Chapter Twelve: The Army at the Gates

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As Wang Sheng returned to Saintheart City, the machine gunner platoon marched into the city in two neat columns, attracting the attention of both humans and scouts from various races. Dean Dian Lu personally came to greet them.

The elite soldiers had completed their mission and returned to the barracks, bringing back firsthand accounts of what they had witnessed.

The barracks erupted with excitement. "Tiedan, it’s such a pity you didn’t go this time! The puppeteer's machine gunners are like something only gods could create. There’s even flying transport ships—huge ones soaring through the sky that can fart flames! Isn’t that incredible?"

Another soldier quickly interjected, "Don’t talk nonsense. Those are magical puppets; what they shoot out is fire. Ignorance is truly frightening!"

Tiedan looked up at them with admiration and eagerly asked, "So how do they fight? Do they use magic, or are these puppets skilled in martial arts?"

The soldier who had just corrected him replied, "You might not believe it, but their hundred machine gunners stood their ground without even moving their feet and managed to repel over four hundred minotaurs, killing a third of them. Impressive, right? Minotaurs are tough fighters! The scene was something you’d never see in your lifetime—absolutely astonishing."

Tiedan began to imagine the scene vividly, his face lighting up with excitement.

Stories and rumors about the Boundless Forest expedition spread everywhere. It was said that there was a great puppeteer in the Boundless Forest.

News originating from the barracks became more and more exaggerated until it turned into: "With a wave of the machine gunners’ hands, the heavens changed color, rivers reversed flow, and the orcs were driven back in utter disgrace, fleeing home in panic!" The more these tales spread, the wilder they became, stirring a citywide commotion.

Of course, most humans could still discern fact from fiction and were not easily fooled by such rumors.

At this moment, Dean Dian Lu was standing on the academy’s sports field, watching the neatly lined-up machine gunners in a daze. In his hand was a device called a cellphone, and his eyes glazed over as he watched Wang Sheng explain it enthusiastically, spitting droplets all over him.

It was a tough task for Wang Sheng, at his age, to explain such a modern device!

The most challenging part was that those listening were even older than he was.

Seeing his teacher still utterly baffled, Wang Sheng felt as if his efforts were hitting a wall. In the end, he had no choice but to teach him hand by hand. “Dean, tap this here, yes, yes, and then tap this. You’re really smart, sir.”

Dean Dian Lu, once he understood the device, sighed deeply—it truly was remarkable.

Just as they finished, Lord Ji entered, and the three elders began exploring the phone’s functions, boasting nonstop. The empty sports field echoed with bursts of their laughter.

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Inside the imperial palace of Holy Dragon City, Meide was reviewing official memorials. After reading, he muttered, “A puppeteer has appeared in the Boundless Forest? Yueying, investigate this.” The study seemed to ripple slightly, as if something was missing.

After a while, an elderly eunuch approached with a graceful step and bowed. “Your Majesty, General Cao De of the Holy Army requests an audience.”

Meide stretched and said, “Let him in.”

Shortly afterward, a robust middle-aged man clad in golden armor, about 1.6 meters tall, hurried in and saluted. “Your Majesty, the four hundred thousand troops of Great Xia have already crossed the border. The other cities’ armies have also assembled, totaling six hundred thousand, plus the royal holy army’s two hundred thousand. Victory is assured. May I ask when Your Majesty intends to launch the war against the orcs? The imperial holy army is ready to lead the charge and will defend the empire’s dignity to the death!”

The front had suffered continuous defeats, which deeply shamed this straightforward general. He had requested battle many times in recent days, but the emperor had not yet approved. This had him quite anxious.

Meide looked at the barrel-chested Cao De and said, “You will take the holy army to garrison Saintheart City. The orcs must be close by. Remember, you are to defend only, not to advance. If the orcs cannot break through after a prolonged siege, their morale will collapse. They have traveled far and aim straight for the imperial city. Their supplies are limited; they will attempt a decisive strike. I want you to treat Saintheart City as a stake to nail the orcs in place, preventing any advance. Are you confident?”

Cao De’s face flushed with excitement as he shouted, “I understand and accept your orders, Your Majesty.”

Meide said, “Remember, when you receive my pigeon post, that will be the signal to launch the general offensive. You may leave now.”

“Your servant takes his leave.”

