CHAPTER 861: CHAPTER 861: THE CITY FALLS

Lion City.

The towering city wall has a wide gap, with scorched remnants of bricks and rubble on one side, and buildings reduced to ruins on the other.

This is the largest settlement in the entire Lion State, even bigger than West Sail Port, with many affluent streets built with wide and spacious houses, and some citizens’ homes have been replaced with walls made of stone and cement.

Although Witch Camel does not care for steel and cement, his admiration for the Weilante people has led the entire Lion State to regard them as their mentors, imitating every aspect of their ways.

Such as building walls with cement, plastering them, paving roads with cement, even embedding rebar within walls... these are things learned from the Weilante people by the local nobles and wealthy individuals.

And at this moment, these buildings constructed with reinforced cement have become one of the few shelters for Poluo Country’s land army.

This can be considered one of the few good deeds done by Witch Camel for his "people"...

The clouds in the sky are low and oppressive, and the ground is stifling, as if a downpour is imminent.

In the southern urban district, within a low building lies the temporary command center of Poluo Country’s land army.

With assistance from Yishel, who had witnessed the firepower of the "Horn" firsthand, Poluo Country officers completed the frontline defense deployment.

In fact, he didn’t need to stay here, because not long ago, his old superior Anvo sent a telegram to the front line, intending to bring him to Jinjaron Harbor.

Anvo certainly hadn’t forgotten him.

Although Anvo was distrusted by his old superior Leader Absek, the intrigue among the higher-ups didn’t affect him, a mere thousands of leaders.

However, Yishel did not leave immediately.

At least before he leaves, he must tell other officers about what he saw on the front line.

"...the army’s airships are not invincible; their cannons are dual-use for anti-aircraft and ground targets, mostly small-caliber cannons, and whether firing cluster bombs, high-explosive bombs, or other warheads, they primarily target simple shelters on plains and concentrated soft targets."

"Our allies are helping us intercept the most threatening 902mm heavy artillery and supplies sent to the frontline; the enemy’s firepower advantage will diminish with our resistance, eventually forcing them to dispatch elite troops for a decisive battle...and as long as we manage to hold out until then, it will be a turning point in this war."

"Although I don’t want to say this, numbers are indeed our only reliance."

Yishel drew some sketches on the blackboard, roughly describing the blast scene, the kill fan area of various warheads, and ways to possibly survive.

These insights were obtained through trials by his men.

And as he taught these officers, his men also went down to each grassroots, teaching local defense forces survival techniques.

Survival is most crucial.

Even more important than killing enemy troops.

As long as the Weilante people exhaust all means but cannot wipe them out, then it’s their turn.

Although he drew somewhat abstractly, the officers from Poluo Country listened intently.

They most lacked this experience, and the insights Yishel brought from the frontline were exactly what they needed.

Listening to his lecture were not only some ten thousand leaders, but even Udonuo, the overall commander of the Lion State War Zone, was there.

Since Reed Bull County fell, he left the conspicuous city lord’s mansion.

The facts prove his decision was correct.

Because shortly after he left, the army’s planes launched an air strike on the city lord’s mansion.

If he had been a step late, he might have joined his old superior Anush in death.

After the meeting.

The officers left the operations command room one after another, heading to their respective sectors to prepare for a decisive battle with the Weilante people.

Yishel was about to leave but was kept back alone by Udonuo.

"...Thank you, what you brought back is very important to us, but honestly, even with those things, we may not be able to hold this city."

Yishel said seriously.

"It’s impossible to hold it without doing anything, at least something must be done."

"You’re right," Udonuo sighed, his eyes first looking at the ceiling, then the floor, "I can feel that you truly love this land and want to do something for it."

Watching this guy’s appearance, Yishel suddenly felt unsure, wondering what these words truly meant.

He had heard about this guy’s background, reportedly a servant of a major noble in the Lion State, rising up in response to the Heavenly King’s summons, and ascending quickly to become a confidant of Anush.

Leader Absek did not trust him, never summoning him back to Tiandu.

Though he promoted him as the overall commander of the Lion State War Zone, anyone with insight could see he was being placed in a difficult position.

If he ran away, he would be a traitor of Poluo Country, with no upward mobility in his career.

But if he stayed, it would almost surely be fatal.

Seeing Yishel didn’t answer, Udonuo could guess the clever young man did not trust him, and suddenly changed the subject to his former superior.

