64. Warriors of Reversal (4)
Wayne could picture it all in his mind after hearing Bastian out.
"So, you're saying we should take in the refugees from the Sailon Kingdom and make them our territory's citizens?"
"That's right, Young Lord. Five years ago, when the Empire forcibly occupied the Sailon Occupation Zone by force, many of the original Sailon Kingdom residents scattered into the Ratan Desert to escape the war. The problem is, the desert is even harsher than this barren land. They flocked to nearby oases, but the factions that already controlled those oases didn't welcome the refugees with open arms."
"So what happened to them?"
"Some are living like slaves in the oases, while others are still wandering the desert. Then there are those who've flooded into Kritol, the southern city of the Kallung Grand Territory, in such numbers that they've become a major headache for the territory."
"You're suggesting we bring them all here."
Bastian had seen and experienced the situation firsthand in the Ratan Desert, so he knew it better than anyone.
Wayne felt a spark of hope at the prospect of gaining new territory citizens, but what truly pleased him more was that one of his newly acquired subordinates had come up with such a solid idea after he'd been shouldering all the decisions alone until now.
That's why two heads are better than one, and why I need aides for running the territory!
Wayne realized anew that having talented people made building and managing a territory far easier. He had plenty of warriors for combat, but he was sorely lacking in brains for strategy.
In that sense, Bastian was like rain in a drought.
"But the war's over—why haven't they returned to the Sailon Occupation Zone?"
"The biggest reason is probably that Empire settlers have already taken over their homes and lands. And since the war only ended recently, the reign of terror is still rampant. Men are being dragged off to battlefields or forced into labor in the Great Forest, and women are often sold into slavery."
Wayne's expression turned bitter. Listening to this reminded him of how Nancy had lived as a slave in the Empire's southern frontier. If not for Count Boltain, she'd still be struggling there.
"Bastian, what do we need to bring these refugees here? If you've got ideas, speak up."
"What else but filling their bellies? If we provide food and shelter, plenty will follow. And once the first wave succeeds, word will spread, drawing in more refugees in a chain reaction. The issue is securing enough food to feed them right away—and we'll have to pass through the Kallung Grand Territory, Tenet Territory, and Lorenne Territory to get there."
Wayne pondered the map and surrounding terrain for a moment.
"I think I can solve one problem."
"...?"
"How to bring the refugees here. If we use the sea route instead of land, we can sneak them into the territory without anyone noticing."
"The sea?"
"There's a large strait between the northeast of the Ratan Desert and this barren land. If we can secure ships to cross it, transportation won't be an issue."
"Ah!"
"I'll figure out the ships somehow. You start planning the specifics for fetching them right after the Westline defense plan wraps up—budget and all."
"Understood. Leave it to me."
Fortunately, there was plenty of housing available in the city for the refugees. The real challenges were procuring food to sustain them and building an efficient territory system to manage and maintain them.
Nancy's voice rang out. The dwarves and orcs were unearthing Stormtroopers, but Curtis and his team were hunting for 2nd class Gigants, so Wayne shot to his feet.
"A 2nd class Gigant?"
"Yeah, the third one already."
"Impressive!"
Wayne dashed to where Nancy was.
Wayne's squad members were already gathered.
"Captain, this one's pristine too. Fix one arm, and it's ride-ready."
Sera Raudi couldn't tear her eyes off the 2nd class Gigant.
"Search the area well—there should be two more nearby."
"Oh! That makes five 2nd class Gigants total."
"The Gigants aren't the problem right now—finding pilots is. You all need to level up fast to ride them."
Expressions varied across the group. Even Curtis, who'd piloted a 2nd class before, eyed it greedily, as did Sera and Glen Jacob, who'd been standing out lately.
"Everyone, work hard! At this rate, Nancy Oliver will be the first to pilot a 2nd class Gigant."
"Me?"
Nancy, who'd been quiet, flushed red.
She'd exploded in growth over nine months piloting a 3rd class Gigant, excelling not just in Odd capacity but combat sense too.
"We're still a ways off, huh?"
