting, the Boro Kingdom's defenders ultimately tasted bitter defeat.

Of the six ten-thousand-man units in the city, nearly seventy percent were dead or wounded. Commander Yudono, the general of the Lion Prefecture theater, fell on the battlefield. The Boro Kingdom's western front of two hundred thousand troops collapsed almost entirely, just like the pouring rain!

Lion City, after all, had fallen.