MORIC - Chapter 183
Chapter 183: A Grand Showdown
A few days later, the government released a document announcing that the date for the new Queen's coronation ceremony had been set.
Capital Star, still suffering from the Zerg invasion, was in an uproar. Many of those cooped up at home with nothing better to do began voicing their opinions online.
【Are they insane? What kind of time is this to hold a coronation ceremony?】
【If I remember correctly, isn't that heir, the Princess, in poor health? Wasn't she placed in a sanatorium?】
【What happened to the Queen? Is she really not going to make it?】
【How come I heard that Shen Yu and the Queen have political disagreements, and she's using the Princess as a hostage?】
【Is this something we can even talk about?】
【But no moderators are deleting the posts. Instead, the topic is getting more and more popular.】
Wen Xinghuo was completely unaware of this at first. That morning, she had led her team to the Lower World to exterminate a large number of Zerg and settle many residents.
It was only when she returned to the base and stepped out of her mecha cockpit that she noticed the strange atmosphere. The captain of B-Team, who had returned earlier, stared at her, looking as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.
Wen Xinghuo's hair was cut much shorter, but she could still tie it back.
At that moment, she wiped the sweat from her forehead, though it was of little use. The drain on her high spiritual power left her momentarily dazed as she relaxed.
The B-Team captain stammered, glancing at the Alpha again.
Without a doubt, this Alpha, still a student, had already surpassed most military officers.
On the front lines, strength was what mattered. In just a few short months, Wen Xinghuo's power had advanced by leaps and bounds, and under Shen Yu's guidance, she had developed the presence of a commander.
Anyone who had seen Wen Xinghuo pilot the War God mecha would be struck by her ferocious aura, a force that emanated from within and left them trembling.
Wen Xinghuo asked, "Is something wrong?"
She looked around. The army's mecha technicians had already gone to inspect the mechas. All around her were teammates emerging from their cockpits, and they were all looking at her.
Wen Xinghuo felt a little unnerved. "What happened?" she asked again.
The B-Team captain said, "Well, it's like this..."
She was still hesitating about how to begin when a female Alpha rushed in from the entrance, calling Wen Xinghuo's name.
Following behind her was another female Alpha wearing glasses.
Xi Shuang's voice was far too easy to recognize.
Wen Xinghuo looked up. Knowing it was Xi Shuang's enlistment day, she had just started to smile when Xi Shuang rushed up to her and dragged her away.
Wen Xinghuo was already tall, and even a typical Alpha trained to their physical peak couldn't match her natural build.
But Xi Shuang had known her for years, and Wen Xinghuo was currently in a state of exhaustion, so it took almost no effort at all.
The B-Team captain watched as the newly-promoted god of war was hauled away. "Who was that?" she asked.
The person next to her, sipping on a tube of supplement, replied, "A classmate of Captain Wen's, I think. Today's their enlistment day. She was with the Expeditionary Force for two months, she's really strong too."
The B-Team captain said, "Oh. These kids nowadays are all so impressive. When can we retire?"
She wasn't that old herself. After she spoke, someone punched her shoulder. "What are you thinking? We haven't even driven back the Zerg. And even if we do, there's no guarantee they won't come back."
"This might not even be over by the time we actually retire."
Another person resting nearby nodded. "Yeah, who knows when this will end. I feel like this Zerg Tide is harder to deal with than any before. I have a friend in the Expeditionary Force, and they're rotating to other planets for cleanup operations. They have almost no time to rest."
"I really wish it would end soon."
"Speaking of which, did you see that news?"
"You mean about the Queen's coronation? I saw it."
"So... do you think Captain Wen has seen it?"
"Probably... I don't know, right?"
The tall Alpha's figure had long since disappeared.
The B-Team captain sighed. "She could have fallen in love with anyone, why did it have to be the princess who's about to become Queen?"
"Yeah, Captain Wen has such a bright future. There's no need for her to become a knight."
