Chapter 40

Chapter 39

The Corpse That Defies the Natural Order - 2

The Appels Revival Army, which uses the grand name "Third Glory." Blocking their access to the academy is a necessary measure to ensure the safety of the nobles currently residing there, but it is also a matter of the empire's prestige.

Appels, a nation that had already perished over 300 years ago, has a history where the empire deliberately eliminated the revival army and any figures who could have been at the center of the revival movement. Yet, the Appels Revival Army has reappeared, transcending time?

'What a disgrace.'

The scale and capabilities of the revival army are not important. The mere existence of entities that oppose the empire's rule and yearn for a nation that perished long ago is enough to damage the empire's prestige. Other countries would mock us behind our backs, wondering how such traitors could appear.

Therefore, not a single member of the Third Glory can be allowed to escape. The condition for victory in this defense is to either kill or capture all of them. If even one escapes and the existence of the Third Glory—Appels Revival Army—spreads outside, especially to the Three Kingdoms, my communication device will glow a vivid purple.

That cannot happen, really, it cannot. The Crown Prince, who has already dealt with matters related to Ainter, has issued his instructions. If an incident that damages the empire's prestige occurs at my location, I will receive a direct call from the Crown Prince. The worst-case scenario would involve higher-ups, damn it.

'I might lose it.'

I pressed my brow slightly, trying to suppress the unpleasant feeling, and sighed.

If it were any other group, there would be no need to grit my teeth and maintain security while exterminating them, but the Appels Revival Army, if discovered, would mean certain torture. Whether it's the Third Glory or the third whatever, I'll send any captured members to the 1st Division's special course.

That's why I called the 1st Division Chief to discuss tomorrow's plans.

"Chief, you really didn't call me in the middle of the night, did you?"

I showed some consideration by waiting a bit, in case the 4th Division Chief was in contact, but the 1st Division Chief in front of me didn't appreciate this. Ignoring the 1st Division Chief's pouting lips, I unfolded a map of the academy and the surrounding area.

"Let's plan a route for once."

"Wow..."

Despite his reluctance, he approached. I glanced at him and then turned my attention back to the map.

The Third Glory will appear near the academy around 5 PM tomorrow. This information comes from the intelligence department, so it should be accurate. Therefore, we need to intercept them before they reach the academy, and we must decide in advance where to intercept them.

"Still, if they have any sense, they'll come secretly, right?"

"That's true, but they're appearing at 5 PM, when it's not even dark yet, so we can't be complacent."

Who in their right mind would launch a surprise attack in broad daylight? If they're targeting a time when there are many people, it makes sense, but if they're discovered before the attack, it's meaningless, isn't it?

Trying to understand their motives might be a loss. The determination and obsession to revive a nation from 300 years ago is a culmination of madness that ordinary people can't comprehend.

Besides, in the original story, they appeared to create a crisis for the main characters, so they probably aren't deliberately launching an attack. Their first appearance is more like a tutorial. They'll likely be a mess, while the other four groups, with their history and traditions, can't be underestimated.

"I would come from this direction."

"Right? There's no other place, is there?"

Since becoming the Chief of the Inspection Department, I haven't had much experience with defensive battles. I often encountered them in the north, but that was under the command of a superior officer. So, I'm unsure which direction to focus on while waiting for the Third Glory, but if we think like attackers, the answer becomes clear.

If I were the Third Glory, I would probably come this way. We just need to block that route. You know where to hit when you've been hit before, not because you want to know.

Thus, the 1st Division Chief and I pinpointed a small forest to the northwest of the academy. They'll likely come this way.

"We can meet up with the Mokgwang Unit here."

It would be perfect to meet up and leisurely watch the procession of corpses.

Around noon on the second day of the exhibition, I left the booth and called the 4th Division Chief.

"Let's meet here."

After some conversation, I showed the 4th Division Chief the interception point I had agreed on with the 1st Division Chief, pushing the map towards the communication device. Seeing him nod without hesitation, I knew he would find his way without any trouble.

- Understood. I'll come quickly.

"You just need to be here by 4 PM. I'll also be there at that time."

- Yes, Chief.

"Right. It's been a while, so I'm looking forward to seeing you."

- It's an honor.

With a smile, I ended the call, and the 4th Division Chief bowed. It felt a bit too personal to say such things to a former subordinate joining for business.

But isn't there always someone you want to take care of a little more? For me, that person is the 4th Division Chief, so I tend to add unimportant words. When the Mokgwang Unit was still in the 4th Division, the 2nd Division Chief even complained that I favored the 4th Division Chief too much.