Curtis probed slyly.
"With an Odd Hole in your heart, you can't pilot a 2nd class. Everyone needs to heal up and build Odd normally first."
Curtis and the squad looked a bit disappointed.
"Get comfortable with the Stormtroopers here first! Train to fight for at least twelve hours straight. After that, I'll find a way to heal you all."
"Yes sir! We'll train hard!"
"Thank you!"
A month and a half later, the Gigant excavation in the Lava Cave was complete. It had mobilized six 3rd class Gigants, four Steel Golems, 500 orcs, and 1,400 dwarves.
Gathering all the acquired Gigants in front of the palace left everyone slack-jawed. 175 3rd class Stormtroopers, five 2nd class Gigants, one 1.5 class Gigant, and the unclassifiable Martias. This was legion-level.
The 175 Stormtroopers alone matched half of Dresden Territory's 3rd class Gigants—on par with the weakest major territory, Grint Grand Territory, in military might.
"Everyone, great work over the past month and a half!"
"Captain, impressive!"
"Young Lord Wayne, impressive!"
"Wayne! Congratulations!"
"Ooh! Valhalla!"
"Kuooork!"
Humans, dwarves, and orcs freshly freed from grueling labor all roared in cheers.
But the real work was just beginning.
"Bastian and the Gigant pilots, starting today, you'll be assigned Stormtroopers. Begin adaptation training."
"Yes, Young Lord!"
"Yes! Thank you."
Bastian breathed a sigh of relief, and some pilots even teared up. They'd endured hell for the past month and a half. With time short, Wayne had accelerated their Odd even faster, making the pain twice as intense as what Curtis and the others had felt—they never wanted to go through it again.
Thanks to that, Wayne had pushed Odd acceleration to 24 times.
"Dwarf warriors, start anti-monster combat training today! To protect our ancestors' legacy, we must stop the monsters!"
"Protect the ancestors' legacy!"
"Protect our home!"
"Brock the Great Warrior will lead the training!"
Wayne had no authority yet to command the dwarves directly—he wasn't their king. But to them, he was the one carrying on their ancestors' legacy, so they had no choice but to cooperate. And this city, the Steel Golem factory, Valhalla Gate, Warriors' Corridor—all were ancestral legacies. If they lost here, they'd have to abandon it all and retreat deep into the Sierra Mountains.
In short, this was already their home. After months here, it was cleaner, more convenient, free of orc threats, and perfect for raising kids compared to the mountains. Plus, dwarves thrived in their roles—brewing, farming, toolmaking, building, Golem-crafting, warrior work, even Golem masters. Having purpose filled them with vigor.
"And starting today, Chief Yulih and twenty dwarves will begin trials in the Warriors' Corridor!"
"Ooh! Another Golem master is born!"
"Waaah! Valhalla!"
At least six would claim Steel Golems, and no more until new magic stones arrived. The ancient dwarf kingdom's steel reserves were running dry too—they'd need to buy more iron.
Everyone got to work, and Wayne summoned the dwarf trio.
"You three handle the orcs' stamina and combat training from today!"
"What? Wayne? You plan to turn orcs into warriors?"
"Idle hands breed mischief. Work them to death."
"Got it! We're pros at breaking them!"
"Smash the orcs!"
Over 500 orcs had gathered in the barren land.
"Run if you want! But this is barren wasteland, surrounded by human Gigants. So if you wanna die, run!"
"Kuok?"
Bardetu and the orcs sensed another test from Wayne. They knew getting caught meant electric shocks.
"Now! All orcs, follow my breathing! Do it, and you'll grow strong!"
Wayne taught them deep inhales and short exhales. The orcs had no choice—they hated beatings.
On the first day, Wayne personally infused Odd into all 500, unconsciously imparting Karian's first-stage Odd breathing technique.
"Kuok! Bardetu, I feel power surging today!"
"Oooork!"
Miraculously, following Wayne's breathing made their muscles twitch with overflowing strength.
"Train hard today, and you'll all get meat!"
"Kuoook!"
"Kuoork!"
