Chapter 842: Calamity Calendar

Peace Haven named the year the Northern Mountain Front opened Year One of the Calamity. Henwell returned from exploring the ruins that year.

In Year Two of the Calamity, Henwell began his secluded training in the Great Pyramid. Kaku seized Peace Haven's first shipment of supplies bound for the north.

That same year, Peace Haven reached an agreement with Lumir, and its hunting teams entered the country.

Early in Year Three of the Calamity, Henwell's youngest daughter, Elizabeth, was born.

In October of that year, Akta's squad brought back a boy named Ronan, who was placed in Henwell's care.

That was also the year Kaku seized Peace Haven's northbound supplies for the third time.

To avoid Duke Jansen's reprimand, Kaku then took his army north to reinforce the Northern Mountain Front.

In the second half of the year, Kaku withdrew his troops from the Northern Mountain Front without permission. Duke Jansen realized the Phoenix family could spiral out of control.

Jansen did not want to purge his own family. He took his personal guard north to give Peace Haven time to act instead.

After he left, Peace Haven took no action. Kaku seized its northbound supply convoy for the fifth time.

In Year Four of the Calamity, a mountain demon army appeared on the Northern Mountain Front. Duke Jansen returned wounded.

Kaku and his uncle Tuster joined forces to seize control of the family and place Duke Jansen under house arrest.

To deter Peace Haven from intervening, they secured the backing of armies from the Western Federation, the Ika Kingdom, and the Descartes family.

On the eve of the Midsummer Festival, Henwell's eldest son, Pabos, went alone to Silver Claw City and met Duke Jansen.

After the Midsummer Festival, Kaku held a ceremony to transfer leadership of the family.

Henwell emerged from seclusion, crossed the border alone, and entered the city.

That day, Duke Jansen and his wife died, and the Phoenix family suffered a bloodbath.

In August, Peace Haven absorbed the Phoenix family and the Descartes family.

In September, on his forty-first birthday, Henwell convened the Peace Haven conference.

Peace Haven reorganized its legions and adopted warbands as its offensive units.

Two mixed legions became garrison legions. Peace Haven's newly formed Eleventh, Twelfth, and Thirteenth Legions were stationed in the Phoenix and Descartes territories.

The Iron Guard Legion and the Silver Claw Legion were formally established.

Peace Haven went onto a war footing!

In October, Henwell inspected the departments, with particular attention to the Technical Research Institute's projects. There he saw the remarkable Cubic Crystal.

At the end of the year, Henwell spoke with Ronan and made preparations for the Soul-Devouring Ritual.

Early in Year Five of the Calamity, Ronan underwent the Soul-Devouring Ritual. Under Henwell's direction, the boy devoured the blue-haired water demon.

Barbarossa, the Deathwing, submitted to Henwell under the terms of their wager.

After the spring planting, Henwell received word that the Western Federation would hold a meeting in Seven Kings Town to discuss the Calamity War.

In April, Henwell arrived in Seven Kings Town.

Nissen, lord of Everwinter City in the Kosen Kingdom of the Northern Regions, told him the secrets of the Calamity War.

The Calamity War conference lasted nearly a month.

In May, Henwell saw how much the empire and the church had to draw on. He also welcomed back Orak, Duke Jansen's eldest son.

In June, Henwell returned to Peace Haven.

After the Harvest Festival, elite troops from the various countries arrived in Peace Haven. At forty-two, Henwell watched his son set off for war.

At the end of the year, the Mobile Strike Group moved into Warmflow City.

Now it is March of Year Six of the Calamity. The Mobile Strike Group receives its first combat assignment.

The order comes from the Joint Operations Department: a mission calls for the Mobile Strike Group.

Not the whole group, however. Only three warbands are needed.

Senar, the commander-in-chief, faces a dilemma. Every warband that hears the news wants to go.

They all want to see action. Peace Haven's two warbands have also worn them out with their relentless training. A chance to get away for a while is welcome.

Unable to decide whom to send, Senar asks Morris, his deputy commander.

Morris answers at once. "The First Warband, Seventh Warband, and Ninth Warband!"

Senar looks puzzled. "Why those three?"

"This will be our Mobile Strike Group's first battle," Morris says. "We need a convincing victory to give the other countries confidence in us."

"Our strongest units are the First, Third, Ninth, and Tenth Warbands."

"Sending both of Peace Haven's warbands would upset the others. We can only send one."

"The Third Warband is strong too, but there's a problem."

"They've come a long way from Billie. They need time to adapt."

"The First Warband belongs to the Ika Kingdom. Most of its men were selected from the Southwest Military Governor's forces."

"They were stationed in Livos territory, and quite a few of the men used to be Lumir subjects. They're more familiar with the terrain and climate."

"That makes them the second warband we should send."

"As for the Seventh Warband, we'll be operating in Lumir. We need to work with the local troops."

"Dimir, its commander, is the son of Marshal Clifford of Lumir. That will make communication with our allies easier."

"They also know how Lumir's army fights. That will help us a great deal."

Senar claps his hands. "Excellent! Making you deputy commander was a wise choice indeed!"

Morris adds, "And with the Tenth Warband staying here, we can keep pushing the rest to train harder."

Senar smiles. "Then why not send the Tenth Warband? Wouldn't that be more reliable with you in command?"

"And there's something else."

"Aren't you worried something might happen to your young lord on the battlefield? Are you really that confident?"

Morris smiles back. "I watched Pabos grow up while I was in the Lord Iron Guards."

"He takes after my lord. Hardworking, clever, humble, brave..."

"He's strong enough in his own right. He listens to his experienced officers, and he isn't afraid to fight."

"He'll lead Peace Haven one day. With the war beginning now, he needs to experience it and learn for himself."

"He may be a young eagle, but he is no nest-bound chick."

"He knows his responsibilities, and he has the courage and ability to bear them!"

Morris's smile turns sly. "Of course, more importantly, troops from Peace Haven's Southern District are taking part in this mission."

"There will even be a combat battalion of the Lord Iron Guards. Pinas of the Third Combat Battalion is an Iron Knight too."

"They know how to protect our young lord."

"If everything falls apart, every Peace Haven soldier involved will make rescuing Pabos his first priority!"

Senar laughs. "You admit it just like that? I thought you'd come up with another excuse!"

Morris shrugs. "Why hide it? We only keep quiet to spare our young lord's feelings."

"Everyone knows Peace Haven's heir matters more than anything else. Of course we'll do everything we can to protect him."

"And you won't want anything to happen to Pabos either, Commander."

"This isn't a threat, or a matter of being afraid of my lord."

"Your adoptive elder brother, Harry, is our young lord's teacher."

"And you care a great deal about Harry keeping that relationship for years to come."

Senar remembers the advice his elder brother gave him in Peace Haven. With a rueful smile, he shakes his head.

"All right! You have my word too. If the worst happens, I'll take Pabos to safety myself!"

Morris bows. "Thank you, Commander!"