Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 506: First steps into the new continent

Chapter 506: First steps into the new continent

Overlord closed his eyes as he surveyed the ravaged battlefield, satisfied by the soldiers’ efforts. Thanks to their disciplined cooperation, every last demon soul would be collected without issue, and once sealed, those souls would give rise to nearly a million new Demon Soul Masters in the Xaos Kingdom.

Of course, Overlord intended to harvest every demon soul scattered across the shore, but that did not mean he planned to stand around and wait idly. Instead, he raised one hand in a clear signal, prompting a new wave of movement on the massive warships.

One by one, hundreds of thousands of tiny creatures disembarked. At first glance, they looked like ordinary ants, each one no larger than a grain of rice. However, any individual capable of powerful scanning or heightened perception would quickly realize these were no normal insects. They were sophisticated mini-robots—miniature constructs of metal, circuits, and advanced technology specifically tailored to operate undetected.

Overlord had recently designed these Sentinels, improving upon earlier models by elevating their sensory capabilities and streamlining their design. Their small size meant they could infiltrate the most hostile terrains with minimal risk of detection. After all, who would pay attention to a simple line of ants crawling through the dirt?

Spreading out like a living wave, these minuscule Sentinels marched beyond the sandy coastline, penetrating deeper into the interior of the Oceanis Continent. Their mission was as essential. to map every square kilometer of this vast land, identify demonic nests, angelic strongholds, Monster habitats, and any human settlements they encountered. In essence, Overlord was laying the groundwork for what would be a systematic reclamation of Oceanis, step by careful step.

Shortly after the Sentinels vanished into the distance, Overlord connected with the communication gems of a group of soldiers. Responding to his silent command, a mixed squad of Mages and Warriors rushed off the ships and continued several kilometers inland. There, they activated space rings loaded with metal panels, arcane materials, and various mechanical parts.

Working under Overlord’s precise direction, they rapidly assembled a towering structure: a communication tower that sprouted skyward in a matter of hours. Though drained from their task, the Mages and Warriors showed unwavering determination, nodding to each other before setting off again, intent on erecting more towers deeper in the wild terrain.

According to Overlord’s calculations, they would need at least thirty-two such towers scattered across strategic locations throughout Oceanis in order to form an unbroken communication network. Of course, the soldiers would only forge a few of them right now, just enough to relay intelligence gathered by the Sentinels.

By nightfall of the first day, the entire coastline stood purged of demonic threats. Not even the formidable Abyssals survived. Every demon encountered, no matter their Tier, ended the day sealed within a specialized parchment and stored safely aboard the warships for future use. Despite the success, the soldiers’ work remained far from over. They now needed to construct a solid foothold on Oceanis that could support further expeditions.

Thanks to their potent magic, superhuman strength, and Overlord’s meticulous supervision, it took barely two days for a rudimentary stronghold to take shape. Though the fortification lacked the grandeur or heavily fortified walls of a traditional fortress, it served its primary purpose: to function as a secure settlement where troops could rest after grueling hours of scouting, fighting, and further reconnaissance. After all, the Xaos Kingdom’s intention was not simply to defend themselves but to expand their influence across Oceanis, step by strategic step.

Once the stronghold reached operational status, the soldiers finally enjoyed a brief respite. However, rest would not come so easily for the kingdom’s upper echelon. Vlad, Jormungandr, Ouroboros, Grand Marshal Anglius, Freya, Fafnir, Duke Viserin, the Royal Guard, and other high-ranking generals and leaders all gathered aboard the flagship of the Xaos fleet. There, they crowded around a large, glowing holographic map of the Oceanis Continent.

Every individual in the group studied the map with unwavering attention. They noticed the intricacy of the topography: mountainous terrain in the center, sweeping plains at the northernmost region, and dense jungles choking the southwestern corner. Precisely marked icons denoted pockets of demonic or angelic activity, as well as potential Monster dens. Zooming in on specific locales revealed high-resolution detail that no mortal cartographer could have matched. The accuracy was stunning, and it left many of them, even the seasoned veterans, in awe.

"It’s incredible," Grand Marshal Anglius remarked in a low voice. He showed great respect for Overlord’s technological marvels. "Look at how thorough it is. Every valley, every rocky outcrop, every cave... The Sentinels scanned it all in a matter of hours."

Freya, standing at Vlad’s side, nodded in agreement. "Their stealth and efficiency are something else. If it weren’t for Overlord’s direction, it might have taken us weeks or months just to get an overview of where to focus our forces. Now we can proceed with pinpoint precision."

After ensuring he had everyone’s attention, Overlord spoke: "As we previously discussed, our immediate objective is to secure the entire perimeter of the continent. We’ll split our forces into three major coalitions and use the warships to deploy them along the other main shores of Oceanis. Once we establish control over the coastline, we can gradually advance into the continent’s interior."

Vlad, Fafnir, Grand Marshal Anglius, and the others quietly nodded, taking in each detail. Overlord then pointed to various locations on the holographic map. Several markers glowed in red, blue, and green, indicating high concentrations of demons, angels, and Monsters, respectively.

"For demons and angels," Overlord continued, "the best approach is to send in our soldier battalions. They’re best equipped to capture enemies alive, which aligns with our objective of collecting souls or bloodlines. Meanwhile, the Thiamatos Race units should focus on Monsters since our goal is to kill them. The Thiamatos creatures can also serve as support when we’re hunting demons and angels, preventing their escape by sea or land."

Everyone in the briefing gave a unanimous nod of approval. The strategy sounded logical and aligned with the Kingdom’s broader Threefold Path plan, which aimed to handle demons, angels, and Monsters in a distinct manner. Nonetheless, as Overlord’s explanation continued, eyes drifted toward certain white markers scattered on the map—spots labeled as human organizations.