Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 1326 - 68: Stars

October 2063, the cosmic war raged fiercely.Under the winter offensive launched by Western Alliance Sobel, all member countries of the Fei Alliance felt tremendous pressure. In the northern battle zone, western battle zone, northwest and southwest battle zones of the human interstellar map, the alliance forces could retreat across the board. Within a month, they lost a total of six star systems and twenty-two jump points, with troop losses as high as tens of millions.

In the most central Carlston Star River battlefield, the Feiyang Republic Fleet abandoned a large area of strategic points, and the entire army retreated to the westward corridor outside the Swan Star System jump point on the national border, using the fortress at the core to resist the invasion of the Binart Fleet.

For a time, the interior of the Fei Alliance was in turmoil. Facing such a severe situation, all citizens were deeply worried. Continuous rallies and meetings in various countries demanded the alliance forces take practical measures to collaborate in combat, and the calls to halt the war’s decline grew louder. At the same time, the questioning of the Supreme Command Department and the Supreme Command Headquarters of the alliance forces continually rose.

In this severe war situation, the sudden emergence of the Leefer Group Army in the central Ryan Battlefield became the biggest highlight among the Fei Alliance forces.

By October 26, the Catalonia Star System had already been fully occupied by the Leefer Legion, and under its fleet and army’s aggressive offensive, the Naga Federation Army retreated repeatedly, with captured warships and Mecha forming long lines. As a result, the unprepared Ryan government had to urgently dispatch transport capacity and build prisoner of war camps.

In the Ryan Republic and Feiyang domestic sphere, Leefer’s reputation was at its zenith. Its legion had already become a flagship of the Fei Alliance in this war.

All soldiers with the double wolf shield insignia of the Leefer Legion embroidered on their sleeves became the subject of admiration and respect among the populace. In crowded restaurants, people voluntarily offered seats. On the street, girls with a hero complex blushed and handed letters expressing romantic interest with their names and contact information. On television, there was endless coverage of officers under the Leefer Legion.

These soldiers, with cold faces and serious demeanors, even walked in a rigid manner, had become the example of military personnel in the minds of all citizens. Among them, the officers and generals became idols for the young generation of this era. As rumors of Hastings’ declining health spread wider, the hope for Leefer to become the actual leader of the Feiyang military and lead the army to dominate the Carlston Star River grew stronger.

Seemingly reluctant to let Leefer steal the spotlight, on October 28, the Fei Alliance citizens finally received long-awaited news.

With the complete destruction of Jiepeng’s 125th Armored Division falling into the alliance forces’ encirclement in the mountainous area south of Tiklar Mountains, victory was declared for the eleven-day battle of Canglang Star landing.

This news had been already spreading fervently among the populace since the unprecedented live broadcast rescue battle by Chuckna’s suicide camp on the 22nd. However, the cautious military and the president’s office had not officially confirmed it until the complete end of the northern mountain region battle on the 28th.

In this battle, the alliance forces deployed a total of thirty-six armored divisions and twenty-six fully mechanized infantry divisions, completely annihilating eleven armored divisions and three infantry divisions of Jiepeng. They captured five armored divisions and six infantry divisions, totaling nearly 180,000 people, firmly controlling the vast area west of Tangtai City to east of Beiguan City on Canglang Star, providing a solid foundation for opening a second battlefield on Canglang Star.

With a total troop loss as high as twenty-six percent, Jiepeng forces were forced to abandon many already occupied cities, retreating defenses to the border of the large city Yanpu City, sharply reducing their actual control area to fifty percent of before.

Meanwhile, due to the situation on Canglang Star, Western Alliance’s offensive on Leifeng Star encountered significant setbacks. Under Qian Bolin’s command, the Fei Alliance forces, which had been on the defensive in the early stage, launched a large-scale counterattack. They recaptured three important cities, reversing the passive situation. The Western Alliance Army, unable to dispatch troops from the Canglang Star headquarters, had to withdraw, waiting for reinforcements from home.

If not for Mikami Yuto’s command of the Western Alliance Joint Fleet still holding an advantage in the space battlefield, the Resk Battle might have been one-sided from the start.

For a whole week, Chuckna citizens were immersed in celebration.

Countless fireworks were set off in the night sky, bars were packed. On the streets, people sang and danced in parades, celebrating victory. On TV and newspapers, there was continuous coverage of this battle.

This battle quickly spread throughout the entire human world. Compared to the victory in the central Ryan battlefield, Canglang Star landing battle, related to the entire Southeast Star Domain, was even more dazzling and brilliant.

The Chuckna Republic, long considered unbreakable, displayed strength in this battle, affirming for all Fei Alliance citizens that the country had awakened. Its power was erupting.

