Planet Master

“Uhm, is this truly fine?” Tatsumi said as he was on the podium, receiving a medal from Marshal Teach directly.

“It is fine, young man.” Marshal Teach said while extending his hand for a handshake.

Tatsumi then also extended his hand and grabbed Teach’s hand. Then they faced the front as the cameras recorded their moment.

The Cerulean Defense Force members who were not on the frontline could see this event. They were surprised to see that someone got the Medal of Honor.

It was one of the hardest medals to be given since the requirement was for one to be able to eliminate a disaster-level threat.

The medal was actually a six-pointed star made from gold. It was on the tray before Marshal Teach gave it to Tatsumi.

Tatsumi could hear the camera operating to capture the moment. He felt that this was quite a moment for him.

“May the blessing of Father God be with you.” Marshal Teach said one thing before the entire world.

“May the blessing of Father God be with you.” Tatsumi replied with a smile.

Then the two went down from the podium since the main event had come to an end. The rest was about the progress of the Star Battle reported live for the civilization.

“I can’t believe that you managed to slay that dragon. Once again, congratulations.” Marshal Teach became more relaxed when he was not in front of the camera.

“Sir, you are too eager. Did you notice?” Tatsumi replied.

“Haha, yeah, most people who have met me said that about me.” Teach said while he had a melancholy look on his face.

“Sir, are you thinking about Mister Miyamoto?” Tatsumi knew quite well the relationship between people in the higher-ups from Miyamoto Mamoru.

After all, he was quite close to Tatsumi’s orphanage headmaster Feng Mo so it was no surprise that Tatsumi knew who was close to Miyamoto Mamoru.

“I can’t hide it from you. Yes, because it has been quite some time since I could relax with him. Send him my regard, will you?” Teach patted Tatsumi on the shoulder while asking his request.

“Sure.”

After that, the two separated. Tatsumi went to the main hall, where most guests had gathered.

There, he could see his family mingling around when they caught sight of Tatsumi.

Ame and Charlene suddenly hugged him, each side for them.

“What’s wrong?” Tatsumi asked.

“We don’t like that you have to sacrifice your emotions just to slay that dragon and get the Medal of Honor.” Charlene and Ame said almost simultaneously.

Even Ivana and Tetsuya’s expressions showed that they too did not like their father having to do such a thing just to eliminate a threat.

Furthermore, Tatsumi only found a method to reduce the effect, not completely eliminate it. Despite him saying that he could make the side effect disappear, it was just not true.

Ame found this fact and became a bit angry, but more concerned.

“Oh, you found out that my method does not completely eliminate the side effect.” Tatsumi understood the concern. But he was holding the small box that contained the medal in his right hand while the two hugged his arms.

“Don’t worry. The method is good enough that you won’t be eroded by the intent. But you will still feel detached and that is a good result for me.” Tatsumi said as he patted the two on the head.

“I see. Despite its side effects, the increase in strength is so much more tempting to you. Looks like I need to research this so-called ‘intent’ that you often use.” Charlene said with a serious tone.

“Please do. I believe that more kinds of intent can be found in this world. After all, the world is huge.” Tatsumi said.

“Do you really mean it?” Charlene asked since Tatsumi was the pioneer in that field.

“Well, more people learning it means that the entire civilization becomes stronger. Furthermore, I get to share their learnings as well. This is a fair exchange.” Tatsumi confidently said that.

Then Tatsumi opened the small box which contained the Medal of Honor. His family saw it and knew that the medal was a precious thing to have since the requirement to get it was strict.

“Something like this is given to Father, looks like the dragon was a serious deal.” Tetsuya said after some thought.

“Wow, it is shining. It really is made from gold.” Ivana saw the details of the medal and commented.

Ame and Charlene looked closer at the medal and knew that it also had a property of protection, meaning the medal was also a transcendent item.

“You noticed too?” Tatsumi saw the surprise on their faces and opened his mouth.

“Yes. The scant amount of transcendent energy it has is so little that most people could ignore it but not me.” Ame said.

“This is a special type of transcendent item. If I’m not wrong, it has the property of protection for the wearer. You should wear it.” Charlene suggested.

“Alright.” Tatsumi said while formulating a plan to wear the medal.

-

The news the civilization received was that someone had managed to receive the Medal of Honor. It was an unprecedented event that people wanted to know about.

On the official website of the Cerulean Defense Force, numerous comments were flooding in, wanting to know more about the recipient of the medal.

The official of the Cerulean Defense Force website stated that the identity of the owner was classified but mentioned that he was great and contributed much to the transcendent world.

That caused people to speculate about the owner of the medal.

Tatsumi, on the other hand, was returning to the frontline since the matter of receiving a medal was done. Charlene had to go to the laboratory to do her own research along with Ivana so only Ame and Tetsuya were going to the frontline.

Seeing the familiar Rift, Tatsumi could feel the amazing size and workings of the Rift since he had managed to cause a scar in the spacetime of the other side and this side’s planet.

