Chapter 040 Military Exercise 10

Chapter 040 War Games 10

The Nabell Family was one of the five founding families of the Tyrell Empire.

Vance Nabell, as the second son of the Nabell Family, lived a life of luxury from childhood, where everything was handed to him.

With his aloof demeanor, brilliant mind, and unshakable resolve, he was truly a golden child.

The house rule of the Nabells was that brothers must not compete but instead live in harmony and support one another. With their parents entrusting the family business to the eldest brother, Mengsi Nabell, Vance devoted himself wholeheartedly to his dream—

He wanted to become a great marshal recorded in the annals of history.

At 18, Vance graduated from the military academy and joined the army.

At 23, he fell in love with Murong Shalun at first sight. But she married his elder brother, Mengsi Nabell.

At 27, Vance Nabell became a general, the youngest in the Tyrell Empire at the time.

Invited by his alma mater, he attended the graduation mock battles. Among the many outstanding graduates that year, the one who left the deepest impression on him was Wei Qing.

Wei Qing, 18 years old, origin unknown, background unknown. He was hands-down the most outstanding graduate, achieving flawless marks not only in subjects related to mechanical operations—such as stellar strategy, starship piloting and control, interstellar navigation and positioning, and interstellar engineering and maintenance—

But also topping weapons operation, combat training, survival skills, and physical training.

During the tournament, with his weapon destroyed by the opponent, Wei Qing pulled off a stunning counterattack using a simulated mech.

He used melee weapons, every move crisp and devastating, connecting perfectly on his opponent.

Before this, mech battles had always relied on firearms and tactical maneuvering. Wei Qing redefined mech combat. From then on, mech designers occasionally considered equipping mechs with cold weapons.

Vance remembered Wei Qing and was thrilled the empire was gaining an exceptional warrior.

Later, Wei Qing broke Vance’s record at Xipusi Military Academy—orbiting a star in a mech. Wei Qing’s time was a full hour faster than Vance’s.

This result shocked everyone, including Vance, who found the record almost superhuman.

He wasn’t the only one with doubts—rumors spread. Eventually, the academy intervened, releasing authorized mech cockpit footage as proof.

Wei Qing had not cheated. Through sheer skill, he proved his extraordinary speed to all.

He earned the title of "Empire’s Fastest Warrior."

*

At 30, Vance Nabell’s elder brother, Mengsi, passed away, throwing the Nabell Family into chaos.

Vance was devastated by his brother’s sudden death. Seeing Murong Shalun in tears, his heart ached. For a moment, he even harbored forbidden desires.

A year later, against all odds, Murong Shalun remarried—this time to Arthur Long, then just a prince.

Vance was worried.

Though Arthur was the rightful heir to the throne, the senile old emperor had grown obsessed with a cult, endangering the prince’s life.

If the prince couldn’t save himself, how could he ensure Murong Shalun’s safety?

Murong Shalun insisted on the marriage, telling Vance, "If you’re concerned for my safety, then support Arthur."

*

At 33, with the prince’s backing, Vance Nabell had near-total control over the Nabell Family.

That year, another scandal erupted.

His younger brother, Lance Nabell—a hedonistic layabout—got his ass kicked while shopping. The assailant? Wei Qing. He hit him so hard that even Lance, a physically robust Alpha, was out cold for a month.

Vance didn’t confront Wei Qing, as Lance had thrown the first punch. He had spotted Wei Qing’s striking looks, made a pass at him, and hurled insults…

A total embarrassment to the Nabells.

*

At 35, when the Zerg first appeared, Vance Nabell was made the empire’s youngest marshal.

Meanwhile, 24-year-old Wei Qing became the empire’s youngest general. The aging emperor also arranged a marriage for him—to an Omega from a prominent family. But after taking leave for the wedding, Wei Qing disappeared off the grid.

His disappearance set off alarm bells for Prince Arthur Long.

