Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 254: Siege of the Azarin Empire’s capital (I)

Chapter 254: Siege of the Azarin Empire’s capital (I)

The soldiers responded with a resounding shout, their determination palpable. The energy among them was electric, fueled by a shared sense of purpose and readiness to defend their homeland. Each one of them stood tall, their resolve unyielding, reflecting the rigorous training they had undergone and the pride they held for their empire and faith.

Rober felt a surge of satisfaction as he observed the unwavering commitment of his forces. These were not merely conscripts who were brainwashed by the church to act as cannon fodder. They were seasoned soldiers, honed by countless drills and battle simulations. In them, he saw the potential for the entire military power of the Azarin Empire to reach new heights, driven by excellence and dedication.

He was poised to call them into action, to mobilize the troops and set out on their mission, when suddenly, the ground beneath him began to tremble. At first, it resembled a small earthquake—uncommon but not impossible in the lands of the Azarin Empire. However, this tremor was different; it did not weaken. Instead, the intensity only grew as it seemed to approach the capital.

A sense of unease settled over Rober, quickly escalating into a feeling of imminent dread. Something was coming, something far beyond the scope of a small and ordinary natural phenomenon. His instincts screamed of danger as the tremors intensified.

Realizing the urgency of the situation, Rober made his way swiftly to the massive white wall that surrounded the entire city, using the nearby elevator to ascend to the highest vantage point. As the platform rose, his heart pounded in his chest, a sense of foreboding growing with each passing second.

Upon reaching the top, Rober rushed to the edge of the battlements, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of the approaching threat. What he saw froze him in place, a wave of horror and disbelief washing over him.

There, in the distance, was a massive cloud of dust rolling toward the capital like an impending storm. Beneath the dust cloud, the ground shook with the sound of footsteps—thousands upon thousands of synchronized strides marching relentlessly forward.

Robert’s mind raced, trying to comprehend the magnitude of what was approaching. This was no mere enemy force; it was an army, vast and extremely well organized, advancing with purpose and precision. The dust cloud swirled around them, shrouding their numbers and adding to the oppressive sense of danger.

However, there was one figure that Rober could discern even amidst the massive cloud of dust—a man covered in golden armor, nearly nine meters in height, whose every step made the earth tremble and crack.

Rober’s throat went dry as he realized the gravity of the situation. This was the vanguard of an army unlike any they had faced before, and it was heading straight for the heart of the Azarin Empire.

"Sound the alarm!" Rober shouted, his voice carrying a note of urgency as he turned to the soldiers below. "Prepare the defenses! We must hold the line at all costs!"

The soldiers sprang into action, their training kicking in as they raced to man the battlements and ready the city’s defenses. Orders were barked, weapons were drawn, and the clatter of armor filled the air as Rober’s command echoed throughout the capital.

As the dust cloud continued its inexorable approach, Rober steeled himself for the battle to come. Despite the massive force bearing down on the Azarin Empire’s capital, he felt a surge of confidence in the city’s defenses and the strength of his forces. The walls of Radiance City were formidable, capable of repelling over twenty thousand demons, and his soldiers were well-trained and prepared to meet any challenge.

However, as he adjusted his vantage point, his heart skipped a beat. His eyes widened in terror as he realized that the threat was not confined to the approaching army from the east. Forces were also advancing from the west and south, threatening to encircle the city.

Rober quickly grabbed a special visor, enhancing his vision and allowing him to see the details of the approaching armies. To the west, a force of one thousand marched with grim determination. Even from this distance, Rober could sense the battle-hardened aura and formidable power radiating from them. These were not ordinary soldiers; they were monsters in human skin, seasoned warriors who had seen countless battles and emerged stronger for it.

But what truly shocked Rober was the sight of the seventy figures advancing from the south. Their numbers were few, but in a world where a single individual could unleash the destructive might of a ballistic missile, numbers could be deceiving. The aura emanating from these seventy warriors was chilling, a palpable force that sent a shiver down Rober’s spine and made his bones grow cold.

He could feel the immense power within each of them, a testament to their mastery of combat and potential to wreak havoc on the battlefield. The air around them seemed to crackle with energy, and Rober knew that they were no ordinary foes.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Rober’s mind raced as he processed the enormity of the threat. The enemy had deployed a three-pronged assault, each force formidable in its own right, and all converging on the heart of the Azarin Empire. The defenses of Radiance City would be tested as never before.

"We’re under siege from all sides," Rober muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief and urgency.

Rober was truly baffled to see such a massive army reach the capital so quickly. The speed of one man and an army were two very different things. An individual could move with agility and stealth, traversing vast distances rapidly without the constraints of supply lines or logistical support. In contrast, an army’s movement was far more complex and slower, requiring careful coordination, supply chains, and communication to maintain its strength and cohesion. Armies didn’t just march; they carried provisions, equipment, and weapons, making their progress deliberate and often ponderous.

He had only received news of problems with the towns less than a week ago. For such a large force to mobilize and advance this swiftly was unprecedented and deeply unsettling. It suggested a level of organization and planning that Rober had not anticipated, raising the stakes of the conflict to a new and terrifying level.

No matter how shocked Rober was about the size and speed of the forces, his mind could only focus on the immense danger they were facing. The gravity of the situation bore down on him like a physical weight, sharpening his senses and focusing his thoughts. He knew that the defense of Radiance City would require every ounce of skill and courage he and his soldiers could muster.

It was not just Rober who grasped the severity of the situation. All the generals across the city rose to the walls, a somber expression appearing on their faces as they saw the legions reaching toward the capital, like the fingers of a demonic entity closing in for the kill. The air was thick with tension, a palpable sense of foreboding that spread through the ranks of the defenders.

General Kallos, a veteran known for his strategic brilliance, stood beside Rober, his eyes fixed on the approaching armies. "This is no ordinary assault," he remarked, his voice low and steady. "The enemy has come prepared. We must not underestimate them."

Rober nodded, his jaw set with determination. "We have no choice but to hold the line. The walls of Radiance City are strong, and our soldiers are well-trained. We will make them pay for every inch they try to take."

Despite the confidence in his words, Rober couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that gnawed at him. He turned to address the assembled generals, their faces a mix of resolve and apprehension.

"Generals," Rober began, his voice carrying the weight of his responsibility. "We are faced with an unprecedented challenge. The enemy forces are formidable, but we have the advantage of our defenses and the courage of our soldiers. We must coordinate our efforts and ensure that every part of the city is protected."

General Lysandra, known for her sharp tactical mind, spoke up. "We should reinforce the southern and western walls. The forces approaching from those directions are smaller, but their power is undeniable. They might have people among their ranks with the strength to harm the walls with a single strike."

"I agree," Rober replied. "Deploy additional troops to the vulnerable points. Our Mages should be prepared to unleash volleys as soon as they come within range. We cannot allow them to breach the city."

As the generals moved to implement the defensive strategies, Rober returned his gaze to the horizon, where the dust clouds continued to advance relentlessly. The sound of marching footsteps grew louder, a haunting drumbeat that reverberated through the air.

Just as the generals were coming up with a battle plan, ready to fully mobilize the entire military might within the city, a golden radiance rose from the Church of Glory, ascending into the sky and flying toward Rober and the others.