Bad Born Blood - Chapter 23



Only Noblemtl

023

I felt the confines of the combat uniform around my neck. The chest armor was a mixture of dull silver and black. The part protecting my chest was slightly thicker.

‘What’s important is the head and the heart.’

I alternated between my helmet and my chest protector.

As long as you don’t fly here, Imperial soldiers won’t die. As long as you’re breathing and have blood flowing to your brain, the Empire will somehow cybernetically revive you.

That is why even poor low-ranking soldiers of the Empire, as they serve for a long time, become closer to full-body prosthetics. There are rare cases where they start out as low-ranking soldiers, fight in battles, and then rise to the ranks of high-ranking officers.

Dalgrak.

I checked the gun and knife. They were clean, without a single dent. The gun was shiny, without any residue, and the sound of the blade was so clear that it was deafening.

“Move, Codelock.”

I checked the time and stood up. The resting platoon member followed me.

Thud, thud.

As we left the barracks, the camp was bustling with moving soldiers.

At the forefront was an armored brigade wearing black armor. They boasted the strongest fighting power, excluding special forces such as the Guard.

Creak.

We boarded a heavily armored assault vehicle. It had a capacity of 50, but it could easily accommodate two infantry platoons, or three if squeezed in.

Knock, knock.

The caterpillar wheels of the assault vehicle were spinning roughly.

Wheein.

The vehicle’s interior display was activated. Eight cameras installed around the entire vehicle provided a 360-degree view of the exterior.

The atmosphere was gloomy. The platoon that rode with us also didn’t say much.

“Captain Luca.”

The code lock sitting next to me spoke. I turned my head to look at him.

“If you have something to say, say it.”

I answered briefly. Codelock sighed softly and moved his mouth.

“I know better than anyone else that the platoon leader is excellent. I also check my superior’s resume thoroughly.”

Codelock spoke to me in a soothing manner. He was not an ordinary person either. He remained calm and friendly even when I acted aggressively.

At this point, even I found it difficult to say anything harsh to Codelock. It’s not easy to spit on a smiling face.

“……so?”

“When we enter combat, I hope you will listen to my advice. I have served in the Imperial Army for ten years. I may not be as good as you, Captain, but I am not that incompetent.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll listen to anyone if I need to.”

I said, nodding slightly. Only then did Codelock feel relieved and smile faintly.

Creak, creak.

The assault vehicles were advancing towards the front lines. We will wait outside the turret range of the Arcane Fortress.

‘Once the armored brigade takes out the turrets… …we will storm the fortress.’

The outline of the operation was as follows. Surround the fortress and engage in a war of annihilation. It was clear that they were determined not to miss a single rat.

Queek!

The assault vehicles stopped. Not just our vehicles, but dozens of assault vehicles lined up at the same time. And then, between the stopped vehicles, a member of the armored brigade walked out.

The armored brigade charged toward the Arcane Fortress, leading their sleek armored vehicles. Their armored vehicle models were the mass-produced Mirmidons. The pitch-black Mirmidons were a mix of second and third generation. From a distance, they looked like a swarm of black soldier ants.

A hundred or so Mirmidons entered the turret’s effective range.

We stared at the battle situation beyond the display without even being able to swallow our saliva.

The Arcane Fortress, half-collapsed by the ravages of time, was making up for its lack of defense with a force shield.

Part of the bluish force shield was cracking open.

‘The shelling begins.’

The exact location of the turret was difficult to see due to the opaque force shield.

Wheeing!

Inside the force shield, light particles were gathering as if compressed, shining brightly. Soon, a beam of energy fired from the Arcane Fortress passed through the ground in a long straight line as if tearing it apart.

Kuuuuung!

The vibration was so strong that it even shook the assault vehicle.

Kiing, kiing.

Blue smoke rose above the ground. The Myrmidons scattered left and right, avoiding the beam. They were approaching the fortress without slowing down.

Wheein!

Energy beams were also emitted from other directions.

Although the armored body is large, it is still humanoid. Compared to vehicles or ships, it is an incredibly small target. It is also maneuverable and moves irregularly, making it difficult to hit with turrets and the like.

The Myrmidons scattered and dodged the energy beam. Some were caught in the beam’s path, but only four or five were lost.

Finally, some of the Myrmidons collided with the dome-shaped force shield. They all pulled out the spears on their backs and swung them.

The tip of Mirmidon’s spear had a blade made of a special mineral called Holy Stone. The Holy Stone and Force energy neutralized each other, temporarily tearing the shield apart. It was a weapon specially designed for this operation.

