Chapter 451.1: Welcome To The Lion Kingdom

Lion Kingdom’s capital, Lion City, stood firm with its neat rows of boxy colonial buildings.

Here and there, the ruins of collapsed homes and charred remnants from fires still scarred the streets. Though neither the Army or the Falcon Kingdom had brought war directly into the city, the traces left by past conflict were still plainly visible.

From the northern gate by the river all the way to the royal palace, the main boulevard was packed with throngs of people. A sea of heads stretched as far as the eye could see.

Men, women, the elderly, and children, farmers, artisans, and fruit vendors... All had risen on tiptoe and craned their necks to look toward the city gates.

In just a few days, life had visibly improved. The roaring bombers had vanished, and the shrill wails of air raid sirens no longer haunted the dreams of the city’s residents.

People no longer had to wake in the middle of the night to the blare of alerts, nor huddle beneath beds, trembling as they prayed not to appear on the casualty lists.

Of course, that wasn’t due to any mercy from the enemy.

It was because the New Alliance had arrived.

Rumors had spread that the Storm Corps who were retreating to the rear to rest, would pass through the city. Many had gathered from dawn just for a glimpse of the friendly forces that had saved them from fire and ruin.

Leading the parade into the city was the kingdom’s elite Scarab Corps. 10,000 strong soldiers under Prince Wint’s command. Hot on their heels came the reinforcements from the New Alliance, right on time, just as people had hoped.

A squad of soldiers marched in, sharp and composed. Rifles slung over their backs and they were clad in uniform exoskeletons. Their polished alloy breastplates gleamed with the insignia of the New Alliance and the Storm Corps.

The great administrator had issued a special note. The ceremonial march would be featured in the game’s CGI trailer. If they didn’t want to be cut from the final edit, players were at least expected to dress properly.

Though Chu Guang had only requested decency in appearance, the moment Spring Water Commander found out his unit would appear in the CGI, he was instantly electrified.

“Brothers!” He bellowed, “This is our chance to show off on the forums! I want maximum effort! You better polish your rifles and sling them on your shoulders! Puff your chests out and march tall! Raise your necks properly! For the Alliance!”

The players responded with astonishing fervor, radiating raw energy and presence.

“Long live the Alliance!”

“DEMACIAAA!!”

“Awooooo!”

Most of the players just wanted to show off or have a bit of fun. However, Spring Water Commander was playing the long game. The CGI spotlight was basically a free recruitment ad.

Want to become the Shield of the New Alliance?

Want to pledge loyalty to the administrator?

Want to spread the light of order across this wasteland?

Then join the Storm Corps! Sweep away chaos like a storm, deliver justice upon the savage, and return in triumph amid the cheers of the people!

In just a few seconds, he had the slogans ready.

As Spring Water Commander entertained himself with those ideas, the eyes of the Lion Kingdom’s citizens locked onto the players marching by. They cheered and waved, whispered among themselves, or looked on with admiration.

“Is that the New Alliance’s army?”

“I heard they’re called the Storm Corps!”

“Why so few?”

“They only have 1,000 men, right?”

“Only? You’re joking! Do you know what a thousand awakeners can do? They’re monsters!”

“No way! You must be drunk.”

“I swear! My neighbor’s sons are on the frontlines. They say 1,000 of these guys chased down 10,000 soldiers!”

“Hssssss...”

A shirtless man bragged to nearby neighbors, recounting hearsay of the New Alliance’s exploits.

And supposedly, the Storm Corps wasn’t even the strongest.

There was once a marauder tribe named the Bonechewer Clan, 30,000 strong. They were beaten black and blue by fewer than 500 monsters.

It wasn’t just vendors and townsfolk who were interested. Young women among the crowd also gazed longingly at the soldiers.

“Their armor is so cool...”

“So are they...”

Whether it was their gear, their morale, or their faces, the Storm Corps left a deep impression on the citizens of the Lion Kingdom. Even the Scarab Corps, the kingdom’s elite, paled in comparison to the mere 1,000-strong unit.

Girls tossed flower petals into the air.

Bathed in cheers and applause, Spring Water Commander couldn’t help but smile as he walked among the people.

For a brief moment, he felt like he finally understood what the administrator enjoyed so much.

“Why do I feel like we just showed up and became heroes?” Blackest asked while scratching his head as he walked beside Spring Water Commander.

Spring Water Commander rolled his eyes. “What do you mean ‘just showed up’?! We fought two battles!”

Ten Punch Man muttered, “True, but without a nuke, it just doesn’t feel right.”

Ghostbuster nodded solemnly. “Also, Battlefield Cheerleader is not around. There

S no one to show off for.”

Broken Leg Kevin grunted, “Yeah.”

Spring Water Commander felt his eyelids twitching in annoyance. “...”

These guys were impossible to please.

Three days earlier, just as the Skeleton Corps seized the Lost Valley airfield, the New Alliance and Lion Kingdom’s joint forces launched a counteroffensive.

10,000 men of the Falcon Kingdom set up defenses near the Iderz Mountain trying to stop the Scarab Corps of the Lion Kingdom’s westward push. To help allied forces recover lost ground and preserve strength for the next phase, the Storm Corps parachuted in 30 kilometers behind enemy lines under orders from Spring Water Commander, launching a surprise attack on the enemy’s rear artillery positions while receiving cover by the Heart of Steel.

There, the enemy's 2nd Division was resting and the moment they made contact, fierce fighting broke out across the wheat fields.

