219: Yes, I think it's time for us to make our move.

On the planet in the third orbit of Tiankan Seat V100.86, there lies a plateau.

With an average altitude of 4,399 meters, this plateau cannot be called a forbidden zone for humans of the planetary age, but it is certainly not a region that can be easily set foot upon.

At this moment, atop that towering ridge, sits a magnificent steel structure:

It looks as if it were composed of two alloy monoliths, standing straight upon the surface, its spire reaching toward the firmament like a firm, giant sword, ready to split the sky asunder.

This magnificent building is the mark of an era, a memorial to a catastrophe—and the heart of a behemoth.

Indeed, this is where the highest power of the Military Alliance resides—the Tower of Mourners.

Its name is simple: it mourns for all the departed. Every soldier of the Military Alliance who falls on the battlefield has their name carved onto the tower, signifying the survivors' remembrance of them and the commemoration of their sacrifice.

This place is the spiritual sustenance for all soldiers of the Military Alliance and the final resting place for countless Legions—

The tower stands over two thousand meters tall, not because it was designed to be that height, but because as names of the dead are carved higher and higher, the spire continues to extend upward.

Furthermore, this is the height remaining after a reconstruction during the Sixth Epoch: the original giant tower that collapsed was thicker, taller, and the departed souls engraved upon it were even more resentful.

At this moment, in the conference hall at the base of the tower, everyone in the Military Alliance with a rank of General or above has gathered here, looking at the person on the stage who has led the Military Alliance for nearly a thousand years, the border Commander covered in tubes—Cassius Solarian.

The bell rang on time, and everyone in the hall immediately stood in silence, beginning a minute of mourning. A sea of black military uniforms added an extra layer of solemnity to this dignified scene.

"The moment of silence has ended. Everyone, be seated."

A minute later, a general wearing civilian service ribbons walked onto the stage, gently tested the microphone, and announced the end of the mourning.

Subsequently, he bowed slightly toward Cassius, who looked like a desiccated corpse, and whispered: "Commander, everyone has arrived."

Cassius's mouth moved, and an aged yet powerful voice resonated through the hall: "Good. Since everyone is here, let us begin."

"Randall, you preside."

"Yes."

The Secretary-General of the Military Alliance bowed slowly and then walked to the front of the stage. He glanced at the area belonging to the Koradilon Family—it was obvious that there was an empty seat, and not even a holographic projection was present.

Randall's brow furrowed imperceptibly. Ever since that guy returned from the meeting at the Order Seat, his whereabouts had become increasingly mysterious—

Or rather, not mysterious; it was common knowledge within the Military Alliance that the guy spent almost every moment on the front lines. It looked like he wanted to extend the tail end of the Restart Day offensive and continue pushing into the depths of the aliens, which was completely contrary to the Military Alliance's philosophy of resolute defense.

Randall sighed. The Koradilon Family's current attitude toward that guy was to drag things out while protecting him, so much so that others found it difficult to say anything.

However, the trace of helplessness between his brows was quickly replaced by the realization of having found a solution—it was perfect; he could take advantage of this meeting's agenda to send that warmonger away.

Thinking this, he walked to the center of the venue and, facing the microphone, said: "Generals and Marshals, you should already know the reason why I have suddenly gathered you for this short meeting."

As he spoke, images were projected onto the holographic projector in the center of the conference room—pictures of The Consortium slaughtering civilians; a large number of videos, photos, and data of The Consortium's "First-Class Citizen" cannibalism; as well as data on The Consortium's "scorched earth" tactics during the war with the Empire:

First and Second-Class Citizens were evacuated, Third and Fourth-Class were taken by the conscription office, Fifth-Class and below were filled into the Amnesty Soldiers, which is to say, slaves, and the remaining old, weak, sick, women, and children were directly sent to slaughterhouses to be made into canned military rations.

While playing the footage, Randall continued: "When the Military Alliance signed the covenant of the Order Alliance, we declared that we would safeguard the spark of civilization for humanity,"

"and the other member states would cease internal conflicts and collectively provide us with resources—"

Suddenly, Randall slammed his hand heavily on the table, his tone sharpening: "But look! What is happening now!"

"For the sake of profit, they are slaughtering and eating their own kind! Sometimes even just for amusement!"

The generals in the audience clearly already knew about this, because the live broadcast of the trial by the Sacred Stars Group had spread widely within the Military Alliance, to the point that a large number of grassroots soldiers had even begun to doubt the very ideals they were protecting.

Seeing the sullen looks on everyone's faces, Randall nodded with satisfaction and continued: "I know that the Legions under your command are almost impossible to suppress any longer,"

"Now, I, the Chief Secretary-General of the Military Alliance, hereby propose a motion—"

"As things stand, we must intervene in this event involving The Consortium,"

"At the very least, we must exterminate those Consortium heretics who are no different from the aliens!"

"Now! Initiate the vote!"

"Ding!" Before he had even finished speaking, the motion passed unanimously—even the old Commander sitting to the side, who had abstained from voting for over a hundred years, chose "Approve" at this moment.

Seeing this result, Randall was not surprised at all. Immediately, he produced another document and continued: "In view of the recent Restart Day offensive, we have gained a large buffer zone between Tiankan Seat and the aliens—"

"Therefore, after discussions between myself and the old Commander, it has been decided that this special cleansing operation against The Consortium will be led by General Lagrange Koradilon,"

"The rule mothership can be temporarily assigned to his command, but for the other operational units—"

"Let him take the same subordinates he had for this Restart Day offensive!"