The most dangerous and intense battle in the history of mankind was over. But for the "war" itself, the ending was still a long and cautious process.
In the frontline command post of Winterwolf Fort, Gwen, Philip, Maryland, Solderlin, Amber and the rest sat at a long table. The magic network terminal on the table flickered, and the topographic map of the entire Wintercastle area was projected in the air above the table. There were also many holographic projections showing the situation of the various forces in the area, as well as images from Cecil City.
"In the past few hours, three of our forces have brushed past the Typhon. Although there is no conflict at the moment, considering that communication between some of the frontline soldiers and the rear is not smooth, and that some of the Typhon legions have been scattered, and many of the smaller legions are out of control, I suggest that the soldiers in the eastern side of the Belt Plain withdraw to the central part of the plain," Philip said. "Typhon's Knight Protector Regiment and Mage Regiment have begun to operate again. Many areas are gradually being sealed off, and there is no need for the search party to continue to operate in the controlled area of Wintercastle."
"Sigh …" Amber could not help but sigh. "After the battle with the war god, I had an illusion that the war was over … I almost forgot that this is actually the 'battlefield' between us and Typhon …"
"You're not the only one who had such an illusion. We more or less have the same feeling. After all … that is the war god, and we have just fought a war with him." Maryland smiled bitterly as he spread out his hands. "And I believe that Typhon's side is even more chaotic than ours. Hopefully, they can restore their command system as soon as possible. There are too many scattered forces on the battlefield now, and each of them is a magic crystal bomb that could explode at any time."
Maryland was talking about the complicated situation that Typhon and Cecil's frontline forces were facing now. The battle was over, but the flames of the 'war' had not been completely extinguished. Even if the leaders of both sides knew the truth and had reached a certain level of tacit understanding, as well as issuing orders for a temporary ceasefire, the overly chaotic post-war situation required some time for both sides' orders to take effect. In this period of time, a large number of combat troops who had lost contact with the rear were still waiting for orders on the scorched earth. Both sides' respective search parties were moving about the battered defensive line, searching for their lost troops or battlefield resources. In a sense, it was more nerve-wracking than the war itself.
"Philip is right," Gwen broke the silence. "What's the reply from Wintercastle?"
"We have established a temporary communication line with Typhon," Solderlin said as he got up. "The War Citizen at the edge of the war zone will act as a temporary magic net hub. Some of the Steel Ambassadors that are still operational will enter Typhon's territory as' messengers'. Now, we can finally send messages to Wintercastle. Typhon's people also want to withdraw some of their forces to the garrison and designate a part of the war zone as a 'buffer zone', allowing only medical and search and rescue forces from both sides to enter. But they want us to retreat first, at least let the first and second regiment retreat first. "
"Ah?" Amber immediately muttered. "Why do they want us to retreat first?"
"Because our two tank regiments have already driven to Typhon's base camp at the foot of the mountain. They drove straight in," Maryland said with an awkward expression. "The situation at the end was too chaotic. Fortunately, they haven't fought yet."
Amber: "… Ah, oh …"
"We can withdraw from the security perimeter of the Wintercastle Fortress Cluster. This is a reasonable request from the other side," Gwen said, breaking the awkward atmosphere. "The ground forces will withdraw, but the few long-range artillery positions in the middle of the plains will remain. Rosetta may be a trustworthy monarch, but now the chaotic battlefield is not safe. We have to retain the ability to provide cover for the search and rescue forces entering the war zone."
"Understood, I'll make the arrangements." Philip nodded and then asked, "About the troops entering the buffer zone …"
"Medical and search and rescue forces …" Gwen thought for a moment and casually made an arrangement. "Let the Steel Sanctum and Scarlet Holy Light regiments enter. They are more experienced in dealing with search and rescue missions in the battlefield."
This arrangement was very reasonable. However, Maryland could not help but reveal a somewhat awkward expression. He thought of the "Holy War Hammer-Ii" heavy tank that the priests and nuns loved and the large burner that was used to clean up the battlefield. Then, he said hesitantly, "Your Majesty, is there a possibility that these two battalions might cause a misunderstanding? Their style … "
"They are the most suitable ones. And to be honest, don't all the priests on our side have the same style?" Of course, Gwen knew what Maryland was talking about, but he had already gotten used to it. He did not even have the interest to complain. "Communicate with Wintercastle and give them the standard insignia of the Holy Light Legion. This will help their frontline troops to identify them. Make the situation clear. Although those people drive tanks, are equipped with heavy artillery, use war hammers and heavy burners, they are indeed medical troops … "
Hearing Gwen's instructions, Maryland nodded seriously and said, "Yes, I understand."
The details of the aftermath were properly discussed, and the relevant instructions were issued one by one. Although the entire war zone was still in chaos, the most basic order was gradually restored. Whether it was Cecil or Typhon, the people in power knew very well what to do at this time. The combat troops began to cautiously withdraw from the sensitive areas. The communications of the basic troops were reestablished. Some of the units lost in the battle were successfully found, and some began to return to the nearest superior camp. Although many of the basic soldiers still did not know what would happen tomorrow, at least everyone was clear that they survived today. This life was precious.
After the impromptu meeting, Gwen left the busy command hall. After telling the others where he was going, he took Amber to an open space in the castle courtyard. With the whole Winterwolf Fort in a tense and busy situation, this was a rare quiet place in the castle.
Several fully-armed enchanted infantry were guarding this place. A young lady with black hair and a black dress was standing quietly in the open space. She seemed to have been waiting here for a long time, but until Gwen appeared, there was not a trace of impatience on her face.
Gwen came to the black-haired lady and said, "Madam Diana, I'm sorry to have made you wait a little longer. The meeting is a little longer than I expected."
