Lance Charge on the Arkship, but No Mount

Kal'tsit's voice soon came over the broadcast. She lifted the alarm and informed everyone that there was no unusual situation. The fully armed combat operators also stood down at the command.

But the black landship did not stop approaching. It soon drew close to Rhodes Island, making the operators aboard the island tense up involuntarily once more. Only when the massive black warship slowly came to a stop beside Rhodes Island and its gangway docked with Rhodes Island did they see, through the hissing release of air as the hatch opened, well-equipped soldiers silently standing on the gangway in two lines, as though welcoming someone.

Before they could get a better look, an order suddenly came through their terminals: everyone was to return to their rooms and was forbidden from leaving within the specified time. Rhodes Island's operators had all undergone military training, so they obeyed and returned to their rooms. Yet on the way back, they could not help whispering among themselves.

"Why don't these people look like Ursus soldiers? They don't have any Ursus insignia on them."

"Yeah, I saw that too. Those soldiers' armor is different from Ursus armor as well."

"Who are they waiting for? I'm really curious."

Claude stood before the mechanical hatch, his helmet tucked beneath his left arm. Yelena stood at his side, while Ino, Skov, and the others waited excitedly behind him.

Looking to his left, Claude saw Kal'tsit's ice-cold face. She did not seem to be in a very good mood.

"My apologies, Ms. Kal'tsit. I didn't expect them to come here directly without notifying us. But you can rest assured—there are no Ursus spies here."

"I hope your intelligence is accurate, Mr. Claude."

"You can rest assured, Ms. Kal'tsit. After this, no one will pay attention to you anymore. They'll direct all their hatred toward us." Claude remained as calm as ever, as though he were not about to seize an Ursus city, but merely heading out on an outing.

Kal'tsit sighed helplessly before continuing.

"Have you truly decided to do this, Mr. Claude? Once you succeed, the entire Ursus Empire will focus its strength on dealing with you. An Ursus Empire that gets serious is enough to make this land tremble."

"Ms. Kal'tsit, perhaps you think the Ursus Empire is more united than it truly is. That emperor cannot yet mobilize the strength of the entire empire. Ursus will only ever be able to use part of its power against us, and I already have a plan."

The hatch opened fully, revealing soldiers standing as straight as spears, as well as warriors arrayed in formation upon the deck.

"Hah!"

Everyone saluted Claude at once. Claude gave a slight wave of his hand, and all the soldiers immediately straightened. Their movements were so coordinated that it was as though they shared a single mind. Red banners fluttered among them, bearing black crossed emblems. Beneath the sunlight, their carefully maintained armor gave off a warm sheen, while weapons of all kinds glinted coldly. The crossbowmen's quivers had long since been filled, and the casters' staffs had been meticulously inspected. Every drone had a dedicated maintainer, Originium artillery shells filled every compartment, and the vast formation did not make a single sound.

"Then, Ms. Kal'tsit, have a look at my army."

Claude smiled with immense pride beneath the sunlight.

The Rising Reunion Movement: Old Friends and New Friends

Across the wasteland, a sidecar motorcycle sped onward, carrying three people clad in polymer sun-protective suits that concealed their appearances. Another rider followed behind them on a motorbike. Beneath the scorching sun, they crossed the wasteland one after another.

When the afternoon heat reached its peak, they found a shady place to escape the sun. The motorcycle came to a steady stop at the edge of a grove. After taking off his sun-protective suit, Młynar revealed a handsome face covered in dust. He casually wiped it away, then pricked up his ears and listened carefully to the movements within the woods. Only after a while did he release the hilt of his sword.

"Uncle."

Margaret, dressed in a thick, durable black skirt and simple armor, came to his side. Compared to when she had been in Kazimierz, Margaret now carried a shield in her hand and had several potions at her waist.

"How is Ms. Liz's condition? Is it stable?" He sliced through the tangled vines with his sword and walked into a broad clearing.

"Liz's condition is fairly stable for now. But Shining said we have to find the medicine as soon as possible, or this stable state won't last much longer." As Margaret spoke, she picked up firewood from the ground.

She and her uncle had been traveling for a long time, and during their journey, they had met new companions. They were two Sarkaz women. One was named Liz, while the other called herself only Shining. Less than two days after she and her uncle arrived in dangerous Kazdel, they had encountered them.

Liz had severe Oripathy, and both she and Shining were excellent doctors. She and her uncle had accepted them without hesitation, then traveled together for a long time.

