"Yes, they resisted us, but they didn't cause any chaos. We captured them. The original plan was to use them as laborers," the squad leader answered truthfully.
"Mm. How is their physical condition?"
"Very poor. But look at their fingers—they have calluses. These people are excellent hunters. Their eyesight is incredible, on par with our snipers. If our detection technology hadn't been strong enough, we almost would have been ambushed."
The squad leader had clearly experienced something before saying that.
Han Fei stroked his chin.
"All right, go. Follow those people and take them away."
"Yes."
Watching the prisoners being escorted away, Han Fei grew increasingly curious about this planet and its aliens.
Fortunately.
His experts had not failed to live up to their professional standards, and the titles above their heads were no sham.
That evening, a document was submitted.
"On the Physical Differences Between Tianxuan Star Humans and Earth Humans"
According to the research.
We discovered that the people of this planet did not differ much from Earth humans, though there were still distinctions, mainly in their hearing and vision.
The unique structure of their ears allowed them to hear farther. Their hearing was estimated to be 30% to 50% better than that of the average human.
The structure of their eyes allowed them to see farther, with vision 20% better than that of humans. They could also focus their attention easily when staring at a target.
This was a race of natural marksmen.
Furthermore, after conducting an in-depth analysis of their genes, we found that this trait had naturally evolved due to Tianxuan Star's environment. It was not some superpower, but an ability born of species evolution.
And they were not without flaws.
According to genetic research, there was a defect in their genes. This unknown defect made them relatively weak physically. Their adults possessed only half the stamina of our adults.
Their genetic lifespan was also only around seventy to eighty years, far inferior to that of humans.
As for intelligence, it was difficult to measure and required supporting materials from sociologists, so it could not yet be accurately defined.
Research had proven that this was an ordinary civilization no more superior than humanity.
"Why does this sound like a younger version of elves?"
After reading the report, Han Fei could not help saying that.
"Pointed ears, green eyes, weak bodies, and skilled in archery."
"Except for longevity, magic, and being full of handsome men and beautiful women."
"Tsk, this race is pretty interesting."
Han Fei smiled helplessly and shifted his attention elsewhere.
"What was the Staff Department's recommendation?"
"The Staff Department's report and the materials compiled by the sociologists arrived ten minutes ago."
Black Star's voice rang out.
"Mm, let me see. Oh, right, is the virtual world almost ready?" he asked casually.
"...It still needs one week."
"Mm."
Han Fei responded and carefully read the Staff Department's report.
His gaze was calm, giving no hint of what he was thinking.
After a long while, once he had finished reading it, he picked up the materials prepared by the sociologists and flipped through them.
This time, his expression became more relaxed.
"An ordinary feudal system. Three major nations, six smaller nations, and several island chains."
"Their ideology is also simple. They have no sense of ethnicity, no sense of planetary identity, and even a relatively weak sense of national identity."
"As long as we can keep them alive, we can easily gain population?"
"Tianxuan Kingdom is currently fighting the other two major nations in the north?"
A smile appeared on Han Fei's face.
He stood and stretched lazily.
"Once things stabilize, we need to launch satellites as soon as possible."
"Black Star."
"Tell the people below that they can be more aggressive. Proceed according to Plan Two proposed by the Staff Department."
"Yes."
Plan Two.
Focus on conquest, supplemented by economic and cultural infiltration.
As the order was issued.
The army began to move.
First, working from both within and without, they took the city without suffering a single casualty.
Then they expanded outward at tremendous speed.
They formed teams of twelve and spread from the center in all directions, creating a circular advance.
During that time, Tianxuan Kingdom seemed to realize what was happening. They began gathering troops across the regions to resist and even sent envoys.
But the Dawn Army ignored them.
They merely launched rapid attacks like lightning.
In the end, there were no deaths, only a few unlucky men who suffered minor injuries.
Soon, a week had passed.
The army had already seized vast territories. They had paid the price of only a little over twenty deaths, while their achievements were extraordinarily impressive.
They had defeated more than a hundred thousand people.
They had breached countless cities.
That was right.
A hundred thousand.
All one hundred thousand were soldiers, not civilians.
And according to estimates, Tianxuan Kingdom's entire population did not exceed twenty million.
Losing an army of one hundred thousand had severely damaged its foundations.
Although many outstanding generals had emerged in Tianxuan Kingdom during the war, before such a disparity in strength, they could only be shot dead by bullets or blown apart by artillery shells.
Those strange weapons, their horrifying lethality, the Dawn Army's unusual appearance, and the terrifying casualties.
All of it caused the name Flame Demon to spread throughout Tianxuan Kingdom.
The entire Tianxuan Kingdom was gripped by terror.
At present.
Tianxuan Kingdom had already begun sending envoys in hopes of negotiating peace.
Strangely enough.
After the Dawn Army paid the hired workers in food and money, the ordinary people actually began to show signs of supporting them.
Quite a few even brought others over in the middle of the night just to surrender, allowing the Dawn Army to easily take in a large number of people.
It also gave the Staff Department an idea. Their previous oversight had been failing to realize that in such a feudal age, the power of public opinion was even more terrifying than in modern times.
The Propaganda Department began spreading publicity on a massive scale.
Slogans about saving the suffering and relieving the distressed.
Along with practical actions.
Staff Department.
"There's no need to drag this out any longer. First secure the territory we've already occupied, then send a thousand men to directly besiege the capital. Bombard it with artillery, and we can take it in half an hour. Occupy this major nation outright!"
"That would only plunge the world into chaos! Those places would take the opportunity to rebel, ushering in troubled times and countless deaths! These people will all be ours in the future. If they die for nothing because of this, don't you think that's a waste?!"
"I still recommend advancing steadily. First control this region, keep expanding, then control them through the economy, followed by cultural infiltration, and finally swallow them whole!"
"Bullshit! How long would that take?! Have you forgotten that the Alliance Leader said time was pressing?"
"But this is the plan that maximizes our gains!"
"Have you forgotten there are several other nations as well?"
In their arguments, the only distinction was between fewer losses and greater losses.
As for failure?
What was that?
Using modern guns and artillery against swords, spears, and halberds—if they had not been short on manpower and unable to occupy everything at once without causing needless losses, why would they be so conflicted?
Conquest! Conquest!
"..."
"Actually, we could take the faith-based route. Display our military power and advancement, make them believe we're a divine race, then seize political power openly and legitimately."
"You're dreaming. Those in power may have limited knowledge, but they aren't idiots. And you expect them to give up power? Even if you're immortals, if you don't put cannons in front of them, they won't acknowledge you!"
"Only by fighting a war can we truly..."
"..."
Inside the Staff Department, filled with sand tables and military projections, the advisers argued in a chaotic mess.
And every one of them made sense.
Making the choice difficult.
Han Fei sat at the head of the table, his expression composed.
His fingers lightly tapped against the tabletop.
Gradually.
The clamor in the room slowly faded.
Han Fei opened his eyes as well.
"Send people to attack the capital directly. I'm in a hurry."
His words settled the matter.
All the staff officers fell silent.
The adviser who had advocated a swift battle and swift victory proudly raised his head.
"Of course, scatter all spare troops to maintain order as much as possible and reduce casualties. We can temporarily employ those who voluntarily defected, as well as influential locals who haven't resisted us. Once things stabilize, we can investigate them properly."
"Don't worry about troop numbers. Before long, a great many reinforcements will arrive. Oh, and remember to process all the prisoners captured during the war. They'll be sent to the Education Zone afterward."