The [Devilmen] unit, an elite force of VEGAN, consisted entirely of above-average X-Rounder users, totaling sixteen members.
In VEGAN, they had been groomed as elites since childhood, consistently excelling in their training, which fostered their arrogant and domineering personalities. They looked down on everyone.
They acknowledged Jehart's MS piloting skills and his X-Rounder abilities, but Jehart was younger than them. Yet, he had been directly appointed by Lord Ezelkanta as the overall commander of the Earth invasion, which left them deeply resentful.
There was also Meidel Sant, an old man on the verge of death, a low-tier being who hadn't awakened the X-Potential Field. Even if he had seniority over them, they still disdained him.
"If you have any objections to Lord Ezelkanta's appointment, you can petition him to revoke my position as overall commander after the operation. But for now, with the battle imminent, as my subordinates, you must obey my orders. If any of you act recklessly and jeopardize the entire operation, leading to the failure of Lord Ezelkanta's objectives, none of you will be able to bear the responsibility," Jehart said sternly.
After the battle in the Reef Starfield, Jehart had grown—not in his MS piloting skills or X-Rounder abilities, but in his resolve as a commander.
As a commander, he bore the lives of the entire unit. This was a lesson he had learned from the soldiers who survived the Reef Starfield. He could no longer act on his whims or personal desires. Ensuring the success of the operation was his sole priority.
Thus, he had to assert the authority of the overall commander. He couldn't allow their excellence to let them act recklessly, nor could he permit them to disrupt his plans and cause more soldiers to die needlessly.
"What did you say?!"
"Don't think you're so great. You're just—"
Hearing this, the [Devilmen] unit was instantly enraged. They already disliked Jehart, and now he dared to flaunt his authority as commander in front of them. They wanted to teach him a harsh lesson.
But Jehart's next words forced them to swallow their anger, leaving it to smolder in their hearts.
"If you refuse to follow my orders, then don't participate in the battle. Daz, order the maintenance team to lock down their units. Bring a squad of guards and detain them."
"How dare you—"
"I am the commander. I will not allow anyone to act recklessly in my operation, nor will I let my subordinates die because of your reckless actions!" Jehart barked.
"You—"
"So… obey my orders, or be locked in a room. The choice is yours," Jehart threw the decision at them.
"…Tch. Don't think you'll stay smug for long. I'll be watching you!"
"I hope you're truly worthy of Lord Ezelkanta's favor, 'Commander~'."
Though they didn't explicitly concede, the [Devilmen] unit had chosen to back down. However…
"Commander Jehart, isn't this too rash? What if they—"
"I know. But we're about to enter the Earth Federal Army's surveillance range. There's no time to win them over. The [Devilmen] unit is a powerful force, and we can't waste them. If they truly don't know their place…" As he spoke, a sharp glint flashed in Jehart's eyes beneath his mask.
Jehart was well aware that these arrogant individuals wouldn't yield to a mere threat or two. Though they had agreed on the surface, they remained ticking time bombs on the battlefield. Taming a group of unruly geniuses wasn't something that could be done quickly, but time and circumstances didn't allow Jehart to take a slow and steady approach.
But this didn't mean Jehart had no means to control them.
"Daz, contact the maintenance team. Activate the remote control systems on their units."
"This! Understood." Daz Roden was startled but immediately complied. To be safe, he decided to oversee the operation personally and had people secretly monitor the [Devilmen] unit to prevent them from discovering this in advance.
It must be said that his thinking aligned perfectly with Jehart's. As Jehart's long-time subordinate, Daz Roden didn't need detailed instructions to know what to do.
"Commander Jehart, isn't this too…" Meidel Sant worried that if the [Devilmen] unit found out later, it would only make things worse. If not handled properly, the entire unit could fall apart.
"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing."
"If you're sure, then let's proceed."
Meidel Sant was somewhat concerned about the consequences of Jehart's actions. While he also wanted the young, disrespectful members of the [Devilmen] unit to be taught a lesson, he cared more about the stability of the entire unit and whether Lord Ezelkanta's plans could be achieved.
But since Jehart was confident, he didn't press further.
At that moment, the bridge door opened again, and three individuals wearing different uniforms from the [Devilmen] unit entered, saluting Jehart.
"[Devilmen] Personal Guard reporting for duty, Commander Jehart."