The gap was narrow and could be repaired quickly, but it was still enough space and time for the Myrmidons to invade the fortress.

“I rushed in… … .”

The silent platoon members began to murmur. In this battle, the Mirmidon’s performance was most important. If the Mirmidon failed, the battle situation would become very difficult.

We don’t know what’s going on inside the force shield. We have to wait for the Myrmidon that removed the turret to come out and report.

A minute or so had passed. According to the strategy computer, there was still enough time to take out the turrets.

We were focused on the second. Even if the Myrmidons can’t deal with the turrets, the suppression force will advance. By then, there will be massive casualties and many deaths.

The deadline was running out. The faces of the platoon members became stiff. Some were shaking their hands and feet, unable to control their tension.

-Chijik.

Static noises emanated from the communicator. We stared at the screen. A single Mirmidon burst through the Force shield from within.

-The turret has been disabled. Let’s move on to the next step.

Sighs of relief came from all around.

I unconsciously twitched the corners of my lips and smiled faintly. The battlefield is a terrible place. Losing one’s life is a tragedy. Yes, I know that very well.

But what can I do? I am the kind of person who finds joy and fulfillment in this terrible tragedy. Otherwise, I would have gone mad long ago.

Now, it’s finally time to test my abilities.

* * *

The Arcane Fortress was a structure that was faithful to the basics.

The interior was protected by a double wall made of metal and a force barrier. However, the current wall was half destroyed, so it was practically without any defensive function.

Wow!

The assault vehicle we were in also reached the front of the wall, neutralizing the force shield with the help of the Mirmidon. As soon as the hatch opened, we climbed over the wall and entered the interior.

Inside the walls, Mirmidons with disabled turrets were suppressing the ground.

‘We’re clearing out the underground.’

It was the mission of the infantry, including me.

The rebel-renovated facility was located underground in the fortress. The entrance to the underground facility was narrow to prevent the entry of armored vehicles. The Myrmidon’s activities ended here.

Beep.

I checked the tactical map that appeared on my retina. I could see the entry route that the command had given us. All infantry platoons would enter simultaneously from multiple entrances. We would leave no place for the rebels to escape.

“Once inside, only use personal firepower. Unauthorized firepower will not be tolerated.”

I said as I watched the underground entrance open.

The Empire has surveyed this place in the past. There was an underground map made at that time, but it is no longer accurate as the rebels have remodeled the interior.

‘Rather, if you unilaterally believe in the guidance of the past, there is a high possibility of falling into a trap.’

The underground of the Arcane Fortress was a labyrinthine structure. If you went in without a map, you would feel like you were wandering through a labyrinth. The depth that was revealed was over a hundred meters.

The entrance was barely wide enough for one person to pass through. We sent a reconnaissance drone inside to check for safety before entering.

As I went down the stairs, the passage gradually got wider. It was barely enough for two or three people to walk, and the ceiling was low, so I had to bend my back and waist slightly to keep my helmet from touching the ceiling.

It took a long time just to get in. It was a passage structured in a way that was good for buying time, even if we didn’t know what the rebels were preparing.

“Luka, we’re going this way.”

The cadet platoon leader who entered through the same entrance spoke at the fork in the road. I also wished him good luck and went in the opposite direction.

“From here on, I will take the lead.”

At my words, Adjutant Codelock flinched.

“… … It’s dangerous to lead in a place like this, platoon leader.”

There is a very high probability that there will be traps and ambushes ahead. In such cases, there is a high probability that the vanguard in the lead will die.

“Are you worried that you will be held accountable when I die?”

The adjutant is also the guardian of the platoon leader, Aesong. I know this very well.

“Honestly, yes.”

Codelock spoke without pretense. To be honest, I also… … I quite like Codelock. He follows my arbitrary words and actions well. He is a seasoned adjutant in many ways.

“Well, that’s true. Even though I’m an irregular, I’m still a cadet in the Royal Guard.”

I said it loosely, pretending to consider it. Relief flashed across Codelock’s eyes.

“If you understand… … .”

I didn’t listen to Codelock’s words till the end.

“But you see, Codelock, I don’t care what happens after I die. Whether you and your men get demoted or get your pay cut.”

I said with a fierce laugh. Then I grabbed the shoulder of the lead platoon member and threw him back.

“I’ll say it again. I’ll take the lead. Follow me, you idiots.”

I felt the chill of the platoon leader’s gun barrel being pointed at the back of my neck. Some people might be dreaming of a thrilling murder of their superior right now.

But they will not turn their imagination into reality. After all, they are loyal soldiers of the Empire, just like I am.