Blackstone Code-Chapter 413: Hero

Early in the morning, intelligence about the land battleship was placed on the desks of many countries.

Everyone knew Gephra was secretly developing new army equipment. Their navy was indeed powerful, but their army…

So reports and speculation about Gephra’s secret land military projects had long circulated. Spies had been sent, and most gathered intelligence pointed to one thing—a land battleship.

The Gephrans wanted to replicate their invincible naval fleet on land. It sounded ridiculous. Some even joked in private that if Gephra could sail ships on land, they’d eat the emperor’s excrement.

Over a year passed with no news, then suddenly the land battleship project reemerged, shocking many.

As Gephra’s largest partner and strongest rival, the Federation naturally monitored all military developments closely.

That morning, detailed information was sent home by telegraph. Military experts at the Defense Ministry used these descriptions to have artists recreate the land battleship’s image on paper.

“A terrifying, twisted, and grotesque war machine!”

At a Defense Ministry meeting, the minister slammed the sketch on the table, his expression grave. “Why didn’t we get more intelligence earlier?”

His voice grew louder. “Now we’re at a disadvantage!”

Anyone seeing the steel monster in the sketch would be shocked—Gephra had truly moved its battleships onto land.

Though the sketches were somewhat exaggerated—especially the gun trains, which were larger than reality—the military designers attending the meeting whispered among themselves.

A member of the military arms committee spoke up, “They’re impressive looking, Minister, but you needn’t scare yourself or us.”

The minister frowned deeply. When two officers looked at him, he asked, “Just impressive?”

Before they could reply, a weapons designer answered, “Yes, Minister. Based on this rough sketch, we calculated the immense demands this machine would place on roadbeds.”

“It won’t work everywhere. Worse, relying on tracks is a fatal flaw. Destroying the train head-on is difficult, but to break the tracks, all you need is a single shell.”

The designer was right. The land battleship’s greatest weakness was its dependence on the rails—once destroyed, it was a sitting target with little value.

While the minister was alarmed, the weapons designers were relaxed. They believed the lack of new news meant Gephra had likely abandoned the project.

Too many limitations made mass production and frontline deployment pointless.

The minister wasn’t so sure. “What if they can quickly repair damaged tracks?”

A military official replied, “Then we simply won’t let them repair the tracks.”

The atmosphere lightened. Despite its flaws, the land battleship had benefits—like battlefield intimidation.

If three or five appeared simultaneously, they’d be a nightmare for enemies. But it had one major limitation: it had to stay on rails.

Rails aren’t oceans; the machine couldn’t go anywhere it pleased, greatly reducing its threat.

The discussion grew more relaxed, even turning to how to improve such war machines.

Suddenly, an official appeared at the door. After speaking briefly with the minister, he left quickly. The minister excused himself and departed as well. ṝ𝔞ΝОΒĚ𝓢

The fleet commander and navy captains who had led the anti-bandit operation returned to report.

They had just disembarked when Eminence station was overwhelmed by crowds. When the commanders appeared, cheers nearly tore the station’s roof off.

The roar rose to the skies before uniting into a single chant: Long live the Federation!

Simple and powerful—no phrase was more fitting.

Standing on the station steps, the commander’s eyes glistened as he watched the crowd. To his aide, he said, “I feel we missed a great opportunity. If we had joined the war sooner, might the world be different now?”

“But fortunately, though we lost one chance, we seized another. Look— we are stronger than we imagined.”

His deputy was moved. “This is your achievement. All glory belongs to you, Commander!”

“No…” The commander shook his head and descended the steps. “This moment belongs to the Federation.”

So many enthusiastic citizens delayed the captains’ journey to the Defense Ministry. People lined the roads, sharing their excitement, all faithfully reported.

But the minister faced a dilemma: how to deal with the commander?

From one perspective, this decisive naval battle shattered Gephra’s sea dominance and secured the Federation’s control over the Eastern Ocean. The commander was a hero.

Yet, there was a problem.

The commander ordered the annihilation only after Gephra had raised the white flag. He disobeyed the Defense Ministry’s strategic plan, acted ruthlessly, and most importantly, pushed relations with Gephra into unknown territory.

If this led to war, he’d be a criminal responsible for countless deaths.

His current fame depended on Gephra’s emperor remaining rational.

If the emperor were insane, like some ancestors, war would ignite, and the commander would no longer be a hero.

The Ministry decided he must be relieved of command and possibly sidelined for a while.

Gephra was still watching; the Federation couldn’t openly glorify him without worsening tensions.

But he was too popular—public opinion complicated matters.

After a long wait, the commander finally met the minister at the Defense Ministry’s entrance.

Not only common citizens but also young men and women inside came to catch a glimpse of the hero.

The commander stepped forward and shook the minister’s hand. “Should I be handcuffed now?”

The Defense Minister rolled his eyes and shook the commander’s arm forcefully. “Do you know how much you’ve put us on the back foot? Since this morning, Gephra’s diplomatic envoy has been waiting outside the presidential palace—for you to return, and for news.”

It wasn’t just the Defense Ministry tracking his movements; Gephra’s envoy was watching closely. Gephra’s losses couldn’t be hidden.

Even if they denied it, and the Federation refused to admit it, so many military observers couldn’t all be mistaken.

The Federation had to give Gephra an explanation, even if only a superficial one.

Gephra’s emperor needed a way to silence critics. Without a dignified way to admit defeat, things would become very complicated.

The commander didn’t know or care about these behind-the-scenes struggles; all he wanted now was a long vacation.

“No matter what happens, just keep me informed. I don’t want to be sent to the gallows without knowing why!” he joked, though he was mentally prepared for the worst.

The Defense Minister shook his head, releasing his arm with a sigh. “You’re exaggerating. We’re not as helpless as you think. We’ve never betrayed comrades for peace—but you might lose your job…”

They locked eyes for a moment—one trying to convey sincerity, the other trying to read the truth.

After seven or eight seconds, just as they were about to let go, the minister leaned slightly forward and whispered, “Welcome home…”

Afterward, the Defense Ministry officers eagerly shook the commander’s hand, expressing their excitement in words much like his.

It was a good day, warm and sunny.

Feeling satisfied and content.