"I heard they haven't even marked each other yet. It's fine."
Wen Xinghuo was dragged by Xi Shuang to the rest platform.
It was already afternoon. The weather had been erratic lately, and today it had even started to snow.
The seasons had long been thrown into disarray. Flowers bloomed out of turn, and people were irritable.
At least, Xi Shuang looked quite unhappy. Wen Xinghuo opened a tube of supplement and said, "You're not happy?"
She found it a bit strange. Just the day before yesterday, Xi Shuang had been cheerfully saying that they would soon be proper comrades-in-arms, yet today she was so aggressive.
Did I do something to offend her?
Wen Xinghuo was still in her officer's uniform. She usually gave off an imposing impression due to her height, but deep down, she had no arrogance; she was a person like still water.
Now, her sweat-dampened bangs hung over her forehead, her expression carrying a post-battle weariness and relaxation.
Xi Shuang: "Haven't you seen the news?"
Wen Xinghuo: "What is it?"
Xi Shuang sighed.
Beside them, Ling Xun asked, "Marshal Shen didn't tell you either?"
Wen Xinghuo grew even more puzzled. "What is it that she would need to tell me specifically?"
Ling Xun opened her holoscreen for Wen Xinghuo to see.
Displayed prominently was today's headline about the date of the new Queen's coronation ceremony.
The sub-headline was a photo of Shen Yu's guards escorting Sheng Yangkui from the sanatorium to the Royal Palace.
Crack.
The tube of Wen Xinghuo's supplement shattered.
Glass shards fell to the floor. She didn't even notice her finger had been cut, or perhaps she was already covered in so many wounds that it didn't matter.
Wen Xinghuo: "She's already gone?"
Xi Shuang: "They left this morning."
She watched Wen Xinghuo, watched as the face that had been smiling just moments ago twisted with a ferocity, a rare display of negative emotion.
Xi Shuang: "I thought you knew and would go see her off."
Today was the day Xi Shuang and Ling Xun joined the corps; their files would be integrated into the military registry. It meant that, like Wen Xinghuo, they had entered their professional careers before graduation due to the premature Zerg Tide.
Wen Xinghuo: "I didn't know."
Her missions were always assigned by her superiors, but as a member of the Special Forces, her only direct superior was Shen Yu.
Shen Yu...
Xi Shuang: "But this probably wasn't Marshal Shen's decision alone. Didn't the Princess tell you?"
Ling Xun really wanted to step on Xi Shuang's foot. She felt her cousin was exceptionally good at twisting the knife.
Especially at a time like this, what was the point of asking about Sheng Yangkui?
Wen Xinghuo silently shook her head.
Ling Xun: "It's okay, anyway. Senior Xi is back. I heard Senior Xi went to see the third princess before, and later she went again with Xuan Ping."
She paused. "By the way, Senior Xi will enter the challenge ring tonight at seven. The current commander of the Expeditionary Force was severely wounded and died the day before yesterday, so now the Expeditionary Force needs a new commander."
The Expeditionary Force had many divisions. Ever since Commander Xi Mingguang was severely injured, command had been handed over to another officer. But now, with operations on other planets still ongoing, the commander-in-chief was attacked by Zerg again. His mecha was shattered, and he died on the spot.
The transmitted footage clearly showed that the one who killed the commander was the high-grade Zerg they had seen before.
No... it had now been promoted to a Special-Grade Zerg.
It always fought alone, never with other Zerg. It would occasionally enter a berserk state, and its battles against mechas seemed to generate a special magnetic field that could even affect its own kind.
Wen Xinghuo: "Seven o'clock tonight?"
It was now 5:47 PM. Wen Xinghuo froze for a moment, then asked, "Who is she challenging?"
This was completely out of character for Xi Zhoumeng.
Ling Xun also sighed. "Because Senior Xi's situation is too special. She was an Omega before, and even though her spiritual power still tests at S+ after turning into an Alpha, she'll be questioned because of it."
