Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 370: Back to the Monsoon Continent

Chapter 370: Back to the Monsoon Continent

The Lords of Horror gazed ahead, their eyes sharp as they watched the few remaining drones scurrying away. These fleeing creatures were inconsequential; their demise would not alter the grand scheme of things, nor would killing them prevent the hive mind from learning what had transpired here. So, instead of wasting their time or exposing themselves to unknown danger, they simply let them go, turning their attention back to the battlefield.

Now that the mission was over and there was no need to continue fighting, they allowed their bodies to relax. The combusting blood within them settled into a peaceful state as the magic matrices glowing across their armor dimmed and eventually turned off, recharging their energy reserves. Of course, they did not simply turn around and leave the area. Instead, they began carefully collecting the broken corpses of the Leviathan insect-humanoid warriors. These remains were invaluable to Ouroboros; the flesh and blood could help the Depravita of Greed enhance his body, increasing the might of one of the sharpest spears in the Xaos Kingdom’s war force.

After gathering dozens of corpses, the Lords of Horror removed their helmets and commenced consuming the scorched carcasses of the fallen aerial drones. While the meat of these creatures was toxic to humans, they were beyond such limitations. Having obtained the Genetic Template that pushed them closer to the Depravita race, diseases and toxins were no longer concerns for them. The shells of the aerial drones were hard, and the meat was rubbery, but the Lords of Horror’s teeth easily tore through them. Consuming the drones helped them recover some of their energy and replenish the alchemical materials they had burned during the battle.

Just like in combat, the Lords of Horror were extremely fast and efficient in their consumption, taking no more than ten minutes to finish their meals. Once done, they donned their helmets again and began moving toward the Asani side of the Molted Range. Ned led the white giants, their steps firm and their auras imposing. As they advanced, he noticed the awe, wonder, and admiration in the eyes of the soldiers who watched them. A strange light flickered in his eyes; such gazes would have filled him with pride and joy just a few months ago. But now, his mind automatically regulated those emotions, not allowing anything that could disrupt his focus.

The Captain of the Lords of Horror understood that this was one of the side effects of his evolution. Yet, there was no regret in his heart. The power he now wielded was phenomenal, allowing him to impact the war in ways he could never have dreamed of before.

It didn’t take long for Ned to reach Grand Marshal Anglius and Freya. His eyes were sharp as he looked at the duo, clasping his hands in greeting.

"Grand Marshal Anglius, Lady Freya," he said, his voice steady and devoid of emotion.

The duo exchanged glances, a bit unsure of how to address him. They didn’t really know what military rank the Captain of the Lords of Horror held, but given his might and the respect they felt for him and his troops, they chose to treat him as an equal.

"Captain Ned," they both replied in unison.

After that brief exchange, the communication gems they wore began to glow. Moments later, Overlord’s voice resonated in their minds.

"Everybody has done an excellent job, and it is now time to push forward. In five hours, the Golden Wave Legion, Turkin battalions, and the Lords of Horror will march through the Molted Range and establish a stronghold inside the Monsoon Continent," Overlord announced.

Freya and Grand Marshal Anglius’ eyes widened at the directive. They couldn’t help but display complicated expressions. They had been struggling immensely to fend off the Leviathan waves, and the only reason they had avoided casualties was thanks to the terrain’s natural bottleneck and the advantage it provided. Not to mention, they would no longer have the trump card of the Echo Bombs if they advanced, meaning that there was no longer the possibility of avoiding a fight if they saw the chances of defeat were too high.

Ned, on the other hand, simply nodded. His eyes remained sharp and focused; hesitation and doubt were emotions that did not affect him or his kind. Overlord was aware that war machines like the Lords of Horror required no explanations and would carry on order even if death was an apparent outcome. Still, he knew that Freya, Grand Marshal Anglius, and the soldiers of the Golden Wave Legion were different.

"Soon, our borders will be secured, and we will be able to concentrate our full power in the south," Overlord continued. "It is fundamental that a foothold is established inside the Monsoon Continent to expedite our operations. The more time we give the Leviathans to grow, the more dangerous they will become. According to my calculations, your forces should be sufficient to keep you safe, especially since the Xaos King and Lord Jormungandr will soon join you."

Freya and Grand Marshal Anglius exchanged solemn nods. Overlord’s reasoning was sound, and knowing that Vlad and Jormungandr would soon join them bolstered their confidence. They felt assured that they could establish a stronghold powerful enough to face off against the Leviathans.

"I will provide further instructions for your movements in the Monsoon Continent once you have set up a communication tower," Overlord concluded.

With everything in order, Overlord’s voice faded. The trio looked at each other and nodded, understanding the tasks ahead. Freya and Grand Marshal Anglius immediately began rallying the Golden Wave Legion and the Turkin soldiers, announcing their next move and preparing them for the march. Ned returned to the Lords of Horror, conveying the new orders. Without a word, they all nodded, ready to act.

The Lords of Horror promptly sat down on the ground, entering a meditative state. They took deep breaths, allowing the world’s energy to course through their bodies. Due to the imbalance between their physical forms and their Soul Dimensions, they were unable to cultivate through normal means. However, that didn’t mean they couldn’t absorb the natural energy surrounding them to replenish their reserves.

Moreover, the energy pool of each Lord of Horror had grown significantly after the recent battle. They had directed every iota of Origin Force gained from killing the Leviathans into their Sea of Consciousness. Unlike their immensely powerful bodies, their energy pools were relatively average, matching only that of a Level 10 warrior. Therefore, the Origin Force had a more potent effect on enhancing their soul power than it would have on their flesh and blood. A higher soul level meant increased thought speed and reflexes, which was why Overlord had directed them to focus on that path.

Five hours might seem like ample time, but for warriors accustomed to relentless combat, it passed in the blink of an eye. They had barely finished their preparations when the time came to move out.

The Lords of Horror rose from the ground, their bodies and energy brimming with renewed power. Fully recovered from the last battle, their eyes were sharp, and their minds were ready as they led the charge through the Molted Range. The Golden Wave Legion, led by Freya and Grand Marshal Anglius, closely followed the white giants. The Turkin soldiers brought up the rear; given the narrow passage, their numbers would be less effective at the front.

The passage was long and constricted, with towering walls of jagged rock on either side. The searing heat radiating from the ground made most soldiers uncomfortable, sweat trickling down their faces beneath their helmets. Still, they pressed on, moving at a steady pace, alert at all times for any signs of a Leviathan ambush.

As they advanced deeper into the Molted Range, the atmosphere grew tense. Shadows danced along the rocky walls, and the echoes of their footsteps seemed amplified in the confined space. The Lords of Horror remained unfazed, their senses attuned to any potential threats.

Freya couldn’t help but admire their composure. Walking beside Grand Marshal Anglius, she whispered, "Their presence alone is enough to bolster the morale of our troops."

The young viking princess knew that many admired her, but it was not the same with the Lords of Horrors. The difference was that while the soldiers were in awe of her power, she did not feel like a soldier but a hero, something they could never achieve. However, the Lords of Horrors were normal people who had become superhumans, machines of war, and maybe they could join them.

The golden giant nodded. "Indeed. With them leading, our chances of establishing the stronghold are significantly higher." He was truly in awe by this new force and could not help but want to learn more about them.

Hours passed as they traversed the treacherous path. Occasionally, they would come across remnants of previous battles—charred pieces of Leviathan drones and scorched earth bearing witness to the fierce clashes that had taken place.