Novel Full Chapter 397 Similar But Different (2)
After spending some time talking and idling with each other, Basil and Iliana head to the palace. The time for them to go to Padeitophys had come.
Thanks to the good relationship that they had established, there was a direct Teleportation Magic Circle that connected Braxtein with Padeitophys, or to be exact, Alphoetra village. The Magic Circle was located in the backyard of the palace.
The Magic Circle was the reason why they didn’t have to depart early, unlike the other Kingdoms that had already sent their troops two days ago.
“Ah, in the end, I didn’t meet the people we will command,” Iliana remarked.
“We are going to meet them anyway—it doesn’t matter,” Basil retorted.
The two were in a carriage, on their way to the palace. Like always, they talked about mundane things to fill their time because they wouldn’t have any time to talk about anything other than work soon.
“No, that can’t be, Basil. I have to, you know, test how tough they are.”
“You are only going to scare them if you beat them for no reason.”
“It is not like I am going to kill them,” Iliana defended herself. “It is no more than a greeting gesture.”
“…”
Since Basil could tell Iliana wasn’t messing around—she really believed what she said to be the case—he stopped giving his input. He changed the topic and listened to her until their carriage reached the palace.
Getting down from the carriage, they were immediately escorted to the backyard by the Royal Guards. Upon arriving there, they were greeted by the scene of 6,000 soldiers standing on the Teleportation Magic Circle on the ground.
“Braxtein’s Golden Apple, Master Basil Pacifer and Commander Iliana have arrived!”
The backyard that had been filled with chattering instantly turned silent at the guard’s announcement. Every eye turned to the couple and they took it as if it was an everyday event.
As the soldiers who rarely saw them gaped at their sheer presence, Anthony and the other person beside him looked at Basil with a smile. Only one of the two, however, gave Basil a pleasant smile—Anthony.
“I thought you wouldn’t come, Basil. The others have left first because of how long it took you to come here,” Anthony remarked in amusement.
“We couldn’t help it,” Basil said mockingly dramatic. “We are but a young couple who have too much burden on their shoulders. We, too, need time where we can forget about our burden.”
“Ha-Ha-Ha. As usual, you never really think about whom you are speaking to, huh?”
Basil erased his fabricated smile and then looked at the elderly, fit man beside Anthony. Said man had long white hair, a lanky but muscular build and a slightly feminine look due to his sharp jaw.
“It has been a while, Duke Archibald.”
“What? It has only been a week since we last met. Ha-Ha-Ha.”
Looking at the man, Basil could see some faint resemblance to someone whom he had been quite close with—the late Caesar. He knew, however, that the person before him was nowhere near as noble as Caesar had been.
Archibald Rancuser, the descendant of the Rancuser Family that had betrayed the Pacifer and The Lord at the most critical moment. He and his entire family were condemned by Caesar, one of the rightful heirs, who had been cast for his choice.
If not for the sake of destroying the said family, Basil wouldn’t have even bothered to interact with Archibald. He knew how close Archibald was to the Church, but he would never break the promise he made with Caesar.
He would turn the whole family to ashes.
“Anyway, I am here to see you off. You have been getting so busy these days that we almost can’t find the time to have tea,” Archibald said as he patted Basil’s shoulder.
“I have always wanted to give you this, but I haven’t found the right time.” He took out a pendant and gave it to Basil. “I think now is the time. I am afraid that I won’t be able to see you if I wait any longer.”
Taking the pendant that was given to him, Basil muttered, “This is… God’s Tear Amulet. This precious thing…” He looked up and looked at Archibald gratefully. “Thank you, Duke Archibald. Let me host a party when the matter ends as a repayment.”
“Ku-Ku-Ku. There is no need to do that, Basil. I just want you to return safely.” Archibald waved his hand with a light-hearted smile.
Basil smiled softly and excused himself as he walked towards the Legion he commanded. Looking at the scene, Anthony smiled bitterly; he knew what Basil actually thought of the gesture.
‘A gift? Do you want to fool me with this? Don’t make me laugh,’ Basil sneered inwardly as he looked at the God’s Tear Amulet. ‘The Church has been active recently; they are getting more convinced of my identity. I have to hasten the plan yet again it seems.’
Standing in front of the Legion, Basil nodded his head at Anthony and Archibald; the God’s Tear Amulet was still in his grasp. When the Teleportation Magic Circle was activated—at the same time the light flashed, he broke it to pieces.
Crack!
The open war between him and the Church began at that moment.
