Chapter Sixteen: The Army Moves In

Xuanlu, First Military District.

In a modestly decorated room, a crimson dragon banner—like the rising sun—hung upon the wall. Around the oval table sat an assembly of people.

There were generals of the Republic in black uniforms, exuding a fierce and predatory aura like tigers. There were academicians, heads crowned with white hair and foreheads bare, whose faces bore the marks of age and whose bearing suggested profound erudition. There were also political commissioners, impeccably dressed in suits, representing the central government.

Here were gathered the leading figures of the Republic’s military, government, and scientific communities, representing all sides of the nation to participate in a grand plan that would decide the Republic’s future.

A major general, holding the latest consolidated intelligence, read aloud rapidly: “Third Consolidated Intelligence Report on the New World. The following content is top secret; disclosure will result in a minimum sentence of thirty years’ imprisonment, up to the death penalty.”

“Major Qin Le experienced an anomaly during awakening two nights ago—the height and width of the Door expanded twofold.”

“The New World: Human society is roughly on par with the Western Middle Ages, with a low level of productivity… The Kingdom of Dawn operates under a feudal system, not by primogeniture, but rule by the strong. Intelligence suggests a territory of approximately five million square kilometers… According to the elf Aimeya, the King of Dawn is gravely ill and near death, yet no heir has been chosen.”

“Olina Dawn, ninth princess of the Kingdom of Dawn, third-rank knight, seventeen years old. Suspected to have lived in the capital’s slums until age ten. Observed to possess a strong sense of justice, often aids the common folk, and enjoys high prestige among them. Her actions, contrary to noble values, have led to her ostracism by the aristocracy. Simple-minded, she may become the next monarch and is a candidate for recruitment.”

“Aimeya, elf, possesses vision far superior to humans, age unknown. An extraordinary thief, strength unknown. Greedy, a realist, and holds a deep friendship with Olina. Traveled the world before meeting Olina and is very knowledgeable; recommended for recruitment.”

“Appendix: The assassination attempt on Princess Olina may be linked to the struggle for the throne.”

“Count Daina, third-rank knight and noble. Hypocritical and cunning, possibly the mastermind or accomplice in Olina’s assassination attempt. May be used if possible; otherwise, eliminate.”

“Red gold is likely 99.99% pure gold and of immense value in the New World, essential to the founding of nations. It can be used to forge powerful extraordinary items. Recommend regaining control over the gold used in trade to prevent devaluation.”

“Extraordinary individuals are divided into six levels, essentially wielding a mysterious energy called Qi. Air samples retrieved from the New World have not revealed any special substances.”

Countless pieces of intelligence were read aloud in quick succession—every person encountered, every fragment of conversation in the New World was meticulously recorded.

Under the supervision of the state apparatus, this vast and dense web of intelligence was being collected in perfect order. Even if direct information could not be obtained, the Xuanlu expert group would make endless hypotheses and deductions, constantly verifying them against existing intelligence.

Aimeya could never have imagined that every word she spoke would be analyzed by hundreds of top psychologists, sociologists, linguists, and other field experts.

Moreover, the information on the report was only the barest fraction; not only Qin Le was gathering intelligence through conversation, but other elite operatives were also collecting information in various ways.

“Finally, Major Qin Le’s report, ‘On Troop Deployment.’ Any comments?”

No sooner had he finished than a major general raised his hand: “I believe we should deploy an additional field battalion, not just the vanguard, to secure the surrounding area.”

“Would such a large movement attract unwanted attention from other powers?” another general interjected.

This was not a simple medieval society, but a world imbued with supernatural forces—utterly unfamiliar. Information could travel slowly or, with certain extraordinary professions, as swiftly as the telegraph.

“So what if it attracts attention? We’re not afraid.” A scar-faced general spoke up. “Set up the six-pounders, mount the anti-aircraft guns—let’s see who dares come!”

“Increasing the troop count is prudent. According to the latest reports, a Green Goblin disaster has broken out in the region where the exploration team is located. For safety, I also recommend an additional field battalion.”

“I agree.”

After a moment’s consideration, most present concurred.

“I also suggest deploying an artillery company. Extraordinary individuals are small and fast-moving targets; in urban or forested areas, firearms alone have little chance of hitting them. We need firepower saturation. I recommend the Seventh Artillery Company.”

“I propose the Third Armored Brigade enter as well to swiftly control the surrounding area.”

What began as a discussion soon devolved into a contest, with every commander vying for their unit to be the first to set foot in the New World.

Even the air force and navy grew restless, though the current size of the Door made their entry impossible—for now.

“I believe the First Field Battalion should take the task. Only they can guarantee absolute security.”

“I disagree. The Third Field Battalion would be more suitable.”

Just as the generals were about to break into an argument, Shentu, seated at the head of the table, finally spoke: “Quiet. Though the Door has expanded, we must consider Major Qin Le’s endurance. One field battalion will suffice.”

Deploying more troops would mean more logistical support. Qin Le had not yet reached the point where he could open the Door without any strain, or maintain it for days on end; Xuanlu had no intention of sending in excessive forces.

“The New World is still full of unknowns. For now, peaceful contact is our priority. War is always the last resort. The Republic’s enemy is not in the New World, but here—beyond Xuanlu.”

…

Olina’s Domain, the only decorated room in the castle.

The beautiful elf Aimeya, dressed in bear-themed pajamas, lay sprawled on the castle’s sole large bed, a smile curling on her lips, drool dampening the pillow—she was clearly lost in a sweet dream.

“Red gold… hehehe…”

Bang!

Suddenly, a series of knocks shattered the morning calm.

The dreaming elf jolted awake and tumbled under the bed in fright.

