As night slowly passed, the sky gradually cleared up. The entire battle had been fought through the night, with Walton Myers leading the South Land army to attack the city at 4 am. After two intense hours, the battle finally ended.
Robin sat atop a large boulder, gazing at the gradually rising sun in the distance. He stroked his chest, where he held a big secret that he had never shared with anyone. When he was young, Robin had picked up a dilapidated small tower, just for fun. During a life-threatening crisis, the small tower mysteriously transformed and embedded itself in Robin’s heart, where it remained to this day.
Robin closed his eyes and sensed the small tower, now absorbing the first rays of the morning sun. The tower had nine levels, but was very broken down, with dark markings and missing pieces throughout, as if it had gone through a shocking great battle. The carvings depicted all kinds of ancient, ferocious beasts – dragons, phoenixes, white tigers, and more. Robin had named it the Nine Layer Demon Tower.
Robin’s formidable sword skills came from the first layer of the Nine Layer Demon Tower. His consciousness delved deep within and arrived in the first layer – a vast, glorious hall, stark and bare except for a single blade of grass swaying as if about to fall over at any moment. Robin knew the power contained in that single blade of grass. Within ten meters of it raged terrifying sword energy. After unintentionally unlocking the first layer years ago, Robin still hadn’t dared to approach within ten meters of the grass. But even catching a glimpse of it brought him immense gains, allowing him to comprehend astounding sword techniques.
Among grandmasters there were also differences in strength, but none surpassed swordsmen in pure killing power. “A single blade of grass can sever the stars and seas. Senior Grass, thank you for your teachings,” Robin bowed to the grass. No matter what, this blade of grass had been his guide on the path of cultivation. Without it, Kisia today would no longer be Kisia, but South Land. Robin gave this senior blade of grass sufficient respect.
Glancing up, Robin saw the tightly shut gate to the second layer. He had tried but failed to pass through, as if waiting for the right opportunity. Robin shook his head. “With just one blade of grass, the first layer is so powerful. I really wonder what the upper eight layers contain, and what kind of battle could have damaged this artifact so. But hopefully within my lifetime, I can unlock the second layer. I’m very curious what it is.”
After speaking to himself, Robin withdrew his consciousness. Unbeknownst to him, after he left, the Nine Layer Demon Tower faintly flashed with light before disappearing again. From the first layer came an indistinct murmur: “Which era is this…”
Back in the real world, Robin had awakened. The matter of the Nine Layer Demon Tower would have to wait for now. At least Robin knew the next layer couldn’t be opened yet, and there were still things he had to deal with.
Jeff Reczek arrived, along with a group of generals – Theresa Lindsay, Reese Daniels, Logan Garcia, Lee Berger, Lynix, Max Berry, and the black-armored, masked Chen Qiu Shui who held the post of Ghost Wolf Iron Cavalry.
“Primus!” they knelt in unison, showing their respect. Only this Primus warranted such veneration from them. He had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against all odds, winning them the war.
“Rise,” Robin gestured for them to stand. He did not insist on such formalities here. Except in extreme situations, Robin was quite refined.
“The cleanup is complete, General,” Jeff reported. “Jackie, Ron and the others didn’t escape. Only Benson Laydon fled with 50, 000 remnants, leaving just 150, 000 at the southern border now. Shall we strike and wipe out South Land immediately?”
Jeff sounded eager. Finally they had won. The grand army could march out and destroy South Land.
“Shadow Guard,” Robin suddenly called out.
“Here,” a short figure appeared. This was the Shadow Guard captain.
“The Harding family?” Robin asked. He had tasked the Shadow Guard with assassinating several Harding heirs to allow Dylan Harding to take over.
“Killed five, one remaining,” the Shadow Guard reported.
“One left. Reese, how many troops do you have?” Robin looked to Reese Daniels.
“Twelve thousand,” came the reply. They had won, but at a steep cost. Both sides suffered heavy casualties.
“Go kill the last Harding heir. That will be your assignment. When you return, I’ll personally bestow your army with a name – the Hero Troops!”
Reese’s face lit up with joy. During the battle, his army ended up in an awkward spot, fighting without an assigned number or name. The enemies didn’t even know what to call them, simply referring to them as ‘Reese Daniels’s troops’. They still lacked an official designation.
They had assumed themselves to be the main force, but ended up as bait instead. Though it was for the greater cause, they felt dissatisfied and indignant. But now, receiving an official name – Hero Troops! – all grievances faded away.
“Thank you, General!” Reese Daniels said gratefully.
“And Aguda?” Robin asked Jeff Reczek.
“Receiving prisoners. There are quite a lot this time, probably 70-80 thousand,” Jeff reported.
“Order Aguda to adjust for another 3 hours, then attack the southern border with his Punishment Legion as the main force. I’ll give him the chance to personally kill Pierre Calder,” Robin commanded.
“Yes, sir!” Jeff acknowledged the order.
Max Berry then stepped forward. “General, my task is done. I must hurry back to the North, otherwise once the Northern power hears I’m gone, they may invade. That would endanger the North.”
“No need,” Robin shook his head. “I have a way to deter Country E. You must come with me.”
“Yes, sir,” Max Berry obeyed without objection. Though Robin was no longer the national military commander, among the soldiers he was an object of faith. The title of Primus still carried weight, demanding unconditional obedience.
“And Rawdan Jefferson?” Robin asked Logan Garcia.
“Killed him, but at great risk. Even injured, he was incredibly difficult to deal with. If not for his focus on you, General, I wouldn’t have succeeded so easily.”
The brashness had faded from this young man, replaced by restraint and maturity. Logan Garcia had grown.