Against the World II: Transgression
Chapter 26: The Imperial Army, part 2
...—Temporary Base Imperial Army—...
Hekiel and all members of the Imperial Army's 6th Division (soldiers and staff) will operate here until the conflict in Islan is over. Even so, it did not mean that the control of this base was in the hands of the 6th Division. This base would be the closest imperial military base to the Ekralina Kingdom— kingdom which was assumed to be the main battlefield due to its strategic location among the three great powers. Full control is in the hands of Division 3 staff.
That's the answer Xavier got when he questioned the presence of Hekiel in the big room—which in the middle there is a long oval table with a middle that bolong—ini.
“And I was also thinking of joining your plans,” Hekiel continued. “Agenda Division 6 (other than workout routine) is empty for the next three weeks. More than that, I have a better idea.”
“Hekiel wants us to attack this base,” timpal Dermyus. “Number of 6th Division soldiers more than 4th, 7th, or 12th Division soldiers. Hekiel is thinking of utilizing us so that he can have experience in maintaining the base.”
“I don't think that's a bad idea, Xavier.” Reinhart said. “Our previous training to test each other, try a three-sided battle. With the idea that Hekiel offers, we will go from trying to beat to working with each other.”
“True that Dermyus and Reinhart say.” Hekiel nodded his head. “This is no different from the exercises that have been tried before, but at that time my division also attacked. This time I will protect this base. What do you think, Xavier?”
Xavier brought his right hand to the front of his lips, looking intensely at the oldest man in this room. “You sure it's a good idea?” ask her seriously. “Different from the previous exercise, this time there will be no wall protecting the base. A stray attack could destroy this place. I'm sure it's not a good thing, and my division obviously wouldn't want to take responsibility if it happened.”
“That's not what you need to worry about. I'm the best [Earth Magic] user in the world. You don't have to worry about the damage that's going to happen. If any, Division 6 will be in full charge.”
“That's too bold a claim,” comments Xavier, “but if it's that way then I won't refuse. My division will accept your idea, Commander Hekiel. When did your men arrive? I don't see any members of Division 6 here. What about where you spend the night? From the number of barracks available, I don't think that's enough.”
“Simplely, all of you will be camping outside.” Laughter came out of Hekiel's mouth. “My soldiers will arrive this afternoon. So, you guys should've left the base before that.”
“Oi, oi, we have not agreed on that, Hekiel!” Reinhart refused. “We don't bring supplies. There is no tent to wear. You are too, right, Dermyus?”
“Anything I want to help you, Commander Hekiel, Reinhart is right.” Dermyus also refused to follow Hekiel's wishes. “We can't camp without a tent. Even I have checked the storage warehouse here: the number of tents does not reach a thousand.”
“Commander Hekiel,” call Xavier with arms folded in the chest—not to be entertained by the action of the Sixth Commander. “Division 6 has no choice but to camp outside. We change the training format. This base will be controlled by us, your task is to seize it. Then, if you succeed, we'll take advantage of your tents and you'll take control of the base. Only then will we attack this base and you will defend it. I think this is the middle ground we can agree on. What do you think, Commander Dermyus, Commander Reinhart?”
Suppose the two commanders completed the deal today; hekiel was forced to leave the room and re-prepare his division for camping.
...—The Next Day—...
The walls were built by Sixth Commander Hekiel von Vanguarta. The sturdy and burly man had been working from just after sunrise, and he had only finished just after the sun rose past the average height of the spear. And as if to prove his claim yesterday, Hekiel did not look tired after creating those walls with his earth magic.
“Are you going to participate in the subjugation effort that your division will do later?” xavier asked as he approached the commander. “We still have not discussed whether we will participate or not. I've heard about your power, but I haven't seen it directly.”
Hekiel laughed at Xavier's question, then turned his gaze to Reinhart and Dermyus who were also stepping over to them. “What do you think? Should we also participate? The point of this exercise is to test the soldiers, but I think testing each other is not bad either.”
“Oh, I have another offer,” interrupted Xavier before Dermyus and Reinhart had time to answer. “Three against one. You three, me alone. I think this is a more appropriate solution. I don't have any doubt that you wouldn't be staring at me if it was one-on-one. How?”
Simultaneously Dermyus, Reinhart, and Hekiel exerted a killing pressure on Xavier. The mana exuded violently from the bodies of the three of them. However, the blaze of mana and the pressure that Xavier exuded from his body instantly blew away the three commanders.
“I am not being arrogant or underestimating you guys,” he said calmly—the ground under his feet is cracking violently. “But this is reality. I'm the strongest commander. It's not fair if we fight one on one. Three to one. This is also a test for you in the face of a powerful enemy. After all, the empire this time had a powerful enemy.”
“It is difficult to fight your words after you threw us down just by releasing energy,” said Dermyus who had regained his composure. Well, he didn't look upset in the first place. No one looks upset. What they did was normal to show that they were a commander, not a canned soldier.
Reinhart raised his shoulders. “How about you, Hekiel, are you ready to slightly silence Xavier's big mouth?” ask the commander.
“Hm..if Xavier claims to be the strongest after a stint with Commander Lilithia, then we have no choice but to work together. However, Xavier, does that mean that the Reinhart and Dermyus divisions will join my division?”
Xavier shook his head quickly. “We are sparing somewhere else; let the soldiers move by themselves. The leader of the army fought the leader of the army and the soldiers faced off against opponents of their level. Isn't that what will happen later on the battlefield?”
With a nod to understand Hekiel, a deal ensued. They then talked about where to spar and when they started. The 6th Division would move an hour after lunch, and it was agreed that they would fight when afternoon came.
“I will make a suitable arena,” added Hekiel after their time agreed.
“Of course. Oh, you can join Commqnder Hekiel,” Xavier said to Dermyus and Reinhart. “Please do your best to cooperate. Make a trap if you need to. I also want to test myself.”
Dermyus the number one imperial swordsman. His lightning magic is the best. Reinhart has a deadly martial technique. His fighting style was also troublesome. Meanwhile, Hekiel controlled the earth element as easily as breathing. Who else knows what unique magic he might keep secret?