The orcs cheered at "meat." Under the great chieftain, hard work meant meager rations, but Wayne demanded tough labor yet provided tasty, nutritious food reliably. Obey him, and meals came even in sleep.
"Good! Yond, Ajul, Barak! You're in charge now."
"Got it, Wayne!"
"Orcs, run!"
The orcs ran while breathing Odd, trained by the dwarf trio and Steel Golems. If combat cells awakened in their muscles, they'd reawaken as warriors.
Back in the surface village, Curtis asked Wayne.
"Dwarves make sense, but orcs too?"
"Of course. We mobilize every resource. That's how we survive the monster wave."
Wayne spread red Odd and summoned Eleven, key to this operation.
"Whoa, you're lion-sized now."
The approaching Eleven was a year-old wolf monster pup, but well-fed and grown to two meters long, lion bulk, with gray mane and fur turned red.
Charging with a monstrous air, Eleven suddenly halted, sniffing Wayne warily.
"Grrrng! Grrrng?"
He bared teeth, growling, circling to size Wayne up. Even after months underground without meeting, he'd never been this guarded.
"Grown a bit, have we?"
Wayne strode forward; Eleven tensed, crouching.
Wayne unleashed white Odd, accelerating to four times speed, lunged, and grabbed Eleven's scruff.
Crackle!
"Kekekekegrrr!"
Thud!
Eleven convulsed wildly and collapsed. Seconds later, he woke, tail tucked, crept forward belly-down, offered his head, and wagged furiously.
"Good boy! Back to sweet Eleven!"
"Grrng! Grrng!"
Petting him flipped him belly-up, tail thrashing.
Infused with red Odd since puphood, Eleven was smart. Sensing his strength versus others, Wayne figured occasional dominance reminders were needed.
Yan came running.
"Huff huff! Captain Wayne, you okay?"
"Why?"
"Looked like he was getting cocky."
"Just Great Forest instincts awakening. He'll behave for a while."
"Yeah, back to puppy mode."
Yan tilted his head.
Wayne checked Eleven's red Odd range.
3km? Not bad!
It had tripled in months. Clumsily, but mimicking Wayne, he extended it farther in one direction.
Enok Fortress
"Massive forces approaching from the east!"
Ding ding ding!
"Prepare for battle!"
"Mount your Gigants!"
Soldiers scrambled at the scout's report. Commander Count Shuen hurried to the fortress walls.
"Isn't that Young Lord Wayne's Predator up front?"
Peering through his spyglass, Shuen spotted the blue 2nd class Gigant leading.
"Friendly! Open the gates!"
Soon after, Predator entered first, followed by fourteen 5-meter 3rd class Gigants, ten Steel Golems, 1,000 dwarf warriors, and 500 orcs into Enok Fortress.
With the fortress's own Gigants, the parade ground was packed.
Hatches opened in unison on the entering Gigants. Pike Stein, former squad leader, and the Gigant pilots greeting them were stunned.
"Huh? Isn't that former Commander Bastian?"
"And who are they?"
Curtis, Sera, Glen, Mark, Baron Bastian, and his old squad—twelve pilots. They'd earned the greatest merits in the Sailon Occupation Zone but were forcibly discharged after severe injuries in the final battle.
To Enok's pilots, they were ghosts.
"Wayne, what in the world? How are they...?"
Wayne raised a hand; Stormtrooper hatches sealed, blue Odd Eyes flashing.
Whoosh! Whoosh whoosh!
Fourteen Stormtroopers ejected forearm blades, raised them skyward, clashing swords.
Clang! Clang clang clang!
Sweeping down and out, intense energy surged.
"Waaah! Valhalla!"
"Kuooork!"
Stormtrooper pilots roared first; dwarves and orcs echoed back. The pilots screamed out pent-up humiliation and rage.
Wayne smirked at Pike Stein.
"As you see, the warriors of reversal have reunited!"
Wayne's storm knight squad, dubbed the Storm Knight Order, made its debut. And Wayne headed into the Great Forest to trigger the monster wave.