Of course, I ignored the 2nd Division Chief. If it had been the Deputy Chief or the 5th Division Chief, it might have been different, but the 2nd Division Chief shouldn't say such things to me.

'Time is still on my side.'

The distance from the academy to the meeting point is a bit far, but it's manageable by 4 PM. I'll stay at the booth for now and then leave with the 1st Division Chief at the right time.

***

After ending the call with the Chief, I gently stroked the communication device. Conversations with the Chief are always glorious and nerve-wracking.

- Right. It's been a while, so I'm looking forward to seeing you.

Recalling the Chief's last words, my lips curled slightly. Indeed, he hasn't forgotten me. He always shows concern and watches over me.

"Commander."

Hearing the commander's voice from behind, I lowered my lips and turned around. He had kept his distance to avoid interrupting my call with the Chief. If the Mokgwang Unit, who has received the Chief's favor, were to join the 4th Division, they should do this.

"What did the Chief say?"

"He said we'll join him. We'll head to the A-1 forest by 4 PM."

"Yes, Commander."

The commander saluted and headed towards the other members. A-1 forest, a temporary name given to the forest closest to the academy. Since all temporary names were shared before moving, they should understand.

The members began to gather in front of me with more enthusiasm than before. Not seeing the Chief for a long time is the same for everyone.

We are going to see the hero of the 4th Division, who revived the fallen 4th Division and saved us from our wretched lives. Who would dare to lag behind? Any disloyal person would be dealt with by the members before they could reach me.

"The foolish corpses that defy the natural order are heading towards the Chief."

The members' gazes converged.

"They dare to mock the empire, deny the mandate of heaven, and show their dirty fangs to the Chief."

The members' eyes burned with quiet anger. Officially, it's the anger of special agents towards traitors, and personally, it's the anger towards those who harm our benefactor.

"Is there anyone who will go to see the Chief empty-handed?"

No answer. They just silently denied with burning eyes.

"The Chief doesn't need to act personally. We will block their front and attack from behind. We will capture all of them and present them to the Chief."

Despite their convoluted movements, they are just a weak and scattered revival army. A ragtag group of rebels with no resources or manpower. Capturing them from behind is simple.

Recalling the special agent minister's instructions as the members quickly dispersed to dismantle the temporary camp, I thought:

"Third Glory, a grand name for a group with little substance. They can be easily eliminated, but there might be a backing or collaborators. Try to capture them alive as much as possible."

Before setting out to assist the Chief, I had a conversation with the special agent minister. A middle-aged man with countless scars on his face and unknown layers of stitches. The emperor's loyal dog, who keeps his scars to remind himself of his shortcomings, even though they could be erased by magic and divine power.

"And the Chief of the Inspection Department should not be involved. We need hostages who can provide information, not broken corpses."

I nodded unconsciously. It would be awkward if the Chief were to personally participate in a mission aimed at capturing them. Of course, even without the special agent minister's instructions, the Chief wouldn't have acted personally.

The revered Chief doesn't need to move for such wretches. Although we have left his side to join the special agency, the 4th Division still holds the same heart for him. We will follow him, the loyal servant of the empire, and dedicate ourselves to the empire.

"For the revered Chief."

A quiet vow, a silent promise. But as an imperial official, I couldn't say the words that would trouble him, so I quietly recalled them.

For the revered master.

***

Whether it's the Third Glory or the third whatever, it's a problem if even one escapes, but exterminating them is no big deal. The new rebel group, known to the intelligence chief only recently, can't be that strong. No matter how many of them come, they can't even scratch the Mokgwang Unit.

With me, the 1st Division Chief, and the Mokgwang Unit, we can overwhelm them. A competent commander determines victory before the battle, and perhaps I should have been in the military, not the incompetent Inspection Department.

"Chief, here you go."

"Right."

I took the dagger the 1st Division Chief handed me and checked the blade. It's inconvenient to carry conspicuous weapons in the academy, and short weapons are more practical for a battle in the forest, though this one seems a bit too short.

"Has it been a while since you've been on the front lines?"

"Only if there's a reason for me to be there."

I've been stationed at the academy and even cleared a dungeon solo, but participating in a battle like this is rare. I'm not a madman who itches for a fight, so there was no need to participate.

Still, it feels different to move my body after a long time. I should tell the 4th Division Chief to just maintain the perimeter to avoid getting too stiff.

Author's Note

I am honored to have been selected as one of the 50 works to advance to the main competition. Although the preliminary judging was done entirely within NovelPia, I believe the enthusiastic and overwhelming support from the readers influenced the internal judges to positively evaluate my work.

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Thank you for reading this chapter!