Landing

Other than that battle eight hundred years ago, never had so many troops landed on Mary Geoise.

When pairs of black leather boots stepped onto the smooth, gleaming bluish-green stone floor of First Avenue, nearly everyone passing by felt as though they were seeing something unreal.

This...

They weren't dreaming, were they?

"New World Navy, carrying out an operation. All unauthorized personnel, disperse."

Most of the onlookers were not locals, but outsiders who had come to Mary Geoise to make a living, so Vice Admiral Yamakaji, who led the force, remained quite courteous.

The kind-hearted vice admiral, who always wore a pleasant smile, patiently explained the situation to the merchants and laborers blocking the troops' path, without showing the slightest hint of anger.

"New World Navy?!"

Upon hearing the name, the civilians who knew nothing of the secrets behind it froze. Then, as they stared at the specially made black uniforms, reverence gradually appeared on their faces.

The New World Navy—the invincible, strongest armed force, the direct troops under the new generation's "Marine Hero."

But...

Why were they here?

Countless doubts arose in their hearts, but they did not dare delay. Once they heard the name New World Navy, First Avenue was immediately cleared into a broad passage wide enough for the entire force to pass through.

"Thank you, everyone."

With a deep, resonant voice, Vice Admiral Yamakaji offered his thanks and led his troops onward.

The way remained unobstructed. Though the well-trained Marines were immensely curious about the Holy Land, there was no chance they would do anything out of line.

More than ten thousand Marines marched onward, silent as a machine, with only their orderly footsteps continuously ringing out with soul-shaking force.

No one spoke along the way.

Before long, the First Division led by Vice Admiral Yamakaji