However, the slight blemish was the groveling display by the Leray Major General Tian Xingjian in this battle which all citizens found unacceptable.

In subsequent reports, the full appearance of the bandit army also gradually appeared before the citizens’ eyes. A group of criminals and pirates from the Mars Free World, led by a despicable Fatty, formed an army, which, compared to the Leefer Legion, seemed like a pile of garbage.

Citizens intuitively ignored this unit. TV channels also consciously ignored the scene of the fawning Fatty surrendering.

In this thrilling victory, people only paid attention to the legendary experiences of the 13th Armored Division and the 51st Mechanized Infantry Division, shedding tears for their month-long escape, cheering for the miracles they created.

What many people did not know was that in every interview, whether officers or soldiers, the person they mentioned the most regarding this battle was General Tian and his bandit army Mecha pilots.

It was an almost devout admiration, a heartfelt gratitude.

Perhaps it’s due to a peculiar order from above, or perhaps it’s for ratings and promotional needs; all these images of the bandit army have been trimmed away.

People have ignored this unit, but the journalists who delve into the army are constantly shocked by this strange phenomenon. Some curious reporters continue to explore and gather everything about the bandit army and Tian Xingjian. Some even compiled the trimmed materials into a long documentary.

Looking at these eliminated images, seeing the officers and soldiers with tears in their eyes, everyone’s heart is incredibly shaken. How the Jiepeng 2nd Armored Division surrendered has become a tightly-sealed secret of the military. It’s said that Military God Marshal Hastings personally issued the gag order.

However, from the mouths of these soldiers, journalists have still sketched out the journey of the 13th Armored Division and the 51st Mechanized Infantry Division. Whether it’s Hill 347, the three armored camps being wiped out overnight, or Hill 415 in Hot Spring Town... the crucial role was all played by the bandit army.

"At the time, the spaceship landed not far from our position. I sent people over, and what they brought back was a group of rookies who didn’t even have guns." Officer Nash clearly fell into reminiscence in front of the camera: "But unexpectedly, it was these rookies, in our eyes, who helped our company, with less than thirty people, including the wounded, achieve an astonishing reversal in the subsequent battle, leading us from Hill 347 to victory."

"Who do I want to thank most?" In the footage, Major Anthony looked at the reporter without hesitation: "Of course, it’s Major General Tian Xingjian and his bandit soldiers. Without him, not only would this victory not exist, but our army wouldn’t exist either. For me personally, it’s even more so. He saved me and over two hundred captured Chuckna warriors; he led us in combat behind enemy lines, blocked the 2nd Armored Division, and finally won this battle..."

"......."

"No, no, no....." Major Anthony shook his head: "I cannot tell you what happened in that command mecha. This is an order. I can’t even mention it. But I can pat my chest and tell you that the truth is absolutely not like what you saw or imagined. If you understood General Tian, you would feel proud of everything he did... The war is far from over, and even if this interview can’t be broadcast now, I believe there will come a day when it can be, perhaps by then no explanation will be needed."

"At that time, I was already completely desperate." In another segment of the interview, several mech warriors sat together, and in the center was their commander Lorne.

The speaking mechanist turned to look at Lorne and said: "We absolutely had no hope of breaking through. The commander was charging at the forefront. However, his mecha was damaged; besides walking and long-range attacks, it couldn’t engage in close combat, and more and more Jiepeng mechas surrounded us, with the following infantry starting to crowd..."

"......"

"Me?" Lorne was silent for a while, then slowly said, "I can only say I’ll never forget Hot Spring Town, never forget that scene. Major General Tian and his mech warriors appeared like wind. They ran past me, rushed into the most densely packed enemy area, leading us to break through, continuously breaking through! We just followed him until the whole crowded team began to flow smoothly, rolling westward..."

"Do you know what it feels like to go from despair to heaven?" At the end of the interview, Lorne, with red eyes, asked the reporter.

The reporter shook his head.

"Forget everything you saw." Lorne said: "That’s not the truth. If you know General Tian, if you seriously examine everything he has done along the way, you’ll know all the doubts about him are such a severe insult to us soldiers who’ve fought alongside him. Yes, it’s not just an insult to him, but to all the soldiers who have followed him in battle."

"No, you don’t need to do that."

At the end of the documentary, Old Marshal Li Cunxin smiled and said: "In the future, everything will be clear to the public. People will understand what really happened on Canglang Star in October 2063. And for now, it’s enough that the President’s Office and the Command Department know. Major General Tian, oh no, General Tian doesn’t care about this at all..."

"....."

"I can’t evaluate Leefer," Li Cunxin shook his head: "But I believe, in the near future, you will understand the difference between these two Fei Alliance stars. They are not the same kind of people."

"Trust me, sacrifice absolutely has more than one meaning."

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.First update.

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