Chapter 402 - Setting Out

Chapter 402: Chapter 157: Setting OutXie Zhongxing led the senior officers of the headquarters through the portal to the frontline of the bunker, where, at this moment, millions of the empire’s army had gathered, all who could still bear arms were waiting for the command of the Marshal of the Three Armies.

Standing atop the city tower, Xie Zhongxing’s temples were streaked with gray, his heart had been exhaustively burdened by the survival of the empire during this period.

"I know you are frustrated," Xie Zhongxing surveyed the dense crowd below the city.

"I am frustrated as well," Xie Zhongxing continued, "which is why I’ve summoned you."

As he spoke, Xie Zhongxing turned around, facing the calm sea and continued, "This expedition, with no vanguard and no reinforcements, we are risking everything, we seek revenge!"

As his words fell, like a spark, they ignited the silent crowd below.

"Revenge!"

"Revenge!"

"Revenge!"

"The Sea Race has started this war unprovoked and occupied our homes, what shall we do?!" Xie Zhongxing roared.

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

"The Sea Race has bullied our Human Race, and since the war began, forty million civilians and six million soldiers have died at their hands. What shall we do?!" Fire burned in Xie Zhongxing’s eyes, these figures had been tallied a month ago, "The empire has suffered humiliation, and now, with the arrival of the mercenary brothers, it is time to pick up arms and seek revenge against the Sea Race! As the Iron Wall Marshal of the empire, I command you! Advance! Attack the Sea Race!"

"Attack!"

"Attack!"

"Attack!"

The city gates of the bunker opened, and the empire’s soldiers lined up neatly, stepping towards the ocean, marking the first step of the empire’s counterattack.

On both sides, Water Magic mages orderly mobilized their magic power, creating a long ice path on the sea surface.

Mercenary leaders like Lan Sa came to Xie Zhongxing’s side. They too had only known of the threat the Sea Race posed to the empire. Hearing the figure of forty million, as fellow kin, a surge of anger welled up in them. When the Sea Race attacked Jinrui City, the empire’s response was delayed, and the civilians in the city had not had the chance to evacuate and were massacred.

"Marshal Xie, although we mercenaries are not versed in military strategy, do not hesitate to dispatch us as you see fit."

"Indeed," Hu Fo said solemnly, "I only regret not seeing through Fang Tianhao’s disguise sooner, to support the empire."

"Your presence is satisfaction enough," Xie Zhongxing asked, "I am curious, your King of Mercenaries had issued a ban, why lift it today?"

"Marshal, what you do not know is that Fang Tianhao turned out to be a minion of the underworld. Thankfully, Baron Yitian exposed his disguise, saving the mercenary world from disaster."

Hearing Lan Sa’s explanation, Xie Zhongxing nodded, his information matching that sent back by Zuo Pei, "I hope you can make some sacrifices. The empire’s soldiers have fought continuously, and although they seem full of vigor, they are in fact weak internally. If they encounter the elite troops of the Sea Race, they will not withstand the battle. I need you to support from the flanks to reduce losses."

Simply put, he wanted the mercenaries to protect the empire’s soldiers. Should a hand-to-hand combat ensue with the Sea Race, the mercenaries would be the first to perish.

Had the leaders of the mercenary corps not known of the sacrifices the empire had made, they surely would not have agreed to this, but with the weight of forty million on their hearts, Lan Sa did not hesitate, "We are entirely at the Marshal’s disposal."

"The Scars of War Mercenary Corps has no problem."

"The Blazing Flame Mercenary Corps has no problem."

"The Shattered Star Mercenary Corps has no problem."

"The Wild Wolves Mercenary Corps has no problem."

"The July Mercenary Corps has no problem."

Xie Zhongxing nodded, "I thank you all in advance."

"Marshal," at that moment Luo Bolun stepped forward, bowed, and stood before him, "It’s alright to deploy without arranging troops, but it seems I also can’t discern the march’s direction. Would the Marshal clarify for us, so we may also be prepared?"

Xie Zhongxing shook his head, "The empire has always been under pressure from the Sea Race, making it hard to enter the marine territory for reconnaissance, so I am also unclear about the movements of the Sea Race."

"How shall we fight then? Are we just to run about aimlessly on the sea?" Luo Bolun asked puzzledly, "Wouldn’t that make it easy to fall into their trap?"

"Trap or no trap is already irrelevant. This expedition into the marine territory doesn’t demand knowledge of their specific deployments. We are here to seek battle, and the prideful Sea Race will surely come to us. No matter the outcome, just fight!"

Luo Bolun shook his head, "Forgive my words, Marshal, but isn’t this arrangement a bit rash? If we are defeated, we might not be able to escape the marine territory."

"But what can we do without fighting?" Xie Zhongxing’s expression was sorrowful, "The empire can’t afford it any longer, and I might as well tell you that now, in the Star Sea, nearly seventy percent of the realms are only nominally loyal to the empire’s orders, not actually responding. Most of the military forces of the remaining thirty percent of the realms have already died on this land, the rest have just pushed forward into the maritime areas. The empire has no way out."

In just a few short sentences, Luo Bolun sensed the current dire state of the empire, like a flickering candle in the wind, ready to be extinguished at any moment.

Luo Bolun nodded, understanding. Then, Luo Bolun bowed again, "I, Luo Bolun, although not talented, am willing to share fate with Marshal Xie."

Xie Zhongxing patted his shoulder, "It’s a pity for you to die alongside an old man like me. The empire can perish, but as long as you are alive, there’s a possibility for its reconstruction."