This journey had already lasted a long while, and Margaret felt it was time to return and have a look. Just as they were preparing to set off for Kazimierz, Liz's condition suddenly worsened and she had to receive treatment. Yet none of the surrounding cities were willing to treat the infected, until Shining suddenly said that she knew of a place that could treat them.

But Margaret had felt that Shining's expression at the time had been somewhat conflicted, as though she did not really wish to go there. But now, they had no other choice.

The fire was soon lit, with a small pot set over it. Młynar skillfully chopped up some jerky and vegetables, tossed them in, and prepared to make soup. Hard rations were also placed around the fire to soften as they roasted.

Shining, clad in a black robe, with long white hair, twisted twin horns, and a longsword in her arms, sat beside the campfire. Leaning against her shoulder was a Sarkaz woman in a white dress, with long golden hair and turquoise eyes. She possessed a gentle, tranquil air. But on closer inspection, one could see that her gaze was not focused on the scene before her, her eyes unfocused.

Margaret sat upon a rock, her tail spread over the grass like a sheet of golden silk. Her eyes were filled with worry as she looked at her two companions. Shining turned to nod at her, easing her concerns somewhat.

Setting her warhammer aside, she took a hardbound notebook from her bag. After traveling for the past few years, she had grown accustomed to recording important matters and her own reflections in it. Although her uncle traveled with her, he never lectured her about principles. Instead, he encouraged her to discover and think for herself.

They would rest here for a while, until the sun was no longer so fierce, before continuing on their journey. They would rest again after nightfall, then set out once more at dawn the next day. That would ensure the safety of the patient in their party to the greatest extent possible.

As she recorded the terrain they had passed through today in her notebook, she could not help thinking of her family and friends in Kazimierz. How was her grandfather's health? Was Maria doing well? And Aunt Zofia—the new Knight Major tournament was about to begin. She had heard that many infected knights would participate this year. Under the Commission of Inquiry's intervention, Kazimierz's knight economy had undergone considerable changes, and even its policies toward the infected had eased somewhat. Everything was improving.

And Claude—how was he? The last news she had received of him before leaving was that he was heading for Ursus's ice plains, a land that was exceedingly barren and desolate, and full of danger. She truly hoped she would see him when she returned to Kazimierz this time.

Sunlight filtered through the woods, casting mottled shadows across the knight's shoulders and making her golden hair shine like gold. The firelight reddened her cheeks. She looked like a classical oil painting.

"Captain Boccas, I never expected to see you here."

Kal'tsit looked at the towering Wendigo before her and could not help speaking in amazement.

The cooling fan in Patriot's chest respirator spun at high speed, producing a faint hum. He dared not make any large movements, or even the steel-welded chair beneath him might fall apart under his tremendous strength.

"Lord Kal'tsit, it has been a long time."

Patriot was similarly moved. She had once been an Ursus lord, yet now they both stood against the Ursus Empire. The fickleness of fate often left him amazed.

"Originium crystals have already invaded your lungs. Your condition is actually quite severe, but you must have used our inhibitors. Otherwise, it would be even worse." Kal'tsit's gaze fixed on the respirator at Patriot's chest. Normally, anyone requiring such equipment would be lying in a ward at death's door. Yet the warrior before her had mounted it onto his armor and fought countless battles without rest.

"It is of no concern. They cannot affect me too greatly, nor can they stop my struggle. Also, thank you for your medicine. Without it, many of our soldiers would have died from Oripathy."

"I still recommend that you come to us for a full physical examination. Even with a Wendigo's powerful body and resistance to Originium, you cannot delay any longer."

"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Kal'tsit, but I know very well what my body is like. I can hold on for a long time yet. There is no need to waste funds on me now."

"You need not worry about the funds. If you are willing, all examination and treatment costs can be waived."

Kal'tsit shook her head and firmly stated her opinion. It seemed she had resolved today to send this Wendigo straight into the emergency room.

"Lord Kal'tsit, a new war will begin soon. I do not have time to continue receiving treatment right now..."

"Mr. Patriot, you should listen to Dr. Kal'tsit. At least go get examined. Among all of us, your Oripathy is actually the most severe, isn't it? Yelena just told me."

