Chapter 2: Chapter 2 – The Eccentric Commander

The man gazing at the night sky was the infamous Commander Leo of the Resurgent Army.

Commander Leo faced the middle aged man. He had a smile on his face. Under his gaze, the middle aged man felt as if he was naked before this man, unable to conceal anything.

The middle aged man was the town chief of Briele. His luxurious clothes and well built body were evidence of Briele's prosperity.

Briele was a place that experienced a huge exchange of money and goods. So much so, that it was actually superior to many cities in economic prosperity. Still it was called a town, not a city.

This was because the various human settlements were not classified as towns and cities based on their size or population.

The human settlements were connected to each other via a meshwork of roads. The settlements present at junction of roads were considered "cities", while those present along the roads or at end points were considered "towns".

Cities due to their location were generally more prosperous than towns and outliers like Briele were rare.

The roads, although not ideal in build quality, helped communication, transportation and trade between the various towns and cities. In an era when resources were limiting human growth, development of roads was a celebrated achievement.

Roads were important for army to quickly mobilize reinforcements to wherever and whenever needed.

Since Briele was located at the edge of God's valley, it was only connected to the nearest city, the city of Akara, by road. Akara on the other hand was a major transport hub. Five major roads connected it to other large cities, various smaller settlements being on the way.

So even though Briele was a considered a town, the income generated by the ruling power could make a major power envious.

“It hasn't been long since I arrived in the town. It looks like the town chief has a firm grasp on all the activities happening in town.”

Hearing the army officer's words, the town chief didn't know how to respond to him. But one could not blame him. He was truly nervous facing Commander Leo.

He had heard several stories about this man. He was one of the seven highest officers of the Resurgent Army who acted directly under the Supreme General's orders. His strength was said to be just one step away from the highest level humans could attain in the current era. He was an expert in study of terran ruins, and was said to possess some weird but extremely useful terran antiques.

But he was a person full of eccentricities. He seemed to be able to hold simple conversations with beasts. He had a passion to dabble in music and dance. A man like him definitely had many true, half true as well as false rumors surrounding him.

What all rumors had in common was that no one questioned his strength. He was said to be a battle maniac. He hadn't left the frontlines for several years. Him appearing here was truly out of expectation.

This was also the reason the town chief was nervous facing him. Still, he pulled himself together as he needed to fulfill his duties.

“Your presence in our little town is a pleasant surprise. It would be my Cold Pine Clan's greatest honor to receive your esteemed self as our guest.”

It looked like a simple invitation with a hint of bootlicking, but it was actually a hidden probe. If the commander was visiting on official business, he was unlikely to accept his invitation. If he was here on private business, he shouldn't have any reason to turn down their hospitality.

Commander Leo didn't leave him guessing.

“I'm sure Chief Lyde's Cold Pine Clan would be very hospitable. However, this is an official visit. Maybe there will be a chance in future. This time though, I will be personally conducting the biennial inspection.”

Hearing his words, the chief finally understood the purpose of this visit. However, it also confused him even more.

'Why would the Commander be bothered with something like a mere inspection? Maybe it's a cover for some other purpose.'

Although he was curious, Town Chief Lyde knew he should keep his doubts to himself for the time being.

It was at this moment that the man in front of him took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to him. Confused, he looked at the handwritten letter.

He was instantly able to recognize the writing. He developed moisture at the corner of his eyes.

“Your eldest is in good health and has performed well over the last 2 years.”

Commander Leo didn't say a lot, but the town chief realised that his son must be part of the division under him. And for the commander to carry his letter, he must be a trusted subordinate.

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The Cold Pine Clan, which had dominion over the town of Briele, was a force fully affiliated with the Resurgent Army. For a power to be fully affiliated with the army, they needed to fulfill some criteria. This included a major portion of revenue, soldiers, supplies.

Someone who could represent the power in a state of emergency needed to join the army as well. However, many believed it as the Resurgent Army taking hostage to ensure compliance.