"I remember long ago... actually not very long, I once asked Anush a question. If the Weilante people’s interests were that we should all die, then what?"

Yishel asked.

"How did he answer you?"

Udonuo continued.

"...He said a lot, sometimes talking about liberating Poluo wanderers’ slaves, sometimes saying the survivors of West Sail Port were enough to quell the Weilante’s anger. I don’t want to recall every word he said, but summarized in one sentence, history is written by the victors. He strongly believed in the laws of the jungle, as long as he won, no one would remember what he had done."

Yishel frowned for a moment but soon relaxed.

"So you were deceived by him, are you sorry?"

Udonuo shook his head.

"Nothing to regret, I merely made what I thought was the most correct choice, if given the chance again, I’d probably still rebel with him. After all, even if he’s a thousand times foolish, he’s a thousand times better than someone like Witch Camel."

Looking at the man even more pessimistic than himself, Yishel consoled him in a gentle tone.

"We’ll slowly get better, just like the former Giant Stone City. From Witch Camel to Anush was already a great improvement, now with Absek... I’m not trying to express loyalty, that hypocrite doesn’t deserve my loyalty, but haven’t you noticed the progress? A few months ago, you didn’t even dare mention Anush’s extremism, but now at least I dare discuss with you that Absek is a performance artist."

There are quite a few Poluo Country officers cursing Absek, especially after the latter confiscated the former’s handguns.

The grassroots soldiers are the same.

They lack clothes, ammunition, even underwear, while those landlords trading with the military faction are prospering, one person even marrying three to four wives.

If Anush were still around, they at least wouldn’t lack clothes or worry about getting a wife. That man himself enjoyed lavishly but never hesitated to share a sip of broth.

However, Yishel felt it was already quite good.

At least, he couldn’t imagine Anush managing public education, setting up factories, or reforming taxes.

Perhaps that guy would dabble a bit, but the final result might be worse than doing nothing at all.

Reforms led by the most extreme conservatives often transform into performance art, reforming for the sake of reform, leaving everyone in ridicule.

If one day Anush decided to promote equality and let everyone read books, his solution wouldn’t be to ensure every farmer had land, then make reading useful; instead, he’d rip the few textbooks in half and distribute them or eliminate both the illiterate and overly literate.

If one day he wanted to promote industry or agriculture, that would be even worse; probably all machines would be melted into molten iron, and breeding pigs indiscriminately slaughtered.

Yishel was only grateful that Anvo had shot him dead.

Udonuo looked at him and smiled slightly.

"Anush is not dead."

Yishel was taken aback and then laughed.

"How is that possible! Don’t joke around, everyone saw him die, how could he come back to life?"

The man was killed by Anvo.

It was under Absek’s order, and he was the one who hinted at it.

"No, you didn’t understand what I meant," Udonuo shook his head, "Poluo people are Anush, Anush is the Poluo people... he stood up that day and then resonated with everyone. That was the one thing that wasn’t a conspiracy of the Weilante people, and he was the choice everyone desired."

"No one chose him; you might not know... it was someone who pushed him up there." Yishel spoke cryptically, knowing that any further would delve into the United Federation’s insider matters.

But Udonuo seemed oblivious to Yishel’s words, continuing to speak to himself.

"You’re wrong, no one pushed him, or it doesn’t matter if someone did, he would still be himself because he is the god on earth and the god in the hearts of the Poluo people."

"Is that so? Then this god was quite stupid, playing himself to death." Yishel laughed, teasing dismissively.

"Who says gods must be smart?" Udonuo grinned, "Gods are never perfect, whether it’s the Wolf God, the Dog God, or the Tuo Ri Shen Niu from Utopia... Was it smart to demote the Moon people to slaves with a single deceit? They gained some benefits, and most people praised the slaying, but the Moon people fired the shot to overthrow the Empire, and the loyal wolves bit back later."

At this point, Udonuo gave Yishel a meaningful look.

"Compared to doing the right things, being recognized no matter what one does... that is a god."

"I once paid a heavy price for selectively forgetting some things... to the point I was left in this city to die. You surviving out of West Sail Port shows you’re no fool, but don’t get too cocky."

"This is just the beginning. The massacre at West Sail Port isn’t over; with half a foot already on Red Soil, you’ll need to keep your eyes wide open to survive."

