472: Chapter 454 Third Legion Commander: I Have a Secret to Share with You

Aside from the First Army, Lake currently has nine main legions and several secondary legions that serve as sources of manpower.

The latter do not undertake specific military missions.

Among them, the Ninth and Tenth legions are stationed on the eastern border to guard against neighboring countries, while the Third and Eighth legions are stationed in Gur City, responsible for guarding against attacks from magical beasts after the disappearance of the Silent Forest, as well as monitoring the Kingdom.

Therefore, the ones rushing to Gur for support were the remaining five main legions.

Not long after the massive army left the central region of Lake, the road beneath them changed from asphalt to hard-packed earth. They encountered torrential rain along the way, turning the dirt roads into a muddy mess, which inevitably hindered the marching speed.

Fortunately, with Zhang Mu's full supply and the factories working overtime for the past few months, the five legions were equipped with many troop transport trucks, barely reaching the level of a "mechanized unit."

Despite the interference from the heavy rain, the army finally arrived at Gur City only three days later than the scheduled deadline.

As they approached the Gur City area, Domit received a report from the Third Legion Commander that the Silent Forest had completely ceased to exist. The magical beasts had not perished along with it; instead, a bloody slaughter had broken out on the spot.

He ordered the trucks and armored units to march at full speed to reach the positions first and guard against the impact of the beast tide, while the infantry walking due to limited vehicle capacity maintained their current speed.

Tanks and trucks drove onto the open fields riddled with trenches.

Before the vehicles had even come to a complete stop, infantrymen clutching rifles jumped out of the truck beds one after another. Tanks circled from the side of the positions to the front, their muzzles all aimed at the distant battlefield.

Domit pushed open the door and stepped out of the jeep. The Third Legion Commander, who had climbed out of a trench, was shocked and ran over, desperately trying to push him back into the car.

"What are you doing?" Pushed back into the rear seat of the jeep, Domit clearly didn't understand why and asked in confusion.

"Lord Domit, why have you come to the front line?!"

"I came to inspect—"

"It's too dangerous! Quick, take Lord Domit to Gur City!" the Third Legion Commander urged the driver.

The driver was startled and a bit panicked, turning his head to look at Domit for instructions.

Domit thought for a moment; the temporary Command Post had to be established in Gur, so he said, "To Gur."

The driver took the order, turned the vehicle around, and drove toward Gur City.

The jeep's silhouette quickly faded into the distance. The Third Legion Commander let out a heavy sigh, unable to stop himself from cursing the other Legion Commanders who had come with the expedition in his heart.

How could they let Lord Domit come to the front line!

Two Saint-level Magical Beasts were fighting overhead; even the aftershocks of their magic clashes could affect the positions.

If one of the beasts' spells went off target and happened to hit Lord Domit, who could take responsibility?!

"I'll settle the score with you all later!" the Third Legion Commander turned back to the trench indignantly to continue observing the battle.

Another three days passed.

The battle between the magical beasts finally reached its conclusion.

The two Saint-level Magical Beasts perished together, falling from the sky and crashing into the ground. The high-tier magical beasts were completely wiped out, their corpses littering the battlefield, while the few surviving low-tier beasts scattered in all directions.

The Third Legion Commander ordered the Soldiers to pull the triggers of their machine guns, blasting the magical beasts charging toward their positions into piles of shredded meat, while ignoring those fleeing toward the Kingdom.

After instructing his adjutant to stay on-site and guard against the Kingdom, the Third Legion Commander drove alone, floor it all the way back to Gur City.

Half an hour later, the sound of screeching brakes let out a short, sharp cry in front of the council hall gates.

The Third Legion Commander got out of the car, not even bothering to close the door, and strode into the council hall.

Domit sat at the head of the circular conference table, head down, drawing and writing on a piece of white paper, seemingly formulating a battle plan against the Kingdom.

The other five Legion Commanders were whispering among themselves, discussing something.

The Third Legion Commander yanked off his military cap and raised his hand to slam it onto the table, but only after catching a glimpse of Domit's face did he pull back at the last second and place it gently on the table.

If Lord Domit weren't here, I'd slap you all to death with this hat!

The Third Legion Commander took a deep breath to suppress his anger and sat in an empty seat: "You've already received the intelligence. What do you think?"

"Judging by the Kingdom's cautious movements, it shouldn't be a conspiracy they orchestrated."

"Of course, if they had planned it, the magical beasts wouldn't be killing each other; they'd be charging our positions in swarms."

"Regardless, it's good news."

"Indeed."

Domit looked up: "The Kingdom's legions are still arriving at the border. From the three hundred thousand when we set out, they've reached five hundred thousand now. This military strength could never be used just for defense."

The Fifth Legion Commander slapped the table and stood up: "In my opinion, we should launch a surprise attack tomorrow! Since their Soldiers are gathered on the border line, let's order the Artillery Regiment to give them a few rounds of volleys first."