That same year, Arthur Long barely survived an assassination attempt by the emperor. Surviving the attempt, he finally resolved to lead his forces in overthrowing the emperor and rooting out the cult.

Vance Nabell had long stood by Arthur’s side, earning his trust as a loyal subordinate. Word was the emperor had imprisoned Wei Qing in the Rose Research Institute, so Arthur dispatched Vance on a rescue mission.

But Vance got there too late.

Everything was over.

Inside the institute, Wei Qing was the only survivor.

The Rose Research Institute, once trusted by the emperor, had housed over 800 researchers, 300 technicians, and 300 fully armed security personnel.

Wei Qing had killed them all—alone.

Clad in a researcher’s white coat, now soaked in blood, its hem and his hair dripping red, he looked like he’d bathed in blood.

Vance had never seen Wei Qing like this—a mess. He had always been immaculate and composed.

No one knew what had happened inside. Wei Qing never spoke of it.

Vance once asked the emperor, but the truth was withheld from him, with a strict order never to mention it again.

People whispered that everyone who witnessed the scene that day was plagued by nightmares. That was an overstatement—at least Vance didn’t suffer them.

But he knew some of the soldiers he had brought later got therapy.

After Arthur Long ascended the throne, the turmoil gradually subsided.

Wei Qing’s first wife, the Omega from the prominent family, was brutally murdered in her home by burglars—or so the public was told.

Another rumor claimed Wei Qing had killed her himself.

Vance suspected this one might be true.

*

At 39, Vance Nabell became the head of the Nabell Family, tattooing the family crest—a crossed crucifix—on his chin.

That same year, 28-year-old Wei Qing wiped out a Zerg hive in Tenglong Valley. Returning victorious, he was named marshal, taking the title of "Empire’s Youngest Marshal" that had once belonged to Vance.

The Water Drop Army rose to fame, with tattoos becoming their trademark.

Vance was stopped by a reporter on the street because of his tattoo and asked, "As a member of the Water Drop Army, how does it feel to achieve victory now?"

Vance replied that he was not part of the Water Drop Army.

The reporter muttered, "If he's not in the Water Drop Army, why does he have a tattoo on his face?"

His tattoo was the emblem of the Nabell Family's family head!

It had absolutely nothing to do with the Water Drop Army!

Being mistaken for a member of the Water Drop Army was a downright insult to Vance!

He pinned the whole mix-up on Wei Qing.

＊

At 40, Vance Nabell was still single.

That year, he heard an outrageous rumor.

The rumor claimed that Wei Qing's glands had been damaged during the Battle of Tenglong Valley, rendering him sexually indifferent and emotionally cold.

How absurd!

Vance had known from the first time he met Wei Qing that he was a top-tier Beta who could detect pheromones.

The rumor was never clarified, and as it spread, everyone came to believe it was the truth. When Vance spoke the truth, he got pushback from many.

Vance suspected that it might be the Alphas who couldn't accept a Beta like Wei Qing outclassing them. So, they deluded themselves into thinking Wei Qing was an Alpha with damaged glands—at least that way, they could feel somewhat better.

Later, an incident occurred in the Water Drop Army where an Omega had a heat episode.

The Water Drop Army was impressive—first producing an extraordinary Beta like Wei Qing, and now an Omega squad leader.

This Omega had used banned drugs to pass as a Beta, not only successfully sneaking into the ranks but also becoming the leader of a group of Alphas.

But when the drugs wore off, he went into heat in the army, triggering chaos.

Wei Qing saved him.

Some time later, Vance heard that Wei Qing was tying the knot—again, this time to the Omega who had pretended to be a Beta.

Vance secretly looked down on Wei Qing, believing he had no morals.

The wedding was grand, but unfortunately, the formidable Omega came down with a deadly illness and died just a week after the marriage.

There were also rumors that Wei Qing had killed him.

Having experienced his brother's untimely death, Vance believed Wei Qing was innocent this time—the Omega likely died of illness.