That day, Saintheart City welcomed the arrival of the Imperial Holy Sovereign’s forces—two hundred thousand soldiers, including fifty thousand cavalry, fifty thousand archers, and one hundred thousand infantry, all at least Level Two Body Training soldiers, equipped with the nation’s finest armor and weapons.

Shen Yi watched through satellite live feed and recognized the significance of this force. The great battle was imminent. Though he lacked strategic expertise, just seeing so many troops stirred his blood. The moment for humanity’s counterattack was finally at hand. In recent times, he had witnessed many atrocities committed by the orcs via satellite.

Shen Yi could observe much through the satellite, such as the orcs’ marching routes flanked on each side by human troops—four hundred thousand on one side, six hundred thousand on the other—both aimed toward Saintheart City. It was as if someone was playing a grand game of chess. He thought, “The orcs are doomed this time.”

He then exited the feed.

Recently, Shen Yi had been manufacturing troops and erected ten missile towers around the base.

The missile towers could automatically lock onto and attack enemy units, equipped with powerful sensors able to detect stealth units infiltrating the base. With machine gunners and flamethrowers patrolling back and forth, base security had greatly improved. Shen Yi could now walk around the base with confidence.

The villagers from the border settlement had been relocated to a nearby bunker Shen Yi built. The bunker was spacious and contained many modern rooms where they could bathe daily and never lacked food. They even learned to brush their teeth.

Inside the bunker were fifty machine gunners, twenty flamethrowers, and two battlefield doctors to ensure safety and provide medical care. To the villagers, life there was almost heavenly. Every time they saw the steel puppets walking nearby, they felt an inexplicable sense of security—Shen Yi was almost revered like a living deity.

The bunker cost five hundred crystals, the missile towers two hundred crystals, and Shen Yi was investing in research for Level Two Attack and Defense upgrades. His current forces included five hundred machine gunners (one hundred loaned out), fifty flamethrowers, twenty battlefield doctors, ten vulture war vehicles (one loaned out), and three transport aircraft.

As for the insectoid base, Shen Yi had not developed it much. The insectoid overlord Yang Dianfeng was leading raptors to clear third-level magical beasts in the Boundless Forest.

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The divine race’s base mission required one hundred thousand crystals to unlock, so there was no hope of that anytime soon.

After this round, the minerals Wang Sheng brought had all been used by Shen Yi!

Bored, Shen Yi resorted to watching the frontline situation via satellite.

Since the holy army’s arrival in Saintheart City, the city had grown tense and somber. Doors were tightly shut, and the streets were deserted. Everyone already knew the orcs intended to attack. Storm clouds gathered.

Few tried to flee; those who did were wealthy families who hired many bodyguards and fled toward Holy Dragon City, planning to return once the war was won. Most remaining in the city were the poor and ordinary folk who couldn’t afford hired protection.

A hundred-man team departed from Saintheart City with a mission to deliver a box to the imperial palace, to be handed to His Majesty. Inside were three cellphones and several manuals, which Wang Sheng had rushed to produce overnight, after countless calls to the commander.

As the orc army advanced, Saintheart City’s skies darkened with their massive forces emerging from the distance. Ten-meter-tall Monya beasts were the most conspicuous, alongside flocks of birdmen circling above. The birdmen had sharp beaks and wings but otherwise resembled humans.

With the orcs’ approach, an invisible pressure weighed on every soldier atop the city walls. Many soldiers showed fear in their eyes, unable to bear the strain.

“You are the empire’s army. Behind you lie humanity’s last line and dignity. Our ancestors forged magnificent epics with blood and tears, ensuring that no race dared lightly challenge human pride along the Eastern Road. Now, each of you is a maker of history. Our task is to hold Saintheart City—to deny the invaders any foothold. Comrades, tell me, can we hold?”

At that moment, Cao De stood on tiptoe, shouting through Dean Dian Lu’s magical amplification spell.

Dean Dian Lu glanced at Cao De with some amusement.

“We can!” The city’s soldiers roared back, their voices shaking the entire city.

The city’s residents, hearing the general and soldiers’ declaration, felt their hearts swell with pride. These were our defenders. The magical shield above us was impenetrable—nothing could break it.

Previously cold and quiet streets now saw doors thrown open. The pillars of each household stepped out, making their way toward the city walls.