The Sixth Legion Commander shook his head in disagreement: "Although the Kingdom has never fought us head-on, they've certainly been watching our war with the Allied Forces. In several major battles, we've basically shown all our weapons. I don't believe the Kingdom, knowing the enemy has area-of-effect attack methods, would be foolish enough to just stand there waiting for us to bomb them."

"They are clearly all gathered together."

"They might have defensive Magic Arrays set up."

Domit interrupted their argument: "The Kingdom suffered from artillery fire three years ago, even earlier than the Allied Forces. They will definitely be prepared this time."

The Fourth Legion Commander proposed: "In other words, once the war breaks out, they will disperse their forces to avoid heavy casualties from shelling."

"Yes."

"Then the Sniper Squads can show their power!"

"We must watch out for the Kingdom's High-tier Professionals. In small-unit skirmishes, snipers are no match for High-tier Professionals."

The Third Legion Commander, who had been silent all along, suddenly asked: "Has that team arrived?"

"They're here."

He broke into a smile: "Then I'm relieved."

Domit thought for a moment: "Let's do this. Meeting adjourned. Go back and think about how this war should be conducted. Write a detailed plan and hand it to me before tomorrow's meeting."

"Yes, sir!"

Domit stood up and left through the side door.

As soon as he left, the Third Legion Commander stopped restraining his anger.

"I'm talking to you lot." He gritted his teeth and glared at each of them one by one. "Was your head stepped on by a Pack Rhino? You actually let Lord Domit go to the front line?! Did I not send you intelligence? You didn't know the situation at the front? Two Saint-level Magical Beasts were fighting to the death overhead! What if the position was hit and Lord Domit happened to get hurt!"

The others were all a bit embarrassed. A few turned their heads to examine the tall floor vases in the corner as if the poor-quality floral paintings on them possessed unparalleled charm, while the rest looked down at their toes.

The Sixth Legion Commander patted his shoulder: "We tried to persuade him, but Lord Domit insisted on going."

"That's still no excuse! If—"

"Third Legion Commander, if it were you, do you think you could have stopped Lord Domit?"

Recalling Domit's decisive and vigorous character, the Third Legion Commander slowly sat back on his wooden chair: "Sorry, I got too excited."

"No need, we indeed..."

"By the way." The Third Legion Commander suddenly stood up again, leaning forward with his arms on the table, saying with a mysterious look, "Do you want to know a secret?"

"What secret?"

"About the Marshal."

"Oh?" Everyone's ears couldn't help but lean toward him.

A trace of a cunning curve appeared at the corner of the Third Legion Commander's mouth.

Only he had heard about the Palina matter so far; this simply wouldn't do.

Accidentally stumbling upon his direct superior's secret extramarital affair—if his superior found out he knew, he might be exiled to prevent the secret from leaking.

But if everyone knew, there would be no need to worry. Marshal Zhang Mu couldn't possibly dismiss more than half of the Legion Commanders, could he?

Of course, they might expose him as the leaker, so some preventive measures were needed.

The Third Legion Commander feigned hesitation: "No, forget it, otherwise... No, no, I can't say."

The group was displeased. If you didn't want to say it, don't bring it up in the first place. Swallowing your words halfway—are you playing with us?

"Stop stalling and just say it!"

The Third Legion Commander put his hands behind his back and walked directly toward the council hall door: "I didn't say anything today."

He was certain that this performance was enough to pique everyone's curiosity. To solve the mystery, they would inevitably ask around about any anomalies in Gur City.

Hehe, as soon as they ask...

The Third Legion Commander whistled triumphantly.

Watching his back as he walked down the steps, the crowd looked at each other in shock.

After a while, the Fifth Legion Commander scratched his head and muttered: "Has he contracted some strange disease?"

"It looks like it to me."

"What exactly is the secret he mentioned?"

"Who knows."

The Sixth Legion Commander didn't join his companions' discussion, his gaze fixed on the door.

The Third Legion Commander must have intentionally revealed the secret, but only released some clues without speaking clearly. Hmm... in tactics, this is called—luring the enemy.

He wants us to find the truth ourselves?

Why is he unwilling to say it?

There's only one possibility.

The Sixth Legion Commander smiled knowingly and turned his attention to his companions who were discussing heatedly.

"The Third Legion Commander hasn't gone anywhere far since coming to Gur City. I think this secret must be hidden right here in Gur City!"

"Agreed!"

"Since it's in Gur City, we'll know if we just ask the Soldiers."

"Good idea! Adjutant!"

The adjutant heard the summons and walked in from the side door.

"Go, find a Soldier from the Third legion. Tell him we have something to ask."

"Yes, sir!"

There were Third legion Soldiers patrolling outside the council hall. The adjutant returned in less than half a minute, followed by a Soldier with a face full of confusion.

"Are you a Soldier of the Third legion?"

