Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 252: To the war (III)

Chapter 252: To the war (III)

As the end of the year arrived and preparations were completed, the forces of the Xaos Kingdom began their march toward the Azarin Empire’s capital. The defenses of Xaos City were left in the hands of Overlord.

All the cities surrounding Inkmetal City had been completely cleansed of any possible threat to Xaos City. Any force wishing to harm the Xaos Kingdom’s civilians would have to traverse thousands of kilometers, giving Vlad more than enough time to mobilize his forces.

The only military power that did not march to war was the forces stationed at Nagan Mountain led by Brigadier General Mitchell. The pool of Demonblood Molten Essence was critical for the growth of Vlad, Jormungandr, and Ouroboros, and it only took one person to destroy it, so it could not be left unprotected.

The civilians in the city, especially the young, watched the military forces of the Xaos Kingdom with awe and wonder. The warriors exuded an aura of might and respect, inspiring a desire in them to join their ranks.

The Warriors, clad in massive armor resembling moving fortresses, marched alongside Mages wearing magic robes, each garment enchanted to enhance their magical power and defenses. Every one of them was a Demon Soul Master, their bodies and spirits continuously strengthened by the sealed souls of demons.

The forces were divided into three distinct legions, each with a unique role in the impending war.

The first and largest legion, known as The Golden Wave, was composed of four thousand and two hundred Mortal Tier soldiers and one hundred and twenty Champion Tier soldiers. This legion was led by the formidable Grand Marshal Anglius, a giant man standing nearly nine meters tall, clad in golden armor that gleamed with the power of his Devil Bloodline.

Grand Marshal Anglius’s massive size carried many complications in his daily life, but when it came to leading men into war, it was perfect. His imposing presence inspired the troops as it constantly depicted his power.

Thanks to his constant marches across Knight City, Grand Marshal Anglius had gained a massive amount of Origin Force. He not only killed a lot of demons, but he also obtained part of the Origin Force earned by the men under his command, as the Plane Will considered he deserved a portion due to his flawless guidance. Thanks to the continuous improvement, his body had already reached Level 10, and his energy pool was bordering Level 7. It was only a matter of time before his battle power broke into the High Champion Tier!

On the shoulder of this colossal giant was the second leader of The Golden Wave. He was a small yellow cat wearing dark leather armor imbued with arcane energies. While his size was nothing in comparison to Grand Marshal Anglius, all the soldiers knew his power was much greater, as he could summon storms capable of leveling entire towns.

The Golden Wave was the bulk force of the Xaos Kingdom, designed to engage the enemy head-on and break through their defenses with sheer might and overwhelming numbers. Their objective was to create openings and draw the attention of the Azarin Empire’s forces, allowing other units to maneuver strategically and target high-value assets.

The second legion, The Shadowstrike Legion, was led by Freya and Major General Theodoro. It consisted of two hundred Champion Tier soldiers and eight hundred Mortal Tier soldiers. Among its ranks were the renowned 19 Bloodline Soldiers, whose prowess had also received a massive boost after Santana City, with their bodies and souls at the peak of the Champion Tier.

The Shadowstrike Legion served as the tactical strike force, employing guerrilla tactics and swift maneuvers to exploit weaknesses in the enemy lines. They were tasked with targeting key enemy positions, disrupting communications, and sabotaging the battle formations and reinforcements in the Azarin Empire’s defenses.

The smallest but most elite unit was The Obsidian Phalanx, composed of the five Royal Guards—Mirena, Frank, Clasius, Roman, and Amara—along with fifty-six Champions whose devil bloodlines coursed through their veins. There was no room for Mortal Tier Soldiers in this unit as they would march into valleys of fire and destruction, and the collateral damage alone was more than what a normal Level 5 Warrior could endure.

This unit was led by the imposing young man and the fiendish werewolf. Vlad’s eyes were sharp and cold as he led his force, his gaze turning toward the Depravita of Greed by his side and nodding approvingly.

