Chapter 41: Heberia Lies Ahead

A mortal, even with a set of Refined Power Armor, could never achieve such a record.

At least in Kaerjia's long career, he has never heard of any mortal capable of such an achievement.

He had already drawn attention multiple times from Xisi and his Regiment, and only recently learned that Xisi was actually leading his troops in the field to continue assaults against the Empire's enemies.

Now, coming with interest, the first thing he saw was Xisi and his Regiment standing on a sea of corpses of a powerful enemy that ordinary mortal legions could not even imagine.

Especially Regiment Commander Xisi, who single‑handedly carved a mountain of corpses among the Green Skin and Chaos great foes.

These images, of course, made Kaerjia have to ask a serious question.

Xisi did not deny it, but kept his gaze fixed on the crashed fighter behind Kaerjia, and seeing Xisi's non‑denial and the expression of the soldier kneeling before him in reverence, Kaerjia silently withdrew his eyes.

Seeing Xisi only focused on the aircraft behind him, Kaerjia finally forced himself to pull his attention away from the surrounding battlefield and turn to the matter at hand.

"I know you now greatly need supplies and reinforcements, even a sufficiently safe aerial evacuation."

"But the only thing I can give you now is the Divine Emperor's faith and loyalty."

Listening to Kaerjia's rambling, Xisi helplessly withdrew his gaze, then turned his sight toward Kaerjia, speaking as respectfully as possible:

"What instructions does the Lord have?"

Looking at the extinction Light Spear that was again drawing nearer from afar, Xisi's face showed some urgency.

Fortunately Kaerjia was also busy, and he wasted no time at all:

"I want you to know that you have not been forgotten by the Empire; your achievements are constantly recorded and will be reported to the entire army."

"What brought you to Heberia first are the legendary exploits already recorded by the National Church and your name, Xisi."

"And these exploits and your name will inspire the whole army to fight for the Empire until the very last moment."

So it turned out it was to boost morale and show recognition.

Xisi understood Kaerjia's intent; although these things have no real significance, for an ordinary mortal unit to have a legend like Kaerjia appear in person to inspire them and speak these words is indeed a great honor.

This also counts as the highest reward Kaerjia can presently give Xisi.

On top of the massive supplies and provisions Kaerjia himself had ordered delivered earlier, even the Power Armor he himself wore, Xisi finally performed a grand salute to Kaerjia with due respect.

Kaerjia showed no reaction to Xisi's salute, and at the same time a frantic call began to come from his side.

Without even shifting his gaze from Xisi, Kaerjia ignored the surrounding urgency and finally said something useful.

"The Imperial Frontline is contracting too quickly; there are still large numbers of remnants lingering outside."

"The Command Center has already sent notice to those units; on your upcoming route to Heberia, command of those units will be transferred directly into the hands of Squad Leader Xisi."

Granting Xisi the authority to directly command all Imperial Troops abroad, after Kaerjia finished speaking, he looked at Xisi and the now far fewer troops behind him; valuing time, he unusually fell silent for a moment.

Looking up again, Kaerjia's face took on solemnity:

"I hope I can see you and your regiment in Heberia."

After speaking, the projection vanished, and the damaged Servo Skull, sparking, toppled to the ground.

And Xisi, looking at Heberia jutting beyond the horizon and the surviving soldiers behind him, exhaled forcefully, raised his sword, and turned to move forward.

The desolate "Hell".

The rock strata warped upward like towering mountains, their surfaces repeatedly scorched by flames, appearing charred black.

Heavy black clouds loomed overhead, thunder rumbled ever more violently, and magma erupting from the earth's core turned into red rivers flowing through the charred world.

Alongside the magma rivers, a force of nearly two hundred thousand troops trudged wearily through this scorching expanse.

Except for a small core of soldiers clad in uniform black, fully enclosed combat suits, the peripheral mortal soldiers wore gear from various Planetary Defense Forces and the Star Realm Army.

Even within the ranks, one or two Krig could be seen, forced to fall behind for various reasons.

Krig, a renowned Star Realm Army legion famed for seeking death, dressed as if perpetually wearing a gas mask like a World War I German soldier.

That even Krig can be gathered shows how brutal and chaotic the external battles have become.

The troops kept stumbling forward, and only when they saw silhouettes on a nearby high ground did their sagging morale lift.

"Long live Squad Leader Xisi!"

A veteran of the Planetary Defense Force suddenly raised his arm and shouted at Xisi, who appeared not far ahead, and the surrounding crowd followed suit; besides the Planetary Defense Force, there were also many from the Star Realm Army.

Even a few Krig silently looked toward Xisi, their eyes behind the gas masks casting a hint of respect beyond the Emperor.

Standing atop the uplifted rock, Xisi turned his head to glance at the various battered soldiers behind him encouraging each other, then withdrew his gaze again, looking toward the other side blocked by the strata.

Staring at the massive depression at the center of the rock strata, Xisi's breathing grew slightly labored.

A huge, bizarre totem was painted on the ground, with horn‑shaped rocks forcibly lifted from below by some force, forming an archway.

And around the arch and totem lay countless civilian corpses, packed together, covering the entire ground.

Seeing tens of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, of mortals lying like that, stretching beyond sight, Xisi's gaze reluctantly withdrew.

There were no A-space Demons or Chaotic Cult waiting below.

The arch collapsed, the totem was covered; this was merely a site destroyed by some Imperial Troops, a ritual place of an unknown evil deity.

And seeing the endless rows of civilian corpses so neatly arranged, Xisi finally witnessed a glimpse of the Chaotic Cult Desecration Ritual.

Ana stood nearby, and two Servo Skulls flew back from afar.

"There is no A-space Fluctuation; this place has already been completely destroyed by other Imperial Troops."

Having reported the result, the Low-rank Mechanical Cultist Ana looked at the ground, at entire households of civilians arranged in terror, paused briefly, and finally spoke:

"Shall we call for a few Flamethrowers…"

Confirming no A-space Fluctuation, Xisi turned and walked directly down the rock strata.

"Heberia lies ahead; we need every shot of fuel that can be fired at the enemy."

Ignoring Ana, still with a great deal of helplessness etched on his flesh‑covered cheek, Xisi approached the marching column, leapt onto a solitary Limanlus scarred with bullet holes, its original crew all wiped out.

The vehicle crew, who had been in combat up to now, cast respectful looks at Xisi; Xisi connected a communication line to his helmet and pointed forward:

"Advance, Heberia is ahead!"