First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 198

Chapter 198: New Soldier

Zhou Shirui and the others went to report first, only coming to find them in the afternoon.

However, when they finally had free time, Lian Sheng's group was working in shifts.

Most of Kafa's mech pilots had been sent out for testing. Except for comrades like Harry, whose goals were clear and wishes novel, while their criminal records were relatively minor or even outright wrongful convictions—their faces practically screaming "I love world peace"—who were directly tossed back after going out, the others were still undergoing testing.

Thus, many of Kafa's stored mech cockpits became vacant.

Seizing the opportunity, Lian Sheng clung to the Expeditionary Force members' coattails—serving tea, massaging shoulders, and buttering them up—securing work opportunities for her comrades.

The main city area's construction no longer required mechs, so their focus shifted to suburban redevelopment.

Carefully piloting mechs through urban areas to avoid unnecessary damage, they then headed into the wilderness to begin work.

Lu Mingyuan was responsible for marking locations for them, while Lian Sheng's group carried out artillery bombardment, mountain removal, and site clearance.

When Zhou Shirui arrived, Lian Sheng showed little reaction, but Lu Mingyuan looked ready to cry from relief.

Finally, someone had come to share his heavy burden! Finally!

God knew that during actual combat operations, there was no way there'd only be one technician! Facing a group of comrades whose independent thinking had become increasingly active under Lian Sheng's encouragement, he felt like he was going schizophrenic from all the modeling!

Ji Ban was also quite pleased: "With this new batch of students arriving, I'm a senior now, right?"

Lian Sheng: "...If that makes you happy. As if you've ever attended school."

"I have!" Ji Ban paused, then asked, "Which university was I enrolled in again?"

The group: "..."

The group: "..."

The group: "..."

To their surprise, they realized they'd forgotten too.

But this wasn't important.

This new batch consisted of trainees selected by the Expeditionary Force.

Once, the 36th District had been the first cradle for Expeditionary Force reserves, but it was destroyed. Even after destruction, it could still serve for training, but it was even better to use it to mess with their seniors. Since it could also help with urban development, they were sent to Kafa instead.

Lian Sheng's cohort was too special—they hadn't participated in the mech selection tournament finals, causing some members to miss the finals entirely and thus fail to catch the Expeditionary Force's attention.

Such as snipers, heavy armor specialists, and command students.

These students rarely stood out in preliminary rounds, usually making their mark as invited teammates in the finals. This year, they'd missed that opportunity.

Coincidentally, the 36th District incident occurred, and Gelen's diplomatic issues were brought to the agenda. The Expeditionary Force itself was overwhelmed and had no time for such minor matters.

After missing an academic year, this group was finally reselected, joining up with the new cohort and the advance troops.

In Kafa, where day and night were reversed and schedules constantly adjusted, the training soldiers who hadn't slept all night were called up the next day to claim their new recruits.

The veterans stood loosely in formation nearby.

Their uniforms weren't properly worn, creased and wrinkled with edges uneven. Their hair had grown somewhat long, and the important ones looked utterly drained, slouching with poor posture.

Compared to the high-spirited, energetic new recruits, they were utterly disgraceful.

An old soldier stood with one foot tilted, clicking his tongue at them: "Not a shred of Expeditionary Force demeanor or awareness. Can't you show some spirit?"

Fang Jianchen said, "The only time I can summon an indomitable spirit is when I'm about to collapse into bed!"

The group nodded emphatically.

The new recruits maintained solemn expressions, not letting any emotion show on their faces.

Had their seniors already developed such close relationships with the Expeditionary Force?

They'd heard they'd participated in actual combat and performed remarkably. They seemed truly impressive.

Truly the most outstanding generation!

Looking at them—no matter their posture, movements, or demeanor—there was an air of transcendent masters about them.

The old soldier found the scene utterly bizarre. Pointing at the new recruits, he said, "Open your beady little eyes wide and memorize their faces."

The group nodded: "Memorized, memorized."

Truthfully, there was no need—they already knew their own team members. Anyone around their age with unfamiliar faces was undoubtedly a new recruit.

The old soldier phrased it carefully: "You are... what was it again? Ah, seniors. They're your responsibility now, take good care of them!"

That's it? Where's your sense of responsibility as a formal soldier?!

Lian Sheng hesitated: "As... instructors?"

"Dream on, instructors? As foremen!" The old soldier waved a hand, then clenched a fist encouragingly at the new recruits: "Work hard, and there'll be meat to eat!"

Had they time-traveled?

After explaining some matters, the old soldier left directly, leaving behind a group of hopeful new recruits and utterly exhausted seniors.

Lian Sheng's group covered their faces, feeling the task ahead was Herculean.

Without hesitation, they pushed Lian Sheng forward.

