Above The Sky
Chapter 717 - 717 3 Now I'm the Head of a Solo Regiment 5600_3

717: Chapter 3 Now I’m the Head of a Solo Regiment (5600)_3 717: Chapter 3 Now I’m the Head of a Solo Regiment (5600)_3 But the majority of the First Energy Level Sublimators showed a look of displeasure, for although they lacked souls, the Spirit Substance within them was incubating, and they could feel extremely loud auditory hallucinations resonating within their skulls.

Everyone knew that if the Governor’s Mansion made such a decision, something significant must be about to happen.

Ian followed behind Colonel Majorva, watching as he commanded Nauman City’s entire team to systematically handle the major parasitic lifeform crisis, and he nodded slightly.

Whether it was The Empire or Fiery Flame Land, there was a set of identification and elimination processes for monsters and Spirit Energy Magical Beasts that could parasitize intelligent beings, stripping them of their identities for their own use, and even for Spirit Energy Users.

Unlike Earth, Terra was filled with Swarms and Worm Nests, and the number of heart parasitizing Magical Beasts was anything but small; there were also numerous forces wanting to use such technology to steal intelligence.

These entities usually expanded silently at the early stages and failed to draw attention, but once discovered, every nation and major power was capable of eliminating them with ease.

“I said it, Huai Guang Church has exterminated seventeen Swarms already.

This world definitely has a resistance to these parasitic flows, and only the higher-level Flesh Shapeshifters can perfectly simulate personalities, or else any slight hint would have sparked a thorough investigation.”

Ian shook his head slightly; when he once dreamt of the Dao Path of the Swarm, he wondered why he didn’t use it to quietly parasitize the People of Harrison Port and then infiltrate key elements into major cities to have those who had been parasitized cooperate from within when he fully struck, seizing key positions.

It seems that he must have tried, but was identified in the process.

After all, the Swarm’s parasitism was only truly sudden and effective against civilizations that had never witnessed such things.

Against Terra’s overly technologically advanced post-apocalyptic civilization, it still fell short.

By evening, the comprehensive search of Nauman City ended after Ian had dinner with Colonel Majorva.

The results were rather good.

There was only one Flesh Shapeshifter in the Governor’s Mansion; however, they had discovered seven key individuals influenced by Spirit Energy in their memory and thinking.

These individuals generally showed personality transformation, memory loss, and severe disorganized thought patterns.

They had been possessed by a powerful Spirit Energy User.

“The one controlling the Flesh Shapeshifter must also be this Spirit Energy User.”

Colonel Majorva put down his knife and fork; unlike his father, he preferred to use regular cutlery, although he still carried his own.

It was a family tradition.

Ian was quite satisfied with the dinner—a carefully roasted veal calf doused with black pepper mushroom sauce; crisscrossed grilled Ironbone Swordfish from the Southern Sea with a dish of spices on the side for dipping; and quite exquisite honey tree bud cake as the main course, accompanied by a beverage of snow valley tea from Canaan Moore.

The veal was tender, juicy, and melt-in-your-mouth, the entire dinner was a feast for the senses, but there was no grain main course like bread.

Although it was about setting an example, in reality, Sublimators also didn’t consume grains with low Origin Quality content, which was one of the reasons for their disconnect from the rest of society.

“Indeed.”

Ian agreed with Colonel Majorva’s assessment.

Clearly, this time Fiery Flame Land had dispatched a quite powerful Spirit Energy User to oversee intelligence operations in South Ridge; no wonder the current situation was so dire.

“The meeting in the Imperial Capital must have ended by now.”

After sharing their sentiment on the difficulty of intelligence work in South Ridge—lacking funds and support, Colonel Majorva glanced at the time, then stood up to take Ian to contact Marquis Barton: “Although the main meeting is over, there are various smaller meetings afterward.

My father has been reporting to His Majesty about the Inspector Knight’s work lately, he just now has the time.”

“By the way, Ian,” he looked at Ian’s attire and hinted, “you need to be clear about your ‘identity’.

I might not mind, but you know how my father is.”

“I understand.

I am an officer of the Patrol Knight Squad, not an Elite Alchemist from the Alchemy Association.”

Ian nodded slightly: “Then please, take care of it for me, Colonel.”

