Marshal, the final tallies are in. In the assault on Fortress One, we sustained one hundred and fifty-six KIA, forty-two missing, seventy-eight seriously wounded, fifty-one armored vehicles lost, thirty-four fighters shot down, and eighty-nine assorted warships sunk across our main fleets. During the attack on Fortress Two, the ground forces suffered two hundred and thirty-seven fatalities and fifty-one missing. In addition, the main fleets lost one hundred and fifty-five assorted warships, while the escort fleets sustained a total loss of three hundred and thirty warships.”

Alexander’s beautiful adjutant held a datapad, reading the figures in a slow, measured tone. A subtle sorrow permeated her voice, casting a heavy pall over the entire bridge.

“To suffer such grievous losses at Fortress Two, I truly didn't anticipate it. We were planning to immediately press the attack on Fortress Three, but the ground casualty rate was catastrophic, forcing a halt. We must now organize defenses right where we stand, utilizing only the two remaining battered fortresses.”

The prior elation Alexander felt upon hearing of Fortress One's capture had vanished from his face. He removed his cap, smoothed his thinning, graying hair with his hand, settled the cap back on, and sighed. “Dispatch more medics immediately to stabilize the wounded. Establish temporary field hospitals in both fortresses right away, and send more search parties out for the missing.”

“Yes, sir.” Several staff officers transmitted the orders to their respective departments.

“Oh, and one more thing,” Alexander recalled suddenly. “Inquire with the Trand Mercenary Corps how soon the three Raijin units can be repaired. I need them on the battlefield when we launch the assault on Fortress Three.”

“Understood.”

“Also, draft a letter of congratulation for me to Commander Yang Ying and Colonel Katan Blade, congratulating them on the elimination of the Ape-Master Khordemi.”

“As you command.”

On the bridge of the Trand Mercenary Corps flagship, Unit One.

“Today, our Corps were the stars of the battlefield,” Yang Ying stated calmly, leaning back in the command chair. “The Raijin units have become highly coveted in many eyes. Many now claim that the assault on Fortress One was significantly easier than Fortress Two precisely because the Raijin were deployed.”

Howard shook his head upon hearing this. “While the absence of the Raijin certainly contributed to the heavy ground casualties at Fortress Two, it shouldn't account for such a vast disparity in losses. Fortress Two’s defensive matrix was significantly denser than Fortress One’s, which is another key factor.”

“Lieutenant General Howard, your analysis is certainly objective, but some people are reluctant to see it that way,” Katerina interjected. “On the battlefield, some individuals crave spiritual reliance more than rational thought. They need something powerful to anchor them, something that assures them they can survive the fighting.”

As she spoke, she handed him a cup of black tea.

“Are we straying into psychology now?” Yang Ying took the tea, sipped it lightly, and nodded. “Hmm, Katerina, your tea-making skills become more exquisite every time.”

“Just some observations, nothing formal,” Katerina smiled, a wave of inexpressible happiness washing over her at Yang Ying’s compliment. She nodded. “It’s not exactly psychology; it’s just observable phenomena. Some soldiers place faith in God, others in sorcery, or some strange ritual, or talismans—these are all forms of seeking an anchor, a hope for survival on the field. Without this anchor, they lack security. After all, soldiers are only human, and humans fear death. The battlefield is a place riddled with peril, the easiest place to die.”

“Sir, the flagship is inquiring when the Raijin will be ready for deployment,” a staff officer reported loudly, having received the query from the main fleet.

Yang Ying didn't hesitate. “Tell them, the same as last time: one week.”

The damage sustained by the Raijin this time was more severe than the previous engagement, so completing repairs in just seven days already represented a notable increase in efficiency.

“Sir, a congratulatory message has arrived from the flagship, congratulating you and Colonel Katan Blade on jointly slaying the Ape-Master Khordemi.”

“How many of those have we received?” Yang Ying sighed.

The staff officer replied immediately, “This is the twenty-eighth. Most of the earlier ones came from the Psion Masters. Fleet Commanders like Admiral Randolph also sent one. The Marshal’s message was just a bit late.”

Yang Ying nodded. He paid no mind to the slight delay, remarking casually, “The battlefield has only just been cleared. The flagship is likely swamped with the casualty reports and struggling with the aftermath. The fact they remembered to send congratulations now is good enough.”

Yang Ying was fully aware that the joint slaying of an Ape-Master by himself and Blade would trigger repercussions far beyond a few congratulatory notes. But in the solar system, what was there to fear? His avatars spanned the system, and even his primary self had departed the solar vicinity by hundreds of millions of kilometers. His immediate existence was not threatened; having tucked away the Floating Continent, he had no lingering concerns. Now was the time for bold advancement.

