While Kreed was probing Klein, the enemy forces had already been routed and were gradually being annihilated.
By nightfall, the battle had come to a complete end. Kreed departed from the command building and returned to his comrades, who had gathered in one room, engaging in idle chatter as usual. It was Kreed who became the center of attention.
"Did you spend the day acting as an advisor?" an officer inquired.
Faced with the superior's question, Kreed instinctively confessed, "Yes."
"I know you believe they are well-meaning and want to assist, but I must remind you that they are far more suspicious than the enemy. Aren't you curious where their technology originates?"
"Please refrain from such actions in the future."
"This is my final warning. You may offer them gratitude for their willingness to repair the ships, but do not overstep."
Listening to these admonitions, Kreed nodded gravely, promising that he would not meddle carelessly again.
Just as Kreed was assuring them, a local soldier abruptly pushed open the door and invited the group, "You are all combat personnel. The commander invites you to join the memorial service for the fallen, followed by a gathering where you can watch 'The 44th Regiment's Last Stand.'"
"Thank you, but that won't be necessary," the officer promptly declined.
The soldier nodded and closed the door as he departed.
"Wait a moment…" Kreed asked, scratching the back of his head. "Why are we considered combat personnel? Is it simply because I acted as an advisor?"
The officer hesitated for a moment before responding, "While you were at the command building, the enemy discovered a tunnel in the Thirteenth District, and we had to, you know… lend a hand."
"Lend a hand? We managed to repel at least two regiments' assaults with our entire company in that tunnel!" a proud recruit from the White Shield stood up to declare.
"I had no idea about this," Kreed said in astonishment.
"Of course you didn't. The details of the battles in the Thirteenth District were coordinated by several regimental commanders. Their command structure is rather different from ours; a regiment can be responsible for many matters."
"You even understand their command system?"
"I must gather as much information as possible about the battles to analyze it. Besides… I aim to acquire some powered armor from them at a friendly price."
"Alright, alright."
Kreed ceased his inquiries and simply smiled.
The others exchanged glances and laughed as well.
For the soldiers of the Cadian Shock Troops, their time spent in the Tyron metropolis felt like a holiday. Facing the assaults of two regiments in the Thirteenth District felt more like entertainment, and everyone was in high spirits.
…
Late at night.
Kreed lay in bed, his body trembling and tossing restlessly, the sweat soaking his pillow.
Though he appeared to be sound asleep, he was ensnared in a war within his dreams.
A multitude of drop pods streaked across the sky, and the thunderous roars of artillery resonated throughout the planet, while Titans advanced, emitting deafening sounds.
This war was becoming increasingly arduous; a barrage of grim news reached Kreed. He patrolled the fiercest frontline, presenting a resolute facade to the soldiers.
Yet, defeat was now an unavoidable reality.
It was only when an immense black object began to plummet toward the continent that Kreed jolted awake, sitting upright in bed, gasping for breath.
As a Cadian, Kreed was situated closest to the subspace rift known as the Eye of Fear. Whenever the enemy launched expeditions from the Eye, Cadian would face the brunt of their most ferocious attacks.
Fearless in the face of danger, Kreed, like others from his homeland, had dreamt more than once of Cadia's downfall. Yet each time he awoke to find Cadia still standing, he would defiantly raise his middle finger toward the Eye of Fear in the sky.
In the depths of the Tyron metropolis, where the sky was hidden from view, he found himself in a place that was not Cadia, but he still raised his middle finger upward: "Cadia stands unyielding."
Kreed lay back down, attempting to sleep, but found himself restless. He decided to ascend to the rooftop for some fresh air and pulled a cigar from his pocket to light it.
Before long, another person joined him on the rooftop, and to Kreed's surprise, it was Qin Mo.
As Kreed looked on with curiosity, Qin Mo walked to the railing and gestured toward the street below.
A ceremony was underway in the street.
The orbital dock had been completed, and all the citizens of the city, along with soldiers from the First Army, flooded the streets to escort the ashes of the fallen to the orbital dock.
