Some Local Matters

After a large-scale offensive failed, the Dawn Empire temporarily shifted to defense, seemingly waiting for their main force to head north.

Seventy to eighty thousand men guarded southern Gexilu, with some troops even entering the southern regions of Kelu and Mia.

Enbo, a nearby country, also sent tens of thousands of troops.

The Swarm had many enemies.

The enemy's firepower was clearly intense; there wasn't a single spot on the front line where the bombardment ever ceased.

Although most civilians had been evacuated, some who still lived nearby spent every day in fear.

To prevent the Empire from seizing the territory, these ordinary people began setting up small workshops locally using simple tools.

They started making simple carts and wagons to help the Swarm transport rocket bugs, or fashioning launch tubes to provide assistance to the front lines.

It could be said that everyone was of one mind.

...

At this time, in a city thirty kilometers from the front line.

“Quick, these are vehicles transported from the northern region. Send them directly to the front!”

Several soldiers suddenly appeared on the street.

Many vehicles followed closely behind.

All were magic-powered.

Many Gexilu civilians watched the scene on the street without a word.

To them, the Zerg and the Kingdom of Clear were invaders.

Most didn't know that even if the Zerg hadn't invaded, given the current situation between the Empire and the Gexilu United Kingdom, they would have eventually sent troops north anyway.

One could say this war was destined to happen.

But for the local residents, they didn't think that much; they only cared about who had destroyed their lives.

But...

It was too late for talk; this was not just occupied territory, but a war zone.

Yet, for the sake of survival, civilians generally did not resist at such times.

Because the Zerg watched every household, conducting inspections roughly every hour. Once any usable weapon was discovered, the entire household would be executed.

The first wave of inspections was the most terrifying; everyone whose strength exceeded Tier 3 was taken away.

They never returned.

Among the remaining people, the Zerg also began recruiting those who could help.

Among the group of soldiers on the street at this time, some wore different clothing. These were prisoners from Gexilu or civilians who had become logistics personnel, forced to help manufacture weapons.

They had no right to refuse.

Because this was war, the Swarm used very crude methods of governance for the sake of efficiency on the front line: only death and rewards.

Disobey and be killed; obey and be rewarded.

After such a wave, even if the remaining people felt resentment, they could only obey submissively and didn't dare show the slightest sign of it.

...

Seeing the vehicles driving past below, a young woman couldn't help but mutter:

“Since when did the Kingdom of Clear become so strong? These Zerg are truly impressive.”

“It probably has to do with their Princess. She's no simple character, ascending to the throne by her own strength and then quickly annexing nearby countries,” said another girl with brown hair beside her.

“So amazing.” The first girl's eyes sparkled with admiration. “For a girl to achieve something like that... I want to be like her too.”

“Stop dreaming. Besides, she's the leader of an enemy nation. Is it really okay for you to talk like that?”

As the two were chatting, a soldier below happened to see them.

“Hey, you two, come help out.”

It was a puppet soldier—originally from the Gexilu United Kingdom but now aiding the Zerg.

The two girls looked at each other and, having no choice, had to go down.

After all, disobedience might cost them their lives.

Coming downstairs and walking out, the puppet soldier pointed to a vehicle nearby: “Help pull this. We're short-handed, and the Zerg sent too many rocket launch vehicles this time.”

“Won't this be very heavy?” The brown-haired girl looked at her own arms and then glanced at the massive truck.

“It's fine. With the wind element array, even a child could pull it.”

So the two women immediately tried, and sure enough, they pulled it quite easily.

“Are these all from the Kingdom of Clear? I thought only the Empire could build these?”

“Build?” Hearing the question, the Gexilu soldier laughed. “Look closely. What are those shells made of? They're all chitinous shells. I don't even know what these Zerg things are.”

The vehicle was pulled away by the two women.

The vehicles behind also quickly found hands to help.

Then several soldiers ran into a nearby basement.

In an indoor space spanning nearly ten thousand square meters, many people sat processing parts.

All that could be seen were unicycles.

Those responsible for making them were Gexilu locals, with two elf bugs and a hundred locusts supervising the scene.

“Done.”

A man raised his hand.

An elf bug girl immediately walked over. Seeing the finished product, she gave it a slight push to confirm the quality was good.

“One point for you. Keep working hard and wait for your reward.”

The man immediately broke into an excited smile.

...

“It really is...”

Seeing this scene, the soldier shook his head inwardly.

Recalling not long ago when these people first arrived, they were arrogant and unyielding. Who would have thought that in the blink of an eye, they would be helping out so contentedly?

Indeed, compared to being killed at the drop of a hat, being able to sit here quietly and work in production was a rare opportunity.