The exterior of the steam lotive was almost indistinguishable from arge, mobile ck coffin.
It had a square iron body, four iron-d wheels, and a front-facing steam boiler that released puffs of white steam with a gurgling sound.
From a traveler’s perspective, it resembled a tractor…
After departing from the Korabo Legion Fortress, the steam lotive entered a deste area filled with ruins.
Lacking any suspension for the carriage, it moved up and down along the rough terrain.
Nnd Lee held onto the edge of a seat to steady himself.
The journey on the steam lotivested much longer than Nnd Lee had anticipated.
From the time he boarded until the faint glow of sunset prated the cloudy sky, at least four hours had passed.
Just as the setting sun was about to disappear, the steam lotive finally came to a halt at a temporary campsite.
Such a lengthy journey hadpletely drained Nnd Lee’s energy, leaving him weak and famished.
By the time he got off the train on an empty stomach and was led by a soldier into a single-person tent, all light had vanished from the sky, reced by slowly rolling dark clouds.
…
Inside the single-person tent, a coalmp in the corner emitted a warm glow.
Nnd Lee held a tray and shoved the pasty dinner into his mouth.
“Chief Officer.” a soldier outside raised his hand to salute as a person approached.
Nnd Lee looked towards the source of the sound, and saw a military officer entering the tent.
Nnd Lee immediately put down his tray and stood up, saying:
“Good evening, Chief Officer.”
The neer took off his cap, revealing short blond hair and handsome features. Although he wasn’t as bulky as the Imperial Lieutenant, he stood tall and strong.
He ced the cap on the bedside table and nced up and down at Nnd Lee, seemingly scrutinizing him and also confirming his identity.
Unexpectedly to Nnd Lee, the officer’s tone was quite gentle, unlike the other cold soldiers.
“You are Nnd Lee Jarvis, right? A history assistant teacher from Bowerthain City College.”
“Yes, Chief Officer,” Nnd Lee forced a smile, “but that’s all in the past.”
The officer extended his hand to Nnd Lee as if he was a real history assistant teacher instead of a Sin Soldier.
Nnd Lee was somewhat taken aback, and quickly extended his right hand to shake theirs.
“Let’s introduce ourselves properly. I’m Lulenna Mars, a sergeant of the Korabo Legion Tomb Cleanup Squad. My duty is to lead my team on reconnaissance missions. I am your current and future superior, and you are the new member of my team.”
Corporal Mars squeezed Nnd Lee’s hand firmly:
“Wee aboard, Jarvis—I won’t call you Sin Soldier No. 888, I’ve never been good with numbers, and names are easier to remember… Anyway, I’m looking forward to seeing how you perform against the undead. Don’t disappoint me.”
“Good evening, Captain Mars. I’m Nnd Lee Jarvis, a Sin Soldier. I will follow orders and give my all.”
Nnd Lee spoke calmly, but sighed inwardly…
The treatment he received was worlds apart from other Sin Soldiers. His superior—Corporal Mars—was also quite approachable and showed no signs of deliberately making things difficult.
However, every word spoken by Corporal Mars weighed heavily on Nnd Lee’s heart.
It was well known that reconnaissance teams faced the most danger in war.
This held true even when facing human enemies.
So how much greater was the danger when facing the undead?
“Sit down, let’s talk.”
Corporal Mars took a seat on a chair opposite the bed and then asked:
“Jarvis, you should know that the war between the Empire and the Undead Cult has been going on for quite some time. From the fall of the Ancient Tatis Dynasty to the rise of the New Empire, the shadow of the Undead Cult has lingered over the Empire, causing fear and unrest. How much do you know about such an enemy?”
Several memory fragments shed through Nnd Lee’s mind, all taken from the headlines of Bowerthain City newspapers.
ording to news reports, many people were executed by localw enforcement after reading the corrupt documents spread by the Undead Cult within the Empire.
Some went mad after reading the documents, falling into a frenzy of self-muttion or attacking others, and were killed on the spot by security officers.
