Chapter 870: Steel Sky!

Chapter 870: Steel Firmament!

A fierce and exhilarating battle had just concluded, and the soldiers on the western front were proudly cleaning the battlefield, while the eastern rear presented a completely different scene.

In the central part of Mazhou.

A nondescript small mountain village, sparsely populated, with only some elderly and children.

This place, like the Heavenly Capital, belonged to the territory of Bolo Kingdom, the only difference being that the former was located on the border, thus rarely appearing in public view.

Correspondingly, the people here knew very little about what was happening in the outside world.

When the residents of the Heavenly Capital were busy preparing for exams, and the people of Lema City were considering whether to take a boat to the Heavenly Capital for the exams, the locals didn't even know what an exam was.

Not only that.

Because this area was sandwiched between Mammoth Prefecture and Tiger Prefecture, and with remnants of the Gray Wolf Army active in the region, there were effectively three warlord forces each acting independently, so the Absaik regime's control over this area was extremely weak.

Apart from a few settlements with populations of hundreds of thousands or millions, most other mountain villages were essentially lawless zones, and even the landed nobles had fled.

Such a poor place naturally couldn't retain young people.

Unless they had families they couldn't leave behind, most able-bodied young men either went to the cities to seek work or joined nearby warlords.

At least here, farming honestly offered no way to survive, and it was hard for a family to even get enough to eat.

An old man carrying a basket on his back was returning home from the fields when he was suddenly stopped by a polite young man on the road.

"...Elder sir, could you tell me the way to Black Python Mountain?"

The old man stopped and looked at the young man before him. He saw that the young man carried a backpack, wore long-sleeved clothes, and though travel-worn, had fair skin—clearly a respectable person.

As the saying goes, one doesn't strike a smiling face, and his courteous demeanor made it hard not to feel favorably toward him.

Especially since the old man was used to being looked down upon by the gentry, now having a respectable person willing to stoop to talk to him, he felt somewhat flattered.

Scratching the back of his head, he grinned and said politely.

"Oh my, I dare not call myself a sir; I'm just a farmer... Where was it you wanted to go? Black Python Mountain, was it?"

As he spoke, the old man suddenly realized the place was called Black Python Mountain, and his expression immediately changed.

Zayid smiled and nodded, speaking in a gentle and kind tone.

"I heard General Gopal is nearby, and I'd like to visit him."

"Oh dear, why would you go looking for that wolf who devours people without spitting out bones?"

Before the young man could explain, the old man nervously glanced around, and seeing no one else, earnestly continued to advise.

"Young man, take my advice—that pack of wolves is no good... They're just a bunch of bandits! It's only because the front lines are still fighting that Grand Commander Absaik hasn't had the time to deal with them. Once this war is over, every single one of them will be caught!"

Zayid smiled and sighed.

"It seems these bandits have caused you no small trouble."

The old man shook his head and sighed deeply.

"Ah, indeed! Because of those guys, anyone with a bit of surplus grain has to hide it carefully. They come around every few days to extort us, almost stripping the walls off my house."

"You've suffered," Zayid said sympathetically, placing his hand on the old man's shoulder, as if truly pained by his plight. "But elder sir, don't worry! What Commander Absaik can't handle, I will! In fact, I've come to solve your troubles!"

"Solve?" The old man was taken aback, looking at him suspiciously. "You, a scholar... what could you possibly solve?"

Zayid laughed at that.

"I'm no scholar... Just tell me how to find him."

Good advice is wasted on a doomed man.

Seeing that he insisted on going, the old man could only sigh and pointed behind him.

"Cross that mountain ahead; the one winding like a giant python is Black Python Mountain. It'll take several days to get there. You can't go in alone, but his men patrol that area, guarding against the local militia. Once you reach the woods behind the mountain, shout every few steps, and they'll come to you."

Having said that, the old man kindly added another warning.

"That man is truly no good... If you want to join the army, you'd be better off with Rasi or Absaik."

The memory of villages being burned was still vivid.

Though he hadn't experienced it himself, he'd heard from refugees fleeing the north that their village was burned by the Gray Wolf Army under a scorched-earth policy.

Every one of the empire's old officials was a man who didn't treat people as human.

