Crocodile Island stands tall in Silver Moon City, situated in a rather awkward position, as supply convoys could be cut off by Zote, facing sieges from the Resistance Army, dog pirates, and even religious forces.
Can only defend but not fight.
Fortunately, supplies are abundant, more than enough to last until the end of the Continent Martial Arts Competition.
But recently, the dragon roars outside the city break the silence, often causing soldiers to wake up in the middle of the night, feeling a deep psychological strain.
The Aran Army has been through countless battles, yet Mulong has truly felt unsettling recently.
Long marching in triumph, the once-dominant army in Mulong suddenly found itself trapped like fish in a barrel, experiencing a great psychological gap.
This situation hasn’t occurred much in the nearly thirty years of New Aran’s history; they have always been charging fiercely in field battles, rarely suffering defeats.
At their peak, they even dispatched to the Far East, cutting trees to build ships, forging swords, and establishing a bridgehead at Heaven Port.
In the early days of the Thief Army, they were naturally undisciplined bloodthirsty warriors, but now, the disciplined army is not afraid of death; it’s just that in this Great Desert exotic realm, just east of the Narrow Sea, only separated by a series of strategically functional small nations from Aran, they’ve fallen into such danger.
More terrifying than death is the ever-growing nightmarish terror and self-imposed psychological pressure; seasoned soldiers are better off, but those new to the army, who are just ordinary people who have killed, are deeply affected.
In their view, the Mulong Resistance Army are indigenous barbarians, and the pirates are mere rabble, but...the appearance of two Dragons changed everything.
It feels like going back to a time when, with immature mindsets, they were warned by elders about the dangers of the East Sea, a mysterious veil over the overseas exotic realm.
Even Alexander finds it hard to sleep peacefully.
Due to Drifting City’s canal irrigation, tributaries also extend into some underground rivers; apart from the Boneyard, the living conditions aren’t that harsh in inhabited places, as tenacious vegetation withstands the sandstorms.
Although the precipitation within Mulong isn’t substantial, there are some reservoir lakes.
Silver Moon City is so named because of a large crescent-shaped reservoir lake within the city.
Currently, the city houses three Vice Admirals, many other small and large officers, and three thousand iron-armored soldiers.
Even though repeating rifles have been developed with considerable destructive and penetration power, the ordinary soldiers’ armor, mixed with Magic Energy Material and lacking Magic Pattern circuits, isn’t fully penetrable by bullets—only leaving a mark at most.
Thus, against the ancient era Mulong light cavalry still in leather armor and wielding sabers, it is a dimensional reduction strike.
Beside Silver Moon Lake, which used to be the private property of the local Lord, a luxurious mansion was built beside the lake.
The clear lake reflects shimmering waves, with cobblestones and various smooth glass crystals, making it seem less like a besieged city and more like a leisurely seaside vacation villa.
Crocodile Island comfortably lounges under a sunshade umbrella on a chair, having two local Mulong beauties massage his legs and shoulders, dressed in a finely-tailored black officer’s uniform, gold short hair standing like steel needles.
Even the Vice Admiral reporting on the recent situation was at a loss for words; Crocodile Island truly keeps his composure.
Things shouldn’t have been this way; as long as Black Rock City stood, the army’s equipment and supplies could be continuously transported, ensuring an invincible position.
Unfortunately, the leader of the 18th Formation of the Time Sword was too ruthless.
Although not taking things to the extreme, breaking completely with the Military Department and Church Court, it came close; indeed, several soldiers "accidentally" died, but those in Black Rock City, Salt Lake City, and other soldiers who couldn’t retreat in time were forcibly detained and humiliated by Zote.
The reason being the desecration of the Dragon Lord; they are temporarily detained, to be decided once matters in Mulong are settled, and then returned to Aran for judgment. The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the novel⸺fire.net
Unavoidable were the beatings and serious injuries among the personnel, with spies within the Sect claiming the Pope personally urged this, intending to slap the Military Government’s face hard in Mulong, and even the Emperor’s face hard in the Continent Martial Arts Competition.
With the Pope’s strong support, the leader of the 18th Formation isn’t a pushover either.
Originally, Crocodile Island came to Mulong as an easy, lucrative post; now it’s become a burden-bearing task.
Perhaps Crocodile Island knows well that Augustus, acting for the Military Committee, will conduct a comprehensive assessment of responsibilities for all officers.
It’s not just losing a battle that costs one’s head, but losing battles that could have been won, serving in a military court, leading to demotion by several ranks at best, and a declaration of treason and death at worst.
Crocodile Island’s situation now, in terms of assessment, to be honest, unless the Emperor himself comes, it hardly matters who, as disciplinary action is certain, but his Grand General rank might still be retained.
After contacting the Aran Army, the Vice Admiral received the response that the Eternal Sect is too rampant, no longer just common charlatans, and must be hit hard.
But given the Continent Martial Arts Competition, intervening now would be like an old person eating arsenic, seemingly tired of life.
Although Augustus, as acting Chairman of the Military Committee, can bypass the Emperor for most decisions, and the Army Commander and Commander can act first and report later,
the Continent Martial Arts Competition is a crucial time for inter-military rivalry within the Military Department each year; selecting those strong in these competitions to reshape and rejuvenate, addressing corruption issues.
It’s a major matter of selecting factions and strategic alliance, with the Army, Navy, and other military branches engaging in internal conflict, leaving little time for sympathizing with a small island.
Additionally, Mulong is just one of many fronts for Aran, with others busy as well; it’s well-known that those without strong connections aren’t allowed to fight battles they could win, and only a fool would reinforce such an obvious scapegoat trap, lowering their KDA score.