The Mech Touch novel Chapter 3255

Chapter 3255: Old Guardian

The moment the higher-ups decided to launch an extremely provocative attack, Venerable Orthox De Massie learned the news shortly afterwards.

The Ferril Provincial Army had chosen to mobilize three whole mech divisions for this hastily-organized operation.

The generals didn't have much to choose from. Many mech divisions were either too far away or stuck performing other missions. The number of units who were stationed close to the projected route of the human fleet and could be mobilized in their entirety only amounted to a handful.

The Vulcan Empire had embraced peace for a very long time. It was unnecessary to keep every military unit on a war footing. It was not only expensive, but also hard on the soldiers.

If the Ferril Province had more time, then it could have gathered thrice as many mech divisions. As it was, sending out the Molten Hammers, Slug Rangers and Hivar Roarers on short notice was the limit.

Venerable Orthox never doubted that his mech division alongside the other two divisions of the Ferril Provincial Army would claim victory. He and his fellow dwarven soldiers were not only fighting on home ground, but also brought a lot more mechs to the battlefield.

As far as he was concerned, winning this battle was just a formality.

That did not mean he was happy with this decision.

"Do these people even know how many dwarves will be driven to their deaths?!"

Orthox couldn't bear the thought of reliving the dark days of the dwarven rebellion. Back then, the sacrifices were worth it because the dwarven rebels fought for their freedom. They succeeded, so the Vulcan Empire should not have any reason to pick a fight against the humans.

No matter how many advantages the dwarven force possessed, the disparity in numbers was not overwhelming enough to produce a perfect victory. Their human targets would never roll over and accept their deaths in peace. Thousands of dwarven lives would definitely be lost, many of whom he personally knew and befriended.

The thought of losing so many more comrades was intolerable to someone who always tried his best to guard their lives!

His opposition to this lightning operation was clear to see, but too many muddled dwarves did not support his stance that it was a mistake to attack the humans.

It took a personal visit from his old friend and superior for Orthox to drop his opposition.

"The decision has already been made, Venerable Orthox. The dwarven people want to fight for their dwarven god." General Iker Kebrinore spoke.

Both of them were standing in Venerable Orthox's personal meditation chamber aboard the Great Ram. Images of the expert pilot's many fallen friends and battle comrades lined the bulkheads.

The expert pilot did not turn around to face the general. Instead, he kept folding his meaty arms behind his back while continuing to stare at the mementos of his past.

His will, which had long been tamed after many years of peace, had suddenly grown a lot hotter and restless as of late. Even General Kebrinore began to feel more unwelcome in this compartment.

"Is it truly the dwarven people who wish to slaughter our human visitors and spit in the eye of the MTA? Or is it the mad 'Flame Herald' who is attempting to push us into a black hole in order to fulfill his selfish ambitions?"

"Be careful what you say, Orthox!" The dwarven general became slightly alarmed! "I know you have your differences with the Dwarven God Cult, but it has become the mainstream amongst the youngsters. Flame Herald Uven Yellowshoe is even better than his father at converting Vulcanites to his beliefs. It is already a certainty that Vulcan will become known as a dwarven god within the next decade."

Venerable Orthox feared no cult leader. That said, he felt helpless at what was going on as of late. The changes in the Vulcan Empire did not sit well with him but matters of faith was never his strength.

"We fought too hard to free dwarves to see our hard work collapse. The Flame Herald is delusional if he thinks that Vulcan will help us fend off the MTA's wrath!"

"The MTA is distracted, my friend." General Kebrinore replied. "It has been for many decades. We are a mere sideshow to the mechers. The Red Ocean and the first-rate superstates are much greater concerns to them. As long as we don't do anything outrageous, I can guarantee you that the Big Two won't lift a finger."

"You don't know that, general!" Orthox yelled, his braided brown beard shaking with alarm! "I don't trust the Flame Herald to keep his cool and restrain his ambitions. He's the exact sort of person who will drive us into an impossible war against humans! Have you studied the enemy human states around us? I have, and I can tell you that each of them will not hesitate to rob our freedoms and put us back in the mines where they think we belong!"

The general was not as blind to the potential risks and dangers as many of his other dwarves. Many dwarves of the ruling class felt the same way as Venerable Orthox.

It was useless, though.

"Orthox…" Kebrinore sighed as he brushed his long and bushy beard. "Times have changed. The children who grew up in the Vulcan Empire are not content with hearing about the glories of the past. They are restless and ambitious. The Flame Herald is but one of many dwarves of the younger generation who believe they are capable of doing more. Over time, oldsters like us will die or retire from power, making way for brash and foolhardy dwarves who think they are on top of the galaxy."

"What are you saying, general?" The expert pilot glared.

"Think about it. Do you wish for these eager dwarves who have never witnessed the depravity of war to start a conflict with humans by themselves, or do you want to be on hand to guide them and protect them as best you can? I am certain that if we do not join in, the Dwarven God cultists will find a way to start a war without us, and more dwarves will eventually die because experienced soldiers like us aren't there to cover for their lack of experience."

General Kebrinore put Venerable Orthox in a difficult bind. A guardian must never abandon the people he vowed to protect. As a knight mech specialist, the thought of turning away was blasphemy.

The problem was that the role of a guardian was different from a leader. Venerable Orthox was not in charge and never sought to rule over his fellow dwarves. In his opinion, safeguarding their freedom and protecting them from external threats was his main responsibility. The tedious task of politicking and making decisions was best left to other dwarves.

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