Episode 238. Let’s get started.
Special conference room at the 2nd Northern Corps headquarters.
Imperial General Lemmon Reeves took his seat and remained silent for a while. He looked around the conference room, fiddling with the teacup on the conference table.
It was a private meeting without the staff and adjutants present. There were three people in attendance: General Lemmon Reeve, Northern 2nd Corps Commander Dump, and the temporary adjutant of Kalanta Camp, Nerheim.
But strictly speaking, there were five. That’s because we have to include Rubin and the Haneke inside Rubin.
-You’ve aged a lot, Lemonlive.
The dead general spoke to the living general, as if he was hoping that his words would be heard, even though they were clearly unintelligible.
-You’ve been slacking off on your training.
‘Do you feel that way?’
Rubin asked. Rubin, who had made his way through the tight security surrounding the special conference room and was now embedded in the walls, was more focused on hiding than ever.
-The higher you go as a soldier, the less time you have to hold your weapon.
Haneke was the same way. He must have had a lot to worry about as he rose from corps commander to general.
-I was lazy when I was a general, but I started training after I died.
He knew when Lemonlib was at the peak of its power. Compared to then, it seemed like it had come down two or three ‘stairs’, if not ‘floors’.
It was barely a 7-star rating. Maybe that’s why I felt a strange sense of regret towards Haneke.
‘Still, the energy emanating from that arm is amazing. I think I understand why it’s called the ‘Mechanical Beast of the Silver Wall.’
Even though it was rusty, it was still a seven-star unmanned machine. In particular, his machine was emitting a clear aura that resonated in the darkness.
at that time.
“Dump, start.”
The general’s soft voice rang out. At those words, General Dump quickly stood up from his seat.
Nerheim looked at the dump with a curious look. He was the type of person who never let go of a cigarette except when he was sleeping, but from this morning onwards, there was not a single smell of cigarettes on him.
It seemed that he too had no choice when sitting with the general.
“This ‘Operation Sunset’ is… … .”
General Dump’s report continued. He listed the current immunity levels of the barrier monsters, as well as the expected developments.
“What are the current movements of the people who have been killed?”
“As observed through the Grandbird crossing the barrier, it is the same as usual.”
Based on the information provided by Rubin, Haneke kept the living conditions of the Tuhunians as they were normally.
They left the turban shells in each tribe’s territory and even created a routine so that no changes could be felt among the members.
Moreover, thanks to the eagle people who lacked pupils, we were able to detect Grandbird’s movements first, so the deception strategy seemed effective.
“… The area closest to the barrier is the clavicle tribe’s territory. Estimated time: 1 hour. At that point, everyone will be wiped out by the monster.”
“It’s just right.”
“Considering the monsters’ movement speed, it takes about a day to reach the nearest tribe’s territory after the Clavicle Tribe is destroyed. If the monsters are scattered here and there, it may take longer. That’s why I’ve prepared a method to control the monsters’ movement direction and speed.”
“I guess the way to drive away the monsters is through the Grandbird?”
“Yes.”
But Lemonlive shook his head.
“The first objective of this operation is the final verification of the immune drug. Let the monsters roam freely. They will move around looking for meat to devour anyway.”
“All right.”
“And isn’t there a separate role for destroying the traitors?”
Naturally, it was Nerheim’s turn to speak. Nerheim spoke about what he had observed and analyzed since being assigned to the Kalanta military camp.
Next, he explained how the orc transport operation would proceed. A situation board with the territories of the five tribes drawn on it was mobilized, and the direction in which the orcs would advance was also drawn directly.
Without even knowing that all the information was being input into the head of the enemy commander, Haneke.
“That, the Orc Commander. I don’t remember his name.”
“This is Kalanta.”
“Yeah. I think he’d like to see me, right?”
“… Yes.”
Lemonlive smiled gently.
It wouldn’t be a good thing if the world knew that the Grand General’s Office was raising an Orc army, especially if the Grand General was directly involved.
“Let’s see his face after everything is finished.”
After everything was finished. That is, when the Orc legion successfully finished clearing the grasslands and annihilated those who had outlived their usefulness on the spot.
However, by then, a large-scale propaganda material will have been spread across the continent. The Thun people have been annihilated by monsters and orcs, and the Imperial Army will be dispatched to judge the evil legions.
thud.
There was a dull thud. Lemonliv had placed a metal box with a handle on the table.
“I’m sure you know about the plans after ‘Operation Sunset’.”
Lemonlive swept the iron box with a mechanical pencil.
Rubin knew what was inside. It was an immune-nulling drug. It was the thing that would change the course of this war.
“General, is this an immune-nulling drug?”
Lemonlive nodded and opened the iron box. The lock was simple. It opened immediately with a click.
“Your Majesty, in order to secure this medicine, wanted to give you a first-class magic stone. Of course, I couldn’t bring myself to accept that wish.”
“… … .”
The general tapped the back of his neck.
“You all know how precious and noble a first-class magic stone is. However, one first-class magic stone is already being used in this operation. It’s on the orc legion commander’s neck. If we receive support once more, wouldn’t it be a disgrace to command a legion-level operation?”
Finally, the box lid opened, revealing ten small vials filled with the drug.
“Dump, come out and get this.”
General Dump walked slowly and stood in front of the general.
“Where is the safest place within the Northern 2nd Corps? You will be going out to inspect the operation anyway.”
“We will create a special restricted area within the currently operating restricted area. We will have elite soldiers guard it.”
“Deploy at least two five-star level officers.”
Although he eventually answered yes, it is true that General Dump hesitated a little.
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Although the Imperial Army does not directly engage in operations other than fielding Orcs, five-star officers are an important resource within the Legion.
Most of those who had that level of qualification were high-ranking officers. Was there a need to place two of them aside?