Watching Wei Qing's reputation on the Interstellar Net grow worse by the day, Vance Nabell ate it up.

＊

At 42, Vance Nabell attended a meeting with Wei Qing one day.

After the meeting, he overheard Wei Qing boasting about his desire to become a Grand Marshal. Vance mocked him for dreaming too big.

That night, Vance had a nightmare.

He dreamed of his 11-year-old self running on an endless track, surrounded by darkness. The laughter of a baby echoed from behind, making his skin crawl, and he began to run.

As he ran, Vance grew into a young man. The baby chasing him also transformed into a child. He kept running, as if being caught by the child meant disaster.

As he ran, Vance's face matured, gradually taking on his current appearance.

The child chasing him also grew up and was now running beside him—golden hair, pale green eyes—it was Wei Qing.

Wei Qing sported multiple titles: "The Earliest Soldier to Join the Military," "The Youngest General," "The Youngest Marshal."

These titles had once belonged to Vance.

Wei Qing looked at Vance and said, "Your dream is now mine too."

Then, he reached out his hand.

Vance Nabell bolted upright from the nightmare.

Soaked with sweat, he suddenly remembered his lifelong ambition—to become the Grand Marshal recorded in history books.

Grand Marshal—he had to achieve it before Wei Qing.

Now 45, with the average lifespan of interstellar humans being 150, Vance was in his prime.

He began plotting all sorts of ways to defeat Wei Qing and realize his dream of becoming the Grand Marshal.

Though he and Wei Qing were at odds, Vance remained die-hard loyal to the Empire and His Majesty. He wouldn't stoop to dirty tricks, always determined to beat Wei Qing fairly.

Yet, as both were marshals of the Empire, they had no chance to go toe-to-toe. The Empire and the Alliance were in a ceasefire period, making it impossible to compare combat records. The insectoids were still in hibernation, inactive.

Vance had yet to find his chance, but he remained primed to win. Luck smiled on Vance, granting him this war games opportunity.

Held once every five years, the military exercise's opposing sides were decided by royal lottery. This year, the two sides were Vance and Wei Qing.

Upon hearing the news, Vance was so wired he couldn't sleep all night.

He began training like mad for the exercise, eager to defeat Wei Qing. After days of preparation, Vance caught his troops gossiping about Wei Qing tying the knot—again.

Even knowing it was a royal arranged marriage this time, Wei Qing's rep as a "no-good Alpha" and "player" became even more fixed in Vance Nabell's mind.

His subordinates also mentioned that Wei Qing had summoned Crimson Flame during the wedding, hijacking the banquet hall.

Hearing this, Vance was pissed.

Judging by Wei Qing's behavior, was he losing his grip?

Would it affect the military exercise?

But...

Wasn't that perfect? If Wei Qing was hung up on some Omega, Vance could strike while the iron's hot to defeat him! This was a perfect opening bestowed by the heavens!

Vance wasn't about to blow this—he would clinch the win!

＊

Game day came.

Watching the Water Drop Army lift off, Vance made no attempt to intercept, guessing that something must have happened in space.

But even if it was an unfair victory, Vance couldn’t resist the taste of defeating Wei Qing. He pressed his attack on the Water Drop Army.

Henry hailed him, reporting that the second prince’s escape pod was in the Quicksand Desert. Vance took his word immediately—Henry was a descendant of the Gray family, and the Grays were always honest.

Through Henry, Vance confirmed that Wei Qing was truly absent from the military camp. While dispatching troops to rescue the second prince in the Quicksand Desert, he also focused on sealing his imminent victory.

The Water Drop Army’s fortress gates were about to fall, and victory was within reach. Vance Nabell’s lips curled in anticipation.

The gates shattered, and the Crusaders surged forward.

Vance Nabell’s brow smoothed—he could already smell the sweet scent of triumph.

