"Uh… Lieutenant Hak Foo…" the messenger stumbled over the unusual name, which didn't fit mainstream naming conventions at all.
Who would name their child that? It sounded like a servant's name… But it made sense; Lieutenant Hak Foo was likely one of General Selene's retainers. Shaking off his wandering thoughts, the messenger continued,
"Lieutenant, the order to attack has been issued. In one minute, the General commands you to capture the leader of the northern barbarians—Numa Seika—alive."
At the front of the formation, Hak Foo, clad in dark heavy armor, responded in a booming voice, "Understood! You can rest assured, my Master, Hak Foo will not disappoint her!"
After years of fighting and physical enhancements from the battle energies, Hak Foo had transformed significantly. He was now taller and more muscular, with deep crimson hair that stood up like flames.
The fierce, bloodthirsty aura he exuded was impossible to conceal.
With that, Hak Foo turned his gaze, his black eyes sharply fixed on the young man in silver armor standing at the front of the opposing forces.
"Prepare to attack!" he declared as he donned his matching dark helmet.
"Yes, sir!"
As orders were issued in layers, the soldiers of the Imperial Army drew their weapons and began to advance in an orderly fashion.
...
On the other side, at the forefront of the northern barbarian army, a young man clad in silver armor and wielding a spear stepped forward, turning to face his compatriots.
He was Numa Seika, known as the Northern Hero.
Numa Seika, a prince of the northern barbarians, was renowned for his undefeated record when wielding his spear, having no rivals in the far north. His tactical genius was deeply trusted by his people.
Since coming to power, he had been rapidly strengthening his nation's grip on the Imperial territories, aiming to replace the thousand-year-old Empire as the new rulers of the continent.
However, Selene's sudden emergence had completely disrupted Numa Seika's plans. Her overwhelming strength had forced him to retreat.
But with the Imperial Army now on the offensive, Numa Seika knew there was no turning back!
Even though fear gripped his heart, Numa Seika maintained his composure. Taking a deep breath, he gathered his strength and shouted, "Fellow countrymen! This war concerns our very survival!"
"We have no retreat! Behind us lies our capital, our home, where our families reside!"
Numa Seika's voice echoed across the snowfield, clearly reaching every ear among his kin.
"This battle! We will win!!" he declared, raising his spear high.
Inspired by his call to defend their homeland, the northern warriors felt their spirits soar. All the soldiers lifted their weapons high, roaring, "This battle! We will win!"
"This battle! We will win!"
...
We have no retreat! Behind us lies our capital, our home, where our families reside…
With her enhanced hearing, Selene listened from afar to the familiar rallying cries and couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
Tsk, tsk… This scene feels oddly familiar. It's the same pressure of a formidable enemy closing in, the same freezing landscape, and the same "behind us lies something important." Only, in this scenario, Selene is the invader.
"Gensa!!"
"Uh… here!" Gensa jumped at Selene's sudden, sharp voice.
"If we don't secure a great victory this time, when we return, you can find a basement to shoot yourself!"
"Yes!" Although Gensa didn't quite understand the reference to shooting oneself in a basement, he knew he not only had to win but had to make the victory impressive.
Turning around, Gensa drew his heavy sword and shouted, "All forces, follow the established plan! Attack!!!"
Meanwhile, Numa Seika, having rallied the spirits of his men, charged towards the Imperial Army.
"All forces, advance!"
"Kill!"
In no time, the two armies clashed violently. As cold steel met cold steel, countless shattered limbs were flung through the air, blood spraying across the white landscape, creating a horrific scene.
Just one exchange of blows laid bare the stark difference in combat proficiency between the northern barbarians and the Imperial soldiers under Selene.
"Kill!!"
No matter how fiercely the northern warriors fought, their shouts echoing in defiance, the Imperial soldiers remained unmoved, coldly observing the carnage as if slaughtering chickens, effortlessly ending lives under their blades.
This was the glaring disparity of hard and soft power that could not be compensated for by mere courage and conviction!
If it had been other Imperial troops, the northern barbarians might have been able to put up a struggle, bolstered by their home-field advantage in the snow.
But what they faced were Selene's Imperial soldiers, armed to the teeth!
In terms of weaponry, they benefited from the advanced industrial and standardized capabilities of the academy city. Not to mention, every soldier had a 100% armor coverage!
Physically, while they may not have the specific enhancements of battle energy, they had been nurtured over years with T-R1 type potions, each soldier not only having a tall and robust physique but also no training-related injuries!
Mentally, they were influenced by the ongoing indoctrination of 'thought steel stamps'...
What could the northern barbarians possibly compare to?! What could they win with?!
From above, the dark-clad Imperial soldiers advanced rapidly without pause, countless grayish-white northern warriors swallowed up, painting the pristine snow with a horrifying scarlet hue.
How could this be?!
Watching this gruesome scene that resembled a slaughterhouse, Numa Seika could hardly believe it. The difference between the enemy and us… why was it so vast?!
He had initially thought that even if their weaponry fell short, the Imperial soldiers, being pampered in comfortable conditions for so long, should not have adapted to the harsh climate!
Suddenly, a figure descended from the sky right in front of him, catching Numa Seika off guard.
"Meteor Annihilation!"
A furious roar echoed.
Before Numa Seika could fully process what was happening, the wall of soldiers in front of him was suddenly shattered by an immense force! Literally shattered! His personal guard was halved in an instant.
In the next moment, a massive figure sprang forward.
"Elephant Fist!"
Bang!
Before Numa Seika could even ask a question, a deafening thud resounded!
His vision blurred, and his body bent like a shrimp, as if struck by a super danger beast, sending him flying through the air.
Along the path, he crashed into a straight line of northern warriors, who were thrown into the air by the force, landing in a pile of bodies amidst the swirling snow.
"So you're the one called Numa Seika?"
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