"I belong to the Third legion, Second Division, Sixth Battalion, Third Company, Fifth Squad. Rank: Private!"

"Good. I ask you, recently in Gur City—"

"Oh my!" The Sixth Legion Commander suddenly jumped up, running toward the door with a panicked expression. "I have urgent business, I'm leaving first!"

Several Legion Commanders instinctively raised their hands to stop him, wanting to share the secret together, but before they could speak, the Sixth Legion Commander had already bolted out the door.

"What's wrong with him?" the Fifth Legion Commander asked, puzzled.

"Uh, never mind him. Hurry up and ask."

The Fifth Legion Commander thought for a while, couldn't figure it out, and simply tossed it aside, turning back to the Soldier with a renewed smile: "Have you noticed anything unusual in Gur City lately?"

"Unusual... oh, yes!"

"Tell us quickly."

The sequence of events wasn't complicated. The Soldier organized his words in his mind: "On the third day after entering Gur City, the Legion Commander suddenly sent a company to protect..."

As the Soldier gave a vivid account, the Legion Commanders' eyes gradually widened.

...

The next morning.

The Sixth Legion Commander's temporary residence was only three minutes away from the council hall. After waking up, he didn't order his adjutant to bring his horse, but walked to the council hall instead.

Walking along the road, he recalled his opinions on the plan to attack the Kingdom, thinking about whether there were any oversights.

After finishing that, he pondered the "conspiracy" the Third Legion Commander had played yesterday.

To be honest, he was also curious deep down about what "Marshal Zhang Mu's secret" actually was. Otherwise, he would have left his seat the moment his companions sent the adjutant to find a Soldier.

After some internal struggle, he finally made up his mind at the moment the Soldier spoke; it was safer not to get involved in this matter.

"But, what could it be..."

Looking up at the open doors of the council hall, the Sixth Legion Commander muttered to himself, suppressing the itch of curiosity in his heart like a cat scratching, and walked up the steps.

Entering the hall, he saw that all the Legion Commanders except for the Third Legion Commander were already seated.

For some reason, Domit, who was usually the first to arrive and wait for them, was late this time.

The Sixth Legion Commander observed everyone. How should he put it? The atmosphere surrounding them was as cold as the moment one throws off the blankets on a winter morning.

The Second Legion Commander, sitting in the first seat on the left, had a face full of deep sorrow. If one had to describe the extent of this sorrow, the Sixth Legion Commander had attended the funeral of a Farmer's father once and felt that the son who had just lost his father could hardly reach a third of this level of grief.

The Fourth Legion Commander sitting next to him had his fingers crossed under his chin, his eyes filled with deep confusion. The Sixth Legion Commander felt he was contemplating an ultimate philosophical question comparable to "Who am I?"

The Seventh Legion Commander sat upright opposite them, seemingly self-hypnotizing. He completely ignored the Sixth Legion Commander's greeting, his mouth opening and closing as he whispered to himself, "I didn't hear anything, I didn't hear anything, I didn't hear anything..."

The Fifth Legion Commander next to him showed much clearer emotions; the regret on his face was visible to the naked eye.

The Sixth Legion Commander, ignored by the Seventh, felt lucky about his wise choice yesterday while joking: "Second Legion Commander, what misfortune have you encountered? You're almost in tears. And what is the reason for the Fifth Legion Commander's face? Even missing out on five million gold coins wouldn't cause such regret, would it?"

The Fifth Legion Commander's deep, dark gaze fixed on him: "When you suddenly fled yesterday, did you know something?"

"I've been with you all the way, not separated for a single second. What could I know?"

This was indeed the truth. The Fifth Legion Commander's suspicion dissipated as he lowered his head: "Why did I have to be so curious..."

The Sixth Legion Commander looked left and right: "Where is the Third Legion Commander?"

The word "Third" seemed to trigger a switch in the Seventh Legion Commander. His dull eyes instantly cleared, and his hand instinctively reached for his waist: "Third Legion Commander? Where? I'll shoot him dead!"

"Don't get excited, sit down—"

"Don't mind him," the Fifth Legion Commander waved his hand, "He'll be fine on his own."

Sure enough, half a minute later, having not found the "Third," the Seventh Legion Commander sat back on his wooden chair and continued murmuring to hypnotize himself.

"Where did the Third Legion Commander actually go?" the Sixth asked curiously.

The Fifth sneered: "Said he went to inspect the positions."

"He sure is clever..."

The Fifth suddenly remembered something and asked the Sixth: "Do you want to..."

"Eh—" The Sixth raised his hand to interrupt him, saying with a smile, "I don't want to hear it, but if you insist on telling me, I won't mind."

Wanting to know the truth while being unwilling to take responsibility—you're dreaming.

The Fifth was about to express his disdain, but before he could speak, Domit walked in from the side door and sat at the head of the round table.

"The meeting begins."