When Yu'er and Feifei arrived at the General Headquarters located outside the Sero Great Forest, it was also the time when the defeated Air Assault Legion was returning dejectedly.
Truth be told, their losses weren't particularly significant; the damaged airships could be back in action after three to five days of repairs at most. The number of dead, including crew and Marine Corps personnel, was only about twenty.
In comparison, the enemies they killed definitely numbered over a hundred, and they did indeed break through to the outskirts of Sero Ancient City, capturing a lot of valuable first-hand enemy intelligence.
They also deployed many miniature detectors.
These detectors had no mobility, so they naturally couldn't penetrate deep into Sero Ancient City, but they could at least hide in the shade of the trees and conduct close-range detection of the enemy's situation.
In short, although the initial strategic objective was not achieved, half of it was accomplished. Therefore, it cannot be considered a failure.
Anyway, that's how Brigadier General Luben defended it when Yu'er arrived at the General Headquarters.
As for Colonel Sahe, the Marine Corps brigade commander, he argued eloquently, "Moreover, we really didn't expect Ke'ermo to be so powerful."
"Ke'ermo is a spiritual energy user; you didn't know that?" Yu'er was surprised. Although he had never expected much from the security forces' combat strength, this was a bit too exaggerated.
"We knew, we knew, we just didn't expect him to be so powerful!" Brigadier General Luben quickly said. His attitude was even more sincere than when they last met, even bordering on flattery. It was truly a display of reality for a general to behave this way in front of a Captain.
Colonel Sahe looked at Brigadier General Luben, who was struggling to force a smile, and felt a touch of sorrow for a fellow sufferer. He then proactively introduced Yu'er to the situation they currently had a grasp of.
Ke'ermo awakened his spiritual energy during his time studying in the Empire, less than ten years ago. According to Country Statistics' analysis, he wouldn't exceed Four-Ring at most.
Furthermore, based on his Past actions, National Unification Committee judges him to be a combat-oriented transcendent. In layman's terms, he's either a "Warrior" or a "Guardian." However, considering his Past achievement of sniping the Far Shore Star Region Police Chief from an extremely long distance, he might be a "Sentinel."
Of course, the latest intelligence indicates that this person also served as a first mate on a pirate ship before returning to Lumina. Considering that Lumina people have a "stay-at-home" trait and dislike going on ships, this is highly debatable. Therefore, he might also be a "Traveler."
So, this guy's full name is Ke'ermo D. Teach! My apologies!
Sure enough, both Country Statistics and National Unification Committee are useless! Yu'er thought.
In addition, among the Lumina Rebels leaders, besides Ke'ermo, there are three other spiritual energy users: an elderly one respectfully referred to as "Lord Yan," a veteran rebel leader; Paparotta, from a warrior chief family serving the Sero royal family; and a Sunadesu who claims to have received a divine oracle and revelation from the sky god.
"Sounds like a charlatan," Yu'er scoffed. As a materialist and a disciple of Li Instructor, he detested this type of person the most.
"Yes!" Brigadier General Luben echoed, "However, that last charlatan has already died on Earth, and it's unknown which passing powerful figure casually killed him."
Feifei discreetly glanced at Yu'er, but the latter showed no particular reaction.
It wasn't that his acting was truly flawless, but rather that he had completely forgotten about that person.
Furthermore, several experts from the Wanling Sect should also be within Four-Ring, and the sect leader Wanda himself is Four-Ring, and also a "Prosperity" type who is very bad at direct combat. At least, that's what Country Statistics and National Unification Committee say.
It's understandable that when such intelligence reached the General Headquarters, they made incorrect judgments.
They probably thought that since there were no true one-man-army superheroes, their side definitely held the upper hand and could just charge in!
"Moreover, we didn't expect Ke'ermo to have an Iron-backed Dragon as a mount, and also a complete set of spiritual energy equipment," Sahe said helplessly.
"Iron-backed Dragon King? So he's a Divine Will Hero!" Feifei exclaimed. The girl had already activated her camera and writing pad, beginning to fulfill her duties as a reporter.
Brigadier General Luben and Colonel Sahe's mouths twitched slightly at this sight, but they couldn't say anything and just remained silent.