"I understand. Rest assured, leave this matter to me."

Zayid smiled and patted the old man's shoulder, then turned and walked without looking back in the direction the old man had pointed.

A good man...

Gazing at the pitch-black forest, a faint smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

If that man were any good, he wouldn't have come to this godforsaken place...

Leaving the mountain village, he headed north.

The deeper he went into the woods, the sparser the population became, and occasionally he could hear wolf howls.

He brought no attendants.

Zayid picked up a wooden stick to use as a walking staff and walked alone, like a steadfast pilgrim.

After a long journey, crossing dense forests and thorny thickets, he finally saw the mountain range coiled like a giant python on the earth.

Ahead was Black Python Mountain!

The remnants of the Gray Wolf Army were hidden there!

A smile spread across Zayid's face. He was about to shout as the old man had advised to attract the attention of a nearby patrol when suddenly a dark gun barrel was aimed at him.

"Don't move."

The icy voice seemed to drift from the underworld, as gloomy as a cave long untouched by light.

And that was exactly the kind of place snakes loved to hide.

Zayid could feel at least ten guns aimed at him, every pair of eyes filled with vigilance and hostility.

Dropping his walking stick, he raised his hands without hesitation and spoke with his back to the dark gun barrels.

"My name is Zayid. I've been sent by Commander Absaik to negotiate with you... Please let me meet your commander."

Laughter echoed around him.

Gopal, holding his rifle, curled his lips.

He hadn't expected that while idly strolling to clear his mind, he'd stumble upon such a big fish.

"I am the commander here, former staff officer of the Gray Wolf Army, now general of the Gray Wolf Army. Commander Absaik, tsk tsk... You rebels actually dare to come here."

With his hands raised above his head, Zayid smiled faintly.

"Why wouldn't I dare? In these times, anyone with a bit of ability raises an army and rebels. I'm a rebel, and aren't you the same? If you truly weren't, you'd have pledged allegiance to His Majesty Akbar instead of staying here."

Gopal's eyes narrowed, and the surrounding gazes turned hostile.

The atmosphere grew icy.

But just then, Gopal's brow suddenly relaxed, and he sneered.

"Interesting, then I'd like to hear what message your master wants you to bring me."

Zayid glanced around, and from those pairs of eyes he saw a hatred that had seeped into the marrow of their bones.

They had once been the empire's proudest warriors, heroes revered by thousands, but now they were abandoned here like stray dogs, waiting to die.

Wutuo had never trusted these men until his dying day, yet he knew clearly that they were the empire's most loyal.

When everyone had already abandoned the empire, even the farming peasants acknowledging Abusek as the "new king," only they had never forsaken the old master they once swore allegiance to.

Arayan was like that.

His subordinates were the same.

And it was precisely for this reason that they harbored an immense hatred for Abusek, their former comrade.

It was that man who turned their loyalty into a joke, making them clowns in people's eyes.

And so Zayid knew very well that if he took out that commission, he would be dead for sure.

That thing was not meant to be used that way.

"...Let's speak frankly," Zayid said, staring intently at Gopal. "I never regarded Abusek as my master; a two-faced, indecisive fellow like him is not worthy to be my master."

Gopal suddenly let out a laugh.

"What are you trying to say?"

"I can restore General Arayan's honor, and yours, and your families'," Zayid said, glancing around then back at Gopal. "Not only that, I can help you take revenge."

The atmosphere around them grew still; pairs of eyes unanimously wrote disbelief.

Restore General Arayan's honor?

Relying on this nobody?

Gopal's pupils contracted slightly; he was clearly tempted.

But it was only for a moment.

He quickly realized that this fellow was testing him, and then gave a cold laugh, pressing the muzzle of his gun forward an inch.

"Do I need that?"

Though he concealed his emotions carefully, the man standing before him still caught that fleeting change in expression.

Having already obtained that affirmative answer, Zayid looked at General Gopal without changing his expression, not even glancing at the gun barrel nearly poking his nostril, and spoke softly.

"...If you don't need it, why don't you go to Rasi, or directly defect to Abusek, instead of leading your men here as bandits? You know this is a dead end. Once the Boro kingdom finishes off the Southern Legion, the first thing they'll do when they turn back is deal with you."

