Into Battle!

The sky was Rust, and the bizarre celestial phenomena formed by the clash of elements distorted everything. Blood-red sunlight poured down on the earth, staining it a blood-red hue.

Only an hour had passed since the Corona Cannon fired, so the beautiful traces left by the high-energy light stream on the earth were still fresh, and the glass that had not completely solidified was still slowly spreading like lava.

They were originally pure and beautiful, no different in essence from the crystal-clear everyday items produced in factories, but now they are different... because blood has been mixed into the crystal-clear fluid.

Fresh, scalding hot, filthy, foul-smelling blood.

The advance of several armored units was almost completely halted.

In stark contrast to their previous unstoppable momentum, their enemy has changed completely.

An inexplicable force squeezed the last bit of energy from their bodies, making them incredibly powerful and fearless, turning them into cold-blooded and brutal assassins.

The roar of the steel behemoth could no longer deter them, nor could the roar of the large-caliber machine guns and the boom of the howl can frighten them. In an instant, the Council warriors, who were on the verge of defeat, regained their morale and, with an unparalleled will that reached the pinnacle of the cold weapon era, even launched a counter-charge!

They're everywhere!

Armored assault troops act as the spearhead, tearing apart enemy lines. Infantry units follow up, creating multiple waves of destruction to divide, suppress, and annihilate the enemy, wear down their morale, and cause them to lose their will to fight, eventually surrendering or fleeing. This is the tactic used by the mixed brigade that launches the attack!

And they achieved an unstoppable victory.

But now, the battlefield situation has changed, and the balance of power has even reversed!

Instead of fleeing, the enemy took advantage of the familiar terrain, returned to the lost lines and trenches, and launched a fierce attack from all sides on the armored forces that were surrounded!

--Even ignoring the pursuit and ambushes from the rear by the follow-up forces in the Distant Harbor!

"Shoot! Shoot! Shoot!"

"Five o'clock!"

"Identification of Major Threat Targets!"

"Shoot the magic crystals off his body!"

The soldier who was spotted leaped to his feet and charged toward the tank, yelling.

The coaxial machine gun opened fire rapidly, striking the vulnerable human body. The next moment, a violent burst of fire erupted as the incendiary warhead detonated the explosive crystals covering the soldier's body! A terrifying shockwave roared and spread instantly, even causing nearby power armor warriors to stumble!

Amidst the raging, bloody smoke, several more terrifying figures appeared!

Crossfire cut like a scythe, like leather being broken. Even the most bizarre mental techniques could not interfere with physics. Several soldiers who carried out the suicide charge fell to the ground, twisting and turning. One of them even floated up like a rag doll, his intestines, liver, and stomach gushing out from the huge wound in his abdomen. He fell to the ground, still screaming, and desperately crawled towards the monstrous tank with his hands and feet.

Until a bullet split his head open from the side.

His face was as thin as a pancake, spread out on the ground.

The ground was scorching hot from the fire element reaction of the exploding crystals, licking at flesh and blood with a sizzling sound.

"Aaaaaaah!"

He kept pulling the trigger, Flame shooting from the muzzle, as he pursued the rapidly approaching martial artist.

Not far away, lightning crackled, and the noble spellcaster's expression was contorted. He was covered in alchemical bombs and explosive scrolls, squeezing out his magic power with precision, fearlessness, and unrestrained abandon.

He arrived quickly via short-range teleportation and appeared behind the infantry squad.

The alchemical warhound, gripping the ground on all fours and firing its small-caliber machine gun from its back, immediately leaped up, its steel teeth bared, and bit the mage's neck, pinning him to the ground. While tearing at him, it dragged the out-of-control humanoid bomb toward a nearby trench. Large chunks of flesh were torn from the mage's neck, yet he still roared fiercely. Frost Nova was activated in response, freezing the mechanical dog's joints and slowing the soldiers who were turning around.

A violent explosion and instantaneous combustion ensued.

The three closest soldiers were charred and thrown far away by the violent shockwave. Purple beams of light immediately emerged from their bodies, and the trauma mechanism took effect, bringing them back to the White Mist World.