"Personal Guard? Are you also members of the [Devilmen] unit?" Hearing this, both Jehart and Meidel Sant frowned. They had been informed in advance about the arrival of the [Devilmen] unit, but the appearance of this personal guard was completely unexpected. The term "personal guard" was particularly sensitive, as it referred to a private force belonging to an individual, answerable only to that person and no one else.
"My apologies, Commander Jehart. The [Devilmen] Personal Guard was specially formed by Lord Ezelkanta for you. I am the Captain, Dohl Frost."
"Likewise, member Orfa Fadian."
"Likewise, member Deiter Lance."
"My personal guard?"
"Yes. The [Devilmen] Personal Guard was formed by Lord Ezelkanta specifically to protect you. Lord Ezelkanta has always been aware of your battles with the Federal Army's Reaper and the dangers you've faced. To ensure your safety from the Reaper, Lord Ezelkanta personally selected the three of us from the [Devilmen] unit to form your personal guard. From now on, we will only take orders from you," Dohl Frost explained.
"Lord Ezelkanta…" Though Jehart's goals now differed from Lord Ezelkanta's, he was still deeply moved. "Understood. You may leave for now."
"Yes." x3
After the three left, Meidel Sant felt a weight lifted from his heart. He said to Jehart, "It seems Lord Ezelkanta truly values you, Jehart. As the commander, you are the pillar of this entire unit. You must not act recklessly."
"Yes. Lord Ezelkanta's kindness will never be forgotten. For now… let's focus on the battle ahead."
"Yes."
Meidel Sant gave Jehart's back a meaningful look. He knew Jehart well. If the Celestial Beings appeared on the battlefield, Jehart would undoubtedly pilot the Zedra and charge into battle. He also understood that at this moment, Jehart's presence on the frontlines was more impactful than staying on the bridge to command remotely. Not only could he make more accurate judgments on the battlefield, but he was also a formidable force to be reckoned with.
"Ah, I'm old, but I still have to keep going," Meidel Sant thought to himself. "In that case, I'll help you hold the commander's position, Jehart. Don't let Lord Ezelkanta down."
…
After leaving the bridge, Orfa Fadian quietly asked Dohl Frost, "Captain, what do you think of Commander Jehart?"
"What do you two think?" Dohl Frost turned the question back to them.
"He's too young," Orfa Fadian shook his head.
"Agreed. Based on his records, his MS piloting skills and X-Rounder abilities are impressive, but as for commanding… with all due respect, Captain, even if Commander Jehart is a genius, commanding isn't something that can be mastered overnight. It requires extensive experience in actual combat to hone," Deiter Lance analyzed rationally.
"True. But since Lord Ezelkanta has arranged it this way, Commander Jehart must possess exceptional qualities. Besides, our mission is simply to ensure Commander Jehart's safety. The rest isn't our concern," Dohl Frost said.
"Understood."
"I see."
Though they shared the [Devilmen] unit's skepticism about Jehart's commanding abilities, the three members of the personal guard were far more composed. While they remained proud, they were also more mature and level-headed, understanding when and how to act.
…
The VEGAN fleet was about to enter the surveillance range of the Big Ring base. The Federal Army, following Flit's instructions, had already set up their defenses. In less than an hour, the battle would begin, and both sides were making their final preparations for war.
"This Big Ring base is the Earth Federal Army's gateway to defending Earth. If it falls, Earth will easily fall into their grasp. VEGAN, planning this attack, will undoubtedly mobilize a massive force. We've also done our best to gather our forces to hold this position. The battle will be unprecedentedly fierce, but I believe in your courage and the dignity of the Earth Federal Army. Good luck to you all!"
"Yes!" XN
…
"Glorious warriors of VEGAN! Now, let us liberate Earth from the shackles of the demonic ring and launch our full assault on the Earth Federal Army's headquarters—the Big Ring base!"
"Oh~!!"
On both sides, the pre-battle speeches had stirred the troops' morale to unprecedented heights. The Earth Federal Army wanted to protect their homeland, while VEGAN sought to defeat the Earthlings who had abandoned them and return to their own home.
Flit was right. The clash between the two armies would be unprecedentedly intense. Which side would achieve their
goal? And how many would forever rest in the silent graveyard of space for the sake of their respective causes?
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