"This is advice from a dying man... considering you’re still racking your brains wanting to do something for a dead person like me."

Yishel furrowed his brow.

"Are you telling me to watch out for Leader Absek?"

Udonuo remained silent, only cryptically adding.

"Everyone."

"If you truly cherish ideals, not merely echoing Anush, you must beware of everyone."

The submissive voice was like a flickering candlelight in the dark, causing Yishel’s vision to blur momentarily.

He suddenly realized his back was drenched in cold sweat, though he couldn’t tell where it came from.

Just then, a piercing alarm interrupted their conversation.

Yishel and Udonuo’s faces changed simultaneously, rushing outside to look skyward.

They saw a huge airship, already hovering over Lion City!

More accurately, it was a fortress of steel.

Its core once soared through the infinite Star River, and later it was given a new shell forged from old weapons.

Its towering presence seemed to shroud the entire Southern Urban District, its dense barrels seemingly more numerous than the guns on the ground.

The fear once instilled by the "Horn Number" dominated Yishel once more.

But this time, it didn’t fire; it just flew over and dropped a series of black barrels...

There were at least a thousand of these black barrels, an overwhelming number rendering one too shocked to count.

They performed a free fall in the air, exploding fiercely a moment before hitting the ground, like solid flames clashing onto the earth, enveloping buildings one by one.

The flames spread instantly!

Nearly half of the Southern Urban District became a sea of fire!

Even if the survivors of Lion City replaced some buildings with concrete, it didn’t change the fact that most houses were wooden.

Screams from afar were unending, Yishel could vaguely hear the cries of children, the wails of men and women, the calls of chickens, dogs, cattle, and sheep.

People who once hoped for Weilante people were now fleeing desperately towards the city outskirts.

The situation at West Sail Port was real.

The Army truly didn’t care if they lived or died!

Some cursed the soldiers for implicating them, some cried over lost children, others pushed down those in their way.

"Help!"

"Someone help me! My kid is trapped!"

"Ami!! Where are you?!"

"Damn it, the box I left at the door! I have to go back for it!"

"Why care about your box now! Run for your life!"

"Dad!!!"

The people on the street shouted and clamored, the crackling of the flames like the silent wails of ghosts.

On the bridge of the Horn Number airship, the officer who ordered the bombing sighed and muttered what a waste.

While sitting in the command vehicle, Commander Ryan’s mouth curled into a cruel smirk.

"Attack." He commanded coldly, looking at the officer beside him.

Following his order, the Centurion on the front line blew a short whistle, and the Clone Infantry, with Ripper Rifles in hand, roared a charge at the Poluo Country’s army positions, spurred by the whistle.

"Kill!!!"

Facing the swarming Clone Troops, the soldiers of Poluo Country guarding the city gates collapsed at the first touch.

The entire Southern Urban District turned into a purgatory, and that worldly purgatory continued to spread towards other districts.

"...Damn it."

Staring straight at the airship, Yishel’s eyes were blood-red, fists clenched tight, wishing he could grind his teeth to dust.

His mind was blank, burning with chaotic flames, and even for a moment, he wondered if saving those Vellante people was the right choice back then.

At this moment, Udonuo, standing beside him, suddenly shoved him, almost causing him to stumble.

Awakened, Yishel turned his head sharply, only to see that Lion Clan person roaring at him.

"What are you standing there for! Run!"

...

One thousand four hundred napalm bombs.

This was the maximum bomb load of the Horn Number Airship, also the strongest killing move of the Legion’s airship.

When a fortress could not be taken down after a prolonged attack, they would use this move to force the remaining people to surrender.

The unstoppable airship and the inextinguishable flames were enough to destroy both the bodies and spirits of a group of people.

This thing was even more useful than nuclear weapons.

And it never failed.

Not a single person could be seen alive in the entire southern urban district, and the residual flames were still spreading toward other districts.

Stationed in the southern urban district were Poluo Country’s fourth and fifth ten thousand troops, both pulled back from Reed Bull County, unable to even complete the regular establishment, now completely annihilated after this battle!

Clone infantry carrying Ripper Rifles stepped over the scorched bones of bodies, striding ahead toward the positions of the sixth and seventh ten thousand troops.

On the other hand, observing the soldiers of Poluo Country, after witnessing the towering flames, the morale of the remaining four ten thousand troops was already on the brink of collapse.