Under Spring Water Commander’s orders, the Storm Corps split into 10-man units across a 10 kilometer front, infiltrating enemy lines, flanking and surrounding them in formations of three teams. 1,000 soldiers fought like 10,000, routing the 2nd Division in less than 24 hours.

It was a crushing victory that showcased the full strength of the New Alliance.

Of course, credit also went to the administrator’s strategic foresight. With nuclear capability lost, armor divisions gone, and the northern supply lines cut, retreat was inevitable, especially when their commander was someone as cunning as Griffin.

The joint army would face little resistance at Oasis No.9 as there were only several weak units left without reinforcements.

After seizing the enemy’s rear artillery positions, the Storm Corps turned the captured guns on their owners, opening a path for friendly forces. Pressured from both front and rear, and with the Heart of Steel looming overhead, the enemy’s elite 1st Division was destroyed.

In 72 hours, the New Alliance pushed westward, reaching the far end of Oasis No.9. Apart from scattered resistance, the Lion Kingdom had retaken nearly all its lost territory.

None of it would’ve been possible without the New Alliance.

And the highlight of the celebration was, of course, Chu Guang’s grand entrance.

The Heart of Steel airship hovered directly above Lion City. Its lift descended, settling at the end of the red carpet rolled down the palace steps. Overlooking a field of flowers, cheers, and the Storm Corps at the gates, Chu Guang allowed a faint smile.

Where the citizens saw victory, he saw a future granary for the New Alliance.

Didn’t awakeners need massive amounts of food?

Was 110,000 square kilometers of fertile, irrigated land enough?

The dark soil put the northern parts around Linghu Lake to shame. With the New Alliance’s seeds, machines, farming knowledge, fertilizers, and pesticides, yields could easily double.

More food meant more residences and more players.

Who knew what surprises unlocking level B6 would bring? At the very least, player numbers would rise.

“Little Seven, pick a good angle. Make me look cool.” Inside his exoframe, a light-blue holographic window appeared.

Little Seven chirped, “

Ehehe

, tough job, Master. You look handsome from every angle! (///w//)”

“Hahaha!” Chu Guang laughed heartily before tapping his helmet to retract the visor. He brought his guards out with him.

The airship’s shadow covered the palace, shielding them from the scorching sun.

The king of the Lion Kingdom, Edward, and his ministers stood atop the palace steps, awaiting the overlord of the River Valley Province.

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Beside the king, a tall, thin minister frowned slightly and whispered, “... Your Majesty, I believe parking an airship above the palace and entering in an exoframe shows grave disrespect. This New Alliance may not be as genuine as it seems.”

To that, the old king opened his eyes slightly and gave the minister a warning glare. “Silence.”

A chill crept down the minister’s back and he clammed up immediately.

The king returned to his kind expression and greeted the approaching Chu Guang with a warm voice, “Welcome to Lion City, administrator of the New Alliance, Lord of everything South of Heavenly Water... I didn’t expect you to come in person.”

He knew the New Alliance was flaunting its might, but even so, there was nothing he could do but smile.

At least they didn’t seem like bad people.

Since their arrival at Oasis No.9, they hadn’t pillaged or meddled in internal affairs. That alone was a blessing.

“You’re too kind,” Chu Guang replied with a smile before stretching out his right hand. “We’ve come for justice and order, to defeat our mutual enemy.”

Everything else was just incidental.

The aged king shook his hand. Before the towering figure, he felt like a frail old man. The golden crown and cloak did little to add to his majesty.

Staring at the young, handsome face, Edward felt a pang of envy. If only he were 30 years younger, he might’ve still led armies, ridden horses, and kept the Lion Kingdom from decline.

Hopefully his children who were off on their journeys, would bring back good news...

A silver spherical drone hovered nearby, recording the historic moment.

With the handshake complete, the Lion Kingdom would cede a portion of its sovereignty in exchange for the New Alliance’s support.

From that point on, the New Alliance’s reach extended beyond the River Valley Province, absorbing this fertile land of prewar ruins into its sphere of influence.

"This isn't just pleasantries, it's heartfelt gratitude." Edward said solemnly, his gaze steady on Chu Guang. "If not for you, our city would’ve been reduced to ash. Our citizens will not surrender! We would rather perish on the land of our ancestors than become slaves to the Army."

Yard, who had also been invited to the celebration, couldn’t help but reveal an unnatural look at his words. He pressed his lips together in a light sneer.

He didn’t believe for a second that Lion’s people had more courage than his own Honey Badger Kingdom’s men. They had stood alone against the western threat, while the Lion Kingdom, if it were truly so brave, should’ve marched to Oasis No.3 long ago to stand with them against the Falcon Kingdom.

To him, Edward's grand declarations were nothing but a show of dignity.

Still, he had enough tact not to disrupt the moment.

His eyes, however, remained fixed on the administrator.

That azure exoframe... The giant hammer slung on his back... There was no doubt about it. He was the man in the legends.

But he wasn’t some grizzled old war veteran with a beard that hung to his chest.

He was... A surprisingly good looking young man!

Unaware, or perhaps simply unbothered by, any curious gazes from the crowd, Chu Guang smiled and gave the king's hand a firm shake. “I witnessed your courage from the bridge of my airship.” He continued, his voice calm but powerful. “And we’ve fulfilled our promise.”

The implication was clear, it was the Lion Kingdom’s turn.