Chapter 397 - 198: Rank Conferment Ceremony, The Stars of Generals Set Sail
Chapter 397: Chapter 198: Rank Conferment Ceremony, The Stars of Generals Set Sail
The only sound inside the military vehicle was a faint electronic hum.
Unlike the crude troop transports they had ridden in the fallen zones, this time, all the graduating cadets were in custom-built sedans with luxurious interiors.
The cars were jet-black with sleek lines, bearing conspicuous Ning A Military District license plates.
The convoy sped through the traffic network of Ninghai City, its path cleared by an uninterrupted series of green lights.
Lin Ye leaned back in the plush seat, his gaze fixed on the world outside the window.
This was his first real chance to see this eastern metropolis of Great Xia.
Skyscrapers stood shoulder to shoulder, piercing the clouds. Dazzling holographic ads played across massive light screens on their exterior walls.
Overhead, unmanned public transit vehicles shuttled methodically along a web of crisscrossing aerial tracks, forming a complex and efficient three-dimensional transportation grid.
There were hardly any pedestrians or vehicles on the ground; most of the infrastructure exuded a futuristic, highly automated feel.
The prosperity and sophistication of Ninghai made it seem like a completely different world from his hometown, Dongjiang City.
The convoy didn’t stop in the city proper, instead driving directly toward a heavily guarded district.
Finally, it slowed to a stop before a magnificent and imposing complex of buildings.
The Political Center of the Ninghai Province Military Department.
Guided by several officers, Lin Ye and the others stepped out of their vehicles and were led to the front of an enormous auditorium.
The moment they stepped into the auditorium, everyone subconsciously held their breath.
A high dome soared above, painted with a magnificent landscape of mountains and rivers. The surrounding drapes were a deep crimson, and the flag of the Great Xia Kingdom was visible everywhere.
The thousands of neatly arranged, dark red velvet seats within the auditorium were empty, yet the hall was filled with an intangible air of solemnity.
The very air seemed thick with a solemn, heavy atmosphere.
"Relax. It’s normal to be nervous."
"To be honest, even I have never been to a place this high-end before."
Dongfang Zhen whispered quietly in Lin Ye’s ear.
Beside them, the corner of Zhang Daoxuan’s mouth twitched.
His little interruption instantly dissipated much of the inexplicable tension Lin Ye and Zhang Daoxuan were feeling.
Before long, they were led to a lounge backstage.
A young officer bearing the rank of captain on his shoulders soon entered.
His posture was ramrod straight. He first gave the group a standard military salute, then began to explain the detailed procedures and important points for the award ceremony.
At the same time, several soldiers came in carrying large boxes and began distributing brand-new, crisp military uniforms to each person.
"These are custom-tailored uniforms, made to each of your measurements. They include a set of combat fatigues, a service uniform, and a dress uniform."
The captain’s voice was clear and strong.
"With the exception of the top three cadets, all of you will attend in your service uniforms. The top three will wear their dress uniforms."
"There’s still some time before the ceremony begins. Please try on all three uniforms. If there are any issues with the sizing, we can arrange for an immediate replacement."
Everyone took their uniforms and went into individual fitting rooms.
Lin Ye first tried on the dark combat fatigues and the olive-green service uniform. They both fit perfectly, and the material was far more comfortable than he’d imagined.
Finally, he changed into the dress uniform.
When he walked out of the fitting room,
Dongfang Zhen’s jaw went slack. He looked Lin Ye up and down, his eyes filled with astonishment.
"Holy shit..."
"Lin Ye, that uniform fits you perfectly! How is it that you instantly look ten times more handsome?"
Lin Ye himself had been momentarily stunned when he looked in the mirror earlier.
The Great Xia’s standard-issue dress uniform was impeccably tailored with sharp, clean lines. Golden aiguillettes adorned the pure black fabric, and wearing it imparted an unspoken air of authority and dignity.
Nothing suits a man like a uniform.
This uniform perfectly accentuated his already tall and powerful frame. Paired with the restrained yet sharp aura of a Martial Artist, he was the very definition of the word "gallant."
"Get lost. I’m not into guys," Lin Ye retorted with a laugh.
His words instantly broke the somewhat tense atmosphere in the lounge, and everyone burst out laughing.
The minutes ticked by.
An hour later, everyone in the lounge could faintly hear wave after wave of thunderous applause from outside, along with the host’s impassioned, rhythmic voice.
Another ten-odd minutes passed. The sounds from outside gradually died down, signaling that all the VIPs had been seated and the opening speeches were over.
The lounge door was pushed open, and an officer, likely a stage manager, poked his head in with a serious expression.
"Cadets, get ready."
"Line up in the order we rehearsed and proceed to the stage!"
In an instant, all laughter and chatter in the lounge vanished.
Everyone’s expression turned serious. They straightened their posture, their eyes showing a newfound resolve.
They straightened their uniforms and marched out of the lounge.
...
「Seventh War Zone.」
The ground was pockmarked with craters large and small—permanent scars left behind by a heavy artillery barrage.
The air was thick with the smell of scorched metal and the faint, almost imperceptible, scent of blood.
In the distance, the bizarre skeletons of several massive, non-human creatures had yet to be cleared. They lay exposed under the dim, sallow light of the sky, adding a grim touch to the devastated landscape.
Lin Tao walked slowly into a massive Mecha repair bay.
His right leg had been replaced by a high-tech prosthesis that gleamed with a metallic sheen.