The fear of fire is an instinct in animals.

After all, they were merely mortals.

Not only soldiers bore the casualties, the residents in the city did too.

No one knew the exact number of deaths in this great fire, nor would anyone know in the future.

But surely it wasn’t a small number.

While three thousand teams of Vellante people were advancing toward Lion City, a research ship from the Academy was parked afar on a moderately high hill.

In a certain sense, there was some connection between the Academy and Vellante people.

After all, the predecessor of the Academy was the technical department of the Post-War Reconstruction Committee, which completed the "proud work" under the request of the Defense Department.

Because of this, when the Vellante people cursed Academy researchers as slugs from swamps, those "slugs" would always laugh back with, "I’m your dad."

This indeed was not unreasonable.

Although that was all ancient history from over two centuries ago...

Sitting on the research ship was Yang Kai from the Research Department, and standing beside him was a holographic image of Li Ke from the special project group of the External Affairs Department.

Both were B-level researchers, a position considered quite high in the Academy, with only the four directors of the A-level sections and the various committee members, as well as the S-level Chief Technical Officer above.

As for Dr. Conclusion, that gentleman was unranked.

"Tsk, those big-nosed people are really ruthless... This bombing must have killed at least tens of thousands."

Watching the image on the holographic screen, Yang Kai couldn’t help but click his tongue.

Li Ke nodded, sincerely remarking.

"If those guys from the Defense Department who bossed us around back then were still alive, I wonder if they would regret that stupid choice."

Yang Kai chuckled.

"Isn’t there still one alive?"

Li Ke: "Who?"

Yang Kai took a sip of coffee, speaking unhurriedly.

"I remember his name is Julius, the head of those Vellante people."

Hearing that name, a look of realization appeared on Li Ke’s face.

"Ah... you mean that guy, it’s indeed possible that he might still be alive, though it’s just a possibility."

There are many ways to extend life, but even so, two centuries is too long.

Moreover, the medical conditions of the Legion were far inferior to those of the Academy and even the people on the East Coast.

"...At least no one can prove he’s dead, who knows." Yang Kai shrugged.

They had once advised the Defense Department against treating technology as a panacea for all problems, yet those who were more brawn than brain didn’t listen at all, forcing everyone to swallow this bitter pill.

As a result, most of them died at the hands of the Vellante people, taking many others with them.

It’s said that the guy named Lowell did the same, forcing the researchers under him to create some red soil, which, while saving many, left it questionable whether making people live and breed like animals could be called salvation.

These arrogant guys paid the price for their stupidity and conceitedness without exception.

Whether it’s the Defense Department or the War Construction Committee.

Whether it’s the United Human or Lowell...

History rarely simply repeats but often aligns in strange parallels.

Not long after Yang Kai and Li Ke finished their exchange, Jiang Xuezhou, wearing a thick protective suit, returned to the research ship.

The suit, resembling a spacesuit, made her look like a bulky snowman.

"Mentor, I’ve collected the data you wanted!"

"Great, well done, just store it in the server." Yang Kai praised as he dragged the holographic screen aside, speaking offhandedly.

Allowing the Army to continue expanding eastward was not only against the interest of the corporations and the Alliance but also against the interests of the Academy.

According to the agreement with the Alliance, they intended to participate in the war in the form of "technological investment," much like their involvement in the space elevator project.

The Southern Legion prepared five airships for this invasion, while they also prepared a special "gift" for the Southern Legion.

However, to ensure that this gift was delivered to the latter, they needed to collect some necessary data.

These data mainly concerned gravitons and were easiest to collect when there were significant changes in the output power of the anti-gravity system.

For example, during bombing or loading of supplies.

Looking at the blazing fire on the holographic screen, Jiang Xuezhou’s eyes couldn’t help but flicker slightly.

There should be many people there...

Noticing the expression on his student’s face, Yang Kai gently raised an eyebrow.

Seemingly recalling some things, especially the rumors about the "Study Club," he spoke with interest.

"Are you thinking about why we don’t do something to stop them?"

"...Can’t we?" Jiang Xuezhou instinctively retorted, but quickly realized her rudeness, so she bowed her head apologetically.

However, Yang Kai didn’t mind, just smiled lightly.

"Whether we can or cannot, even if we could, we wouldn’t waste the effort."

Slowly raising her head, Jiang Xuezhou looked at her mentor, puzzled.

