Flowers, plants, hanging calligraphy, and paintings decorated the office of Lu Wuzheng, commander of the Ninth Army of the Azure Coalition’s Oriental Republic Army Group. It was perhaps the most refined space in the entire Only Witness Legion.

Qi Shantong, the head training officer overseeing all recruits during the armoring phase, paced back and forth in front of Lu Wuzheng’s desk, gesticulating wildly, his expression one of visible displeasure.

“Come on, Old Lu. Why did you bring them back?! Just leave them there, at District 1123! They can just continue their field exercise once the lockdown and cleanup are done! This is a rare opportunity. Don’t let them walk out of the fear and pain so easily. We could even have them do the site cleanup themselves.” Qi Shantong paused, then slammed his left fist into his right palm. “Yes, exactly. Let them do it. That’s how you forge good soldiers.”

He turned and fixed Lu Wuzheng with a zealous, expectant stare. Though both men held the rank of major...