"And you know... Senior Xi as a person..."
Ling Xun struggled for a long time, not knowing what to say, but of course Wen Xinghuo understood what she meant.
It was just that Xi Zhoumeng was flamboyant and incredibly delicate, not looking like an Alpha at all.
Most people would probably think that if someone like her became the commander, humanity would be doomed.
Wen Xinghuo: "Shouldn't it be the Expeditionary Force's reserve commander challenging her?"
Ling Xun wore a complicated expression, and Xi Shuang let out a long sigh. "Think about the Expeditionary Force's current situation. They've already gone through two commanders. Xi Zhoumeng's mother, needless to say, survived purely due to her vast experience. The next one was killed on the spot by that Zerg. The vice commander was also there and is now being transported back with severe injuries. Currently..."
"The new vice commander is temporarily acting as commander."
She sighed. "If you were in the Expeditionary Force, wouldn't you think that becoming the commander means you'll be targeted?"
Wen Xinghuo thought of that Zerg. It was the one she had seen when she parted ways with Xi Zhoumeng and Chi Yueshan.
It was also the one Xi Zhoumeng had piloted her mecha to confront in the snowstorm.
It was also what had made Xi Zhoumeng and Chi Yueshan disappear for several months.
Ling Xun: "My cousin and I were with the Expeditionary Force for two months. The main force moved between several planets, and that Zerg seemed to be following us the whole time."
She couldn't figure it out either. "It might even be capable of spatial jumps, but why doesn't it come to Capital Star?"
Wen Xinghuo wasn't thinking about that. Her mind was completely filled with Sheng Yangkui.
The last time they saw each other was last week. Wen Xinghuo had peeled a peach for her, but Sheng Yangkui took one bite and refused to eat more.
Sheng Yangkui looked so weak that anyone's first impression would be to wonder if she had only a few days left to live.
Her room was filled with monitoring equipment, a condition of the agreement when Shen Yu sent her there.
Even knowing the Queen's secret, the Marshal of the Empire still harbored suspicions about this successor.
Wen Xinghuo had been by her side for some time, and Shen Yu was like a semi-mentor to her. The charm of an elder lay in this, including the masterful way she managed her juniors and subordinates.
It made Wen Xinghuo understand her decision.
But Wen Xinghuo still felt a lump in her throat.
Instead, it was Sheng Yangkui who comforted her.
Sheng Yangkui always said it was okay. She looked like she desperately wanted Wen Xinghuo to hug her, but she said nothing, only reaching out to grasp Wen Xinghuo's hand. Her thin, pale fingers slid between Wen Xinghuo's, as if that alone could satisfy her for a long time.
At this moment, Wen Xinghuo was silent.
Xi Shuang reached out, pulled Ling Xun back, and said to Wen Xinghuo, "Don't tell me you're thinking of challenging her tonight."
She bit her lip. "I know you're upset, but Wen Xinghuo, that position has to go to Xi Zhoumeng. Shen Yu set up this event precisely to legitimize her as the commander-in-chief."
"You know it. We saw it during our practical training. Zhoumeng has absolute capability."
Wen Xinghuo retorted, "What if it were you? Wouldn't you be angry?"
Xi Shuang was at a loss for words.
She admitted it, of course, but people are just that selfish. The stalemate between the Queen and Shen Yu had lasted for over a month, only showing signs of easing today.
All of this happened after Xi Zhoumeng's return.
It was obvious whose idea it was.
Wen Xinghuo: "She said before that she could avoid..."
Wen Xinghuo's voice was hoarse. The hand that had been holding the supplement tube was covered in cuts from the glass. Blood seeped out, and as her body trembled involuntarily, it dripped onto the floor, only to be immediately cleaned up by an AI cleaning bot.
Spotless, as if nothing had ever happened.