"You don't have to apologize." The black-haired maid of Typhon bowed her head slightly. "I can imagine the chaos you have to deal with after the battle is over. In order to ensure the safety of those who survived, I don't mind waiting a little longer."
Gwen looked at her from head to toe. He always felt that this' maid of Typhon 'who called herself Diana had a familiar and special temperament. For a moment, he could not tell what it was. So he just said casually, "… Obviously, you can't be an ordinary maid. Ordinary maids don't have the insight you have."
"I'll take that as a compliment," Diana said meticulously. Then she looked up and glanced in the direction of Winterwolf Fort. "So, my mission is complete. Can I leave now?"
"Of course." Gwen nodded. "You are not our captive. The door here is always open. Say hello to your master for me. Also, tell him that I look forward to talking to him in a more formal setting."
"I will." Diana took a small step back and then bowed slightly. With perfect etiquette, she lifted both sides of her skirt. "Then, please excuse me …"
As she spoke, her figure gradually faded in the air. Gwen was ready to watch her leave. However, at this moment, a gentle female voice suddenly came from the direction of the corridor not far away, interrupting Diana's departure. "Wait a minute. Turn around."
Gwen looked in surprise and saw Veronica standing in the corridor at the edge of the courtyard with a platinum scepter in her hand. Diana, who was about to leave next to him, instantly dispelled the shadow spell. The latter's face, which always seemed to have little change in expression, showed obvious shock. She looked at the 'Saintess Princess' in the corridor, dumbfounded.
Veronica walked over quickly with a rare serious expression on her face. Gwen was surprised. "What's the problem?"
"Who is this?" Veronica looked at the black-haired maid who seemed to be frozen in place and frowned slightly. Although her tone was still gentle, her attitude was obviously very serious.
Amber immediately said, "Her name is Diana. She is from Winter Castle. You should have received the news. She is a 'messenger' sent by Rosetta Augustus."
"Diana … A messenger sent by Typhon?" Veronica muttered with a strange expression. She could not help but look up and down at Diana. Then, she suddenly said quickly, "Self-check, execute sequence 335, output the conclusion to the language module."
As her voice trailed off, the 'maid' from Typhon suddenly stiffened, followed by a faint buzzing sound and the sound of some kind of metal device rubbing against each other. A few seconds later, a glimmer of light appeared in the depths of her eyes, and she quickly replied, "Self-check, execute sequence 335 … Error, the mental core is misplaced, the original logic library has been reset …"
With another strange sound from the body, the black-haired maid suddenly seemed to wake up from some kind of absent-minded state. She shook her body and stared into Veronica's eyes. "Who are you?"
"The mental core is out of the Ironman network … the original logic library has been overwritten … you can't even recognize the characteristics of my mageweath?" Veronica was surprised. "Do you still remember who you are?"
Diana did not answer her question. Instead, she repeated, "Who are you?"
"… I am the head of the Ironman Army, Ophelia Norton." Veronica stared at the maid and said slowly, "Can you recognize me again?"
Then, she quickly said a string of numbers, as if it was some kind of password.
Diana seemed to be greatly touched, and even her body shook obviously. Gwen did not know if it was an illusion, but he even felt that the air around her was slightly hot, as if the lady's body was producing an amazing amount of heat. She then calmed down a little and looked into Veronica's eyes. "Password … Pass … But I don't understand … Can't recognize, my recognition function … broke down hundreds of years ago. There is no facility to provide maintenance in this era …"
"Broke down … This makes sense, but how did you come to the human world?" Veronica frowned and stared into Diana's eyes. "How long have you been in the human world?"
Gwen listened in confusion. At this time, he finally vaguely guessed something. It was the knowledge from the memory of the original owner of this body, but the corresponding conclusion was a little too shocking. "Wait a minute, Veronica, I heard the content of your conversation … You mean this Lady Diana is a member of the Ironman Army? She is a — "
"Ironman soldier, looks like a relatively late model, but the mental core seems to have some kind of change, and has been out of the control of the original logic library," Veronica explained before Gwen could finish. "I have never seen such a situation … But I am not an expert in Ironman technology."
Amber was more confused than Gwen from the beginning. Only now did she understand what was going on. She suddenly widened her eyes and looked at the tall black-haired lady in disbelief. "Ironman? You mean … the 'ironman' from the Gondor era that you mentioned to us, Gwen? "
The development of the situation was not only beyond the expectations of Gawain and the rest, but even Diana, who was at the center of it all, was a little startled. However, the 'iron soldier' regained her composure in a very short time. She regained her elegant and calm demeanor and nodded to Amber. "I'm sorry, I didn't expect the situation to change. Yes, I am the 'ironman' from the Gondor era that you mentioned. My creator told me so. "
"You look no different from a normal human being …" Amber could not help but sigh. "When I first heard the name 'ironman', I thought it would be a mechanical doll made of steel, like the steel golems or mechanical men made by the mages … I didn't expect it to be so beautiful."
Diana nodded calmly. "Thank you for the compliment. Although the praise of appearance is not important to me."
"Hey, you're welcome. We are all from the Gondor era." Amber rolled her eyes and thought of something. She smiled and extended her hand to the other party. "Hello, I am an android from the Kingdom of Gondor. Can we be considered as' compatriots'?"
Diana did not respond to Amber's outstretched hand. She just looked at the short half-elf, tilted her head, and showed undisguised confusion on her face.
She then retracted her gaze and looked at Veronica. "Your password is correct. I can temporarily register you as Ophelia Norton, but I have already left the Ironman Army and will no longer take your orders."
This answer was completely out of Veronica's expectation. The latter narrowed her eyes slightly. "Left the Ironman Army? How did you do it? "
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