Ilan City · Northern Wilderness
Pristine white Seraph Mechs roared through stretches of snow-covered forest.
Behind these mechs came densely packed armored cars in snow camouflage, bearing the White Jasmine Flower Emblem.
"General, the drone reconnaissance team reports that a group of mercenary forces is approaching from the west. They are expected to reach the Great Northern Valley of Ilan within five hours."
Inside the sealed command vehicle, the young communicator looked up at the elderly man beside him.
"Pass the order to the entire army."
Kewei raised a hand slightly. "Advance at full speed and prepare for battle. We must complete our deployment before they reach the valley."
"Yes!"
The communicator immediately answered, then quickly began sending messages through the equipment.
Mint City · West City Gate
The enormous Land Fortress stood before the motionless city gate.
The slowly opening Inner City Gate ultimately opened only wide enough for one person. Through that narrow crack, all they could see was pitch-black darkness in the passage beyond.
Glasses Man frowned slightly.
The officer beside him turned to look at him and said softly, "Commander, there's no news from the walls."
Glasses Man turned back and looked at the open Outer City Gate behind him. It remained unchanged, neither opening any farther nor closing inward.
Dense formations of armored units and the Mecha Force were still slowly passing through the open gate.
Scattered snowflakes drifted from the sky. The entire barbican was silent, and only the autocannons fixed to the walls silently watched the people entering the city.
Like pairs of cold, ghostly eyes.
"Commander?"
The officer turned, looking doubtfully at the man before him.
"It's nothing."
Glasses Man withdrew his gaze and looked at the man-wide gap ahead, as well as the cold, dark passage beyond it.
He raised