Chapter Twenty-Seven: Morale Can Be Put to Good Use

"I am a psionic. I can sense the existence of these things. The old man was right; this is indeed an experimental workshop. I suspect it was a site used by the Enlightenment civilization for the pilot production of Element Zero."

Baka the Bear-kin immediately wore a look of shock, as if his faith had just been shattered.

Indeed, these Pioneers had already mastered the manufacturing methods for these "godly substances," and it wasn't exactly a secret. It was just that the media didn't trumpet it, and the authorities didn't bother to debunk it, leaving ordinary people to continue believing that "Element Zero" was truly a "gift from God," a present bestowed upon everyone by the spirit of the universe.

"H-how can this be a laboratory..." The Bear-kin said with a mournful face, his lips trembling as he tried to argue. However, he was neither articulate nor the type to stand tall before his superior, and in the end, he said nothing.

Dr. Banks and Youyou patted his shoulders from left and right to comfort him, though due to the height difference, they could only reach his back.

Yu Lian pretended not to see it and continued, "Up to now, ninety-nine percent of the Enlightenment ruins opened by various nations have been practical facilities: factories, laboratories, barracks, archives, and so on. Of course, there are indeed palaces and temples, and the media only ever reports on those, which has led the outside world to believe that the Pioneers were a religious civilization driven by idealism... which is a fallacy."

Moreover, this fallacy was highly likely to have been orchestrated.

"Our Pioneers and guides were much more pragmatic than we imagined. But, let's get back to the point. These mithril..." Yu Lian paused; he always felt it was terribly out of place to use such a term in a cosmic setting. Even though he had been through this many times in his previous life and was quite used to it, it still felt jarring.

"Actually, they can't be considered a success. Perhaps there was a flaw in the process, or perhaps they were left for too long; they have lost their activity. They can no longer be considered strategic materials, so they can certainly be sold. If you all trust me, I will find reliable channels. If we split it evenly, everyone will..."

Sergeant Baka suddenly raised his head, his face shifting from deep sorrow to visible eagerness in an instant, and he shouted, "No, we cannot split it evenly!"

Yu Lian was startled, thinking to himself that he hadn't realized this big, thick-browed fellow was actually so insatiable! Did he think he couldn't wield his blade just because he was only at the first ring?

Perhaps noticing Yu Lian's expression, Dr. Banks hurriedly explained, "S-sir, what he means is that we shouldn't take that much. You're new here, so you don't know. Back when Commander Monderson and Lieutenant Russo were here, the 'extra income' was always distributed as seventy percent for officers, twenty percent for non-commissioned officers, and ten percent for soldiers. Uh, I also have an accounting certificate; I used to keep the books."

"Are you pirates? No, even pirates aren't that ruthless! I remember the captain, officers, and crew usually go with a five-three-two or four-three-three split. That's the code of conduct!"

"Why are you so familiar with pirate codes, sir?" Uncle Karl asked.

Yu Lian coughed, pretending not to hear, and continued, "...Then, let's just split it equally, one-third each."

"You, you are so generous!" Dr. Banks's emotion was practically written all over his face.

Yu Lian weighed the box in his hand and quickly estimated its value: "If we sell it now, I could get at least 10 million alone. You all should be able to get around 1 million each, and the soldiers would only get about 500,000."

Yu Lian was the only officer present. If they had followed the hierarchical distribution, he would have taken that much. Of course, the official roster for Outpost 12 still included Lieutenant Cruz, the airship pilot, but everyone had completely ignored him.

Everyone cheered, and Youyou even shouted, "Long live Commander Yu Lian!" Sergeant Baka wiped away his tears, looking at him as if on a pilgrimage, as if he had seen a savior.

So, this is how one re-establishes a source of faith, then? It seems that superstitious beliefs built on information asymmetry are truly fragile in the face of naked profit.

"Nobody is allowed to speak of this after you get the money! If I find out who leaked it, I will personally skin them!" the old mechanic barked, his voice and presence overpowering everyone else in the room.

Once this most prestigious old man in the barracks spoke, everyone nodded in agreement.

"...You have broken the rules by doing this; you must not let other officers find out," the old man lowered his voice, advising Yu Lian with the tone of a loyal elder.

"Do you not see any problem with this?"

"There is a problem! If this gets out, your generosity and nobility will be praised by the enemy, even if they don't know you yet. But before that, your colleagues will first view you as an enemy. You are so young and so excellent, but I have seen many excellent and upright young men destroyed by arrows shot from the shadows."

"...No, you still don't understand, do you? I will be taking dozens of times more than all of you!"

