Chapter 797: Chapter 797 Training The Elite
As the inferno outside the cave began to die down, Varik signaled the moment to move. "Now. Spread out. Destroy as many things as you can and kill everything you see. I want this entire planet to be flipped over by the end of the day. But your most important objective is staying alive.
The longer you live the more you can kill! Prove to your leader that you are capable! Don't bring shame to him for picking you!"
The soldiers, grim-faced and resolute, understood what was required of them.
They split into smaller units, each moving with stealth and precision through the charred remains of the jungle.
The plan was clear: spread out, stay hidden, and wreak havoc on the demon world's facilities.
Their movements were shadows flitting through the devastation, barely disturbing the ash that blanketed the ground. Each squad had a specific target: ammunition dumps, communication arrays, and supply depots. The demons, for all their might and terror, had grown complacent in their fortifications, not expecting an assault from within their own borders.
The soldiers, armed with only their rifles and the training that had honed their skills to a razor's edge, became agents of destruction.
They moved under the cover of darkness, planting explosives, sabotaging structures, and engaging in hit-and-run attacks that left the demons reeling.
The crack of a rifle shot became the herald of chaos, each bullet sowing confusion and fear in the enemy ranks.
Time lost its meaning in the demon world. Days and nights blended into a continuous loop of stealth, attack, and evasion. The soldiers' minds were not burdened by thoughts of home or the passage of hours; they were singularly focused on their mission. Every action was driven by the need to survive and to inflict as much damage as possible on the demonic forces.
Varik, observing the relentless efficiency of Aldred's soldiers, felt a sense of pride swell within him. Silently, he gave them a nod of approval, his gaze lingering on each squad as they returned from their sorties to regroup and share intelligence on enemy movements.
The discipline and courage they displayed were beyond commendable; they were exemplary.
"Only four years old, but Celestial Platoon already able to make quality warriors." Varik smiled. "From where did this Aldred came?"
What impressed Varik the most was the fact that, so far, none of the soldiers had fallen. Despite the overwhelming odds, despite the hellish environment that sought to consume them at every turn, they had all survived.
Aldred's selection process had indeed picked the best of the best, soldiers whose will to persevere matched their skill in combat.
Varik's plan was actually to prove Aldred that his soldiers were shit and would help him in picking and training them.
Instead, he began to admire these soldiers. They were definitely on par with the royal army who on through rigorous training ever since they were 6 years old.
Inside the dimly lit confines of his helmet, Varik concentrated for a moment, and the interior came alive with the glow of a virtual interface. A detailed map of the demon world, marked with countless indicators of their sabotage and destruction, hovered before his eyes.
Each icon represented a blow to the enemy's infrastructure, a testament to the relentless assault carried out by the soldiers of the Celestial Platoon. Varik's gaze swept over the map, analyzing the extent of their work.
"These past weeks, we've turned their world upside down," Varik murmured to himself, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. The destruction they had wrought was not just physical; it was a message. A declaration that no enemy was safe, no stronghold impregnable.
It was time to pull back. They had done enough—for now. Varik's thoughts turned to the extraction of his warriors. "Time to bring them home," he decided, initiating the sequence for the rescue operation with a series of commands inputted directly from his mind to the interface.
In the silent void of space, a small, sleek spacecraft maneuvered towards the demon world. Its technology rendered it nearly invisible, slipping past the chaotic remnants of the demon's defenses with ease.
The soldiers, having received Varik's signal, began to converge on the designated extraction point, a clearing scarred by the recent battles but strategically chosen for its obscurity.
As the spacecraft descended, its engines a whisper against the cacophony of the demon world's night, Varik watched his soldiers emerge from the shadows.
Despite the hellish weeks of combat and survival, they moved with purpose, their formations tight and disciplined. The pride Varik felt was palpable; these were no longer just soldiers under his command—they were warriors shaped by the fires of adversity.
The hatch of the spacecraft opened with a hiss, revealing the darkened interior.
One by one, the soldiers boarded, their rifles slung over their shoulders, their faces etched with the exhaustion and resolve of those who had seen the face of their enemy and had not wavered.
