After exchanging the latest intelligence with Muelsyse, Felix capped his canteen. Barely ten minutes earlier, the players had suffered a direct head-on blow from the Western Legion. Hundreds of players from the central assault unit had fallen. They were surrounded by mixed-blood Wendigos, and although the enemy paid dozens of casualties, the players' frontline was still shattered.
The outcome was expected. Those Wendigo, though not pureblood, were seasoned fighters with bodies hard as iron. They weren't as tall as the Goliaths, but their density made them the strongest shield-bearers in the Western Legion's vanguard.
Felix wasn't surprised. In his previous life, when he traded through Kazdel, he often posted jobs with the Western Legion to hire NPC guards. It cost him plenty, but it always guaranteed safe passage.
He personally felt nothing about the result, but the players felt they had failed the Pioneer. Despite having superior equipment, they had been overwhelmed the moment the mixed-blood Wendigo shield-bearers appeared. As commanding officer responsible for this failure, Yangyan-XF even considered committing ritual suicide in shame.
"Long live the Emperor, Banzai!"
Alas before he take action the strategy team prevent him and talked him down.
To the players, the mixed-blood Wendigos were rated at purple danger level. Under normal circumstances, such enemies required at least twenty players taking turns in a rotation to bring one down. But these purple-tier Wendigos didn't fight fairly. They simply charged in with their shields raised. How were the players supposed to deal with that?
It was a setback they were destined to face. It also taught them that war wasn't ruled by level numbers. Yangyan-XF had experience in troop deployment, had played Civilization and StarCraft, but standing on a real battlefield was nothing like controlling units from behind a screen.
The only silver lining was that they had endless brothers worth 7 dollar each… though some had already stayed dead for an entire Earth day, which equated to three days in-game.
Yangyan-XF felt as if he had lost a handful of hair from stress. He knew this main quest was one they had to clear, but now that he was the one responsible for the warriors, he finally understood the pressure a commander carried.
And this pressure would only grow. War would not end. He told himself he had to swallow this experience whole and turn it into strength. Otherwise, what was the point of climbing so far in Tomorrow's Developmentier?
After long deliberation, he decided to rely on the Lightbearers.
They were the trump card of this campaign. If they joined the fight, victory was assured. But they weren't meant to be the Pioneer's main force. That much was clear from Felix's attitude. He wanted the adventurers to grow. If he didn't, he could simply march with hundreds of Lightbearers behind him and raze the Western Legion's base to the ground.
The strongest power of the Western Legion lay in the mixed-blood Wendigo shield-bearers. If ace fought ace, the result was obvious. It was time for the Lightbearers to move.
When Yangyan-XF found Oras and explained his thoughts, the Vouivre accepted his command without hesitation.
"Mr. Oras, you don't seem surprised at all."
"There's no need for such formality between comrades, Yangyan."
Oras's voice was cold, likely because his Oripathy affected his throat and made his tone rough. "Leave the mixed-blood Wendigos to us. The rest is up to you adventurers."
"Understood, Oras."
Yangyan smiled. "If possible, I'd like to learn some combat techniques from you."
"Anytime."
Oras's lips curled slightly. His Originium Arts were icy, but the man himself was warm.
After entering the command tent, Oras saluted Felix.
Felix wasn't surprised by Yangyan-XF's decision. Oras lowered his voice. "My Lord… you intend to recruit the mixed-blood Wendigos, don't you?"
"Oh? Do you have an idea?"
A clever subordinate needed no explanation to offer answers. Oras nodded. "In my view, the key lies with the Western Legion's leader, Caren Augusta. If we can make her surrender, incorporating the mixed-blood Wendigo shield-bearers will not be difficult."
The concept of obtaining a new unit type caught Felix's interest. Individual martial strength meant little on a battlefield. This was where the difference between players and Terra's NPCs became apparent. A strong player in personal combat did not necessarily shine in war. The mixed-blood Wendigos were the strongest shields on the field. And Felix was undeniably tempted to acquire that unit.
"According to Adventurer Yangyan's plan, his forces will engage the Western Legion across the entire front once we clash with the mixed-blood Wendigos. At that moment, the Lightbearers will charge straight in and confront the fortress guard, Caren, head-on."
"I will persuade Caren Augusta to swear loyalty to a worthy master."
Oras continued calmly. "My lord, please rest assured."
"Good."
Felix nodded and looked at Oras. "The Lightbearer is my private force, my strongest trump card. Whatever you need or desire—if it's within my power—I will grant it. After this campaign, what reward do you want?"
"From the day you saved me, it became my honor to fight for you and open new frontiers. To serve as one of the Lightbearer fills me with unparalleled joy."
Oras's loyalty was indeed unwavering. Felix never denied that. Seeing Oras speak so earnestly, Felix only smiled and sent him off. The Lightbearer was his elite unit; how could he not let them enjoy their share of the spoils?
Four days later, most adventurers had finished their login countdown. They came online one after another, some picking up equipment dropped by their teammates and swearing to reclaim their pride. Yangyan XF had issued clear instructions: they would hold the flanks in this battle, while the mixed-blood Wendigo shield-bearers in the center would be handled by the Lightbearer. They would strike at the right moment.
Oras and the others had no objections to the plan.
Soon, everyone was geared up and ready to move out. Just as they were about to depart, a few players glanced back and let out startled cries.
"It's the Pioneer!"
At once, everyone turned around. There he stood, wearing his standard long coat. He lifted his hand slightly. Blue flames roared upward, and golden light rained down from the sky.
"Holy crap, that's Anduin!"
A player opened his eyes wide. The scene looked almost exactly like Anduin summoning the Light in Battle for Azeroth. Whether Horde or Alliance, every fan was losing their minds on the spot. No doubt, this cutscene was insanely cool.