But he also realized that the space he cut healed quite quickly so it meant that his mastery of spatial cut was low.

‘Perhaps there is something that heal the spatial fissure I created.’ Tatsumi thought before he turned to Ame and Tetsuya.

“I want to test the Medal of Honor’s protection mechanism. Do you want to see?” he asked.

“Sure.” Ame replied while Tetsuya nodded.

Then they went to a wide-open area where they could do their own things without bothering the others.

“Wife, attack with your weapon.” Tatsumi gestured with his hand, pointing toward himself.

Ame blinked before she nodded and used the Myriad Manifestation Umbrella to transform into a halberd.

Then she went to the front of Tatsumi before swinging her halberd, infused with her transcendent energy. This was a test to see the reaction from the Medal of Honor.

Tatsumi did not even circulate his transcendent energy to see whether the medal would react to danger.

‘Let’s see whether you are useful or not.’ Tatsumi thought while letting himself go defenseless.

Fortunately, something like a light shield prevented the halberd from hitting Tatsumi and protected him. The shield flickered but remained firm as Ame launched another attack, this time with the Gate of Opening open.

Berserk transcendent energy flowed and then the shield flickered incessantly.

Tatsumi felt that the shield could hold but if a stronger attack came, the shield would just break.

He and Ame were at the Ninth Heavenstage of the Core Formation Realm at the peak of that realm so the attack the shield could withstand was actually the very peak of the Core Formation Realm.

Tetsuya, who saw this, knew that as well. His parents were one of the strongest transcendents the civilization had so he knew that the Medal of Honor was an extra item for protection. But he did not expect that the power of the shield would be that great.

“Done?” Ame knew that Tatsumi had concluded something from the Medal of Honor’s protection function.

Then the Medal of Honor, which was on Tatsumi’s uniform, drew in the Ether from the air.

“Looks like it has an automatic recharging function.” Tatsumi commented.

“It is recharging itself after the shield is in critical condition.” Ame added.

Tatsumi then looked at the medal with his mind power. After opening one lock of his psyche, his mind power was flowing and abundant enough for him to scan things.

The operation of the medal was clear in his eyes. There was a small but profound formation that served as a transcendent energy-gathering, while the second formation formed a shield all around his body.

“I can see how the medal worked. It is simple but powerful due to its simple effect.” Tatsumi then retracted his mind power and said.

Ame and Tetsuya nodded.

For Tetsuya, it was quite a novel experience to see a defensive item so strong.

Usually, the protective items he had often encountered were for important people and at the sixth heavenstage of the Core Formation Realm. Its defensive capability was shorter than the Medal of Honor but it did not mean that they were useless.

It at least broadened his horizon about the apex capability of his civilization.

“Well, let it recharge before we are going to the are beyond the Rift.” Tatsumi said.

While waiting, they were training or exchanging thoughts about their own path of transcendence.

Every person may have the same transcendent energy source but it did not mean that they would be the same. Different weapons, techniques and mindsets caused different styles for transcendents.

Tatsumi had dealt with numerous styles and knew what was suitable for one. After grinding for a hundred years, that was expected of him.

That was why he could advise his wives and children about their transcendent path.

After doing it this time with Ame and Tetsuya, they finally went into their own positions in their group.

Tetsuya was part of the defense group, responsible for guarding important bases on the enemy planet. He and Ame were part of the strike group, responsible for the frontline affairs.

“You are back from the medal giving ceremony.” Edward was the first one to greet him. When Tatsumi and Ame were absent, he was the one who was responsible for the strike group.

Now that the two had returned, the chain of command had returned to normal.

“How’s the situation?” Tatsumi wanted the latest news from the battlefield.

He had heard that his teacher had moved deeper into the Lizardfolk territory and was gaining momentum in the war theater. For Tatsumi, his teacher was someone he aspired to be.

“The Lizardfolk are mounting a defensive battle so we are in a siege.” Edward explained. His dark blond hair was covered by the hood he wore but Tatsumi still could see the familiar senior.

Despite Edward being his senior, Tatsumi was more capable of coordinating between his transcendent strike group members.

“A siege, huh.” Tatsumi put his hand on his chin, thinking about the move that the Lizardfolk had made.

“They wanted to drain us of our resources and manpower.” Ame said.

“That’s likely. I mean, they built those fancy fortifications so of course they're going to use it.” Tatsumi added.

“Are there any plans from the Cerulean Defense Force?” Ame asked.

“They are planning to send our armored vehicles to break the Noza Fortress. That is because that place is the chokehold and entry to their capital, Salamander.” Edward explained the gist of it.

“We are moving so fast. I didn’t expect that we were approaching their center of governance.” Tatsumi truly did not expect that.

“Well, it is because those Lizardfolk are demoralized. Ever since the Dragon of Ruin was slain, they have not had the same force driving them. Some of them are forced to fight, causing dissatisfaction. At least, that was what was reported to the Headquarters.” Ame said.

She knew about so many things since she handled the intelligence from many sources.