If one sought an ideal vantage point to witness the ceremony, nothing could surpass the rooftop of a tall building housing tens of thousands of people.
"There are some familiar faces in there," Qin Mo said, gazing at the large box containing the ashes. "A captain who greatly admired me perished in this war."
"May his soul return to the Golden Throne," Kreed remarked.
Qin Mo remained silent, continuing to watch.
Kreed reflected on the information he had gathered about Qin Mo in recent days. He knew what Qin Mo had endured, recognized him as a survivor of the 44th Regiment, and was aware of his efforts to stabilize the frontline…
Kreed believed that such a figure, who had altered the course of the battle, would undoubtedly be held in high esteem and anticipation by the masses. It was not hard to imagine how soldiers, who might lack discipline yet obeyed unconditionally, felt about him.
Moreover, Qin Mo was not a cold-hearted ruler. Although drones populated the city, the citizens led a good life.
Every civilian family had a clean home, access to fresh water and food—a standard of living almost unimaginable in other metropolises.
"Once the orbital dock is operational, you will be able to depart," Qin Mo suddenly stated. "As a reward for your participation in the Thirteenth District battle, I will provide each of you with a set of powered armor."
Upon hearing this, Kreed nodded, "I will also assist you in establishing a comprehensive officer training system and develop tactics suited for you; I will give it my all."
"Aren't you afraid I am a heretic?" Qin Mo asked.
Kreed shook his head. Deep down, he felt that Qin Mo was not a heretic, despite the fact that the technology he employed was indeed peculiar and suspicious.
Suddenly, Kreed recalled that when he first arrived in the Tyron metropolis, he instinctively desired to descend to the lower levels. He considered himself not an easily deceived individual, yet he had unwavering trust in everyone in the depths of the Tyron metropolis.
"I am not proficient in training armies and have no clue about nurturing military talents; you have been of great assistance to me," Qin Mo said, turning to Kreed with a calm tone. "You may ask me for one request."
Kreed initially intended to decline and state that repairing the ship was sufficient, but suddenly, a thought crossed his mind, causing him to swallow his refusal.
Under Qin Mo's gaze, Kreed slowly inquired, "What do you intend to make of the Tyron star system?"
"A secure and resilient fortress star system. Every individual here must be prepared for war, just like you Cadians. Each person should find their place, ensuring that even within the metropolis, chaos will not exist. Order will permeate every corner of the Tyron worlds, even in the darkest, most remote areas of the depths," Qin Mo replied.
Kreed nodded, pondering for a moment, then asked, "Will you fight for the Emperor?"
"I will only fight for humanity," Qin Mo confessed.
Upon hearing this, Kreed first felt anger but then suddenly calmed and nodded.
Both men fell silent.
As the procession escorting the ashes grew more distant until it was no longer visible, Kreed spoke up: "I do not ask anything material from you; I only desire an agreement."
"Speak," Qin Mo nodded.
Kreed locked his gaze on Qin Mo's eyes and said seriously, "I believe you will one day possess a powerful army and fleet, so my request is that when Cadia finds itself in dire straits, you will extend your hand. Can you promise this?"
To Qin Mo, this request seemed no different from a refusal, for he knew that in the future, the Chaos Warmaster Abaddon would launch the thirteenth Black Crusade against Cadia. He could not stand idly by while Cadia, with its Blackstone Pylon, fell to ruin. Regardless of whether the future Supreme Lord Kreed would call for aid, assistance would inevitably reach Cadia.
For the Blackstone Pylon had the power to suppress the subspace, and the extremely averse Qin Mo could not allow the subspace rift to expand.
Thus, without hesitation, Qin Mo agreed: "When that time comes, you need only send someone to say a single phrase to me."
"What phrase?" Kreed inquired.
"Say: Cadia requests aid," Qin Mo responded. "And I will reply: Tyron shall respond."
At that moment, Kreed nodded vigorously, suddenly feeling a sense of destiny wash over him; he believed his arrival in the Tyron star system was perhaps not merely a coincidence.
Just as Kre