Aetherios System [Slow Build OP MC, Isekai LitRPG/Cultivation] Chapter 126: Book 2: Chapter 40 : Deployment

Read chapter 126 of Aetherios System [Slow Build OP MC, Isekai LitRPG/Cultivation] by TTReynolds on NovelPedia.

Book 2: Chapter 40 : Deployment Book 2: Chapter 40 : Deployment [Time Remaining; 640 Days, 11 Hours, 52 Minutes. ] Everyone was up early the next morning. Either due to nerves, excitement, dread, a little bit of all three. He didn’t know everyone else’s reasons, but Alex could feel the dread mixed with elation that was churning in his stomach. Lieutenant Halstrad met them outside in the courtyard of the main training field. A large crate was on the ground next to her and she stood with her arms crossed, permanent scowl etched across her face. Once everyone had formed up into two lines in front of her, she gave a curt nod and kicked the crate, causing it to split open. “You have your own gear that you are welcome to use, but there are also Terraxum uniforms and armor that will be stand issue,” she picked up a gauntlet and tossed it at Peter. “Congratulations, you are all now soldiers.” She walked away after that, leaving them all to poke through the armory-made-trash-can that now lay before them. He and the others picked up items that fit their combat style. Eric, Holly and himself sticking only to the basic light leathers and martial robes. Kate, Peter and Lance quickly put on more medium armor pieces, chain skirts, gauntlets, greaves strapped over their boots. It was Henry, Garret and Devon that went more heavy armor. Alex was surprised by Devon’s choice, given that he didn’t seem to have the strength to really utilize the heavy plate to its full potential. But he assumed that’s exactly why he picked it. He made him feel more protected, and forced him to learn how to use it. It might even be good physical training for him. “All right then, how’s everyone feeling?” He looked out at each of them, and got expected reactions. Solemn nods, forced smiles and a smattering of things in between. “Yeah, I know. Let’s get to the gatehouse, I’m sure the convoy heading to the north front is already gathering up.” He didn’t wait for them, and simply turned on his heel to march off toward the northern stretch of the training facility. They had a lot traveling to do, and The System was still ticking down the timer to their final judgment. The land changed the farther they traveled with the large two-hundred man convoy headed north. Forests thinned, roads cracked, and fields faded into rolling, ash-colored hills where old battles had scarred the terrain. Burnt-out watch posts lined the path on occasions and old wards flickered weakly along perimeter stones. Alex could smell the pain and fear of past battles baked into the air. They passed refugee convoys heading the other way every hour or so. They had wagons stuffed with hollow-eyed families fleeing south, their carts loaded with talismans and family heirlooms. He saw one child clutched a burnt doll to her chest as they rolled by. No one looked at them as they passed ways on the road, and no one waved to them. Fleeing war put no one in the mood to make friends of those you met on the road. The forward camp of Terraxum’s northern front looked exactly how Alex imagined a place designed for the express purpose of killing, and not dying , would look. There were rows of fortified tents that covered miles of space. He could see spell-anchored palisades, and a dozen different layers of enchantment bulwarks humming like irritated bees across the ridgelines. There were soldiers sharpening blades, or unloading crates of beastblood elixirs, potions and other supplies. He heard one woman screaming at a griffon the size of a wagon not to eat her boots. Welcome to war. He told himself. “ This looks depressing. You humans like doing this?” No, Obby, we do not like doing this. Just some humans really enjoy the benefits they get from having other people doing it for them. “Seems like a horrible deal.” Preaching to the choir my granite friend. Alex pulled his coat tighter, feeling the first real chill since leaving the capital creeping under his collar. The ground here was dry, having cracked earth that looke