Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 433: Pincer movement

Chapter 433: Pincer movement

Ouroboros nodded with pride and anticipation. "I’ve been waiting for this moment."

"Begin your evolution immediately," Vlad advised. "Don’t worry about anything else. We have things covered."

"Thank you," Ouroboros replied. Without further delay, he turned and sprinted toward the summit of Kuro Mountain. Reaching the peak, he didn’t hesitate and leaped into the fiery depths, intending to use the volcano’s searing heat and elemental power to assist in his transformation.

With broad smiles and renewed determination, the trio entered the command center.

---

Vlad and the rest of the higher-ups stood around the grand map table in the command center atop Kuro Mountain.

Hovering above the map was a small metallic orb, its surface smooth and emitting a gentle hum. The orb pulsed with light as Overlord prepared to speak, his voice emerging the next second, resonating clearly throughout the chamber.

"My Sentinels have spread across all of the Asani Continent," Overlord announced. "I can assure you that there is no longer any presence of Leviathans."

Vlad exchanged glances with Grand Marshal Anglius, Major General Theodoro, King Viserin, Ned, and the Royal Guards assembled in the room. They all nodded in acknowledgment. Though the news brought them some peace of mind, they knew that the Leviathans had left the Asani Continent only after completely decimating the western regions. Entire cities had been reduced to rubble, and the once-thriving ecosystems were now barren, with no sign of any form of fauna left. It was still hard to accept that millions of people perished, and they could do nothing to stop it.

"Regarding the Monsoon Continent," Overlord continued, the orb casting a soft blue light over the map as it highlighted specific regions. "We have complete control over the Karman Country, and my Sentinels show me that the Leviathan forces in the Kylen Country amass to less than three million. They are spread into clusters of hundreds of thousands of Leviathans, with more than 96% being normal drones."

A sharpness appeared in the eyes of Vlad and Grand Marshal Anglius as they absorbed this information. Facing three million Leviathans at the same time would be an extremely heavy task that would require a lot of preparation. However, facing clusters of hundreds of thousands—most of them drones—was something more manageable, achievable with strategic strikes and coordinated efforts. Before anyone could suggest a course of action, the group continued listening to Overlord’s analysis.

"Right to the south, in the Keny Country," Overlord projected, shifting the map’s focus, "there are signs of mobilizing—a Leviathan army assembling. It is still far from the border with the Karman Country, so I don’t have much detailed information, but the numbers seem to have already reached four million."

Immediately, frowns appeared on all those present. An army of four million was already a significant threat, but Leviathan forces grew as they advanced, assimilating more units scattered across the terrain. By the time they reached Kuro Mountain, their numbers could easily reach three times their current size, or maybe even more. Clearly, the hive mind was furious and sought payback—a problem they needed to handle immediately.

A meaningful light appeared in Vlad’s eyes as he gazed at the map and focused on the east. His finger traced the borderlines, and his mind raced with possibilities.

"How is the situation across the Rand Country?" he inquired.

All eyes turned to the last country that shared borders with the Karman Country. The Rand Country was a desolate place—a vast desert with harsh living conditions. Even before the apocalypse, it had been inhospitable for most forms of life.

"Given that the Leviathans strive for biomass," Vlad reasoned, "their presence there should be less than in the rest of the countries."

"Prime Master’s assumption is correct," Overlord confirmed. "The presence of Sentinels in the Rand Country indicates not more than one and a half million Leviathans."

A thoughtful silence settled over the room. Vlad’s eyes gleamed as he pointed back to the Kylen Country on the map.

"Grand Marshal Anglius," Vlad addressed, turning to the seasoned military leader, "you have already explored and attacked the Kylen Country during the incursion. Would you be able to decimate the Leviathans present there in less than two weeks with only the Golden Wave Legion, Shadowstrike Legion, and Turkin Riders?"

Grand Marshal Anglius sensed that a plan was forming in Vlad’s mind. He contemplated the proposal, weighing the strengths of his forces against the challenges they would face. After a moment, he shook his head solemnly.

"I am sorry, my King," he replied. "But trying to cleanse the Kylen Country in such a short amount of time is too much. The terrain is difficult, and the Leviathans, though spread out, are deeply entrenched in certain areas. Without additional support or resources, we risk overextending our forces and enduring severe casualties."

Vlad sighed as he heard this. He trusted Anglius’s judgment implicitly. If the Grand Marshal said it couldn’t be done under the current circumstances, then pressing the issue would be unwise. However, before Vlad could discard the idea, Overlord’s voice echoed through the chamber once more.

"Grand Marshal Anglius," the A.I. Clone interjected, "I have recently completed the manufacture of an artifact capable of generating a blast that would destroy everything within a three-hundred-meter radius. The destructive wave will expand for one and a half kilometers, ensuring the death of anything beneath the Champion Realm. I could have five of them at your disposal."

Grand Marshal Anglius’s eyes widened as he absorbed this information. He was not alone; everyone else in the room was visibly taken aback by the military wonders that Overlord was able to produce. The golden giant did not lose focus, quickly recalculating his earlier assessment. A wide smile appeared on his face as the possibilities unfolded in his mind.

"With those artifacts," he declared confidently, "I am confident in eradicating the Leviathans in Kylen Country within two weeks. We can target their largest clusters and cripple their forces significantly."

Vlad’s eyes glowed with renewed hope. Overlord’s intervention meant that the plan he had been formulating had a chance of success.

"While the Golden Wave Legion, Shadowstrike Legion, and Turkin Riders take care of the Kylen Country," Vlad continued, his voice steady and commanding, "I, Jormungandr, Freya, the Royal Guard, and the Lords of Horror will go to the Rand Country and do the same."

The eyes of everybody present lit up as they grasped Vlad’s strategy. If they managed to position their forces in the Kylen Country and Rand Country, they could perform a pincer move on the Leviathan force moving through the Keny Country. If that maneuver was successful, they would dominate the north of the Monsoon Continent and be ready to march into the heart of the Leviathan Race.