Others underwent a drastic change in temperament, bing gloomy and secretive, much like the weather in the Suffering Bordend. They would secretly plot dangerous events, endangering the lives of many.
These people were deeply hidden in society, but eventually, they were rooted out by the Empire’s Division Intelligence Unit Two special agents.
What’s more, the followers of the Undead Cult scriptures have caused great damage to the Empire through group crimes.
They secretly formed an illegal organization known as the “Death Herald Guild” and have been the primary enemy of Division Intelligence Unit Two.
The various social events jointly sent a warning to Nnd Lee:
Never associate oneself with the forbidden writings of the Undead Cult, or severe torture will certainly befall.
Nnd Lee’s gaze trembled slightly, responding without hesitation:
“My knowledge of the Undead Cult is limited to the education I received at Bowerthain City College, Chief Officer.
“Apart from that, whether it’s teaching in the academy or joining local adventure teams to appraise ancient relics, I have nevere into contact with any taboo books.”
“Rx, Jarvis, I believe you have not read the Undead Cult’s teachings on your own ord.”action
Corporal Mars smiled:
“Otherwise, the personing to see you would not be an officer like me from Intelligence Department 4, but a special agent from Division Intelligence Unit Two.”
Corporal Mars reached into his inner coat pocket, retrieving an envelope from it and held in his hand:
“You must be wondering why you receive treatment that is significantly different from other Sin Soldiers. I will give you the answer, Jarvis.
“On one hand, it is because every person with knowledge is a precious talent to the Empire and should not be treated as a cheap consumable. On the other hand, it’s because of this letter in my hand.”
Corporal Mars handed the letter to Nnd Lee, signaling thetter to open and read it.
After tearing open the beeswax seal and unfolding the letter paper, Nnd Lee caught a glimpse of the contents. His pupils contracted sharply as he immediately closed the letter:
“Chief Officer…this letter…”
Corporal Mars said:
“Listen, Jarvis.
“I am now officially granting you the authority to read the teachings of the Undead Cult. You don’t have to worry about being interrogated by Division Intelligence Unit Two. I am not a spy from the Death Herald Guild either.
“As an officer of Intelligence Department 4, I now order you to open this letter, read its contents carefully, and remember all the words on the document.”
Nnd Lee instinctively swallowed his saliva…
Staring into Nnd Lee’s eyes, Corporal Mars emphasized with a solemn tone:
“Intelligence Department 4 is the Empire’s military department responsible for resisting the Undead Cult externally. Recently, Intelligence Department 4 has discovered a possible method to gain the upper hand in this war against the Undead Cult.
“However, whether this method is feasible or not still requires verification.
“A meticulous experimental n was devised by Intelligence Department 4 for this purpose.
“And you, Nnd Lee Jarvis, because of your schrship, were chosen by Intelligence Department 4. This is a special mission.
“Before the sess of this experimental n, everything rted to it, including all personnel and materials, is the highest level secret of the Empire’s military intelligence department.”
Mars paused, his voice dropping:
“ept your special mission, Jarvis. It will bring you unparalleled honor and prospects.”
Such a special mission should be very tempting for a native of the Tatis Empire, right?
After all, no man can resist the “call of duty.”
But Nnd Lee is not a local, he is a despicable foreigner, no, a neer in a strangend…
His heart doesn’t resonate much with what Corporal Mars told him.
Still, it can’t be helped, especially since he’s a Sin Soldier.
“Yes, Chief Officer, I have no choice.”
Corporal Mars pointed to the letter:
“Memorize it, I’ll stand guard here. I must remind you, even the punctuation marks must be remembered, and there should not be any mistakes. Otherwise…”
Corporal Mars sighed softly, his voice wavering slightly:
“Otherwise, you’ll be torn into pieces by the evil magic of the Undead Cult, and even if the medical team from Division Intelligence Unit Three is right beside you, they won’t be able to save you.”
Nnd Lee pressed his lips together and looked down at the letter.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.
Now he knows why the Imperial Army needs Sin Soldiers skilled in archaeology.
Only cheap life like archaeology Sin Soldiers can undertake such a special mission with potential life-threatening risks involved.