Empire's New Star

Meanwhile, inside the Empire's Walden Front command post.

The Empire's Seventh Air Force high command, with the exception of Colonel Jett, had gathered around the conference table.

Yet everyone had fallen into an unusual silence. Some frowned at the sand table before them, while others anxiously watched the pocket watches in their hands.

At the head of the table, Dormammu, the front's supreme commander, sat with his eyes closed in contemplation, as if quietly awaiting the outcome of something.

The entire command post was steeped in deathly silence; even the sound of breathing was nearly imperceptible.

"Ding!"

No one knew how much time had passed before the sudden ring of a communication device shattered the strange atmosphere.

The instant the bell rang, Dormammu at the head of the table abruptly opened his eyes and immediately connected the communicator.

Though his voice remained as calm and steady as ever, the faint tremor in his pupils made it easy to see the tension in his heart.

"How did it go?"

"Reporting, General: the plan succeeded. Warrant Officer John has completely destroyed the Allied Forces' Anti-Magic Device and is currently returning by the original route!"

"...Good work!"

"Beep!"

The sound of the communication device disconnecting echoed through the command post. Yet to the high command of the Seventh Legion, that monotonous sound was like heavenly music played by the god of music, setting everyone's emotions ablaze.

Their breathing gradually grew heavier, and strange fervor and excitement appeared in pair after pair of eyes.

Even Dormammu, whose face was usually stern and unsmiling, could not help revealing a smile.

And as time passed, that smile grew broader and broader, until it even seemed somewhat ferocious.

"You all heard Colonel Jett's report clearly. Then I need not say more about what we do next."

"Three hours. I am giving you only three hours!"

"Three hours from now, I want to see the Empire's flag standing in the center of Walden's Lake of Magic Power!"

"If you cannot do it, then do not bother coming back to see me!"

Dormammu's icy voice reverberated through the command post. But upon hearing their superior's harsh demands, cruel to the point of near brutality, the high-ranking officers felt no fear at all. Instead, every one of them looked exhilarated.

"Yes, General!"

"We guarantee we will not fail our mission!"

The Empire's senior officers answered in loud voices, then marched swiftly and neatly out of the command post.

Only minutes later, the blue radiance of more than a thousand eruptions of magic power flared almost simultaneously throughout the frontline base. Thousands of Mage Soldiers, led by their respective companies, rose into the sky in perfect formation.

Like a swarm of crazed bees, they raced toward the Walden Front ahead.

In less than a moment, the thunderous roar of artillery fire filled the combat zone between the Allied Forces and the Empire.

And it was fiercer and more violent than at any point in the month since the two sides had begun fighting.

So much so that even the Empire's garrison several kilometers from the front could hear it with perfect clarity.

"An unexpected turning point."

Inside the tent, listening to the rumbling in his ears and realizing that the tides of this battlefield were truly about to change, Dormammu seemed to have all his strength drained away as he slowly let out a long breath of stale air.

Only after a long while did he compose himself and rise from his chair. He slowly picked up the pipe on the table, put it between his lips, and habitually tried to light it with a match.

But with his hands trembling, the matches refused to spark no matter how many times he struck them. Instead, his overly forceful fingertips snapped them one after another. Only after emptying an entire box did he toss the matchbox onto the table in frustration.

Yet his face was filled with unprecedented joy.

Of course, he truly had every reason to be happy.

After all, once they seized victory in this war, the Empire he believed in would no longer have to worry about its Mage Soldiers being on the verge of extinction.

As long as they could take Walden's Lake of Magic Power, the Empire would have a chance to ascend to the summit once more.

Perhaps it could even create glory unlike anything seen before.

And all of this stemmed from this plan.

From that rising star of the Empire who had only just entered the battlefield.

"John Maslow, you truly have not disappointed me!"

Dormammu softly murmured the name. As if pondering something, an unfathomable gleam flickered in his aged eyes.

The latest novels were first released on 69 Book Bar!

But soon, as though he had made some decision, he resolutely set down his pipe and strode to his desk. After a brief moment of thought, he pulled out a sheet of letter paper from among the documents.

Then he picked up his fountain pen and wrote:

"Esteemed Duke Ostan, it has been a long time since I last wrote to you. I wonder whether your health has recovered recently. I have neglected to inquire after you, and I hope you will not take offense."

"Our army has now seized the opportunity for victory on the Walden battlefield. I believe you will soon receive news of our triumph in the Battle of Walden. However, that is not the main reason I am sending you this letter. During this grueling and difficult war, I discovered an exceptionally outstanding talent among the officers under my command."

"His abilities are such that even I cannot help but praise him. But you also know that my current circumstances make it impossible for me to offer any talented person a future. After much consideration, I have chosen to discuss with you this gentleman's future destination..."

"..."

Dormammu quietly bent over his desk and wrote. Only after setting down every one of his thoughts and concerns in the letter did he stop his pen. He then picked up the personal seal he had not used in a long time and stamped a red seal at the end of the letter.

He let out another long breath, then slipped the letter into an envelope, intending to have someone send it out that very night.

Wearily, he raised his head. When his gaze touched the lights glowing inside the tent, he suddenly realized that night had arrived without his noticing.

Feeling the soreness coursing through his body, Dormammu rose to his feet in a daze, intending to go outside for a walk.

But the moment he stepped out of the tent and saw the young figure walking toward him at the entrance of the base, surrounded by a crowd, his whole body paused.

Then a relieved smile appeared on his face.

He knew that his own star, which had burned itself out for the Empire, had reached the time to fall from the stage.

But fortunately, the one replacing him was a newly lit star.

And the radiance the young man could create would surely far surpass anything he could imagine.

"How truly... exciting."

Dormammu murmured softly. He silently watched the young figure, surrounded by countless people and currently pretending to be annoyed as he laughed and tussled with them, and felt an unprecedented anticipation for this young new star of the Empire.

(End of Chapter)