Defeat was like a collapsing mountain, commanders even led the way in fleeing, so what the hell were the brothers still holding on for?

In the command channel, two confidential secretaries also simultaneously reported the battlefield casualties. Feng Yi's eyes turned red too. Anyway, fighting was the right choice, hitting them hard! At this moment, the Flame Legion was unstoppable, their military might surged like a broken bamboo, and under Feng Yi's total command, in just a few more hours, they had eradicated nearly ninety percent of the Empire's forces. The remnants either were defeated soldiers or had lost their will to fight, running away or surrendering. When dawn`s early light shattered the final shade of darkness, the battle finally ended…

Our losses were extremely heavy; the weary soldiers were also exhausted, worn out, and tired, but not one rested. Everyone was exhausting every possibility to clean up the battlefield, with even Feng Yi collecting various reports of battle damage.

During this battle, every soldier performed exceptionally well. As a private, Apophis undoubtedly killed the most enemies and received everyone's admiration.

In the Flame Legion, it was not relationships that counted, but real skills. As long as you had unique skills that others didn't, and stood out, everyone would truly respect and honor you. Apophis's promotion out of turn was naturally beyond reproach.

The most important thing now was to collect the wounded, to search through these ten thousand and more people for soldiers who still had signs of life and give them emergency treatment. They would not give up until the last moment.

That day's battlefield effort lasted until the afternoon. In the end, 8,900 men died, including more than 300 non-combat personnel, and nearly 3,000 soldiers were saved. Most of these men were stunned by concussions, had serious internal injuries, and were in states of semi-death or near death, almost all pulled back from the brink of death.

Those soldiers who toiled until the afternoon could fall asleep while walking. After rescuing the last wounded man, they didn't even have time to grieve. When all the work was done, they just fell asleep, you have to know it wasn't as simple as not sleeping for a night and a day, but after a night of intense combat, their physical exhaustion was nearly unbearable.

The next day, Feng Yi did not even assign the soldiers the task of setting up the stage for Athena's impending arrival. The soldiers needed to rest, and they couldn't delay everyone because of one person or a few people.

Hugo did not die, but it might have been better for him if he had. Although he was alive, he lost his legs, more precisely, a Light Sword had severed his legs just high enough to spare his life. This, no doubt, ended his career as a super soldier.

Despite the timely rescue, due to excessive blood loss and a high-altitude fall among many other issues, he still had not completely escaped danger and was in the intensive care unit, where all the Sky Shadow's super soldiers had already gathered.

Everyone felt very heavy-hearted; to be honest, they were comrades who trained together on normal days. Seeing Hugo like this naturally made them feel upset, especially Dovir. When he hit a setback or had something troubling him, it was always Brother Hugo's psychological counseling, but now... even the Capital Military Department sent special envoys to express their condolences…

Feng Yi did not disturb the few people present, nor did he care about the congratulatory telegrams sent from the Military Department and some other messed-up stuff. He still had his own work to do, starting with the matter of the popular idols and the Sweet Group—just send out a warship to set up a stage.

On the third day, which was the scheduled time, Freedom Dancer successfully arrived at Mardis. Inside the delegation ship, welcoming Athena and her group were some civilian officers. The few demure girls seemed even more humble than usual, occasionally glancing around as they walked, noting that half the soldiers they passed were wounded.

But it must be said that this peculiar legion was originally a rebellious faction, formed together with folks of space pirate origins, and they really didn't pay much attention to celebrities like Athena. If they did pay attention, it was only to the extent of awareness; one couldn't say there were no die-hard fans among them, but their numbers were pitifully low. So, their journey thus far had not caused any stir.

On the contrary, the girl group had long heard of the Blazing Legion led by this federal hero. It was said that Alpha had been captured by this very legion. As they gazed upon the displayed mobile warriors and war-weary warships, recollecting the close-up shots seen on-screen, every flower and blade of grass seemed both familiar and alien... And then, thinking of the dashing figure of the Special Envoy on the screen, the girls had already started whispering among themselves... Even Athena was looking around as if she wanted to find Feng Yi, her "brother," a bit faster.

Unfortunately, Feng Yi wasn't among the crowd, nor was he the type to chase after stars. In fact, not every idol was a delicate beauty or a bookish scholar. A super soldier had already become a public idol, including iron-blooded soldiers. Especially in these times of raging war, it's hard to imagine how terrifying the influence of a hero could be in a nation. Especially a young general like Feng Yi, who not only had the looks and talent but was also firmly resolute and acted decisively. Furthermore, he was rumored to be the most likely candidate for the Revenge Shadow Rider.

But to the girls' disappointment, their wish to meet Feng Yi fell through. Only Athena knew that brother Feng Yi simply had no interest in stars or the like.

Since he wouldn't come, they decided to take the initiative. Even though the legion's strategists repeatedly suggested that they stay on the conference warship for safety reasons, given their special status as public idols and the fact that this place wasn't completely safe, it was hard to turn down their insistent requests. The higher-ups had no authority to restrict their freedom of movement. Moreover, Athena and the others were originally sent by the Capital Military Department. So, there they were, seeing Feng Yi in all his dignity from a distance...

When they finally saw Feng Yi, the girls could hardly believe their eyes. Even though they were only looking from afar, you couldn't begin to imagine the excitement of seeing this legendary Special Envoy in person. They didn't even dare to intrude rashly.

Compared to the hero who crisscrossed battlefields, Feng Yi at this moment seemed more like the boy-next-door, exuding a composed and unflappable manner in conversation as if he were an old friend recounting his own stories to the surrounding soldiers...

Around him were hundreds of soldiers—some were listening intently while cleaning their firearms, some were leaning against their mechas, puffing away smokes, and still others were sitting cross-legged, drinking heartily without any concern for image... But this was what soldiers straight from the battlefield looked like, and it was the treatment they deserved. Discipline seemed inconsequential at the moment, but undoubtedly, everyone was carefully listening and trying to comprehend Feng Yi's voice, "Even though we suffered heavy casualties, even though we lost many brothers, we won the battle. Even in defeat, there's no need for fear. What we should fear is not daring to face failure."

"But, Commander, but, my brothers, they, they just... went like that! I, I..." Powder Keg got more aggrieved the more he talked, and it seemed that in front of Feng Yi, the commander, they could show their vulnerable side. Who would have thought that a man of steel would break down crying?

John, too, had his eyes reddening. Many of those were his old comrades who had fought alongside him to the death...

"Cry for what? Real men don't shed tears without reason. Look at the state you're in. Winning and losing are common in military affairs. Besides, you won the battle. In your eyes, should those defeated Saudi soldiers go kill themselves?" Feng Yi looked both frustrated and helpless, speaking earnestly, "You are to build Mardis, the first batch of meritorious servicemen. You should feel happy about driving the enemy out."

"But, Commander..."

"There aren't so many 'buts' in the army. Anyone can have things they can't bear to part with—look, this weapon was left to me by my comrade-in-arms. I've carried it with me ever since." Feng Yi said as he suddenly held the IS-7 in hand and proceeded to tell the story of this weapon, back when he was a lieutenant...

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