Although the army took a lot of manpower and resources from them, many powers accepted this deal. It was so because affiliating with the army, which was the biggest fish around would prevent them from being devoured by another big fish.

His son however, didn't join the army only due to such reasons. Rather, his eldest son had always admired the Resurgent Army, and joined it on his own as soon he finished his studies. He was someone who truly believed in the army's cause.

Thinking about his son who he hadn't seen for 2 years, he was filled with worry but also took immense pride in him. His performance had won the army's favor towards their clan.

Lyde saluted the commander once again. “I won't trouble the commander anymore. Some guards will be stationed at the inn. Please use them to your discretion. I look forward to be of service in the following days.”

He went on his way after receiving a grunt of acknowledgement. Meanwhile, the dishes and drinks were ready to be served.

“The dishes are piping hot. Enjoy your meal officer!” said Kate.

She backed away after saying so. Seeing the town chief act subservient, she could guess that her guest must be a high ranking official of the Resurgent Army.

Leo enjoyed his food and alcohol in peace. He finished his meal and went to his room. He sat in his room with his legs crossed and his eyes closed. He digested the benefits he received from drinking the fruit wine.

'This fruit wine is incredible. I thought it would not affect me much, but it actually has better effects for me than someone who cannot properly absorb it. I'll develop resistance very quickly though.'

'I have looked down on God's Valley. How can the last remnant of the heaven era not be extraordinary.'

'Should I travel deeper in the God's Valley and harvest some fruits of better quality?'

After digesting the wine, Leo lay down on his bed with his hands behind his head. He had been in a grumpy mood for some time because the Supreme general had forced him to leave the frontlines and do "desk-work" in a remote area.

He had absolute respect for Supreme General, who had transformed the Resurgent Army from a slightly bigger force to their current overlord status. Thus he followed the orders he had received.

He stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. It was something he did pretty much every night. There were things he hadn't shared with anyone, including the general. They would often keep him awake at night.

His abnormal strength was not just due to his hardwork or talent. He had been talented alright, but not some never seen before prodigy. All that changed when he received a weird ability. Maybe it was better to call it a gift.

The gift gave him strange intuitive feelings. He first experienced it in the heat of battle. Back then, he had forced his subordinates to leave him and fought a battle against countless mutant beasts alone. His goal was to buy them time to rescue civilians and retreat with his life as the price.

In that crazed battle, Leo suddenly felt as if he had encountered such situations countless times. He instinctively understood which steps will maximise his survival time. He made proper use of terrain, rationed his stamina and kept engaging the mutant beasts. After several hours, the army sent reinforcements fearing the worst.

What they saw was something they would never forget. Drenched in blood, the figure gasping for breath was still standing and struggling for survival. One could see countless mutant beast bodies lying everywhere. Although gravely injured, he was rescued.

Later he also felt such intuition when absorbing world essence and studying fighting techniques. It caused his strength to grow at a rapid rate.

One time, the intuition kicked in vaguely when he was listening to a random musician. At that time, he realized that arts like dance and music must also have some hidden possibilities to help him grow stronger.

The intuitive feeling was also especially helpful in exploring terran ruins. He was able to find, collect and use terran antiques thanks to the gift.

Right now, he was at a stage where the intuition was no longer able to help him grow stronger. He was constantly seeking the path for him to advance his strength. It was a path he had to perceive on his own, other couldn't show him the way.

Leo also had a feeling that the gift he had was much more than a vague intuitive feeling, he just didn't know how to utilize it. Since he couldn't understand what exactly his gift was nor its purpose, staying on the frontlines fighting mutant beasts became like the purpose of existence to him for the past few years.

Now that he was away from the frontlines he thought he would feel much worse than he actually did. Right now, he felt a weird serenity. This sense of serenity was not resignation, rather it was determination and confidence.

Confidence that he would surely overcome any current and future obstacles.

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