"First, let's introduce ourselves. Then everyone can go ask around to see where help is needed. Kafa City has been extremely busy lately—you'll find plenty of work," Lian Sheng said with utmost sincerity. "As soldiers, learning to connect closely with civilians, build good relationships, communicate amiably, and gather information is crucial. Kafa's difficulty level isn't high since the Expeditionary Force has already left a good impression. The rest is up to you. Understood?"

The group responded loudly: "Understood!"

Lian Sheng: "Now, self-introductions."

They went down the line one by one. A few names sounded familiar.

"Yan Shuo... Yan Shuo..." Fang Jianchen whispered, "Who's Yan Shuo? The name sounds familiar."

Yan Shuo: "..."

His inner monologue—

Lian Sheng: "The Western swordsmanship guy from the selection tournament?"

Fang Jianchen remembered, then felt oddly melancholic: "Oh. Feels like several years have passed—I feel so old now."

Cheng Ze chimed in: "I have the same illusion."

Lian Sheng: "That means you've lived fulfilling lives."

Soon it was Zhou Shirui's turn.

Lu Mingyuan: "~~"

"..." Zhou Shirui, "..."

Lu Mingyuan: "~~~~~~~"

Zhou Shirui turned to look at Lian Sheng.

Lian Sheng said, "Proof that you're his emotional pillar."

Zhou Shirui: "..."

After introductions concluded, Lian Sheng couldn't wait to dismiss them.

Zhou Shirui called out: "Wait! I have something to show you."

The group stopped.

Zhou Shirui rummaged around, pulled out his optical computer, selected some images, and handed it over: "You've graduated. Your diplomas. I picked them up for you since you couldn't. Couldn't bring the originals, so I took photos."

The group was momentarily dazed before exclaiming in surprise: "Graduated? Oh... we graduated."

Looking at the school name written in gilded font on the paper, the red seal in the bottom right corner.

Unknowingly, they'd graduated. This final year had been so tumultuous that time's passage had become imperceptible.

Zhou Shirui looked at them: "You've... changed so much."

It was a change in spiritual state. Like children striving to grow up had finally taken on adult forms.

The group smiled.

They could clearly feel their own growth too—physically and spiritually.

Zhou Shirui: "Did none of you watch the graduation ceremony? The entire school sang a blessing song for you. Many netizens expressed their admiration and longing for you too."

Turns out they hadn't even listened.

"Too busy, no time," Lian Sheng patted his shoulder. "Soon you'll forget your past life and set sail anew!"

Zhou Shirui: "...Really?"

"Although little information made it back due to confidentiality, with many parts censored, people kept searching and digging, wanting to hear about you," Zhou Shirui said. "I'm just glad you're all okay."

Yes, being okay was what mattered most.

Lian Sheng waved: "See you. Next time we'll take you mech-riding!"

If they didn't rest soon, they wouldn't be okay.

Shortly after Zhou Shirui's group arrived, commendations for Kafa were finally finalized.

Perhaps due to Hundred Meter Flying Dagger's vigorous advocacy, or the 36th District's merit bonus, or the Expeditionary Force wanting to promote new recruits, or simply a wholesale distribution of honors.

Many received commendations for this operation.

Unsurprisingly, Lian Sheng received the sole Special-Class Merit. She also earned a lieutenant rank—though here, it was just for show.

Zhao Zhuoluo and Fang Jianchen, who prevented cannon attacks and controlled urban chaos, received First-Class Merits.

The boys who followed the Expeditionary Force in citywide sweeps received Second-Class Merits.

All rewards remained anonymous, but that was enough reason for celebration.

Just being happy for themselves was pride enough.

After the new recruits arrived, the veterans began arranging to offload their usual construction tasks onto these poor souls, then personally took them training.

Having experienced real combat, they could now remain unflappable. They merely jumped for joy a little.

The Expeditionary Force's training methods were straightforward—just fight!

Form teams among yourselves, arrange friendly matches, find some godforsaken place, switch mech weapons to data-simulated versions, and go at it!

This was the most reliable training method they'd experienced—and the most brutal combat process.

The Alliance preserved Cornell's honorary lieutenant colonel position without actual authority. He and Harry occasionally joined Expeditionary Force training too.

In the second summer—though seasons were hard to discern in Kafa—Lian Sheng's meritorious trainees finally reaped their rewards, formally joining the Expeditionary Force's ranks.

At Hundred Meter Flying Dagger's urgent request, Lian Sheng led Zhao Zhuoluo and other Alliance students into the Sixth Army.

That day, the sky wasn't particularly blue, the weather not especially cool. They were just eating when an ordinary official text arrived.

The group merely paused their chopsticks, then kept eating.

Lian Sheng answered the call: "Hello?"

Hundred Meter Flying Dagger exhaled: "Interested in Gelen?"

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