Does the Butterfly Effect Really Exist? (5)

December 6, X374, Peterburg City

Half a month has passed since the last military conference. During this time, Sordil and others have conducted intensive training on the newly formed Dragon Slayer Mage unit, transforming it from a disorganized rabble into a usable force. Of course, it's impossible to turn it into a formidable army in just half a month, but creating a disciplined and orderly conventional army is certainly within reach.

After all, Old Suo didn't want the same scene to happen again in the next battle.

Fortunately, among these dragon-slaying mages were the thousand men from the Western Border Army as their core; otherwise, let alone half a month, it might not have been possible to achieve the aforementioned goal.

Today is the last day of training, a day to review the results, and a prelude to an upcoming operation.

The parade was held in Boshigolde Square in the center of Peterburg City. Sordil and others were already seated on the high platform built for the parade, waiting quietly for the ceremony to begin.

"General, all formations are assembled and ready to begin the military parade! (Kurelle)"

"Um!"

Sordil nodded in satisfaction, then glanced at Sage Dragon, Sacred Dragon, and the others to one side.

"Uncle Sage Dragon, wake up! Don't sleep! The military parade is about to begin!"

"Hmm! Hmm? Huh?"

"Plop"

Suddenly awakened, Sage Dragon's nerves failed to react in time, plunging him into a state of confusion. This mental confusion, in turn, caused physical incoordination, resulting in a freefall. Thus, Sage Dragon had the honor of smashing a large crater into the platform's ground. Affected by the tremor caused by Sage Dragon, everyone else on the platform awoke. After tidying themselves up, they began to criticize and lecture Sage Dragon for his rude behavior.

"Uncle Sage Dragon, it's one thing if you don't watch the military parade properly, but why are you causing trouble too? (Diphiya)"

"Bell, it was already rude of you to be sleeping and snoring, but I never expected you to openly vandalize the reviewing stand! That's outrageous!" (Sacred Dragon)

"Uncle Sage Dragon, you've really disappointed me!" (Mevajena)

"Alas! Belserion, you've gone too far this time, there's nothing I can do to help you!" (Irene)

Although Sage Dragon wanted to defend himself, he couldn't win against the crowd. After a barrage of questions, he didn't get a chance to speak, so he naturally became a near-perfect scapegoat.

After Sage Dragon confessed and accepted punishment, Sordil intervened in time, interrupting the verbal attack from the crowd.

"Everyone, we can deal with Uncle Sage Dragon's matter later. Let's finish the military parade first, okay?"

"Alright! You brat, I'll give you face. We'll deal with Sage Dragon's matter later. Let's hold the military parade first. (Kaldiz)"

With the highly respected Kaldiz speaking, no one dared to object. They all returned to their seats, quietly awaiting the start of the military parade. The unfortunate Sage Dragon thus successfully escaped a calamity temporarily. (That is, the immediate execution was changed to execution in the autumn.)

Seeing everyone in the zone, Sordil immediately switched to Poison Dragon Mode. Then, Old Suo said to Kurelle, who had been waiting for a long time, "Alright, tell them to begin!"

"Yes!"

Kurelle bowed in agreement, then strode to the front of the stage and said into the microphone in front of him, "The Newly Organized Fourth Division, Dragon Slayer Magic Mixed Division, is now officially beginning its military parade!"

As Kurelle announced the start of the parade, stirring music filled the square. At the same time, a formation of four hundred people entered from the east of the square and slowly marched towards the platform. After the formation had traveled a certain distance, Sordil and Yelibell closed their eyes and carefully sensed the sounds emanating from within the formation.

Although the phalanx moved very slowly, time still successfully carried it from the entrance to the end. Immediately afterwards, a new phalanx appeared at the entrance and began its wonderful journey. In this way, the phalanx entered the venue one after another, and then stopped at the preset position. Two and a half hours later, all ten phalanxes completed their review and formed a huge "you" in the square. (The word means 3-4-3 formation, that is, four square formations on the central axis and three square formations on each side)

Just as each formation entered its designated position, the music came to an end and finally stopped completely. At this moment, Sordil, who had been resting with his eyes closed for a long time, stood up from his seat, walked slowly to the front of the stage, and took the microphone from Kurelle's hand.

"Everyone, I'm sure you're all exhausted and curious about which bastard came up with such a nasty trick to torment you."

Upon hearing Sordil's words, waves of nods appeared in the crowd below the stage, followed by four thousand pairs and eight thousand bright searchlights falling on Sordil.

Once he realized he was the center of attention, Sordil continued what he hadn't finished saying.

"I'm ashamed to tell you all that this bastard is me, Sordil Ornn! Many of you may not have seen me, but each of you should have either cursed me, feared me, or revered me. You may think I'm bragging, but it's an undeniable fact, because I am the bastard who gave you all the order to retreat a few days ago and used a wide-area attack spell to engulf both sides!"

After Sordil finished speaking, the members of each formation began to whisper among themselves, and their murmurs even reached the high platform.

"I think... now you all should know me, right? Well, that's not quite right. You should say you know I'm Sordil Ornn, but you don't know who Sordil Ornn is, why I can yell at you and attack you, or why I can make you endure this exhausting training."

"Alright! Since that's the case, let me reintroduce myself. I am Sordil Ornn, male, a member of the dragon race, currently the Prince of the Dragon Clan Secret Realm of Fostadu, the vice leader of the United Front Alliance, and the commander-in-chief of the Anti-Western Coalition Army. Oh, right! I am also the commander of the Newly Organized Fourth Division, which is the highest-ranking officer among you all."

"I have now explained my identity. Next, I will explain why I attacked you people in the first place, why I put you through two weeks of intensive training, and why I made you complete this so-called military parade."

"Actually, the answer to all these questions is the same, and it's quite simple. That is... because you are not qualified soldiers, you cannot obey orders, and you cannot faithfully carry out your superiors' orders!"

Sordil's furious explanation echoed in the square, striking a chord with everyone on and off the stage. Some felt ashamed, others were angry, and of course, there were also seasoned veterans who remained completely unmoved. (70% were angry, 20% felt ashamed, and 10% were seasoned veterans)

"What? You're not convinced? Fine! Then prove to me with your actions whether you are qualified soldiers or not!"

After speaking, Sordil handed the microphone to Kurelle. As a competent adjutant, Kurelle took over the microphone and began reading the operational orders to the group.

"The First Brigade and Second Brigade shall assemble at the West Gate at 3:00 AM tomorrow and await Sacred Dragon Dragon's orders!"

"Yes!"

"The Third Brigade and Fourth Brigade will ascend the city walls at 3:00 AM tomorrow to relieve the Dragon Clan garrison and redeploy the defenses as quickly as possible to ensure the safety of Peterburg City."

"Yes!"

After conveying the combat orders, Kurelle habitually turned his gaze to Sordil. Only after seeing his boss nod did he give the order to disperse to the people below the stage.

"I hereby order: Disperse!"

"Yes!"