American Isekai - Chapter 181 (Patreon)

April 30th, 624

I sat on my bundle of blankets and sheets, leaning against the wall with an Orb in front of me. 

Sitting in the cradle, the Orb projected the image of my advancement formation into the air. I started at it for a bit longer before shutting it down and closing my eyes. 

My hand lifted before I drew it across the air, opening my eyes back up to see lines, runes, and circuits manifesting before me. 

It formed a complete circular formation. Then, from the edges of that formation came hundreds of lines that stretched out like tendrils reaching for their polar connections. 

My other hand waved, forming the second formation and connecting it with the first. Then the third formation came, bonding between the other two. 

Before long, a cluster was formed, interconnected in a thousand different ways. 

After that, I formed the second cluster, taking a couple minutes to do so. 

The third cluster came right after. Then, when all three clusters were shining with the power of Psyka, I brought them together, tens of thousands of connections reaching out to meld with their counterparts in the other clusters. 

It all amalgamated to form a single, 3 dimensional structure of overlapping circles, runes, and geometric formations. 

Then, when I ran my power through it, I could feel my mind whirl. I felt no pain, discomfort, or even the slightest hint that something was wrong. 

It was perfect, and when I plugged in my advancement crystal, I could feel power stream through my mind. 

My mind was empowered, the complex formation working to change the way my Psyka worked, making it denser, faster…

More than that, I felt some changes. 

I closed my eyes again, my vision shifting until I could ‘see’ the inner space of my mind. 

I could see my Spark, as well as the sea of stars all throughout the surrounding dark aether. In the middle, around the Spark, was a sea of my power, my Psyka. 

When I used the advancement formation, the changes I could see happened amongst the stars scattered all around. 

I could feel connections get drawn between a few of them, bridges that allowed me to access one memory by using another. It didn’t make them the same memory, but it did allow me to easily jump between them perfectly. More than that, they reinforced each other, making their contents more perfect, infallible. 

Memories I would never forget. 

I felt excited. This advancement, at least until I formed the next Spark, would make my memories perfect, my mind eidetic. 

I got exceptionally excited for that. 

Unfortunately, now wasn’t the time for advancement work. I had finally become capable of completing the advancement formation, and now I could begin cultivating power for the actual advancement. 

It was morning right now, though, and I had obligations. 

Getting dressed, throwing on my gas mask, and hoisting the air tanks, I left my room and ventured out into the base. 

I wasn’t fucking around with that red gas, and as I had guessed, it was wreaking havoc on those who were exposed. 

Symptoms has started manifesting, and whatever this disease was, it was similar to the infections that the wounded recieved. This biological agent caused blistering, vomiting, weakness, and a whole host of other miserable symptoms. 

However, the most seriously affected were the ordinary people in the base, which was a small portion, as well as warlocks and summoners. Knights were generally able to fight this disease with their strong vitality. 

It didn’t affect everyone exposed either. The base was filled with newly sprouted medical tents to care for the thousands of people who had started suffering, but there were still plenty of soldiers to fight the war. That wasn’t to mention the fact that we continued to receive trickling reinforcements. 

Quarantine areas were set up within the outer walls and kept away from high traffic areas. My knowledge was being passed around heavily, and some people would occasionally call me up to get some help or advice, mainly the healers in charge. They had it the worst, and I didn’t mind helping them out. I made a lot of valuable friends that way. 

However, my attention was ordered to be solely on hunting down Bombardos. 

The best way to fight chemical and biological attacks was to prevent them from happening at all, and that’s what I was in charge of making sure of. 

Well, I wasn’t in charge. Major General Quill was, and Polly and Jasmine were still senior to me. I wasn’t disregarded though and was allowed much more leeway in the missions I drew up. Every recon mission I proposed was accepted and carried out as soon as our troops were able, and whenever there were confirmations of Bombardos, strike missions were quickly given out. 

However, I still maintained a certain degree of caution. 