Gopal said with a cold laugh.

"You speak as if they've already won."

"How can they lose? Or rather, how can the Southern Legion win?" Zayid smiled faintly. "Since you are a staff officer of the Grey Wolf Army, I believe your judgment is certainly no worse than mine."

Before Gopal could answer, Zayid continued.

"They all misunderstand you and look down on you, but only I know that you and your former general are truly loyal subjects... You should not go to your graves bearing shame; you deserve the love and respect of all survivors in the entire Boro Province."

Gopal suddenly burst out laughing, and his laughter was so loud that it startled the birds in the woods into flight.

He lowered the muzzle of his gun.

"Interesting... This is the second time I've felt that way."

Watching the lowered gun, a pleased smile spread across Zayid's face.

"So what is your answer?"

"I'm very interested in your ability to restore General Arayan's honor and help me take revenge... But I must tell you, I hate not just Rasi, but everyone."

Zayid: "Everyone?"

"That's right..." Gopal stared at him darkly, speaking each word deliberately. "All those who abandoned us, betrayed us... they all must pay the price."

So that was it.

Zayid showed a look of sudden understanding, observing with interest this man even more twisted than himself, especially studying for a moment those eyes like a starving wolf.

No wonder even that old farming man thought this fellow was no good.

He wore his hatred all over his face.

And the object of that hatred was all Boro people.

"...Then you've come to the right person." Zayid suddenly laughed out loud, extending his right hand. "In this world... I'm afraid only I can fulfill your wish."

Gopal grinned and grasped his right hand.

"That may not be true... but I believe if I wait long enough, I will surely meet someone like you."

It's you!

That expression seemed to say so.

Zayid, with a brilliant smile on his face, shook his hand back vigorously.

"Then let's wish for a pleasant cooperation."

A conversation as open and honest as today's would likely never happen again.

From the moment he led the Grey Wolf out of this forest, a wise and martial saintly hero would be born in Snake Province.

The survivors of Boro Province would remember this moment, but no one would recall what they actually said that day.

To facilitate writing his memoirs later, he deliberately did not bring his student along.

After persuading Gopal, Zayid naturally took out that commission and revealed the plan he had in mind.

He had already passed Abusek's first "impossible test," and the second was next.

Snake Province was currently under the command of Grand Commissioner Shahrukh, who would certainly not allow a nobody like him to come and seize power.

Even if he held this commission as "Supreme Commander of the Snake Province Theater," it would be useless.

If he really went there rashly, his situation would be even more dangerous than today's lone venture into the wolf's den.

Shahrukh would rack his brains to make him disappear, and it would be as easy as crushing an ant, for although it was his hometown, it was Shahrukh's territory.

However, all this would only hold true if he went to seize power.

What if he wasn't going to seize power?

Or rather...

The one truly seizing power was not himself.

Zayid told Gopal in a very soft voice what he intended to do, and the latter, after hearing it, first showed a stunned look, then an expression of admiration.

Such a venomous scheme...

He had indeed found the right person.

The two men, each with their own thoughts, simultaneously revealed sinister smiles.

Near the end, watching Zayid put away the commission, Gopal suddenly spoke.

"By the way, how did you know that General Arayan was wronged?"

Zayid replied without a moment’s thought.

“Which matter do you mean?”

“The embankment of the Tasan River,” Gopal shrugged, “First they said the city defense forces blew it up, then they changed their story, claiming we ordered the city defense forces to do it, indirectly killing a hundred thousand people… In truth, not nearly that many died, and it had little to do with us.”

Zayid raised a hand, cutting him off with a hint of impatience.

“Does that sort of thing matter? Were the villagers on the border of Horse State and Mammoth State killed by the Moon Tribe resistance?”

He had never been there, but a glance at the map told him Rasi had no reason to do such a thing.

As for the dam, it might well have been Rasi’s doing—not because the map gave anything away, but because the man, in his guilt, had built another one.

Had it been him, he would never have committed such folly; since ancient times, what sovereign ever admitted fault?

Incompetence is not incompetence; admitting fault is.

Of course, these were thoughts he kept to himself, never to be shared even with Sawa, his closest confidant.

Gopal was momentarily speechless, unable to answer the question.

