The commander of the 31st Airborne Division, Colonel Derek, was now feeling bewildered.
He was convinced that he had died before.
At that time, he was commanding the artillery troops, firing at the colossal form of the Evil God. But just then, a bolt of lightning struck from the sky.
All he felt was everything momentarily illuminated by a bright light, and after enduring intense pain for just a moment, he plunged into darkness.
That must have been death, right?
Dying on the battlefield resulted in no resentment. To die in a battle against an Evil God was even more honorable. His only regret was that he couldn't see the outcome, yet he firmly believed that under Mr. Gu's leadership, the warriors of the Alliance would surely triumph.
Only, he hadn't expected that after a person dies, there really would be souls and an ascent to heaven?
No... that's not right.
He looked around him, this environment was very familiar.
Apart from the strange blue 'sun' still casting electrical arcs above and the overcast clouds that had cleared away, the terrain looked just like where he and his troops had fought to the death.
And beside him, there were many translucent little blue people like himself. Among them, he recognized many faces—these were simply his soldiers!
"Warriors, look at me,"
a familiar voice echoed in everyone's hearts.
They instinctively looked up, and beneath the non-dazzling blue sun, Mr. Gu's figure floated there.
The multitude of warriors couldn't help but give a military salute in respect.
Gu Hang solemnly returned the salute.
Then, he slowly began to speak, "I am deeply sorry for awakening you from the eternal rest you should be enjoying."
"You came at my summons and died for the safety of the Alliance, and you deserved to rest in peace."
"However, our mission is not yet complete, and I still need your strength to shine after death."
"I will not insist—if anyone wishes not to, please silently chant 'eternal rest' three times in your heart, and I will send you back to rest, you are still a hero of the Alliance."
"Those who are willing will stay and continue to guard our world with me."
After that, Gu Hang closed his eyes.
He wasn't just talking.
If there truly were any unwilling souls, he could indeed send them back.
However, after careful sensing, out of over three thousand, he didn't hear a single 'eternal rest'.
Then, opening his eyes with satisfaction, he said, "Very good, I am pleased to continue fighting alongside you. Our first task will be to establish our base here, on this land that once belonged to the Evil God, but now is ours."
"We will construct the Hall of Valor here; this will be the final resting place for both you and all the future heroes who will battle for Rage Owl Star and the welfare of humanity!"
"Now, the one with the highest military rank, step forward!"
In this group of over three thousand, the highest-ranked was naturally Colonel Derek.
His death was both surprising and expected to Gu Hang.
Expected, because in the little time after the battle when Gu Hang had returned to the real world, he had seen the casualty report which mentioned the death of the commander of the 31st Airborne Division. So it was quite normal to see Derek here.
The surprise was... it's rather unfortunate for a commander of his rank to be struck down by lightning. Gu Hang had been quite taken aback when he first received the news.
Colonel Derek... oh, he was now a Colonel. It is the Alliance's custom to honor achievements posthumously, and the fallen are not forgotten. Those who are to be promoted get their ranks, those due for medals receive them, and dying in battle is in itself a merit—as long as it isn't a stupid death or one in violation of orders.
Promotions and medals for fallen soldiers are meaningful. Ceremonial ranks and medals are sent back to the families; higher ranks and accumulated medals increase the amount for pensions and support for the underaged children, widows, and elderly parents of the slain.
This is another reason for the high morale of the Alliance Army: no need to worry that one's sacrifice will be in vain, the Alliance will remember it all.
Now Colonel Derek was in charge of this unit, and he had quite a lot to do.
All the Valor spirits stemmed from those who fell in the previous battle. Some died fighting against the Storm Beasts summoned by the Primal Fury Owl, while even more were struck down by thunder and lightning while battling the Storm Monster itself.
Don't think that creature died in vain; before its end, it summoned over a thousand bolts of lightning.
Excluding the lightning targeted at Mr. Gu, which he evaded frantically, plenty fell upon the troops, resulting in nearly two thousand deaths.
These casualties came from various units of the Northern Frontier Army Group, with diverse arms and institutional structures. Reassembling and organizing them was a test of Colonel Derek's abilities.
Of course, Gu Hang believed he could handle it.
Once he dealt with reestablishing the organizational system, their first task was to transform this barren land according to Mr. Gu's suggestions and to construct some buildings here.
Although it was always windy and never rainy here, with no climate change, and although the Valor spirits, now dead, didn't seem to need a shelter to protect them from the elements, Gu Hang still hoped that these Valor spirits could retain their recognition of being 'human.'