“Another confirmation. 5 Bombardos, sector 7. Nice predictions…”

Major General Quill commented, leaning back in his seat. He was no longer so elusive to me, deciding to interact with me directly instead of letting Polly me the mediator. She was still there, of course, but I was no longer so hidden in the background. 

I was definitely stealing some of her thunder, but this wasn’t about me becoming popular. I was trying to keep this base from getting bombed to hell so that I wouldn’t go down with it. Thankfully she understood that and decided to simply do the work with me. 

I nodded. 

“A good target.”

“Let’s draw up another mission then. You said the Snow Doves were ready to deploy? We can send them and the 6th warlock company.”

“...Hang on.”

I paused his hasty writing, checking out the map. 

“Something wrong?”

“...It seems too easy.”

“What does? Finding them?”

“...I’m not sure exactly, but if anything left an impression, it was the fact that the Scourge used the Bombardos a few days ago to bait in the Marshal. This terrain.”

I pointed at the area around the confirmed sightings. 

“Technical, isolated, with no easy retreat routes. Too convenient for them.”

“...We can’t let a little difficulty get in the way of killing 5 Bombardos.”

“We also don’t want to lose another Brigadier. We don’t have to walk ourselves into a trap. Instead…”

My finger moved down dozens of miles, finding another area, a relatively flat path that led southward. 

“We’ve been getting a lot of reports about passive Scout activity in this area. I’m thinking they’re trying to hide something since they haven’t been attacking. They want to bait us in and draw our attention away.”

“Away from what?”

“Well that’s the million dollar question, isn’t it?”

I smiled a bit, thinking I was onto something. 

That southward path led into a mountain though. It went nowhere, so I couldn’t be sure what they were hiding over there. There was no way they could pass Bombardos through without getting spotted, but at the same time, I refused to believe it was nothing. 

I tapped the mountain. 

“This place. We should check it out.”

“That’s directly west from here. You think they could’ve moved their troops that far down without getting noticed? We’ve already scouted that northern area three times.”

“They’ve already done it once. I see no reason why they couldn’t do it again.”

“Hm, very well. We’ll get a knight platoon to do it.”

“Actually, I was thinking we could send a small team. 3 or 4 people, just to take a glimpse. We’ll have them circle around the mountain and check everything out, make sure the Scourge isn’t setting up some secret base or something.”

I rubbed my chin, Major General Quill shrugging. 

“Just make sure they don’t get killed. As for the 5 Bombardos, we won’t ignore them, but we’ll remain cautious for now and watch. If that is indeed a trap then they won’t be moving anywhere for a while. We’ll just keep an eye on them and let them sit on their asses. Our plans of action can change once they start moving again.”

“Wise decision, sir.”

“Damn right it is. Get your team formed tonight and send them out by morning.”

“Roger.”

I saluted as Quill got up to leave, leaving us to work. 

Once he was gone though, I went over and plopped down into a chair, sighing. 

Jasmine scooted over in her chair. 

“Alright there, Envoy?”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“What’s got you down?”

“Well… I’m close to advancing to Authority 6.”

“Oh, congratulations!”

She clapped a few times, making me smiled. 

“Thanks. I wanted to be in the Capital though for the advancement. That requires me to take some leave. Disregarding the unlikelihood of that request getting accepted, I don’t want to leave when I’ve been given a big job like this. I’m seeing no good ways to go about this advancement.”

“You can’t delay it?”

“I can, but I’m wondering for how long I’ll have to. I want to advance as soon as possible so I can start on the next formation.”

“Makes sense…”

She nodded, thinking for a bit before sighing as well.

“Sorry bud, I got nothing.”

“Thanks.”

“I mean nobody could’ve predicted that all this shit would happen. It’s just bad timing. They’re getting the Rail set up though. Once it’s finished you’ll have a better chance of getting that leave.”

“True…”

I shrugged. I had some time but I knew the cultivation period wouldn’t take that long. Depending on how much effort I put in, there was no reason why I couldn’t reach the cusp within a month. 

