As team Sandstorm kept introducing themselves, the Captain became more and more surprised.
Sven Forthing? One of the two progeny of the Forthing Family?
No wonder he was so powerful!
A Sorcerer who was once part of a top eight tournament team?
That was a very talented and dedicated person! Someone like that could be molded to fit any kind of important position.
An Artificer that had almost 30 Early and Mid Great Golems?
Such a person could be an entire team all on their own!
The only one who didn't seem impressive was this Falk guy.
However, would such an outstanding team have a weak member?
There was probably more to this Falk fellow.
"Resume introduction," the Captain shouted.
Team Mountainwall spoke up next.
Team Rapidstream came last.
The last two teams seemed very ordinary.
After the introductions were over, the Captain told everyone more about the frontlines.
As written in the royal decree, they would be joining the western frontlines.
The battles almost entirely took place on the World Peak, which was a massive mountain range spanning over 600 kilometers.
The closer one got to the center of the mountain range, the taller the mountains got.
The mountain in the very center was almost 20 kilometers wide.
Yet, its height reached almost 50 kilometers.
'Wait, it's that high?!' Kyle thought in shock. 'Wasn't Mount Everest like… 24,000 feet?'
'Also, didn't Boss say the ceiling of the world was at a height of about 100 kilometers? So, this thing reaches halfway to the world's ceiling? That's crazy!'
The Ether Source the Skysand Kingdom desperately wanted was a bit to the west of the gigantic mountain.
"The battles of the Ether Source are decided by people in the Second Realm," the Captain said. "People in the Third Realm are forbidden from going anywhere near it."
"The reason is the World Wyrm, one of three Natural Gods residing in or beside the Skysand Kingdom."
"The World Wyrm resides on the central mountain. For the majority of the time, it stays underground and consumes Metal Elementals, but when it needs to digest its food, it rests on the mountain."
"In the past, people in the Third Realm fought for the Ether Essence, but that gained the World Wyrm's attention. Ever since then, the two Kingdoms have agreed not to send any more people in the Third Realm."
"The Champion of Skysand is stationed near the World Peak as insurance."
"That's a lie," Theodor said in Kyle's mind. "He's not there to protect you from the World Wyrm. He's there to protect the World Wyrm itself."
Kyle raised an eyebrow.
"The World Wyrm has a Metal Affinity, and it is the most abundant source of Rank S Materials in the world," Theodor said, noticing Kyle's questioning expression. "Silvester can create Rank S Materials, increasing the quality of Hieronymus' and Arthur's equipment."
"If the Winterfire Kingdom kills the World Wyrm, they will receive a great number of Rank S Materials, closing the gap in equipment."
While Theodor was explaining that part, the Captain was explaining what the Third Realm people were actually doing in the war.
Since they could not directly fight for the Ether Essence, they contributed indirectly.
For example, they tried to take out bases several kilometers away from the Ether Essence.
They also moved around the World Peak, striking the enemy's supply lines.
One team of Grandmasters could kill tens of teams of Fighters or Knights.
After the Captain explained how the war worked, he talked about their part in the war.
Frontlines.
Vanguard.
The worst position in any war.
According to the Captain, the four teams would be directly joining the battle for the Ether Essence.
"Sir, what about me?" the captain of the Alpha Team asked.
Everyone looked over.
Yes, what about him?
He was a Grandmaster, which meant he was in the Third Realm.
"You will join everyone else," the Captain said. "Yes, we are breaking the agreement, but that's nothing unusual. The number of times the Winterfire Kingdom has broken the agreement is in the triple digits."
"The agreement exists, but both sides are only looking at it as a guideline. When one side feels like they are losing, they send in people in the Third Realm to regain control."
"At that point, even if the World Wyrm becomes active, it is preferable over letting the enemy have control of the Ether Essence."
'Why does that remind me of the concept of nuclear weapons?' Kyle thought. 'I would assume if two nuclear powers are at war and one of them got pushed too far, firing a nuclear weapon would not be that bad of an option anymore. After all, you're about to lose anyway.'
'That also explains why this war is still going on.'
'It literally can't end.'
'As soon as one side is about to be victorious, the other side just sends in more powerful people. If that still doesn't help, they will send such powerful people that the World Wyrm becomes active. '
'And then, everything starts from the beginning again. I mean, everyone close to the Ether Essence would be dead.'
"Sir, may I ask a question?" Kyle shouted.
"Permission granted," the Captain answered.
"Sir, officially speaking, our goal is to conquer the Ether Essence, as far as I have understood. However, realistically speaking, our goal is to kill as many enemy soldiers as possible. Is that correct?" Kyle asked.
"Correct," the Captain answered. "Due to the dynamic of the entire war, the western front will be the last to be decided. The fighting on the Western Front will only end when one of the two kingdoms emerges victorious."
"Until then, we are going to weaken them. Every Fighter you kill is a potential Grandmaster they don't have in the future. Every Grandmaster they don't have represents one less enemy one of our Grandmasters has to fight."
"Your success on the Western Front has a direct impact on the outcome of the Central Front."
"Idealistically speaking, with every enemy you kill, you save the life of one of your comrades in arms."
"For you, the goal doesn't matter."
"You only have one job."
"Kill as many Winter Babies as you can!"
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