“This is why having you here is my greatest luck.” Tatsumi grabbed her by the waist.

Ame sighed before she gently held his hand.

“Please, we are in a serious discussion.” Ame said with a slight smile.

Tatsumi nodded, but what he had said was not a lie.

“So what are your thoughts about this?” Edward asked.

“Simple, break through the Noza Fortress!” Tatsumi said with a serious expression.

Ame and Edward realized that Tatsumi somehow had the confidence that he could break the deadlock between the two sides.

Currently, the Cerulean Defense Force was conducting a siege on Noza Fortress. The progress was painfully slow, even for Tatsumi so he decided to break the stalemate.

Ame shook her head but still maintained her smile. She knew that when Tatsumi was this serious, obstacles would be obliterated.

Edward smirked as he was familiar with the way Tatsumi thought.

“Let’s inform the rest of the members about this. Our next deployment should be the Noza Fortress. See to it that the Headquarters agree.” Tatsumi said this as an order.

Ame and Edward then moved to inform the rest of the strike group members while also contacting the Headquarters.

“Do you truly want to go to the Noza Fortress?” the communication officer asked for confirmation.

“Yes. We want to go there to solve the stalemate. I have an idea of how things are going there.” Tatsumi used the communicator to connect to the Headquarters.

“Please wait a moment.”

Tatsumi waited for fifteen seconds before a reply came.

“Your request has been accepted. We will contact the general there for cooperation.”

“Thank you. Our transcendent strike group will move as soon as possible.”

-

“The one who will support us is the one who has received the Medal of Honor? That’s good news.” General Klaas nodded his head.

He had heard about the one transcendent who managed to slay the Dragon of Ruin Smagenrog but he had never seen him directly.

So to receive the information that the Dragon Slayer would be going to his position in the siege of Noza Fortress caused him to be excited.

‘I can’t wait to see the capability of the Dragon Slayer.’ Klaas thought as he had managed to surround the fortress but the ones inside were fiercely resisting, despite some of them being demoralized by the disappearance of the dragon.

While the general ordered the men under him to keep the pressure, Tatsumi’s transcendent strike group was heading there at top speed.

‘According to the current information and intelligence, my teacher is currently suppressing the advance from the Lizardfolk northwest of Salamander. It was designed to corner the resistance so that their back is against the Obsid Mountain.

‘That mountain covered the capital perfectly since the entry was through the Nia River in the north of the Salamander or through the Noza Fortress in the south. We have launched several airstrikes on the fortress and the capital but the effect was minimal at best.

‘It is time for the infantry to enter.’ Tatsumi processed all of this information as he moved quickly through a forested biome.

After some time had passed, Tatsumi could see the camps where General Klaas resided during the siege. Around the camps were sentries from ordinary soldiers to transcendents, the transcendents noticed Tatsumi and the others and alerted the rest.

“Halt!” the transcendent said loudly.

Tatsumi, as the leader of the transcendent strike group, stopped so those behind him also did the same.

“These are the documents that you needed to verify my group’s identity.” Tatsumi let out some documents from his spatial pouch and gave them to the transcendent.

“It is genuine.” The transcendent could see far more than ordinary soldiers. Although called ordinary soldiers, they were actually at the fourth or fifth heavenstage of the Nothingness Realm and also fought slightly like a powerful transcendent.

But the transcendents were at the Core Formation Realm first heavenstage so he could see more intricate details on the documents. There were even hidden traces of the seal which showed that the documents were important.

“So can you let me and my group in and speak with General Klaas?” Tatsumi asked.

“With your documents, you are our priority reinforcements so of course you can. The General is in his tent right now. Let me show you the way.” The transcendent became respectful to Tatsumi and his group and even escorted them to the location of General Klaas.

The commotion caused some people to look their way but Tatsumi had often encountered such a thing so he did not mind at all.

“Wait here.” Tatsumi gestured with his hand to stop and said.

The only one who could follow him was Ame so she followed him to enter General Klaas’ tent.

“Excuse me. Your transcendent strike group has arrived.” Tatsumi said with a certain tone.

“Hahaha, you always come at the right moment.” General Klaas was sitting on his chair behind a desk on which sprawled several maps and intelligence reports. He had a cap and some medals on his clothes. But he still greeted Tatsumi as if the two were long-time friends.

“This time, I need to solve the siege, which has become a stalemate between us and them.” Tatsumi said seriously.

“Oh, yes. With you here, I believe we can break this stalemate and advance to Salamander.” General Klaas said while nodding his head.

He knew well that the Dragon Slayer was powerful enough to slay the Dragon of Ruin Smagenrog so he believed that his assistance would accelerate the progress of the battle.

“So what’s the strategy?” General Klaas asked.

This time, it was not Tatsumi who replied but Ame.

“Since our strength is greater than the ones who covered themselves inside the Noza Fortress, we might as well launch an all-out assault.” She said while glancing at Tatsumi.

She knew that was the plan that Tatsumi wanted to execute. She felt that he had not even shown his true strength after absorbing the dragon’s blood.