Yasol's Assignment

The final collective merit plaque was hung beneath the overview map of the Twelve Defense Zones, but Shien held off on announcing the end of the assembly.

He signaled to the two young recorders.

The recorders removed the wooden trays holding the award documents, then walked to either side of the map and untied the cords securing its cover. The heavy cloth slid along the crossbar toward both sides, revealing the complete wartime map of the Twelve Defense Zones behind it.

Conversation in the main hall gradually died away. The members who had just received their honors put away their smiles and shifted their gazes from the merit plaques along the wall to the wartime map.

Shien stood before the map, his gaze sweeping across the hall. "When the Blood Moon rises, the Tear Knight soldiers will enter their positions first. They will hold the front line and bear the monsters' first assault."

Several military personnel in the hall sat up straight.

"They will suffer the most direct casualties along the entire defense line, and they deserve our utmost respect."

Shien looked toward the wall, where the plans for the new Blackwater River bridge, the Water Spirit transport overview, and the Wallwalker schematics all hung.

"The work the Reconstruction Institute has done over the past year will be put to the test through them. The soldiers at the front will hold back the monsters for us.

"But we must ensure that arrows reach their hands, that the roads behind them remain open, and that they can return alive after being wounded.

"During the Blood Moon Season, a single incorrect short code could send reinforcements to the wrong node.

"If the wounded lack injury labels, the Purification Battalion will struggle to prepare Holy Unction and beds in time.

"If the road