On this chaotic, dangerous, and even frenzied battlefield, the remaining soldiers, still shaken, glanced around with a hint of panic as they raised their guns. The squad leaders frantically squandered battlefield points and called for all available support. Everyone was breathing heavily, and an unprecedented sense of unease and panic welled up in their hearts.

They had thought that war would no longer be the way it is now.

They thought that fear and cowardice were no longer a part of them.

Yes, loyal to His Highness Kang De, equipped with unparalleled elite gear, and fighting under epoch-making tactics, weapons, concepts, and systems, everyone is full of confidence in the future. No matter what kind of enemy we face, we will surely be unstoppable and invincible with our powerful firepower, irresistible surprise attacks, and absolute support advantages, just like we just broke through the ironclad defenses of the world's great powers.

This is how it should be.

But why... what's going on?

"Are they crazy? Why would they do this? How could they become like this?"

The soldiers who were attacked fought back fiercely, but sometimes the eerie battlefield added to the fear. The Council's spellcasters stirred up thick fog on the battlefield, and they also hid in secret Webway tunnels, disregarding their own lives, preparing to deliver the greatest blow to the enemy.

The soldiers who were still on guard around them trembled and muttered to themselves.

It wasn't fear... at least not just simple fear.

Rather, it was confusion, an unease about the unknown—an unprecedented enemy.

The enemies who were previously fleeing at the mere sight of the enemy have suddenly transformed into fearless warriors willing to die for their cause. Only after facing such enemies on the battlefield do you realize... that their sacrifice is not voluntary, but rather the manipulation of some evil force. Even when severely wounded, they attempt to take others down with them, their faces blasted apart by intense heat as they are thrown into a barrage of gunfire... Even killing such enemies becomes a mental burden.

"Father, a large-scale recall can be implemented at any time."

Horus's voice echoed beside Kang De: "Frontline commanders are also requesting clear instructions... Though they don't say it aloud, they seem to want to temporarily retreat to observe the situation and organize a defense."

Dairila, who was monitoring the battlefield with her Phoenix Eye, turned her head upon hearing this, but hesitated to speak.

Meanwhile, the Valentan Guards on guard duty announced, "Provisional Grand Chancellor Kaliusi requests an audience."

Kang De took the walkie-talkie off his clothes and put it to his mouth.

"Attention all departments, this is Kang De, and I hereby issue the following order."

The sound quickly filled all the battlefield channels, resounding in the ears of the officers and soldiers.

The ruler of the Distant Harbor, the supreme commander, the invincible supreme power, the legendary leader who is changing the world... he has become the sun in the hearts of many.

Hearing that familiar voice, even the most uneasy soldiers calmed down.

Their faces lit up with anticipation.

"--Stand still! No retreat!"

The voice then turned sharp and piercing, like a dagger, decisive and leaving no room for maneuver.

"Because that's what we're here to do! We're here to solve these kinds of problems! We're here to fight these enemies!"

Kang De's calm and decisive voice was firm and resonant.

There was neither anger nor panic, only an iron will, carrying an unyielding and irrefutable determination, pressing down like a mountain, shaking all the battle channels.

"Unpredictable battlefield conditions, fraught with danger, and unpredictable enemy tactics—this is the battle we face! We can retreat now, we can regroup, but there will always be battlefields where retreat is impossible, places where there is nowhere to retreat! I would rather you die here now than panic and ruin the battle in a fight where there is no way to retreat—recruits, the armed parade is over!"

This is our first battle!

"All units shall remain in place to organize defenses, maintain the gains made in the attack, and await support and further orders. Reinforcements will arrive soon. Tactical adjustments are being rehearsed and refined. I order you to perform your duties diligently, utilize the results of your training to the fullest extent, and in the fierce battle, preserve yourselves as much as possible to greet victory alive."

Finally, I have some good news for you--

Kang De paused for a second.

Roar.

"--Here I come!"

The battlefield seemed to freeze for a moment.

What was happening behind the battlefield not only attracted the attention of the soldiers in the Distant Harbor, but also the attention of the Council soldiers who had been controlled and lost their minds.

Something incredible has happened.

But it also seems like... it should be this way.

