Death Notice

Qin Lun and his two companions followed Major Montana out of the Training Ground, heading towards the War Room deep within the mountain core.

Along the way, Lace very tactfully excused herself. She knew the Millennium Bug Organization did not fully trust her, and since she could always receive all information through the Team Channel anyway, there was no need to invite suspicion from the Plot Characters.

Qin Lun’s group stopped inside a War Room. After the guards withdrew, Major Montana personally turned on the projector and played three combat videos. To Qin Lun and Grant’s surprise, these videos seemed to have been recorded last night and early this morning – very recent, clearly part of coordinated actions.

The first and second videos depicted battles near the White House in America and Moscow’s Red Square, the iconic buildings unmistakable. The third video showed London, England. But the building featured wasn’t a government office; it looked like an outdated building along the Thames River.

After explanation from Major Montana, they learned this building housed British Military Intelligence, section seven (MI7). Britain’s MI5 and MI6 were famous intelligence agencies. The former, renamed the “Security Service” after World War II, focused on counter-espionage and counter-infiltration. The latter, renamed the “Secret Intelligence Service,” primarily conducted espionage abroad.

British MI7, however, lacked the fame of these two, having been established only decades after World War II. This organization combined biological research and covert military operations, staffed entirely by British Superhumans, which included some Ascetic Monks from Protestant Christianity.

“The fight in America was led by the Hydra Corps, primarily consisting of Hydra mercenaries. The operation plan was highly successful. According to official American statistics, hundreds of buildings in Washington D.C. were damaged by explosions and fires. Even parts of the White House and Pentagon collapsed, with casualties nearing four hundred thousand.”

Watching the intense combat on the screen, Major Montana maintained a slight smile. “Hydra also paid a heavy price. Almost all their covert forces within S.H.I.E.L.D. were wiped out, who then used a super-warship built by S.H.I.E.L.D. to deliver a devastating blow to the Americans themselves.”

“What about the British and the Russians?” Qin Lun glanced at the burning White House before turning to the other two screens.

“We didn’t have as many personnel as Hydra. Launching a large-scale assault on London would require committing all our forces. Therefore, this attack targeted only MI7, the gathering place for British Superhumans.”

Major Montana pointed at a group of strange figures moving in a stiff, mechanical way on the screen. “These are flawed products left over from our Superhuman experiments. Due to low intelligence and only an instinctual desire for flesh, we call them ‘Ghouls’.

The officers in charge of this operation were two half-brothers: Lieutenant Luke Bairontae and Lieutenant Yang Bairontae. Luke, the older brother, is skilled with blades. Yang, the younger brother, possesses the special ability to command the Ghouls.”

“Did this small force succeed?” Grant’s eyes narrowed slightly as he scanned the screen intently. The fighting scale was smaller, and the image quality was poor, making it difficult for both him and Qin Lun to assess the Bairontae brothers’ achievements.

“The resident personnel of British MI7 were virtually wiped out, except for those Superhumans and Ascetic Monks who were out on missions.” Major Montana said with a smile. “Of course, all the Ghouls we had nurtured over the years were also expended. The Bairontae brothers were killed during the later stages of the battle by the reinforcements arriving from the Royal Order of Protestant Knights.”

“As for the Russians… Baron von Wurdenbeller’s Vampire Battalion had too few members. Although we sent an assault team led by Lieutenant Tubalcain Alhambra to assist, they actually managed to kill very few Russian Superhumans — mostly ordinary people.

Without the ability to deploy super-weapons like Hydra, casualties were under twenty thousand. Furthermore, the damage to Moscow’s Red Square and Kremlin was relatively minor.” A glint of cold light flashed in Major Montana’s eyes as he sneered. “However, ever since the Soviet Union collapsed, Russia has been steadily losing international influence. Essentially, we achieved our operational objectives.”

Major Montana did not mention the assault team led by Lieutenant Tubalcain Alhambra again. Since they hadn’t seen this strangely surnamed German Army Lieutenant at the Training Ground today, they believed his team had been completely lost as well.

“Major, were Lieutenant Tubalcain Alhambra and the Bairontae brothers German soldiers?” Qin Lun inquired, looking at the three soldiers on the screen who clearly differed from Germanic heritage.

“No. Lieutenant Tubalcain Alhambra is of Turkish descent and joined the organization post-war. The Bairontae brothers are Danish; moreover, Yang Bairontae, the younger brother, has Black ancestry.” Major Montana’s gaze flickered, his tone sensitive. “I understand your implication. However, this wasn’t an intentional choice to sacrifice them; this plan was determined decades ago.”

Major Montana sighed and continued, “In truth, the vast majority of members within the organization who survived until now have undergone bodily modifications. We ourselves can no longer be called pure Aryans; what right do we have to discriminate against them? Therefore, anyone who shares our ideology is recognized as a comrade.

After the Aryan Ark Corps fractured, I once thought the Imperial Restoration plan had no chance of success. So I devised a plan for mutual destruction through revenge. The Soviet Union and America were overwhelmingly powerful back then, so I targeted Britain instead.