Ling Xun: "What's the big deal? It's fair competition."
She pushed up her glasses. "Even if it was arranged by Marshal Shen, there are still people in the Special Forces who want to skip ranks and become a commander in the Expeditionary Force. The challenge will be held at the base's TL-C117 training ground. Good luck, Senior Wen."
Wen Xinghuo nodded. Her emotions churned, and a great sorrow enveloped her. Even her turning away seemed to make her soul cry out in grief.
But her back remained unbreakably resolute, as if she had been guided by the same conviction her entire life.
To press ever forward.
But a person with such deep-seated obsessions had found someone to whom she wanted to entrust her life. The love, hate, sorrow, and joy she had never expected now came one after another.
Rotten wood could still blossom with peach flowers, but one still hoped that fate would be merciful, allowing the beautiful flowers to bloom forever and the person to always be there.
Xi Shuang: "Why did you have to bring that up?"
She stared at Ling Xun. "Did you do that on purpose?"
Ling Xun: "If it were you, you'd do the same."
She took a deep breath. "It wasn't on purpose. Senior Xi asked me to say it."
Ling Xun hooked an arm around Xi Shuang's shoulder. "Cousin, just be content. The two of us are much better off than those two."
But Xi Shuang said nothing.
At six in the evening, Xi Zhoumeng arrived at the base.
Chi Yueshan followed by her side, so tense that anyone could see she was on edge.
Xi Zhoumeng took out her ID card to register, laughing as she comforted her, "What are you so nervous about? Afraid my mecha will break again?"
Chi Yueshan pursed her lips, chewing on a mint candy, completely ignoring Xi Zhoumeng's knowingly teasing question.
The registration desk at the Capital Star Special Forces base had three checkpoints: two AI and one manual.
This was only for outsiders.
Xi Zhoumeng signed her name. Even the clerks were Alphas. The clerk stared at the flamboyant signature for a long time before looking at the electronic ID card on the screen.
The ID photo wasn't even as beautiful as she was in person.
Xi Zhoumeng didn't smile at the registration Alpha. She watched Chi Yueshan finish writing her name and asked, "Can we go now?"
Name: Xi Zhoumeng
First Gender: Female
Secondary Gender: Alpha
Spiritual Power: S+
Identity Clearance: Xi
She walked forward, shoulder-to-shoulder with a female Omega.
The base's guidance AI, seemingly part of the vaulted ceiling, directed them toward the lounge.
Chi Yueshan was nervous to death, tugging on the hem of Xi Zhoumeng's clothes. "You have to be careful."
Xi Zhoumeng: "What are you afraid of? I'm getting this through connections."
Chi Yueshan: "Is this something to joke about? Be serious."
Xi Zhoumeng: "I'm not joking. Shen Yu begged me to come."
Her tone was as arrogant as ever. The people coming and going here were either members of the Special Forces or those entering the challenge ring today.
Even though many knew this person was likely being parachuted in, they were still curious.
Their curiosity was tinged with contempt. Even after watching the combat replay of Xi Zhoumeng's mecha, seeing her in person still made them think this excessively beautiful Alpha was all show and no substance.
Xi Zhoumeng met Wen Xinghuo in the main hall.
Chi Yueshan was about to go over and greet her cheerfully, but Xi Zhoumeng pulled her back the next second.
Wen Xinghuo: "Are you fully recovered?"
The last time she had visited Xi Zhoumeng and Chi Yueshan's child, this person had still been lying in bed, looking quite ill.
She looked pretty good now.
No matter how displeased Wen Xinghuo was, she was still happy that Xi Zhoumeng was back.
Xi Zhoumeng nodded.
"How could I let you challenge me if I wasn't recovered?"
Before Wen Xinghuo could speak, Chi Yueshan let out a "holy crap," pulled Xi Zhoumeng away, pushed her aside, and asked Wen Xinghuo—
"Senior Wen, you're going to fight this person???"
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