Game: Civilization Paradise

Chapter 208: Chapter 208: The Beginning

He sketched routes on a piece of scratch paper, mulling over their attack strategy.

In fact, just as Zhihan had said, that Lu Cang guy wasn’t really targeting them.

After all, the Fifth Battle Group was just too weak. The other battle groups, no matter how poorly equipped, at least had tank and artillery divisions. But the Fifth Battle Group only had armored personnel carriers.

Long Ming’s head throbbed at the thought.

Just then, Luoxue entered the tent. Seeing Long Ming studying the attack routes, she said with a smile,

"I didn’t realize you knew how to command."

"Not really. With a major battle looming, I just thought I’d help figure out an attack plan."

Long Ming looked up at Luoxue with a helpless smile.

"Is that so? Because I get the feeling you’re not helping us so much as getting us into trouble."

A faint smile touched Luoxue’s lips.

"How so?"

"We were doing just fine in the rear. Why did you insist on getting us moved to the front lines?"

"Well, Jing Chuan and the others were all eager to fight. I was just helping to argue their case."

Long Ming sounded a little guilty as he spoke.

"I, for one, never stated my opinion on the matter."

"You don’t want to join the battle?"

"It’s not that. I actually want to fight, too. But the Fifth Battle Group really is too weak. That’s why I didn’t stand up and object in the first place."

Luoxue looked at Long Ming, her expression serious.

After hearing what Luoxue said, Long Ming asked, his head starting to ache again,

"I understand. So, how many troops can we deploy for this battle? And how much heavy weaponry can we mobilize?"

"Five thousand troops. As for heavy weaponry, none."

"And the other battle groups?"

"One hundred thousand at a minimum, with a full complement of heavy weaponry."

Luoxue replied with a smile.

"Ahem... Maybe we should go have another talk with Deputy Legion Commander Lu Cang."

Long Ming suddenly felt that Deputy Legion Commander Lu Cang wasn’t so bad after all. ’He wasn’t that harsh or unreasonable.’

"An order is an order. Do you think this is a game?"

"You’re right... So what do we do now?"

"That’s why I’m asking you."

Luoxue gazed at Long Ming with an unreadable smile, tossing the problem right back at him.

"Sigh... I do have an idea, but it might be a little risky," Long Ming sighed in response.

"I’m listening."

Luoxue replied, her interest piqued.

"My idea is this: our biggest weakness right now isn’t our numbers, it’s our terrible equipment! If we want to make our mark in this war, we need to find a way to get an upgrade."

"That makes sense. But how?"

"Look, this is Sector Four, the area we’ve been assigned. It’s right between the Second and Third Legions. I’ve checked all the buildings in this sector, and I can basically confirm there are no armories!"

"Isn’t that bad news?"

"But there’s good news, too. I found a special supply depot on the edge of the Second Legion’s attack zone. My gut tells me there are definitely weapons inside. We can take a shortcut, hit that depot first, and quickly upgrade our gear!"

Long Ming said, enlarging the map on his wristband for Luoxue to see.

"A good strategy. But... why does your map look different from ours?"

Luoxue spotted the problem at a glance.

The map on Long Ming’s wristband showed extremely detailed data, whereas the same area on her map was just a blur.

"Haha, that’s not important."

Long Ming replied, a bit awkwardly.

"Alright. And then what?"

"Then, we make a beeline for the inner city—for Koman Laboratory."

"Why go straight for the laboratory?"

Luoxue looked at Long Ming, intrigued.

"Ahem, well... isn’t the most valuable stuff usually found in laboratories?"

Long Ming’s heart gave a sudden, inexplicable lurch, and he answered guiltily.

"That checks out."

"So you approve of the plan?"

"Why wouldn’t I? It’s a great strategy. Unless... there’s something you’re not telling me?"

"Nope."

"Then it’s settled. It’s getting late. You’re not in the best of health, so you should go back and get some rest."

Luoxue advised Long Ming gently.

"Alright."

With that, Long Ming stood up and left.

Luoxue watched Long Ming’s retreating figure, then her gaze drifted back to the sketch on the conference table. A flicker of light shone in her cool, clear eyes.

...

「The next morning.」

「Northern outskirts of Kargil City.」

A massive, dark sea of fully armed soldiers poured out from the various camps, assembling in neat, square formations.

Rows of heavy tanks, rocket launchers, and self-propelled artillery rumbled into position with imposing might.

At that moment, Pilates, flanked by two assistants, was standing on site, broadcasting an ecstatic live stream.

"Hello, everyone! This is the Pilates Streamer, coming to you live from the northern outskirts of Kargil City! As you can see, the main forces of Mountain City Mountain are massing for battle. According to official sources, Mountain City Mountain is about to launch a large-scale offensive targeting the four major economic cities. Once they capture those, they can launch a direct assault on the capital of the Aniska Empire! We will achieve the final victory!"

...

"To ensure the successful capture of the four major economic cities, Mountain City Mountain has reportedly assembled nearly two million troops and mobilized a massive arsenal of war machines."

...

「Within the Third Legion’s formation.」

Long Ming glanced sideways at the Pilates Streamer, who was still broadcasting live, and asked Jing Chuan in confusion,

"Shouldn’t a military operation this important be kept as secret as possible? Why is someone live-streaming it?"

"Beats me. I heard the higher-ups specifically invited her for propaganda purposes. No idea which genius made that call," Jing Chuan said, lowering his voice.

"I see."

Hearing Jing Chuan’s explanation, Long Ming still felt that something was off. ’Shouldn’t you keep this kind of thing quiet, like they’ve always said? Strike when no one is looking.’

Although with Mountain City Mountain’s power, no one would normally dare to mess with them, but this level of publicity was still highly unusual.

「Over an hour later.」

All four of Mountain City Mountain’s legions had finished assembling.

Just then, Qiansha, clad in dark green, second-generation heavy exoskeletal armor, strode before the assembled forces. His presence was overwhelming. A fiery gaze swept across all the troops as he began to speak, his voice booming with authority.

"Soldiers of Mountain City Mountain! We carry the will of our home! For our families, for our friends, we have fought and bled to make it here! I am proud of you all!"

"Only one final obstacle now stands between us and the capital of the Aniska Empire!"

"To smash this final barrier, we have assembled an army two million strong! Do you have the confidence to see this through?"

"YES!"

The crowd roared in unison.

"Excellent! Then let the world witness the might of Mountain City Mountain! I hereby declare that Operation: Sudden Strike has officially begun! The four legions will advance along three routes to assault the three economic cities!"

Qiansha commanded.

"YES, SIR!"

The soldiers acknowledged the order with grim determination.

Subsequently, the four legions began to diverge, advancing in different directions in a vast, powerful tide.

At the same time, a tremendous roar echoed from the skies.

Long Ming tilted his head back and looked up at the sky, where flight after flight of fighter jets were escorting bombers overhead.

"Luoxue, why are the air forces being deployed?"

Long Ming asked Luoxue, surprised.

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