“Who’s there?!”

After a few seconds, Aimeya slowly poked her head out from beneath the bed, crawled to the window, and peered outside. There was Olina, directing the commoners to dismantle, carry away, and clear everything from the square.

“What’s the meaning of this, making such a ruckus at dawn? Can’t anyone sleep?” Aimeya bellowed.

Her shout instantly drew all eyes upward; the commoners stopped their work, glancing up at the castle window with a trace of fear toward the beautiful elf.

It was an unspoken rule in the domain: Lord Aimeya was not to be provoked in the morning, lest her temper be roused.

Olina cupped her hands and called loudly, “We’re preparing the grounds for Qin Le’s knight order to settle in!”

“The knight order?” Aimeya blinked, then recalled the deal Qin Le had proposed the day before.

To offer such an exorbitant price for this shabby place—what a spendthrift! If buying dog dung with gold was excessive, then buying this field with royal treasures was sheer madness.

If she didn’t know that the High Humans had neither kings nor emperors, Aimeya might have suspected Qin Le was the crown prince. How else could he lavish such wealth to curry favor with Olina, the fool?

“High Human knight order?” Aimeya tilted her head as a vision emerged in her mind:

A troop of green-clad men with guns, riding horses, their faces masked like monsters.

Half an hour later, the once cluttered square was finally cleared; nothing remained but the yellow earth.

“Everyone, off the square!” Olina called. The commoners scattered, gathering at a distance with the rest of the townsfolk, curiosity in their eyes.

They were eager to see their princess’s friend and what this lord’s knight order would be like.

Qin Le glanced at the crowd, only a hundred meters from the square, and shook his head. “Have them move back. There’s still not enough room.”

“What? But your knight order numbers less than a thousand, doesn’t it?” Olina looked at the broad, open square in confusion. It was more than enough for a thousand men and their mounts.

Even if the High Humans had larger horses, could they really be as big as houses?

“Not enough,” he replied.

“All right.” Olina raised her voice again: “Everyone, take another hundred steps back!”

At her command, the people retreated, expanding the open space again.

“Is that enough?” Olina asked.

“Still not enough.”

“This is still too small?” Olina waved her hand. “Back again!”

The crowd retreated once more, this time leaving the square entirely for their usual earthen homes.

Olina asked, “Is that enough? If not, we’ll have to use the wheat fields.”

Surveying the surroundings, Qin Le finally nodded. “It’ll do—barely.”

Barely? How could a knight order of a thousand require such a vast area? Were their mounts truly giant beasts? Olina was full of questions; she simply could not fathom what kind of knight order required so much space.

Qin Le looked at his watch as time ticked by. Those present shifted from curiosity, to confusion, to drowsiness.

“Qin Le, is your knight order coming or not?” Olina finally couldn’t suppress her doubts.

“Yes, yes!” echoed the elf from the castle window. “Are they coming or not? I’ve been staring out for over ten minutes and haven’t seen a soul!”

In the next moment, Qin Le began speaking in a strange tongue.

“Twenty hundred hours. Operation commence. Troops, enter!”

A red portal appeared out of nowhere, slicing the scene in two with an unreal sensation.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Suddenly, men in green uniforms, rifles in hand and bristling with equipment—‘knights’—ran out of the portal.

Their thunderous, unified footsteps pounded upon the hearts of all present. Though they moved swiftly, not a single step or formation was out of place. They moved as one—like a giant.

Everyone, including Olina and Aimeya, was awed by the chilling, disciplined aura of this knight order.

The commoners looked on in awe and fear.

But Olina and Aimeya, women of experience, saw far more in this knight order.

Their weapons, comparable to legendary artifacts, were actually standard issue! The bearing, the eyes—unlike any army they’d ever seen. If the Kingdom of Dawn’s finest knight orders were fierce wolves—fearsome, swift, and terrifying—then this strange knight order was a tiger roaring through the forest: cold, dignified, and deadly. Though there were hundreds, at a glance it seemed as though they were a single entity—a tiger.

Fear.

Faced with this strange knight order, everyone felt it.

Though they appeared to be ordinary men, their presence exceeded even that of the extraordinary.

In less than three minutes, the vanguard entered the New World and, as planned, took their positions in perfect formation.

Just as all thought it was over, the impossible red portal emitted another sound—a deep, unfamiliar roar.

Whoosh!

One after another, steel behemoths the size of houses rolled out!

Their bodies were encased in cold, iron armor, and they emitted a bizarre rumble! Look closer—inside each beast sat two green-clad, black-haired humans!

“Mon—sters!”

The commoners, seeing these endless steel behemoths, went weak at the knees, collapsing in terror.

Even Princess Olina’s mouth hung open as she stared in disbelief. If the knight order had amazed her, these behemoths terrified her.

At last, Olina understood why Qin Le had said there wasn’t enough space—there truly wasn’t! The High Humans’ mounts were indeed giant beasts—behemoths larger than houses!

Heavy military trucks followed at a measured pace, carrying the field battalion’s soldiers, supplies, and weapons: artillery, bullets, explosives—down to rice, salt, vegetables, and meat.

Olina, in a daze, tugged at Qin Le’s sleeve. “Are these behemoths your High Human mounts?”

“What High Humans?” Qin Le asked, puzzled, but kindly explained, “These are called automobiles. If you must put it that way, yes—they’re our mounts.”

Ten minutes later, two formations—one large, one small—stood in perfect order before Qin Le.

Vanguard reinforced company: two hundred men.

First Field Battalion: five hundred men.

“Report! Vanguard company, two hundred and twelve assembled!”

“First Field Battalion, five hundred assembled!”