The so-called Iron-backed Dragon is a type of flying beast that lives deep in the valleys of the Sero Great Forest, and also an aerial overlord at the top of the food chain. Like the Great Rock Tiger, it is also a type of creature that, upon reaching a certain age, may awaken a spiritual energy-like talent, completing a class jump in the animal kingdom and becoming a member of the Phantom Beast species.
In all verifiable and unverifiable "histories" of the Lumina people, it is said that only four warriors have ever subdued such an Iron-backed Dragon King. They are all considered warriors of the sky god, incarnations of divine will and divine punishment, and are thus called "Divine Will Heroes."
"Also, we really didn't know he had spiritual energy weaponry!"
"Spiritual energy weaponry?" Yu'er was genuinely surprised this time.
"Yes, spiritual energy weaponry! According to the footage we intercepted and analyzed in the database, the armor on Ke'ermo has not yet been analyzed, but it can definitely generate a small-range deflection shield."
Yu'er was noncommittal. This only indicated high-tech equipment, far from reaching the level of spiritual energy weaponry.
"And what he was holding in his hand must be an Atomic Light Spear!"
Yu'er raised his eyebrows, indicating he hadn't seen such a large light spear, but then he thought about it again and felt it wasn't impossible. Considering that guy's standard move of cutting down airships, it was indeed the correct way to use an Atomic Light Spear.
"There have long been rumors that the Empire is the mastermind behind the Lumina Rebels! Now we finally have proof! This is a blatant trampling of Commonwealth sovereignty!" the Brigadier General shouted.
"Yes, yes! Shameless Empire, down with Empire tyranny!" the Colonel said in an even louder voice.
Feifei, however, shook her head. "That's hard to say. There are still some Atomic Light Spears circulating in the black market, though they're not as good as the Lightsabers from the Alliance. It's impossible to accuse the Empire based on this."
"Is that so...?" Brigadier General Luben sighed pitifully. "So, that's why we invited you over, hoping to hear an expert's advice."
"Yes, yes! Only our transcendent can deal with transcendent," Colonel Sahe looked at Yu'er with expectant eyes, his triangular eyes wide open, trying hard to sparkle, but unfortunately, nothing came out.
"...The best advice, of course, is to prioritize the bigger picture and immediately request assistance from the Far Shore Fleet," Yu'er said.
The two were visibly disappointed, hesitating to speak.
Alright! If they weren't at their wits' end, they definitely wouldn't choose this option. If the Lumina problem had been handed directly to the fleet instead of local authorities from the start, there wouldn't have been any problems at all... Sigh, never mind, when it comes to ethnic issues, it's always a muddled mess.
"We should have conducted strategic bombing from the start. Although we don't have orbital battleships, we do have high-altitude military aircraft in the stratosphere, which can also be equipped with neutron bombs to level this place..." Sahe muttered.
Brigadier General Luben glared at him. If Sero Ancient City, a castle with a certain reputation worldwide, were destroyed, the Commonwealth Government would surely be criticized by all sectors of the galaxy. At that time, wouldn't it be grassroots managers like himself who would be pushed out to take the blame? Not to mention that destroying this ancient city and the Great Forest would surely enrage the Lumina people. You, as Marine Corps, are considered guest troops and can simply walk away with military merits, but what would be left for me is a planet engulfed in war.
Yu'er subtly rolled his eyes.
He certainly couldn't be fooled by the thoughts of these two typical old soldiers. However, since Red Maple Factory was now on track, it was also time to conveniently resolve these troubles.
What's more, Elinore and Lilia should also be in position soon. Since he had roped them in, he had to give everyone some benefits.
"Prepare a squad of elite Marine Corps for me. Not too many, a single squad will do. But they must be loyal, brave, and elite!" Yu'er said.
Both the Brigadier General and the Colonel were startled.
"Don't tell me, gentlemen, that you can't spare even this many men. Or that you can't even produce a single squad of elites," Yu'er said sternly, his face serious.
This was the first time Yu'er had spoken to two senior officers with such a serious attitude.
In terms of workplace etiquette, this was quite rude. However, facing the attitude of a mere Captain, a Brigadier General and a Colonel suddenly felt a chill in their hearts, even their spines seemed to tingle.