"Why?"

Yang Kai said flatly.

"The Academy wasn’t built in a day. If you’re interested, you can read those reports in the deepest part of the library. It’s no unspeakable secret. We’ve helped the Waste Land Wanderers before, even more than anyone else, but have you seen anyone thank us?"

Jiang Xuezhou was speechless for a moment.

It indeed seems so.

Because of the Academy’s way of doing things, they aren’t very popular on the Wasteland.

Though she never thought of standing out or becoming a hero in people’s hearts.

Picking up a cup of coffee from the tray, she took a slow sip, and Yang Kai continued slowly.

"They admire the Ideal City, they fear the Army, and they look down on us, blaming us for keeping technology to ourselves. They don’t consider that even a small Shelter No.117 could take over two provinces. If we didn’t keep those technologies, what would happen? Would they live using exoskeletons and mechanical prostheses? They would only be chased by Dead Claws in exoskeletons, like being slaughtered like pigs by Mutants in Haiye Province."

"I could even bet that, even if the Alliance risked their lives helping them, someone would still blame the Alliance afterward for not saving more during the crisis, for letting those people in the city die. The real troublemakers might even be forgiven."

How could that be?

Jiang Xuezhou wanted to ask, but the words caught in her throat.

After a while, she rephrased.

"...But I think, maybe those people wouldn’t care either."

Like Night Ten.

In her impression, that optimistic man always had a sunny smile on his face, facing any situation without fear or retreat.

His optimism and courage were what she admired most, along with his kindness.

If it were him, he probably wouldn’t care about such things at all.

"Perhaps, but it’s actually not about caring or not, but whether we can wait until dawn after the long night before their light goes out."

Yang Kai smiled meaningfully, looking at her with a hint of something.

"That body you got your little boyfriend, do you think he really likes it?"

Jiang Xuezhou blushed, hurriedly wanting to explain that guy wasn’t her boyfriend, but quickly realized another more serious issue.

Her mentor actually already knew she paid out of her pocket to replace his body!

But things like this can’t really be kept secret...

Seeing the mentor wasn’t angry, she whispered.

"But I feel like he quite likes it, not to the point of hating it. I gave him the best I could afford with my permissions..."

"Did you ask him?"

Placing the coffee cup back on the tray, looking at the stunned Jiang Xuezhou, Yang Kai slowly said.

"I actually don’t oppose some of the things you’re doing, but as your mentor, I have to remind you not to get too deep into certain matters."

"Respect others’ destinies, put down the complex of helping others, and only do what we can and what we deem worthy. That’s the lesson history has taught us."

"We ultimately aim to move towards a new world unless you can convince him to follow you there."

Jiang Xuezhou bit her lip, finally lowering her head.

"Yes..."

Yang Kai nodded approvingly.

"As long as you’re clear about it, go on with your work. I’ll call you if something comes up."

On the other side, in the southern part of Lion City, several kilometers away in the hilly region.

Watching the blazing fire, Night Ten clenched his fist with the binoculars in hand.

"Damn it..."

Wild Wind placed a hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle pat.

"Our mission is reconnaissance... There’s only the two of us, don’t think about doing anything rash."

Fang Chang and others are searching for the two crashed "Thunder," and their wreckage must not fall into the Army’s hands; they need to destroy it before the Army finds it.

Additionally, Skeleton Corps is facing some trouble over there, and they might need to assist after finishing their tasks.

The Army that the Alliance dispatched to the front line has just landed at Jinjaron Harbor.

In regard to that already burning fire, standing here, they truly can do nothing.

After all, they aren’t gods.

Night Ten remained silent, standing there without a word.

Like most players, he always played the Game with a player’s mentality, yet thinking that those people are really dead, his heart felt like it was weighed down by a stone.

The rolling smoke connected heaven and earth, the dark clouds seemingly choked by the smoke, finally broke down in a torrential downpour.

Rain poured down, washing over the mud-splattered and charred streets, cleansing the walls of dried black blood and filth.

After several hours of fierce battles, the Poluo Country’s defenders ultimately fell in defeat with regrets.

In the city, six out of ten thousand troops suffered nearly seventy percent casualties, Commander Udonuo of the Lion State War Zone died in battle, the Poluo Country’s western front, two hundred thousand troops, almost entirely collapsed, just like the pouring rain!

Lion City, ultimately, fell.