If one were to speak purely in terms of lives taken, Alayan had certainly killed more than Rasi, and with far greater intent.

Yet Zayid merely patted him on the shoulder, offering no explanation, and said lightly,

“When we win, it will all be their doing.”

…

West Sail Port, the Governor’s Mansion.

General Gurion, seated in the governor’s office, finished reading the battle report in his hands, his face turning ashen.

After a long moment, he rose from his chair in fury, slammed the report onto the desk, and cursed,

“A bunch of useless fools!”

Two mechanized infantry ten-thousand-man corps!

One was crippled, the other captured in its entirety, even the chiliarch taken prisoner.

And all this while under airship cover!

These swine were a waste of food alive—they might as well shoot themselves!

The officer standing at the door dared not breathe, staring rigidly out the window.

Beside him, the staff officer, his expression grave, lowered his voice and said,

“…Our frontline forces were far too complacent—that’s a major problem. This time, our opponents are not just the states of the Bharata Province, but also volunteers from the Alliance.”

“The biggest problem is that idiot Wulf!” General Gurion fumed, unable to contain his anger. “I sent him to scout Akale County, and instead he drove his troops into the river to fish for shrimp, turning a minor skirmish into a full-scale battle. Not only did he lose himself, but he also dragged down the 37th Ten-Thousand-Man Corps!”

The staff officer gave a wry smile and said,

“That’s exactly what I mean… These men see every enemy as a walking medal. If this continues, we’ll pay a heavy price!”

General Gurion shook his head in irritation, reached for the phone, and was about to give Chiliarch Ryan, in charge of the eastern front, a thorough dressing-down, but before he could dial, another call came in.

The call was from the General Staff.

Gurion’s heart skipped a beat, but he steeled himself and pressed the answer button.

Soon, the voice of the Chief of Staff came through the line.

This man was the second-in-command of the Southern Legion and the one who communicated directly with him.

“How is the situation in the war zone?”

Not daring to delay, Gurion immediately reported,

“The situation in the war zone is excellent. Chiliarch Otelai’s three ten-thousand-man corps have successfully advanced into Dog State! We will soon be able to launch the second phase of the offensive!”

After hearing his report, the Chief of Staff merely grunted, then continued,

“And the eastern front?”

Gurion’s expression stiffened, but faced with the Chief of Staff’s inquiry, he had no choice but to go on.

“…We have already captured Lion City, and the entire Lion State is under our control. It won’t be long before we take Heavenly Capital, and then the entire Bharata Province will be in our—"

Before he could finish, he was cut off by the voice on the other end.

“I’ve already heard about the 36th Ten-Thousand-Man Corps.”

The governor’s office fell silent, so quiet that a pin dropping could be clearly heard.

He hadn’t expected this disgrace to have reached the General Staff. Gurion’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he spoke with difficulty,

“The matter with Wulf… was an accident, due to terrain and weather. Of course, the main cause was the Alliance’s surprise attack.”

Though he had just cursed Wulf moments before, he now found himself forced to say a few good words for the fool.

After all, a subordinate’s stupidity did not excuse his own errors; it only made him, who had entrusted the man with such responsibility, seem the greater fool.

In matters of accountability, the Legion and the Empire were utterly different, even diametrically opposed.

Having patiently listened to Gurion’s explanation, the Chief of Staff said in a very soft voice,

“Whatever the reason, this is a disgrace to the entire Southern Legion… I don’t care if you use negotiations or some other method—get those prisoners back.”

Gurion replied with solemn gravity, as if facing a great enemy,

“Yes, sir!”

Seemingly satisfied with his attitude, the Chief of Staff on the other end did not berate him further, but after a pause, continued,

“Also, don’t be too eager for quick success. Since a swift victory isn’t possible, dig in and consolidate every position… After all, our opponents may not be just the Alliance.”

Gurion answered with resolute force,

“Yes, sir!”

Without wasting much time on trivial matters, the Chief of Staff asked a few more questions, then hung up.

Staring at the disconnected phone, Gurion let out a long breath, unaware that his back was soaked with sweat.

Yet what surprised him was that the Chief of Staff hadn’t reprimanded him…

Looking at the phone in his hand, he, who had been so furious moments before, now found himself uncertain—should he call the front line and give Chiliarch Ryan a thorough scolding?