Just as Boccas was about to continue refusing Kal'tsit, a voice interrupted him. Claude came over to them. This was a crude reception room. The original one had long been reduced to nothing in the fierce fighting, and now there were only chairs and tables made of logs, with no other facilities. Of course, in order to bear Patriot's immense weight, his chair had been specially made of steel.

"That's right, Dad. Go get checked too. The doctors here are all very capable. I'm fine now."

Yelena had changed back into the uniform she wore in battle, with a red armband tied around her arm. This was the Reunion Movement's standard insignia, worn on every soldier's arm.

She had been standing behind Claude just now, and Patriot had failed to notice her, catching him completely off guard. Under the combined persuasion of his daughter and the general, the stubborn Wendigo finally agreed to undergo an examination. Kal'tsit did not waste a moment, immediately summoning a medical team to take Patriot to the medical unit's treatment room.

The towering Patriot was pushed onto Rhodes Island's landship by medical operators who reached only as high as his waist. Even his daughter Yelena had never seen him so constrained, and she could not help laughing in amusement.

"So, Dr. Kal'tsit, what do you think?"

Claude's question seemed somewhat baffling, but both he and Kal'tsit understood what it meant.

"Very impressive. I do not know how you accomplished it, but if these soldiers truly number ten thousand, they are enough to contend with Ursus's most elite legions. As far as I know, they were still ordinary people only a few years ago. I truly do not know how you trained them to become this..."

"I have never underestimated this empire's military. Their country may be rotten to the core, but there will not be the slightest discount to their army's combat strength. Therefore, all my plans and all my conclusions were formed on the basis of this fact. They can be realized, and the chances are high. That is why I chose to do it."

"Among all the opponents I have faced, this empire does not count as the most troublesome."

A trace of doubt rose in Kal'tsit's heart. The Ursus Empire was one of the strongest nations on this land. If even it did not count as the most troublesome, then what enemies had Claude dealt with before? Everything about this man was shrouded in countless mysteries. Where had his knowledge and power come from? There was not the slightest clue.

Looking at the young man before her, Kal'tsit suddenly had a premonition, as though he was destined to stir up storms across this land and bring new opportunities to this era.

"We received a message from Rhodes Island. Their coordinates are moving quickly. If we follow this road, we can rendezvous with them this afternoon."

Shining put away her terminal. Her left arm wrapped around Margaret's waist, while Liz sat in the sidecar beside them. The motorcycle tore through the air with their bodies aboard it. Black clouds emerged in the sky, and an unnerving atmosphere hung over the vast plain.

Młynar frowned as he stared intently at the dark clouds overhead. Encountering such terrible weather in this wilderness was often no good sign. It was very likely a small Catastrophe. If they encountered a Catastrophe in their current state, they would have absolutely no chance of survival.

He twisted the throttle hard, sending the motorcycle racing forward faster. The three behind him also accelerated to keep up.

The safest course now was to rendezvous successfully with that landship. That way, they could weather the Catastrophe. Looking at the route displayed on his terminal, a rare trace of agitation appeared in his heart.

As fine raindrops began to fall, they finally saw the enormous silhouette of the landship. But at this critical moment, they suddenly stopped, because they could clearly see that it was not one landship, but two.

Yet the pitch-black surroundings urged them to approach the landships and leave this place that might be swallowed by a Catastrophe as quickly as possible. Młynar, Margaret, and even Shining all raised their guard somewhat. But as long as they successfully boarded the landship, they were absolutely confident they could get back down again.

The rain suddenly intensified, battering against their raincoats. A hatch on the landship ahead opened toward them, and they drove aboard without hesitation.

Młynar stood on the deck, frowning as he looked toward the other landship. It resembled an Ursus model, but the soldiers aboard looked nothing like Ursus soldiers. Even so, he remained vigilant. Kazimierz and Ursus had been at war year after year, and as a Kazimierzian, he had no natural fondness for Ursus.

"Please wait, miss. I would like to ask you something. Could you clear up a question for me?"

A golden-haired Perro girl came rushing across the deck with great haste. Młynar reached out to stop her, intending to ask about the current situation.

"Hm?"

Ceobe curiously looked at the man before her. He had the same tall build as Claude, along with the same ears and tail. Ceobe suppressed her urge to go find Claude, obediently standing where she was and listening to the man finish his question.

Big Sister Vulcan had said that when someone else spoke first, she should not interrupt them. She had to wait until they finished before she could speak.

"Are you asking about the people over there? Ceobe knows! They're Claude's people. They fight bad guys with him, and they're all really strong!"