And this shit show going on currently definitely wouldn’t be over in a month. Still, I’d try my luck and see if I couldn’t get at least a week back at the capital. Even a day, just to do the advancement and get the next formation. I’m sure they’d understand that reason. 

Besides, after serving for a year, everyone was supposed to get some vacation. My first year was about to conclude, so if nothing else was enough, that would have to be. 

We sat around for a bit, mentally processing everything before starting another batch of work. 

When we about to begin filling out papers though, I suddenly got a ring on my Aerial. 

It was from one of the wall guard agents responsible for handling all the sentries. I had talked to him multiple times before so having him in my Aerial was good for quick communication. 

His words though made my eyes widen. I shot out of my chair, and after letting Polly and Jasmine know the situation, threw on my gas mask and sprinted out of headquarters. 

…

“He’s right here.”

“Chief Reginold!”

My legs carried me across the dozen meters between me and the Chief. 

One of our infiltrators was back!

He was far from his best condition though, and the harrowing detail was that the other two weren’t with him. 

He looked up at me, his Aura as dreadful as his sunken eyes and emaciated arms. He was almost unrecognizable. 

My excitement quickly extinguished. He looked at me, as if I weren’t even a person, before reaching out his shaky hand. 

He slipped off the ring on his finger and handed it to me. 

It was unbonded, so I could access it. Inside I saw dozens of pages of reports, all of them filled to the last square inch. 

There was also an Orb with pictures on it. 

They had brought the intelligence back. 

Chief Reginold mumbled. 

“I don’t know… if they’re dead…”

“...”

I remained silent. 

For a moment I had forgotten. Death was the preferable end. If they weren’t killed, then they were captured. 

I didn’t want to imagine it. 

I clenched the ring in my hand. This information had come at the cost of two Chiefs. Whether Chief Reginold would ever be combat ready again was up for debate as well. It looked like he had trekked the entire distance back from the eastern crossing, without enough food to sustain him for most of it. 

“Do you think it was worth it?”

I asked him, looking into his eyes. 

I had to know. 

He thought for some time before muttering. 

“Yes…”

“...”

I wasn’t sure how to respond to that. I didn’t think it made me feel any better.

“...You were right… I… I can’t speak…”

Reginold suddenly started gasping for breath, his Aura darkening, filling with fear. 

“It’s an invasion…”

“Get a healer! Reginold, stay with me. Focus here.”

I grabbed his arm, sending out a few orders to the guards around me. Some of them ran off. 

Before I could do anything more though, Reginold passed out. 

“Shit.”

I cursed and put my fingers against his throat. He still had a pulse, but it was weak and fast, his breathing shallow. 

Thankfully the medical tents were nearby. A healer arrived and started casting spells, stabilizing his condition. 

Polly and Jasmine arrived not long after, gathering around. Jasmine ran up to Reginold, and Polly stopped by my side. 

“...What the hell happened?”

“I don’t know…”

I looked down at the ring. 

“But it cost two Chiefs… I’m going to go through this report.”

“...Go ahead. I need to talk to Nonnen.”

“...”

Another thing I didn’t want to think about. I had killed two of his Chiefs, and one looked like he was on the brink of insanity. 

I needed to know what he saw. 

I needed to know why, despite everything, he thought it was worth it.

……

“Fuck, Polly. What the fuck happened?!”

“I don’t know. John is going through the reports.”

“How long ago did he arrive?
“About 15 hours.”

“Dammit. I just had to be gone…”

Nonnen stomped out of the room, Polly following as he made his way to the medical tent. 

He directly entered and found Reginold. 

No, he found his corpse.

His fist clenched, veins bulging from his forearms. 

“Reginold showed up at the wall, handed off the ring, and then passed out. He died 4 hours later, despite what the healers tried to do for him. Nothing worked…”

“...He should’ve died long ago.”

Nonnen concluded as he scanned Reginold’s body. 

“I don’t even know how he got back…”

“Yes, I don’t think I’ve ever seen something like this before. The healers said something similar. He got here on sheer willpower.”

