**3 Months Later**
**Draconia - Imperial Palace**
Alex sat in the throne room, facing the elite members of the Draconian Sentinels. They weren't in their battle armor today; this was a bestowal of weapons, meant for those selected for the upcoming war plans. The others were to remain behind to protect the empire and its allies.
"First Axe, step forward," Alex said solemnly as an armor stand appeared beside him.
"Leader, or Grandmaster, of Assassin X, my first spymaster when I was merely a city-state lord. After years, you will now receive your first official armor and weapons. I grant you this new set."
As the armor stand moved forward, it displayed a set of completely black armor with red lines tracing across its surface. The first layer was lightweight and made of magic-infused plates that activated when someone attempted to strike.
The second layer included his weapons: dual revolver pistols powered by anti-magic dust, a rare resource available only to the imperial guards and elite squads. The recoil from such weapons would shatter a normal person's arms. Additional magazines, 12 short daggers for throwing and close combat, and small vials of anti-venom and various poisons hung on the shoulder sling.
For his main weapon, he received an expandable anti-matter spear, eight feet tall and only a few centimeters in width. It shrank down to the size of a pen for concealment. Alex added a secret feature to the spear, one only to be revealed in the future.
Axe, eager for new gear after years of waiting, beamed with joy. Alex had been perfecting this equipment for a long time, earning it the name *Black Ghost*.
"I am grateful, Your Majesty," Axe bowed, then donned his new gear.
"Next, Sean. Step forward," Alex called, as another armor stand appeared, this one with a completely different design. The armor was pure white with blue lines running across its details. The back had wings like an angel, but their edges were razor-sharp.
Sean's beloved sword, which Alex had taken from him, was also returned. In its absence, Sean had been forced to use substitutes, often carrying thousands of spare blades in his ring. Seeing his sword again made him feel like a man reuniting with a lost lover.
Alex had redesigned the sword, adding gems to the handle that absorbed Sean's powers like a battery. The guard featured a winged design, and the hilt was reinforced with an unknown material, offering Sean more striking power while making the weapon more comfortable to wield.
For his secondary weapon, Sean received a long halberd with a gem embedded in its tip, which could function like a gun during sky battles.
"Your two weapons are the halberd and your sword, but this armor itself is your main weapon," Alex explained. "Draw your power to the armor, and it will respond."
Sean released his energy, which seeped into the armor. The sigil of his order appeared on the chest plate, the blue lines glowed, and the armor disappeared, integrating with his body.
"You have a helmet, Sean. You can summon it at will. This armor is spirit-style, capable of entering your body and manifesting at any time. Choose an accessory, like a necklace, to fool enemies into thinking that's where your armor comes from. This technique was copied from the eastern nation of Pangea, specifically from a place called Fe Zhou, I believe."
Alex reminisced about the constant issues with the eastern part of Pangea. The arrogant families, prodigies, and young masters constantly created cross-border conflicts. When they overstepped, the empire often responded with military action. Airforce flyovers of rebellious cities caused panic, as even the so-called cultivators fell easily to air-to-air missiles.
The rest of the ceremony went smoothly. Alex granted each present Sentinel new weapons, armor, and vaults accessible only to them and their blood relatives.
"With this armor, use it well on the battlefield. We don't know who will return alive or in pieces," Alex warned, his words ominous. But the orphans among them didn't seem to mind.
**3 Days Later - Cossack Front**
**The Tent of Axe and Zarina**
Axe and Zarina shared a passionate kiss. Over the past few months, they had taken advantage of the downtime to strengthen their relationship, acting as though they were already husband and wife, though not yet officially married. Today was the beginning of the end, where the war could finally be won. But Alex had made it clear: if they lost this battle, the consequences would reverberate across the nations.
"We may be fighting in different locations. All I can say is, be careful," Zarina said, kissing Axe on the cheek. Axe kissed her forehead in return before helping her don her armor. She then placed her cap, symbolizing her crown, on her head.
Axe put on his new armor, and together they exited the tent, followed closely by their guards. In the camp, soldiers from both parties gathered. Some said final prayers before heading to the mustering grounds. Draconian cavalry stood side by side with Novoros soldiers, who stood at attention. Behind them were military vehicles: Sherman and Panther tanks, APCs, and the Forbidden Cavalry in the third column, mounted and awaiting orders.
The atmosphere was tense as the people on the makeshift platform addressed the troops.
"All soldiers gathered here today, I know you're nervous, afraid, and excited. This will be the largest battle you've ever participated in, and the death toll... it's better left untold. We can't stop the deaths, but we can minimize them. In a few hours, the first phase of the operation begins. Tomorrow, we begin our offensive. Infantry and armor will charge, and the Forbidden Cavalry will serve as the vanguard. There may be deaths among your ranks, but remember, you will have done a great service to the empire. Survive, for there will be stories to tell future generations."
The soldiers let out war cries, raising their weapons. The Muscovy soldiers echoed their cries, united in purpose.
**Draconian Front - Artillery Section**
"Coordinates locked, sir," the artillery crew called out as they made final adjustments. The officer, phone in hand, waited for the signal.
Ring! Ring!
"Open fire on those bastards!" the officer shouted, not bothering to answer the call. The entire artillery section began firing in sync. No words were exchanged as they reloaded and fired, turning the night sky into a blazing battlefield.
**In the Chronos Trenches**
"Get down!" a leather-armored soldier shouted as the whistling of artillery shells filled the air. Explosions rocked the ground, decimating the trenches.
The Draconian soldiers, however, remained in their own trenches, some playing games, seemingly unbothered by the shelling. The allies watched in awe as the great forest turned into a field of hell, with trees exploding and burning.
In the trenches, the soldiers' sanity began to fray. Some tried to escape, only to be caught by direct hits, their bodies torn apart.
"Stay in the trenches and sleep if you can. They'll stop when they get tired," a worn chainmail-clad mercenary said to the others, a sign he had been through worse.
"How are you so calm?" a titan soldier asked.
"I fought under the elves in Tyrell. They sent us in the first wave, but when Novoros used their artillery, we were battered. The shells kept coming. After a while, you just get used to it. The elves, though... their long ears made them deaf."
**Olympus Front HQ**
"A jolly good show," one soldier remarked as he watched the artillery crews reload.
"Indeed. Tomorrow, we charge across the battlefield," an Olympus officer added, standing nearby.
**To Be Continued...**