Młynar's brow twitched.

"Miss, let me ask one more thing. This Mr. Claude you mentioned... is his full name Claude Ait? About as tall as me, with black hair and golden eyes?"

"That's right. Do you know Claude? I'll take you to see him!"

The Rising Reunion Movement: Taking a Day Off

I went to help someone out today and was busy the entire day. I'm exhausted now and truly have no energy left to update. I'm taking the day off today, and the author will use this time to sort out his thoughts properly.

The Rising Reunion Movement: Knights and Knights

"Have the crossbowmen been sent out?"

"They were sent out a week ago. We received word yesterday that they successfully reached the target location."

"How is Ludmila's reconnaissance squad doing?"

"The reconnaissance squad left two days before the crossbow squad. They are currently making preparations in Chernobog's slums."

"How are our ammunition reserves?"

"We have fifteen basic loads of ammunition. That should be enough for us. Once we occupy Chernobog's armory, we won't have to worry about ammunition for a long time."

"According to calculations, we are thirty-seven hours away from our destination. Everyone has completed all preparations."

Claude straightened up from the conference table and looked at his solemn-faced companions around him. He smiled helplessly, then clapped his hands to draw everyone's attention.

"Why are you all pulling such long faces? It's as though disaster is about to strike us. We aren't the ones who are going to lose."

Talulah hesitated before speaking.

"It just feels a little unreal. Can we really take the initiative to attack an Ursus mobile city now?"

"There is nothing unreal about it. Besides, this mobile city is a gift from a kindhearted person. I already told you that before."

"Stop joking. What kindhearted person would give us a mobile city?" The white-haired Cautus girl rolled her eyes nearby, clearly not believing him at all.

"Enough, there is no need to worry. Even if you do not believe in that so-called kindhearted person, you can believe in me. Our victory this time is inevitable."

Claude's tone remained as calm as ever, yet it contained absolute confidence. The people who had been somewhat anxious moments ago quickly regained their confidence after hearing his words. Without realizing it, Claude had already become the absolute soul and center of this organization, this army.

Claude took his helmet from Char beside him and was about to dismiss everyone and end the meeting when a commotion suddenly arose outside.

"Claude..."

His ears twitched slightly as he caught a faint voice, seemingly calling his name. That voice sounded like... Ceobe!

Char, the commander of his guard, had wanted to go outside to inspect the situation the instant the disturbance began. Claude reached out to stop him, then personally walked out the door. Though his guard commander was simply carrying out his duty, Claude did not want to neglect his companion either.

Pushing open the ornate doors guarded closely by ten Iron Guard soldiers, he indeed saw two Iron Guard soldiers stopping a golden-haired girl at the entrance of the corridor. She desperately tried to break through their blockade, but the well-trained Iron Guard kept her back. Before receiving orders, they would not allow anyone near the conference room. If this little girl had not been the general's friend, they would have already eliminated the threat with the weapons in their hands.

When she saw Claude emerge, Ceobe broke into a silly grin and waved at him frantically. Claude walked up to her, only to knock her on the head. He had not held back, and Ceobe squatted down in pain, clutching her head. Claude crouched as well and vigorously kneaded her cheeks.

"Didn't I tell you? Don't interfere with the soldiers carrying out their duties!"

After ruffling her hair even more, Claude finally noticed a tall figure standing some distance away. He had dazzling golden hair like the sun and a cold, handsome face. Beneath the sunlight, he seemed to be shining, drawing the attention of quite a few soldiers.

Claude showed an expression of surprise, then a smile appeared on his lips. He rose to his feet and spread his arms in welcome to this old friend.

"It has been a long time, Mr. Młynar."

Młynar was caught off guard by his enthusiasm. He hesitated briefly, then walked toward Claude as well.

The knight and the knight clasped hands, neither having removed his gauntlet. Feeling the hard metal against his palm, Młynar spoke evenly as well, with no particular emotion detectable in his voice.

"It has been a long time, Mr. Claude. I did not expect that after our last parting, it would take us so long to meet again. And..."

As he spoke, he turned to look at the enormous land warship. Cold steel and roaring machinery formed the entirety of this massive beast. Then there were those soldiers, silent as statues, though all their attention was focused on him. Only when their general showed him goodwill did that heavy sense of scrutiny ease slightly.

"Your status is no longer what it once was. Perhaps I should call you General?"