Even though Lieutenant Tubalcain Alhambra and the Bairontae brothers were new recruits who joined us only after the war, each had their own story and embraced our ideology. Not only did they voluntarily land on British soil during the first wave of attacks, but they were also prepared to sacrifice their lives. Now it’s simply a matter of differing times and locations; the essence remains unchanged.”

Qin Lun nodded noncommittally. Then, recalling something, he asked somewhat hesitantly, “Major, this tripartite probe attack against the Allied Forces… it wouldn’t be a response to my earlier doubts, would it?”

“Ha ha ha! Major Gerthard, please don’t feel burdened by this. In fact, your skepticism was warranted. After a gap of fifty-four years, even the bravest soldiers from the beginning cannot say how steadfast their combat resolve is now. We too must ask ourselves whether we are still willing to sacrifice everything for the Empire’s restoration.

Their sacrifice was worthwhile.” Major Montana explained with profound eyes. “Only blood and iron can reawaken the fighting fervor buried deep within our memories and reaffirm our ideals once more. Besides, this probe operation is also part of future plans. Following the last meeting between the three major organizations, we unanimously agreed that your suggestion was correct.

Time waits for no one. If the world’s mythical creatures slumber for a few more years, by the time the world’s major powers are fully prepared, we will lose the best chance to restore the empire. It is better to initiate the decisive battle immediately now. At least, with the Superhuman forces currently possessed by the three major organizations, we can still secure a place in the struggle against the Allied Forces.

If we can concentrate them in a single location and deal a heavy blow… then by the time the mythical creatures awaken, the Third Reich will also witness its resurgence from the ashes. During this joint attack, the three organizations have embedded information indicating your reappearance, while subtly revealing the next attack location to the enemy…”

“Major, the outcome of war always cuts both ways. Aren’t you afraid that my recommendation, while destroying the enemy, will also cause the three organizations to bleed themselves dry?” Qin Lun asked with a grave expression.

“Hahaha!” Major Montana threw his arms wide and laughed wildly. “Major! Did you forget your own words? We are already cowering sewer rats whose days are numbered! If an opportunity arises and we lack the courage to stake it all, then what’s the point of prolonging this miserable existence?

Embrace the war, Gerthard! Revel in the war! Revel without restraint in this storm of blood and iron!”

Watching Major Montana’s ecstatic frenzy, a smile finally appeared on Qin Lun’s face. “Major, since you’ve taken my suggestions into account, you must have a concrete plan by now. Where exactly do you intend to concentrate the enemy’s formidable Superhumans?”

“London! Britain controls the Atlantic bottleneck and is the crucial hub between America and Europe. It’s the most suitable location. Moreover, although America suffered heavy losses in this attack, the Avengers Alliance, which evolved from the Justice League, possesses formidable strength. We cannot fight such an enemy on their home turf.”

Major Montana gave a chilling smirk, clenching his fist tightly. “And with the Grimm Academy guarding Europe, Britain’s Superhuman organization is the weakest. Making London the battlefield neutralizes the home-field advantages of the other two locations, which works best in our favor.”

Qin Lun and Grant couldn’t help but glance at each other. Indeed, this development completely aligned with the hints from the Main Plotline!

Qin Lun’s smile warmed considerably. Increasingly appreciating this Nazi plump man before him, he felt an undeniable perfection in someone else’s plan for the first time.

“Major, aside from these three videos, do we require any other information?” Sensing the acuity of the portly Major, Grant’s tone became unconsciously more respectful.

“Hmm…” Major Montana pondered briefly before pulling a disc off the desk and handing it to Qin Lun and Grant. “This disc contains recorded combat videos of some major world powers and famous Superhumans. However, my combat skills are inadequate, so I’m unable to offer advice. You’ll have to observe carefully on your own.

Additionally, your performance back at the Training Ground left quite an impression! To be frank, I had always believed that with the organization’s development resources and scientific training, the modified warriors of Millennium Bug should be fully comparable to the superpowered mercenaries of the Hydra Corps and the traditional Superhumans of the Vampire Battalion…

But your performance made me feel this might be just wishful thinking on my part!” The portly Major finished with a bitter laugh.

Qin Lun and Grant exchanged a knowing smile. They had put in so much effort to display their skills not only to gauge the world’s Superhuman power level but also to compel this somewhat conceited man to take them more seriously.

“Very well, you two come with me to Dr. Shahil’s institute on the island. We need an assessment of the developed Superhuman bloodlines we’ve completed successfully and identify any flaws.” Major Montana decided with a wave of his hand. “Even last-minute polishing is better than Hans or the others making mistakes on the battlefield.”

…

“Huh? Major? What brings you here?” Dr. Shahil looked visibly surprised to see Major Montana, Qin Lun, and the others enter the laboratory.

This human research facility wasn’t very spacious, yet its array of equipment surpassed that of the medical bay aboard the zeppelin. On both sides within were over a dozen amniotic tanks Qin Lun recognized. However, white drapes covered them now, obscuring their contents.

“Indeed, Doctor. I’ve brought Gerthard and Kluge here to observe the fruits of our long-term research.” Major Montana gestured towards the amniotic tanks within the lab, motioning with his chin. “Pull back the drapes. Explain the details thoroughly for them.”