“...What the fuck did he see…”

Nonnen muttered, turning. 

“Where’s John?”

“At headquarters. He’s been going through the report ever since he got it.”

“Take me there.”

“Nonnen-”

“Take. Me. There.”

Nonnen commanded, Polly’s mouth clicking shut before she started walking. 

The two walked to headquarters, entering and finding the office. 

John was inside, Jasmine sitting in a corner, asleep.

His face was buried in a pile of papers, in front of him sitting a neat stack. 

It was a full report, and his Aura was practically radiating Psyka.

Nonnen walked over, looking down at the completed report, seeing John’s bloodshot eyes. 

“Tell me what happened.”

“...”

John was silent, as if he wasn’t acknowledging Nonnen’s existence. However, Nonnen could feel his thoughts compile through his Aura. It was an open book, and the mental power behind it was incredible. 

His mouth opened. 

“Chief Reginold, Chief Vipul, and Chief Prasanna all proceeded from the eastern crossing to the north, travelling until they reached the first Scourge establishment. It was a farm nest, a small forest of Gut Roots and Pustules, all of them at least 50 times larger than anything previously seen on our side of the Pass. It was theorized that the Scourge is passing a form of nutrient paste through these Gut Roots and the fungus they spread across the land. 

“From that farm nest they continued to travel north until they picked up on large concentrations of Aura. They evaded hundreds of thousands of troops in the process, finding dozens of camps, bases, and nests. Some nests were for breeding, some for processing food, some for doing cannibalistic battle. One thing of note though was that not a single Royal was sighted. 

“Not until they reached the epicenter about a month into the mission.”

John grabbed an Orb, projecting an image. 

It showed a picture from the top of a mountain, and across the image that spanned a small mountain range, they saw a massive fleshy intestine sprawled between these mountains. It had to have been hundreds of meters in diameter to fill the image like it did. 

“They found two of these gargantuan intestines and followed them. Eventually, they converged on a single structure.”

He changed the image, revealing a mountain of not rock, but flesh. It was an unholy construction of bone and amalgamated muscle and organs. It was alive, and it was massive. 

“They called this the Epicenter. Five of the gargantuan intestines converged here, the other three spreading eastward, likely reaching to other epicenters northward of other human bases. This Epicenter contained thousands of Royals, the collective Aura so powerful that they couldn’t estimate how many high Authority Royals were there. They believed that the presence of a Sovereign level Royal was likely. 

“After encountering this Epicenter, they felt in danger so the three decided to make their way back. However, they were discovered only a week after leaving the Epicenter. It was during a battle with an Authority 10 Royal that Chief Vipul and Chief Prasanna sacrificed themselves in order to let Chief Reginold burrow and escape with the information they had collected. It was suspected that they had been spotted long beforehand, though they don’t know how.”

John changed the image once again, showing the eastern crossing. 

Except now, across the crossing was a growing gargantuan intestine. 

“On the way back, Chief Reginold got this picture. It was his last, and shows the gargantuan intestine making its way into our territory via the eastern crossing. He said that there were feeders growing off the intestine and dipping into the river below. It’s theorized that the intestine is the primary method of supply to the frontline armies of the Scourge, capable of feeding entire armies using the stuff produced by Gut Roots. I have a theory that the fungus growing across the land is actually laying the foundation for that intestine to grow, perhaps a sensory network to determine where the best growth path would be. Either way, its coming toward us, and along with it, millions of monsters. Chief Reginolds estimates between 2 and 6 million.”

John set the orb down, brushing his fingers over the small report he had formed. 

“This report is a summary of everything in the collected intelligence. In conclusion though, Chief Reginold believes that this is an invasion we can’t stop. It’s clear that the Scourge has infrastructure capable of supporting millions on foreign territory. And in my opinion…”

John turned his head, looking into Nonnen’s eyes. 

He could sense Anarchy. 

“If the Kingdom doesn’t mobilize far more than it has here, it’ll lose this base and the entire western front beyond the River of Desolation within a year.”