…
When the blinding light covering their vision disappeared, they were already at Padeitophys.
Tinuviel, who was standing a few meters away from Basil, immediately came up to him and shook his hand three seconds after their arrival. She then escorted them to the field where the other Legions were waiting for them.
Since most of the people in Basil’s Legion hadn’t visited Padeitophys before the mixed training, on their way to meet the others, the only people talking were Basil and Tinuviel. Their voice was the only reason why the air wasn’t filled with silence.
Iliana didn’t even bother to join since they were talking about something that she deemed boring—strategies that they could use to minimize casualties. She was more intrigued by the fragrant flowers on the trees in their surroundings.
“We are already here, Master Basil,” Tinuviel said as she gestured at the Legions that the Five Princes led. “Ah, I am sorry to say this because you have only just arrived, but we need to immediately depart. It is already time,” Tinuviel said apologetically.
‘Oh, they have already arrived? They are pretty enthusiastic, aren’t they?’ Basil remarked inwardly. Nodding his head lightly, he said, “We shall go. We spent the least amount of effort to come here, so it is highly disrespectful for us to make the others wait.”
Telling Deacon to get down from his shoulder, said Beast Companion assumed his original form as soon as he touched the ground. Under everyone’s eyes, Basil and Iliana hopped on Deacon’s back afterwards.
Seeing that Basil was ready, Tinuviel ordered the Cohorts from her Tribe to march. Following right behind Deacon and Tinuviel’s horse, the army went to the biggest training field in Padeitophys where the mixed training was conducted—Kyodiphera Plain.
It was not very far from Alphoetra village. It was roughly 3 kilometres away, so they arrived there in five minutes despite the rough terrain they had to pass.
“Hoh. The star of the army has arrived, huh?”
“Just like a Hero, he comes late too.”
“Ku-Ku-Ku. I really want to know how strong the Golden Apple is.”
“Watch your manners, Floyd! A single wrong step will not only cost you your lives but also the reputation of our Kingdom.”
“I get it, Adelfried. Just because I am confident doesn’t mean I don’t have a brain.”
As soon as Basil and the others arrived, the chosen Legions from their neighbouring Kingdoms planted their eyes on them, or to be exact, on Basil. All of them were curious about how fearsome the Dragon Slayer of Braxtein was.
Aside from those who had met Basil and tasted his overwhelming pressure in the Summit Meeting, the Legion Commanders from the neighbouring Kingdoms were very eager to challenge Basil.
Basil looked at their expression with a hidden sneer, meanwhile, those who knew how fearsome Basil was merely shook their heads bitterly. They could predict their fellows would be hit by a storm.
“Everyone, I thank you for coming here,” Basil said. “Although I am the officially appointed Commander of the whole army, I am open to suggestions. Whether you are a fellow Commander or a soldier, if you have a good suggestion, feel free to say it to me.”
In the past, because Eugene had a strong connection with the Church, Basil couldn’t be the Head Commander of the human army of Henosis even though he was the most capable Commander amongst the others.
There was a time when he had wanted the position so badly, but it soon disappeared as he realized that status didn’t matter. Now, being the Head Commander of the entire Henosis, he became even sure that status didn’t matter.
‘As long as you have a big goal before your eyes, anything you achieve along the way is nothing but byproducts. No matter how amazing they are in front of the people’s eyes, it is hard for you to be impressed by them,’ Basil mused.
Gazing at the 193,500 people in the field, he said, “I want five Legions from five different Kingdoms and three Cohorts to be in the same group so you can train together. Knowing how each other fight is the first thing we should do before fighting in a Formation.”
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“They will be helping the others train.”
“That is?”
Basil waved his hand and gestured for the people to immediately group themselves according to the way he wanted. They did it without question; the process took only ten minutes, which was commendable considering how many they were.
“The field is vast. I hope all of you can decide where to train,” Basil exclaimed, prompting the newly made five groups to scatter and find their spot. “A very commendable reaction time indeed.”
The five groups were now 500 metres apart from each other. Basil and the Legion he commanded were in the centre of the group, making them the perfect target of the groups.
“Very well. Let us begin the training, shall we?”
Basil raised his hand, prompting the Legion he commanded to activate the Magic Battle Formation. An overwhelming pressure descended upon the field, making the people widen their eyes in bafflement.
“Come and show me what you have.”
Basil swept the air with his hands; fifty 15 metres tall Golems emerged from the ground and stood surrounding him and his Legion. Using the Mana and Qi of his soldiers, he had fun with the people.