"Yes, and that is why taking so little is breaking the rules. This is society, sir..." the old man continued earnestly.

This society indeed has problems, but you all should be the ones to start changing it!

"So lively! Did something happen?" Ina walked in, looking spirited and radiant. Her appearance hadn't changed, but she seemed like a different person, her temperament now possessing a hint of cleverness and agility, and her charm had risen several points.

Psionics are all handsome men and beautiful women; perhaps that's why. Even if a starfish awakened its psionic powers, it would certainly be the most beautiful and delicious starfish in the universe.

"...Uh, I was just re-learning how society works and setting a small goal. How about you? Did everything go smoothly?"

"I seem to see nebulae when I close my eyes, and my head is buzzing—it's very uncomfortable. My vision is a bit blurry, and my ears are full of static. I do need to adapt... but don't worry, overall, things are changing for the better."

I didn't hear how that was "better" at all; anyone else would think you had a concussion. However, this did sound like the awakening of a "Sentinel," the first ring of a Star-Falling Envoy.

The "Witch of the Scorching Eye" was destined to walk this path; that, perhaps, was the will of the spirit of the universe.

Regardless, the operation was a great success. The enemy's pursuers were completely routed, the boss fell before even showing his strength, the team scavenged intact new equipment, the soldiers were all paid and morale was through the roof, the Sergeant was promoted, and the protagonist—Yu Lian—not only obtained the most important item in the ruins but also faced no suspicion... this was truly a perfect story!

However, Yu Lian didn't have time to check the hidden chip now. After this treasure hunt in the ruins, everyone realized they had guns, cannons, and tanks, and their morale was sky-high. Only then did someone remember that they were not just routed troops fleeing in panic and having lost their base, but actual reinforcements dispatched by headquarters to aid Toulon.

Thus, Ina, acting as the staff sergeant, formally proposed the "March to Toulon," which was accepted. He brought up the map and gathered the sergeants for a meeting.

After all, even as the ragtag garrison, they were still proper national soldiers; it wasn't as if anyone would suggest heading into the mountains to become bandits.

"Um, sir, we could actually rest here for a few more days, until the battle in Toulon is over..." Dr. Banks suggested in a low voice.

...Why do I always get slapped in the face by my colleagues?

"Toulon is so big anyway, it's impossible for it to be conquered by the Sand People, right? We could say we lost contact with headquarters, were pursued by a large group of Sand People, and got lost in the mountains. That is actually the truth, I... no, no, just a suggestion, just a suggestion."

Before Yu Lian could react, Dr. Banks raised his hands and retreated sullenly under Ina's piercing gaze.

"Sir, please don't mind him... Dr. Banks is the breadwinner of his family. His parents are old, and his younger brother is still studying in the Empire; they all rely on his income. He, he really cannot afford to die." Perhaps worried that his "upright and generous yet young" commander would cause trouble for Banks or even report him, the old mechanic whispered a word of explanation.

"Who here can afford to die? Uncle Karl, don't you also have old parents and young children at home?"

"T-this..."

"Hmm, perhaps the only one who can afford to die is me. After all, I grew up in the Veterans' Orphanage, with no father, no mother, no family, and no attachments," the Sergeant said with a smile.

"Ina..." Old Karl sighed, thinking to himself, I haven't offended you, have I? Don't stir things up at a time like this, girl!

"Don't worry, I won't take it to heart. After all, everyone hasn't fought in any major battles; being nervous and fearful is understandable. However... heh, it would be too pretentious for me to talk to everyone about military honor right now, but since you are all drawing salaries from the Governor's office and are able to make some extra profit as soldiers, you must have an attitude when it's time to work. Besides, in Toulon Port, you all must have family and friends, right? If nothing else, Sergeant Baka's daughter is there. Even for the sake of your comrades' families, please show some spirit!"

Everyone looked at the taciturn Bear-kin. They thought about how, although he looked fierce, hit hard, and was a bit weird, he was usually a simple, kind-hearted, and warm person. His daughter was indeed a lovely girl!

Banks felt guilty and ashamed and patted the Bear-kin on the shoulder again—though he still only reached his back—earning a kind, honest smile in return.

"I also have a friend in the city. I don't know her situation right now, whether she is dead or alive! So, even if just for this, I hope you all will lend me your strength!"

Isn't your friend Lieutenant Colonel Eleanor Bonaparte? What danger could such a high-ranking officer be in? Ina thought to herself, wanting to retort.

Regardless, the fighting spirit of the sergeants was visibly rising.

This is what you call "military morale is usable!" Yu Lian thought, filled with self-satisfaction.