As the radiant rain fell, everyone felt a strengthening buff settle onto their bodies. Power surged through them; their speed and attack rose markedly.
Felix's smile flashed briefly. In a casual tone, he waved a hand. "Crush them. Raise the banner of our tomorrow upon their fortress."
A thunderous roar erupted in response.
"Ohhhhhhhhh!"
The adventurers beat their chests in excitement. They had lost again and again, and the mixed-blood Wendigo had crushed them repeatedly. But they were players— the freest adventurers in this land. They feared nothing.
On the western legion's fortress walls, Sarkaz warriors already stood guard. Their eyes were calm and cold. Below the walls, the mixed-blood Wendigo shield-bearers waited with shields in hand, like silent guardians of the city.
Caren Augusta, leader of the Western Legion, did not remain in the rear. Uncharacteristically, she took her place on the front line. Standing before the Wendigo shield-bearers, spear and massive shield in hand, her expression was resolute.
She knew this would be Tomorrow's Development's strongest assault. If they failed to withstand it, the Western Legion might cease to exist.
What was the meaning of battle? To preserve the Western Legion? To grant these mercenaries—scarred by countless wars—another reason to fight?
Caren pressed her lips together. She was part of the Military Commission's younger generation. Under Manfred's guidance, she had earned military merit through multiple campaigns, eventually rising to command the Western Legion.
But ever since Her Highness Theresa's death and Theresis's departure for Londinium, Kazdel had become a lawless land. Theresis abandoned their homeland completely, focusing solely on acquiring Victorian technology to arm the Sarkaz, conquer Victoria, and unite the Sarkaz through war.
She also knew how dramatically Kazdel had changed since Tomorrow's Development entered the mobile city.
As a member of the Commission, she watched in silence. She would not allow her homeland to be seized by outsiders. And when she learned that the leader of Tomorrow's Development was a Sankta, she felt only alienation.
Since when could a Sankta enter Kazdel's mobile city? Since when did Sarkaz mercenaries bow their heads?
Though she did not deny their achievements, she felt everything drifting beyond the Commission's control.
Yangyan XF suppressed his excitement and blew the horn of attack.
The low, trembling note echoed across the battlefield.
Oras led the Lightbearer forward. At the same moment, Nightfall used her Originium Arts to cloak the advancing group in shimmering mist, speeding their charge until they glimmered like starlight crossing the battlefield.
"Western Legion, prepare to engage!"
Caren shouted. The mixed-blood Wendigo raised their shields and charged. She led the vanguard herself. As the Lightbearer drew near, she shouted again:
"Defend!"
A series of heavy thuds reverberated as shields slammed into the ground. The Wendigo huddled behind their fortified wall of shields, bracing for impact. Caren did the same, gripping her spear tightly, ready to deliver a decisive strike when the Lightbearer collided with their line.
Oras barked coldly, "Ground!"
Ground?
Caren froze for a moment. What did he mean?
She understood the next second.
The armor mechs worn by the Lightbearer suddenly vented a burst of mist. With a harsh metallic whir, the towering front-line soldiers raised their fists and slammed them into the ground.
A deep boom erupted.
The soil surged like a rising tide, unleashing a violent shockwave that tore across the battlefield toward the Western Legion. Caren staggered, almost falling. Several mixed-blood Wendigo shield-bearers behind her had already been knocked off their feet.
A breach opened in the defensive line.
"Kneel and you won't be killed!"
The Lightbearer roared in unison. Oras charged straight toward Caren. She met him with a cold smile; good, she thought, just what she wanted. She thrust her refined spear directly at his face.
A grating screech rang out. Caren's eyes widened. The moment her spear touched the mech, its tip began to wear down. Oras struck with a single punch, and the spear she had wielded across countless battles shattered in two.
Oras sneered, then drove forward with another punch infused with bitter frost, an avalanche of force crashing onto her shield.
Caren was blasted into the air. To her shock, the sturdy shield in her grip exploded into shards of ice scattering in all directions.
"Lady Caren!"
The mixed-blood Wendigo cried out in panic. But they realized almost instantly that they had no time to worry. The Lightbearer had already reached them. Some unleashed Originium Arts; others relied purely on mech-powered strength, pressing down with overwhelming force.
"Surrender… and live!"
"Like hell we will!"
"Heretics!"
The Wendigo cursed furiously. What should have been an even match instantly became a one-sided slaughter.
Yangyan XF watched with burning envy. Damn it, he wanted to join the First Legion and fight as one of the Lightbearer too.
Forget it. He couldn't even get his players army fight properly anyway. Fine, the first legion could be the Dark Angels and we support them!
The Pioneer was a Sankta, after all. Dark Angels matched his race perfectly!
For the Emperor!
"While they're fighting, get up the walls!"
The players rushed the fortress using ladders and tools, launching a full-scale assault. With the mixed-blood Wendigo stalled at the front, all of the Western Legion's remaining strength was concentrated atop the walls. When they saw the endless surge of Tomorrow's Development mercenaries charging like a roaring tidal wave, they were stunned.
"Are they… endless or something?"
"Captain, I swear I just saw a mercenary I stabbed to death last week. He's alive?"
"No, these people aren't normal at all. They're undead!"
The Western Legion mercenaries cursed loudly. Undead? That was beyond dirty!
Tomorrow's Development clearly had ambitions of rebellion. Their ranks were practically full of undead. Did they plan to take over the world? As Sarkaz mercenaries, they absolutely refused to allow that!
Fight! Today they would clash with Tomorrow's Development to the bitter end. Today, they would damn well win!