"Reporting to His Majesty the Emperor, your subject apologizes for taking so long to select a Teigu from the Imperial Armory, causing His Majesty and all the esteemed sirs to wait. I am truly ashamed and apologize here."
"No matter, the selection of a Teigu is a major affair concerning the future. Has General Rin Tohsaka chosen a satisfactory Teigu?"
"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty. This The March of the Dead · yatsufusa and I seemed to hit it off at first sight, so I chose it."
Tohsaka Rin held up The March of the Dead · yatsufusa in her hand to show the Emperor and the assembled civil and military officials, then placed it into a sealed Teigu box held by a nearby attendant. After locking it, she took it in her hand.
"The March of the Dead · yatsufusa..."
As this name was uttered, almost all the civil and military officials in the court whispered in concern. After all, no one wanted to see this Teigu emerge. Rather than saying it was historically famous, it was more accurate to say it was notorious.
According to historical records, it can control people slain by this blade through a curse, manipulating up to eight corpse puppets. The puppets look exactly as they did in life and can be controlled freely. After the ability is released, they revert to ordinary corpses. The weakness is that the more corpses controlled during The March of the Dead · yatsufusa's activation, the more it will decrease the host's own abilities. These are the recorded applications of The March of the Dead · yatsufusa's abilities, but there is no record of its hidden secret techniques. It is said that no Teigu User of The March of the Dead · yatsufusa throughout history has ever been able to use them.
However, even so, this Teigu is considered one of the most terrifying Teigu. Simultaneously controlling eight corpse puppets that retain their full combat power from life—if these were eight first-rate experts, the terrifying combat power they would unleash is simply unimaginable.
General Black's gaze towards Tohsaka Rin grew more troubled. In the Empire's history, very few people could resonate with The March of the Dead · yatsufusa. Those who could use it were invariably ruthless, cold-blooded, and vicious troublemakers. Historically, only those mentally abnormal individuals in the Assassination Squad could spiritually resonate with and use this demonic blade. However, this was the first time this blade was used in the military, and by a general at that.
"For such a person to enter the Imperial Army, is it a blessing or a curse...?"
General Black pondered this question in secret, but unfortunately, no one could give him an answer at this moment.
However, no one could deny Tohsaka Rin's qualification to be a general just because she picked up The March of the Dead · yatsufusa. What was due to her still had to be given.
The court session concluded there. Afterwards, Tohsaka Rin, as a newly appointed general, along with General Black and other key officials from the Imperial Military Department, proceeded to the Imperial Military Headquarters. Tohsaka Rin was to receive her official appointment there.
"Tohsaka Rin, your military appointment has been issued. From today onwards, you will serve as the Legion Commander of the Empire's Seventh Legion."
General Black handed Tohsaka Rin an appointment letter bearing the Imperial military emblem and royal crest. Tohsaka Rin took it and looked, the Seventh Legion slightly surprising her.
"Seventh Legion?"
"Yes, not long ago, General Belhurs, the Legion Commander of the Seventh Legion, bravely sacrificed himself for the Empire. The Northern Frontier defense line is now guarded by General Liva's Fourteenth Legion. This is the only general vacancy in the Imperial Military Department, and you are most suitable for this position."
"Oh, it seems so."
The Empire's Seventh Legion was neither a special forces unit nor some rogue legion meant to test the protagonist's abilities in a cliché novel. It was simply that the Seventh Legion, which had been guarding the Northern Frontier this year, was breached by a strong attack from the Northern Native, suffering extremely heavy casualties, even losing its Legion Commander, which speaks volumes.
The Empire had sixteen legions, each fully staffed with 50,000 soldiers. Among them, the First, Second, and Third Legions were responsible for defending the Imperial Capital. Two of these legions guarded the outer city walls of the Imperial Capital, while one Royal Imperial Guard guarded the Imperial City, solely under the command of the General.
Of the remaining thirteen legions, the Tenth Legion was permanently stationed along the East Sea coast, defending against pirate landings and raids from the East Sea islands. Because the East Sea defense line primarily involved naval warfare, requiring extensive specialized training and tactics, and the climate there was much more pleasant than other border defense lines, the Tenth Legion was permanently stationed there without rotation.
Of the remaining twelve legions, six legions were distributed to guard the three national borders. The remaining four legions were stationed domestically, on one hand to deter unstable elements and ensure peace within the Empire, and on the other hand to recuperate and train new recruits. Border legions rotated every two years; each legion would serve on the front lines for four years, followed by two years for recuperation and growth.
One legion was permitted to remain domestically for four years, but it was responsible for defending the Forest of Dangerous Species in the Imperial Forest Sea, to prevent any Super Danger Beast residing within from suddenly attacking cities, and also to protect surrounding residents from Danger Beasts emerging from the forest.
The legions mentioned above were independent military units of 50,000, not including the garrisons at city checkpoints and local police forces.
"This is a headache! The Seventh Legion has been completely crippled and severely weakened this time. Fewer than five thousand men remain from the front lines. This means we have to completely rebuild a legion!"
At this moment, in Tohsaka Rin's personal courtyard within the Military Department, Zhi Feng complained, clutching her head in frustration.
All officers of general rank had a personal courtyard in the Military Department headquarters. This was for generals stationed elsewhere to reside in when they returned to the Imperial Capital for duty reports or other reasons. Now that Tohsaka Rin had been promoted to general, she naturally also had one.
And Zhi Feng, that girl, with her excellent performance ranking fifth, voluntarily applied and was successfully assigned to Tohsaka Rin as her Vice Commander (Deputy General). She was now with Tohsaka Rin in the study of Tohsaka Rin's general's courtyard, discussing future matters.
"I've already secured the mission to guard the Forest Sea from the Military Department. This also buys us two more years for our future. The key is how to utilize the next four years to turn this almost newly formed Seventh Legion into an effective fighting force."
Tohsaka Rin sat behind the desk, adopting the classic pose of Commander Ikari, hands clasped under her chin, deep in thought: "Although we lack experienced veterans who form the core combat strength of a legion, a Seventh Legion primarily composed of newly recruited soldiers might actually be the best outcome for us. At least when we take over, there won't be issues of unstable foundations or veteran authority making it difficult to enforce orders. The Empire's decision to have me lead the army is a bold and adventurous attempt. If I successfully lead this almost newborn Seventh Legion to rise, then the era of female generals in the Empire will truly begin."
"But isn't that too much to ask? To ask a girl to rebuild an almost newly formed army."
Zhi Feng sounded a bit troubled, but Tohsaka Rin was unfazed.
"Since it's an attempt, we naturally need to see the full effect. This is the best opportunity for us female generals to prove our capabilities, and it's the final challenge against Imperial tradition."
Tohsaka Rin picked up a list and handed it to Zhi Feng, continuing:
"The Military Department has generously assigned all female officer graduates of this cohort to my command. However, since we've decided to step onto the front lines, we can no longer think of ourselves as merely women. On the battlefield, there are only the dead and the living. To survive, we must be ruthless enough!"
"Ah—you're right, Big Sister is indeed extraordinary. I'll just follow behind you as your subordinate for life. Now, isn't it time to show the entire Empire your iron-blooded demeanor?"
"Hmph, roses don't just have beautiful flowers. Those who only see the flowers will be pricked all over by the thorns!"
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