The colossal Phase Gate leading to the underground world roared open, and the mighty Long River of Origin surged forth. The surging liquid Paradox Element, like vibrant life, obeyed the will of the Fire Thief. Instead of spreading, devouring, and infiltrating wantonly, they formed a cyclical flow, extending forward.

The silver-white warship Astolfo leaped out from under the Rust- colored sky, its hull like a knife, slicing into the River of Origin. It was lifted up by the Paradox Element, its hull like a mountain, sailing on dry land!

Kang De leaped into the air and landed on the warship's radar.

The Grewind Swarm converged, weaving Paradox Element to construct a throne atop the warship, upon which the Fire Thief stood. Behind him, the Phase Door remained constant and solidified, connecting to the River of Origin as the warship moved forward, its purple Paradox Element radiating brilliant light, like a purple sun and a golden wheel.

Protected by runic armor, woven from the Vulcan light of the sun, layer upon layer of phase scales, Kang De donned golden armor, holy light condensed, aided by the Power of the Fire Thief, forged with phases, a sword extended its physical form, emitting fierce radiance, Fire Thief, pointing south.

"Star Palace, enemy of Civilization, curse of the Mortal World, Shadow of the ancient era!"

His voice was clear and resonant, sweeping across the battlefield and carrying into the distance.

"The Veil is falling... the Fire Thief have arrived!"

The warship sailed on dry land, slowly and steadily advancing with the support of Paradox Element. Holy pillars leaped out and hovered in the air, casting large swaths of light and shadow. Power armor, heavy chariots, and reserve legions from the White Mist World teleported in, guarding the warship's perimeter. The steel celestial army began to take formation.

"Charge! Charge! Charge!"

The Grewind Swarm surged forth, Phase Door flashed and unfolded, and cascading soil leveled the trenches and gullies along their path, allowing the steel army to sweep across.

Witnessing this scene, the soldiers of Distant Harbor, who were slightly flustered by the enemy's frenzied attack, felt their blood boil and their spirits soar, because the battlefield was vast and their commander was advancing as far as the eye could see!

"--What else is there to say!"

Mei Xizhu flung open the tank hatch, gripped the anti-aircraft machine gun, and roared, "I'm going to tell this to my great-grandson! Anyone who comes here today will die!"

"Awesome!"

The enemy soldiers' unusual behavior made most of the officers and soldiers in the Distant Harbor suspicious and uneasy. Only a few units remained calm and fought in an orderly manner. Among them, the Greenskin Musket Corps was the most enthusiastic. Every orc was full of fighting spirit and was not affected in any way.

--Because this kind of thing is all too common in the Greenskins! The orcs have seen all sorts of outrageous, insane, and utterly absurd things, so what's the big deal?

The green-skinned warlord cleaved the third attacker in two with his machete, then unleashed a barrage of fire from the anti-aircraft machine gun mounted on his machete into the trenches, spitting a large glob of phlegm onto the ground as he fired. "Shrimp, cowards, worrying too much! Men, keep killing! We're here to slaughter people!"

He glanced back at the incredibly imposing land-based boat, feeling that the image of the Big Mek had grown even more imposing. Then, the ferocious warlord roared, "Kill as many as you have! If you haven't chopped off a thousand or two lives, you still have the nerve to say you want to follow the Big Mek? You might as well go home and play with piles of shit!"

The powerful figures from various nations, who were already preparing to carry out the secret operation under Dong Tianming's arrangement, stopped and briefly gazed at their commander-in-chief before the battle, their hearts filled with emotion.

They understood that Kang De's actions were not merely to boost morale or demonstrate resolve.

As Kang De raised his banner and appeared on the battlefield, all the fanatical Council soldiers changed their targets, redirecting their boundless hostility and anger. Suicide soldiers risked their lives, and ranged spells were launched with no defense. All their hostility was directed at Kang De.

The commander-in-chief's presence on the battlefield is not to boost morale, but to stand shoulder to shoulder with the soldiers.

"My safety is in your hands now."

Without turning his head, Kang De smiled and said, "I'll personally oversee the battle, stabilize the front line, and leave Griffin no chance to escape. There's also a high probability that the God of the Star Palace will try a decapitation strike... While we've gained this time, we need to find a way to pinpoint Griffin's location."

