Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 396: First defeat

Chapter 396: First defeat

"Prepare for volcanic detonation. All units, brace for impact."

Atop the volcano’s zenith, dozens of fire Mages stood in formation. They chanted in unison, their hands weaving intricate patterns of arcane energy. They redirected the immense heat and pressure within the volcano, guiding it with precise control.

Suddenly, under the gaze of all the Leviathans, the volcano erupted. A colossal plume of fire, ash, and molten rock burst into the sky. The sound was deafening, a thunderous roar that drowned out the noise of battle.

Thanks to the guidance of the fire Mages, the eruption’s force was directed outward, away from the inner ring of Kuro Mountain. Torrents of lava cascaded down the outer slopes, a fiery avalanche that consumed everything in its path. Massive boulders, superheated and glowing, were hurled through the air, crashing into the Leviathan ranks with explosive force.

The Leviathan troops could only watch as the wall of molten destruction bore down upon them. Waves of lava and rock slammed into the swarm, incinerating drones by the tens of thousands. The Armored Leviathans, despite their tough exoskeletons, stood no chance against the sheer heat and force.

Nearly one hundred thousand Leviathans were obliterated in a matter of moments. The battlefield was engulfed in flames, the once dark and churning sea of enemies now a hellscape of fire and ash. Rivers of lava flowed along the paths carved by the Xaos Forces, their searing currents sweeping away any remaining drones that sought to advance.

Within the inner walls, the human soldiers watched the scene with awe and relief. The brutal countermeasure had halted the Leviathan’s advance, saving them.

Freya, Anglius, and Theodoro shared small smiles as they watched the flow of magma fill the outer ring of Kuro Mountain, consuming tens of thousands of drones and pushing the Leviathans away. The fiery river was a sight to behold—a tide of molten rock that obliterated the advancing swarm. The strategy had worked, and the enemy was in retreat.

But after a few seconds, complicated expressions arose on their faces. The Lava Flow was a move they could only make once, and it was designed to take place at the end of the day after the troops had expended all their energy and killed at least a million and a half drones. However, due to the unexpected appearance of the Armored Leviathans, everything had gone to hell.

The idea of underground Leviathans had already been considered; after all, given the insectoid appearance of those creatures, it was logical that they could have such types of units. That was why they had focused on monitoring the ground with magic matrices and detection spells. Yet none of them had been activated, showing that the Armored Leviathans could hide from their surveillance. This unforeseen development had cost them dearly.

"Report," Freya uttered softly. The next second, the communication gem embedded in her gauntlet glowed, displaying the number of casualties they had endured. A deep frown appeared on her face, mirrored by Grand Marshal Anglius and Theodoro as they received the same grim news. They had lost nearly six thousand Turkin riders, which was only kept that low due to Overlord’s quick reactions; otherwise, it could have been much worse.

Over fifty thousand Turkin riders remained, so while the losses were heavy, they were not yet devastating. But the problem was that they had already lost the outer ring, and now only the inner ring and the zenith of Kuro Mountain remained as their defensive positions. According to the original plan, the Leviathan hive should have been reduced to half its original size by the time they reached the inner ring. Yet, over 70% of those creatures were still left.

If they were pushed to the zenith with more than two million Leviathans remaining, they would have to escape Kuro Mountain and return to the Molten Range, reducing their control over Karman County. It would mark a significant loss and make the goal of reaching the Leviathan Obelisk nearly impossible.

"Fifteen hours before the magma flow stops and another five before the lava colds down. Use the time to heal and recover," Overlord’s voice emerged the next second through the soldiers’ communication gems. Many of them nodded as they began to search for places to eat and rest, while those injured were taken to tents to be healed by Magic Doctors trained in healing alchemy.

Unlike the end of the first clash, there was no laughter this time. Even though they had managed to push the Leviathans back and had killed hundreds of thousands while losing less than ten thousand themselves, it still felt like a clear defeat.

The somber mood was most palpable among the Turkin soldiers. Every single one among them had just lost a friend or family member, leaving a heavy wound in their hearts. The sudden and brutal nature of the losses weighed on their spirits.

King Viserin saw the state of his troops and could not help but sigh. The pain in his heart upon losing so many brave soldiers in such a horrible and swift manner was immense. Soon, his eyes grew sharp as he realized that while others could allow themselves to feel downcast, he could not.

With firm steps, King Viserin walked among his troops, spending a few moments with each one. He clasped shoulders, offered words of comfort, and listened to their grief.

His presence was a beacon of strength, helping them overcome the pain and sorrow. It was clear that the man was an impressive leader, and his actions rekindled the fighting spirit within his soldiers.

Freya, Grand Marshal Anglius, and Theodoro watched him with admiration and respect. They could see how his personal touch was lifting the spirits of the Turkin soldiers, even if only slightly.

"He’s doing more for them than any speech or order could," Theodoro remarked quietly.

"Indeed," Anglius agreed. "A true leader stands with his people in their darkest hours."

Freya nodded thoughtfully. "Perhaps we should do the same."

The trio could not do much to change the situation, but they decided to follow his example. They moved among their own forces, sharing a few words, offering encouragement, and reminding them of the importance of their mission.