During the meeting period, aside from the numbers of close contacts, Marquis Barton wouldn’t accept any information.

Colonel Majorva used his own number to get through to Ian, spoke a few words, and then handed the Communication Crystal Pad to Ian.

[Ian?]

Marquis Barton’s indifferent voice arose: [Are you contacting me as a Lord or an Inspector Knight?]

“Inspector Knight.”

Ian did not hesitate: “Second Energy Level Squad Leader.

I am contacting you in this capacity, my lord Marquis.”

[South Ridge is in chaos, isn’t it?]

Marquis Barton’s mood seemed to be not too good, but Ian did not know whether the other party was bringing the emotion of the meeting into this or was pretending, so he said, “It’s not chaotic, but there are some issues that need to be resolved.”

Marquis Barton said: [Good, it seems you have your own thoughts.

Tell me your view.]

“Reporting, general, in the end, the rebellious Mountain People are just dissatisfied with the policies of The Empire.

The economic system of the Mountain People has never been able to integrate with The Empire.

Two hundred years ago, the policy regarded the Mountain People as the exploited colonized, while now they are supposed to be part of The Empire, yet the policy has not been updated.”

Ian said clearly: “The Mountain People only have the chance to integrate normally into The Empire by joining the army.

If we could absorb the high-end martial force of the Mountain People through the military, then the situation could be maintained.

However, now that the main battlefield is in the Western Territory, South Ridge, although in a state of preparing for war and under full martial law, finds it very difficult to earn military exploits.

This has caused dissatisfaction among many leaders of the Mountain People.”

“Not to mention, Magical Beasts from Fiery Flame Land are causing havoc, resulting in reduced food production.

The Empire’s direct-controlled lands can support with food supplies, Nauman, Three Rivers, and the People of Harrison Port all have fish catches, so they can hold on, but the autonomous regions and colonial Mountain People are still starving—Ordinary Mountain People can’t figure out exactly who caused this situation, they just feel that Imperial People have food to eat, while they have none, so they plan to rob.”

“Then add the espionage from Fiery Flame Land, and the uprising occurred.

The situation is very clear and simple, so it’s not chaotic, just some issues that need to be dealt with.”

[Well said,] Marquis Barton praised: [How to solve it, how to handle it?]

“I can’t solve it, general.” Ian said without hesitation: “Only the South Ridge Governor can resolve this matter, that is, you, general.

With your trip to the Imperial Capital, you definitely want to deal with these overly outdated policy issues and thoroughly eliminate the structure between the colonies and autonomous regions, completely bringing them under the direct control of The Empire and launching the great development of South Ridge—but Fiery Flame Land took a step ahead and incited the rebellion first.”

“But this is actually a good thing in some sense; Fiery Flame Land has ignited the fire keg for us.

As long as we can deal with them and then declare that they are the cause of the Mountain People lacking food and clothing, we can gain people’s hearts at the fastest speed and achieve our subsequent goals.”

“However, I am just the leader of the Patrol Knight Squad.

I can at most deal with some localized insurrection issues and do some martial work, but these are not issues I can resolve.”

[Very good, Ian.

Excellent,] Marquis Barton sounded very pleased: [Given that, I have some tough military tasks for you, which might offend the Mountain People.

Are you willing to undertake them?]

“Haha.”

Ian chuckled lightly: “Are the Mountain People and the Redwood Natives fiercer?

I am from Harrison Port, and I’ve been killing natives since I was eight.

I’m used to such things.”

[Hmm,] Marquis Barton’s tone carried a hint of amusement: [Majorva, is the land force structure of the Nineteenth Legion full right now?]

“Full,” Colonel Majorva said: “But it can be vacated at any time.”

Colonel Majorva’s colonel rank was not under the ocean and land forces, but rather the Armor Troop with the status as a deputy army leader.

For him, appointing or dismissing officers within the legion was not difficult.

[No need for that, there’s no need to be so obvious.]

Marquis Barton pondered for a moment: [Ian, since all the regiments of the Nineteenth Legion are full, I will give you an independent force structure.

Whether it’s an independent regiment or an independent battalion will depend on how many men you can muster later on.]

[As for the military rank…

Inspector Knight, newly entered the Second Energy Level, this qualification is actually enough for a colonel.]

[But to be a bit more cautious, let’s go with a major.]