71: Chapter 53 Third Nest City

On the world of Vanad, the flames of war had already subsided in many places, and the vast majority of soldiers were being incorporated into Xia Xingchen's army.

However, one place remained an exception, filled with the roar of artillery, the sounds of slaughter, and the wails of dying civilians.

Hive City No. 3.

The Spire.

Division Commander Song Guanjun, commander of the Fifth Division, stood in the war room, looking grimly at the situation on the battlefield.

In front of Division Commander Song Guanjun was a floor plan of Hive City No. 3, with two areas highlighted in red ink.

Division Commander Song Guanjun looked at this front line, his face full of dissatisfaction.

They had been fighting continuously for seventy-two hours, but the entire front line was like a rock in a latrine—stubborn and unmoving.

"This is the boundary connecting the Lower Hive and the Middle Hive, and our army has been unable to advance. Can anyone tell me why?"

The regimental commanders all lowered their heads, not daring to speak.

"Why don't you dare speak? I'll say it for you! I've been to the front lines; I've fought side-by-side with the soldiers!"

Division Commander Song Guanjun paced back and forth in the room, seemingly venting his pent-up rage.

"Because the architecture in the Lower Hive is chaotic, the roads are narrow, and many places are dead ends and ruins.

Add to that our lack of a detailed map of the Lower Hive, and every time our troops advance, they must be extremely cautious, wary of rebels sniping from the shadows."

After Division Commander Song Guanjun finished speaking, he took a deep breath.

"Furthermore, the inability to deploy mechanized units on a large scale means our advance must be carried by the flesh and blood of our soldiers.

That is why, after three whole days, our damn front line has not advanced at all."

The Chief of Staff, the Political Commissar, and the various regimental commanders all nodded upon hearing this.

They all knew it, but the problem was that there were simply no good methods right now; the soldiers could only explore as if in the dark.

"But what I've said is no excuse for your failure to advance!"

Division Commander Song Guanjun slammed his fist onto the table.

"We are soldiers, we are an army, we are the sharp sword in the hands of the Archon!

There are only two kinds of news to bring to the Archon:

Victory, or defeat!

So, how do you think I should report these past few days of combat to the Archon?"

No one dared to answer Division Commander Song Guanjun's words.

"If it weren't for the fact that you commanders have all just come off the battlefield, I would have sent you to a military court long ago!

Alright, all of you, lift your heads up!

I didn't come here to see you looking dejected. Pull your chests back and act like soldiers!

Prepare to discuss our new operational plan."

Just as Division Commander Song Guanjun finished speaking, a messenger immediately reported from outside the door.

"Enter!"

"Reporting to the Division Commander, the Archon has arrived here leading the Star Guard!"

Division Commander Song Guanjun was stunned. The Archon had come in person?

Could he be here to personally punish us for our poor combat performance?

The regimental commanders below also looked at each other, their hearts suddenly filled with worry; they did not dare face the Archon.

"What are you afraid of, you bunch of cowards!"

Division Commander Song Guanjun cursed them again, frustrated by their lack of backbone.

"If the Archon blames us later, I will take the fall for you. Even if the Archon wants to punish you, I will be punished along with you."

Hearing this, the officers felt a pang in their hearts and looked at Division Commander Song Guanjun gratefully.

They hadn't expected that while their division commander usually had a foul mouth, he really stepped up when things got tough!

A moment after Division Commander Song Guanjun finished speaking, the door was pushed open.

Xia Xingchen walked in wearing power armor, followed by the Star Guard, all clad in uniform night-blue power armor.

That color was not the ceramite grey typically used by the Empire, but a deep night-blue that almost swallowed light, as if the darkness from the furthest reaches of the Ultima Segmentum, unlit by the Astronomican, had been solidified, or like the deepest azure of the ocean.

Upon seeing him, Division Commander Song Guanjun immediately approached Xia Xingchen, gave a standard Aquila Salute, and then took the initiative to shoulder the responsibility for the failed offensive.

"Archon, the failure of this offensive is entirely due to my command errors. Please give me more time, I guarantee that in one week..."

Division Commander Song Guanjun had just said one week when he thought about it and immediately retracted it.

"Within three days, you will definitely see our front line advance. Within one week, I guarantee we can eliminate the rebels in the Lower Hive."

Xia Xingchen did not respond directly but instead comforted him:

"I have already thoroughly understood your combat situation before coming here, so I am not here to punish you or express dissatisfaction."

As Xia Xingchen spoke, he walked over to the head seat and sat down.

"In a sense, having to resist an enemy ten times your number, combined with such complex terrain, the fact that you've ensured the safety of the Middle Hive makes me quite gratified."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. They had basically all done their best.

"So, I have come here to personally help you resolve this opponent."

Division Commander Song Guanjun was stunned. He had long heard that their Archon liked to lead from the front and charge into battle, but he hadn't expected the rumors to be true.

"Archon, please reconsider! You are the soul and core of the entire army; how can you go to the most dangerous part of the battlefield?"

Xia Xingchen interrupted Division Commander Song Guanjun before he could finish.

"I want you to understand one thing, soldiers. I am not a coward who hides behind you.

If my leading from the front can save the lives of thousands of soldiers, then I will charge forward without hesitation.

It is just that in many cases, my presence in the rear to command is more important than me charging onto the battlefield."

When Xia Xingchen finished saying this, his stature in the hearts of the officers rose several levels higher.

At this moment, they truly felt that the person they followed was an existence to whom they could entrust their lives and ideals.

Xia Xingchen then inquired about Division Commander Song Guanjun's operational strategy.

"Commander Song, I heard you have a new operational strategy ready. Please report it to me."

Division Commander Song Guanjun snapped out of it and hurriedly went to the tactical map, where he had detailed a prominent building.

"Here."

"Reason?"

Division Commander Song Guanjun immediately invited the Archon and the regimental commanders to look closer.

"Archon, this Abandoned Industrial Tower is the tallest building in the Lower Hive, providing a view of nearly two-thirds of the Lower District.

We have detected a large number of radio transmissions here, but the scouts we sent out basically never returned.

Therefore, it is highly likely that this is the location of the enemy's command post."

Division Commander Song Guanjun then presented the original plan.

"Ground troops have been launching strong attacks in this direction, but the rebels here are exceptionally resilient, using the ruins to constantly wear down our military strength."

"Why not try an artillery bombardment?"

Xia Xingchen suggested using long-range artillery to blow the place up directly.

"That is the difficulty we were about to mention. This building is protected by a Void Shield.

As a result, we cannot strike it from a distance and can only advance on the ground."

Looking at it this way, it was practically a perfect combat command center.

"In that case, leave this place to me."

Xia Xingchen stood up and then issued an order to everyone.

"When I seize the Abandoned Industrial Tower, that will be the signal for a general offensive."

After Xia Xingchen finished speaking, all the officers immediately replied in unison:

"Yes!"