Reincarnated with the Country System-Chapter 119: Port Athens: The Gateway to Battle

The military trucks of the Bernard Empire rumbled along the coastal highway, their diesel engines growling as they carried troops and supplies toward Port Athens. The trucks, painted in olive drab, were a mix of rugged M35 2½-ton cargo trucks and newer M939s, their canvas covers flapping in the wind. Above, UH-1 Huey helicopters buzzed through the sky, their rotors thumping as they escorted the convoy.

Civilians lined the streets, waving flags and holding signs that read, "Bring Our Heroes Home!" and "Victory for Bernard!" The soldiers, seated in the backs of the trucks, waved back with a mix of pride and apprehension. For many, this was their first deployment, while others were veterans of smaller conflicts. But this was different. This was war.

★★★

Port Athens was a sprawling naval base, its docks alive with activity. Two aircraft carriers were moored a few kilometres offshore, their decks bristling with F-14 Tomcats and A-6 Intruders. Smaller ships—Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates and Knox-class destroyers—were moored closer to shore, their crews preparing for departure. The air was thick with the smell of salt water, oil, and the faint tang of welding fumes as last-minute repairs were made.

Trucks carrying soldiers rolled onto LSTs (Landing Ship Tanks), their heavy tyres clanking against the metal ramps. Sailors in navy blue uniforms shouted orders, their voices competing with the hum of machinery and the occasional blast of a ship’s horn.

On an aircraft carrier…

Rear Admiral Adrianna Kane stood on the bridge of the aircraft carrier, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon through a pair of binoculars. Her uniform was crisp, the gold braid on her shoulders catching the sunlight. A cigarette dangled from her lips, its smoke curling into the air. She was a woman of few words, but her presence commanded respect.

A lieutenant in a navy blue uniform entered the bridge, saluting crisply. "Rear Admiral Adrianna! I have come to report."

Adrianna lowered the binoculars and returned the salute. "What’s the status, Lieutenant?"

"Lieutenant General Eva Cortez’s men have begun boarding the ships. They’ll be fully loaded within two hours."

Adrianna nodded, exhaling a plume of smoke. "Good. Inform the fleet that we set sail as soon as the ground troops are aboard. We can’t afford any delays."

"Yes, ma’am!" The lieutenant turned and exited the bridge, leaving Adrianna to her thoughts. She glanced at the map spread across the table, her finger tracing the route to Britannia. The stakes were high, and the weight of command pressed heavily on her shoulders.

Meanwhile———

Among the troops boarding the transport ships was a platoon of soldiers under the command of Sergeant Major Viktor Hargrove, a grizzled veteran with a voice like gravel and a reputation for being as tough as they came. He stood before his platoon, his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes scanning the faces of the young men and women under his command. Discover hidden content at novelbuddy

"Listen up!" he barked, his voice cutting through the chatter. "I don’t want to hear any whining once we leave the shores of Bernard. You swore an oath to protect this country. That means no backing down, no second-guessing. If any of you don’t have the stomach for this, step out of line now."

The platoon stood in silence, their backs straight and their eyes forward. No one moved.

Viktor’s lips curled into a grim smile. "Good. That makes me happy. Hell, I’ve got butterflies in my stomach like I just chugged a six-pack. Because seeing that there are no cowards here? That’s what fills me with pride."

As the platoon dispersed to board the ships, a group of soldiers lingered near the gangway, their voices low but animated.

"Did you understand what the Sergeant Major was saying?" asked Private Lucas Argento, a young soldier with a mop of unruly brown hair and a single chevron on his sleeve. "Butterflies, six-packs... what was he even talking about?"

Private Elly Nakamura, a wiry sharpshooter with a dry sense of humour, shrugged. "No idea. Maybe he’s just really passionate about motivational speeches."

Corporal David Reyes, a seasoned soldier with two chevrons on his sleeve, joined the conversation. "You two, shut up. You know most of the officers under Lieutenant General Eva are... let’s just say, eccentric."

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Eccentric? What do you mean?"

David pointed to a nearby major who was clutching a Walkman, its headphones draped around his neck. "Exhibit A: That guy. He listens to that thing 24/7. Even in the field."

Elly snorted. "What about him?" She gestured to another officer who was inspecting a crate filled with what appeared to be **Vietnam-era survival gear**, including a machete and a booby trap manual.

David smirked. "Oh, that’s Major Graves. He’s into... let’s call it ’old-school tactics.’ But don’t worry, it’s not for prisoners. It’s for ’field experiments.’"

Lucas and Elly exchanged horrified glances. "Our officers are seriously messed up," Lucas muttered. "Why the hell was our brigade chosen for this operation?"

Elly scratched his chin, then snapped his fingers. "I remember hearing a rumour about Lieutenant General Eva. Apparently, she’s got some... unusual hobbies."

Lucas and David leaned in, their curiosity piqued. "Go on," Lucas urged.

Elly leaned in. "Okay, okay, listen up. You know how Lieutenant General Eva never takes her gloves off?"

"Yeah?"

Elly grinned. "Word is, she’s got tattoos covering both hands—runes, sigils, something ancient. Rumour has it that she volunteered to conduct research on her, so when she removes the gloves… she can break bones with a touch."

The other two soldiers stared.

"That’s ridiculous," David scoffed.

Elly shrugged. "Hey, it’s just a rumour. But knowing our officers? I wouldn’t be surprised if it were true."

As the soldiers boarded the ships, the reality of their mission began to sink in. The banter and jokes were a way to cope with the tension, but beneath the surface, each of them knew the stakes. They were heading into a war zone, where the line between life and death was razor-thin.

Lucas glanced at the horizon, where the sun was beginning to set. "You think we’ll make it back?" he asked quietly.

Elly clapped him on the shoulder. "We’ll make it back. Just stick together, and we’ll be fine."

David nodded. "And if we don’t... well, at least we’ll go down fighting."

The three soldiers fell silent, their eyes fixed on the distant waves. The journey ahead would test their courage, their loyalty, and their humanity. But for now, they had each other—and that was enough.

A loud blast of horns echoed across the ocean.

This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēnovelkiss.com.

The Bernard Empire’s war machine had officially set sail.

Latvia would soon learn what it meant to challenge the greatest military power on the continent.