Chapter 32 The Beginning of Change

A lover was unfaithful to a goddess, who then cast a death curse on herself, plunging the planet into endless winter.

Finally, the lover sacrificed his life, and the prophecy of the leader of the gods came true. His love for the goddess caused the planet to return to spring.

In the ancient myth of Belobog, this story symbolizes the cycle of the four seasons. As the cold wind fades, spring arrives in Belobog.

Three years have passed since Cocolia and Orion reclaimed the first piece of land. During these years, there has been no fear of boundary erosion in the entire territory of Belobog.

People live peacefully, and their living standards have greatly improved. The recovered land has become a new area for Belobog's revival.

Politics and the economy have moved away from past decadence.

In the second year of the new policy, the people of Belobog approved a bill. This allowed people to travel freely between the upper and lower districts without government restrictions.

Early on, the wealth gap between the two districts caused a wave of market speculation. However, with Cocolia's adjustments and quick legislation, the situation improved without future worries.

Citizens of Belobog frequently praise the names of Orion Astra and Cocolia. Close exchanges between the two districts have revitalized both areas.

Art and literature, which had been neglected, have gained attention. The art world, once stagnant for ten years, is now thriving.

Movies like "On How Cold Iron Was Tempered," "My Youth in the Silvermane Guard," and "Battle of Belobog" have become popular in Belobog's art market.

A new art form has emerged in Belobog, inspiring its people to join the military and serve on a fiercely contested front.

The "Absolute Ice Front" is a frontline stretching hundreds of miles in the northernmost part of Belobog. This absolute front blocks the endless cold wind from the outside, keeping the paradise inside. It represents a stark contrast between heaven and hell.

After Orion's battle three years ago, the world-splitting monsters outside the city underwent dramatic changes.

The first and most obvious change is their size. Monsters that were once two or three meters tall have grown much larger. Now, monsters over ten meters high are everywhere. As they grew in size, their strength increased as well.

The mosquito-type monsters that the Silvermane Guard could handle before are now faster than the latest motorcycles. They've also gained the ability to fly high and attack from a distance. They can even attach various elements to their bodies, making them a serious threat to any small army.

The largest monsters, according to reports, are over fifty meters tall, towering above the city wall of Belobog. These giants, dubbed "Titans" by prospectors, have not yet appeared on the main battlefield, but their presence is a constant threat.

Additionally, the variety of monsters has increased. They now attack from the air, ground, and even underground, areas that were previously safe.

Some monsters, like the "tank," can cause massive damage with a single blow. The "shaman," who heals other monsters, has turned countless soldiers' sacrifices into meaningless deaths by reviving machines and crystals.

Other monsters include the "Hassan," who assassinates, the "Walker," who can teleport, and the "Queen," who specializes in ranged combat.

These changes have made Orion feel like he is facing familiar threats on the front lines. He senses that there is a powerful leader among the monsters who is planning to invade Belobog, and the monsters are being adjusted to fit this plan.

In response to the increased threat, Orion's side has made some changes. The headquarters of the New Silvermane Guard now features a black cube with a precise design. This cube is known to everyone, and it stands as a symbol of their ongoing struggle.

**Gravity Chamber**

Combining the scientific research of Cocolia and Serval, Orion used his abilities to recreate a classic training facility in Belobog that he remembered.

This facility can simulate up to a thousand times gravity. Even though most soldiers rarely experience more than twenty times gravity, these young soldiers have become incredibly strong.

Rumors about their feats, like carrying five cars with one hand and running around the city wall of Belobog overnight, are becoming true.

Additionally, the army's equipment has been upgraded. High-end power armors, once reserved for a few, are now widespread.

Even the damaged versions in the lower areas are far more powerful than previous models, making them "taboo-level" gear in boxing matches.

The number of warriors capable of surviving life-and-death tests has more than doubled.

However, even with these improvements, there is still a significant gap between the Silvermane Guard and the enemies they face. In fact, the gap might be even larger than it was three years ago.

Yet, there is a legendary figure in the army whom everyone respects. He is Orion Astra, now much stronger than he was three years ago.

Few have seen him use his full strength, as he often fights in the most dangerous places on the battlefield—whether in the sky or on the ground.

Whenever he appears, he clears the battlefield swiftly, and soldiers find the courage to defeat even the most terrifying enemies.

In the army, some wonder about Orion's true strength, even asking, "Sir Orion, are you really as strong as the legends say?"

When the army was worried about the "Titan"-type enemy taller than the walls of Belobog, Orion Astra returned to the camp that night, fearless despite the Titan's size and power.

Now, the legendary Silvermane Guard general stood on the cold, windy wall of Belobog, looking serious.

"Lord Orion, you should go back to the command post and rest. If you fall, what will Belobog do?"

A ray of gold appeared behind Orion Astra. Though he looked like a young man, he was wearing Belobog's latest power armor, standing at two and a half meters tall. His chain sword was large enough to cut through anything.

Among the Silvermane Guard, fewer than fifty people could use this armor, and even fewer were his age.

"Don't worry, Geppard."

As Orion Astra spoke, the cold wind seemed to move away from him, replaced by a warm aura. His face looked the same as before, but if anyone from the Astral Express crew was here, they'd notice a change in his eyes. His once bright eyes were now a calm, silver gaze.

"Yes!" Geppard replied, giving a respectful military salute. The metallic clink of his gauntlet against his chest echoed.

As Orion Astra's reputation grew, every word he said was noted by the army. Geppard, a big fan of Orion Astra, admired him greatly. Orion Astra was also impressed with this young soldier, whether as Serval's younger brother or as a skilled Belobog soldier.

Orion smiled at Geppard's admiration and turned back to the endless snowfield ahead.

"The storm is coming."

Beyond the sight of most people, rows of figures appeared on the snowfield, forming a great formation. Their heights were all over fifty meters.