Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 251: To the war (II)

Chapter 251: To the war (II)

As the forces from Trigun City, Canvas City, and Knight City converged upon Xaos City, the air was charged with a palpable sense of tension and purpose. The sprawling city, which had become the heart of the Xaos Kingdom’s power, now thrummed with the energy of thousands of warriors and civilians alike, all working in concert to prepare for the next massive deployment.

The soldiers, hardened by their campaigns in distant cities, moved with discipline and focus through the streets of Xaos City. Their armor clinked softly as they marched, most covered in cracks and dry blood, proof of the massive battles they had taken part in. Each soldier wore a runic formation over their chest with the form of a demon, displaying it with honor and pride as it marked them as a Demon Soul Master.

In the heart of Xaos City, a vast open square had been transformed into a bustling hub of activity. Under the guidance of Overlord, the civilians worked tirelessly to support the war effort, their actions precise and coordinated as they managed the logistics necessary to prepare the army for the future march.

Long lines of supply carts moved through the square, laden with crates of new and flawless armor, weapons, and other essential goods. Artisans and blacksmiths worked at a relentless pace inside the Alchemy Factory under the guidance of Overlord, their magical forges glowing day and night as they crafted new armor and sharpened blades to a razor’s edge. Their efforts ensured that every soldier would be equipped with the finest gear the Xaos Kingdom could produce.

Nearby, civilians were busy handing over concocted potions and elixirs, brews that were carefully measured and stored in sturdy glass vials, ready to provide the warriors with much-needed boosts in stamina, healing, and strength during the battles to come. The alchemists had worked tirelessly, all of them pushing themselves to the limit under the direction of Overlord, as they understood the importance of these supplies for the war effort.

Weapons, armor, and potions were not the only supplies soldiers were attaining, as all were also obtaining gems carved with special runes that would help them improve their survival skills.

Overlord, ever vigilant and omnipresent, coordinated these efforts with unmatched efficiency. His presence was felt everywhere, from the distribution of supplies to the strategic deployment of forces. The A.I. Chip Clone ensured every detail was accounted for, leaving no room for error.

Beneath the sprawling expanse of Xaos City, in the subterranean chamber of the Xaos Tower, the leaders of the Xaos Kingdom gathered to strategize for the impending war against the Azarin Empire. The room was illuminated by the soft glow of a holographic screen that hovered above the tower’s energy pool, displaying the intricate details of their forces and the territories they would soon confront.

Vlad stood at the forefront, his gaze fixed on the holographic display. Beside him were the key figures of the kingdom’s military might: Grand Marshal Anglius, Freya, Major General Theodoro, the Royal Guards, Ouroboros, and Jormungandr. Each of them would play a core role in the incoming war.

Vlad showed a sharp light in his eyes as he gazed at the holographic screen that projected the current state of their forces, a flash of thrill knowing they had achieved his goal.

There were currently over five thousand Mortal Tier soldiers, a little over three hundred Champion Tier soldiers, and four High Champion Tier masters. The display also highlighted the strategic points of interest within the Azarin Empire, including Radiance City and the massive fortified stronghold that was its capital.

Vlad gestured to the screen, initiating the discussion. "Our forces are strong, but the Azarin Empire is no ordinary foe. We face an enemy fortified by zealotry and divine protection. Our strategy must be precise and adaptable."

Freya’s eyes were sharp as she heard that. Her military skills had greatly improved over the past few months. After contemplating everything, she spoke in a solemn voice. "We’ve trained our soldiers well. Their transformation into Demon Soul Masters has granted them immense power and a solid life-saving card. However, we must leverage our advantages wisely, as the constructs of the Azarin Empire’s Capital are formidable, and I am sure they have improved since the last time we saw it."

Grand Marshal Anglius’s eyes glowed as he analyzed all the information he had from the Azarin Empire and added, "Our focus should be on isolating the capital. The Azarin Empire’s strength lies not only in its military but also in its control over the populace through faith. We must cut all communication to the outside world and take control over all the towns in Radiance City to ensure no attack from our blind spots."

Major General Theodoro heard the words of the rest and studied the holographic map. He was the leader of the 19 Bloodline Soldiers not just due to his power, but also due to his keen mind.

"The Azarin Empire’s armors, weapons, and constructs are formidable, but they seem to only focus on offense and decisive power, leaving a weakness in their communications. We should take advantage of that, attack fast and strong, and close the battlefield to the capital before they even know what is happening." Despite his young age, Theodoro’s skill and insight were nothing short of superb.

Jormungandr, the Depravita of Gluttony, nodded to Theodoro’s words and leaned toward the holographic display, his eyes focused and calculating. "Isolating the Azarin Empire’s capital and cutting their communication with the outside world is a must. If we act the right way, we could not only close the battlefield immediately toward the capital but generate a powerful mental pressure as they will be unaware of our true power."

Vlad nodded, as he analyzed all the input they were giving in. His eyes were sharp as he spoke. "Isolation would grant us a significant advantage. If we do it right, we could speed up this war immensely." As he reached this point, Vlad turned his focus to the energy pool. "Overlord, do we have enough Enhanced Sleep Gas?"

Sleep Gas was something all the present knew about, especially those from Canvas City, as it was the gas they had been using to knock out civilians and weak enemies, to reduce the number of collateral damage during an assault.

Shortly after Vlad asked the question, the ancient voice of the A.I. Chip Clone echoed across the room, "There is enough Enhanced Sleep Gas to cover the entirety of Radiance City. It will affect all civilians, placing them in deep hibernation. As long as their bodies take in enough water, they can remain unconscious for three weeks without severe side effects."

Vlad smiled and relaxed as he heard those words. One of the major problems with the attack on the Azarin Empire was its zealous and xenophobic population. If they saw an invading force coming toward them, even if they knew it would be futile, they would attack, leaving the Xaos Kingdom’s forces no other choice but to kill them all.

Butchering hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children was not something Vlad felt comfortable with, so he searched for another way, and it presented itself as the Sleep Gas used in Canvas City. With that out of the way, Vlad focused on another critical project as he stared at Jormungandr.

"Is the Lightning-Flame Cores Project completed?" There was a meaningful light in Vlad’s eyes as he uttered those words. Jormungandr had been working on the Lightning-Flame Core Project for several months now, and it would play a crucial role in their assault on the capital.

Jormungandr’s eyes were sharp as he nodded. "I finished the creation of the Lightning-Flame Cores fifty days ago and sent all the data to Overlord."

Shortly after that, the voice of the A.I. Chip Clone appeared once more. "I have focused a great part of our resources on them, and we should have the required amount before the army marches out."

Vlad smiled as he saw that things were going according to plan and everything was advancing smoothly, but he did not dare to grow overconfident. A somber expression appeared as he gazed at everybody in the room and carried on. "Controlling Radiance City will be a great ordeal, especially if we want to do it without revealing our presence and power. However, that will be nothing compared with what we will face once we reach the Azarin Empire’s capital."

Seeing that everybody adopted the same serious expression as him, Vlad carried on. "Remember, this is a force capable of using Divine Force, with a High Champion Priest and all sorts of constructs and weapons. We must be fast, strong, and smart, always prepared to face the unexpected."

All the people in the room nodded toward Vlad, and they carried on. The plan began to take shape as they discussed contingencies and refined their tactics. Each leader contributed their expertise, ensuring every angle was considered and potential threats addressed.