Chapter 29: Stretcher King Kaerjia

Alert Star, Heberia Nest Area.

As a massive world with over one hundred billion inhabitants.

Unlike other worlds that divide regions by Nest City, Alert Star directly groups several nearby Nest Cities together and names them a Nest Area.

As the largest and most prosperous Nest Area of Alert Star, Heberia is the core of the Imperial Side on Alert Star, and also the safety zone that Xisi constantly thinks of.

Previously, because Heberia still maintained an intact industrial system and order, its civilians felt quite good compared to the outside world.

Now, with Kaerjia arriving with a large number of Extreme Warriors and the Star Realm Army, and making Heberia his command hub, the defenses here have been further strengthened.

At the same time, through Kaerjia's excellent political maneuvering, the previously loosely organized factions on Alert Star finally unified, and Heberia's massive industrial system began to operate at full power.

At this moment, the top of the Heberia Nest City Tower.

The original Alert Star council has been reorganized by Kaerjia into a Senate.

The Mechanical Church, National Church, Star Realm Army, Astat, and local Nobility—almost all factions—joined the Senate, becoming forces that assist Kaerjia in directing the entire war.

At the upper level of the Senate, the original Second Empire Guard, now the Extreme Warrior Glory Guard, clad in splendid Refined Power Armor and wearing golden winged headgear, are fulfilling their duties as Kaerjia's guard.

In the tall, magnificent hall, the Glory Guard stands in the corner.

At the center, officials from various factions, dressed differently, line up continuously to audience the Imperial Regent Kiriman, the spokesperson of Alert Star.

The tightly shut front doors open, and a group of Star Realm Army commanders rush out, each holding an order personally signed by Kaerjia.

Through the gap of the opened doors, one can see Kaerjia seated like a giant at the top, with a pair of massive power gauntlets placed on either side of the throne.

"From this moment on, no position of the Empire may be abandoned."

"Every Imperial soldier shall fight for the Divine Emperor until the very last breath of life."

"I repeat, without an order personally signed by me, any retreat by any Imperial Troops will be deemed treason!"

In the Dadian, the nobles dressed in splendid attire, the National Church with compassionate faces, the Star Realm Army in uniform, the highly mechanized Mechanical Priest, and representatives of Astat from various reinforcement battalions all stand beneath Kaerjia, heads bowed, listening to the instructions.

Kaerjia is already a massive figure; even among the Astat, he counts as one of the tall.

Now, having undergone an original forging upgrade, he resembles an even larger giant.

Sitting aloft, though some jokingly call this legendary Battalion Commander the 'Stretcher King', merely sitting here Kaerjia exudes an authority that even the Astat dare not meet eye to eye.

The other mortals, moreover, offer boundless reverence to this legendary Battalion Commander beneath the Demigod.

Kaerjia looks at the Senate representatives below, none of whom object to his orders; the massive Prosthetic Eye on his left, its red glow finally eases slightly.

Bowing his head, he watches the mechanical servant respectfully raise the battle report for him; Kaerjia glances at the mountain of defeats piled on the left, then shifts his attention to the right.

There, another mechanical servant also raises a tray, but the report on it is only a single thin sheet.

He remains silent for a while; although the mountain of defeats is the reality, Kaerjia, at a time when frontline units on Alert Star are generally desperate, chooses to take the report on the right.

Scanning the report gently pinched between his two massive fingers again, Kaerjia speaks coldly:

"Since this Regiment continues to hold out in the outside world, why hasn't the Military Affairs Department raised its supply level to the highest?"

"Given that this Regiment has so many achievements, why hasn't this commander been given the proper commendation and promotion?"

"And most importantly, since the Empire is still victorious! Why hasn't its heroic deeds been reported to the entire army?"

After three consecutive whys, the people below exchange fearful glances, and after a moment of evasive looks, everyone shifts their attention to the Star Realm Army and the Nobility.

Sensing Kaerjia also watching, without waiting for the Star Realm Army to speak, the quick-witted Nobility steps forward first:

"Although the Regiment is a Planetary Defense Force, command has long been handed over to the Star Realm Army; we are unaware of the specific reasons behind the issue, sir."

The noble explains, but after speaking, carefully watches Kaerjia; seeing no hint of satisfaction, the noble immediately adds:

"However, now that the Regiment's record has been verified, our Nobles' Council has listed a series of commendation plans and will provide Squad Leader Xisi himself with a set of Refined Power Armor."

Alert Star has a powerful Mechanical Church; Refined Power Armor for mortals, though pricey and not in high demand, is not absolutely scarce on Alert Star.

One must know that Refined Power Armor is not just a name with 'Refined' added; its materials, craftsmanship, core components, and many other aspects are qualitatively superior to ordinary Power Armor.

If conventional Power Armor is merely a modular product from an assembly line, then each piece of Refined Power Armor is a masterpiece.

Finally, this time Kaerjia nods slightly:

"Necessary commendations are a prerequisite; most importantly, the Regiment's contributions to the Empire and the Empire's rewards must be highlighted and reported to the entire army."

The noble sees Kaerjia accept his answer, and his expression finally relaxes.

Then he bows his head slightly and steps back, casting a mocking glance toward the Star Realm Army.

This time, with no nobles sharing the fire, when everyone's gaze is on the Star Realm Army, the Star Realm Army commander, sweating profusely, grits his teeth and steps forward.

With the nobles' groundwork laid, even a fool knows what Kaerjia needs at this moment.

Kaerjia, a distinguished original Battalion Commander, taking so much time amid such busyness to focus on a Mortal Legion of only a few hundred thousand—truly because Xisi and his regiment's actions have drawn Kaerjia's keen attention?

Of course, Kaerjia admits there is indeed some attention.

But compared with the wars of his long life and battles against Kiriman and even the rebellious Original Body, Kaerjia would not be overly concerned.

At least not to the extent he is now.

What Kaerjia truly needs now is to set a model, a benchmark that can inspire mortals to persist until the final moment.

And Xisi, also a mortal, is the only choice before Kaerjia at this moment.

The Star Realm Army commander inhales deeply, as if to outdo the nobles, and boldly announces the reward.

Anyway, with only a few hundred thousand people, Heberia's Nest Area production capacity could provide each with a full sealed combat suit; it's not impossible!

Looking up, he speaks, the Star Realm Army commander with a fierce expression:

"Regarding Squad Leader Xisi's achievements, the Military Affairs Department will immediately draft commendations, and based on the Deathwatch's application, will formally commence the Star Realm Army promotion process for the Regiment."

"Additionally, the Military Affairs Department will establish a complete aerial supply corridor for the Regiment, and transport 150,000 full sealed combat suits according to the troop quota, as well as..."

The Star Realm Army commander's forehead sweats even more coldly, even before Kaerjia, showing obvious discomfort.

But when Kaerjia frowns publicly, the commander still inhales deeply, gritting his teeth to speak:

"And five thousand Stormtrooper suits!"