Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 320: Dangerous plan (I)

Chapter 320: Dangerous plan (I)

Vlad and Jormungandr emerged from the dense forest, their forms appearing through the mist like phantoms returning from the abyss. Freya, Ouroboros, the Royal Guards, and the soldiers of the Turkin Kingdom stood in a loose formation, their eyes immediately locking onto the duo.

Freya was the first to step forward, her eyes filled with concern. "What happened back there?" she asked, her voice edged with worry. "Are you both alright?"

Ouroboros’s gaze flickered between Vlad and Jormungandr; the white werewolf could not hide the unease in his heart. "Were you harmed?"

Vlad raised a reassuring hand. "We’re fine," he replied, his tone severe yet calm. "But we’ve uncovered some troubling information."

He glanced at Jormungandr, who nodded in silent agreement. The small yellow cat settled onto Vlad’s shoulder, his fiery eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation.

"Gather around," Vlad instructed, his gaze sweeping over the assembled warriors. "Everyone needs to hear this."

As the group formed a tight circle, the murmur of whispers faded into attentive silence. The Xaos forces and the Turkin soldiers exchanged wary glances, sensing the weight of what was about to be revealed.

Vlad took a deep breath before beginning. "The creatures we faced in the town are unlike anything we’ve encountered before. From what I could see and learn from their physiology, they operate with a hive mind, displaying unparalleled coordination and efficiency."

He paused, allowing his words to sink in. "The ones we faced in the town were simple drones—disposable units designed for a single purpose: consumption. They devour all organic matter, leaving nothing behind. What’s more disturbing is their willingness to consume their own fallen to reclaim biomass. We killed more than one thousand, but I doubt we made any significant damage."

A ripple of unease spread through the group. The soldiers shifted uncomfortably, and the Royal Guards tightened their grips on their weapons. Viserin’s brow furrowed deeply, his eyes reflecting a mix of disbelief and dread.

Ouroboros’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "If they’re just the front line, the main force could be far more dangerous."

"Exactly," Vlad replied. "And we have to assume that what we’ve seen is only a fragment of their true capabilities."

"Are they controlled by a central mind or something like that?" Freya asked, the light in her eyes revealing the uncertainty and dread in her heart.

"I believe so," Vlad responded to the viking princess. "They lack any reproductive organs, so they must originate somewhere, which is most likely the center of their hive mind."

Silence hung heavy in the air as everyone processed the information. The magnitude of the threat was daunting, and the realization that they were facing an enemy unlike any other settled uncomfortably in their minds.

Vlad allowed them a moment before his aura surged subtly, drawing their focus back to him. His eyes hardened with determination as he addressed the group.

"We can’t afford to hesitate," he declared. "Our next moves are critical."

He turned toward the soldiers of the Turkin Kingdom, his gaze steady. Selecting ten of them with a swift sweep of his finger, he said, "You will return to the Turkin Kingdom immediately. The communication tower in your capital will allow your communication gems to inform Overlord of what we’ve discovered. Tell him that I command the mobilization of the Golden Wave Legion to the border of the Monsoon Continent."

The soldiers exchanged surprised glances. One stepped forward, his expression a mix of confusion and reluctance. "Why us?" he asked cautiously.

Vlad met his gaze unflinchingly, not bothering to hide his intent or reasoning. "Time is of the essence, and Jormungandr or Ouroboros would move much faster than you, but I need their strength for a special mission. Your departure, on the other hand, will not weaken our fighting strength here."

There was no time for sensibility or useless words, so Vlad continued. "You will not survive what comes next, so instead of letting you waste your life, it is better if you do this. However, don’t make a mistake; your task is crucial—alerting our forces to prepare for this new threat could very well determine whether we stop them here or after they have destroyed the entire Turkin Kingdom."

Understanding dawned on the soldiers’ faces. Although hearing about their lack of prowess was a heavy blow, especially for warriors who had proven themselves over and over on the battlefields of the Turkin Kingdom, there was no room for ego or hesitation. They had seen the threat with their own eyes and knew Vlad’s words were not wrong when he stated that the Turkin Kingdom could be obliterated under these creatures’ maws.

Viserin gave a subtle nod of approval. "You have your orders. Ensure that General Mark is also aware of the threat and that twenty thousand of our men are at the border. Failure is not an option. Send the message even if it’s the last thing you do."

The selected soldiers saluted sharply. "Yes, sir!" they responded in unison. Without further delay, they gathered their gear and set off. Their departure carried the weight of urgency, every step bringing the warning closer to those who needed it.

Vlad watched them go before turning back to the remaining group. His eyes sharpened as they settled on Jormungandr, Freya, Ouroboros, and the Royal Guards.

"Those creatures will return," Vlad stated firmly. "And they’ll likely come back stronger, in greater numbers, and their troops will carry more than just drones."

The Depravita of Wrath made a small pause before determination and resolve appeared in his eyes as he focused on the small yellow cat and the viking princess. "You will lead this group deeper into Karman Country, at least all the way to the border."

The Karman Country to which Vlad was referring was the one they were currently in, and that encompassed much of the border of the Monsoon Continent. It was roughly ten thousand kilometers long, and getting deeper would definitely mean encountering those creatures head on.