The Broken Halo

The selected recruits did not leave Black Horn Recruitment Square with only their names on the obelisk.

Officials opened temporary desks along the edge of the square and ordered every successful applicant to form a line. Their city tokens were checked again before they received a small rectangular tag made from dark metal.

The tag was roughly the length of two fingers. A narrow hole had been cut through its upper edge so it could be worn around the neck or fixed to one’s clothing.

Simon placed one finger against his.

Red writing appeared across its surface.

[BLACKMOON]

[MINOR ARCHFIEND]

[WIND AFFINITY — HIGH S]

[FIRST ASSAULT CANDIDATE]

[WAR OATH — REGISTERED]

A serial number rested beneath the final line.

The official behind the desk called it a War Tag.

Simon allowed the tag to absorb a drop of his blood and a thin stream of demonic energy. The writing flashed once before sinking into the metal.

Sonya and Akaza did the same beside him.

The tags were not ordinary identity tokens. They had been created for the Earth campaign and would be recognised by the formations surrounding the rift, military stores, training grounds, and other restricted locations connected to the invasion.

Once they received them, the three returned to Pipeline Inn.

The next day began before sunrise.

By the time Simon, Sonya, and Akaza reached the Rift Preparation Hall, hundreds of recruits were already waiting outside.

The hall was a broad rectangular building behind the western section of the Black Horn Office. Its walls were dark stone, with two lines of red metal running from the entrance to the roof. There were no statues or elaborate decorations.

Inside, rows of black benches faced a raised platform. A large map of Velmora and the surrounding eastern region covered the wall behind it. Beside the map was a circular formation showing the unstable rift as a slowly turning red crack.

The hall had been built to gather soldiers, issue orders, and send them where they were needed.

Security was heavier than it had been during the recruitment test.

Every recruit passed through three checks.

The first compared their city token with the War Tag. The second examined the blood and demonic-energy imprint stored inside it. At the final checkpoint, a white flame moved across their body while two officials studied their face, bodily features, and aura.

Several applicants became irritated by the delay, but none complained loudly since they didn’t want to be sent home and withdrawn from the campaign.

They had already made it this far, they couldn’t stop here.

Simon passed without any difficulty.

The Sword Daemon’s mask, Murmur Bone, command seal, and everything connected to Crownless Dawn remained inside his spatial ring. He wore his own face and allowed his natural aura to remain exposed.

Even then, the official at the final checkpoint looked at him longer than necessary.

Simon noticed another demon watching from a balcony above the hall.

One of Korran’s operatives.

However, Simon acted as though he had seen nothing.

Seven hundred and eighty-six recruits eventually filled the hall.

Archfiends formed the majority. There were almost three of them for every Fiend Simon saw, which was not surprising. The first raid would enter an unknown world and attack whatever forces defended the other side of the rift. Velmora needed demons who could survive more than one serious battle.

Simon recognised several applicants from the tests.

He saw Ammor who possessed a S grade earth affinity, Virella who possessed a S grade wind affinity, and Rovan who defeated Akaza.

He also saw other demons, and some looked pleased to be there. While others were quiet as they studied their surroundings.

A side door opened a few moments later.

Korran entered the hall with four Black Horn officials, and the low conversations ended almost immediately.

He walked onto the raised platform and allowed his gaze to pass over the recruits. When his eyes reached Simon, they remained there for a moment before moving on.

”The rift is still expected to reach complete stability in a little under two months,” Korran began.

His voice travelled clearly through the hall without him needing to shout.

”That does not mean you have two months to waste.”

He gestured toward the circular formation behind him.

”The first demons who cross will not enter a secured camp. You will enter a battlefield. The humans know the rift exists, and they will prepare for our arrival.”

Several expressions became more serious.

”Just as I’ve said before, from today, every selected recruit will receive access to campaign training grounds, approved instructors, war medicine, resource stores, and restricted auctions connected to the first raid.”

A faint light of greed and excitement entered the eyes of some recruits.

Korran continued before anyone could speak.

”Your access will depend on your division and merit. You are not being handed free resources because Velmora likes you. Everything given to you is an investment. Waste it, and your privileges will be removed.”

He pointed toward four sections marked on the floor.

”Assault candidates will train for the first clash and the destruction of enemy positions. Defence candidates will protect the crossing point, formation masters, and support units.”

His hand moved toward the third section.

”Reconnaissance will enter dangerous areas, gather information, and locate threats before the main force moves. Support will handle healing, formations, supplies, communication, and anything required to keep the raid alive.”

Korran looked across the hall.

”Some of you will be moved between divisions after further assessment. Do not become attached to the word written on your tag.”

Simon glanced at his War Tag.

A new line appeared beneath his assault classification.

[ASSAULT CORE — 19]

The same number appeared on Sonya’s and Akaza’s tags.

Korran noticed several recruits checking theirs, then he continued explaining the War Tag.

It carried each recruit’s registered identity, rank, affinities, division, core number, campaign merits, and access permissions. The formations around official campaign facilities would recognise it automatically.

Orders and schedule changes could also be sent through it.

”If you lose it, report it immediately,” Korran said. ”The tag is bound to your blood and demonic energy, but that does not make it impossible to misuse. Anyone who lends theirs to another demon will be removed from the campaign.”

He allowed the warning to settle, then his expression became colder.

”Your training schedules will be issued after today’s work is completed.”

Several recruits exchanged glances, and Korran placed both hands behind his back.

”You have all passed the examinations inside the city.”

His eyes moved across the hall.

”Now we will see how useful you are outside them.”

The hall became even more silent.

”You all have a field assignment in a few days, and some of you would definitely lose your lives.”

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A magic castle is for a bonus Chapter. A spacecraft is for two bonus Chapter. A golden gachapon is for three bonus Chapters

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