Just then, a knock came at the door, and soon an officer pushed it open and entered.

“Reporting, General! The reinforcement airships—Rolling Thunder, Giant Axe, Fortress, and Iron Wall—have entered our airspace!”

Hearing this, Gurion’s face lit up with joy, and he clenched his fist involuntarily.

“Excellent… Have all the captains report to the barracks for a meeting immediately upon arrival!”

The officer at the door saluted.

“Yes, sir!”

A total of four airships had arrived at West Sail Port.

They brought not only ample firepower but also the “Prowler” tanks, specially designed to counter the Alliance’s Type 3 tanks and anti-tank electromagnetic cannons!

He planned to deploy all four airships to the eastern front, coordinating with Chiliarch Ryan to seize Heavenly Capital in one fell swoop!

Gurion, his spirits high, rose from his desk and walked to the window overlooking the harbor.

Beneath the thick black clouds, one after another, the towering steel prows gradually revealed themselves, like a steel dome that blotted out the sky!

Drawn by those colossal behemoths in the sky, passersby on the street halted in their tracks, casting incredulous gazes upward.

Some were astonished, some bewildered, others delighted, or perhaps terrified...

These were true instruments of war.

No one could withstand the rain of fire descending from the heavens!

At the sight before him, General Gurion's face finally broke into a relieved smile.

“…We’ve won.”

Meanwhile, at the foot of the Governor’s Mansion.

Akbar, the new emperor of Xilan, wore a fawning smile, a silk banner in hand.

On that crimson banner, in grand artistic calligraphy, was written a line:

[Congratulations to General Gurion on his successive victories!]

He wished to enter and present the banner to General Gurion himself, but the servants at the gate, lacking any tact, paid no heed to him as emperor.

No matter how he pleaded, he could not get in, and could only stand at the gate, fretting.

Just then, an officer emerged from the Governor’s Mansion.

He recognized that face—it seemed to be one of General Gurion’s attendants.

Seizing the opportunity, Akbar immediately approached with a sycophantic smile and explained his purpose.

Yet after hearing him out, the officer wore a peculiar expression, staring especially long at the banner in his hand.

“…General Gurion has a meeting soon; I’m afraid he has no time to see you.”

Akbar’s face stiffened, but he ultimately refrained from losing his temper and settled for a lesser request.

“Then… may I ask when he will be free?”

“He’s busy lately. If you have nothing important, best not to bother him,” the officer waved impatiently, glancing one last time at the banner. “I’ll deliver this banner for you.”

General Gurion was in a foul mood; if he saw that banner, who knew how furious he might become.

But Akbar knew nothing of the situation; his understanding of the front lines was still that Ryan the Myriarch had crushed the Bharata kingdom’s two hundred thousand troops and captured Lion City in a single battle.

Dazedly, he handed the banner to the officer, still unable to resist adding a reminder.

“I have not seen General Gurion in a long time… If he is free, please do arrange an audience for me.”

“Understood.”

Rolling the banner up and clutching it, the officer replied impatiently and walked away.

Akbar was about to ask if he was going the wrong way, but ultimately did not dare to voice the question.

At that very moment, the roar of engines suddenly pierced through the clouds, descending toward the ground.

Thinking the Alliance’s bombers had returned, Akbar’s face changed at once; he instinctively sought cover, until a glance upward revealed that it was no Alliance aircraft, but the Legion’s steel airships!

Four towering prows pushed through the layers of dark clouds, displaying their arrogant silhouettes in the sky.

His eyes first went blank, then that blankness transformed into ecstasy.

“Hahaha! Now those bastards are in for it!”

In contrast, the timid old Lion-man following behind him wore a terrified expression, muttering incessantly under his breath.

One Horn-class vessel had destroyed half a city, and now four were coming…

He could not even imagine what could possibly counter such a thing.

Especially when they launched an attack together…

The sky itself seemed to have become a dead city.

No matter how many local victories, they all seemed too pale before that absolute power.

Perhaps only a miracle itself—only the Administrator of the Alliance could save them…

That deeply wrinkled face was etched with despair, and he was not alone in thinking so.

“It’s over…”

This time, it might really be over…