Ouroboros had recently returned from Nagan Mountain, and his power increased upon having awakened his Depravita Sky. This transformation exponentially enhanced his survival skills and resilience, making him a formidable force on the battlefield, and allowing him to take much more damage in future fights, something he would definitely need.

The Obsidian Phalanx was the spearhead of the assault, designed for precision strikes and high-value target eliminations. Their mission was to infiltrate deep into the Azarin Empire’s defenses, taking out enemy leaders and dismantling critical infrastructures, effectively crippling the enemy’s ability to mount an effective resistance.

Although each legion had its purpose and core mission, those were not fixed and could be altered according to the situation on the battlefield. There were even plots and schemes that the normal soldiers were unaware of. The reason behind the secrecy was that if you managed to trick your people, tricking the enemy was much easier.

As the three legions advanced, the atmosphere was charged with a palpable sense of purpose and anticipation. The soldiers marched with discipline and determination, their eyes set on the horizon.

The earth trembled under the might of the soldiers’ march. The power of the massive military force was something that could have easily taken down a country before the apocalypse, even with all their technological advancements, and their sole goal was the Azarin Empire.

----

In the center of Ortun Town, a gnarled tree stood as a grim reminder of the Azarin Empire’s ideology and faith. From its branches hung dozens of bodies, marked as "Tainted Blood." These were individuals accused of harboring impure bloodlines or opposing the Empire’s doctrines. Their bodies swayed in the wind, a macabre spectacle, yet it did not cause fear in the people who saw it.

The townspeople went about their daily routines, smiles arising on their faces as they saw the bodies hanging. The power of faith was truly terrifying, with their minds twisted to the point they felt that it was the right way for the world to work. They moved calmly, smiles wide on their faces as they did their daily activities.

Suddenly, a wave of white fog rolled into the town, its ethereal tendrils wrapping around buildings and creeping into every crevice. It descended like a shroud, knocking everyone unconscious where they stood. Only the soldiers of the Azarin Empire stationed throughout the town were able to resist the power of the fog due to their Level, yet their minds were foggy, and their senses were affected.

The soldiers, initially confused, quickly realized the threat. Panic set in as they scrambled to assess the situation, with the leader among them shouting. "Send the warning eagles!"

Upon hearing that order, the soldiers reached into their pouches and pulled out small white crystal eagles. Although not specifically designed for communication, the eagles could carry messages back to Radiance City, serving as a makeshift means of alert.

As the soldiers released the dozens of eagles into the air, they soared for only a moment before small beams of energy sliced through the fog, shattering the crystal messengers into countless pieces. Shock and terror rippled through the ranks of the soldiers, realizing that their only means of sending for reinforcements had been destroyed.

Before the soldiers could regroup or react, figures began to move swiftly and silently through the dense fog. Screams of pain and terror pierced the silence, echoing off the stone walls of Ortun Town. The fog itself seemed to amplify the sounds, making it impossible to pinpoint their origin. Within moments, the chaos subsided, leaving only a chilling silence in its wake.

As the fog began to dissipate, the scene it revealed was one of utter devastation. The soldiers of the Azarin Empire lay motionless on the ground, their heads separated from their bodies or with holes where their hearts should remain. Standing amidst the fallen were hundreds of warriors of the Xaos Kingdom, their chests glowing as demonic energy enhanced their strength.

The soldiers of the Xaos Kingdom showed no mercy to the military forces of the Azarin Empire. Though they would neutralize civilians without harming them, the soldiers of the Empire received no mercy. The bodies hanging from the tree bore witness to the Azarin Empire’s cruelty, fueling the resolve of the Xaos warriors to exact swift and decisive retribution.

A man who resembled a demonic black werewolf took a gem and spoke. "Company Commander Jamis reporting. We have taken control of Ortun Town. All civilians have been put in hibernation, and the Azarin Empire’s soldiers are dead."