Meanwhile, the space above the bastion gradually twisted.

Xie Zhongxing frowned slightly, worried that Konstantin had changed his mind and come to stop the expedition.

Fortunately, it was Caesar who emerged.

Xie Zhongxing was startled, "Lord Caesar, what brings you here?"

Facing the once-in-an-age emperor, Xie Zhongxing was extremely humble, now truly the first man of the empire.

"Are you heading out for an expedition?" Caesar landed next to Xie Zhongxing.

"Yes, I plan to mobilize the nation’s power to counterattack the sea tribes."

Caesar nodded, "The old saying goes, the older, the steadier. Why do I feel you are more reckless than Konstantin?"

Xie Zhongxing’s expression shifted slightly. Could it be that Konstantin thought he couldn’t be persuaded and had Caesar come to stop him?

"Don’t worry." Caesar, seeing his concern, smiled and said, "I’m here to escort you. If the empire is attacking the sea tribe and the Naga Queen shamelessly attacks, the empire would truly be finished."

Xie Zhongxing breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you, Lord Caesar."

"I guess you don’t have a direction to advance?" Even Caesar didn’t know the deployment of the sea tribes, he believed Xie Zhongxing was also unaware.

"Yes, we can only plunge deeper, continuously moving in one direction, and will eventually encounter the sea tribe."

"That’s not necessary." Caesar pointed in a direction, "Head that way. Baron Yitian has penetrated deep into the territory of the sea tribe and was attacked by the Naga Queen. Although not dead, he was severely injured. The sea tribe probably retreated because they were ordered to eliminate the Baron. If you advance in the direction where the Baron is, you will definitely encounter the sea tribe."

Caesar’s involvement was the result of Lu Hong using the "Black Pupil Command" to communicate with him.

The possibility of the empire being able to counterattack the sea tribe was actually very low, and Caesar knew this. However, with the arrival of mercenaries, Xie Zhongxing’s decision to mobilize the nation for a counterattack gave Caesar an opportunity, the chance to hunt the Naga Queen.

Moreover, Lu Hong, through the "Black Pupil Command," accurately provided the location of the Naga Queen, something that Caesar could not ignore. Once hunting the Naga Queen, the matter of regaining his sense of taste would become two-thirds complete. The blood of the Lion King wasn’t necessarily meant for a direct confrontation with Tai’e; there were always ways to sweeten the deal, and in any case, Caesar felt the price could be paid.

After Caesar confirmed the route of the march, Xie Zhongxing’s originally gambler-style all-in gradually gained some confidence.

Initially, Xie Zhongxing had worried that the sea tribe’s sudden retreat was a trick, but now, knowing the truth behind the scenes, perhaps this deployment could undergo some reevaluation.

"Call Zheke over," Xie Zhongxing instructed a trusted aide, and soon the person was brought over.

"Zheke greets Marshal!" As a high-ranking member of the Black Guard, Zheke, following Questasa’s orders, was responsible for the operations of the frontline Black Guard.

The Black Guard was directly under Konstantin, and although Xie Zhongxing was a Marshal, he had no authority to command them.

"Lord Zheke, I hope the Black Guard can assist in this expedition."

Zheke shook his head, "Marshal, it’s not that I don’t want to help. I’ve even asked His Majesty, but His Majesty doesn’t agree with the Black Guard participating in this expedition and has asked me to prepare for the event of defeat."

"Defeat..." Xie Zhongxing sighed slightly. It seemed Konstantin held no optimism about this expedition.

"Although His Majesty has commanded thus, I still hope Lord Zheke can spare a few hands."

The Black Guard possessed a skill called "Sky Eye," standard equipment spell. This spell had no offensive capability, but it was an excellent reconnaissance skill, superior in overall scouting effectiveness compared to army scouts, and could significantly reduce casualties.

Think about it, what if a scout encounters a Third Transition powerhouse? They might not even have the chance to relay the message before being killed. But with "Sky Eye" as a spell, the spellcaster can instantly transmit the information. Even if the spell is broken, at most, the spellcaster would lose vision for a month, but their life would be safe.

"That’s possible." As the overall head of the frontline Black Guard, Zheke had significant authority. Aside from Questasa, he was now virtually the second-in-command of the Black Guard. Privately dispatching a few to assist Xie Zhongxing was not a problem, and he did not wish to see the soldiers and mercenaries of this expedition sink to the bottom of the sea.

"I don’t know if Marshal has a specific plan for this expedition so I can try to persuade His Majesty further." The total number of frontline Black Guard was no less than a hundred thousand, all of them elite. Compared to the weary imperial soldiers, their combat capabilities were clearly superior, and like those soldiers, the Black Guard harbored deep frustration.

Before coming to see Xie Zhongxing, Zheke had also soothed many of his subordinates.

"Lord Caesar just came by and told me that Baron Yitian is currently in the territory of the sea tribe, and the sea tribe’s sudden retreat was aimed at intercepting the Baron. So our target this time is to strike the sea tribe as much as possible and rescue Lord Baron from the maritime area."

"Baron?!" Zheke was startled, "Are you talking about Baron Yitian?"

"Yes."

After receiving Xie Zhongxing’s affirmation, Zheke’s face showed his conflict, extremely torn.

After a while, Zheke spoke, "Well, currently there are forty thousand Black Guard at the bastion, take them all with you. For the rest, I’ll try my best to obtain His Majesty’s permission."