Chapter 594

Chapter 594: A Prosperous Era Like the Sea

In August, as the weather gradually cooled down, flags fluttered throughout the city of Solander.

Taking advantage of the temporary lull in the intensity of the war, Clancia decided to hold a grand ceremony for awarding medals to inspire those outstanding individuals who had distinguished themselves during the war.

On the giant central square that could accommodate over a hundred thousand people, neatly dressed soldiers stood in formation, while colorful red and blue uniforms lined both sides of the road.

From the palace terrace, several national leaders watched the military formations marching past, each holding up their banners. These were representatives selected from various legions, standing in for their units to receive inspection and commendation.

“Next come the Beechwood Knights from the Northern Region,” the host announced as a group of knights riding gray-black horses and wielding large lances marched through the center of the square.

These knights wore iron-gray armor and their weapons had a wild style, suitable for open-field combat.

Following them was a formation of infantry carrying long spears. The soldiers were wrapped in tight black cloth and wore indigo armor. Their spears were over three meters long, with tips as red as blood.

“They are the Crimson Branch Poison Arrows Legion from the eastern border.”

Although this legion was not large, the long spears they wielded were made from special red poison wood and were highly toxic, usually used to deal with large demonic beasts. Now they were integrated to counter high-level Extraordinary Beings.

Just a tiny scratch from these spears could cause instant death. However, the users themselves were also at great risk from prolonged exposure to such dangerous weapons, which often led to bodily damage. Thus, members of this legion were always few in number.

“Next come the Dawn Horn Knights from the border regions.”

After the host’s announcement, knights in dark green cloaks and brown armor entered the square. They carried short bows, swords, quivers, and shields hanging from their saddles, making them versatile in all environments.

As Lolan Hill stood on the terrace watching, a roar of cheers erupted below. A group of knights in heavy white armor and white cloaks entered the square. These were the Iron Sun Knights from the Tisilin Mountains.

Their cloaks bore the symbol of the sun, burning like flames, and their lances stood tall and imposing.

This knightly order had gained considerable fame among the beastmen, with many eager to join their ranks.

Finally, entering the square were the elite shock troops of Clancia, the Cataclysm Knights. These knights in gold and red armor had crimson cloaks billowing behind them, their dazzling figures shimmering under the sunlight. Their presence was fierce, like lions lining up for battle.

Lolan Hill stood on the palace terrace, observing the soldiers and formations entering one after another, reflecting on how war honed people.

Perhaps it was the life-and-death moments in battle that unlocked potential, or perhaps it was the refinement and elevation of beliefs. The army now saw a surge of geniuses advancing rapidly in rank. Many warriors, if they survived several major battles, would see a significant boost in their strength.

Such rapid advancement and high ratio of promotion far exceeded peacetime years.

“Such events have happened before, and we call such eras of heroic emergence ‘golden ages,'” Master Feihelang once said.

Whether it was the Western Wind or the Green Verdant, history has seen such periods when the nation’s spirit was high and engaged in warfare, leading to a flood of talents emerging like grass after rain.

Within less than a year since the start of the war, the Cataclysm Knights, which had only a few hundred members initially, had expanded to over 1,200. It should be noted that their selection criteria were above Sequence 5, with rigorous assessments in various military skills.

When the Western Wind was destroyed, the Lightning Knights had barely over 700 members. In just five years since its founding, Clancia nearly doubled that number.

“Finally, the medal ceremony begins!”

Military bugles and instruments played as a white rock platform rose in the center of the square. Lolan Hill adjusted her attire and descended from the domestic terrace to stand on this white stone platform.

Today, she wore a blue and white ceremonial dress, with a semi-transparent white veil covering her head. Her unchanged beauty and figure drew continuous applause from the audience below.

Since her appearance at the ceremony years ago, this silver-haired girl rarely appeared before the general public. Her return today ignited enthusiastic cheers throughout the city.

People instinctively appreciate beauty, and this flawless face naturally became the object of admiration for countless others.

Amidst the thunderous cheers, Lolan Hill raised her right hand and waved gently, looking at the familiar and unfamiliar faces before her. The eyes of the crowd conveyed hope, anticipation, excitement, and adoration, like the most intense flames in the world.

After a brief pause to calm her nervous and excited heart, Lolan Hill picked up the medals presented by the attendants and placed them on the chests of the warriors in front of her.

“Crimson Fall” Collinra

“Mountain Guardian” Seg

“Iris Book” Tu Ge

“Waves Breaker” Black

“Maple Lance” Bard

“Roaring Flame” Fenchiz

Though Fenchiz had already perished, his deeds were still remembered by Clancia, and his family accepted the honors on his behalf.

Excluding Fenchiz, who came from the Guifia Grasslands, the rest were from different backgrounds. Bard and Seg were from the military of Clancia, Collinra and Tu Ge from the southern islands, and Black from the New Veregha Alliance.

As she looked at these familiar and unfamiliar faces, Lolan Hill personally pinned the badges on them and offered her blessings.

“Your bravery and achievements will be remembered by the nation and the people.”

“Long live Clancia!”

The scene then erupted in thunderous cheers that echoed for a long time.

—

After the ceremony, not only did the representatives of various legions gathered in Solander return to their respective units, but the National Knights previously training in the main camp outside the city were finally ready.

Since the war began, they continuously recruited excellent graduates from military schools and outstanding soldiers from the battlefield. The number and strength of this National Knights grew at an astonishing rate, approaching its limits.

At the end of October, after the final training, Lolan Hill gave a speech from the stage, and the National Knights set out. Various legions gathered around them and moved southward, preparing for the decisive battle.

The borders flared up again with renewed fighting. People from all sides converged, and a massive army stretching for dozens of kilometers deployed across the wilderness, facing each other.

Flags fluttered, one side with banners composed of stars and wheat stalks, lances densely packed like scales, reflecting flashes of light under the sun.

On the other side, huge demonic statues stood like mountains, with soldiers clad in dark scale armor wielding spears and shields, forming square formations.

In the sky, propellers whirred, and nearly a hundred iron-gray airships layered high and low, overlooking the vast array lines on the ground.

For a moment, the clamor of voices filled the air. Rows of spear formations parted, and knights in white cloaks stepped onto the battlefield. Their silver-white armor reflected light on the ground.

As this well-prepared knightly order entered, tens of thousands of Extraordinary Beings simultaneously activated their core powers, their overwhelming force rising steadily towards the sky, their fierce momentum unbreakable.

The swallow-tailed flag with a white background and golden ears stood tall and straight, arranged like walls, swaying in the wind, signifying a prosperous era like the sea.

The conflict between roses and stars had finally reached its first major showdown.

The decisive battle was about to begin.

I’m having some trouble with the writing, so I’ll delete and rewrite it a few more times. Let’s leave it here for today. I’ll continue tomorrow.