“Furthermore, Master Pang Qian’s congratulatory letter mentioned Khordemi’s silver crystal. I imagine we’ve earned another space city this time,” Yang Ying said, picking up the shattered hilt of a light saber from a nearby console—the one Khordemi had carried.

After toying with the hilt for a moment, Yang Ying returned it to its place and inquired, “What about our own casualties?”

Katerina, as the highest-ranking medical officer, was uniquely qualified to address this crucial matter.

“Sir, across the two fortress assaults, our forces deployed a total of three thousand personnel. We suffered two hundred and twenty-four confirmed dead: sixty-five Marines, one hundred and two tank crew members, thirty from the mine-laying units, twenty from the giant robot corps, and seven Ghost Fighter pilots. The remaining three hundred and fifteen personnel who sustained light to moderate injuries are now under medical care, out of immediate danger, and will not be permanently disabled.”

Katerina recounted the casualty figures with precision. The medical technology of the Trand Mercenary Corps was exceptionally advanced. Even with severed limbs or ruptured organs, as long as a soldier was brought in alive, medical beams could restore life force, followed by advanced bio-technology to repair the body—even regenerating complex organs was not a major hurdle. Therefore, even the most severely wounded, provided they were alive, could almost always be fully healed.

Yang Ying nodded calmly. “Though I understand that death is inherent to war, these losses still make me uncomfortable. Ensure all combat data is collected and submitted to the Staff Department. This valuable intelligence will be a vital reference point for guiding our future development.”

“Yes, sir!” his staff officers replied.

“Sir, Master Pang Qian has arrived,” a staff officer reported.

“Good, I’ll be right there.” Yang Ying placed down his tea, rose, and left the bridge.

“Sir, wait for me!” Katerina called out, following quickly behind him.

In the same reception lounge as before, Yang Ying met Master Pang Qian once more.

Master Pang Qian had arrived ahead of Yang Ying but remained standing, admiring the decorative pieces displayed in the room while he waited. When Yang Ying opened the door and entered, Pang Qian stepped forward to greet him.

“It has only been a few days—three, I believe—that I have returned to this location,” Master Pang Qian said with a smile upon meeting him.

“This time it is for a rare and excellent piece of news; I imagine you are quite pleased to be here as well, Master,” Yang Ying replied with a matching smile.

“Indeed. When I first heard news of Khordemi’s demise at your hands, I almost couldn't believe it. Such fortunate news does not surface often.”

As they spoke, they moved to sit on the floating sofa. Katerina, as before, prepared tea for both of them.

“Thank you.” Master Pang Qian accepted the tea and then inquired, “Before we begin our main discussion, I must ask: has your Colonel Katan Blade advanced to the Master realm?”

“Certainly not,” Yang Ying shook his head. “Blade, like myself, has reached the Quasi-Master realm.”

“So, two Quasi-Masters brought down an Ape-Master,” Master Pang Qian nodded, smiling. “Excellent! That is no small feat. Such an accomplishment has occurred very few times throughout history.”

“That is also thanks to the advantage our fighter craft provided. We destroyed Khordemi’s vessel first, leaving him severely wounded, before delivering the final blow. If Khordemi had been in peak condition, neither Blade nor I could have managed him,” Yang Ying stated factually.

“True. For Quasi-Masters to defeat a Master-level expert requires external environmental factors. However, you did achieve the killing of Khordemi. Others, even with similar advantages, might not have succeeded against a Master-level foe. You should be proud,” Master Pang Qian continued in his tone of approbation.

“I accept that compliment, and I accept it on behalf of Blade as well,” Yang Ying nodded.

“Now, onto the main business. Khordemi’s silver light saber—you have possession of it, correct?” Master Pang Qian asked with certainty.

“Of course.” Yang Ying retrieved Khordemi’s silver saber, disassembled it, and passed the silver crystal core forward.

Master Pang Qian examined it briefly, nodding. “Excellent. It is indeed an intact silver crystal. It is the same arrangement as last time: one space city in exchange for it.”

“I agree,” Yang Ying confirmed.

“In that case, the final exchange will be for six space cities, correct? Have you made preparations to choose which six types of cities you desire?” Master Pang Qian asked.

“Not yet,” Yang Ying shook his head. “Perhaps we can hold off on that decision for a moment, pending consultation with our Head Office regarding their current assets.”

“Very well. I have no objection,” Master Pang Qian agreed.