Varik was the last to board, casting a final glance over the demon world.
The training ground he picked turned to chaos with only some thousands soldiers.
As the hatch sealed behind him, he turned to face his soldiers, their eyes fixed on him, waiting for his word.
"You have all exceeded every expectation," Varik addressed them, his voice carrying through the spacecraft. "Your strength, your will to persevere, has proven invaluable. You've shown that even in the face of overwhelming darkness, the light of our resolve shines brightest."
The spacecraft lifted off, its departure as silent and unseen as its arrival.
As it cut through the night sky, leaving the demon world behind, Varik knew that this mission would be remembered. Not just for the destruction they had left in their wake, but for the unbreakable spirit they had all forged together.
After the ship docked in Aldred's flagship. The soldiers were greeted by Aldred right when they entered.
"Congratulations. You returned. Alive."
Aldred saw their faces carefully. They all definitely become a completely different person after this experience.
Before this, they looked like professional mercenaries. But now they were something else. Something much more than mercenaries.
He saw the grit and the will of humanity to survive.
Activating his godly eyes, he immediately saw significant improvement on them.
Sergeant Varik approached Aldred. "They have done well. The soldiers you picked surprised me."
"You're not the only one that got a surprise. I like what I see. From now on, all of you will fall under the Elite Platoon. And the training regime you just went through will be mandatory for its recruitment."
Aldred wanted to create an elite force that can enter the demon worlds and survive.
Battles in space were efficient but they were spread too thin. There might be cases where they could not send battleships to attack or defend.
These soldiers must do the job.
After the debriefing, Aldred led the weary but victorious soldiers to a section of the flagship they had never seen before. The doors opened to reveal a luxurious lounge, an oasis of comfort and relaxation that stood in stark contrast to the barren, hostile worlds they had just left behind.
The air was filled with a soft, inviting glow, and the scent of rich, aromatic foods wafted towards them, a stark reminder of the simple pleasures they had forsaken in the demon worlds.
"Welcome to your reward," Aldred announced, his voice warm with genuine appreciation. "Everything here is for you. Enjoy, you've earned it."
The soldiers, still processing the transition from battlefield to luxury, hesitated at the threshold, their battle-hardened facades briefly giving way to expressions of surprise and disbelief.
The lounge was equipped with everything they could possibly desire: plush seating, an array of entertainment programs displayed on large, crystal-clear screens, a steaming jacuzzi, and even a team of professionals including masseuses, barbers, and a chef ready to cater to their every whim. Two butlers stood by the door, awaiting instructions with impeccable posture.
As they dispersed into the lounge, the soldiers began to relax, shedding the weight of their recent trials with each passing moment. They sank into the comfortable furniture, accepting drinks and dishes prepared by the chef, their initial awkwardness fading away as they indulged in the luxury afforded to them.
Aldred watched them for a moment, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. "Remember, this is just the beginning of your rewards," he told them. "I've always believed in taking care of those who serve loyally and achieve great things. You've secured not just a victory, but a future for yourselves and your families."
He explained further, detailing the rewards that awaited them beyond the immediate luxuries of the lounge. Each soldier was to receive land, substantial monetary bonuses, gold, and stocks—assets that would ensure their families' prosperity for generations.
Moreover, Aldred had arranged for comprehensive education and healthcare packages for them and their loved ones, a testament to his commitment to their well-being.
The soldiers listened, their expressions shifting from gratitude to a deep, resonating respect for Aldred. It was clear to them now more than ever that their leader was not just a brilliant tactician but a man who valued and honored their sacrifices.
Sergeant Varik approached Aldred, extending his hand. "You honor us, Aldred. This… all of this is beyond what we expected. We pledged ourselves to your cause, but you've given us more than a cause to fight for. You've given us a future."
Aldred clasped Varik's hand firmly. "A future you've all fought hard to secure," he replied. "Enjoy this respite. For now, let tonight be a celebration of what you've achieved and what's to come."
That night, the soldiers finally got a good night sleep.