In truth, according to Duanmu Huai's thinking, there was no need to send anyone underground at all. A single full macro-cannon volley from orbit would be enough to bury the Beastmen entirely.
Unfortunately… their main nest wasn't far from Jaxintu. If he fired a macro-cannon barrage, the Beastmen would be wiped out—but Jaxintu would also be finished.
In normal times, Duanmu Huai might have allowed Jaxintu to be sacrificed. Eliminating xenos was the priority.
But… this planet only had about twenty million people left…
One blast would practically reset the population to Adam and Eve.
After both sides reached an agreement, COG quickly mobilized. A huge army was assembled, prepared to head underground and face the enemy in a decisive battle.
"War is no stranger to humanity."
At this moment, the Joint Chairman stood atop the stage, delivering a highly emotional speech.
"From the moment we gained memory, we have been fighting. All we have ever known is war. In the past, we fought for resources, for nations, for freedom. But since Emergence Day, everything has changed. For fifteen years now, we have fought for humanity's survival against the Beastmen who seek our extinction. But this war cannot continue any longer. If we do not end it now, humanity will perish!"
He clenched his fists and raised both arms.
"We once hoped that photon bombs would destroy the Beastmen army, but they survived—and even grew stronger! They now possess the power to sink entire cities. Even Jaxintu, our fortress in these dark times, is in peril! Soon, we will have nowhere left to defend. That means we have only one choice—take the initiative!"
The Chairman gazed at the soldiers below.
"Soldiers, what I ask of you today is no simple task—but it must be done! If we want to survive, if we want to see the seasons turn, for our children and grandchildren to flourish, to live peaceful lives we've never experienced before, then we must declare war on the Beastmen! We must strike directly at their nest! We must annihilate them! Today, we will storm the enemy's main hive and fight them to the death! Soldiers, we do not fight alone. Our allies—the Inquisition—have joined us. They will descend into the depths with us to destroy the Beastmen hive once and for all!"
The soldiers below raised their arms and cheered loudly. Their cheering made the Chairman's voice grow even more impassioned.
"Today, we change humanity's fate! Today, we ensure humanity's continuation! Soldiers of the Vyan Government Alliance! My comrades in arms! Allies of the Inquisition! Let us charge forward together and bring back hope for mankind!!"
"Ohhhhhhhhh——!!!"
An earth-shaking roar erupted, and then the army began to advance.
"Incredible!"
Anne clenched her fists, nearly jumping in excitement.
"That speech was amazing!"
"Mm… he's got some skill."
Duanmu Huai nodded as well. It was all propaganda talk, but being able to ignite soldiers' spirits before a major battle meant the Chairman had something in him. At least, as a leader, he was competent.
But then he noticed Anne staring at him with sparkling eyes.
"…What?"
"Knight, aren't you going to say something? He just gave such an inspiring speech, aren't you going to say anything too?"
"…Sigh."
Seeing Anne's glowing eyes, Duanmu Huai sighed helplessly. Then he turned on the microphone, thought for a moment, and began speaking slowly.
"Remember our mission. We are the guardians who lurk in the night, the warriors who fight in the shadows. Mutants, xenos, traitors, and heretics—none escape the Inquisition's judgment! We fight to cleanse the corruption festering between the stars. Our lives exist to bring the purifying flame! Take up your cudgels and scepters, your armor and weapons—and advance!"
He swung his hand sharply.
"Purge the xenos! Destroy the heretics! Slaughter the demons! This is the duty of the Inquisition. Any threat to humanity shall be burned by our righteous fury! Now, we descend into the deep and bring wrath to our enemies! This is the Inquisition! This is the Astral Army! Crush abominations, sweep away heresy!"
"...…"
No one spoke. The Astral Soldiers simply tightened their grips on their weapons and slammed them heavily onto the ground.
"Good."
Seeing their reaction, Duanmu Huai nodded with satisfaction.
"Should the enemy cower, why should we fear?"
He stood up.
"Move out!"
As he finished his speech, Anne applauded excitedly beside him.
"That was amazing, Knight! I didn't know you could give a speech like that!"
"It's fine. Passable."
Duanmu Huai chuckled lightly. It was just something he copied from the Inquisition's doctrine. Honestly, he wasn't fond of such formalistic speeches. They worked for morale, but… for the Inquisition, silent and merciless killing and destruction were their real responsibilities.
Not charging out like hot-blooded teenagers to die gloriously.
While the Inquisition prepared to act, the Vyan Government Alliance's troops boarded massive assault vehicles and departed for their destination—they were headed for Landen City, where they would use drilling machines to enter the deep underground and attack the Beastmen's hive directly.
Marcus and his friend Dom were there as well.
"Hey, Dom, are you really okay with this?"
Marcus stood in the vehicle, glancing at his friend. Thanks to the Inquisition's help, Dom had found his wife Maria. Though weak, she had regained her mind. After their tearful reunion, Marcus expected Dom to stay with her. But to his surprise, as soon as the Deep Valley Storm order arrived, Dom immediately returned to the squad without hesitation.
Marcus was shocked. Dom had been searching for his wife for over a decade—and now that he found her…
"Of course, Marcus."
Dom laughed softly.
"I made her a promise, you know? Marcus, I promised her I would give her a peaceful world. This time, we'll raise another child together—one who won't have to live in war. Beastmen, or whatever else, won't appear again. I want our child to grow up in peace. So, I've made up my mind."
He tightened his grip on his weapon.
"I will fight for the future of our children!"
"...…"
Hearing that, Marcus patted his shoulder.
"It'll go well, Dom."
"Yeah, that's what I think too. By the way… when are those Inquisition guys showing up?"
Dom looked around.
"Command said they'll meet us in Landen City and open the path to the Beastmen hive."
"Inquisition has vehicles? I've never seen them use any… and how are they going to make a path to the hive?"
Thinking back on his time with the Inquisition, Dom recalled those steel giants even larger than Beastmen—truly unforgettable. But he'd never seen any vehicles. Honestly, he wondered what kind of machine they'd need to carry those enormous soldiers.
At that moment, a newly joined Carmine behind them raised his hand and pointed.
"Look over there! What is THAT?!"
"What??"
Marcus and Dom turned—and their eyes widened.
"What the hell is that thing?!"
Through the clouds, a massive, gold-coated flying vessel descended, as majestic as a cathedral. On its hull was clearly painted a skull-and-wings sigil.
Its appearance threw the entire assault squad into chaos. Before they could react, the airborne warship turned toward the mountainside where Landen City was located—
And a colossal green beam erupted from it, piercing straight through the mountain.
"BOOOOM!!!!"
A thunderous blast followed as the mountainside was blown open, leaving a gigantic black tunnel in its place.
The ground shook violently. Even the massive assault vehicles were rocked like toys.
"Command! What the hell is going on?! What is that thing?!"
Marcus steadied himself and yelled. Even Command sounded stunned. After a moment, they responded.
"We just… received a message from the Inquisition. The passage to the underground hive has been opened. Assault teams, advance!"
"Good!!"
Marcus grinned and cocked his gun.
"The Inquisition really knows how to make an entrance! Everyone, prepare to charge!!"
Neither the Beastmen nor the COG forces expected this turn of events.
Duanmu Huai hadn't destroyed the hive—he restrained the blast due to its proximity to Jaxintu—but he could blast open a path straight to it. For COG, this was a huge blessing: a wide battlefield where they could fight freely.
For the Beastmen, it was a catastrophe—they could no longer use their narrow tunnels to outmaneuver intruders. If they didn't come out and fight, the human army would storm directly into their hive!
For both sides, this would be the final battle!
(End of chapter)