This was truly not just because the other party was a Central Special Envoy with connections. More importantly, the sixth sense of the two old soldiers, which sought advantage and avoided harm, made them feel that if they continued to refuse, the other party would truly kill them on the spot.
"Alright, alright..." The two had just nodded in agreement when a knock came from outside the small conference room.
"Sir... outside, there's something going on! Please come out and see."
Colonel Sahe swept Brigadier General Luben with an amused gaze, while the latter's expression was somewhat awkward. This was his adjutant, who usually seemed quite sharp and capable, but unexpectedly was so rude today. Wouldn't this make it seem like he couldn't discipline his subordinates?
Later, I'll punish him by making him clean the toilets... no, I'll punish him by making him lead a reconnaissance team to patrol the forest!
"Let's go out and see," Yu'er was the first to stand up. "If the enemy situation changes, it's better to respond early."
Yu'er ignored Brigadier General Luben's grateful gaze, naturally walked out of the room first, and then directly exited the temporarily constructed base headquarters building.
What unfolded before his eyes was a military base of considerable scale. Its area should be over one hundred thousand square meters, generally presenting a somewhat irregular rectangle. Inside, dozens of large buildings of varying heights, constructed with metal frameworks, stood, and the ground was entirely paved with hard composite material flooring.
This military base, where the General Headquarters was located, was, of course, temporarily built, but though small, it was fully equipped. Airports, warehouses, training grounds, and barracks were all Present. The main gate of the base directly faced the vast forest, with a dozen turrets of various calibers set up around it, and the base was also equipped with shield generators, heavy artillery, and missiles.
Besides this, there were at least over 1,500 security forces and a battalion of Marine Corps stationed here, all elite troops equipped with various war vehicles and armed to the teeth.
With the currently known armaments of the Lumina Rebels and Wanling Sect members, it was impossible to pose a threat to such a base.
Even if the enemy had spiritual energy users, and even if they had repeatedly routed everyone, the Commonwealth soldiers here still felt that their Command HQ was the safest place on the battlefield.
Therefore, even when the last beast tide charged to the main gate, they still didn't panic.
Facts proved that those imposing giant beasts were merely delivering themselves as meat in front of the already prepared defensive facilities.
But at this moment, the troops stationed in the base indeed began to panic.
However, Yu'er could understand them.
They were just ordinary people, with no experience of directly facing the great power brought by the occult.
Suddenly, a translucent giant light screen unfolded before him, blocking his sight and path, obscuring the boundless great forest; the light screen reached up to the clouds, yet its ends on both sides and top were almost invisible.
It was indeed difficult for ordinary people to remain calm when suddenly confronted with such a sight.
"Yu'er, that's... not some large fortress shield!" Feifei had already walked to Yu'er's side.
"Yes, that's..." Yu'er was about to seriously explain to the girl.
"It should be some kind of visual distortion force field phenomenon, right? It's actually a supernatural phenomenon caused by the fusion of the material world and the Void Realm. What book was it recorded in? I remember it was called a Void Ring, right?" Feifei said.
"Cough, cough, cough..."
"What's wrong? Are you cold? I told you to wear your wool sweater!"
While Yu'er was coughing, Brigadier General Luben and Colonel Sahe had already jogged over.
"Captain, this, this is...!"
"What, what should we do? Should we retreat first?"
These two immediately made judgments that aligned perfectly with their inner desires. Of course, Yu'er also expressed understanding. People always feel fear when encountering the unknown.
Brigadier General Luben and Colonel Sahe had certainly never seen a Void Ring; not to mention these two old soldiers, most spiritual energy users never see such a thing in their entire lives.
"This is called a Void Ring, a kind of natural phenomenon produced by the occult. Don't worry, it might have some impact on electromagnetic waves, but it's directly harmless to the human body," Yu'er said.
At least on the periphery, it was harmless, he thought to himself.
"Also, I estimate that this Void Ring should not expand any further. Have the soldiers maintain their positions and monitor carefully," Yu'er added.
Luben and Sahe quickly exchanged glances. They both certainly wanted to run, but here, the Special Envoy said "harmless," so it must certainly and only be "harmless."
"Feifei, connect me to Lilia and Elinore."
"And you two, where are the Marine Corps I requested?"