It was natural for such doubts to arise in Dump’s mind. Up until now, the operation seemed to be progressing perfectly. No one, except a few people, even knew of the existence of ‘Operation Sunset’.
Moreover, even if someone were to steal that immune-nulling drug, what would they use it for?
‘Well, I guess there’s nothing I can do.’
Finally, General Dump returns to his place carrying the iron box.
“Externally, my schedule is to inspect the three northern corps. The period is two weeks, and I have to visit two other places in addition to the two northern corps.”
Then the general walked towards the door.
Then, suddenly, it stopped at a certain point. It was not far from where Rubin had infiltrated. If the general had jumped, it would have been within striking distance.
‘Did you… notice?’
Rubin, holding his breath, braced himself for an attack. If he were caught here, he could suffer a fatal blow.
“… … .”
The general’s eyes turned towards the wall –
“Two days later would be good.”
“yes?”
I turned around again.
Fortunately, Rubin was not discovered. If Rubin had not climbed to the sixth star of the Dark Realm, the general might have noticed.
The general turned around and looked at Dump and Nerheim.
“I’m talking about the start of the operation. Two days later, at sunset, we will open the polar barrier. We will bring in five thousand monsters immune to the ‘tidal wave of the fight’ and close the barrier again. And when the sun has completely set, we will also begin transporting the orcs.”
Before leaving the conference room, the General tapped Dump on the shoulder. Now that the starting point has been set, it is now General Dump who will carry out the operation.
“I don’t think that orc will go mad, but if it does, make sure to deal with it properly.”
After leaving those words to Nerheim, the general left the conference room.
-Two days later, at sunset.
Haneke checked the timing once again. The general’s order was not a declaration of war, but Haneke accepted it as such. It was the beginning of a decisive battle.
‘Haneke, I will attempt to capture the immune neutralizing drugs as soon as they are moved to the restricted area. Probably after the operation has commenced.’
-Yes, in order to mass-produce them, the Orcs must vacate their barracks. We can’t let anyone know about our plans until then.
‘I’ll try to bring it forward as much as possible. Until then, I’ll have to hold out with the sheer power of my fighting spirit.’
-When you have this much of an advantage in espionage, it makes no sense to lose.
‘Still, many fighters will lose their lives.’
-I know. And everyone is prepared for it. Rayubia too.
* * *
Two days passed.
Meanwhile, General Lemonreeve continued his inspection of the 1st and 3rd Northern Corps.
Naturally, the generals did not know that the general’s schedule was merely an excuse, and that a grand operation to clear the plains was hidden.
“Your Majesty.”
It was while Lemonlive was receiving reports from the Northern 3rd Corps Commander on the political currents and recent military developments within the Northern Kingdoms.
The staff member approached cautiously and lowered his body.
“As scheduled, the order to open the barrier has been delivered. It will open in ten minutes.”
“Now that I think about it, the sun is setting.”
Lemonlive looked out the window. Following his gaze, the commander of the 3rd Northern Corps and all of his subordinate officers looked out the window.
At that moment, the polar barrier.
Jiiiiiing.
The golems guarding the wall reacted in a way they had never seen before.
As the sun began to set, it suddenly stopped working. The mission to eliminate the monsters that were invading the meadow. That was stopped.
The sun set below the horizon and darkness fell. At the same time, the barrier began to separate with a loud bang.
Kukukukukung.
The barriers that were touching each other widen the gap and open the door. And as soon as the barriers open, the polar monsters start to swarm the plains.
Phage crackling.
The polar wheel that was running at full speed suddenly burst. It wasn’t because of the wind of the battle. It was because another huge and ferocious monster stomped on it.
The first time the barrier was opened, the monsters didn’t sense anything suspicious. They didn’t even have the intelligence to do that, and all that filled them was the desire to quench their hunger.
A tidal wave, literally a tidal wave. Like a dam breaking and a flood pouring out, the monsters surged in like a tidal wave. Over the green of the meadow, gray and bloody monsters began to spread rapidly.
Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo.
In front of the monsters, big and small, the air was tightly packed. The tidal wave of cavalry lined up, preparing to charge.
Krrrrrrrrrr.
Krrrr!
The monsters continued to surge forward, crushing and crushing each other without stopping, even as a tidal wave of destruction awaited them right before their very eyes.
Doo doo doo doo doo.
Finally, the tidal wave of the battle reached the monsters. However, almost all of the monsters had formed immunity. The monsters were not affected at all by the tidal wave of the battle.
It just passes by like a gentle breeze.
Of course, there were some who did not receive enough medication and thus did not develop immunity.
Such monsters either had their bodies blown away by the tidal wave of the crash or capsized and died, but this was only a very small number.
A significant number of the monsters that surged in survived.
“This… This can’t be happening.”
Some of the people who had been transformed into eagles were watching this scene from the sky.
Thanks to the Chieftain and Haneke, I was prepared for everything, but when I saw the monsters actually overflowing, I was filled with an unavoidable sense of fear.
“Wake up. This is just the beginning!”
The first to regain his senses was the next chieftain, Talaskun. He approached the shivering being and flapped his wings roughly as he shouted.
“We just need to move as we’ve prepared. Now, follow me!”
Again, Lemon Lib.
The inspection of the Northern 3rd Corps was concluded, and the general now moved to the banquet hall.
It was a grand banquet attended by imperial officers, their families, and even some nobles from nearby kingdoms.
There were quite a few nobles who had come from far away. They all came to meet the head of the Imperial General Staff.
Clap clap clap clap!
When Lemon Liv offered a toast full of honesty, the attendees erupted in applause. The general bowed politely.
Then, suddenly, he looked out the window and saw that the sun had already set. The orc transport operation must have begun by now, the general thought. The wine scent in his mouth was very sweet.