Dairila behind him didn't speak, or even respond.

Kang De was somewhat surprised and turned around. The Empress was standing there. Although she kept her Phoenix Vision active, her cheeks were slightly pink, indicating that she was a little distracted.

He asked, "What's wrong?"

"..." The Empress shook her head and said, "It's nothing."

"There's clearly something there," Kang De pressed. "What is it?"

"N-nothing."

"There must be something... Wow, you won't tell me, and I'm so curious. I might get distracted and get attacked or hit by some kind of spell from the Council..."

"..."

How cunning!

The queen gritted her teeth, ultimately at a loss, and lowered her voice.

"... It's just a feeling," Dairila whispered, "You were so cool just now."

Kang De paused for a moment, then chuckled, before turning back to look at the sky, where a fierce magical attack swept across the heavens and crashed down.

The Fire Thief remained calm, gazing at the sky, as the scattered spatial beacons unfolded into a portal of light.

White Mist World.

The bugle call for an emergency assembly sounded.

The instructor and political commissar in charge of caring for, comforting, and receiving the prisoners heard the bugle call, patted the hand of his fellow countryman, and stood up. "Alright, His Highness Kang De has summoned us to join the battle."

The soldier, who had narrowly escaped death on the battlefield, said in a daze, "Sir... no, brother, what happened...?"

"We soldiers from the council Council originally ordered to avoid this war to avoid feeling guilty or embarrassed for killing our comrades. This was His Highness Kang De's mercy and leniency towards us. But now, the purpose of the war has been rewritten. He is calling us into battle, not to kill our own people..."

The instructor straightened his military cap and smiled at the young face in front of him.

"It's to end the war as quickly as possible and save innocent people like you."

The surrendered soldier was stunned and speechless.

"Goodbye..." The instructor grasped his hand and shook it. "I hope to see you again after the war."

Then he smiled, turned around, and left, leaving the other person with only his back view.

The uniform was not the Council's dress uniform, but something the soldiers had never seen before: crisp, simple, and dignified, as if it could support a mountain.

Many Council encountered this farewell... They surrendered, were captured, and were sent to this unfamiliar place. However, they were comforted and reassured by kind and gentle local instructors who told them not to worry. They also learned about what had happened in the outside world and saw images and photos.

New prisoners brought in corroborated this information.

Their bodies had been tampered with by Griffin Williams; if they were outside, they would quickly become fearless slaves, lose their sense of self, and die needlessly.

Now, in a safe place, they watched their former comrades, who had surrendered earlier and were now fully integrated into the Distant Harbor Army, stand in solemn, orderly, and resolute ranks, their postures ramrod straight, their formations sharp and precise, their eyes heavy and composed, heading towards the battlefield.

They said they wanted to rescue and help more people who had been deceived and exploited.

The evidence is overwhelming; Griffin Williams did indeed deceive and exploit those who followed and trusted him.

The spellcasters and soldiers who still didn't believe it also loudly refuted it, but they were soon sent to the Mortal World to experience it for themselves. When they were teleported back again, their eyes were filled with horror and their expressions were blank.

--Returning with him were real-time videos taken by others; the enraged spellcaster, having just been teleported to the Mortal World, emitted terrifying green light from his eyes and went completely mad.

Those who had doubts about Distant Harbor's explanation lost all hope and felt as if they had fallen into an ice cave.

That was the sound of faith collapsing and beliefs shattering.

Some remained silent, some wailed, and some shouted out loud.

But when some thought of their fallen comrades, of these silent comrades who had gone to war, a mix of grievances, indignation, turmoil, and anger washed over them, and they wanted to do something.

Is there anything we can do?

Is there anything I can do?

They first whispered among themselves, then began to petition and shout. After a brief period of chaos and waiting, soldiers stood before them.

"We need intelligence... intelligence to pinpoint Griffin Williams' location," the soldier said earnestly. "If you don't know, then please tell us who might know."

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PS1: The original plan was for Kang De to open the Phase Door, triggering a massive surge of seawater, followed by the army sailing across the sea in a full-scale advance... But I suddenly realized that writing this now is not appropriate. Therefore, I had to scrap this part and the subsequent developments and start a new version. Sigh.