Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 421: Biomass shipment (I)

Chapter 421: Biomass shipment (I)

Vlad took a deep breath, allowing the cool air to fill his lungs as he sought to find a sense of balance. His mind, a storm of conflicting emotions, finally settled into a state of focused determination. He fixed his gaze on the metallic orb hovering above the center of the command tent.

With a cold, measured voice, Vlad spoke. "I understand your reasoning, Overlord, and why it was the pragmatic call when it came to the battlefield. Whether I am fine with it is another matter, and we will handle it once the war is over. However, your decision to forsake the Caraban Country and its people carries all sorts of trouble that will make our future incursion all the more difficult."

Freya, Ouroboros, and the others in the room exchanged glances, initially relieved to see Vlad regain his composure. But as they absorbed the weight of his words, frowns appeared on their faces. The ethical implications of leaving an entire country to the mercy of the Leviathans were grave enough, but now they had to consider the strategic consequences for the war.

No longer just a moral dilemma, the reality dawned on them: all those deaths in Caraban Country meant more biomass for the Leviathans. This would soon translate into a massive army, possibly even larger than the one they had just defeated at Kuro Mountain. The victory had been hard-won—a crushing defeat for the Leviathans—but it had come at a steep cost. Thousands of Turkin riders had fallen, hundreds of Golden Wave Legion soldiers were lost, and dozens of members of the Shadowstrike Legion had perished.

Unlike the Leviathan Race, the Xaos and Turkin Kingdoms could not simply replenish their numbers in a matter of weeks, as every single one of those men and women took months or even years to train.

It was paramount that they carve a path into the Leviathan race’s core before their own numbers diminished so much that they would lack the power to launch an effective incursion.

Breaking the heavy silence, Overlord’s calm and composed voice echoed from the metallic orb. "According to the information gathered by my sensors, the Leviathan forces should have finished with their expedition across Caraban Country less than twelve hours ago and should still be occupied with the biomass gathering. I doubt they will attempt to make their way back by land, as that would mean moving through the Xaos Kingdom and the Turkin Kingdom. Their power is considerable, but they are less than twenty thousand strong. Such a journey would be suicide."

Flashes of understanding sparked in the eyes of Vlad and the generals as they nodded at Overlord’s analysis. The Xaos Kingdom was close enough for their strongest warriors to make it there in less than three days, so it was not a viable path for the hive mind.

Overlord continued, "Their most likely path back would be the same way they reached Caraban Country to begin with—through the air."

Grand Marshal Anglius furrowed his brow. "While the hive mind is able to produce Leviathans capable of flight, those creatures must use vast amounts of biological energy to achieve that feat," he mused. "Flying directly back to their base in the Monsoon Continent is impossible without rest. They must search for the closest place to land that is under their control."

As Vlad listened to those words, a meaningful light appeared in his eyes. He began to connect the dots. "This load of biomass might have been the reason why they were so focused on taking control of the Karman Country," he said thoughtfully. "This place would have been the perfect landing point since the flight distance from the Asani Continent is the shortest."

Overlord’s orb pulsed as he responded. "I agree, Prime Master. The hive mind’s determination to secure the Karman Country and the deployment of many of its trump cards indicates a goal beyond establishing a mere strategic stronghold. Now that we have control over it, they will have to head into Kylen Country, south of our position, which gives us an opportunity to intercept them."

The generals exchanged glances, the weight of the situation settling upon them. They began analyzing the information, trying to figure out their next move.

Grand Marshal Anglius broke the contemplative silence. "Overlord, what are the chances that the hive mind knows we are aware of this biomass shipment?" His voice was steady, but there was an undercurrent of urgency. All eyes turned to him, acknowledging his decades of military experience—a man who had dedicated his life to the battlefield long before the apocalypse began.

Overlord paused briefly before replying. "My prototype Sentinels never made contact with the forces of the Leviathans," he stated. "Therefore, the chances that the hive mind detected them should be negligible. I am 99% certain that the hive mind believes we have no knowledge of the aerial shipment of biomass."

Grand Marshal Anglius nodded, a calculating gleam in his eyes as he began formulating a plan. "A direct incursion on their landing zone would be too visible and draw too much attention," he mused. "The hive mind might even be willing to change the location of the landing zone or use it to set an ambush for us."

Vlad and the other commanders nodded in agreement, allowing Anglius to gather his thoughts.

"We should act in two teams," the Grand Marshal proposed. "One force should make a direct incursion into the heart of Kylen Country, making the hive mind think our goal is to expand our domain. This will draw their attention and ground forces."

He glanced around the room, ensuring he had everyone’s attention before continuing. "At the same time, another team should make its way to the coastal zone of Kylen Country. Their mission would be to locate where the Leviathan expedition plans to land and destroy the biomass they collected."

Freya leaned forward, her eyes shining with determination. "A pincer movement," she said. "Divide their focus and strike where they least expect it."