MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

Chapter 485 485: Logistic Department

”What artifact grants you the ability to create such a breathtaking realm?”

Grand Marshal Phoenix inquired, his eyes sweeping over the surreal expanse.

The other Grand Marshals followed his gaze, their expressions filled with admiration for the Mirror Dimension.

”Who said it was an artifact?”

Anthony responded calmly, a subtle smile playing on his lips as he faced Grand Marshal Phoenix.

The Grand Marshalsʼ attention snapped back to Anthony, their expressions clouded with confusion.

In their minds, they had already concluded that this realm was the work of some powerful artifact given to Anthony by his the Supreme Monarchs.

But now, Anthonyʼs words challenged that assumption.

”If itʼs not an artifact, then what is it? Surely, you donʼt mean to say itʼs a skill of your own making? Or perhaps a skill from a skill book?”

Another Grand Marshal questioned, his tone laced with genuine confusion.

”Itʼs a skill I acquired on my way to the Starborn Tournament. Being in outer space for the first time allowed me to grasp certain truths. In simple terms: Enlightenment”

Anthony replied calmly.

The Grand Marshalsʼ minds seemed to reel at his words.

Enlightenment.

Who among them did not know the term?

Yet none had ever truly experienced it, after all, it was not something that could be forced or bestowed.

ʼA monsterʼ

The thought echoed unspoken in their minds, for no other words seemed adequate.

They could sense that the Mirror Dimension was a reality unto itself, an extraordinary manifestation.

Could such power truly be born from Enlightenment?

”Itʼs not such a remarkable feat”

Anthony said with quiet assurance.

”During the Starborn Tournament, a friend of mine named Aaaninja attained True Enlightenment. My grandmother and father have also experienced it. Another friend of mine has undergone it as well”

He spoke as if it were no more than a simple matter of fact.

ʼIs this boy humblebragging?ʼ

Grand Marshal Alaric thought, a twitch of frustration flickering at the corner of his lips.

Two family members and two friends having attained Enlightenment all at once unsettled the Grand Marshals, making the concept suddenly feel less unattainable.

Before they could voice their doubts, their thoughts were abruptly silenced by the approach of three powerful presences from behind.

They didnʼt need to turn to know who had arrived.

The Warlords.

As the Warlords approached, Anthony and the Grand Marshals instinctively stood at attention and offered a crisp salute.

The fall of the base did not signify the collapse of military order.

And even if it had, the presence of the Warlords was enough to reestablish it with mere silence.

”At ease”

The three Warlords said in unison, their voices resonating like a command etched into the air itself.

Grand Marshal Alaric stepped forward, his voice steady and formal as he introduced the towering figures before them.

”Lieutenant Anthony, these are the three Warlords, the highest commanding officers beneath the Supreme Monarchs themselves. Warlord Zauren, Warlord Therionis, and Warlord Kaelrix”

”It is an honor to stand in your presence, Warlords”

Anthony said, his tone respectful, his posture reflecting the discipline of a soldier addressing superior officers.

ʼThey look… identicalʼ

Anthonyʼs thoughts stirred behind a composed expression.

ʼNot even identical twins are this precise. Same height. Same build. Same eyes. Same aura. Same emotion. Even their movements are mirrored. Itʼs as if they are one, reflections of a single being rather than three individualsʼ

Yet none of this showed on his face. His discipline held firm.

”Thereʼs no need to be so tense or hard on yourself”

Warlord Zauren said, his tone flat and unreadable.

”You saved millions of soldiers from certain death, a feat even I could not accomplish. Stand tall. Youʼve earned it”

His face remained devoid of emotion, voice calm to the point of disinterest.

To any onlooker, it would seem as though he were bored out of his mind, yet the weight of his words left no room for doubt.

”It seems weʼve suffered immense losses”

Warlord Therionis said at last, his voice quiet yet firm, his gaze drifting through the mirror-like veil that separated the Mirror Dimension from the ravaged world outside.

His eyes settled on the scorched ruins where their great military base once stood.

”Yes, Warlord”

The Grand Marshal Dragon replied, his tone composed but respectful.

”Over thirty million soldiers perished in this battle, though the final count has yet to be confirmed”

”We are not referring to the soldiers”

Warlord Kaelrix said coldly, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.

Warlord Zauren followed seamlessly.

”Weʼre speaking of the Logistics Department”

A jolt of realization surged through the gathered Grand Marshals, as if an invisible current had struck them.

They had forgotten.

In the chaos and heat of battle, amid the bloodshed and survival, none of them had spared a thought for the Logistics Division, the very backbone of their operations.

ʼWe… we overlooked itʼ

The Grand Marshals thought, a creeping sense of dread taking root in their hearts.

The Grand Marshals stood frozen, horror creeping into their bones like a bitter frost.

Though the Logistics Department had been hidden away in a secret realm, they knew all too well, such precautions meant nothing in the face of celestial destruction. Realms, barriers, wards, none could withstand that level of annihilation.

Their thoughts ground to a halt, overtaken by a sinking weight.

The Logistics Department had been erased.

They had not even taken part in the battle.

They had simply ceased to exist, killed without warning, without resistance, without even knowing what killed them.

An unspoken grief settled over the Grand Marshals.

Their hearts, trained for war, bled in silence.

The Logistics Department was not meant for combat. It was meant to be secured, shielded, protected at all costs.

And they had failed.

The very first order they issued upon receiving the war notice had been clear: evacuate all members of the Logistics Department with immediate effect.

Every second had counted. Every effort had been made.

And now, all of it… rendered meaningless.

Their foresight, their urgency, their commands, nullified in the face of cosmic devastation.

A thick silence weighed upon the air as the Grand Marshalsʼ auras began to stir, flaring with barely restrained fury.

Their emotions coiled like compressed storms, threatening to rupture the fragile calm of the Mirror Dimension.

But just as the atmosphere teetered on the edge of collapse, a voice, measured and calm, cut through the rising pressure.

”Ehh... Theyʼre alive.”

All heads turned sharply toward Anthony.

”What do you mean, theyʼre alive?”

Warlord Therionis inquired, his tone calm but laced with curiosity.

Anthony gave no verbal reply.

Instead, he simply raised his hand. In response, a shimmering blue portal materialized in the space before them.

From its depths, another Anthony emerged, serene and composed. Behind him followed Zhyravel, his frame as frail as ever, appearing as though even a whisper of wind might send him tumbling.

And then, one by one, others began to step through, members of the Logistics Department, Elves with graceful movements, Dwarves with their thick beards, Humans bearing quiet relief, ethereal Fairies, and sleek Werecats, all crossing the portal.