Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 346: Cleaning the battlefield

Chapter 346: Cleaning the battlefield

Vlad was unaware of the changes unfolding in Xaos City, and sending a message wouldn’t have helped. Anyone attempting to communicate with someone inside the city would find their efforts thwarted.

Overlord intercepted all messages, providing nearly identical responses to those the original recipients would have given. He could do that since there was no secret for him inside the city, and he knew enough of every citizen to mimic their behavior flawlessly. The A.I. Chip Clone had anticipated every possible move, leaving no flaw in its plan. Given all that, it was no wonder the Depravita of Wrath suspected nothing and simply carried on.

With no immediate urgency, Vlad moved at a pace that allowed him to recover his energy since he was still fatigued. After roughly five hours, he finally saw clouds of smoke billowing from where a mountain range once stood.

Shock and awe surged through Vlad as he beheld the sheer level of destruction. The once-majestic mountains were now reduced to rubble, and thousands of people moved across the scarred landscape, piling hundreds of thousands of drone corpses into massive pyres of scorching fire.

As Vlad approached the Xaos forces and Turkin soldiers, they noticed his presence. Cries of recognition and relief echoed across the battlefield.

"Boss!" Jormungandr’s voice rang out.

"Vlad!" Freya shouted, her face lighting up with joy.

They dashed toward him, appearing before him in less than a minute. The small yellow cat and the viking princess wore broad smiles, their eyes shining with relief as they saw that the Depravita of Wrath had finally returned, seemingly unscathed.

Vlad returned their smiles, nodding. "I’m back."

Freya looked him up and down, her gaze assessing. "We were worried about you. It’s good to see you in one piece."

Jormungandr flicked his tail, his eyes gleaming mischievously. "We thought you might have gotten yourself into trouble you couldn’t handle."

Vlad chuckled softly. "You know me—always finding a way out."

As he stood before them, he sensed a significant increase in their power levels. A flash of surprise crossed his eyes. "You’ve both grown stronger," he remarked.

Freya grinned. "Battling half a million hive creatures will do that to you."

Jormungandr nodded. "We had to step up our game."

Vlad smiled at the duo, enjoying the moment before his expression turned serious. "We can catch up later. Let’s help with the cleanup."

They both agreed, their smiles not fading. The worry they’d carried for days seemed to lift now that he was back.

As Vlad walked toward the combined forces of the Xaos Kingdom and the Turkin soldiers, he was met with eyes full of wonder and respect. Whispers spread through the ranks.

"He’s returned."

"The Xaos King is back!"

"He really went into the heart of the continent and survived."

Many had thought his mission suicidal, yet here he stood. Vlad acknowledged their gazes with a nod, his demeanor calm yet commanding.

He approached the soldiers of the Golden Wave Legion, nodding to Grand Marshal Anglius, Ouroboros, and the Royal Guards. "Excellent work here," he praised.

Grand Marshal Anglius bowed slightly. "Welcome back, Your Majesty. Your return bolsters our spirits."

Ouroboros smirked. "About time you showed up, Master. We were starting to think you’d miss all the fun."

Vlad gave a faint smile. "Wouldn’t dream of it."

Turning his attention to the massive pyres, Vlad observed the flames consuming the drone corpses. The fires burned hot, but he realized that at this rate, it would take days to reduce all the bodies to ashes. It was crucial to eradicate them; if left intact, the hive could reclaim the remains to create new drones, and their toxic blood made them useless for any other purpose.

A determined gleam appeared in Vlad’s eyes. "Stand back," he instructed those nearby.

He extended his index finger, channeling energy into his Runic Set. A small, intense stream of flame ignited at his fingertip. With a swift motion, he sent the flame into the nearest pyre.

The effect was immediate and spectacular.

The moment the flame touched the pyre, the entire mass erupted into a roaring inferno. Flames surged skyward, their heat intensifying to a level that forced nearby soldiers to shield their faces. The drones’ corpses began to disintegrate at an accelerated rate.

Gasps of astonishment rippled through the crowd. Soldiers stared wide-eyed at the towering flames, the heat palpable even from a distance.

"Unbelievable," someone whispered.

"The fire... it’s incredible," another murmured.

Jormungandr watched with a satisfied grin. "That’s the power of Guardian Tier flames from his Runic Set," he commented to Freya. "Nothing less could burn them so completely."

Freya nodded, her eyes reflecting the blazing light. "His runes are truly amazing."

Emboldened by Vlad’s display, the forces renewed their efforts with invigorated spirit. The presence of the Xaos King filled their hearts with a sense of security and confidence. They moved with purpose, working together to manage the remaining pyres.

Vlad continued to assist, moving from one pyre to the next. Each time, he infused the fires with his powerful flames, accelerating the destruction of the drone corpses. The once-overwhelming task now seemed achievable.

As night fell, the battlefield was illuminated by the towering infernos. Soldiers labored tirelessly, their silhouettes moving against the backdrop of flames. The air was thick with heat, and the scent of burning, but a collective determination propelled them forward.

By the time the sun began to rise again, the drones were reduced to nothing but ashes—fine, gray remnants that even the hive could not utilize. Exhausted but triumphant, the soldiers finally allowed themselves to rest. Regardless of rank, they sank to the ground, sharing in the relief of a job well done.

Vlad found a spot next to Freya and Jormungandr. The three sat quietly, gazing at the dawning sky. Hues of pink and gold painted the horizon, heralding a new day.

Freya sighed contentedly. "It’s beautiful, isn’t it?"

"Indeed," Vlad agreed softly. "Moments like this are rare."

Jormungandr stretched lazily, his tail flicking. "We should savor it while we can."

They shared a quiet moment, the weight of their responsibilities momentarily lifted. The battle had been arduous, and the road ahead remained uncertain, but they allowed themselves a brief respite for now.

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End of Book 4 - The dark hunger that fell from the sky