136: The Legion has no secrets!

Extra chapter added for the reward given by An Zai QWQ on 9.30 (1/9).

Today, I also received a ‘Burst Update Flower’ reward from Big Shot Kristen-Wright and a ‘Great God Certification’ reward from Big Shot Hua Shi.

Outstanding debt: 19 - 1 + 3 = 21.

...Perhaps because such online meetings were frequently held, the auditorium-turned-conference room was one of the few well-maintained places in this Fortress.

Xi Hai stepped in, and the first thing that caught his eye was the massive golden dome, where the Double-headed Eagle statue still retained the golden paint scheme from the Second Empire era.

The conference room was two tiered, with some seats occupied by real people and others by holographic projectors, most of which displayed Field-grade Officers still wearing powered armor covered in signs of battle.

Seeing Xi Hai, dressed in the Imperial Navy Chief Administrator Uniform, walk in, the room instantly fell silent.

Most of the officers present still wore expressions of disbelief—although Julius had already announced to the entire Legion that they now had a Direct Superior,

hearing the broadcast and seeing it with their own eyes were different. The former might be suspected by some as a lie fabricated to boost morale, while the latter was highly likely to be the truth.

After all, there was no need to mobilize all officers above field grade in the entire Legion for a meeting based on a lie that couldn't withstand scrutiny. They would be better off spending that time finding ways to acquire more Warships to replenish their combat strength.

Watching the gazes from below focus on him, Xi Hai nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Many people looked exhausted but were forcing themselves to stay alert. None of them seemed like troublemakers—though, thinking about it, such a person probably wouldn't survive three episodes in such an isolated and desperate environment.

“Ahem, everyone,”

“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Xi Hai Chusiro, your future Imperial Navy Supreme Director.”

Xi Hai walked up to the central seat, adjusted the microphone, and spoke frankly,

“There are three main topics for today's meeting.”

“First, to announce my arrival;”

“Second, to understand your difficulties and discuss solutions;”

“And third, to discuss with you some ‘minor’ issues existing within the Legion, and how we should—rectify them.”

“The first point is complete,”

“Now, let's get down to business—I ask everyone, according to Military Rank, to state all the difficulties faced by your subordinates.”

“First, I ask the Commanders of the 19 Mobile Fleets and the Commanding Officers of the various Marine Corps units to report.”

...Stating difficulties—this was expressed vaguely.

Xi Hai hoped to observe the atmosphere within this army: whether it was superficially respectful but inwardly turbulent, or actually a relatively harmonious family.

Initially, the Military Commanding Officers were reserved, only politely stating that their logistics issues were “less than ideal.”

But later, a Colonel first reported that several young men under his command constantly disobeyed orders, were too proactive, and frequently criticized his policy as “Passive Defense”—

“What Passive Defense? Me building fortifications and setting traps—that’s experience earned over decades of war, bought with the lives of countless brothers-in-arms! We lack everything. If we don't fight defensively, we can't afford to risk our assets!”

“These lads read a few books and became fearless. Once, just to prove themselves, they gathered up and went out raiding—and their results were surprisingly good!”

“If I scold them, they genuinely meant to do good for us. If I don’t, well—they are just too reckless!”

“Now I have to watch and manage these few guys every day, and my mind is practically exhausted!”

Watching the Colonel, who was practically venting, everyone in the room was momentarily stunned—

Not because of anything else, but because they were shocked that this guy had blurted out the kind of things they usually only said when complaining to each other.

But then they saw the newly arrived Imperial Navy Supreme Director not only listen patiently but even respond with a smile—

“It’s a good thing for young people to be energetic,”

“I will not deny your defensive methods, but I also won’t hesitate to give these young people a stage to perform on—”

“Before, you lacked equipment, ammunition, supplies, Warships... everything, so you dared not act freely.”

“But starting today, logistics and equipment will no longer be your concern!”

“Because—I have arrived!”

This was equivalent to dropping a depth charge.

It was only then that these officers seemed to realize that the Supreme Director before them was not high and mighty like the other Imperial Navy officers they had previously encountered, nor did he look down upon them, the so-called “Country Bumpkins.”

Instead, he was willing to communicate with them, his subordinates, on equal footing—

In other words, what he said earlier about asking about their difficulties—was it true?

Immediately, the officers below relaxed. The original meeting instantly turned into a Complaint Session.

Officers who had previously finished their reports quickly were drawn in by the atmosphere and rejoined the discussion.

Xi Hai showed no impatience. He patiently answered and recorded what everyone said, occasionally offering his own opinions.

Soon, eight hours passed.

Looking at the officers below, who were mostly finished, Xi Hai could feel that the atmosphere here was completely different from when it started—

When he first walked in, the room felt to Xi Hai like a collision of two different auras: repulsion mixed with respect.

But now, he felt he had been accepted into their aura.

Perhaps it was magical, but sometimes, friendship between men was that simple. Just shooting the breeze for a few hours could lead to total sincerity and open conversation.

Xi Hai looked at the people below. After the previous conversation, he had completely confirmed a previous suspicion of his—

This army was unlike any Professional Warrior Army structured for class rule:

Their mode of interaction was like one big family; there were no strict hierarchies or harsh regulations. During decision-making, subordinates dared to question superiors and point out flaws. Everyone had their own ideas and dared to express them, yet they still obeyed superior orders during combat.

Their officers were not appointed by superiors but were genuinely supported by the rank-and-file Soldiers—their Military Positions, rather than being symbols of power, were more like a heavy responsibility, a promise that said, “We entrust our lives to you; please lead us to survive.”

They received no Military Pay or subsidies. Aside from the love of the people, they received nothing.

They were practically an army born solely for preservation, more Paladin-like than Paladins.

The formation of this underlying logic within the 9-89th Legion required incredibly strict conditions:

First, their foundation and spirit came from a great era and a group of great people who passed down the purest spirit, allowing every member of the Legion to develop their own faith since joining.

Second, the environment surrounded by powerful enemies ensured they constantly faced immense external pressure, leaving no fertile ground for internal strife.

Moreover, their numbers were small, their scope limited, and their recruits were all local, possessing a fierce determination to protect their homeland and a deep-seated hatred for the Xenos... countless coincidences woven together, resulting in a marvel that blossomed amidst these Desolate Lands, astonishing to anyone who saw it.

Pulling back his thoughts, Xi Hai looked down again. The room was completely silent, and everyone was watching him.

Their eyes now held more acceptance and trust than they had at the beginning.

Well then—in order not to betray that trust, he had to push forward.

Giving himself a mental boost, Xi Hai moved on to the next topic—

“Alright, I won't dwell on the rest. All the difficulties you have reported today will be resolved within this month!”

“At the same time, I must emphasize three bottom lines here!”

“First! You all have your own logistics now; no stealing equipment from Friendly Forces!”

“Second! Trust your superiors! Even if the Empire abandons you again, I—swear in the name of Chusiro! Chusiro will never abandon you! Not until the end of life, not until the bloodline ceases!”

“Third, listen to the opinions of the grassroots and integrate the various small groups! Although everyone is striving for the same goal, only through concerted cooperation can we utilize our maximum potential!”

“I know that within the big family of our Legion, there are many small cliques, and they all have their own little secrets, whether concerning tactics or resources,”

“But—remember this!”

“Starting today!!”

“The Legion—integrates everything!!!”

“The Legion—has no secrets!!!”

A loud chorus of responses immediately erupted from below—

“Yes!!!!”

...