Under everyone's watchful eyes, Zhang Weijun spoke clearly:
"Preliminary statistics show that we killed over 7,000 of the Calamity Beast in today's battle."
"Among them, there are 172 at Fourth Tier, over 800 at Third Tier, over 2,300 at Second Tier, and around 4,000 at First Tier."
"Among them, some were torn apart by artillery fire, some were killed by your swords and abilities, and some ultimately died fighting amongst themselves."
"It can be said that this is a tremendous victory!"
The words had barely left his mouth.
Many of the people present began to show a hint of excitement on their faces.
More than seven thousand!
Back when we only encountered the Calamity Beast two or three times a month, we wouldn't have dared to even imagine this!
However, Zhang Weijun's tone suddenly changed, and his voice became somber:
"But this victory did not come without a price."
"One hundred and twenty-seven soldiers and nine inspectors were left forever on this land." His gaze swept slowly and intently across the entire room, each word clearly reaching everyone's ears:
The cheerful atmosphere suddenly turned solemn, and in the firelight, many people pursed their lips and lowered their eyes.
The air seemed to suddenly become heavy.
Several figures sitting in the corner lowered their heads.
Shen Heng's gaze swept over the figures who had lowered their heads, and finally slowly returned to his own.
Although he already knew that some members of the Supervision Bureau had sacrificed their lives, he only now learned the exact number of people who had died in today's war.
Nine... doesn't seem like many, but the problem is that there were only 123 people in the Erosion Zone before!
Nine, one hundred and twenty-three... A war sacrificed about one-third of the members of the Supervision Bureau in the Plateau Erosion Zone!
If this happened a few more times, probably not many would survive.
Zhang Weijun remained silent, letting everyone internally process the news.
After a moment, he looked at everyone and slowly said:
"But do we have a way out?"
There was a moment of silence, then a voice rang out.
There is no way out!
Shen Heng looked up at Cao Mingyu, who had just spoken, then reached out and took the large plate of food and cups handed to him by the logistics staff.
The aroma of roasted meat and rice wine filled the air.
Is there any more wine?... Shen Heng glanced briefly at the off-white wine in the glass, then looked up at Zhang Weijun again.
"No way out?"
Zhang Weijun turned to look at Cao Mingyu, who had just spoken, then turned to the others and retorted sharply:
"No, of course there's a way out!"
He raised his hand and pointed to the massive Light Gate in the center of the base, speaking clearly and calmly to the crowd:
"Once you go through that Light Gate, you'll be safe!"
Even if I get punished by your Supervision Bureau headquarters, at least I won't die. At most, I'll be dismissed and spend a few years in jail!
"Once we're out, with the experience and skills you've accumulated in the Supervision Bureau, even if we're going to carry out missions in ordinary Light Gate, as long as we're careful, we'll definitely be among the safest!"
"But..."
Zhang Weijun's voice suddenly rose in pitch, striking everyone's hearts like a heavy hammer.
"You're gone, you're safe, and then what?"
His gaze slowly swept over the faces, some young, some weathered:
"And then wait for the day when the Erosion Zone and our world completely overlap, serving as the entrance for the invasion of the Calamity Beast?"
"Or are we just waiting for those Calamity Beast we've stopped here today to rush into our parents' neighborhood, into the park where our wives and children stroll, into the office buildings where our brothers and sisters work?!"
The campfire crackled, illuminating the suddenly serious faces of the group.
Some people unconsciously clenched their fists, their knuckles turning white; some lowered their heads, biting their lower lips; and some took a deep breath, their gaze fixed on the leaping flames, as if they could see the familiar faces of their loved ones in the distance through the interplay of light and shadow.
Zhang Weijun continued:
"We stand here today, braving casualties, guarding this desolate plateau, guarding this Light Gate..."
"It's not to prove how strong we are, nor is it for those points and Origin Crystal."
"We're holding this position to keep the battlefield here, to keep it within the Erosion Zone!"
"It's so that our families, friends, and countless ordinary people can sleep peacefully at night, without worrying about the Calamity Beast!"
As he spoke, his gaze swept over the figures sitting in the corner, their expressions filled with grief, and his voice was low yet powerful:
"The blood we shed today, the comrades we lost today, are so that this situation will never happen again!"
At this point, he paused briefly, then regained his usual deep and resolute demeanor.
"For this goal... we have no way out, and we cannot afford to!"
After he finished speaking, a deep silence fell over the room.
No one cheered, no one spoke, only the crackling of the campfire and the faint sounds of construction in the distance.
Yet beneath this oppressive silence, something heavier than sorrow and more resolute than fear is silently spreading and gathering.
"So..."
Zhang Weijun spoke in a deep voice, drawing everyone's thoughts back to reality.
"The blood shed today by every person who sacrificed their life was not shed in vain!"
They fell, but we are still standing here.
His gaze slowly swept across the entire room; some people lowered their heads, some clenched their fists, and some had tears glistening in their eyes.
He did not urge them, allowing this sorrow and determination to ferment and blend in the silence.
After a moment, he slowly raised his hand.
A logistics staff member understood and silently and solemnly handed him a rough earthenware bowl filled with clear rice wine.
"This first bowl of wine," Zhang Weijun said in a deep voice, raising the bowl with both hands, his voice echoing throughout the room, "Is a toast to every fallen soldier and inspector!"
Having said that, he calmly put down the wine bowl and tilted it.
During this process, the wine in the bowl slowly spilled onto the ground.
Without a commotion, everyone silently followed suit, sprinkling the first bowl of wine onto the earth to commemorate the heroic spirits who could never return.
After the drinks were poured out, the prepared logistics staff moved silently and quickly to refill everyone's glasses.
Zhang Weijun raised his bowl again, his gaze hardening once more as he looked at everyone present.
"This second bowl of wine is a toast to everyone here; each and every one of you is a hero. And then... I'm counting on you!"
Shen Heng lowered his head, gazing at the flickering firelight reflection in the rough pottery bowl, and at his own slightly solemn face.
Is it a farewell to the deceased, and a crowning ceremony for the living?