Then, several adult sandworm corpses plummeted from the sky like bombs, crashing straight into the ground. The impacts gouged massive craters, sending dust and debris flying. The splattering gore even injured many soldiers who couldn’t dodge in time.

The two forces, locked in fierce combat moments ago, immediately scattered, plunging the battlefield into an eerie silence.

*Clank, clank, clank*—the sound of sand falling on steel.

Accompanied by the hum of a power engine, a pair of cold, gleaming, slender eyes flickered in the dust.

The dying sun flung its last light across the sky. The beams cut through the dust, revealing a towering figure, over thirty feet tall, stepping slowly over the piled sandworm corpses.

Its crimson frame was etched with gold, a single black water drop emblem on its chest. Crimson Flame dripped with green blood, its narrow eyes radiating murderous intent.

Facing the Crusaders, Crimson Flame extended its left hand and curled its index finger in a taunting gesture. "Vance," its mechanical voice intoned, "face me one-on-one."

Though the voice held no emotion, Vance’s blood burned in his veins, screaming for battle and victory.

"Marshal, you shouldn’t—" An aide tried to stop him.

Imperial law barred mech deployment in military exercises. Wei Qing had broken the rules—he had already lost. The Crusaders had won; there was no need to respond to Crimson Flame’s provocation.

Vance knew that!

But only now did he truly understand what he wanted most. Compared to the victory he had obsessed over, he couldn’t ignore Wei Qing’s challenge!

Vance barked a laugh and strode out of the command center, pressing the cross-shaped summoning ring on his finger.

The sun had fully set, its afterglow fading like receding tides. A navy-blue mech ripped through the sky, leaving behind a roar that shook the sky.

"Abyssal"—that was Vance Nabell’s mech. A twenty-year veteran of the military, Vance had recently equipped her with a new weapon—the particle beam cannon.

The cannon packed devastating power, capable of piercing even the toughest carapace of the Ironclad Beetle, the sturdiest of the insectoids.

Vance planned to blast Crimson Flame. If Crimson Flame failed to evade, it would be destroyed.

What would Wei Qing become if Crimson Flame was ruined?

Vance hungered to see it.

***

Abyssal was torn apart.

Abyssal was torn apart by Crimson Flame.

Abyssal was torn apart by Crimson Flame in its beast form.

Vance Nabell fired the particle beam at Crimson Flame. Given Crimson Flame’s size, evasion should have been impossible!

As Crimson Flame teetered on the brink of destruction, Vance could no longer contain his exhilaration. His eyes burned with savage triumph, drunk on the thought of vengeance.

But then—Crimson Flame transformed?!

Vance gaped in shock as Crimson Flame shifted from its humanoid mech form into a four-legged beast.

The beast form moved faster, more fluidly, and more nimbly than its humanoid counterpart. Dodging the particle beam, it pounced on Abyssal, ripping free the cockpit with Vance inside with a single bite.

Vance had failed.

Utterly.

Hurled from the wreckage in disgrace, he looked up to see the beast-form Crimson Flame clamp its jaws around Abyssal’s left arm—the one equipped with the particle beam weapon.

Realizing what Crimson Flame intended, Vance trembled slightly before roaring, "No—don’t—!"

Despite the battlefield, the moment was eerily silent.

The screech of rending metal, the spark of severed wires, the gush of leaking hydraulic fluid—each sound merged into Abyssal’s dying scream.

"No—!"

Abyssal’s left arm was completely ripped off. Vance collapsed to his knees, shattered, on the cold, endless desert sands.

Crimson Flame reverted to its humanoid form.

Clutching Abyssal’s severed limb, its voice, cold and mechanical, rang out across the silent battlefield of Tengri Star.

"I used to think strength came from having nothing to lose."

"But I was wrong."

"Now, I believe the strongest are those with someone to protect."

"The one I fight for is my wife."

The last light of dusk bled into night.

As Crimson Flame finished speaking, a deafening roar erupted from the Water Drop Army.